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AR-NEWS Digest 434
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) (CA) Geese Saved
by allen schubert
2) FORMER ANIMAL RIGHTS TARGET HONORED BY PEER GROUP
by allen schubert
3) Green Mice: Another Scientific Breakthrough
by Andrew Gach
4) (UK) Mad Chicken Disease?
by Vadivu Govind
5) McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE (fwd)
by Student Abolitionist League
6) McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE (fwd)
by allen schubert
7) press release
by World Society for the Protection of Animals
8) Urgent- Calls for Elephants
by Friends of Animals
9) FREE 800# to save Kodo the Ferrett
by Pat Fish
10) press release
by World Society for the Protection of Animals
11) CITES Update
by Friends of Animals
12) (US) Oklahoma's US Senator Wildlife Award
by JanaWilson@aol.com
13) Anti Rodeo Campaigners
by MINKLIB@aol.com
14) MODIFIED EGG YOLKS MAY PROVIDE ANTIBODIES TO LIVESTOCK
by bunny
15) Vitamins 'no help in heart disease'
by Vadivu Govind
16) (US) Rabies Test Negative for Ferret
by allen schubert
17) (JP) Japanese view on Ivory-CITES
by Vadivu Govind
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 00:19:36 -0400
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (CA) Geese Saved
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970613001933.006e7574@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from BKMACKAY@aol.com:
----------------------------------------------------
Too soon for all the details (my colleagues at Animal Alliance of Canada are
preparing a press release) but the one to two thousand geese at Mississauga
that were schelduled to be rounded up and fattened and then slaughtered have
been saved. In an 11th hour, 59th minute reprieve, possibly in response to
Animal Alliance's announced intention to seek an injunction, the Canadian
Wildlife Service said that the geese will be moved to New Brunswick (Canada).
New Brunswick has received other geese in the past. Details later; comments
on Ar-views.
Cheers,
Barry
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 00:21:20 -0400
From: allen schubert
To:
Subject: FORMER ANIMAL RIGHTS TARGET HONORED BY PEER GROUP
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970613002115.006eb55c@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from "Paul Wiener" :
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
SCIENCE-WEEK
(formerly the Science-News List)
A Free Weekly Digest of the News of Science
June 12, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
FORMER ANIMAL RIGHTS TARGET HONORED BY PEER GROUP
Neurobiologist Edward Taub, attacked by animal rights activists
16 years ago for the treatment of research monkeys in his
laboratory, has been awarded the highest honor of the American
Psychological Society. He was named a William James Fellow,
honored for fundamental discoveries about brain reorganization
that are now the basis for new treatments in human rehabilitation
following traumatic peripheral nerve injuries. Taub noted the
research for which the award was bestowed is now no longer
permitted anywhere. There is one surviving monkey whose
reorganized brain cannot be investigated because of a present ban
by the U.S. Congress that limits the necessary type of animal
neurosurgery to 4 hours in duration. Speaking of this monkey,
Taub says, "Locked in his brain is the answer to an extremely
important question about brain reorganization, not just in the
cortex, but in the thalamus." He says probing the thalamus would
require more than 4 hours in surgery. (Science 6 June)
___________
Paul Wiener
got_the_T-shirt@been-there.com
paulish@cyberjunkie.com
paulish@thepentagon.com
paulish@usa.net
tinea-pedis@bigfoot.com
KJ6AV@callsign.net
- --------------------------------------------------------
http://www.netforward.com/cyberjunkie/?paulish
===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================
___________
Paul Wiener
got_the_T-shirt@been-there.com
paulish@cyberjunkie.com
paulish@thepentagon.com
paulish@usa.net
tinea-pedis@bigfoot.com
KJ6AV@callsign.net
- --------------------------------------------------------
http://www.netforward.com/cyberjunkie/?paulish
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Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 21:40:01 -0700
From: Andrew Gach
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Green Mice: Another Scientific Breakthrough
Message-ID: <33A0CF21.CBD@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Green mice seen as research breakthrough
Reuter Information Service
TOKYO (June 12, 1997 12:08 p.m. EDT) - By injecting genes with protein
from fluorescent jellyfish, Japanese scientists have produced mice that
glow green under artificial light, an achievement they call a
breakthrough in cancer and transplant research.
Five of the mice were born earlier this week at Osaka University's
Microbiology Disease Research Institute and could open the way for the
technology to be used to trace cells in laboratory animals without
surgery, a researcher at the center said Thursday.
