Animals and animalrights in the media worldwide

Vrouw rijdt groot tropisch aquarium aan diggelen op luchthaven Tampa (VS) - Meer dan 90% vissen gedood

2009-11-10T18:15:00.006+01:00

Woman with child in lap drives into fish tank at

Tampa airport

10-11-2009 By JOSH POLTILOVE The Tampa Tribune, USA

TAMPA - The 30 to 40 saltwater fish in a tank at Tampa International Airport's blue arrival area are dead or expected to die after a vehicle crashed into the fish exhibit Monday night, a Florida Aquarium spokesman said today.

The damage left after a car hit a fish tank Monday night at Tampa International Airport.

The 1,500-gallon tank, worth between $50,000 and $100,000, broke following the crash, said Tom Wagner of The Florida Aquarium. More than a dozen species, including clownfish, angelfish and blue tang had lived in the tank; more than 90 percent are dead.

"It's unlikely that any of the animals will survive," Wagner said.
The fish were worth $3,000 to $5,000, he said.

Yamile Campuzano-Martine, 36, had an unrestrained 6-year-old in her lap and lost control of her 1994 Ford Ranger, which jumped a curb and crashed into the tank at about 9:20 p.m., airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said.

Tampa Fire Rescue attended to Campuzano-Martine and the two children in the Ford. The child who had been on Campuzano-Martine's lap had a knot on the right side of his forehead, but Campuzano-Martine, who was at the airport to pick up a relative, declined to have him taken to a hospital, Geoghagan said.

No one in the airport was injured.

Campuzano-Martine was cited for careless driving, failure to use a child restraint device and failure to provide a driver's license, Geoghagan said.

Twenty minutes after the crash, water had drained from the tank. Water spilled onto the sidewalk, roadway and interior carpet.
Airport employees gathered some of the water and fish in a bucket, Wagner said. The aquarium was trying to save the survivors.

The blue side Marine Exhibit is part of the airport's El Movimiento del Mar public art program, which began in June 1999 as a partnership between the airport, local artists, Sarasota and the aquarium. The airport spent $200,000 on the exhibit, which included the 12-foot tank.

The aquarium provided the sea life and fish, maintaining the tank and feeding the fish.

After determining how much of the tank can be salvaged, aquarium and airport staffers will evaluate what to do with the area, Wagner said.
Another tank remains in the red arrival area.

(Bron: http://www2.tbo.com/)
(Bron foto: Tampa Tribune)

Twilights Christian Serratos Poses Naked for PETA in anti-fur ad

2009-11-10T18:10:00.001+01:00

Caught on Tape Deer Escapes Lion Attack - ABC News (USA) - Deer had to be euthanized...

2009-11-10T18:04:00.000+01:00

Australian koala population in steep decline

2009-11-10T11:18:00.001+01:00

Scientists have gathered in Canberra to decide the fate of the emblematic Australian Koala. The National Threatened Species Scientific Committee is again discussing whether the marsupial should be listed as vulnerable to extinction. Evidence presented by the Australian Koala Foundation shows a steep decline in recent years from hundreds of thousands in the wild to as little as an estimated 43,000.

Animals Australia TV Ad

2009-11-10T11:16:00.000+01:00

Officials: New Yorker Had 20 Dead Dogs Buried in Yard (USA)

2009-11-10T11:12:00.000+01:00

Dozens of concerned pet owners have contacted authorities following the gruesome discovery of more than 20 animal carcasses in the backyard of a Long Island home, a scene described by one veteran SPCA official as something out of a horror movie.

Dierenactivisten in Iowa (VS) willen strengere wetgeving voor honden broodfokkers - In Iowa ruim 450 'puppy mills' met totaal 23.000 honden voor fok

2009-11-10T11:05:00.003+01:00

Animal Activists Raise Awareness About Iowa

Puppy Mills

10-11-2009 KCAU-TV, Iowa, USA

They aren't walked, they don't get vet care, and they live in cramped cages in unsanitary conditions. There are more than 450 so called "puppy mills" in Iowa. And many of them aren't following the rules.

Now local activists are trying to stiffen laws against some of those dog breeding operations.
Most puppy mills are places where animals are mass produced and stored in devastating environments.
After several undercover investigations at some of these Iowa operations,
You'd be surprised at what was found.
Undercover videos have been exposed all over Iowa.

"It makes me very sad, I could burst into tears just thinking about it."
"It makes me feel horrible that the first 9 years of his life he was without love, and a comfortable place to sleep, and probably good food.

Iowa ranks 3rd in the nation in the number of commercial dog breeding operations.
That means more than 450 so called "puppy mills" with nearly 23,000 breeding dogs.

"One of the big things that we need to strengthen is that these facilities have very little regulation, at most they inspected once a year, says Siouxland Humane Soceity Director Jerry Dominicak.
Some say, that's just not enough.

So animal activists are stepping up and taking the problem straight to the state legislature.

It's a problem many are unaware of, one that can cause permanent both physical and emotional damage, to animals.
"A lot of the puppies coming out of these places are not very healthy, and they often have a lot of social issues because of the way they were raised, says Iowa Voters For Companion Animals Director Mary LaHay.

Now, animal lovers are making their voices heard in public meetings.
The first step to making changes.
Changes to save those who can't save themselves.
We want to point out, not all breeders are puppy mills, there are reputable breeders in the area.

In fact, Nebraska recently passed legislation to increase regulations at breeding operations.
But, local activist encourage you to do your research before you buy from a breeder.

This local group of activists plans to introduce a bill to the Iowa legislature in January.

(Bron: http://www.kcautv.com/)

Na sluiting Phoenix Greyhound Park (VS) gaan honden gevangenen in Saguaro Correctional Center, Eloy, gezelschap houden....

