animals

American Oceanographer Sallie Watson is awarded Catalonia’s Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology

October 22, 2013 09:31 PM | ACN

The Catalan Government’s Ramon Margalef Prize was awarded to American oceanographer Sallie Watson for her research on marine biology. The President of the Catalan Executive, Artur Mas, praised the scientist for her discoveries, stating Watson was “the “most productive, charismatic and active searcher in the field of biologic oceanography and marine ecology”. Mas also underlined Catalonia’s growing influence on the international scientific stage, by stating that even though “it was a small country” Catalonia had transformed into an “international scientific centre of high calibre”.

Nazanin Armanian: “The mass media have created a distorted and demonised image of Iran”

March 25, 2013 07:45 PM | Rosa Soto

Barcelona-based Iranian writer, journalist and teacher, Nazanin Armanian, presents the second edition of her animal story book compilation. This book sets out some basic principles about the relationships between animals and human beings and can be seen as a starting point for comparing international relationships, especially between Iran, Middle Eastern countries and the West. Armanian graduated in Political Science at Universitat de Barcelona and is preparing her doctoral thesis in Philosophy. She talked to CNA about how humans relate to animals and the relationship between Iran, the Middle East and the West.

Horses, ponies and carriages brave the rain at Barcelona’s 'Tres Tombs' parade

January 21, 2013 09:08 PM | CNA / Ana Macías

The 188th edition of the traditional ‘Tres Tombs’ animal parade, in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot, took place in Barcelona last weekend. In Catalonia, he is the patron saint of the animals. The parade includes a blessing of pets ceremony. Traffic was stopped in the main streets of the Catalan capital’s Ciutat Vella district and in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood to give way to another kind of vehicles: donkeys, ponies, horses and old carriages. Although a popular festivity, this year’s 'Tres Tombs' couldn’t keep a hold on its audience as the cloudy morning became a very rainy day.

Bull festivities in Catalonia revive debate between tradition and animal rights

August 17, 2012 10:54 PM | Laura Fabregat

After the Catalan Parliament’s ban on bullfighting approved in 2010, controversy between those in favour and those against bull festivities has been continuing for years now. The latest issue under discussion is the continuation of a specific bull event called the ‘correbous’ that takes place in the Ebro Delta area, in southern Catalonia. ‘Correbous’ are deeply rooted in the area’s tradition, organised to coincide with the towns’ patron saint parties, held during summertime. They are different from regular bullfighting and they have more similarities with Pamplona’s San Fermín festival, where people run in front of the bulls.

Barcelona Zoo looks to the future with a €25 million investment, captive breeding and the introduction of new animals

July 25, 2012 09:50 PM | Gemma Font / CNA

After several controversies regarding the possible transfer of the Zoo to outside Barcelona, management has opted for new breeding programs of species such as the Komodo dragon and also welcomes a new elephant. They have also decided to build a dolphinarium alongside the Zoo with private funding, which would end the project to create a marine zoo at the Forum.

Released turtles return to the Mediterranean Sea after several months recovering at Catalan NGO facilities

October 27, 2011 12:17 AM | CNA / Bertran Cazorla

The beach at El Prat de Llobregat, next to Barcelona Airport, witnessed the return of a group of loggerhead turtles to the Mediterranean Sea. The release took place after their full recovering at CRAM's facilities, a Catalan foundation treating wounded marine animals. The release served as an example of a public awareness campaign on the turtle’s fragile ecosystem.

Barcelona zoo decides to renovate its current home and puts relocation project on standby

August 23, 2011 11:01 PM | CNA / Caitlin Smith

Plans to change the location of Barcelona zoo have been put on hold indefinitely. The zoo, which has been housed in Park of the Ciutadella since 1892, is now turning its attention to modernisation, aiming to become a "leader in the defence and conservation of biodiversity". Popular with tourists and locals alike, visitors increased by 13% from January to July this year. Coinciding with the zoo’s new plans, two spotted hyenas have arrived, the first in the last 25 years.