Vegan News 4.3.13

Five-legged lamb born at Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth. “Named Quinto by staff at Whitehouse Farm Centre in Morpeth, it was among three born on Sunday. Quinto has quickly become one of the star attractions at the farm, which also features llamas, wallabies and meerkats. ‘We’ll see lambs born with two heads and Siamese twins, there can be all sorts of deformities that make them nonviable.'”

From pets to plates: Why more people are eating Guinea Pigs. “Matt Miller, an Idaho-based science writer with The Nature Conservancy, says rodents and other small livestock represent a low-impact meat alternative to carbon-costly beef. Miller, who is writing a book about the ecological benefits of eating unconventional meats, visited Colombia several years ago. At the time, he says, conservation groups were expressing concern about local ranchers clearing forest to provide pasture for their cattle — activity that was causing erosion and water pollution. ‘They were encouraging people to switch from cattle to guinea pigs,” Miller says. “Guinea pigs don’t require the land that cattle do. They can be kept in backyards, or in your home. They’re docile and easy to raise.'”

‘Unusual mortality event’ declared for California sea lion. “The severely underweight pups, some clinging to life, have been found stranded on beaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego at rates exponentially higher than in years past. Surviving pups have filled marine mammal sanctuaries along the coast, which have taken in a record number of sea lions for rehabilitation for this time of year. Sea World in San Diego has saved 270 sea lions, more than in the last two years combined. At last count, 170 sea lions were being treated there. Sharon Melin, a wildlife biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said it’s not uncommon for sea lion pups to become stranded, but the recent occurrences have been troubling because of the scale, the time of year and the mystery surrounding their cause.”

Fury as ‘wildlife’ camera company Nikon produce a rifle scope for hunting big game in Africa. “Stunning images of animals are used to promote its products, features on top wildlife photographers appear on its website and the firm even sponsors several global conservation projects. So it may come as quite a shock to animal lovers to discover that the Japanese manufacturer also produces a rifle scope specifically designed to be used for big game hunting in Africa. The ‘Monarch African’ gunsight which sells for around £170, is touted in their marketing literature as the ‘proven choice for dangerous big game hunting’ and a great choice for anyone ‘seeking their dangerous game adventure in the dark continent.'”

Photo credit: Pirate Alice via Flickr