Wildlife

Reports about the rising numbers of false widow spiders in this country have inspired an epidemic of hysterical spider-swatting – despite that majority of the UK species are harmless.

Autumnal celebrations are in order at this time of year – but sometimes human festivities can leave the animals in our lives perplexed, afraid or even in danger.

DEFRA Minister Lord de Mauley confirmed that the government will go ahead with plans to keep all wild animals out of circuses.

There are things that no sentient animal should ever have to endure…

Reading the story of a baby elephant in a Chinese zoo who wept for five hours after his mother twice tried to kill him yesterday almost made us cry.

Mali has spent 35 years at the Manila Zoo, where she endures intense confinement, boredom, loneliness and isolation in an area fraction of the size of her natural habitat.

Philippine Airlines will no longer transport primates to laboratories to be used in experiments – a policy change that could save hundreds of monkeys from being trafficked for animal tests.

Get the facts about food. What is veal? How is foie gras made? Where does caviar come from? Is goat cheese cruel? Does it hurt when lobsters are boiled alive?

Badgers across England are currently being threatened: a planned cull will begin soon unless we can convince the government to stop the slaughter.

Dolphins may be diving in delight this week at the news that plans to build dolphin parks in several Indian states have been scrapped following pressure from PETA India.