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Time Business News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time Business News
Dan Ashe's Media Disasters: How AZA's CEO Falls For Anti-Zoo Traps
Dan Ashe's tenure as CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has been marked by a series of embarrassing media blunders that have left industry observers questioning whether he understands the very organizations he represents. From platforming radical animal rights activists to walking straight into journalistic ambushes, Ashe's public relations decisions consistently harm the institutions that pay him to protect their interests. No incident better illustrates Ashe's poor judgment than his participation in a New York Times magazine piece examining the import of elephants from Swaziland. The situation should have been straightforward from a public relations perspective: Swaziland faced an elephant overpopulation issue with two options—euthanize the animals or export them to accredited American zoos, where they would receive professional care. Most reasonable observers would see which option better serves animal welfare. Instead of declining to participate or preparing a strategic response, Ashe walked directly into what any competent communications professional would have recognized as a trap. A basic Google search would have revealed that the Times writer had explicitly stated in a 2011 interview: 'There's no doubt in my mind that they [zoos] should be obviated.' The journalist's anti-zoo agenda was publicly documented, yet Ashe chose to engage anyway. The predictable result was a piece that described zoo conditions as potentially 'torturous' and painted the elephant transfer in the worst possible light. To compound the humiliation, the writer later gave interviews reiterating his belief that zoos should be eliminated while taking additional shots at Ashe personally. The AZA CEO had handed his organization's opponent both the platform and the ammunition to attack everything he claims to represent. The New York Times debacle wasn't an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern. Ashe has repeatedly given platforms to organizations that explicitly seek to destroy zoos and aquariums. His decision to allow PETA—an organization that views zoos as 'prisons' and openly campaigns for their elimination—to maintain a booth at AZA's annual meeting defies rational explanation. The comparison to allowing the KKK a booth at an NAACP meeting isn't hyperbole—it's an accurate assessment of giving your declared enemies official recognition at your professional gathering. PETA has previously litigated to prevent elephant transfers from Swaziland, with their lawyer arguing in court that elephants would be better off dead than in human care. This is the organization Ashe thought deserved legitimacy within AZA circles. Ashe's media missteps extend beyond poor tactical decisions to fundamental strategic failures. His willingness to engage with hostile journalists and platform radical activists has provided ammunition that continues to be used against AZA members. The anti-zoo movement doesn't need to work as hard to undermine public confidence in zoos when the head of their professional association does much of the work for them. The consequences extend far beyond public relations embarrassment. Every media disaster weakens the position of individual zoos when they face local challenges, provides talking points for activists seeking to restrict zoo operations, and undermines public support for the conservation work that legitimate zoological institutions perform. What makes Ashe's failures particularly troubling is that they appear to have their roots in naivety rather than malice. His repeated statements about 'dialogue' and 'engagement' suggest that he genuinely believes productive conversations are possible with groups whose stated goal is to eliminate zoos. This misunderstanding of fundamental conflict dynamics would be concerning in any leadership position. Still, it's particularly damaging when those mistakes harm both the professionals dedicated to animal care and the animals themselves. Professional associations exist to protect and advance their members' interests, not to provide platforms for their destruction. Ashe's continued willingness to hand victories to zoo opponents raises fundamental questions about whether he understands his basic responsibilities as AZA's chief executive. The zoo and aquarium community deserves leadership that recognizes threats and responds strategically, not a CEO who repeatedly walks into obvious traps while claiming to serve the interests of the institutions paying his salary. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Axios
10-06-2025
- General
- Axios
Columbus Zoo is on baby elephant watch
Talk about big news: For the first time in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's history, two Asian elephants are pregnant at the same time — and one is due any day now. Why it matters: The species is endangered, and its population in accredited zoos is currently unsustainable due to dwindling numbers and a lack of genetic diversity, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The calves' father — Sabu, from the Cincinnati Zoo, who lived here temporarily — has no living offspring, so the births will bolster the gene pool. The big picture: The news comes as some zoos are moving away from keeping elephants amid increasing care standards, which require lots of space and expense. Others, like Columbus, are investing more by expanding habitats, encouraging breeding, and working with global partners to conserve wild elephants. Advocates say keeping elephants is important for research