"This would not only aid in cancer treatment and organ transplants but
can be widely used in biotechnology in general," said the researcher, a
member of a team headed by Assistant Professor Masaru Okabe, who
announced the results.
The technique involves injecting green fluorescent protein taken from
the DNA of a North American glowing jellyfish called Aequorea Victoria,
into genes of laboratory mice.
The researcher said the mice appeared green if light, such as that from
a torch, was shone on them.
In the past, such protein injections into genes were only possible with
certain insects and fish, not mammals.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 15:56:12 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (UK) Mad Chicken Disease?
Message-ID: <199706130756.PAA05058@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>The Straits Times
13 June 97
FIRST it was mad-cow disease now Mad-chicken disease?
LONDON -- Startling evidence that "mad-cow disease" might have spread
to poultry was being examined by government scientists, an investigation by
the Independent newspaper in London revealed.
Ministers stressed that they were taking seriously the evidence -- which
could spark a new crisis for the meat industry -- and insisted that "the
days of cover-up are over".
The Ministry of Agriculture has been examining the brains of two hens
suspected of having mad-cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE), for the past two months and plans to bring in an independent
scientist for a second opinion. The specimens were sent to the ministry by a
BSE specialist, Dr Harash Narang.
The news followed last Thursday's decision by Agriculture Minister Jack
Cunningham to extend full "mad-cow" controls for sheep and to block imports
of European beef not subject to them.
The first formal meeting of a new Cabinet committee on food safety was
convened on Tuesday.
Mr David Clark, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who chaired the
committee, said: "The government is determined to get to the bottom of
this. Jack Cunningham is introducing new openness at the ministry and he
and I will ensure that there is no cover-up. Obviously it is too early to
say whether BSE has spread to chickens, but we would be foolish not to take
the possibility very seriously."
The ministry's position contrasts sharply with its reaction under the
previous
administration. When Dr Narang first voiced fears about the disease in
chickens earlier this year, it tried to force him to surrender the brains
before he had even tested them.
In a series of threatening and bullying letters, obtained by the
newspaper, the Assistant Chief Veterinary Officer, Mr Kevin Taylor,
questioned his truthfulness and "probity" and warned that he could be
subject to ''civil action for damages" by agricultural businesses.
Dr Narang said he was first alerted when a farmer from Kent told him
that one of his hens was unable to keep its balance. The hen was observed
and videoed for several weeks, shaking, staggering and exhibiting other
symptoms typical of mad-cow disease.
He examined it and a hen from south Wales with similar symptoms and
found "very strong evidence of a spongiform encephalopathy".
The meat and bonemeal feeds thought to be behind the mad-cow disease
were also fed to chickens, but Dr Narang cannot yet be sure whether what he
found is BSE or a related disease. He said that he had since had several
reports from farmers of hens with similar symptoms. It only showed up in
older birds because most chickens were slaughtered for meat at a few months
old and the disease took longer to develop.
The European Union banned exports of British beef in March 1996 after
Britain said it was possible that humans could get Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
(CJD) if they ate meat from cows infected with mad-cow disease.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 07:09:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Student Abolitionist League
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE (fwd)
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 19:04:58 -0400
From: dbriars@world.std.com
To: mclibel@europe.std.com
Subject: McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE
Subject: (RB) McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 16:28:22 +0100
From: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk (McLibel Support Campaign)
McLibel Support Campaign
5 Caledonian Road
London N1 9DX
UK
Tel/Fax +44-(0)171 713 1269
For independent information on the case and McDonald's:
http://www.McSpotlight.org/
Press Release
12th June, 1997
McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE
Mr Justice Bell is expected to deliver his verdict in the McLibel Trial (at
313 days the longest trial of any kind in English legal history) at 10.30am
on Thursday 19th June at the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London WC2
(courtroom to be announced). Please note that this date and time are
subject to confirmation - there is a small chance that it will be on
Wednesday 18th or Friday 20th June instead.
It is expected that Mr Justice Bell will read out a summary of his personal
judgment (having denied the Defendants their right to a jury trial) lasting
approximately one hour. The full judgment is expected to be about 1000
pages long, covering the Corporation's claim, the Defendants' counterclaim,
and any damages. The ruling on any costs and injunction will be given at a
later date.
Supporters of the McLibel Defendants will be holding a colourful PICKET
OUTSIDE THE COURT from 9.45am until lunchtime, handing out "What's Wrong
With McDonald's?" leaflets to passersby. 2 million of these leaflets have
already been handed out in the UK since the writs were served on the
Defendants.
