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AR-NEWS Digest 575
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) EU Issues Plan for Opening Animal Trade with U.S.
by allen schubert
2) (US) Wolves' return to Yellowstone sparks controversy
by allen schubert
3) (NO) Norway's Top Whaler's Boat Sinks
by allen schubert
4) [CA] Downtown tales - Part 1
by David J Knowles
5) [CA] Downtown tales - Part 2
by David J Knowles
6) [UK/IN] Missile test range threat to turtles
by David J Knowles
7) [UK] 'Ruthless' animal rights bomber convicted
by David J Knowles
8) [CA] Lest we forget
by David J Knowles
9) (US) Group Wants Bird Boycott
by allen schubert
10) (US) Swine Facility Being Rebuilt
by allen schubert
11) Greenpeace Ends Rotterdam Soybean Ship Blockade
by allen schubert
12) (EG) Egypt Bars Shipment of 71 Cows
by allen schubert
13) 98 Whales Alive Conference [Hawaii]
by bchorush@paws.org (pawsinfo)
14) "Boobs of all sorts"
by Me1ani@aol.com
15) Maryland - developer killing deer
by Jean Colison
16) (US) [MD] Deer Kill Proposed to make Way for Houses
by David Lloyd
17) (US-NY) Canned Hunting on Ch. 7
by Michael Markarian
18) ESA reauthorization letters
by jeanlee
19) (NZ)Tender for research on use of RCD(deadly rabbit virus)
by bunny
20) [AU] Thrush that lost its way pits naturalists against
naturists
by David J Knowles
21) (US) Update on Cleveland Metroparks Deer Kill
by Dena Jones
22) (NJ) Anti-fur demo this weekend
by "veegman@qed.net"
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 00:28:02 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: EU Issues Plan for Opening Animal Trade with U.S.
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113002800.006dbf10@pop3.clark.net>
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from CNN http://www.cnn.com/
----------------------------------------------
EU Issues Plan for Opening Animal Trade with U.S.
Reuters
12-NOV-97
BRUSSELS, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Europe advanced a plan on Wednesday to open up
the $3 billion-a-year transatlantic trade in meat, fish, hides, yoghurt,
live horses and a wide range of other animal products.
The European Commission, legislative body for the 15-member European Union,
endorsed a proposal by Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler for a
veterinary agreement with Washington to harmonise sanitary rules governing
such trade.
This would remove the need for expensive and time-consuming inspection and
verification of animal products, wherever the U.S. and EU were able to
agree that their standards were equally matched and mutually acceptable.
The two sides were closer to that goal for some products than for others, a
Commission spokesman said, but the veterinary agreement would be a
``dynamic'' one which could be updated as regulations were matched up.
The proposal must be approved by EU member governments before being adopted
as the bloc's formal negotiating position. Fischler said it would not only
facilitate trade but ensure health protection for consumers and animals.
The EU already has similar agreements with Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. The Commission statement stressed that
nothing in the EU-U.S. proposal compromised existing EU legislation.
e-mail: brussels.newsroom+reuters.com
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 00:39:12 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Wolves' return to Yellowstone sparks controversy
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113003909.006dbd70@pop3.clark.net>
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(please note comment about predators impact on livestock)
from CNN http://www.cnn.com/
---------------------------------------------
Wolves' return to Yellowstone sparks controversy
November 12, 1997
Web posted at: 5:51 a.m. EST (1051 GMT)
>From Correspondent Jack Hammann
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (CNN) -- The meals are catered, but the menu
lacks variety -- cold carcasses of deer and elk roadkill served up to a
wolfpack on probation, locked in a pen.
The Nez Perce Pack is at the center of a firestorm over which wolves should
live and which should die at Yellowstone National Park. Named for a tribe
of American Indians who fled through the park hoping for sanctuary in
Canada, the pack of wolves is also looking for a safe haven in this remote
wilderness.
It's been almost three years since the federal government began the
controversial measure of reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone. While
conservationists supported the move, ranchers were wary.
Breeding program successful
Some 80 wolves now live in or near the park, many of them pups. Wolves are
held in "acclimation pens" where, it is hoped, they will get used to their
surroundings and form packs. Packs, it is believed, are less likely to
stray from the park than stragglers.
