For those who do not receive notifications directly from USDA APHIS, please note that the agency has just announced that it has removed its Self-Reporting Incentive Program, included in the
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Zoos and Aquaria
Unintended Consequences that would result from adoption of the Big Cat Public Safety Act
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 1380, a bill that would amend the existing amendments to the Lacey Act, titled “Captive Wildlife Safety Act”, to purportedly “further the conservation of…
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Lack of Standing—Fatal Obstacle to Plaintiffs in Complaint Against SeaWorld
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Plaintiff Juliette Morizur and Plaintiff Kelly Nelson, along with other plaintiffs (at least one of whom dismissed his claims with prejudice, evidencing the sham nature of those claims) sued Sea…
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Notice to Aquaria: Fifth Circuit reversed OSHA order about “scientific diving” exemption to Commercial Diving Operations
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
On July 15, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, filed its decision, holding that “dives made by aquarium staff members to feed animals housed at aquarium and…
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On the importance of zoos.
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Recently the Washington Post described the life and death of a 100 year old Aldabra tortoise at the National Zoo who had spent nearly a lifetime as an ambassador for…
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SeaWorld’s Motion for Summary Judgment Granted in Part and Denied in Part.
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The lawsuit filed against SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Inc. (SeaWorld) in the Northern District of California, styled Marc Anderson, et al. v. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Inc. has…
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The latest version of New Jersey’s Nosey’s Law needs a nose job.
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
S1093 and A1923, the latest versions of Nosey’s law, a bill that originally would have prohibited the use of elephants in traveling animal acts, has now expanded its reach…
Continue Reading The latest version of New Jersey’s Nosey’s Law needs a nose job.
Novel copyright infringement lawsuit against documentary filmmaker by Vancouver Aquarium.
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The Vancouver Aquarium filed suit against documentary filmmakers for alleged copyright infringement and breach of contract regarding at least some portions of a video entitled Vancouver Aquarium Uncovered, which …
Court Permits Plaintiffs Another Crack at SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Inc. (SeaWorld)
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The Plaintiffs who sued SeaWorld “alleging misrepresentations about its treatment of orcas” will have survived SeaWorld’s motion to dismiss if they cure the defects the Court identified in the Order…
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SeaWorld and HSUS Unite
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
In a stunning announcement, SeaWorld’s President & CEO Joel Manby and the Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne Pacelle, told TV viewers this morning that they had aligned…
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