The McLibel Defendants will be holding a PRESS CONFERENCE at the London
School of Economics (next to the courts) shortly after the judgment has been
given. Mike Mansfield QC will be chairing the press conference, and various
Defence witnesses from the trial will be attending and available for
comment. These will include Charles Secrett (Executive Director of Friends
of the Earth), Tim Lobstein (co-director of the Food Commission), Iain
Whittle (former McDonald's crew member), Frances Tiller (former private
investigator hired by McDonald's to infiltrate London Greenpeace), and
Maureen & John Hopkins (the parents of Mark Hopkins, who was fatally
electrocuted while working at a McDonald's store in Manchester). Please
note: the room number and directions to the press conference venue will be
available nearer the time.
* International VICTORY DAY OF ACTION - Saturday 21st June - campaigners
will be leafleting and protesting outside McDonald's stores around the
world, whatever the verdict, to demonstrate McDonald's failure to halt the
ever growing dissemination of alternative views and information. Over 500
of the company's 750 UK stores will be leafleted in a display of solidarity
with the McLibel Defendants and show of conviction that all the criticisms
in the "What's Wrong With McDonald's?" leaflets are true and have been shown
to be so in the trial (often by McDonald's own witnesses and documents). As
the Defendants have been denied a jury trial, the public are in effect the
wider jury and campaigners are committed to continuing to provide the public
with the facts they need to judge for themselves.
* The complete set of official transcripts of the proceedings (all 19,000
pages) are now available worldwide on the McSpotlight Internet site
(http://www.mcspotlight.org/).
* The Defendants believe that the evidence in the trial has vindicated
McDonald's critics. However, having been denied Legal Aid and a jury trial,
and up against complex libel laws stacked in favour of plaintiffs, if the
verdict goes against them they are prepared to continue their fight to
defend the public's right to criticise multinational corporations. They
intend to appeal and then take the British government to the European Court
of Human Rights to overturn the UK's unfair and oppressive libel laws. They
also intend to sue McDonald's infiltrators for damages.
Please ring the McLibel office to confirm these details and for more
information. Also please see MSC Press Release dated 1st April 1997
(available on the McSpotlight Internet site) for detailed information on the
Victory Day of Action, possible appeals etc.
- ENDS -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. McLibel Support Campaign Email dbriars@world.std.com
PO Box 62 Phone/Fax 802-586-9628
Craftsbury VT 05826-0062 http://www.mcspotlight.org/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe to the "mclibel" electronic mailing list, send email
To: majordomo@world.std.com
Subject:
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To unsubscribe, change the message to: "unsubscribe mclibel"
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 09:32:19 -0400
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE (fwd)
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970613093217.006cd544@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from jun1022@cybernex.net :
-----------------------------------------------
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 19:04:58 -0400
From: dbriars@world.std.com
To: mclibel@europe.std.com
Subject: McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE
Subject: (RB) McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 16:28:22 +0100
From: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk (McLibel Support Campaign)
McLibel Support Campaign
5 Caledonian Road
London N1 9DX
UK
Tel/Fax +44-(0)171 713 1269
For independent information on the case and McDonald's:
http://www.McSpotlight.org/
Press Release
12th June, 1997
McLIBEL VERDICT EXPECTED THURSDAY 19TH JUNE
Mr Justice Bell is expected to deliver his verdict in the McLibel Trial (at
313 days the longest trial of any kind in English legal history) at 10.30am
on Thursday 19th June at the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London WC2
(courtroom to be announced). Please note that this date and time are
subject to confirmation - there is a small chance that it will be on
Wednesday 18th or Friday 20th June instead.
It is expected that Mr Justice Bell will read out a summary of his personal
judgment (having denied the Defendants their right to a jury trial) lasting
approximately one hour. The full judgment is expected to be about 1000
pages long, covering the Corporation's claim, the Defendants' counterclaim,
and any damages. The ruling on any costs and injunction will be given at a
later date.
Supporters of the McLibel Defendants will be holding a colourful PICKET
OUTSIDE THE COURT from 9.45am until lunchtime, handing out "What's Wrong
With McDonald's?" leaflets to passersby. 2 million of these leaflets have
already been handed out in the UK since the writs were served on the
Defendants.
