Vegan News 5.17.13

An animal once used as a pregnancy test may be ‘the Typhoid Mary of the frog world.’ “According to researchers, the African clawed frog carries a deadly fungus that is responsible for the decline and extinction of approximately 200 amphibian species around the world. The frogs were first brought to the U.S. in the early 20th century to be used as pregnancy tests; they were injected with urine from female patients. When the practice was discontinued, the animals may have been released into the wild.”

UK claims breakthrough in fish dumping talks. “The UK says it has agreed new laws with the European Union over the controversial dumping of unwanted fish. Fisheries minister Richard Benyon said the ‘reforms’ would make discards ‘a thing of the past’. But green groups were less upbeat, saying the European Parliament’s plans on fishing reform were more ambitious. After marathon talks, EU fisheries ministers agreed on a reform package including a ban on dumping pelagic fish, such as mackerel and herring.”

100 Words: Life And Death Of A Japanese Racehorse. “Currently, more than 95 percent of Japan’s racehorses are born and raised in the southeast of Hokkaido, an island in northern Japan. The region was known for its war horses until the early 1900s. The intensity of competition at the horse races increased to the point that the new motto is ‘Losers must disappear.’ Because of this competitive climate, about 90 percent of horses born with any kinds of defects are transformed into cat food, dog food and food for human consumption. Through this project, I hope to bring awareness to the life and use of horses in Japan.” Photo essay by Hajime Kimura.

Photo credit: Boston Public Library via Flickr