2009-11-10T10:57:00.005+01:00

Phoenix track closing, greyhounds going to

Arizona prison

10-11-2009 Reported by: Rudabeh Shahbazi Email: RShahbazi@abc15.com, ABC15, USA

ELOY, AZ -- Just a month before the race track at Phoenix Greyhound Park is scheduled to close, a Valley greyhound rescue group is working to place the race dogs in prison cells with inmates.

Racing Home Rescue Group volunteer Marcie Bailey says the dogs will give inmates at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy more hope, company and encouragement.

"This program could possibly grow to 12 dogs per each 9-week session in both facilities in Eloy," said Bailey. "That could place up to 120 dogs per year into forever homes. Plus, it will heal the spirits and give vocational training to up to 50 inmates looking for unconditional love, some of them for the first time in their lives."

Inmates who have already participated in the program just had a first graduation ceremony and welcomed in four new dogs. The previous greyhounds were all adopted immediately, two of them by prison employees.Bailey says the inmates get emotional when it comes time to let the dogs go to be with their new owners.

"They would have been devastated if they had not gotten another dog," she said.Each greyhound is adopted for 10 weeks by two inmates, and lives with them in their cells 24 hours a day. Retired greyhounds are typically adopted after their racing careers, but often have to be put down if rescue groups can't find owners for them.

Bailey says the inmates teach the dogs basic obedience, and sometimes tricks. She says the program has been popular on the east coast, but that she is not aware of any such programs on this side of the country. Experts say greyhounds are great with kids, other dogs and even cats and small animals. Violent criminals and sex offenders are not allowed to foster the dogs. Bailey says most of the participants are serving time for drug charges.

To see prisoner testimonials about their partnerships with the greyhounds, and to find out information about adoption, visit http://www.racinghome.info/.

(Bron: http://www.abc15.com/)
(Bron foto: ABC15)

Twee Australische tieners hangen 20 jaar oude half blinde kat aan touw aan brug in Craigieburn - Jongens vandaag voor rechter: uitspraak februari 2010

2009-11-10T10:50:00.003+01:00

Cat hung from bridge, court told

10-11-2009 (By Norrie Ross, The Herald Sun) News.com.au, Australia

TWO teenagers kidnapped an elderly half-blind cat, put a noose around its neck and hung it from a bridge, a magistrate heard today. Police prosecutor Graham Muscat, told the Childrens' Court that the cat was a much-loved family pet and its horrific death had caused its owners a great deal of grief, the Herald Sun reports.

Mr Muscat said the youths, who cannot be named, were part of a group of young people who had met at a Craigieburn shopping centre on April 18 last year and walked to the bridge at nearby Kirkbride Way.
The accused went looking for a cat and found one nearby that was around 20 years old.

One of the youths took a length of rope from his anorak and tied it round the cat's neck and held it up before tying it to handrail and leaving it hanging from the bridge.

"The cat was meowing and urinating during these actions,'' said Mr Muscat.

The youths were aged 16 and 14 at the time and the magistrate told one of them he was considering sentencing him to youth detention.
"I have a job to do and I'm going to do it,'' he said.

The magistrate expressed sympathy to the cat's owner, who was in court and presented a victim impact statement.
"Those of us who love animals and have lost animals understand the pain he feels about the loss of this cat,’’ said the magistrate.

Both teenagers had previously pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty and the magistrate adjourned their sentencing until next February until he has received further reports.

Outside court Edwin Townsend-Booth, 72, the cat's owner, said his family was still grieving over the loss of Alice.
"I hope some action is taken. This shouldn't happen to anybody else,'' he said.

"We had this cat for over 20 years. The cat was missing and one morning someone called one of my grandchildren and said there was a cat in the creek with a rope around its neck.

"It was very distressing, particularly for my grandchildren.''

(Bron: http://www.news.com.au/)

Ook Nepalese 'Laurel & Hardy' nemen deel aan protesten tegen massa offering van honderdduizenden dieren in Gadhimai Tempel - Vrijdag demonstratie

2009-11-10T10:29:00.008+01:00

Nepal’s ‘Laurel-Hardy’ join protests against animal

massacre

10-11-2009 By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, The Gaea Times, India

KATHMANDU - Nepal’s best-loved comedian duo, who have also become the voice of the fledgling republic’s conscience, have joined the growing protests in Nepal against the horrific slaughter of hundreds of thousands of birds and animals at a temple in the Terai.

Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya - known as the MaHa pair and the only living beings in Nepal to have a series of comic books devoted to their antics - are asking people not to pledge to sacrifice birds and animals at the altar of the Gadhimai Temple in Bara district.

November 6, 2009 – Today representatives of the Animal Welfare Network Nepal and Anti-Animal Sacrifice Alliance handed over a petition signed by 3200 individuals from all over the world to Karima Bagam, State Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Pramada Shah, Manoj Gautam and Lucia de Vries urged the minister to ensure that all animals brought to Gadhimai to be sacrificed carry a certificate from an Indian or Nepali quarantine office.

The temple has been dubbed “Nepal’s temple of doom” by the media because of the fair that is held every five years. The fair becomes the “largest animal killing fields in the world” where hundreds of thousands of birds and beasts are slaughtered by devotees who throng from both Nepal and Indian states across the border.

Shrestha and Acharya, who are also the public face of the UN and government’s campaigns in Nepal to spread harmony among different ethnic communities and improve child health, will take part in a public rally Friday to urge people to stop wanton bloodshed, be it of humans or animals.

Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN) and Anti-Animal Sacrifice Alliance, two NGOs that are spearheading a campaign to end the centuries-old tradition, said the two stars will take part in a demonstration in Lalitpur city Friday lighting candles in the name of the 500,000 animals that are reported to be ready for sacrifice at the Terai temple.

