Latest news with #IngridNewkirk
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Woke animal rights group issues bizarre response after Kraken team mascot was chased by bear
An animal rights group issued a puzzling call to action after the Seattle Kraken's team mascot went viral for encountering a real grizzly bear while filming a promotional video. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke that urged the team to stop promoting fishing after the incident went viral. 'In light of your mascot's recent experience of being "hunted" by a grizzly bear in Alaska, this would be the perfect time for your team to bench their fishing rods for good,' PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk wrote. Last week, the mascot, Buoy, shared a shocking behind-the-scenes look at the team's marketing campaign with star player John Hayden in the Alaskan wilderness. Their fly-fishing video was interrupted when a grizzly bear started charging at Buoy. Luckily, the team had a guide on board who alerted them to the bear. The videographers captured the close call on camera, and the video went viral on social media, alerting the attention of animal rights groups who warned against fishing. The PETA founder went on to say that fish don't want to end up as someone's food and suggested the team participate in 'animal-friendly activities like "trash fishing."' Newkirk argued that picking up trash is 'a great way to clean up waterways and reel in some good karma'. She referred to a post on X from Buoy about the bear encounter that read: 'no trolls or bears were hurt in the making, always respect wildlife in their natural habitat [heart emoji]'. Newkirk said that fishing sends the opposite message and condones injuring or killing animals. She referenced a study published in June in Scientific Reports that found that fish likely feel moderate to intense pain caused by asphyxia for at least 20 minutes after they're caught. 'In fact, fish who are released after they're hooked often die slowly from their injuries and the trauma of being handled,' Newkirk continued. 'Imagine having a hook through your mouth, then having it yanked out, and being released. Hardly harmless.' Newkirk argued that fish can feel pain, fear, and affection like humans and asked the team to send a 'kind message' about how fish deserve to be treated. 'Just as a grizzly bear decided to Buoy off his plate that day in Alaska, we hope your team will keep fish and other animals off theirs,' Newkirk concluded. The NHL team was collaborating with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation, a for-profit entity of around 10,000 indigenous shareholders with a mission of protecting the land for the promotional video-gone-viral. The trip is an annual ritual for the team's troll mascot, and the viral video was branded as 'experiential content' by marketing director Melissa O'Brochta. Hayden and Buoy made light of the terrifying incident after the fact in a video posted to X. 'I want to blame it on Buoy, they were pretty interested in his... his whole look. So, we got out of it okay, but it was a close call,' Hayden confessed. The team also shared photos of Buoy and Hayden fishing at Brook Falls near the Katmai National Park and Preserve for the marketing campaign.
Time Out
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
PETA just named Chicago the most vegan-friendly city in the country
Once known as the "Hog Butcher of the World," Chicago is now officially the most vegan-friendly city in America, according to PETA's 2025 rankings. That's right—the city famous for deep-dish pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches is crushing the plant-powered game. This is not just about beans, greens and grains. You can still get a delicious deep-dish pie or an Italian beef—just without the animal products. At Kitchen 17, the pizzas are cheesy, gooey and 100-percent vegan. Buona offers a beefless version of its iconic sandwich and Runaway Cow in Bridgeport serves vegan Chicago dogs and oat milk soft serve Snowstorms that rival Dairy Queen's Blizzard. Over at the Chicago Diner, the Radical Reuben is a local legend, while Majani brings plant-forward Southern flavors to the South Shore. Other vegan options that are Chicago to the core include decadent nondairy cheesecakes at Alice & Friends' Vegan Kitchen, the meat-free Chicago Style Frank at Soul Veg City, the plant-powered Meatball Sub with dairy-free provolone at Native Foods, Soy Al Pastor tacos at Penelope's Vegan Taqueria and the Buffalo Chicken Eggrolls at Spirit Elephant. "From Chi-town's meat-free Chicago-style franks to dairy-free deep-dish pizzas, America's former meatpacking capital is now a paradise for vegan eating with an abundance of animal-friendly restaurants," says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. The recognition might seem at odds with the meat-heavy scenes in The Bear, but real-life Chicago is ahead of the curve. Veganism isn't a fringe movement here—it's part of the city's evolving identity. Hot on Chicago's heels is Philadelphia, snagging second place with heavy hitters like Vedge, The Nile Cafe and Monster Vegan. Washington, D.C. came in third, repping spots like PLNT Burger, NuVegan Cafe and even the classic Ben's Chili Bowl. 10 most vegan-friendly cities in the U.S. Chicago Philadelphia Washington, D.C. Denver New Orleans Atlanta Charlotte Detroit Los Angeles New York
Fox News
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
PETA calls to end Groundhog Day tradition, replace Punxsutawney Phil with 'vegan weather reveal cake'
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling to ax a beloved American tradition – and to replace it with what it calls a "delicious" vegan substitution. The animal rights nonprofit organization is seeking to replace the Groundhog Day tradition with a vegan "weather reveal" cake. PETA announced the proposal in a news release on Jan. 20. "PETA will deliver a delicious 'Weather Reveal' vegan cake each Groundhog Day in perpetuity if [the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club] agrees to let Punxsutawney Phil and his family retire to a reputable sanctuary, a move that will earn the outfit kudos from wildlife fans," the press release stated. PETA also published pun-filled letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, arguing that the groundhog's annual duties were "no piece of cake" for him. "Groundhogs are shy prey animals who, when allowed, actively avoid humans," the letter detailed. "Yet, year after year, Phil is transported to Gobler's Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a noisy announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights against all his natural instincts." "If approached in his natural habitat, he would run away in fear, not volunteer to live year-round in captivity, unable to do anything that's natural and important to him like hibernate or burrow – just to be a town's once-a-year fake meteorologist." In a statement, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk also called for Groundhog Day officials to "sprinkle some happiness" into Phil's life by letting him retire. "When allowed to be themselves, groundhogs avoid humans, create intricate networks of underground burrows, communicate with one another, and even climb trees, but poor Phil is denied all of that for a tired old gimmick," Newkirk argued. PETA told Fox News Digital that it has not received a response from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, and called for the organization to develop "kinder, innovative" traditions that make animals happy. "Our letter suggests the groundhog club demonstrate true respect for Phil and set a wonderful example for how everyone can move beyond 'Groundhog' Day by replacing him with a delicious vegan 'Weather Reveal' cake that revelers can enjoy as an alternative to exploiting wild animals," a spokesperson explained. "The time is long overdue." PETA has called for Groundhog Day alternatives in the past, including offering to send a giant gold coin to replace the animal in 2024. Groundhog Day has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1887. Thousands of observers flock to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, every year on Feb. 2 to see Phil predict the weather. Tradition dictates that if Phil sees his shadow at daybreak and runs away, six more weeks of winter will follow. However, if he has no shadow, spring will arrive sooner. In 2024, Phil announced that he did not see his shadow, marking a rare prediction for an early spring. Fox News Digital reached out to PETA and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club for comment.