The McLibel Defendants will be holding a PRESS CONFERENCE at the London
School of Economics (next to the courts) shortly after the judgment has been
given. Mike Mansfield QC will be chairing the press conference, and various
Defence witnesses from the trial will be attending and available for
comment. These will include Charles Secrett (Executive Director of Friends
of the Earth), Tim Lobstein (co-director of the Food Commission), Iain
Whittle (former McDonald's crew member), Frances Tiller (former private
investigator hired by McDonald's to infiltrate London Greenpeace), and
Maureen & John Hopkins (the parents of Mark Hopkins, who was fatally
electrocuted while working at a McDonald's store in Manchester). Please
note: the room number and directions to the press conference venue will be
available nearer the time.
* International VICTORY DAY OF ACTION - Saturday 21st June - campaigners
will be leafleting and protesting outside McDonald's stores around the
world, whatever the verdict, to demonstrate McDonald's failure to halt the
ever growing dissemination of alternative views and information. Over 500
of the company's 750 UK stores will be leafleted in a display of solidarity
with the McLibel Defendants and show of conviction that all the criticisms
in the "What's Wrong With McDonald's?" leaflets are true and have been shown
to be so in the trial (often by McDonald's own witnesses and documents). As
the Defendants have been denied a jury trial, the public are in effect the
wider jury and campaigners are committed to continuing to provide the public
with the facts they need to judge for themselves.
* The complete set of official transcripts of the proceedings (all 19,000
pages) are now available worldwide on the McSpotlight Internet site
(http://www.mcspotlight.org/).
* The Defendants believe that the evidence in the trial has vindicated
McDonald's critics. However, having been denied Legal Aid and a jury trial,
and up against complex libel laws stacked in favour of plaintiffs, if the
verdict goes against them they are prepared to continue their fight to
defend the public's right to criticise multinational corporations. They
intend to appeal and then take the British government to the European Court
of Human Rights to overturn the UK's unfair and oppressive libel laws. They
also intend to sue McDonald's infiltrators for damages.
Please ring the McLibel office to confirm these details and for more
information. Also please see MSC Press Release dated 1st April 1997
(available on the McSpotlight Internet site) for detailed information on the
Victory Day of Action, possible appeals etc.
- ENDS -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. McLibel Support Campaign Email dbriars@world.std.com
PO Box 62 Phone/Fax 802-586-9628
Craftsbury VT 05826-0062 http://www.mcspotlight.org/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe to the "mclibel" electronic mailing list, send email
To: majordomo@world.std.com
Subject:
Message: subscribe mclibel
To unsubscribe, change the message to: "unsubscribe mclibel"
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 10:15:25 -0400
From: World Society for the Protection of Animals
To: "'ar-news@envirolink.org'"
Subject: press release
Message-ID: <01BC77E2.BAA326E0@wspa.std.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC77E2.BAB3EFC0"
Please post ASAP. Attachment contains three pages. Thank you.
Katherine Perkinson
Communications Coordinator
World Society for the Protection of Animals
ph: (617) 522-7000
fax: (617) 522-7077
email: kjp@wspausa.com
Attachment Converted: "c:\neweudora\attach\Montspa.doc"
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 07:59:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Friends of Animals
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Urgent- Calls for Elephants
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970613104607.2a6f507a@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Urgent Action for Elephants
This morning's paper in Zimbabwe reported and confirmed that
Tanzania and Zambia have turned away from their stand for
Appendix 1 and will support downlisting this could be the beginning
of other African nations buckling to ivory interest lobbying and pressure.
Call Vice-president Al Gore and demand that the U.S. delegation
take a more aggressive, high-profile stand against the downlisting
of African elephants at the CITES meeting now underway in Zimbabwe.
Call:
Vice President Al Gore
phone (202) 456-2326
fax (202) 456-7044
email vice.president@whitehouse.gov
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 11:39:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: Pat Fish
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Cc: ar-wire@waste.org
Subject: FREE 800# to save Kodo the Ferrett
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
JD Jackson writes:
>I just spoke to Mrs. Jacobs, the ferrett's mom. She asked that everyone
>contact Michigan Governor John Engler (State Capitol, Lansing 48909)
>Michigan Senators Carl Levin and Spencer Abraham (US Senate, Washington, DC
>20510) and even Bill Clinton (president@whitehouse.gov). Does anyone have
>Engler's/Levin's/Abraham's e-mail?
To contact Senators Carl Levin and Spencer Abraham, call either of these
numbers: 800-962-3524 or 800-972-3524 and ask for the senator or
congresscritter you want to speak to. And/Or email:
migov@mail.state.mi.us Senator@levin.senate.gov Michigan@abraham.senate.gov
Pat Fish
Computer Professionals for Earth & Animals
PS If you're not familiar with the story, see following....
