AR-NEWS Digest 458

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) (HK-CN) Dolphin study to probe shipping impact stalls
     by Vadivu Govind 
  2) (UK) Scientists to grow human blood in animals: Report 
     by Vadivu Govind 
  3) [CA] Job Vacancy - kind of
     by David J Knowles 
  4) [CA] Greenpeace ship departed legally say police
     by David J Knowles 
  5) [CA] Salmon fishery on
     by David J Knowles 
  6) [CA] Island threatened by clearcutting
     by David J Knowles 
  7) [CA] Western Canada WIlderness Committee sets up camp
     by David J Knowles 
  8) [CA] Help needed for Wolf-crosses
     by David J Knowles 
  9) [CA] Showdown with geese looms 
     by David J Knowles 
 10) [CA] MDs fear use of animal organs in transplants
     by David J Knowles 
 11) Bank account for the care of flood animals (KY, USA)
     by SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
 12) Ostrich/Red Deer/Emu Ranch
     by SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
 13) (US) 7 ARRESTED, 5 ON HUNGER STRIKE
     by "Chris O'Riley" 
 14) (TW) Whale-watching starts in Hualien
     by Vadivu Govind 
 15) ATOC - It's baaack
     by Animal Rights Hawaii 
 16) (US) Oklahoma Outdoor News
     by JanaWilson@aol.com
 17) 
     by liberation2@juno.com (Kimberly A Chicchi)
 18) Colorado Five-from the trenches -Forwarded
     by "Chris O'Riley" 
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 13:30:07 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK-CN) Dolphin study to probe shipping impact stalls
Message-ID: <199707070530.NAA07665@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>South China Morning Post
Monday  July 7  1997
     Dolphin study to probe shipping impact stalls
     FIONA HOLLAND

     Research into Chinese white dolphins in the Pearl River Delta is on
hold while Beijing considers whether to track the handover symbol in
mainland waters.

     The 12-month study would predict the impact of the proposed Tonggu
waterway - a shipping channel from the mainland to Hong Kong - on dolphins.

     A team of mainland and Hong Kong consultants has begun an 18-month
$51-million environmental impact assessment of the shipping channel, looking
at water quality and boat traffic.

     Researchers know Chinese white dolphins travel beyond Hong Kong waters,
but are uncertain how far.

     Managing director of consultants Scott Wilson Atria Hong Kong, Ander
Chow Kam-chung, said the firm had applied to Beijing authorities in the hope
of starting early  this year.

     "There is some kind of delay," he said. "Whether it is political is
very hard to say. We don't know when the permit will be granted."

     Mr Chow said mainland consultants, trained by Ocean Park Conservation
Foundation research associate Dr Tom Jefferson, would conduct the survey.

     Data on dolphins in mainland waters was scattered and unscientific, he
said.

     Civil Engineering Department chief engineer Shiu Wing-yu denied any delay.

     "Obviously it takes time for them to digest the information," he said.
Asked whether Beijing would start construction of the Tonggu waterway
without waiting for the dolphin assessment, Mr Shiu said it was not a good idea.


Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 14:05:34 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (UK) Scientists to grow human blood in animals: Report 
Message-ID: <199707070605.OAA30315@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



> The Straits Times
7 July 97
Scientists to grow human blood in animals: Report 
     

LONDON -- Human blood is to be grown in farm animals, a British newspaper
reported. 

     British scientists who cloned Dolly the sheep -- the first cloned adult
mammal -- are  rearing cows and sheep to produce blood plasma for use in
surgery and transfusions, The Observer said yesterday. 

     When the scientists announced last February that they had cloned Dolly,
they stunned the world and provoked a huge debate on the ethics of cloning. 

Now the researchers in Edinburgh are using their cloning technology to engineer
 animals which will generate the key proteins and antibodies in human plasma. 

     The new technique will provide a steady stream of cheap, safe blood
products worth up to 1.5 billion (S$3.7 billion) a year, the newspaper said. 

     Surgeons and hospital administrators, struggling to overcome blood
shortages, have welcomed the breakthrough, saying that it could save lives
and help prevent the spread of blood-born viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. 

     PPL Therapeutics, which cloned Dolly the sheep, is creating cows and
sheep with human DNA. 

     When they lactate, their milk contains key elements of human blood plasma. 

     Managing director Ron James said: "We know from our work with Dolly
that we can create genetically engineered animals from a single cell. 

     "Now we want to use that technology to produce one of the fundamental
constituents of the human body. We are 99.9 per cent certain we can do it." 

     He said the first plasma could be produced within months. 

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 01:44:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Job Vacancy - kind of
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707014451.2ba76fb2@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

VANCOUVER, BC - Fancy a job that gives you plenty of opportunity to get
outdoors, meet lots of human tourists in summer, and provide a useful
service to local animals?