and education. A 2023 AZA strategic plan calls for increased collaboration among zoos, including transferring animals for breeding. Threat level:"If we don't do something as a group, we're not going to have elephants in 100 years," says Adam Felts, senior zoo curator and head of the AZA's Species Survival Plan. At last count, there were 157 Asian elephants in 27 AZA institutions. Zoom in: Felts took Axios behind the scenes to meet 38-year-old matriarch Phoebe, who is expecting her sixth calf. She's "all business," with a big appetite. The 7,400-pound pachyderm calmly used her trunk to funnel biscuits into her mouth while a veterinarian scanned her with an ultrasound probe. Her calf is likely the size of a Great Dane. It's impossible to see the entire thing in one image, but vets can view ribs, a skull or a beating heart. All appear healthy. Another elephant, 16-year-old Sunny, is due with her first calf between now and August, while Phoebe is due in the fall. Keepers hope the experienced mom will show Sunny the ropes. They're encouraged by her bond with Phoebe's 3-year-old calf, Frankie, who still lives at the zoo. The arrangement should mimic wild herd behaviors, in which females raise the young together and males are mostly solitary. The intrigue: The new calves will make history in another way, as Columbus' first to be vaccinated for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). The devastating virus is the leading cause of death among AZA elephants, and calves are especially at risk. A vaccine became available last year. What's next: Elephants are pregnant up to 22 months, so expect lots of fanfare when the 200-plus-pound bundles of joy finally arrive. 1 fun prenatal ritual: elephant yoga Impress your friends with this fun fact: the Columbus Zoo's herd is trained in "elephant yoga." How it works: The elephants follow a target and maneuver into various poses, such as stretching their feet and trunks, kneeling, and lying on the ground. Between the lines: Keepers say practicing the moves keeps them limber and engaged. It also helps them learn to get into positions for routine health monitoring, such as blood draws, exams and ultrasounds. 😅 Alissa's thought bubble: I definitely couldn't move as gracefully during my pregnancy as 7,400-pound Phoebe does. Impressive.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Sad Beige' Influencer Alleges Creator 'Stole Her Likeness.' Lawsuit Gets Major Update 1 Year After Filing
The highly publicized "Sad Beige Lawsuit" is coming to a close, as both plaintiff Sydney Nicole Gifford and defendant Alyssa Sheil asked a judge to dismiss the case over a year after it was filed In April 2024, Gifford brought on eight claims against Sheil, alleging that she "replicated" her "aesthetic" curated with neutral tones like beige and cream Sheil denied all claims in her initial response, and after both parties requested to drop the case entirely, she celebrated setting a precedent to protect future "young influencers" against "bullying"In April 2024, Sydney Nicole Gifford filed a lawsuit alleging fellow influencer Alyssa Sheil "replicated" her "neutral, beige, and cream aesthetic" across various social media platforms. Over a year later, the two creators have asked a judge to dismiss the first-of-its-kind case, which has come to be known as the "Sad Beige Lawsuit." Per the stipulation filed on Wednesday, May 28, both parties agreed to request the release of all Gifford's "claims and potential counterclaims" related to the initial action. Sheil's legal representation at AZA law firm issued a written statement confirming the dismissal of all eight claims brought on by the plaintiff, which included federal copyright infringement, vicarious copyright infringement, Digital Millennium Copyright Act violation, trade dress infringement and misappropriation. According to the firm's statement, Sheil, 22, successfully motioned to dismiss three of Gifford's original claims in December 2024. Because the defendant already responded to the suit, Gifford, 25, needed Sheil's permission to surrender the case, which she obliged. In a quote included by AZA, Sheil celebrated how the lawsuit's outcome might help protect creators from similar situations in the first place. "This was about more than just me. This sets a precedent that young influencers can fight back and not give in to bullying,' said Sheil in the AZA statement. 'Ms. Gifford tried to intimidate me into leaving this industry. But she failed and the truth prevailed.' Gifford's social media content centers around her home, fashion and the "must-have" items she finds on Amazon. Her posts consistently maintain a neutral-toned vibe, with content showcasing shades of brown and tan hues. "I think I feel more calm in neutral spaces,' Gifford told The Verge in late November. 'Now my favorite color is beige," she added, which explains the hashtag she'll occasionally use on her content (#sadbeigehome). "It is a sad beige home, and I like it." Like Gifford, Sheil made her name curating content that aligns with the beige aesthetic, and she regularly posts about her neutral-toned outfits, home decor and makeup routine. "It's definitely very calming,' Sheil said of her decor when speaking with The Verge, who visited the Texas-based influencer for an interview a few days prior to meeting up with Gifford in her Minneapolis home. "I just want it to all be cohesive and plain." According to the original filing from April 2024, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Gifford's lawsuit stated that she had been curating her "brand identity" and "credibility" online for five years. She claimed to have become known for her promotion of Amazon products, like apparel and household goods. She