SAGINAW, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--June 5, 1997--
Family Struggles to Rescue Beloved Pet From Senseless Death Penalty
Fights To Preserve Their Home & Livelihood
Day 34 - June 9th Execution Date
Robert Jacobs' two children, Crystal (8) and Eric (9) are sitting
at home while their favorite furry little pet ferret -- "Kodo the
Kute" -- has just reached his 34th day on death row awaiting an
unusual and illogical court ordered death penalty. Meanwhile, their
father has been forced to leave work and fight for his children's pet
in court. Moreover, local publicity from the struggle sparked
Jacobs' landlord to deliver him a "notice to quit" his family's
mobile trailer park home for harboring an "exotic" pet, even though
the ferret isn't exotic (it's domestic).
"I feel as if I'm in the eye of a hurricane," Jacobs sadly
remarks. "I've always told my children that truth and honesty always
prevail. But I don't know what to tell Crystal and Eric now.
They're heartbroken. And honesty and truth isn't saving their friend
Kodo from bureaucracy, ignorance and politics. My family is under
siege. Most of all, my children are being unfairly and unlawfully
victimized."
Last month Jacob brought the family's pet ferret to a mall pet
exhibition -- on the first day of National Pet Week -- at the request
of local animal control officer Karen Burns. A senior gentlemen
reached to pat the ferret when he accidentally scraped his finger on
the pet's nose and tooth. The scrape broke skin causing minor
bleeding.
"The gentleman later humorously remarked to his wife, upon seeing
a blown-up photo of a vicious dog bite, that his `bite' wasn't nearly
as bad," Jacobs said, referring to the gentleman's court testimony.
"But within twenty minutes, Burns, having overheard the man's remark
to his wife, arrived at my area with a `bite report' which correctly
stated `Minor, No stitches, Scratch Did Bleed.' Then she took Kodo
away from me!"
If the ferret had rabies, it would have died within ten days.
But now Kodo is still alive more than 30 days since he was sent to
"death row" at an animal control shelter. "Now, our pet is gone,
facing execution, and we aren't even allowed to visit. My children
are mortified."
People around the country have rallied to Kodo's cause. And as
time winds down to the scheduled execution, Jacobs and his family are
hoping to save their pet's life and rescue their own life from an
apparently silly and baseless government action.
To contribute money to Kodo's plight, call Robert Jacobs direct
(517) 777-4807, or e-mail him carrowor@concentric.net
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 12:12:09 -0400
From: World Society for the Protection of Animals
To: "'ar-news@envirolink.org'"
Subject: press release
Message-ID: <01BC77F3.AEF6CF20@wspa.std.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
June 12, 1997
Contact: Laura Salter, WSPA Public Affairs Manager
(617) 522-7000
ANIMAL RESCUE
Dogs and Cats From Volcanic Island To Find
New Homes in United States
WHO: World Society for the Protection of Animals
represented by Kathi Travers, Special Projects Director
WHAT:PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE AIRPORT.
Puppies, dogs and cats are flown from the volcanic island of Montserrat and adopted to new
homes by the Broward County Humane Society in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
WHEN: Friday, June 20
WHERE: Miami International Airport
To be announced
Amerijet Flight # to be announced
Press Release:
BOSTON-Just weeks ago they were abandoned without food or water in the danger zone below
an active volcano. But today the dogs and cats of Montserrat are in the care of the World Society
for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and several will soon be on their way to new homes in the
United States.
This story began in July 1995 when the Soufriere Hills Volcano sent the tiny Caribbean island of
Montserrat into a tailspin. People fled their homes as a mountain of lava, rock fall and ash
punished the landscape below.
Since then the volcano has remained in an active state with constant emissions of rock and ash. A
former tropical paradise, much of the island has no turned into a ghost town.
During the most recent orange alert of heavy activity in late April, the volcano threw rocks from
its dome for miles, smashing windows of cars and homes below. Residents again fled their homes
and returned to make-shift shelters on the Northern tip of the island. WSPA team traveled to the
island and found marked decline in the welfare of the animals.
"Dogs were tied to abandoned houses and left hungry for at least two weeks at a time," WSPA
Field Services Director Gerardo Huertas explained. "Pups tried to suckle a mother dog who
could barely produce enough milk to feed them. Skinny cats hunted at night, but the birds have
flown elsewhere. Not even a drink of clean water could be found."