If so, Rene Chartrand would like to hear from you. 

Chartrand has been feeding the local stray cat population in Canada's
capital city, Ottawa, for several years, and would like to retire once he's
found a replacement.

The downside: cold winters, the occasional mosquito in summer and the pay is
non-existent. An ability to raise donations to pay for the food would be an
asset.

Chartrand told CTV National News he took over the job after the previous
cat-feeder himself retired.

Tourists visit the cats in a park on Parliament Hill, site of the Canadian
Houses of Parliament, in  nearly the same numbers as visit the buildings
themselves, and the cats are user friendly - posing for photos nearly as
astutely as the politicians nearby, and are much easier to approach.

David J Knowles
Animal Voices News
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 01:44:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Greenpeace ship departed legally say police
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707014453.2ba79c44@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

VANCOUVER - The Port of Vancouver Police said late Saturday evening that the
Arctic Sunrise did depart the port legally, and under their authority, after
the police became "extremely concerned the IWA blockade would turn violent.

Loggers participating in the blockade had begun issuing death threats
against crew members aboard the Arctic Sunrise and the Moby Dick, plus
Greenpeace officials at dockside.

IWA claimed the Arctic Sunrise had set sail illegally by failing to take on
a pilot - a breach of maritime regulations.

David J Knowles
Animal Voices News
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 01:44:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Salmon fishery on
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707014455.2ba79c1e@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

VANCOUVER, BC - The Canadian West Coast sockeye salmon fishery will have a
limited opening next week, it was announced Sunday.

A limited aboroiginal fishery was opened Sunday evening, and will run until
6 pm Monday evening.

Commercial fishers will be allowed a very limited catch Monday, and a
further opening Wednesday, providing tests show enough stocks exist. The
testing will be carried out Tuesday.

The Candian's limited opening contrasts with the US fishery, which opened
late last week. There is no limit to the catch, and American fishers say
they hope to catch 85,000 fish by Wednesday. To date, they have caught
10,000 sockeye salmon.

The US free-for-all resulted after negotations on a new Pacific Salmon
Treaty broke down last month. 

The US side rejected a "final offer" from the Candian delegation, and
refused to refer the issue to binding arbitration, as suggested by Canada,
because they believed this to be a threat to the sovereignty of the US.

David J Knowles
Animal Voices News
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 01:44:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Island threatened by clearcutting
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707014457.2ba79f30@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

VNACOUVER, BC - Residents of Denman Island, situated off the central coast
of Vancouver Island, are worried about the future of old-growth forest there
after a numbered BC company purchased 4,000 acres recently.

BC # 4064 Ltd began logging in the area last week.

The company claims to be only carrying out selective logging, but island
residents do not believe this - the same company was responsible for
clearcutting the old-growth forest on Gabriola Island, situated further down
the coast.

The company now owns approximately one-third of Denman Island.

Residents have mounted peaceful protests which included singing, dancing and
other entertainment, as well as mounting a small picket line across a
logging road.

David J Knowles
Animal Voices News  
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 01:44:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Western Canada WIlderness Committee sets up camp
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707014459.2ba79bb6@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

VANCOUVER, BC - Frustrated with logging industry supporters who have mounted
a blockade across an access road into a research centre in the Stoltmann
WIlderness area, Vancouver-based Western Canada Wilderness Committee have
set up camp near the pro-industry protesters.

"We want to keep a careful eye on what they are up to," a WCWC spokesperson
told BCTV News.

The protesters are forcing anyone wishing to gain access to the area to sign
a petition which agrees that environmentalists cause the loss of logging jobs.

[A recent cartoon in the Vancouver showed a VW van - covered in "I Love
Greenpeace" and "Hug - a Tree" stickers, agreeing to sign the petition and
being allowed through the blockade.]

David J Knowles
Animal Voices News
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 01:44:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Help needed for Wolf-crosses
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707014500.2ba79bb6@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I am posting this on behalsf of several local animal-rights activists, all
of us whom are working on this problem.

We would appreciate help over a problem several of us are trying to resolve
right now. We would welcome any contact information for any wolf-cross
rescue organization or similar - preferably  in the Washington State,
Oregon, BC or Alberta area, who could help rehouse two wolf crosses.

Thanks in advance

David Knowles

BACKGROUND

A local resident in Vancouver currently has two wolf-crosses in her front yard.

The animals are being kept in an 8 feet by 8 feet wire mesh enclosure -
although the rear part is extended to run the width of the house from the
side to the door, about 12 feet. The pen is about 8 feet high and is
open-topped.

