An elephant used by a circus in Vietnam trampled an 11-year-old girl to death after the girl and some friends snuck into the area where the elephant was shackled. The elephant, who had reportedly been taunted by children earlier, lifted the child up and threw her down, repeatedly stepping on her. 

Elephants are hardwired to walk for miles every day. When their freedom of movement is reduced to the length of a chain, they quickly become despondent, frustrated, and unpredictable. In the U.S. alone, captive elephants have killed 15 people and injured more than 135 in the past 20 years.

Never buy a ticket to circuses like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey that still exploit elephants. Instead, enjoy spectacular cruelty-free productions like Cirque du Soleil instead.

Written by Jennifer O’Connor

The proliferation of restaurants that serve dog meat in Vietnam has created a lucrative moneymaking opportunity for thieves. "Dognappers" cruise neighborhoods on motorcycles, grabbing dogs in broad daylight and stuffing them into cages. If the owners give chase, it is not uncommon for the thieves to hurl bricks or shoot arrows at them, sometimes injuring or even killing them. Yet many of the same people who despise dog thieves still order dog meat in restaurants.

Amanderson2 | cc by 2.0

Before we point the finger and call such people hypocrites, think of people in the Western world who have "pet" hens and pot-bellied pigs yet still eat fried chicken and ham sandwiches. They balk at eating animals they "know" but have no problem eating an animal they never met who invariably endured a miserable life on a filthy factory farm and ended up in a very scary place: the slaughterhouse.

To stop the cycle of violence against animals from Vietnam to Virginia and everywhere in between—animals we won't "get to know"—we must recognize them as individuals we can help by saying "No" to flesh foods.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

The year has not started well for South Africa's rhinos. Five of the animals have already been killed since New Year's Day, and if the recent past is any indication, many more victims will follow.

Overall, it has been an atrocious few years for South Africa's rhinos. Poachers in the country continue to illegally slaughter an alarming number of the animals. Last year alone, 333 rhinos were murdered in South Africa, including 10 critically endangered black rhinos.

That total is the highest ever recorded in the country and is almost three times the previous year's death toll of 122.

At the end of the 19^th century, the white rhino population stood at less than 200. Thanks to strong conservation efforts, the rhino population now exceeds 20,000. So why are these majestic animals being killed? A belief among some people that rhino horns can cure cancer is fueling demand for the horns in Asia (particularly in Vietnam).

You can help. Please step up and speak out against the slaughter of African rhinos.

This rhino survived 35 hours after being shot twice and having her horn sawed off. chris.corwin/CC by 2.0

Written by Joseph Mayton