“We have petitioned the agriculture ministry,” said Pramada Shah of AWNN. “We are telling the government that the mass slaughter, besides being inhuman, also needs to be stopped due to the danger of outbreaks of swine flu or bird flu as most of the animals are smuggled in from India without passing through the quarantine posts.”

On Tuesday, the media announced that a fair, scheduled to start at the Galeshwar Mahadev temple in Myagdi in western Nepal, had been shelved due to the outbreak of swine flu in neighbouring Parbat district and fears that the virus could have also entered Myagdi.

However, the government, despite being urged by noted Indian animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi to stop the killings in Bara, has said it would not ban the Gadhimai fair for fear of ruffling religious sentiments.

“We don’t think the slaughter will stop this year,” admitted Shah, who is also the niece-in-law of Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, who had been known for the large number of animal sacrifices he offered in Nepal and India during his five-year reign.
“However, the growing awareness this year makes us optimistic that one day, it will stop voluntarily.”

Shah said for the next five years, Nepal’s animal rights organisations would continue to liaise with Indian animal welfare organisations for a sustained campaign, especially in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, from where Indian devotees flock in large numbers to Gadhimai since their own states have banned animal sacrifices.

(Bron: http://blog.taragana.com/)
(Bron foto: http://www.gadimai.blogspot.com/)

Hoop voor een van 's werelds meest zeldzame reptiel: de Siamese krokodil in Cambodja

2009-11-10T10:10:00.003+01:00

New crocodile hopes in Cambodia

10-11-2009 By Guy De Launey, BBC News, Phnom Penh, UK

The discovery in Cambodia of rare Siamese crocodiles has excited conservationists Conservationists say there is fresh hope for one of the world's rarest reptiles. DNA tests have found 35 pure-bred Siamese crocodiles at a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia.

There are fewer then 250 of the species left in the wild, but the crocodiles at the sanctuary could now form the basis of a captive-breeding programme.

Siamese crocodiles may be smaller than some other species, but they're easily capable of breaking human limbs.

So for the conservationists at the Phnom Tamao wildlife rescue centre, taking DNA samples was a hazardous task.

In February this year, they wrangled and wrestled 69 of the beasts so they could gather genetic information.
And now it turns out all the hard work was worth it.

Thirty-five crocodiles have been confirmed as pure-bred Siamese - including six adults which may be suitable for starting off a captive breeding programme.
And more than two dozen younger crocs may be released into the wild when they are old enough.
The discovery continues a remarkable comeback for the species.

Siamese crocodiles were declared extinct in the 1990s - before a small population was discovered in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains.
But the conservation organisation Fauna and Flora International has warned that any celebrations would be premature.

Siamese crocodiles mature slowly.
So it will take 15 years before the breeding programme comes to fruition.

And in the meantime, everything from poaching to hydroelectric projects pose a threat to crocodiles and their habitats.

(Bron: http://news.bbc.co.uk/)

Rusland doneert drie Siberische tijgers aan Korea - Donatie berust feitelijk op misverstand - In Korea nu 51 tijgers in gevangenschap

2009-11-10T02:32:00.003+01:00

Russia Offers Siberian Tigers to Korea

10-11-2009 The Chosun Ilbo, Korea

Russia has agreed to donate three Siberian tigers to Korea, the Environment Ministry announced Monday. Siberian tigers, also known as Manchurian or Korean tigers, once widely inhabited the Korean Peninsula but the species is now on the verge of extinction with only a small number living in the wild in the Russian Far East.

Korea currently has 51 of the tigers living in captivity which came from the United States and North Korea. Of them, 24 are in the Seoul Zoo.

Russia's tiger donation came about partly through an interpreter's mistake. While visiting Korea in June, a Russian delegation led by Vladimir Kirillov, the head of Russia's Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service, went to the National Institute of Biological Resources with Vice Environment Minister Lee Byung-wook to see a display of mounted animals, including a Siberian tiger.

During the tour, a Korean official said, "Korea is very interested in Siberian tigers." But the interpreter mistranslated the comment, and asked about Russia's willingness to donate the animals. In response, Kirillov asked if Korea could raise donated tigers in the wild.

"The government didn't give much thought to the remarks at the time, but it seems Kirillov proposed the donation while briefing Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on his visit to Korea," a ministry official said. The Environment Ministry made an official request to Russia for the donation of the tigers in a bilateral environmental cooperation meeting in Moscow on Oct. 30.

A ministry official said Russia agreed to donate the tigers to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. "In the end, a mistranslation helped us receive a valuable gift from Russia," he added.

englishnews@chosun.com

(Bron: http://english.chosun.com/)

Populatie koala's in vrije val - Mogelijk nog slechts 43.000 koala's in Australië - Verstedelijking en klimaatverandering funest voor koala

2009-11-10T02:10:00.005+01:00

Koala numbers in free fall

10-11-2009 BEN CUBBY

KOALAS are rapidly vanishing from the Australian bush,and there may be as few as 43,000 left on the mainland, according to the biggest national survey of their populations attempted.

Vanishing ... there may be just 43,000 koalas left in Australia, says a new survey.

Photo: Adam McLean

The Australian Koala Foundation said its research showed the furry icons were suffering from urban development and climate change, and that the Federal Government should list the species as vulnerable.

The group, which used data from more than 1000 forest surveys, said the mainland population had fallen to between 43,000 and 80,000. The number of wild koalas in NSW, where they are already listed as vulnerable, could have dropped to as few as 8000, the group said.

The figures are controversial because they point to a steep decline since the previous national estimate in 2003, which used similar methodology to suggest a population of 100,000. Some researchers think numbers are significantly higher, though most agree they are in decline.

The marsupial's fate will be put before 20 of the world's leading koala experts at a workshop in Canberra today - the start of a process in which the species could be listed as vulnerable by the end of next year.

Upgrading the conservation status could have big implications for government assessments of coastal developments and land clearing.