The floor is bare earth, and shelter consists of one plastic dog carrying
case and a kitchen table. 

On a visit to the house recently, there was one water dish present, and one
or two dog toys.

One of the animals was lying down at the rear of the pen, whilst the other
was pacing in the front part.

Neighbors have complained about the howling at night - and this was covered
in an article which appeared in The Province newspaper.

I spoke with the journalist, who informed me that several people had called
him and said they had contacted the SPCA but they would not take any action.
(I had the same reaction, and also was unable to get anywhere with the local
wildlife rescue group as the animals concerned are not pure-bred wolves.)

Yesterday, I heard from two local activists who have been in contact with
the houseowner, and apparently the women now wishes to find a new home for them.

We are concerned that she would be prepared to give them away to anyone who
was willing to take them off her hands, and two of us (not myself) will be
visiting her tomorrow to check she still wishes to rehouse them and to try
to persuade her NOT to give them away to anyone who walks up to the front door.

I have contacted Candy Kitchen rescue ranch in New Mexico, but they are
unable to take in the animals and are unaware of any suitable rescue
facility in this area (obviously, we would prefer as short as travelling a
distance as possible.)

If you are able to help us in any way, please contact me ASAP via private
e-mail, or via telephone at (604) 435-9032.

 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 02:44:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Showdown with geese looms 
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707024522.2ba7bc7c@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


>From The Vancouver Sun/Southam News Web Site

Sunday 6 July 1997 

Showdown with geese looms 

TORONTO - The showdown this spring between the city of Mississauga and
hundreds of
Canada geese provided a glimpse of a flock of troubles looming on the
horizon, goose
watchers say.

All waterfront municipalities are "going to have to come to the realization
that something
drastic has to be done to reduce the numbers," says Toronto Coun. David
Hutcheon.

"At the end of the day, a cull is inevitable."

Hutcheon says Mississauga, just west of Toronto, simply took the lead.

Initially, Mississauga planned to kill 2,000 birds to win back its
waterfront parks from the
brown and black honkers, which litter the grass with droppings.

At the last minute, the birds were sent to New Brunswick rather than to the
dinner tables of
foodbank clients.

An estimated 250,000 Canada geese live in southern Ontario and the number is
expected to
double in three to five years.

It's not known how many of the geese existed before Europeans spread across
North
America. But it's generally accepted they were a healthy species until the
mid-1800s, when
they were decimated by agricultural practices and ungoverned hunting.

To protect them, they were regulated under the Migratory Birds Convention
Act of 1918, to
which Canada and the U.S. are signatories.

The act strictly regulates killing, trapping, attempts to scare them and
what can and can't be
done with their carcasses.

Except for a few thousand birds in parks, farms and private aviaries, the
Canada goose was
considered extinct as a wild migratory bird until 1962 when a biologist
discovered a small
flock on the eastern prairies.

The discovery was big news among bird biologists, and a concerted effort
began to bring
the species back.

While the intent was noble, its execution was disastrous, according to
Darrell Dennis, a
migratory bird biologist retired from the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Provincial and state authorities handed goslings out for breeding without a
lot of thought,
says Dennis.

"(They) thought the birds would provide enough numbers for viewing, but
never enough for
hunting stock.

"Boy were they wrong."

There were some problems: 

 - Most of the "breeding" stock became accustomed to humans and, while never
losing the
   ability to migrate, learned there was food around people.

 - They were introduced into urban environments like city parks.

 - Most parks are seeded with Kentucky Blue Grass, the birds' favorite food.
There are few
    natural predators and humans feed them when grass is scarce.

Bruce Carr, a manager for the Mississauga parks department, said Kentucky
Blue Grass
should be replaced with rye grass, which is less tasty.

As well, he said the grass shouldn't be cut so short, because geese prefer
to feed on young
shoots. And shrubs and trees should be planted between water and lawns,
which un-nerves
the geese who want easy access from one to the other.

Meanwhile, a kill is being discussed among Toronto-area municipalities, and
wildlife lovers
aren't impressed.

"I'd like to see them try," says Liz White, executive director of the Animal
Alliance of Canada, which threatens court action.

Killing geese threatens everything in the future, she says.

"Are we going to see coyotes next? Then raccoons, deer and foxes?" 

Copyright The Vancouver Sun and Pacific Press © 1996 
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 02:44:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] MDs fear use of animal organs in transplants
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970707024525.2ba78564@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>From The Ottawa Citizen

[This article first appeared in the Vancouver Sun on Saturday, July 5th. The
conference was actually organized by the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection
Society of BC (ADAV)]

Sunday 6 July 1997

MDs fear use of animal organs in transplants

Spread of virus to humans could cause deadly epidemic, group says

Dianne Rinehart
The Vancouver Sun

Transplanting animal organs into humans could cause a worldwide epidemic
capable of wiping out the population of the Earth, say organizers of a
Vancouver conference. 

