Determining whether a snow leopard population is thriving, stable or declining isn’t as simple as counting how many cats you see. Scientists must track the complete life cycle, from birth to death, to get the full picture. You need to know if enough cubs are surviving to replace the adults that die. This is one of the reasons we use GPS collars and camera traps to track individual snow leopards and their families over many years, gathering detailed data to make smart conservation decisions. Survival vs. Reproduction Balance Imagine you’re tracking a group of 20 adult snow leopards (10 males and 10 females) in the wild. To understand if this population is healthy, you need to look at two key numbers: How many die each year (death rate) How many new cubs survive to adulthood (birth rate) Let’s compare two different areas in a real-world example: Area A (Worse survival): 20% of cats die each year (4 out of 20) 80% survival rate Area B (Better survival): 10% of cats die each year (2 out of 20) 90% survival rate At first glance, Area A looks like it’s in trouble with twice as many deaths. But here’s the key question: Are enough snow leopards being born to replace the ones that die? The Reproduction Factor We currently do not know exactly how many surviving cubs a female snow leopard produces in a year. (Cubs typically stay with their mothers for two years.) But if each female snow leopard raises an average of 0.6 cubs per year that survive to independence, then: 10 females × 0.6 cubs = 6 new snow leopards per year The Math: Area A loses 4 cats but gains 6 = net gain of 2 cats Area B loses 2 cats but gains 6 = net gain of 4 cats Both populations are actually growing, even though Area A has a higher death rate. The Waiting Game There’s one important catch: snow leopards don’t start having their own cubs until they’re 3-4 years old. So there’s always a delay between when adults die and when the cubs can replace them by reproducing. The Hidden Danger: Sink vs. Source Populations Sometimes, a population can look stable on the surface but actually be in serious trouble. Imagine an area that consistently has 20 snow leopards year after year. This might seem healthy, but what if eight cats die annually while only four cubs survive to adulthood? The population may stay at 20 because four new snow leopards are moving in from other areas each year. Scientists call this a ‘sink population’ – it’s like a leaky bucket that needs constant refilling from somewhere else. Conversely, some areas produce more cubs than they lose adults, creating a ‘source population’ of surplus cats. Such source-sink systems help maintain larger overall populations and add to population stability. The problem is that sink populations are relatively unsustainable – if the source areas stop producing extra cats, the sink will quickly collapse. That’s why simply counting snow leopards isn’t enough; we need to understand whether each population is truly self-sustaining or secretly dependent on others. Why This Matters This research is vital for assessing species vulnerability. Mathematical models, used by organizations like the IUCN to create the ‘Red List’ that assigns protection status to species worldwide, need accurate data for these critical decisions. That’s why every collared snow leopard and every cub monitored matters for the species’ future. Check out this simplified version of one of four matriarchal lines documented in our long-term ecological study in Tost, Mongolia.  Sign up for our monthly E-News to get all the latest updates from the field delivered to your inbox. Photo credits: SLCF-Mongolia, SLF-Kyrgyzstan, Snow Leopard Trust and Kesang Chunit Acknowledgements: This long-term ecological study is in collaboration with Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia and Snow Leopard Trust, with special thanks to the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism, the Government of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences for their support. We would also like to acknowledge: Acton Family Giving, Bioparc Zoo de Doue la Fontaine, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, John Ball Zoo, Kolmårdens Zoo, Korkeasaari Zoo, National Geographic Society, Nordens Ark, Parco Zoo Punta Verde, Play for Nature, Tierpark Berlin, The Big Cat Sanctuary/Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Tulsa Zoo, Whitley Fund for Nature, Zoo Basel, Zoo Dresden, Zoo New England and the many incredible partners who have supported programs like our Long-term Ecological Study and research in Mongolia since it began in 2008. We could not do this work without you. The post Cracking the Code: Calculating Snow Leopard Survival appeared first on Snow Leopard Trust.