An attempt in 2006 to have the species listed as vulnerable failed when the federal government's threatened species steering committee decided it did not meet the criteria.

But the foundation said its research confirmed years of anecdotal reports of dwindling populations along the east coast. ''I think it will be very hard for anyone to walk away from this data. We have a very high level of confidence that it accurately shows a drastic decline,'' said the foundation's chief executive, Deborah Tabart.

Measuring koala populations with certainty is notoriously hard. The main method is to walk through eucalypt forests and simply count the animals, their droppings and scratch marks.

Other researchers said there was not enough information to make accurate predictions. ''There's a real degree of uncertainty around the numbers,'' said David Phalen, director of the Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre at Sydney University.

''We do know that koalas are threatened by habitat loss in Queensland and northern NSW but numbers elsewhere are increasing or stable,'' he said.

The Federal Government has endorsed a national conservation strategy for koalas and would consider the findings of the threatened species committee when they were available, said a spokesman for the Environment Minister, Peter Garrett.

''I have an open mind and no predetermined view,'' said Bob Beeton, the committee's chairman. ''The onus is on the science, properly presented and considered.''

(Bron: http://www.theage.com.au/)
(Bron foto: The Age)

PETA VS: 'Geen krokodillentranen over minder verkoop producten krokodillenleer' - Reptielen ernstig mishandeld voor leerindustrie

2009-11-10T01:54:00.005+01:00

Commentary

Moore: Shed no crocodile tears for tanking

skins trade

Paula Moore, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

10-11-2009 The Statesman, USA

According to a recent news article, the global economic downturn has taken a bite out of America's alligator industry. With the sharp slump in sales of so-called "luxury" goods such as alligator bags and belts, fashion houses worldwide are placing fewer orders for exotic skins — and some American alligator farms are in danger of going belly-up as a result.

Let me be the first to say, "Good riddance."

Alligators are bludgeoned with hammers and steel bars so that their skins can be turned into overpriced accessories. Snakes and lizards are skinned alive and left to die in agony. The routine cruelty in the exotic skins trade should make any caring consumer's skin crawl, and the sooner this industry dies off, the better.

When PETA went undercover at an alligator farm in Florida, our investigator documented workers smashing alligators over the head with aluminum bats in a crude attempt to kill them.

Many animals continued to writhe and move after they had supposedly been killed.

On other farms, according to Dr. Clifford Warwick, a specialist in reptile biology and welfare, alligators are shot or axed to death — or have a chisel smashed through their spinal cord with a hammer.

Many alligator and crocodile farms are "supplemented" with "animals who have been taken from the wild and put into conditions that are very unhygienic, very cramped, very crowded," says Warwick. "It's quite a sad, stressful life."

Other reptiles fare no better. Lizards are decapitated and skinned. But because of their slow metabolism, they can stay alive for up to an hour after their heads are cut off — meaning that they are skinned alive.

Pythons are stunned — but not killed — with a blow to the head. Then hoses are inserted into their mouths and they are pumped full of water, which causes the snakes to swell up like balloons. This loosens the skin.

Workers then impale each snake's head on a meat hook, rip the skin off and toss the animals' peeled bodies onto a pile of other skinned snakes. After hours — or days — of unimaginable suffering, the snakes die from dehydration or shock.

"Snakes are never killed in a good way," Warwick says.

More than a fifth of the world's reptiles are now at risk for extinction — and the exotic skins trade is not helping. Most snakes are caught in the wild because it takes so long for farmed snakes to grow large enough for their skin to be usable. Dr. Mark Auliya, a scientific officer for TRAFFIC, an organization that helps monitor the international trade in wild animals, says that in Southeast Asia, some "large (snake) specimens are getting rarer and rarer." The animals, he says, simply "cannot cope in the long term with the high out-take by the commercial skin trade."
What's more, for every reptile who goes through the system legally, it is estimated that another one will be smuggled. According to Warwick, virtually every store that sells exotic skins has some hand in this illicit trade, whether they are aware of it or not.

With so many choices available to us today, there's no reason for designers to continue using real skins — and there's no reason for consumers to buy them. Alligators, snakes and other animals should not have to suffer and die just for our cold-blooded vanity.

Moore is a research specialist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, http://www.peta.org/.

(Bron: http://www.statesman.com/)

Veel mensen in Antwerpen (België) steunen Anti Dierproeven Coalitie in haar eis om een verbod op gebruik apen in experimenten

2009-11-10T01:16:00.010+01:00

Ook Antwerpen eist verbod apenexperimenten

Informatiestand in hartje Antwerpen

09-11-2009 St. Anti Dierproeven Coalitie

Het was zaterdag 7 november een echte herfstdag. Ondanks de aangekondigde regen hielden vrijwilligers van de Anti Dierproeven Coalitie een informatiestand in hartje Antwerpen. Vele mensen kwamen spontaan hun handtekening zetten en vroegen om extra informatie.

Onze recent herwerkte lijst met dierproefvrije producten was opnieuw heel succesvol. We kregen regelmatig te horen dat mensen dankzij onze informatiestanden bewust producten kopen die niet op dieren getest zijn!

Sommige mensen zeiden ons dat ze niet wisten dat dierproeven anno 2009 nog steeds in België gebeuren... En dat ze dankzij onze informatiestand beter geïnformeerd waren.

Vrijdag as. voert de Anti Dierproeven Coalitie opnieuw actie bij het kabinet van minister Onkelinx. Onze eis is heel duidelijk, wij willen een verbod op apenexperimenten in België. Dat de bezoekers van onze infostand het hiermee eens zijn, werd ons tijdens de gesprekken die we voerden heel duidelijk.

De volgende weken staan vrijwilligers van de Anti Dierproeven Coalitie in Leuven, Gent, Brussel, Luik, ...