The conference, organized by Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine,
is intended to heighten awareness of the possibility that diseases that
afflict animals could cross the "species barrier" through transplants,
infecting humans. 

 "There's a risk you could wipe out the human race," said Dr. Ray Greek, a
professor of anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and
Clinics. "Is that risk one out of 10 or one out of a million? We don't know." 

The doctors and lawyers group is a worldwide organization with about 500
members. It says research on the transplants, known as xenotransplantation,
is being done even though no one knows the risks of the procedure. 

Already, some scientists believe the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in
Africa in 1995 was the result of an animal disease crossing the barrier. 

Dr. Greek said about 100 transplants of animal organs to humans have been
recorded around the world -- some done in the early 1900s in France --
although none have been done since the early 1990s. 

There were no survivors, because the organs were rejected. 

But researchers at three centres in the U.S. and Britain financed by big
business -- including PPL Therapeutics, the creators of Dolly, the cloned
sheep -- are trying to genetically engineer pigs for use in xenotransplants
so their organs  won't be rejected and so they are disease-free. Then they
could be cloned, creating herds ready for transplants. 

But Dr. Greek warned that medical technology can only screen for viruses
scientists are aware of. 

"We do not know all of the viruses that exist in the world." 

The industry -- which would be worth billions -- is being fuelled by the
chronic shortage of organs for donations, said Dr. David Landsberg, director
for the B.C. Transplant Society and director of transplantation at St.
Paul's Hospital. 

No xenotransplants have taken place in Canada, said Dr. Landsberg, and he
said he is not aware of any research being conducted here. 

Heart valves from pigs are used in about half of the valve transplants done
during heart surgery, said Dr. Samuel Lichtenstein, head of the heart centre
at  St. Paul's. 

But unlike an entire organ, those valves can be treated chemically so all
viruses are destroyed. They do not have to be living to work. 

Across Canada there were 2,829 people waiting for transplants last year, and
115 other people died waiting. Meanwhile 1,568 organs were transplanted. 

Even if more people signed organ donor cards on their driver's licence, the
problem would not be solved, Dr. Landsberg said. 

That's because the criteria for an organ donation screen out most people who
die. The donor must be in perfect health, but brain dead with the heart
still working. That usually occurs after an automobile accident or other
accident  where there is trauma to the head. But with lower speeds,
seat-belts and a reduction in drunk driving, the number of potential organ
donors is decreasing dramatically and waiting lists for transplants are
growing. 

Dr. Landsberg said he believes there are a lot of checks in place to prevent
the spreading of animal diseases to humans, and that authorities such as the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centres for Disease Control in
Atlanta would ensure there are controls before xenotransplants took place. 

Still, he admitted, xenotransplants have occurred in the past without
controls: the most famous being Dr. Leonard Bailey's transplant of a heart
baboon into Baby Fae, who died 20 days later in the mid-'80s. 

[Note: Dr Greek commenting on the Baby Fae case, reminded the conference
that a human heart was found the day after the baboon heart transplant was
performed, and that there were other alternatives available as well, but Dr
Bailey refused to consider any of these.]
 "The view that we are the special creation on earth, that we are somehow
seperate from earth and the rest of the animal kingdom, is a terrible
fallacy of the modern age.

"We can't trust ourselves with the little knowledge that we have because
when we have a little bit of knowledge, we think we know it all. We have to
accept the fact that we're clever, but we're still monkeys." 

Dr Michael Fox - HSUS

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 97 08:33:30 UTC
From: SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Bank account for the care of flood animals (KY, USA)
Message-ID: <199707071330.JAA13085@envirolink.org>

Lori Gauthier has a bank account set up for people to send BADLY
needed money to help pay vet bills and numerous other bills for the
many rescued animals who have been RETURNED to her. Here it is:
Transfinancial Bank, 1176 U.S. Hwy. 68, Maysville, KY   41056
Attn: Pet Relief/Flood Disaster for Animals in Care of Lori Gauthier

If all you can send is $1.00, PLEASE send it. She's at the point of
being evicted and has spent her life savings helping these poor animals.
Also, LICE MEDICINE, FLEA/TICK medicine are needed desperately. Send
these to: Lori Gauthier, "A Dog's Life," 2342 US Hwy 68, Maysville, KY 41056

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Sherrill
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 97 08:59:04 UTC
From: SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Ostrich/Red Deer/Emu Ranch
Message-ID: <199707071355.JAA16350@envirolink.org>

CB Exotics in Cartwright, OK (USA) is really pushing Ostrich, Emu,
and Rhea "products." They are very sure this will be the livestock
industry of the century. They "grow" Ostrich, Emu, Rhea, Red Deer,
and Llama. They "harvest" these animals for: leather, oil, feathers,
egg shells, and meat.