AWI Funds Research to Alleviate Human-Wildlife Conflicts, Animal Suffering aalberg Thu, 08/21/2025 - 08:53 photo by W.L.Watson Photos August 21, 2025 Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) announced today the eight recipients of its Christine Stevens Wildlife Award who are developing humane solutions to human-wildlife conflicts and less intrusive methods to study wildlife.The award provides individual grants of up to $15,000 and is named in honor of AWI’s late founder and longtime president, who dedicated her life to reducing animal suffering both here and abroad. Stevens founded AWI in 1951 to end the cruel treatment of animals in experimental laboratories. Inevitably, her work expanded to take on other animal welfare causes, including protecting vulnerable species, reforming methods used to raise animals for food, banning steel-jaw leghold traps, ending commercial whaling, and much more.Since the award program’s launch in 2006, AWI has contributed over $1.2 million to support nearly 120 research projects in North America. This year, AWI received over 40 applications that proposed new, less invasive methods to study wildlife and novel approaches to humanely remedy human-wildlife conflicts—from evaluating the impact of light pollution on pollinators to determining how livestock pathogens affect bighorn sheep.“All too often, real or perceived threats to human safety or property have resulted in animals being ruthlessly eliminated,” said Susan Millward, AWI’s CEO and executive director. “Christine Stevens was an ardent champion of humane, nonlethal solutions to human-wildlife conflicts, and AWI continues to honor her legacy by supporting innovative research to find ‘win-win’ solutions, embrace coexistence, and prevent animal suffering.” The 2025 Christine Stevens Wildlife Award grant recipients are:Nate Denke, University of Washington, to use noninvasive bioacoustics monitoring and trail signage (with input from local tribes) to examine the impact of recreation on sensitive birds in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Dr. Lorenzo Fiori, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, to deploy drones to assess the nutritional health of bottlenose dolphins foraging among shrimp trawlers in Corpus Christi Bay. Rushil Kukreja, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, to test whether reducing nighttime light intensity in designated dark corridors in Virginia and Maryland enhances the activity of pollinators (e.g., honeybees, bumblebees) and plant reproductive rates.Dr. Maureen H. Murray, Lincoln Park Zoo, to evaluate the use of contraceptive food pellets as a nonlethal strategy to humanely reduce urban rat populations in the Chicago area.Dr. Nico(la) Ransome, National Whale Museum of Mexico/Murdoch University, to use passive acoustic monitoring, photo-identification, and noninvasive DNA collection to investigate the presence of beaked whales in the Islas Marias UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Mexico.Dr. Ronnie Serfa Juan, US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and Kansas State University, to develop AI-driven, nonlethal deterrence techniques to protect birds, including Canada geese, great blue herons, and egrets, while reducing their impact on aquaculture operations. Dr. Logan Thomas, Kansas State University, to use camera-monitored hair snares to noninvasively collect samples from javelina to determine how they cope physiologically with human-wildlife conflicts and seasonal environmental stressors in South Texas.Jasmine Veitch, University of Calgary, to use genetic analysis of fecal samples from Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep to examine microbial transmission and pathogenic potential of livestock interactions.Click here for more information about the Christine Stevens Wildlife Award and the 2025 recipients. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

Project Lifecycle: Responding to Challenges

Reporting Structure: Director, CFMS Term: October 2025 to February 2026 Schedule: Full-Time; Monday-Friday up to 37.5 hours per week. Rate: $20 per hour Overview of the Role: Provide support on Maryland and New Jersey Charitable Campaign contracts. Perform timely pledge data entry and preliminary quality control of data. Provide data reconciliation support for Maryland and… The post Data Processor & Customer Service Representative, Charitable Funds Management Solutions appeared first on America's Charities.

Department: Charitable Funds Management Solutions  We are a nonprofit charitable organization looking for skilled individuals who can coordinate multiple client requirements related to fund processing and reporting. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, able to handle multiple urgent tasks, and manage time wisely. Candidates should be able to help solve problems independently and as part of a team. Responsibilities:   … The post Customer Support Agent (Remote – Part Time) appeared first on America's Charities.