has "grown her business into a multi-thousand dollar operation," her lawsuit states. Gifford and Sheil met in person in December 2022 with the intent to support each other's businesses, per the filing. It continues to state that after they got together in January 2023, Gifford blocked Sheil from viewing her content. In August 2024, four months after Gifford's initial filing, attorneys for Sheil asked the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas to dismiss claims brought forth against her. Per the court documents, Sheil denied "every allegation" in the complaint. "Sheil has never infringed on any work of Gifford's, because Sheil's work is independently developed, does not use anything belonging to Gifford, and is not based on anything posted by Gifford," the court document reads. The response issued by Sheil's attorney claimed that the case stemmed from "jealousy." The documents note that when the two creators first met, Sheil was "younger and more successful on certain social media platforms that Gifford had not yet maximized." The filings allege that "it was Gifford who asked Sheil" content-related questions, but Sheil did not seek out "a meritless lawsuit" claiming that Gifford "stole her likeness," read the court document Sheil's legal team emphasized "the very nature" of the fashion and influencer industries: "Similar influencer content creators collaborate, adopt, and evolve on trends and looks to promote products to their audience and followers." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Abilene Zoo at forefront of preserving endangered secretary birds
ABILENE, Texas () – Pam and Jagger are the resident secretary birds at the Abilene Zoo, and Zoo Animal Care Supervisor Philip Nigro considers them an important pair. The population of this species has been declining in recent years, and the Abilene Zoo is the only institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that has a breeding pair. This month, they welcomed their fourth chick, which is the first secretary bird chick to be successfully bred in the United States this year. 'We just love to see things like this, to help an animal that not very many people probably know needs a lot of help because it's very endangered,' said Nigro. Abilene Zoo celebrates new bison calf & secretary bird chick Secretary birds are native to Africa, where they can most commonly be found hunting in tall grass. Their preferred diet helps to control pest populations such as insects, rodents, and snakes. Pam and Jagger hatched their first two chicks just three years ago, and those chicks were transferred to the Phoenix Zoo. Their third was born in 2024 and currently resides at the Abilene Zoo, where it was raised as a species ambassador. 'So he actually is more trained to go into classrooms or with children or more big groups of people and they can see them up close,' Nigro most recent chick is still too young to tell what its sex is and has not yet been named. Nigro says the baby chick was born about the size of a tennis ball and is now about the size of an American football at just under a month old. Once it has fully matured, Nigro says the chick will likely be transferred to another zoo. The repeated success of Abilene's secretary birds in breeding, Nigro says, is a positive trend for the species as a whole. Abilene Zoo welcomes birth of rare secretary chick 'This is a very big victory for the species. It's a big victory for Zoos, and at Abilene, we're here just trying to find out how we can better preserve these great birds,' said Nigro. There will soon be even more opportunities for the public to see the happy family, as the Abilene Zoo will begin holding earlier hours on Monday, June 2nd, for 'Roaring Mornings,' during which the zoo will be in operation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
70-unit Illinois carrier files for bankruptcy protection
An Illinois carrier with 70 power units recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. AZA Transportation listed assets of between $100,001 and $500,000 on its bankruptcy filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. It is based in Mount Prospect, which is in Cook County, the same county as Chicago. The company listed liabilities of $500,000 to $1 million. The bankruptcy was filed May the 20 largest creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing, the largest combined claim is from Keystone Equipment Finance Corp. based in West Hartford, Connecticut. It has three separate claims totaling $82,905. Another large creditor is Transportation Alliance Bank, based in Ogden, Utah. Its unsecured claim is $43,415, secured by a 2022 Freightliner. That same bank also has a $23,640 claim against AZA, secured by a Great Dane trailer. BMO, the former Bank of Montreal, which is a major lender to the trucking industry, has a claim of just under $20, total number of creditors is listed as between one and to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's SAFER document on AZA, AZA has 71 drivers for its 70 power units and carries general freight. The SAFER document reports no crashes for AZA in the 24 months prior to the bankruptcy. Its vehicle out-of-service rate for those two years was 12%, less than the national average of 22.26%. But its driver out-of-service percentage of 9.5% was more than the national average of 6.67%. More articles by John Kingston As shippers adjust to tariffs, the message at Momentum is: Don't forget the TMS Georgia tort reform aims to change practices in judicial 'hell hole' Double whammy for Wabash: 2 key agencies cut debt rating on trailer builder The post 70-unit Illinois carrier files for bankruptcy protection appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