For anyone interested in contacting this place with comments:
1-800-207-1305. Fax: 405-965-4757. PO Box 238, Cartwright, OK 74731-
0238.  Keith Craft, Manager: 405-965-4756. Owners: Al & Marvadeen Craft,
405-965-4758.

The abuse I've seen on these farms is unbelievable.

-- Sherrill
Date: Mon, 07 Jul 1997 10:41:34 -0700
From: "Chris O'Riley" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) 7 ARRESTED, 5 ON HUNGER STRIKE
Message-ID: 
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Disposition: inline

Article and other info, including numbers to call:

>From the Associated Press 7/6/97--

BURLINGTON, COLORADO -----
Seven anti-hunting demonstrators were arrested here Saturday after
four of them chained themselves together in the line of fire at a prairie
dog shoot, and three others were caught walking into the line of fire,
according to the Kit Carson County sheriff.

"The first group locked themselves together with chains in a circle and
sat in the middle of the line of fire," said Sheriff Robert A. Thiede Jr.  "The
second group came across the fences and were walking over a knoll
into the line of fire."

All seven, who said they were with a group called Rocky Mountain
Animal Defense, were booked into the Kit Carson County Jail, the sheriff
said.

He said the first group, including Lauren McCain, 29, Nederland; Luke J.
Manos, 33, Pueblo; Scott C. Keating, 35, Boulder; and Nicloe J.
Rosmarino, 27, Boulder; each were charged with criminal trespass,
resisting arrest, criminal conspiracy, and intentional interference with a
lawful activity.

They were each being held on $3,500 bond each.

The second group, included Bettina Rosmarino, 22, Denver; Jill Bielawski,
26, Boulder; and Chris M. Atencio, 30, Denver.  They each were charged
with interference with a lawful activity and criminal trespass, the sheriff
said.

Their bonds were set at $1,500 each, he said.

The seven interfered with a prairie dog shoot that was going on, Thiede
said.

"They were having a prairie dog shoot", he said, describing the group of
shooters as being from the Denver metropolitan area.  Theide said they
had permission from the landowner and were participating in a "strictly
lawful" activity. 

The seven protesters climbed fences to get onto the private property to
put themselves in the line of fire, he said.

--End of AP Story--


Jill Bielawski and Chris Atencio were bailed out  Saturday night.  The
other five remain in custody and are on a hunger strike, this being day
three.   They are set for arraignment on Tuesday (7/8) morning at the Kit
Carson County jail.  The judge, Kurt Penny, has the discretion to either 
keep the bail the same, reduce it, or release them on their own personal
recognizance,  or to drop the charges.  Please show your support by
calling the clerk for Judge Penny and saying that since the activists are
first time offenders and were engaged in a non-violent protest, that the
charges either be dropped or that they be released on their own
personal recognizance.  

****THE NUMBER FOR THE JUDGE  IS  719-346-5524.*****
****FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CALL 719-346-8133****

The prairie dog killing contest, organized by the so called Varmint Militia,
is a particularly gross event.  The shooters set up tables at the prairie
dog colonies and get a certain number of points for shooting the animals
with the fewest shots at varying distances.  Compassion shots are not
allowed, that is, if they wound an animal with their allotted shots, they
cannot shoot again to kill it and put it out of its misery.  At the shoot last
year, I myself saw one of these gentle animals guts hanging out and
running around the field, its mate following behind.  It had to suffer a
slow and painful death.  These guys make a game out of killing and
maiming these animals.  They joke about how the prairie dogs are killed,
calling each kill a "flipper", or seeing the "red mist", and other such
names.

This year the Kit Carson County Commissioners gave the ok for the
sheriff to blockade the public roads which lead to the shooting area. 
Anyone who was not engaged in the killing was not allowed to either
drive or walk down these public county roads.   Unable to exercise our
constitutional rights of free speech by driving to the site for a protest, the
aforementioned seven activists chose to walk the mile or so through
open country to the killing fields, where they were arrested.   The charge
of "intentional interference with a lawful activity"  is Colorado's version
of the hunter harassment law, versions of which have been struck
down in other states as being unconstitutional.