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“A Voice for Animals” Contest Winners Devise Practical Strategies to Improve the Lives of Animals aalberg Wed, 08/27/2025 - 16:24 August 27, 2025 Washington, DC—From examining how plastics smother and abrade coral reefs, to spreading awareness about donkeys being sacrificed for the donkey-hide gelatin trade, participants in the 2025 “A Voice for Animals” contest use creative prose and compelling imagery to inspire their peers and communities to advocate for species under siege.The annual contest offers high school students ages 14 to 18 the opportunity to win cash prizes for essays, videos, or photo essays that explore strategies to protect imperiled species and mitigate animal suffering. The contest is sponsored by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Humane Education Network.Twenty-one entries won honors this year from a pool of more than 200. Submissions were judged on presentation, originality, and effectiveness of solutions to persistent problems. “These young advocates demonstrate optimism and ingenuity in tackling some of the biggest threats facing animals,” said Regina Terlau, director of AWI’s Humane Education Program and co-manager of the contest. “They don’t just research a topic—they launch petitions, create memorable TikTok videos, and volunteer with organizations on the front lines of animal protection.” The first-place winners are:Daniela Buitrón of St. John’s, Canada, for the video Wake Up World: The Galápagos Needs You!, which describes how human activities such as illegal fishing, plastic pollution, and unregulated tourism have harmed species endemic to the Galápagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador. Buitrón explains how satellite technology, coral reef restoration efforts, and educational campaigns about harmful single-use plastics are making a difference.Tucker Hankins of Hixson, Tennessee, for the photo essay Paw Scouts to the Rescue, which outlines Hankins’s efforts with his siblings to establish a nonprofit organization, Paw Scouts of Chattanooga, to provide needed items to animal shelters and pet rescues to promote animal health and well-being. So far, the organization has raised more than $5,000 and delivered supplies to seven area animal shelters.Makayla Sarsfield of Olympia, Washington, for the photo essay The Issue with Being an Ass, which explores how donkeys face abuse, abandonment, and even death from the cruel donkey skin trade. Although donkeys have made significant contributions to human progress, they are being killed in unprecedented numbers to produce ejiao—a gelatin that is made from boiling donkey hides and used primarily in cosmetics and traditional Chinese medicines. Sarsfield describes her experience caring for rescued donkeys Joey and Chandler as a volunteer at Serenity Now Animal Sanctuary in Olympia.Hannah Stratton of Hawley, Pennsylvania, for the active involvement essay Paws for a Cause: A Mission to Save Shelter Animals, which outlines her work with Future Business Leaders of America creating a successful social media campaign for a local animal shelter that helped double adoption rates and triple donations. Stratton and her partner rebranded Pike County Humane Society’s online presence, drafting vibrant, engaging posts that told the back stories of individual animals. They introduced features such as “Pet Tinder,” where followers could “swipe” through spotlighted animals, and hosted the organization’s first-ever “Met Gala” for pets, where animals dressed in costumes walked a mini red carpet.Akshaya Gowrabathini of Sammamish, Washington, for the active involvement essay Nine Lives, Countless Losses: The Hidden Environmental Toll of Feral Cats, which examines how feral cats contribute to environmental degradation and loss of native wildlife. Gowrabathini draws on her experience as a volunteer at a spay/neuter clinic to explore the ethical tension between caring for individual animals and protecting entire ecosystems.Katlynn Williams of Cocoa, Florida, for the essay Bottled Hope, which documents Williams’s efforts to reduce plastic consumption in her community to save marine mammals. Williams convinced her high school to stop selling bottled water and install refill stations, organized monthly beach cleanups, partnered with a local dive shop on “Dive for Debris” events, and persuaded her city’s environmental council to pass a plastic bag ban to help address this human-made crisis.Natalie Nguyen of San Jose, California, for the essay A Call From Our Feathered Friends: Protecting Waterfowl From Chemical Pollution, which explores the many ways that chemical pollution—from pesticide use to oil spills—harms waterfowl species. Nguyen recommends adopting stronger government regulations on the use of chemicals, monitoring site cleanups, and investing in advanced technologies to assist with site restorations.Jiayi (Iris) Li of Weston, Massachusetts, for the essay Bunny Spa Day, which examines the high abandonment rates and lack of legal protections for rabbits. As a volunteer with the House Rabbit Network in Massachusetts, Li has created videos to increase adoption rates and counteract widespread misunderstanding about rabbit welfare.Diyora Kabilova of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the essay The Last Song of the River