(Bron: http://www.stopdierproeven.org/)
(Bron foto's: St. Anti Dierproeven Coalitie)

Circusdieren mogen door Europese lidstaten worden geweerd - Verbod op circusdieren in piste Oostenrijk is bevestigd door Europese Commissie

2009-11-10T00:45:00.005+01:00

Europese lidstaten mogen circusdieren weren

Europese Commissie bevestigt verbod circusdieren in Oostenrijk

09-11-2009 Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit

Almere, 9 november 2009 – Het verbod op het gebruik van circusdieren in Oostenrijk is legitiem, zo oordeelt de Europese Commissie. Europese lidstaten hebben de bevoegdheid om in eigen land verboden in te stellen ter bescherming van dieren.

Berberaapje in circus Belly Wien.

Het Oostenrijks verbod was meerdere malen in opdracht van de European Circus Association door de Ombudsman aangevochten. Het is nu de vierde maal dat de Europese Commissie de klacht van de Ombudsman weerlegt.

“Met deze bevestiging gaan de deuren voor andere lidstaten open om het welzijn van dieren in eigen land te beschermen. Naast verboden op bijvoorbeeld Foie Gras of zeehondenbont, mogen landen nu ook verboden instellen op circussen met dieren. We hopen dat Nederland, maar ook andere lidstaten deze kans met beide handen aanpakken en hun verantwoordelijkheid nemen om wilde dieren in het circus te beschermen,” aldus Leonie Vestering, woordvoerder van de dierenbeschermingscoalitie ‘Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit’.

Een van de tijgers van circus Herman Renz.

De commissie oordeelt dat er tussen lidstaten verschillen bestaan die van invloed zijn op de invulling van het dierenbeschermingsbeleid.
Economische, sociale, culturele, religieuze en andere factoren in eigen land spelen hierbij een rol. Lidstaten hebben daarom de vrijheid om binnen de eigen context verboden in te stellen om dieren te beschermen, zelfs wanneer dit mogelijk in conflict zou zijn met de vrije handel in goederen of diensten.

Leonie Vestering: “Dit is fantastisch nieuws voor dieren. Met het debat over de Wet dieren in de Tweede Kamer in het vooruitzicht kunnen er eindelijk grote stappen worden gemaakt om het dierenwelzijnsniveau te verhogen.”

Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit is een coalitie van dierenbeschermingsorganisaties. Stichting AAP, WSPA, Stichting Vier Voeters, IFAW, Stichting Menodi en afdelingen van de Dierenbescherming
slaan de handen ineen voor een verbod op het gebruik van wilde dieren in circussen. Deze organisaties zijn van mening dat wilde dieren niet in het circus thuishoren: onderzoek wijst uit dat hun welzijn (ernstig) wordt benadeeld. Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit heeft niets tegen circussen,
integendeel, zij erkent circussen als deel van onze cultuur. Wilde dieren horen daarin echter niet thuis. Volgens Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit zijn circussen veel leuker zonder dierenleed.

(Bron: http://www.wildedierendetentuit.nl/)
(Bron foto's: Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit)

Noorse dierenrechtenorganisatie filmt in bontfokkerijen - Schokkende videobeelden tonen werkelijkheid in bontfokkerijen...

2009-11-09T09:46:00.006+01:00

A civilized nation is compassionate to its

defenseless members

09-11-2009 Anti-Fur Society Newsletter, USA

For the second year, the Norwegian animal organization Nettverk for Dyrs Frihet (Network for Animal Freedom) has been running independent inspections in Norwegian fur farms and have discovered shocking conditions in which animals live. The extensive suffering they saw in nearly 50 fur farms is simply heartbreaking, and this just after the Norwegian minister of Agriculture said that fur animals were treated humanely in Norway.

Who would question "ethical" fur coats from Norway which is considered civilized? Norwegian animal caring people have a different story to tell, and since bad habits die hard, fur animal abusers are putting up a good fight against animal rights activists in Norway. Fearing the negative repercussion it will cause to their business, efforts are being made to discredit pro-animal groups who have dared to speak out against the atrocities.

As we all know, it is now fashionable to portray animal people as "radicals & terrorists," thus, our counterparts in Norway need all the support they can get at home and abroad. As usual, our mission is to offer support to anti-fur activists worldwide, and our Norwegian friends do need our support so they may be continue exposing the unimaginable cruelty of the bloody fur trade.

Please watch the video so you may have an idea of how much suffering Norwegian fur animals are enduring for vanity and greed of the multi-million dollar fur industry. Sadly, we have no other choice, dear animal friends, than to ask you to please help us speak out for fur bearing animals in Norway as well.

You may also learn more about the Norwegian group's investigation, by accessing their website, also in English: http://www.forbypels.no/english.

The above information is déjà vu. About 3 years ago, the British journalist, Jonathan Owens, visited a supposedly "top notch" fur farm in Norway, and wrote this article:

A "Tour" in a mink farm by Jonathan Owens of Independent Sunday.

(Bron: http://www.antifursociety.org/)

Ermelo baalt van overlast wilde zwijnen....- Gemeente heeft vergunning aangevraagd om deel zwijnen af te schieten

2009-11-09T07:34:00.007+01:00

Schrikdraad tegen zwijnen

09-11-2009 door Paul Hartman, De Stentor

ERMELO - De populatie wilde zwijnen die de Veluwse bossen terroriseert, is veel Ermeloërs een doorn in het oog.

De Ermelose vereniging van eigenaren 't Jagershof is de dieren helemaal spuugzat. De eigenaren zien hun grond vernield worden door de opdringerige zwijnen. De club heeft de gemeente Ermelo om assistentie gevraagd, alsmede compensatie voor de geleden schade.