Prairie dogs, a small burrowing rodent about 9  to 12 inches long, have
one of the most complex social structures of all mammals according to
biologists.  They  develop strong family bonds and it is devastating for
them to have their family group disrupted.  They  are essential to the
health of the prairie ecosystem, being called a keystone species.  They
are the  prey for about 150 other species including  raptors, foxes, and
coyotes.  They have been decimated due to both urban development and
agricultural practices to about 1 percent of their former range.  The
remaining populations of prairie dogs are highly fragmented.    They are
often poisoned, gassed, shot, or simply bulldozed over to make way for
various human activities.

Please call Judge Penny at 719-346-5524 or the Kit Carson County
Commissioners at 719-346-5524 and demand the release of the activists
still in custody.  Thank you.

-Chris O'Riley
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 01:15:55 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TW) Whale-watching starts in Hualien
Message-ID: <199707071715.BAA21763@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>CNA Daily English News Wire
WHALE-WATCHING STARTS IN HUALIEN 


Hualien, eastern Taiwan, July 7 (CNA) Whale-watching has become Taiwan's
newest touristattraction after a 19-ton yacht on Sunday took a group of
tourists to waters off the east coast of the island to look for whales. 

The whale-watching program was jointly launched by several business
organizations after it was discovered that whales and dolphins are frequent
visitors to seas near Taiwan. 

Liao Hung-chi, a veteran fisherman and writer who co-founded the Taiwan
Whale Discovery Squad with two other retired captains, said whales and
dolphins were spotted during 92 percent of the 155 field trips made to the
area located between Shih Ti (stone ladder) and Ji Chi. Some of the
cetaceans even swam close to their ship, allowing fishermen to see the
mammals very clearly. 

Shi Ti, a small fishing village, is located 64 kilometers from downtown
Hualien. 

Sperm whales and baleen whales were found to be the most common species,
although observers also spotted beaked whales and killer whales, which are
usually found in colder areas of the world's oceans. 

Liao said whale-watching has great potential if the industry is supported by
wildlife conservationists and the academic sector. Whale-watching is already
very popular in the US, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and Argentina. 

Two leading tourist hotels in Hualien have already offered related services
to support the new industry. 

Meanwhile, according to Prof. Chou Lien-hsiang of National Taiwan
University's Zoology Department, 20 different species of whales and dolphins
can be found in waters off eastern Taiwan. 

Chou, who led a research team to Hualien some two years ago to produce
Taiwan's first comprehensive academic report on cetaceans, said that the
whale-watching industry can be "more beautiful" if academic cooperation is
sought and if a portion of the revenues are donated to oceanographic research. 

Chou established the Taiwan Cetacean Stranding Network last year to help
beached whales and dolphins. 

She also set up the Cetacean Committee under the Society of Wildlife and
Nature (SWAN), Taiwan, to further contribute to whale- and dolphin-related
causes. (By Debbie Kuo) 

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 07:39:53 -1000 (HST)
From: Animal Rights Hawaii 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: ATOC - It's baaack
Message-ID: <199707071739.HAA11661@mail.pixi.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

July 7, 1997: The Honoulu Advertiser reports that ATOC may be operational by
end of summer. The Kaua'i sound source has never functioned  because it fell
on its side during deployment in October, 1996. The California source, on a
seamount off central California, worked for 15 months before it failed in
March, 1997, apparantly because of a short circuit in its power supply cable. 

Peter Worcester, ATOC PI at UCSD, said that neither of the non-working units
has been inspected physically due to the very deep water in which they are
both deployed. 

This month, researchers hope to use a remotely operated undersea vehicle
from a Navy ship, to right the Kaua'i device. The Navy ship will also carry
a manned submersible which could be used to make repairs. If the sound
sources are put back on line, they are expected to be kept in operation for
several years in an effort to begin to collect long-term data on oceanic
temperature changes. Most of the sound receivers in the program are formerly
secret naval ocean-floor microphones, apparantly used to to try to track
enemy submarine traffic in the Pacific.


Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 14:47:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: JanaWilson@aol.com
To: Ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Oklahoma Outdoor News
Message-ID: <970707144747_-1427634850@emout05.mail.aol.com>


Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating (Rep.), for the Interstate Oil and Gas
Compact Commision, recently awarded Phillips Petroleum Co.
the Chairman's Stewardship Award for the company's participation
in the Playa Lakes Joint Venture.
This venture is a cooperative effort of both government and private
entities to preserve and enhance waterfowl habitat in Okla., Texas,
New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas.  The Phillips Company has
contributed $625,000 to Playa preservations, with each of the five
states matching the contribution.  Playa lakes are small, shallow 
seasonal wetlands that serve as critical habitat for more than 15
million migrating birds each year.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the lesser
prairie chicken might need the the protection of the Endangered
Species Act but the agency added that this initial finding does not
mean the species has been proposed for or added to the federal
list of threatened and endangered plants and animals.
Lesser prairie chickens populations have declined sharply over
the past 100 years from sand sage brush and shinnery oak prairies
on the High Plains of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and
Kansas.  Most population surveys indicate the decline is continuing.
Some studies estimate a reduction of over 90 percent from historic
levels.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Department's "Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Program" has scheduled a one-day workshop for this coming
Saturday at the Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa.  Workshop hours will
be from 8 am to 4 pm and the cost is $16.