WSPA had been assisting the government of Montserrat since 1996 by supplying dog food,
animal catching equipment, animal transport cages and vaccines. However by April of this year,
the long term crisis had clearly taken its toll on the animals. The animal welfare issue was
secondary to the brew of social and economic pressures too tall for the government to cope with.
The WSPA animal rescue team's first step was to locate all companion animals still in the danger
zone and begin providing them with essential care for survival. Field Services Director Gerardo
Huertas lead efforts to individually feed each of the animals daily. He mapped out the location of
all dogs and cats in the danger zone so that he and his government help could return daily.
"Day after day we coaxed timid dogs out from their hiding places to feed them," Huertas
recounted. "It wasn't long before the dogs grew to recognize us as friends and yelped and barked,
tails wagging at top speed, when they saw us coming with bags of food slung over their
shoulders. Cats also tiptoed out, tongues licking their lips in anticipation. All had been starving
and were overwhelmed with delight to have a solid meal and companionship." Donkeys, pigs and
cows were also amongst those who needed a bit of extra help from our team.
Meanwhile International Projects Director John Walsh went to work building a shelter to relocate
the animals on a safer part of the island. He worked with local construction workers to design a
shelter with large runs to accommodate many dogs. He also designed an area for cats with
several lofty perches for them to climb and sun themselves.
"There is no doubt in my mind that if we hadn't helped, most of those animals would be dead by
now," said WSPA's Special Projects Director Kathi Travers who will move the animals from
Montserrat to Miami. "WSPA is dedicated to helping animals during times of crisis. Whether we
are facing a volcano, hurricane or a war zone, WSPA is often the only
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 09:21:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Friends of Animals
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: CITES Update
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970613120833.5b9738f6@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
FoA CITES Update- The vote for the African elephant
downlisting proposals submitted by Zimbabwe, Botswana
and Namibia will be held next week. Though many countries
are still being lobbied heavily by the ivory merchants and
trophy hunting interests, here is how the votes are lining up:
The following countries will oppose the downlisting proposal:
Austria
Bangladesh
Benin
Chad
Eritrea
France
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
India
Isreal
Jordan
Kenya
Liberia
Mali
Malta
Mauritius
Namibia
Nepal
Senegal
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Uganda
United States
The following countries will *probably* oppose the downlisting proposals:
Bangladesh
Benin
Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
Ethiopia
Gambia
Georgia
Malaysia
Niger
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Tunisia
The following countries are on the fence or in favor of the
downlisting proposals:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Botswana (has submitted proposal)
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
China
Cile
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Finland
Gabon
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Indonesia
Iran
Italy
Japan -Will Support Proposals
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia-Has Submitted Proposal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Norway-Will Support Proposals
Panama
Papau New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Phillipines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania -Will Support Proposals
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Vuns
Zaire
Zambia-Has announced it new position of support for proposals
Zimbabwe -Has Submitted Proposal
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 15:44:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: JanaWilson@aol.com
To: Ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Oklahoma's US Senator Wildlife Award
Message-ID: <970613115636_1343378013@emout05.mail.aol.com>
Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles (Rep.) will be honored as
"Conservationist of the Year" by the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation
at its annual meeting Saturday in Tulsa. A number of other
awards will also be presented at the Saturday night banquest.
The senator from Ponca City was singled out for his efforts in
engineering a land trade between the US Forest Service and
Weyerhaeuser that added valuable recreational resources to public
holdings in Southeastern Oklahoma and for his work to ensure
an adequate supply of good water for the state trout fishery on
the Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow Dam.
The Ouachita National Forest timber exchange provides significant
water quality protection for Broken Bow Lake, local water supplies
and portions of the Mountain Fork River.
Nickles passed legislation guarenteeing that the Mountain Fork
River receives enuf cold water releases from Broken Bow Lake
to susport the trout fishery below the dam. River flows had been
threatened when the Army Corps of Engineers demanded payment
for the summertime releases.
Note Sen. Nickles is pro-gun and pro-hunting.
For the Animals,
Jana, OKC
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 16:16:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: MINKLIB@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Anti Rodeo Campaigners
Message-ID: <970613121734_552980189@emout08.mail.aol.com>
For those of you involved in anti rodeo campaigns, you can monitor the
opposition by being on a rodoe listserv, similar to ar-news. Here is the
info that I pulled off of the rec.sport.rodeo newsgroup.
There is a listserv on rodeo at:
>
>listproc@lists.colorado.edu
>
>i just subscribed recently. looks like it will be fun.
