FRIDAY DATA DUMP: The Cruelest Species

Human Beings Suck

Sea Cucumber Smuggler Nabbed at South Florida Airport, Feds Say
https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/sea-cucumber-smuggling-busted-at-florida-airport-feds-say-18417862

2 men are charged with killing 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, to sell on the black market
https://apnews.com/article/bald-golden-eagles-trafficking-black-market-montana-9bd7f718288f4f3e87e2c69863de4117

Thousands Of Smuggled Birds, Primates And Big Cats Seized In Worldwide Trafficking Crackdown
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesfarrell/2023/12/12/thousands-of-smuggled-birds-primates-and-big-cats-seized-in-worldwide-trafficking-crackdown/

Hundreds of eggs, 53 primates, 660 pounds of ivory among items seized in global wildlife trafficking operation
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eggs-primates-ivory-seized-wildlife-trafficking/

Nearly 100 Animals Seized at Virginia Zoo, in Investigation that Uncovered Giraffe Head and Legs; White Tiger Named Zeus Euthanized To End Suffering
https://themessenger.com/news/nearly-100-animals-seized-at-virginia-zoo-in-investigation-that-uncovered-giraffe-head-and-legs-white-tiger-named-zeus-euthanized-to-end-suffering

Nursing baby giraffe dies after being spooked; zoo brings in grief counselors for staff
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baby-giraffe-dies-nursing-fenn-north-carolina-zoo/

Another beluga dies at Marineland, bringing total whale deaths to 15 since 2019
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/beluga-death-marineland-1.7060880

Three of five whales that were brought to Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium have died
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/three-five-whales-brought-connecticuts-mystic-aquarium-died-rcna129476

Third beluga whale death at Mystic Aquarium prompts call to stop importing these animals
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/mystic-aquarium-beluga-whale-deaths-import-ban-18552805.php

Calls grow for stricter law on wildlife trafficking in Indonesia
https://chinadialogue.net/en/nature/calls-grow-for-stricter-law-on-wildlife-trafficking-in-indonesia/

Thailand To Send 3 Orangutans Trafficked Internationally Back to Indonesia
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2023/12/12/thailand-to-send-3-orangutans-trafficked-internationally-back-to-indonesia/

Bangkok Airport Busts Passenger Smuggling Two Otters & A Prairie Dog In His Underwear
https://simpleflying.com/thailand-traveler-smuggling-otter-prairie-dog-in-pants/

Genomic analyses reveal poaching hotspots and illegal trade in pangolins from Africa to Asia
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi5066

Genetic test tracks origins of illegal pangolin products in China, adding to conservation toolkit
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3245103/genetic-test-tracks-origins-illegal-pangolin-products-china-adding-conservation-toolkit

Will California catch up to Chinese regulation of bullfrog & turtle traffic?
https://www.animals24-7.org/2023/12/11/will-california-catch-up-to-chinese-regulation-of-bullfrog-turtle-traffic/

Federal agencies are involved with two northern Nevada companies for their alleged mistreatment and illegal importation of monkeys
https://www.kolotv.com/2023/12/05/federal-agencies-are-involved-with-two-northern-nevada-companies-their-alleged-mistreatment-illegal-importation-monkeys/

Monkeys are marvelous, but face a bleak future thanks to other primates: Humans
https://www.salon.com/2023/12/14/monkeys-are-marvelous-but-face-a-bleak-future-thanks-to-other-primates-humans/