World News Roundup: June 3, 2017

Zookeeper Dies from Tiger Attack In England (USA Today)

A female zookeeper at Hamerton Zoo Park in London, England was attacked and killed Monday by one of the zoo’s tigers, according to police. “The tiger never escaped from the enclosure, and police said foul play was not suspected in the keeper’s death.” The zoo said the incident was a “freak accident.”

NSPCA Brings Animal Cruelty Charges Against East London Zoo (ALGOA FM News)

After a badly neglected baboon was euthanized following an unannounced inspection of the zoo Thursday, the National Council of SPCAs told the zoo it would lay animal cruelty against against it. "As the NSPCA continues our investigation and monitors the situation at the East London Zoo, it is confirmed that criminal charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act will be laid against all responsible for the cruelty, suffering, neglect and unacceptable conditions found at the facility," said NSPCA inspector Cassandra McDonald.

British Woman Quits Job to Run Animal Santuary In Morocco (Mirror)

“Kind-hearted Sally Kadaoui swapped life as a cabbie in Cambridge for a new start in Morocco and now devotes her life to looking after hundreds of animals she’s rescued from the streets of Tangier.” Kadaoui now runs the Sanctuary for Animals of Tangier, which is home to 225 dogs, 130 cats, 27 donkeys, 2 wild boars, owls, chickens, rabbits, goats, and mules.

London Dog Spas Take Luxury to New Level (Pet Business)

Two luxury dog spas in London—Pet Pavilion and The Pet Spa—offer services such as facials, pedicures, and massages for pets. “At Pet Pavilion, groomers can treat their dogs to pet pedicures that include soaks, nail trims, trims between paw and pads and a paw massage.” The Pet Spa offers their everything from blueberry and vanilla facials to aromatherapy baths and body massages.

Rajasthan High Court Recommends Declaration of Cow as National Animal (The Hindu)

The Rajasthan High Court in India recommended Wednesday that the government declare the cow as a national animal and “increase the punishment for cow slaughter to life imprisonment.” This recommendation stems from the debate over the government’s ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter as well as the increase in attacks and violence by vigilantes looking out for the animals.

Duck Farming Resumes In France After Bird Flu Crisis (Reuters)

“Duck farmers in southwestern France resumed operations on Monday with the latest outbreak of bird flu now deemed to be under control after the culling of millions of birds and a six-week halt to production.” France was one of the countries hardest hit by the H5N8 bird flu virus, which has been spreading throughout Europe since last year.

Drought In Brazil Brought Spike In Yellow Fever Cases (Journal Sentinel)

Researchers believe that Brazil’s huge spike in yellow fever cases this year is due in large part the region’s changing climate. The epicenter of this epidemic experienced its worst drought in 80 years followed by a deluge, which “unleashed several years worth of mosquito offspring” because mosquito eggs can survive for years in dry weather. “The current outbreak is the nation’s worst on record; yellow fever deaths in the first four months of 2017 already exceeded all those from 1989 through 2008.”

Austrailian Greyhounds Forced to Race Cheetahs (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Unwanted greyhounds are reportedly being exported to a Chinese theme park—Shanghai Wild Animal Park—to be forced to race against cheetahs. During its investigation, “Animals Australia aired claims from locals that once the dogs were injured and of no further use, they were fed live to the park's predators, such as big cats.”