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Guide to Animals in Science and Research

The Observatory’s Guide to Animals in Science and Research examines the role of nonhuman animals in scientific experimentation and biomedical development. It explores the ethical, regulatory, and scientific debates surrounding animal testing, including concerns about welfare, transparency, and the limits of animal models in predicting human outcomes. The guide highlights practices involving primates and laboratory animals, as well as growing calls for reform, improved oversight, and the development of alternative research methods. By connecting policy, science, and ethics, it offers a clearer understanding of how animals are used in research—and what a more humane and effective system might look like.

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Guide to Factory-Farmed Animals

Reynard Loki, Earth Food Life Project

The Guide to Factory-Farmed Animals examines the conditions, systems, and consequences of industrial animal agriculture. It explores how billions of chickens, pigs, and cows are raised in confined environments, often with minimal legal protection and significant welfare concerns. The guide connects animal suffering to broader impacts on human health, labor conditions, and the environment, including pollution and disease risk. It also addresses how cultural narratives and industry practices shape public perception of meat and dairy. By bringing together reporting, analysis, and ethical inquiry, this guide offers a clear, grounded understanding of factory farming and the forces sustaining it.

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Guide to Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection

Reynard Loki, Earth Food Life Project

The Observatory’s Guide to Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection explores the interconnected challenges facing wild animals and the habitats they depend on. It examines how human activities—such as deforestation, industrial agriculture, wildlife trade, pollution, and climate change—are driving species decline and ecosystem instability. By highlighting the importance of biodiversity, including the role of apex predators, healthy forests, and intact habitats in maintaining ecological balance, the guide connects conservation science with real-world threats and solutions, offering a clear understanding of how protecting wildlife also safeguards human health, prevents future pandemics, and supports resilient ecosystems.

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Lisa Jones-Engel

Lisa Jones-Engel is a primatologist.

Debra Merskin

Debra Merskin, PhD, is a professor of media studies in the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon and is a co-founder of Animals and Media.

Michael Windsor

Michael Windsor is the senior director of corporate engagement at [[The Humane League

Elaine Siu

Elaine Siu is an author, activist, and innovator devoted to shifting the world away from animal agriculture.

Carter Dillard

Carter Dillard is the policy adviser for the Fair Start Movement.

Tia Schwab

Tia Schwab is a former news fellow for Stone Pier Press, a San Francisco-based environmental publishing company with a food focus. She is a graduate of Stanford University, where she studied human biology with a concentration in food systems and public health. Tia was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and she is passionate about using storytelling to create a healthy, just, and sustainable food system.

Tanya Griffin Houppermans

Tanya Griffin Houppermans is an underwater photographer and videographer, shark naturalist, and conservationist.

Anita Krajnc

Anita Krajnc is executive director of the Animal Save Movement and global coordinator of the Plant Based Treaty initiative.

Mikhala Kaseweter

Mikhala Kaseweter, MSc, advances right relationships with nonhuman animals through her work at the Better Food Foundation.

Courtney Scott

Courtney Scott is the Elephant Consultant for In Defense of Animals (IDA), and the founder of Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants (FOZE)

Eva J. Charalambides

Eva J. Charalambides is a photographer and vegan advocate.

Reynard Loki

Reynard Loki is a co-founder of the Observatory, where he is the environment and animal rights editor.

Vicky Bond

Vicky Bond is a veterinary surgeon, animal welfare scientist, and the former president of The Humane League.

Andrew deCoriolis

Andrew deCoriolis is the executive director of Farm Forward where he advocates for safe, healthy, and humane animal farming.

Sy Montgomery

Sy Montgomery is a naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and author of 31 books of nonfiction for adults and children. She is the recipient of lifetime achievement awards from the Humane Society and the New England Booksellers Association.

Derek Gow

Derek Gow is a farmer, nature conservationist, and author.

Karen Davis

Karen Davis, PhD, (1944–2023) was the president and founder of United Poultry Concerns. She was an award-winning animal rights activist and the author of numerous books.

Melanie Joy

Melanie Joy, PhD, is a psychologist, international speaker, and social justice advocate. She is the award-winning author of seven books.