Het college van b en w heeft direct duidelijk gemaakt dat de vereniging van eigenaren kan fluiten naar eventuele schadeloosstellingen. "De gemeente Ermelo is niet aansprakelijk voor schade die door wilde zwijnen is veroorzaakt", zo laten burgemeester en wethouders weten.

Het dagelijks bestuur van de gemeente Ermelo heeft daarentegen wel enkele tips om de harige viervoeters buiten de deur te houden. "De beste oplossing is het plaatsen van een zwijnen-proof raster rondom de te beschermen eigendommen." Hierbij valt te denken aan een gaashek van ongeveer een meter hoog. Deze moet dan wel ongeveer veertig centimeter diep in de grond worden gestoken. Anders graven de zwijnen gewoon een gat en kruipen zij onder het hek door.

De beste methode is volgens de gemeente echter het plaatsen van schrikdraad. Verschillende delen van Ermelo kampen met zwijnen-overlast. De gemeente heeft een vergunning aangevraagd, zodat een deel van de dieren kan worden afgeschoten.

(Bron: http://www.destentor.nl/)
(Bron foto: http://www.jonkheid-schinveld.nl/bestanden/20050409%20Dennestrijd_Hooglanders.html)

Dierenactivisten Venezuela bevrijden 17 konijnen uit 'Facultad de Veterinaria' - Actie opgedragen aan 8 jaar geleden overleden activist Barry Horne

2009-11-09T07:25:00.006+01:00

17 Conejos Liberados de la Facultad de Veterinaria

09-11-2009 Bite Back Magazine, USA

Anonymous communique:

"05-11-09 / 17 Conejos Liberados de la Facultad de Veterinaria / Montevideo, Uruguay

En la madrugada de ayer nos acercamos a la facultad de veterinaria y luego de abrir el tejido que la separa de la calle ingresamos en el predio. Con las herramientas necesarias en nuestras manos y las ansias de libertad en nuestra mente el accionar fue definitivo.

Abrimos un segundo tejido y ya nos encontrabamos en esa cárcel, en ese campo de tortura, nos encontramos con 17 conejos que serían utilizados en los próximos días como un simple objeto de experimento de los estudiantes en complicidad de los profesores y las autoridades de la facultad.
Las paredes quedaron marcadas con leyendas que decían 'vivisección = tortura y muerte', 'experimenten en ustedes mismos' y 'Frente de Liberación Animal".

Nos alejamos rápidamente del lugar con los 17 conejos que ahora se encuentran viviendo en libertad lejos de las garras de una supuesta ciencia.

Repetimos:
La vivisección es tortura y muerte!!!
Que los vivisectores experimenten en ellos mismos!!!

En memoria de Barry Horne y de todxs lxs que luchan día a día por la liberación animal!!!!!

(Bron: http://www.directaction.info/)

Vivisection: Une souffrance est une souffrance

2009-11-09T07:10:00.001+01:00

VIVISECTION:UNE SOUFFRANCE EST UNE SOUFFRANCE
door DMTV21

Reportage sur la conférence débat du 22 octobre 2009 à la maison des associations à Dijon organisée par l'association COMBACTIVE DIJON sur la vivisection." La grandeur d'une nation et ses progrès moraux peuvent se juger à la façon dont elle traite les animaux" GANDHI.

Op advies EDEV stopt Solgar Vitamins Holland met verkoop haaienkraakbeenproducten

2009-11-09T06:30:00.012+01:00

Solgar stopt met verkoop haaienkraakbeen op

advies van dierenvrienden

08-11-2009 Een Dier Een Vriend (EDEV)

Het voedingssupplementen-concern Solgar Vitamins Holland heeft op advies van EDEV - Een DIER Een VRIEND per direct alle haaienkraakbeenproducten uit het Nederlandse assortiment gehaald.

Fabrikant: De Cruydhof

Nadat EDEV begin oktober werd getipt over de verkoop van haaienkraakbeen door Solgar, heeft EDEV meteen contact gezocht met het voedingssupplementen-concern en ze op een aantal uitermate zorgwekkende feiten gewezen. Zo worden jaarlijks tientallen miljoenen haaien gevangen, is wereldwijd de haaienpopulatie sterk dalende en wijzen verschillende studies uit dat wanneer haaien uit een gebied verdwijnen ook andere belangrijke vissoorten snel verdwijnen en het ecosysteem aldaar ernstig verstoord raakt. Dit beeld wordt bevestigd door het "International Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks" van de Europese Commissie dat op 5 februari 2009 van kracht is gegaan.

"Het is een ontzichtbaar drama wat zich met haaien in de oceanen afspeelt, om nog maar te zwijgen van alle schildpadden, roggen en andere dieren die ook in de haaienvangnetten verstrikt raken en doodgaan. We zijn dan ook zeer blij met de beslissing van Solgar om geen haaienkraakbeen meer te verkopen.", aldus campagne-coördinator Arnoud Koenen. "Veel bedrijven kunnen wat dat betreft een voorbeeld aan Solgar nemen als het gaat om het nemen van verantwoordelijkheid tegenover mens, dier en milieu."

EDEV is een snel groeiende en actieve organisatie voor de bescherming van de rechten van dieren. De werkwijze van EDEV kenmerkt zich door het in de publiciteit brengen van dierenmishandeling en deze op alle mogelijke legale wijzen te bestrijden. Daarnaast geeft EDEV voorlichting aan het publiek en is continu in gesprek met het politieke bedrijf om zo de doelstellingen onder de aandacht van politici en beleidsmakers te brengen.

