Organisms

Over 5,500 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians are subject to legal and illegal trade around the world. This represents 18% of the vertebrate species of the earth. This figure is higher than previous estimates, according to a study published in the scientific journal Science, BTA reported.

Exporters and farmers alike are seriously concerned about Washington's intention to impose additional tariffs on a series of Greek products, at a time when local exports to the United States have been staging a recovery.

One of the deadliest fungi in the world was discovered in northern Australia - thousands of miles from their native habitat in the mountains of Japan and Korea.

 The Poison Fire Coral was discovered in a suburb of the northern Australian city of Cairns by a local photographer and subsequently identified by scientists, James Cook University told AFP.

A construction problem delayed the monkey cell reconstruction at a zoo in the capital for a year. Renovation of primate habitats should have been completed by the end of 2018. However, designers missed the important detail that under the new monkey cell extensions there are underground rooms with collectors.

In our minds, smuggling is mainly related to the illicit transfer of drugs or alcohol. In recent years, however, there has been a boom in another business - the illegal puppies trade.

The illegal puppies trade brings huge profits. In Europe, dogs can only be exported after they are 15 weeks old and have all the required vaccinations. However, this does not stop greedy breeders.

The Arcturos brown bear conservation society has reported and condemned the mass poisoning of dogs in the northern Greek region of Florina, where the organization is headquartered.

In a post on social media, Arcturos reported that at least 26 dogs - the majority working dogs belonging to local shepherds - were found poisoned to death in the areas of Sklithro, Aetos and Nymphaio.

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis arrives in Bulgaria. The reason - a meeting of experts about the African swine fever epidemic. Agriculture Minister Desislava Taneva will also participate in the meeting.

The experts will discuss the spread of the contagion in Europe and outline actions to tackle the problem.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has promised the state to help restore the pig business that has been forced to kill pigs because of the African swine fever and take biosecurity measures.

This became clear after Borissov's meeting in Varna with industry representatives.

A 73-year-old man was arrested in the town of Rethymno on the island of Crete for tying a dog to the back of his car and dragging it along a road.

The man, who faces charges of animal cruelty, was tracked down by police after a witness posted a photo of the incident, showing the vehicle's license plate, on social media.

The government is allocating BGN 28 million to the Ministry of Agriculture for the payment of benefits, compensation and other expenses related to the fight against African swine fever. 75% of these will be recovered from the European Commission. This was announced by Agriculture Minister Desislava Taneva after today's government session.