karol orzechowski, Author at Faunalytics

Jan 16 2015 | karol orzechowski

Cruel Nature: Harmfulness As An Important, Overlooked Dimension in Judgments of Moral Standing

In this study, researchers conducted a series of surveys to try to better understand the role of "harmfulness" in how humans perceive moral standing, especially with animals. Working from the hypothesis that animals who are perceived to have a "harmful disposition" are accorded a lower moral standing - in the same way that humans who are seen as inherently harmful are accorded less moral standing - the researchers considered different angles to better understand why such moral inconsistencies might exist. The results go beyond the usual discussions of moral agency and patiency, and shed light on an often overlooked aspect of how humans do their moral calculus. READ MORE

Jan 15 2015 | karol orzechowski

Estimates of Illegal and Unreported Fish in Seafood Imports to the USA

This study looks at the prevalence and impact of illegal and unreported (IU) fishing on the U.S. market, specifically, "a new effort to study and quantify the dimensions of the problem from the perspective of the United States as a major seafood market." Researchers looked at a wide range of sources to estimate the percentages of IU fish that enter the U.S. market, and also provide a breakdown as to how the IU fishing of different species fits into the overall picture. What results is a situation that demands attention from both policy-makers and consumers to rectify. READ MORE

Jan 15 2015 | karol orzechowski

A Global Gap Analysis of Sea Turtle Protection Coverage

This study takes a global look at sea turtle nesting sites and compares them to maps of protected areas to determine gaps in coverage. Paying special attention to developing countries, or countries in active geopolitical conflict, the study gives a view of sea turtle protection that reaches beyond simply identifying gaps, to better understand why those gaps might exist. The results of the study show that many countries protect only a fraction of their nesting sites, and that more regional and international support is needed to help protect sea turtles in developing countries or those engaged in active conflict. READ MORE

Jan 14 2015 | karol orzechowski

Surveys Yield Conflicting Trends in U.S. Pet Ownership

A new article from the Veterinary Information Network highlights the importance of understanding research methodologies in evaluating the results of different studies. In this particular case, the authors examine the discrepancy between cat and dog populations in concurrent surveys carried out by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Pet Products Association (APPA). With some of their findings differing by margins as high as 19%, the results show a significant disparity that can end up with a completely different takeaway message. READ MORE

Jan 13 2015 | karol orzechowski

Animal Protection Index By World Animal Protection

The Animal Protection Index is a comprehensive report that analyzes and compares countries commitment to protecting animals in their legislation. READ MORE

Jan 12 2015 | karol orzechowski

Animal Welfare and Society Concerns Finding the Missing Link

In this recent paper, controversial agricultural scientist Temple Grandin makes a case for farmers to become more pro-active in opening up their operations to outside observers, especially affluent consumers in their 20's who are connected to social media like no generation before. Grandin's position is that consumers do not like to be surprised, and that every new undercover investigation that is released by animal rights activists erodes consumer confidence in the agricultural system. She enumerates numerous animal welfare problems that exist on factory farms, and how those problems can be addressed transparently by the industry. READ MORE

Jan 9 2015 | karol orzechowski

Five Freedoms, Five Decades Later

The article discusses the U.K. "Brambell Report" and its influence in world legislation on animal welfare, through the five freedoms it outlines for animals. READ MORE

Jan 8 2015 | karol orzechowski

Profiling Consumers Who Are Ready to Adopt Insects as a Meat Substitute in a Western Society

This study from Belgium examines the likelihood of Western consumers to eat insects as a "meat substitute," as well as the barriers that might prevent them from doing so. Respondents were asked a series of questions related to both regular meat consumption and insect consumption, and gave their opinions on whether they would eat bugs for reasons of nutrition and sustainability, or not at all. The results of the study show that while traditional meat eaters aren't very likely to start eating mealworms as part of their diet, there is a more "adventurous" demographic that would put bugs on the table. READ MORE

Jan 7 2015 | karol orzechowski

How To Assess Stress in Reptiles

This paper considers different methods to measure stress in reptiles, as well as the environmental factors that might lead to stress responses in the first place. There are many factors that could contribute to the stress of different species of reptiles, but this paper highlights capture and living in captivity as stressful situations that cause corticosteroid release in many reptile species. The author uses previously published literature to demonstrate how different levels of stress may result in different physiological responses in reptiles, and describes non-invasive, non-captive ways of measuring stress in reptile populations. READ MORE

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