The Zebco Company from Tulsa Ok is offering a free fishing video
called "Hey Mom, I Wanna Go Fishing" to encourage more youngsters
to take part in the sport.

                                                    For the Animals,

                                                    Jana, OKC
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 17:13:44 -0400
From: liberation2@juno.com (Kimberly A Chicchi)
To: ar-wire@waste.org
Cc: ar-news@envirolink.org, ar-views@envirolink.org
Message-ID: <19970707.171345.3742.3.liberation2@juno.com>

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who might be interested!

THANKS!
-Kim


The Activist Support Network

What is the Activist Support Network?

The purpose of the Activist Support Network is to provide support for ALL
activists who are facing challenges because of their liberation efforts. 
The Support Network is for EVERYONE!  Whether you need moral help on the
transition to vegetarianism or veganism or you're about to get "kicked
out" of your(parents) house because you got arrested, the Support Network
is here for YOU.  Anyone who is actively fighting for the liberation of
human and non-human animals as well as our precious earth must NEVER feel
alone!!! That's where the support network comes in...

How does it work?

The Support Network is divided into three sections.  The first section
lists activists who are currently imprisoned, as well as those who are
facing serious charges  because of their liberation activities. The
second section is a listing of activists from countries other than the
U.S. who wish to get to know activists from other countries(sort of a pen
pal thing, but it's also great to learn about the different strategies of
other activists).  The third section is for activists who need
support/advice because of an activist related problem(s).  Some examples
are: You need help becoming vegan/vegetarian, starting up a local
liberation group, activist infighting, problems with relatives, etc. 
Whatever problem(s) have arisen because of your activism that you need
help with simply write that under the problem section and hopefully there
will be someone  you can correspond with that can give you the  advice 
you need.   The following is the general format to follow:

Your Name
Adress( security wise, a P.O. box is always best!)
What you need help with, and what you feel you can help people with

How much does it cost to join?

An updated version of the Support network will come out quarterly, so all
we ask is that U.S. members send us four 32 cent stamps per year(or a
check/money order for $1.28) and International activists provide
stamps(or a check/money order) for the appropriate postage as well.  To
receive an email version of the Support Network, send the information
stated above to the following address: SupportNetwork@juno.com   An email
version if free.

IMPORTANT!!!
The Support Network doesn't want to see any Liberation activists behind
bars, so PLEASE!!! be careful of what you write.  If you are involved in
any sort of illegal liberation related activity DO NOT write about it. 
Please also remember that there is a good chance that the FBI,
infiltrators, etc. might get their hands on a version of the Support
Network, so be careful of what you write in your letters.  You don't want
to give away too much personal information to people untill you feel that
you've really gotten to know them!  Don't be paranoid, just be CAREFUL!

To join the Activist Support Network, please send the information stated
above to:

The Activist Support Network
P.O. Box   923  Bethel Park, PA 15102
or email the Support Network at the following address:
SupportNetwork@juno.com   (Don't leave a space between Support & Network)