Ginger Fedak

Ginger Fedak is a lifelong animal welfare advocate and horse professional, having spent decades teaching about and advocating for domestic and wild horses.

Marilyn Kroplick

Marilyn Kroplick is the president and executive director of <u>In Defense of Animals</u>.

Isabella La Rocca González

Isabella La Rocca González is an artist, writer, and activist.

Laurel Sutherlin

Laurel Sutherlin is the senior communications strategist for Rainforest Action Network. He is a lifelong environmental and human rights campaigner as well as a naturalist and outdoor educator with a passion for birds and wild places. Follow him on Twitter @laurelsutherlin.

Delcianna Winders

Delcianna Winders is an associate professor of law and the director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute at Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Claudio Campagna

Claudio Campagna is a senior marine conservation consultant for the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Ashley Berke

Ashley Berke is co-executive director at Fair Start Movement.

Emilia Leese

Emilia A. Leese is an author, re-wilder, podcast host, public speaker, and magazine editor.

Cameron Edwards

Cameron Edwards runs <u>Still Water Microsanctuary</u>, a small-scale rescue for birds and tropical fishes.

Monica Murphy

Monica Murphy is a veterinarian and a writer.

Jeff Feinman

Jeff Feinman is a veterinarian and molecular biologist.

Sophie A.H. Osborn

Sophie A. H. Osborn is an award-winning environmental author and wildlife biologist whose work has focused on bird conservation across the Americas.

Nital Jethalal

Nital Jethalal is a policy analyst and economist. He currently serves as strategist and policy advisor for the Plant Based Treaty and also oversees economics and policy research for Plant Based Data. Nital is also the president of VegTO and a director at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank.

Daniel Klem Jr.

Daniel Klem Jr. is the Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology and Conservation Biology and director of the Acopian Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College.

Marc Bekoff

Marc Bekoff is an ethologist, behavioral ecologist, compassionate conservationist, and author. He is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Laura Lee Cascada

Laura Lee Cascada is the founder of the Aquaculture Accountability Project.

Brittany Michelson

Brittany Michelson is an animal rights activist, writer and former teacher.

Alex Crisp

Alex Crisp is the host of the Future of Foods Interviews podcast.

Peter Christie

Peter Christie is a science journalist and author who writes frequently about conservation.

Beatrix Homler

Beatrix Homler is an animal and human rights activist.

Jairus James

Jairus James is an environmental and animal rights advocate.

Emma Rae Lierley

Emma Rae Lierley is a senior communications manager at Rainforest Action Network. A lifelong writer and environmentalist, she works to harness the power of storytelling for social change.

Julieta Campagna

Julieta Campagna monitors coastal protected areas for the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Nina Jackel

Nina Jackel is the founder of Lady Freethinker, a nonprofit media organization dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans, and the planet. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Lucy Goodchild van Hilten

Lucy Goodchild van Hilten is a writing fellow at [https://independentmediainstitute.org/earth-food-life/{{EFL

LeesaMaree Bleicher

LeesaMaree Bleicher advocates using trauma-informed therapeutic approaches.

Leslie Crawford

Leslie Crawford is the author of ''Sprig the Rescue Pig'' and ''Gwen the Rescue Hen'', both published by Stone Pier Press.

Alicia Graef

Alicia Graef is a guardian and dog meat campaigner at In Defense of Animals. A lifelong animal lover and freelance writer with a Bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary science, Alicia has covered issues relating to animals for more than a decade.

Kevin Fitzgerald

Kevin Fitzgerald is a veterinarian, author, educator, comedian, and television personality.

Jessica Pierce

Jessica Pierce is a bioethicist and author of numerous books.

Valeria Falabella

Valeria Falabella is a director at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Jennifer Barckley

Jennifer Barckley is the vice president of communications at The Humane League.

Laurie Wills

Laurie Wills is the lead grassroots campaign coordinator at the Humane League UK.

Carrie P. Freeman

Carrie P. Freeman, PhD, is a professor of communication at Georgia State University and is a co-founder of Animals and Media.

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