Dolphin, which documents the plight of India’s vanishing river dolphins. Kabilova organized a film screening and fundraiser to raise awareness about persistent threats to endangered river dolphin populations, including poaching, vessel strikes, and fishing gear entanglements.Click here for more information on the “A Voice for Animals” contest and to review all winning entries.In addition to the essay and video contest, the Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship program, now in its sixth year, recognizes high school seniors in the United States who are actively involved in helping animals in their schools or communities and plan to continue working on behalf of animals in college and beyond. Recipients each receive $3,000 for application toward post-secondary education expenses, along with a free subscription to the AWI Quarterly magazine. The 2025–26 scholarship cycle will open for applications on November 26. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

US to Ban Seafood Imports from 42 Nations to Protect Whales, Dolphins aalberg Fri, 08/29/2025 - 12:12 photo by Fishtek Marine August 29, 2025 Embargo Will Push Nations to Stop Marine Mammal Bycatch Washington, DC—The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined today that 42 nations may not export certain seafood products to the United States because fishers in these countries catch marine mammals in violation of US standards. The agency found that the nations failed to adopt bycatch prevention measures that are comparable to what US fishers must follow under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The seafood bans will take effect in January 2026.“This is a lifesaving victory for whales and dolphins swimming in the waters of Mexico, Vietnam, and other nations,” said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These conservation sanctions will mean fewer beloved marine mammals will get caught and killed in fishing gear. I only wish the US government had gone further, since many other nations also need to do a better job avoiding bycatch.”Nations facing seafood bans include Mexico, China, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey. Regarding Mexico, NMFS found that the nation failed to track or limit marine mammal bycatch—even for imperiled animals—as is required in the United States. Other nations, such as Benin, were denied because they failed to apply to continue exporting seafood to the United States. A 2023 report by conservation groups found that many other nations fail to meet US bycatch standards and should face bans, including the United Kingdom, Ecuador, and South Africa.“If you want to sell your seafood in the United States, it is only fair that you live up to the same strict marine mammal protections that other fishermen abide by. And if you can't do that, you shouldn't have a market here, or anywhere else for that matter,” said Zak Smith, a senior attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “The promise of the Marine Mammal Protection Act is that seafood sold in the United States comes only from commercial fisheries that do not kill or seriously injure marine mammals. US consumers and fishermen deserve nothing less and today’s action brings us closer to that promise.”Since 1972, the MMPA has prohibited the United States from allowing foreign seafood to enter the country unless exporting nations meet the same standards applied to US fishers for limiting marine mammal bycatch. But NMFS ignored the directive for decades, until conservation groups—the Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)—petitioned and eventually sued to compel action. This culminated in an agreement that set a deadline for today’s decision.Bycatch is the greatest conservation threat to marine mammal populations worldwide. Each year, more than 650,000 whales, dolphins and other marine mammals are caught and killed in fishing gear around the globe. These animals are unintentional “bycatch” of commercial fisheries and either drown or are tossed overboard to die from their injuries.“It is high time that the United States implement this important provision of the law and penalize countries that harm so many marine mammals,” said Georgia Hancock, director and senior attorney of the Animal Welfare Institute’s Marine Wildlife Program. “Marine mammals contribute immense value on a global scale—ecological, economical, and cultural—and killing them by these cruel methods must have serious consequences.”Some of the deadliest types of fishing gear include gillnets, longlines, trawls, pots, and traps, according to NMFS. Yet numerous nations continue to use this gear without even tracking the number of marine mammals killed.The United States is the world’s largest seafood importer, bringing in more than $26.6 billion in seafood products in 2024 from more than 140 nations. An estimated 80% of seafood consumed in the United States is imported, including shrimp, tuna, and other fish. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128Sarah Uhlemann, Center for Biological Diversitysuhlemann@biologicaldiversity.org, (206) 327-2344 Andrew Scibetta, NRDCascibetta@nrdc.org, (202) 289-2421 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.8 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing, and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).

