Wildlife

A Criminal Killing

Conservation groups in Germany expressed outrage when the first wild bison to be seen in the country for more than two centuries was killed after a local official ordered hunters to shoot it.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says it will file charges against the official, calling the killing of the animal by the river Oder near the eastern town of Lebus a criminal offense.

“After more than 250 years a wild bison had been spotted again in Germany, and all the authorities could think to do is shoot it,” said WWF board member Chris Heinrich.

It’s believed the bison wandered into Germany from a national park in neighboring Poland.

Japan’s Annual Whale Hunt Ends

Japan’s whaling fleet ended its disputed scientific whaling season in the North Pacific after killing a total of 177 of the marine mammals.

Three ships that sailed in June returned with 43 minke whales and 134 sei whales.

Japan’s Fisheries Ministry says it is trying to prove the whale population has recovered enough to allow commercial hunting.