Argumenten tegen haaienkraakbeen:
Dalende haaienpopulaties en de impact op het milieu
- Verschillende officieel erkende bronnen melden dat haaienpopulaties wereldwijd (o.a. in Australië) sterk dalend zijn. De cijfers van de hoeveelheid haaien die wereldwijd worden gevangen verschillen, maar variëren desondanks toch tussen de tientallen miljoenen tot meer dan honderdmiljoen.
- In grote delen van de oceanen zijn haaienpopulaties al gedaald met 90% of meer in de laatste 20 jaar. Dit probleem wordt versterkt doordat haaien zich zeer langzaam voortplanten; het duurt lang voordat haaien geslachtsrijp zijn en brengen dan slechts enkele jongen voort. Gezien deze langzame voortplanting zullen vele soorten de vraag niet bij kunnen houden.
- Haaien spelen een cruciale rol in de wereldzeeën op een manier die niet te vergelijken is met welke andere vissoort dan ook. Haaien staan bovenaan de voedselketen en houden de populaties van andere vissen gezond en in proportie wat betreft hun ecosysteem.
- Andere kwalijke zaken zijn een directe bijkomstigheid van het vangen van haaien. Verschillende studies wijzen uit dat wanneer haaien uit een gebied verdwijnen ook andere belangrijke vissoorten snel verdwijnen, alsmede dat het ecosysteem aldaar ernstig verstoord raakt.
- Haaien zijn een noodzaak om de gezonde balans van al het zeeleven te waarborgen; iets waar wij als mensheid vervolgens ook weer van afhankelijk zijn.

Ook al zou het, zoals in het geval van Solgar, gaan om slachtafval is dit geen reden om het goed te keuren en derhalve hieraan mee te werken. Wereldwijd zijn haaienpopulaties, vanwege de enorm toegenomen vangst op deze dieren, in grote problemen geraakt en elke handel in wat voor haaienproducten dan ook (zelfs als het gaat om slachtafval) draagt bij aan deze destructieve en niet duurzame tak van de visserij.

Naast argumenten voor het milieu zijn er ook argumenten voor de gezondheid te bedenken om producten waar o.a. haaienkraakbeen in voorkomt niet te willen verkopen.

Gezondheidsredenen
Omdat haaien relatief lang (zouden moeten) leven, bevatten zij vaak hoge concentraties kwik en andere vormen van gevaarlijke stoffen die zeer kwalijk zijn voor de menselijke gezondheid. Daarnaast kan haaienkraakbeen de leverfunctie beïnvloeden, levensbedreigende infecties voor mensen met een laag witte bloedcellen-niveau veroorzaken en wordt zwangere vrouwen of zij die borstvoeding geven afgeraden haaienkraakbeen te nemen. Allemaal bijwerkingen en/of waarschuwingen die bijvoorbeeld een plantaardig product als C-Statin niet heeft. Overigens is de effectiviteit van de werking van haaienkraakbeen zeer omstreden en wordt deze door respectabele instellingen en organisaties als bijvoorbeeld the American Cancer Society, the American Food and Drug Administration, the Mayo-Clinic, Sloan-Kettering en the Johns Hopkins University betwist.

(Bron: http://eendiereenvriend.hyves.n/)

(Bron foto: http://www.plaza33.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=113_114)

Noot Kraaijer:

Ter volledigheid heb ik de afbeelding geplaatst en een link er onder naar De Cruydhof in Weerdinge.

Dit 'bedrijf' vervaardigt kennelijk zelf haaienkraakbeenproducten dat in potjes wordt verkocht.

Op de website meldt De Cruydhof:

"Er worden voor dit product niet speciaal haaien gedood. Haaienkraakbeen is een bijproduct van haaien die om andere redenen gevangen worden."

Maakt deze zogenaamde uitleg het minder erg om producten met haaienkraakbeen te maken en te verkopen? Natuurlijk niet!

Musici steunen Amerikaanse PETA campagne om gebruik dieren in leger voor medische training te stoppen

2009-11-08T20:43:00.007+01:00

Artists stand behind peta2’s campaign to end the

military's use of animals

08-11-2009 Altsounds

System of the Down’s Serj Tankian, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Pennywise, and Anti-Flag now stand behind peta2’s campaign to end the military's use of animals in trauma and chemical casualty training exercises.

Every year, thousands of animals, including pigs, goats, and monkeys, are used in exercises organized by the Department of Defense. Current exercises include shooting, stabbing, and burning live pigs; cutting goats' legs off with sharp shears; and poisoning monkeys with toxic chemicals—all to train medics on how to treat human injuries on the battlefield.

These exercises are still being conducted on many military bases in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, despite the availability of superior non-animal methods.

You can check out their signed petition here: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2621&c=p23881&s_src=p2pblog.

(Bron: http://hangout.altsounds.com/)
(Bron foto: Altsounds)

Kustwacht India ingezet om de Olive Ridley zeeschildpad te beschermen - Meer en meer schildpadden komen om in schroeven trawlers

2009-11-08T16:36:00.007+01:00

Indian Coast Guard moves to save sea turtles

08-11-2009 By Manoj Kar, Kalinga Times, India

Kendrapara, Nov. 8: As part of its programme to protect marine animals, the Indian Coast Guard has embarked on its exercise to protect Olive Ridley sea turtles along the ‘prohibited' Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.

The coast guard patrol exercise for surveillance on sea-worthy trawls is stepped up as turtles perish in large number after getting hit on trawl propellers. Besides breeding animals get entangled in fishing nets and are asphyxiated to death, said official sources.

In addition to the routine vigil along the sea coast, coast guard has pressed into service two other ships to intercept the intruding trawlers.

Once the turtles arrive en masse, an aircraft would be pressed into service for easy interception of illegal trawling operation along the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary area.

The coast guard is always on alert to check trespassing of vessels. The patrolling operation would be further intensified in coming days in view of the apprehension of mid sea clash involving fishing trawls and patrol vessels, said a Coast Guard official.

Besides the forest department officials have also recently sought our assistance. A request was made from them to intensify coastal vigil on our part as in last year there has been spurt in illegal marine fishing leading net-entanglement-induced death of turtles.