On First Day Back in Session, Congress Urged to Protect Horses Niki Tue, 09/02/2025 - 14:13 photo by Nadezhda September 2, 2025 Thousands join National Day of Action calling on lawmakers to advance 2025 Horse Protection Platform. Washington, DC—As Congress returned today from its August recess, thousands of Americans across the country joined a National Day of Action to call on lawmakers to make horse protection a top priority. Supported by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), and the Homes for Horses Coalition (HHC), the daylong mobilization helped raise awareness about the 2025 Horse Protection Platform, a comprehensive, bipartisan package of reforms designed to safeguard wild and domestic horses.Participants from coast to coast contacted their elected officials, urging them to:Protect wild horses in the federal budget by maintaining the slaughter prohibition and dedicating $11 million of the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program budget to proven, humane fertility control.Join the bipartisan Wild Horse Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and David Schweikert (R-AZ).Cosponsor key bipartisan bills, including:Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R. 4356): Phases out helicopter roundups; in the interim, requires cameras on helicopters.SAFE Act (H.R. 1661/S. 775): Permanently bans horse slaughter in the United States for human consumption, as well as the export of horses for slaughter.PAST Act (H.R. 1684): Ends the abusive practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses.Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 3623): Prohibits unsafe use of double-deck trailers for hauling horses.Veterans for Mustangs Act (H.R. 2864): Supports veterans in administering humane fertility control for wild herds.“Congress is back in session today, and so are we,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC. “This Day of Action shows the overwhelming public demand for Congress to take meaningful steps to end horse slaughter, replace cruel helicopter roundups with humane solutions, and ensure wild horses remain free on the range where they belong.”“Every year that Congress delays action, horses—both wild and domestic—continue to suffer from inhumane practices,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director and senior advisor at AWI. “The bipartisan bills in the Horse Protection Platform embody commonsense reforms that reflect the values of the vast majority of Americans.”“Today’s grassroots mobilization is proof that people across the country care deeply about protecting our nation’s equines,” said Tessa Archibald, manager of the Homes for Horses Coalition. “Lawmakers must listen to the voices of their constituents and advance these critical equine welfare measures.”The Horse Protection Platform reflects growing bipartisan momentum for reform in Washington and across the country. The coalition emphasized that Sept. 2 was the perfect time to deliver a clear message: Protecting America’s horses should be a top priority. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128Grace Kuhn, American Wild Horse Conservationgrace@americanwildhorsecampaign.org, (804) 218-4252 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is the nation's leading wild horse protection organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. In addition to advocating for the protection and preservation of America's wild herds, AWHC implements the largest wild horse fertility control program in the world through a partnership with the State of Nevada for wild horses that live in the Virginia Range near Reno.The Homes for Horses Coalition is a national coalition dedicated to increasing collaboration, professionalism, and growth in the equine rescue and protection community.  Our members are committed to ending horse slaughter and all other forms of equine abuse. The coalition—an initiative of the Animal Welfare Institute and the American Wild Horse Conservation—includes hundreds of equine rescue, sanctuary, and animal welfare organizations throughout the United States and beyond. 

Donor Spotlight: Geo Chen