>
>djinn
Evidently you send an email to the above address with subscribe rodeo
listserv in the subject header or the text.
JP
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 10:34:55 +0800
From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: MODIFIED EGG YOLKS MAY PROVIDE ANTIBODIES TO LIVESTOCK
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970614102513.0cdf2762@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Using Eggs to feed antibodies to livestock vs. antibiotics
MODIFIED EGG YOLKS MAY PROVIDE ANTIBODIES TO LIVESTOCK
June 9, 1997
FEEDSTUFFS
MADISON, WIS. -- According to this story, small farms in Wisconsin may soon
become antibody factories, raising laying hens that produce
growth-stimulating antibodies in their egg yolks. When fed to farm animals,
the customized yolks increase growth rates, and the animals become more
efficient at converting feed to meat.
Mark Cook, a poultry scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, is cited as saying that egg yolk
antibodies work by changing the environment in an animal's gut, and that gut
peptides control feed intake and gastrointestinal function in animals. The
immune system stimulates the release of gut peptides that decrease feed
intake. Food animal producers sometimes feed antibiotics, which reduce the
immune stimulus by knocking out some gut bacteria.
Cook is also cited as saying that the egg yolk antibodies have proven as
effective as antibiotics in increasing growth and feed efficiency in
chickens and swine. The story also says that some studies have shown that
low level feeding of antibiotics to livestock can produce drug-resistant
bacteria; by feeding antibodies instead of antibiotics, producers can avoid
this problem.
---
It is suggested by researchers that the use of egg yolk antibody
("IgY") can be used for all sorts of laboratory work. They immunize a hen,
then collect
the eggs every day, separate the yolks, and purify antibody from that. Fast,
cheap, good. The egg is a very large antibody-producing cell.
End
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rabbit Information Service,
P.O.Box 30,
Riverton,
Western Australia 6148
Email rabbit@wantree.com.au
Telephone/Facsimile (International) +61 8 9354.2985
Telephone/Facsimile (Intra-Australia) (08) 9354.2985
http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
Rabbit Information Service
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 11:11:04 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Vitamins 'no help in heart disease'
Message-ID: <199706140311.LAA08277@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>South China Morning Post
Saturday June 14 1997
Vitamins 'no help in heart disease'
REUTER in London
Another study has cast doubts on health benefits in taking vitamin
supplements, adding to evidence that people cannot escape eating real
vegetables to protect themselves from cancer and heart disease.
The study, in the Lancet medical journal, found vitamin A and E
supplements did not protect middle-aged male smokers from having a second
heart attack.
Janne Rapola of the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki and
colleagues at the US National Cancer Institute studied more than 1,800 men
as part of a cancer prevention study.
All were smokers over the age of 50 who had previously suffered a heart
attack.
They were given either a combination of vitamin A or E supplements, or
a placebo pill containing nothing.
''There were no significant differences in the number of major coronary
events between any supplementation group and the placebo group,'' the group
reported.
''In fact, the risk of fatal coronary heart disease increased in the
groups that received either beta-carotene [which becomes a form of vitamin
A] or the combination of alpha-tocopherol [which the body turns into vitamin
E] and beta-carotene,'' they added.
A 1996 study known as the Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study found that
supplements slightly decreased the risk of heart attack but not overall
coronary deaths in patients with heart disease.
A US study the same year found beta-carotene seemed to help heart
disease at first but in fact slightly increased the risk of death.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 23:11:29 -0400
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Rabies Test Negative for Ferret
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970613231127.006d7974@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from AP Wire page:
--------------------------------------
06/13/1997 20:35 EST
Rabies Test Negative for Ferret
By JIM IRWIN
Associated Press Writer
DETROIT (AP) -- Kodo didn't have rabies, after all.
Tests conducted Friday on the ferret's brain proved negative, meaning the
year-old pet couldn't have infected a 71-year-old man he scratched, state
Department of Community Health spokeswoman Geralyn Lasher said.
``What a surprise,'' deadpanned Kodo's owner, Robert Jacobs. ``He died
for nothing.''
The tests were released the day after Kodo was killed by injection,
ending a six-week legal battle that had reached the Michigan Supreme
Court, which refused to hear Jacobs' appeal.
Jacobs said Kodo had been vaccinated for rabies, but health officials
said the vaccination was only 90 percent effective. The only way to be
certain the ferret hadn't transmitted rabies was to cut off the ferret's
head and have its brain tissue analyzed, they said.
