Wildlife and Exotics

This report systematically studied the behavior of a solitary dolphin off the southeast coast of England in 2007. Accompanied by humans for 18.4% of the 100 hours of observation, the dolphin changed her behavior during human presence, at times exhibiting behaviors possibly hazardous to people in the water and to the dolphin herself.

A strategy known as dolphin-assisted therapy claims that brief exposure to dolphins is so rewarding that it produces positive benefits to or "jump-starts" a human patient's receptiveness to more conventional physical therapies.

This article argues that the study, analysis, and sharing of information on animal welfare programs among different zoos and aquariums will potentially lead to improved animal welfare among all facilities.

Since the mid-20th century, the public has opposed seal hunts. However, the Canadian government defends the practice by arguing that seal pelts are an important source of income for hunters, that killing methods are humane, and that these hunts are sustainable. This paper evaluates the economic argument for ending the Canadian commercial seal hunt.

This summary of public opinion polls was compiled by Support Hunting Association, a coalition of pro-hunting advocates. It summarizes British public opinion on hunting between 1997 and 2004, concluding that there is minimal public support for a ban on fox hunting.

"The Cove," a documentary about dolphin hunting in Japan, emphasizes the health risks of consuming dolphin meat, which has been found to contain high levels of mercury. Japanese authorities, however, say they remain unconvinced of the potential danger.

Research conducted by the University of Hokkaido found that mercury levels in hair samples of the residents of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture (Japan), are about ten times the average in Japan, possibly due to the consumption of whale meat with high concentrations of mercury. Inhabitants of this region are known for eating significant quantities of whale meat caught by coastal whaling.

A collection of wildlife/hunting data and statistics for animals within the the state of Wisconsin. These reports are divided into several major categories including small game, big game, waterfowl, furbearers, and nongame. Specific species addressed include grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, turkey, black bear, deer, beaver, bobcat, frogs, toads, bald eagles, and osprey.

An annual survey conducted in the state of Massachusetts yielded sightings of 71 individual bald eagles, a species that was once listed as threatened, but removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007.