We are always ready to help the forest and fisheries department for the safety of these delicate marine species, quipped CG officials.
A state-of-the-art CG ship is maintaining round-the-cloak vigil along the coastal shoreline.

The CG patrol in turtle congregation sites would remain in force till the marine turtles finish laying eggs on nesting beaches, added a CG commandant.

While the focus of coast guard has always been to intercept trespassing of foreign vessels and its crews through sea route, there is always confusion over the proper identification of Bangladeshis infiltrating by sea-route.

Coast Guard personnel had earlier asked the state fisheries department to issue identity cards to each of marine fishermen inhabiting in migration-prone coastal villages.

The detection of Bangla infiltrators on trawls is a cumbersome process due to their striking similarity in language, looks and physical features with local Bengali-speaking marine fishermen. The fisheries department had been requested to feel the gravity of the situation for the safeguard of national security, said the Coast Guard sources.

“Often we find ourselves in catch-22 situation. The crewmembers from intercepted sea-worthy vessels are found Bengali-speaking. There is very little to differentiate from a Bangla national and migrant Bengali fisherman on the basis of physical features and spoken language,” said the sources.

(Bron: http://www.kalingatimes.com/)
(Bron foto: http://bajatortuga.com/testpage.aspx)

Zo'n 300 dode zeehonden op stranden departement Piura (Peru) - Dieren mogelijk door vissers dodelijk vergiftigd

2009-11-08T14:26:00.006+01:00

Perú investiga masiva matanza de lobos marinos

en su costa norte

08-11-2009 Univision, Mexico

El gobierno peruano inició este viernes una investigación sobre la matanza de cerca de 300 lobos marinos presuntamente cometida por pescadores del departamento de Piura (norte), informó el ministerio de la Producción.

"Técnicos y veterinarios del Instituto del Mar del Perú, toman muestras para descartar la presencia de biotoxinas y tóxicos en los animales que aparecieron muertos en la playa Colán en Piura", 1.100 km al norte de Lima, indicó un comunicado del ministerio de la Producción.

Desde hace una semana los restos de 289 lobos marinos, en su mayoría machos, quedaron varados en un trecho de más de 15 km del litoral piurano, con síntomas de haber sido intoxicados y apaleados.

"Se está averiguando qué actividades pesqueras se han estado realizando en la zona, el estado de las loberías cercanas y las condiciones del ambiente marino", precisó el ministerio.

Según pobladores de la zona, los animales rompen las redes de los pescadores y dañan las embarcaciones para comerse los peces capturados.

Por su parte, la Organización Científica para la Conservación de Animales Acuáticos (Orca) en Perú, condenó el "acto de inhumanidad" cometido con los lobos marinos sudamericanos (Otaria flavescens).

"Lo sucedido en Colán nos conduce a la conclusión de que en Perú la conservación de la vida marina no está asegurada, es importante que catástrofes como éstas no queden impunes", dijo a la AFP el doctor Carlos Yaipén, dirigente de Orca.
"Lo que sucede es que en la zona una lobería con unos 200 animales ha cambiado de lugar debido a la abundancia de plataformas petroleras y de embarcaciones", explicó Yaipén.

En 2002 se registró en la Reserva Nacional de Paracas (300 km al sur de Lima) la matanza de 127 lobos marinos. Perú tiene una población de 70.000 lobos marinos repartida por todo su litoral.

(Bron: http://www.univision.com/)
(Bron foto: http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5jAkmr0MaVEKVBk0OZNbNqR3KySbw)

Slechte huisvesting paarden bij paardenhoudster Den Haag leidt weer tot politieoptreden en inbeslagname paard en pony

2009-11-08T14:10:00.002+01:00

Politie treedt op tegen paardenhoudster

08-11-2009 Politie Haaglanden

Leidschendam , 08-11-2009 • Medewerkers van Bureau Levende Have van Politie Haaglanden traden zaterdagmiddag 7 november om 13.00 uur op tegen een 49-jarige paardenhoudster uit Den Haag.

De vrouw heeft op twee locaties op de Loolaaan in Leidschendam in totaal vijf paarden staan. In beide gevallen is geconstateerd dat de de huisvesting van de dieren ernstig te wensen overliet. In één geval was de situatie dermate ernstig dat aan de vrouw vrijdag 7 november een ultimatum werd gesteld om binnen 24 uur voor twee paarden andere huisvesting te verzorgen. Toen de medewerkers van de politie zaterdag op hercontrole gingen bleek de situatie onveranderd was.

Door een dierenarts werd ter plaatse een eerste onderzoek aan de paarden verricht. Hieruit bleek dat de paarden in redelijke gezondheid verkeerden, maar dat de omstandigheden waaronder de dieren op het stuk landgoed verbleven nadelig voor de dieren zou zijn. Het terrein van 20 bij 10 mtr was een enorme modderpoel en voor de dieren was geen droge ondergrond om op te kunnen staan. Ook het ‘nachtverblijf’ van de dieren was nat en aan lekkage onderhevig.

Na overleg met het Openbaar Ministerie nam de politie de twee paarden (paard en pony) in beslag. De dieren werden afgevoerd naar een andere locatie. De dierenbescherming in Den Haag heeft in het verleden veel meldingen gekregen over de paarden. De dierenbescherming en politie houden de dieren al een aantal jaar in de gaten en hebben het erf meerdere malen bezocht. In het verleden zijn de paarden een keer in beslag genomen. De rechter besloot later dat ongedaan te maken.

De Stichting Landelijke Inspectiedienst spoort overtredingen van de dierenwelzijnswetgeving op en houdt toezicht op plekken waar dieren aanwezig zijn. De stichting werkt nauw samen met de politie en de Algemene Inspectiedienst (AID) van het ministerie van Landbouw.

(Bron: http://www.politie.nl/haaglanden)