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- Posted by Justin Cross
woensdag 27 mei 2026
Paul Watson Foundation: US: "If the ocean dies we die" the Endangered Species Committee, often called the "God Squad" are a threat to wildlife protection
More than 50 years Brennan's bar in LA hosted controversial turtle races and betting facilities for entertainment: The bar is closed and re-homing of the turtles is taking place
In Defense of Animals: https://www.idausa.org/
In Defense of Animals is proud to announce the rescue of nine red-eared slider turtles from the former Los Angeles bar Brennan’s, which permanently closed at the end of 2025 after decades of hosting controversial turtle races. For more than 50 years, the bar’s turtle racing events drew crowds and became part of its public identity, but animal advocates long raised concerns about the welfare and exploitation of the turtles used for entertainment. Following sustained pressure from In Defense of Animals and other animal protection organizations, the practice ultimately ended.
After Brennan’s closed, In Defense of Animals worked directly with the previous ownership to coordinate a safe rehoming plan for the turtles at Freedom Farms, the organization’s sanctuary on California’s Central Coast. The rescue marks a new chapter for these animals — one centered on safety, dignity, and compassionate care.
Freedom Farms is already home to a growing family of rescued animals, including 25 cows, five peacocks, a former racehorse, a donkey, cats, and thriving native wildlife. Now, our sanctuary staff is transforming a small pond into a carefully designed habitat where the turtles can safely bask, swim, and thrive in a peaceful natural environment with both shade and sunlight.
Our vision for the project goes beyond rescue alone. The future turtle habitat will also serve as an educational and reflective space for visitors, offering an opportunity to connect with these often-overlooked animals, better understand what it takes to be a responsible guardian when adopting an exotic animal, and become an ethical steward for wildlife coexistence.
While construction and habitat improvements are underway, the turtles are receiving individualized care and close monitoring in a quiet indoor setup designed to reduce stress and support their transition to sanctuary life.
Rescues like this are only possible because of compassionate supporters who believe animals deserve protection, respect, and a chance at a better life.
If you would like to support the ongoing care of these turtles and help Freedom Farms continue creating safe havens for rescued animals, please consider donating, sponsoring an animal resident, or visiting the sanctuary to learn more about its mission. Your contribution helps provide food, habitat improvements, veterinary care, and a lifelong sanctuary for animals in need.
Learn more about the animals and the efforts we're making at our Creston-based sanctuary.
dinsdag 26 mei 2026
Wanted: ball-obsessed rescue dog to save Australia’s endangered koalas from fires and floods
After a decade helping rescue koalas from bushfires and other disasters, 11-year-old detection dog Bear retired in March
Australian Associated Press
Australia’s most famous koala-sniffing dog – who has helped save endangered koalas from fires and floods – has hung up his little red boots, with the search now on for his successor.
After a decade helping rescue koalas, 11-year-old detection dog Bear retired in March.
His exit left conservationists scrambling to find a new recruit capable of plugging gaps left by human spotters and infrared detection technologies.
The ideal candidate will be energetic, obsessed with fetching balls and have absolutely zero interest in chasing wildlife.
“Those dogs often don’t make the ideal family pets, but Bear was born to be a detection dog,” the International Fund for Animal Welfare Oceania programs head, Josey Sharrad, said.
Bear was rehomed multiple times before landing with trainers a decade ago.
“He literally ate the walls of his Gold Coast apartment in one home,” Sharrad said.
But his intense focus made him a perfect fit for the long hours of conservation work. During the Black Summer bushfires, Bear helped find more than 100 koalas, many in need of urgent veterinary care.
His red boots and life-saving work attracted an international following, including stars Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Now, conservation groups are teaming up with the University of the Sunshine Coast and a French canine expert to train the next koala detection dog.
Frederic Chappee spent years leading canine units in the French army before training anti-poaching dogs in Africa and Indonesia.
The successful recruit will likely be medium-sized, younger than two years old and comfortable charging through dense bush, he said.
Unlike other koala detection dogs, which are trained to sniff out droppings, Bear was trained on the scent of live koalas - often high above the ground.
“That’s a bit of a tougher job than finding poo,” Sharrad said.
The dog will work alongside drones and human spotters, particularly after bushfires, floods and cyclones.
Koalas were listed as endangered along much of Australia’s east coast after catastrophic habitat loss during the Black Summer fires.
Against a backdrop of increasingly frequent and devastating climate disasters, dogs play an increasingly important role, Sharrad said.
“They can smell what we can’t see,” she said.
The work is demanding and the hours can be long but the lifestyle, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has its perks.
“The best thing about these detection dogs ... [is] they have the best of both worlds,” Sharrad said.
“They’re working during the day and they’re living the life of a pet for the rest of the time.”
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