Vegan News 5.20.13

Taxpayer Dollars Are Helping Monsanto Sell Seeds Abroad. “Nearly two decades after their mid-’90s debut in US farm fields, GMO seeds are looking less and less promising. Do the industry’s products ramp up crop yields? The Union of Concerned Scientists looked at that question in detail for a 2009 study. Short answer: marginally, if at all. Do they lead to reduced pesticide use? No; in fact, the opposite.”

Praying mantises are insects with a distinctly alien look about them. “Most of the 2,400 species of mantis are ambush predators, waiting patiently for prey to stray within striking distance. They devour any unfortunate victims alive, often head first. Praying mantises can effectively blend into the background to use for both attack and defence, with some going as far as looking like leaves, grass or even stones.”

Bieber’s monkey is now Germany’s: Abandoned animal is officially state property after singer fails to claim it back. “Justin Bieber’s abandoned monkey Mally is now officially the property of the German state and has been moved to a secret location to protect it from paparazzi photographers and fans wanting to adopt him. The Canadian teen idol let the deadline pass on Friday to collect the capuchin monkey impounded back in March when he jetted into Europe for his tour without the correct paperwork.”

Wildlife experts worry about recent shootings of Hawaiian hawks. “One hawk was found March 20 and the other April 27. Both found with suspected wounds from a bb gun. ‘The first time it was very disconcerting that one was injured that way because you have to think that’s its an endangered bird it’s a protected bird. When you get two of them that raises flags it makes us begin to try and look at the reason that someone might be doing it, ‘Three Ring Ranch owner Ann Goody said. Goody believes the hawks were injured by farmers who shot at the birds after possible attacks on their chickens.”

Photo credit: Aaron Kor via Flickr