Technology playing a role in spring bear hunt It was a long battle that the government won – the spring bear hunt in Ontario is on, and now in its second week. But technology is making it (hopefully) safer for mama bears and her cubs. According to one source, trail cams can be used to …
The Ontario spring bear hunt has begun. After a long battle, advocates have been unable to reverse the government’s vote-grabbing plan to open up the hunt, which was closed more than a decade ago. The reason the hunt was ended was simple: bear cubs were being orphaned by the hundreds. But in a desperate bid …
The risk for Mountain caribou in western Canada is at a critical juncture – and the policies of governments of BC and Alberta are not focusing on what the true cause is. The Rocky Mountain Outlook reported that at the recent meeting of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) the …
Mountain caribou decline stems from habitat loss; why are we hunting wolves? Read More »
We’ve been following the issues of trapping in Calgary for some time now. Across Alberta, trapping is an issue for pet owners, wildlife lovers and even hikers. In Calgary, a dedicated group of volunteers had decided that they wanted action. With their help, APFA sent notice to all elected officials in the City of Calgary, …
Trap ban petition ready for circulation in Calgary Read More »
It was with heavy hearts that we learned yesterday Canadian icon, author and environmentalist Farley Mowat had passed on. Media reports have noted that Mowat, whose books had sold over 17,000,000 copies in several languages, died in his Port Hope home at the age of 92. Born in Belleville on May 12, 1921, Mowat was …
Farley Mowat inspired a love of wildlife and Canada Read More »
When a law is just, it will be upheld. And that’s the case in West Hollywood this week. According to the HSUS, the policy banning the sale of fur in West Hollywood was upheld by a federal court after a retailer filed a complaint, claiming the ban was unconstitutional. The HSUS noted: “[Judge George] King …
You don’t mess with momma beaver National news was made last week when a beaver got lost in Miramichi, New Brunswick, and showed her frustration. According to the original story on the CBC.ca, the beaver was likely displaced by recent flooding in the area. But her reaction was priceless: slapping her tail at onlookers, stomping …
One year ago a small budget documentary was premiered at the HotDocs film festival in Toronto. The film followed the journey of a photographer – Jo-Anne McArthur – as she explored the exploitation of animals in modern society. In the year that passed, The Ghosts in Our Machine has become a staple in the work …
Kathleen Wynne blew it – and now Ontario is heading to the polls on June 12 for an early election. Our first question: what does this mean for the animals? Scandal after scandal rocked the Ontario Liberal Party, reducing them to a minority in the last election and held afloat largely by NDP support in …
Ontario election 2014: what it means for the animals Read More »
We’re always happy to see ethical, fur-free clothiers opening up shop. But we’re absolutely ecstatic that Fjällräven has opened their first store in Canada – down the street from us! The Swedish outdoors company is expanding their international presence and have opened their first Canadian retail outlet at 147 West Broadway in Vancouver. We can …
The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) has chosen to continue the suspension of all trapping in their parks until a committee can prepare new policies – and you better believe we’ll be talking with that committee. Trapping was stopped by the HCA earlier this week when a hiker reported finding a muskrat and an at-risk (special …
Beavers given a reprieve in Hamilton Conservation Areas Read More »
APFA has been provided images of the animals known to be caught in Conibear traps set for beavers at the Fifty Creek Conservation Area in Hamilton, Ontario. Under the Agreement for International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) trade agreement, Conibear-type traps are certified for use to catch and kill (within 300 seconds) beavers. We are regularly …
GRAPHIC IMAGES: Traps in Fifty Creek Conservation Area show dangers of AIHTS Read More »
The term non-target catch refers to anything caught in a trap that wasn’t the intended animal. Unfortunately, traps don’t know how to tell the difference between say, a beaver and an at-risk (special concern status) snapping turtle. That was just the case in a Hamilton-area conservation system this week. According to the Hamilton Spectator, a …
At-risk snapping turtle not the last victim if trapping continues Read More »
Rehabbers show fawns can be adopted It’s long been known that orphaned birds of prey can be adopted by other families. Now it’s known that the same is true of orphaned fawns. In an Edmonton Sun article, The Medicine River Wildlife Centre explained that they have been reintroducing orphaned fawns to the wild – and …
On April 12, APFA converged on Calgary, Alberta to host A Celebration of Wildlife. Nearly 100 wildlife lovers joined us at the Hotel Alma at the University of Calgary for this half-day event, which featured experts from across the province. Included in that list was Predator-Friendly Rancher Louise Liebenberg and the University of Calgary’s Dr. …
A disturbing trend of trapping in Calgary has culminated in another frightening incident. According to resident Brenda Willy, a rabbit dragged a two-foot chain and stake from a leg-hold trap, fastened to his front, right paw last weekend. “I was cleaning in the back and I heard this ‘clink, clink, clink,’ sound coming from down …
A marketing magazine has published an article suggesting that the concept of sustainability and ‘green’ choices is making fur popular amongst Generation Y. The irony is palatable.
It’s called a wolf management plan. It’s really a policy that protects the ability of hunters, trappers, ranchers and just about anyone else to kill as many wolves as often as they can.
The Management Plan for the Grey Wolf was released on April 17, 2014, just before the Easter holiday. After months of attempts to uncover the plan by traditional media and advocates, it is clear what the government was trying to keep out of the public’s eye.
It’s easy to say that a wild animal went mad and decided to start attacking. It’s harder to say you’re not sure – and that’s the approach a representative of WildSafeBC is taking. After a spate of sightings and conflicts between bobcats and domestic dogs in the Squamish area, CBC spoke with Meg Toom, a …
WildSafeBC asks the right questions in bobcat conflict Read More »
A beaver was released near his home after a Conservation Officer found him wrapped in a snare trap in Prince George. The Conservation Officer told Global News that the beaver was caught in an illegal snare trap in a residential area. The question we must ask is: why was the trap deemed illegal?
In the small town of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, a coyote was sighted near a school. And that's it for the story. At the end of the school day, children went home, and apparently so did the coyote. Yet this non-event still led to an article in a local newspaper. The harrowing account of someone …
Pappas Furs, a long-time Vancouver furrier, has closed. Opened 100 years ago, it stood as an “icon” for the fur trade and Canada’s rugged past. Fortunately, that rugged past is just that: past. A recent article in The Vancouver Sun outlines the storied history of Pappas Fur during its final days. The “growth” of the …
Industry says fur is back – store closure says otherwise Read More »
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: fashion is cyclical. The rapid rise of fur prices in recent years was disheartening for us and our supporters. But the perfect storm of higher temperatures and lowering spending trends means one thing – fur is on the outs in China. According to an article on …
Getting them young is the plan trappers in Ontario have to keep their industry alive. In a recent “news article” about the Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay, a “reporter” revealed that the industry is grasping at straws to get kids interested. A youth apprenticeship program is in full swing after its first season – …