``I can't say I was really surprised'' by the results, said Karen Burns,
director of Bay County Animal Control, which seized Kodo on May 2 after
he scratched Arne Ostlund at a mall exhibit.
Nonetheless, Ms. Burns insisted that she acted appropriately.
``I feel it was really necessary to eliminate the question of risk in the
victim,'' Ms. Burns said.
Ostlund didn't want Kodo killed, but had Kodo tested positive, he would
have died without being vaccinated, Ms. Lasher said.
Kodo's death sentence generated hundreds of pleas for clemency to Gov.
John Engler, who declined to intervene.
The state has tested more than 200 ferrets for rabies since 1994, but
none have tested positive. Only one ferret in the country tested positive
for rabies in 1994, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in Atlanta.
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 11:14:19 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (JP) Japanese view on Ivory-CITES
Message-ID: <199706140314.LAA08534@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Asahi Shimbun
13 June 97
EDITORIAL: Japan must bolster controls on ivory distribution, imports
A conference of signatory powers of the United Nations Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is being held in Zimbabwe.
The focal point in the agenda is a proposal made by three countries in
southern Africa for lifting the ban on ivory exports to Japan.
Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana argue that there is no danger of African
elephants becoming extinct as their numbers have been increasing in those
countries. The countries also say they intend to use profits from ivory
sales to protect the elephants.
In Japan, ivory in stock has been processed into signature seals and
ornamental handicrafts even after ivory imports were banned. The Japanese
government plans to basically support the proposal of the three African
countries.
However, there is a problem in the control of ivory distribution in Japan.
And it has been noted in international arenas that smuggled ivory could
mingle with legitimate ivory in the distribution process.
In fact there have been endless cases of smuggled ivory into Japan. If ivory
imports are legalized again under such circumstances, it is obvious that
this would induce poaching in African countries.
Japan should declare that it will not import ivory until effective control
arrangements are put into practice.
The number of African elephants, which was well over 1 million in the 1970s,
is reported to have decreased to about 500,000. The major reason for the
decline was that they were slaughtered for their ivory. In 1989, it was
decided that African elephants are to be listed in Appendix I of CITES,
which prohibits international trade in the animal or its byproducts.
The three African countries propose that African elephants in those
countries be shifted from Appendix I to Appendix II, which means elephant
parts can be traded with government authorization, and that the ivory in
stock may be exported only to Japan, which claims to have effective controls
over the trade.
Ivory specialists, who were commissioned by the CITES secretariat to make an
investigation, admitted that the number of African elephants is increasing
but said the control mechanism in Japan is insufficient.
The Japanese government supervises ivory distribution by reading traders'
reports and their books. At the retail stage, legal products are marked by
government-issued seals. But both methods were ruled ineffective in keeping
out smuggled ivory.
Recently, an unauthorized trader was exposed and seven tons of ivory in the
traderr's possession was confiscated. An investigation by a nongovernmental
organization that has been watching the ivory trade showed that less than 10
percent of ivory traders presented seals.
Subsequently the government increased the number of items to be recorded in
the traders' books. Still, the government admits that it is practically
impossible to establish a perfect control over the entire distribution process.
Some nongovernmental organizations are inclined to approve the shifting of
African elephants from Appendix I to Appendix II. They maintain that the
export quota to Japan should be kept at zero for some time and that the
export ban should be lifted when an effective control mechanism is in place.
They credit the efforts of the three African countries in fighting poaching
and hope to have those countries remain members of CITES.
But if African elephants are shifted to Appendix II, would that not
automatically lead to the lifting of the ban on exports?
A reasonable approach to the problem would be for Japan, the major importer,
to promptly upgrade its domestic arrangements to the international standard,
and then support the animal's shift from Appendix I to Appendix II. It also
would be necessary for Japan to provide assistance in
money and staff to African countries to protect elephants and fight poaching.
Sustainable use of wild animals may be permitted. And consideration should
be given to the industry that preserves ivory handicraft technology that has
been passed down for generations.
But if ivory imports resume through an easy choice now and poached ivory
slips in, Japan eventually will be barred from accepting ivory imports.
Businesses that are interested in dealing in ivory products are also
responsible for taking part in creating more strict supervisory arrangements.
Every time a conference of signatory powers to CITES is held, opinion is
divided over the use and protection of wild animals. Using the animals while
protecting them is a difficult problem. But the Japanese government should
refrain from siding with these African countries out of hunger for ivory.
(Asahi Shimbun, June 13) -end-
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