************
"He who saves one, saves the world entire".
-Oscar Schindler





Date: Mon, 07 Jul 1997 16:01:29 -0700
From: "Chris O'Riley" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Colorado Five-from the trenches -Forwarded
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Date: Mon, 07 Jul 1997 13:48:02 -0700
From:  
To: ORileyC@ci.boulder.co.us,Kenneth.Keefover-ring@Colorado.edu,
     volp@Colorado.edu, eklei@earthlink.net, kkim@goldsys.com,
     david_crawford_at_nrel@tcplink.nrel.gov,
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> >
> > The remaining prairie in Colorado is rapidly being fragmented into
> > smaller and smaller units.  The keystone species of that ecosystem, the
> > prairie dog, is being destroyed faster than anyone can believe.  Ranchers 
> > gas them, developers bulldoze them, and the Varmint Militia shoots them
> > for "fun".  Rocky Mountain Animal Defense is committed to fighting the 
> > loss of the prairie and the protection of the prairie dog along with
> > other groups that includes the Prairie Ecosystem Conservation Alliance. 
> >
> > Enough of the preamble.  On Saturday, the day after Independence Day, a 
> > day honoring our countries rejection of tyranny, RMAD and PECA activists 
> > mobilized to confront the Varmint Militia.  This is status quo for many
> > activists, guns and police against peaceful protestors.  In this case the 
> > cronies in Kit Carson County decided that tax payer dollars should be
> > used to both condone and support a mass slaughter of prairie dogs and 
> > restrict free speech on public roads.  Because the action was in a
> > relatively remote location we were only able to muster 10 activists for 
> > our patterned in-your-face demonstration.  The would-be 10 activists
> > had enough energy to take on five times that number of killers and cops. 
> >  Access to the prairie dog colonies was blocked by five deputies at two 
> > seperate locations.  In addition at least 2 additional deputies were
> > stationed at the shooting sites and another was patrolling the perimeter 
> > roads.  With their right to free speech being supressed, four activists 
> > decided that it was time to get between the guns and the prairie dogs.
> > By using a herd of cows for cover, they worked their way for a mile
> > through the meandering channel of a dry stream bed and approached the
> > flanks of the shooters.  With the element of surprise on their side, they 
> > were then able to rush the field and keep the prairie dogs in the
> > burrows.  With deputies not far away their actions had to be carefully 
> > timed and at the last second they were able to lock themselves into an 
> > immobile octopus with the standard u-bolt and chain combination.  There 
> > were no other activists nearby, no cameras to assure that they weren't 
> > beaten and hurt or even shot.  There was no media protection or public 
> > access to the area.  There was just prairie dogs, freaks with powerful 
> > rifles, deputies who represented a repressive county system, and four
> > activists with more guts than anyone else in the State. 
> >
> > While we waited for any news on the status of the prairie dog protectors, 
> > other deputies started to get  nasty.  Cars and other activists
> > were detained and harassed.  There was no backing down; solidarity was 
> > the key for the day and harassed activists were defiant and focused on 
> > protecting what few rights they were allowed.  Luckily, the show of
> > strength forced the deputies to show marginal restraint and those few 
> > supporting activists were not arrested.
> >
> > Every delay and interruption at these contest kills means that more
> > animals are saved.  With that in mind a second group of activists decided 
> > to use similar tactics as the first.  However, this time they had to deal 
> > with a more aware group of deputies.  After considerable amount of time
> > spent disrupting the massacre the second group of activists were arrested 
> > and sent down to fill up the Kit Carson County Jail.
> >
> > Ridiculous charges were filed and outrageous bails were set so that only 
> > two activists with pressing committments were able to post bond.  The
> > remaining protestors are on a committed hunger stike until they are
> > released.  Arraignment won't be until Tuesday morning.  These backwater 
> > towns don't usually get this kind of action.  With this delay in
> > legal proceedings everyone needs to take action now.  The Sheriff needs 
> > to hear that the charges are entirely bogus, the bails are unreasonable, 
> > and that first amendment rights are not turned on and off by county
> > officials as a whim.  We all know how important calls are  and how effective
> > they can be.  Call now and call often.  These activists committed a
> > daring act of civil disobedience and need our support to get through 
> > this!!!  The men are being held in the county jail in Burlington, CO. 
> > The women were moved to the Lincoln County Jail in Hugo, CO.
> >
> > Here are the details:
> >
> > Political
> > Prisoners               Charges                                 Bail 
> > Scott Keating           Criminal Trespass, Interference with    $3500 
> >                         a Lawful Hunt, Criminal Conspiracy,
> >                         Resisting Arrest
> > J. Manos                        Same                            Same 
> > Lauren McCain                   Same                            Same 
> > Nicole Rosmarino                Same                            Same 
> >
> > Bettina Rosmarino       Criminal Trespass, Interference with a  $1500 
> >                         Lawful Hunt
> > Chris Atencio           Same                                    bailed 
> > Jill Bielawski          Same                                    bailed 
> >
> > Kit Carson Co. Jail             719-346-5524    Jail
> >                                 719-346-8934    Non-Emergency: 
> > Sheriff                         719-346-7282    Fax
> > Lincoln Co. Jail                        719-743-2426
> > Judge Curt Penny                719-346-5524    His Clerk*
> > Kit Carson Co. Commissioners    719-346-8133    (Commissioners approv-
> >                                                 ed the barricading of public
> >                                                  roads)
> >
> > *We feel at this time that it is most important to leave messages for the 
jud ge regarding:
> >         - the non-violence of the action
> >         - this being a first offense for all
> >         - the violation of the First Amendment and right to dissent and 
gathe r in a public place
> >         - the commitment of the activists to their cause thus they are a 
zero
 risk (they will
> >         gladly go to their future court dates!)
> >         - the release of the activists on P.R. for the above reasons 
> >
> > THANK YOU!  Forward this as you deem appropriate. 
> >
> > Greg Litus
> > Prisoner Support,
> > Rocky Mountain Animal Defense


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