"In general, the acclimation has worked," says Doug Smith of Yellowstone
Park. "In fact, of the 31 wolves brought from Canada, there was really only
one wolf, and that wolf is number 27, where we feel here in Yellowstone
acclimation did not work."
Number 27 killed almost 50 sheep a few weeks ago, and had to be destroyed.
The rancher who lost sheep was compensated with money from Defenders of
Wildlife, a pro-wolf group.
How great a threat?
The 50 lost sheep attracted attention, but were hardly a rarity. In Montana
alone, tens of thousands of free-range livestock die of various causes
every year.
"Predators are just a minute portion of that," says Ed Bangs of the
National Fish and Wildlife Service. "And wolves are an immeasurable portion
of that. On average, wolves kill about four or five a year, so industry
wise, wolf predation means nothing to the industry or the economy of this
area."
"Some ranchers say, 'Look, it's people or wolves, not both,'" Smith says.
"I think we're at point now with wildlife and biodiversity and conservation
biology in the United States that we can do better. It's not black or
white. We can have both."
While the wolves pose some threat to humans' domesticated animals, there is
little risk to people themselves. And while humans have killed an estimated
two million wolves in this century, there is not a single documented case
of a human being killed by a healthy wild wolf.
A pack of trouble
As biologists and rangers approach the Nez Perce pack's chain-link pen deep
in the park's interior, they hear a surprising sound -- a wolf barking from
outside. Somehow the alpha male, the leader of the pack, has escaped, only
two weeks after he was recaptured. In his last escape, he dug under the
fence and freed the rest of the pack.
"I think one's out," says biologist Carrie Shaefer. "That bark is an
aggressive, defensive behavior."
If the pack escapes before spring, when they are scheduled for release,
they will likely threaten livestock, and will have to be destroyed.
The Nez Perce pack was released in April 1996, and immediately lost "pack
unity," the National Fish and Wildlife Service said. Individuals strayed
into areas with little wild prey and plenty of livestock, a handful of
sheep and cattle were killed and two pack members were shot dead.
Since most of the Nez Perce pack are still in the pen, recapturing the
stray is not Bangs' top priority. "I think the main thing is to keep the
fence running, because he's not going anywhere," he says. "Not with his
woman in the pen."
"Or his buddies," Smith adds. "(He's a) family-oriented animal, that's for
sure."
In the cramped offices of the Wolf Recovery Program, Smith and Bangs
struggle over the fate of fugitive wolves. The return of the wolves to
Yellowstone requires a balancing act among ranchers and conservationists, a
dispute with these men in the middle.
"I'm getting a call from a rancher, yelling at me because the wolves are
out and the killed some sheep," Bangs says. "The next phone call is from an
animal rights person saying, 'You bastard! Burn in Hell, murderer of
babies!' Then the next call is another rancher."
"I think you definitely have one of the most difficult jobs in the United
States, there's no question," Smith sympathizes.
The wolves already in Yellowstone have bred so successfully that plans to
transplant other wolves into the area are on hold. That's a success story
to some, but how success will be defined -- and what it will cost -- is the
ongoing debate.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 01:03:40 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (NO) Norway's Top Whaler's Boat Sinks
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113010337.006ecc3c@pop3.clark.net>
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(Sea Shepherd, Paul Watson)
from Associate Press http://wire.ap.org/
---------------------------------------
11/12/1997 18:37 EST
Norway's Top Whaler's Boat Sinks
OSLO, Norway (AP) -- A boat owned by Norway's best-known whale hunter has
sunk at its dock -- and one of the world's most radical anti-whalers
claims the sinking was due to sabotage.
The 45-foot Morild sank Tuesday in Bronnoysund, 430 miles north of Oslo,
even though owner Steinar Bastesen, a former leader of the Norwegian
Whale Hunters Association, said it was in excellent condition.
``The boat couldn't have sunk by itself,'' Bastesen said Wednesday.
Police had no immediate evidence of sabotage, but were seeking a small
boat and two people seen near the vessel, the NRK radio network reported.
Norway enraged activists by resuming its commercial whale hunts in 1993,
despite a global ban imposed by the International Whaling Commission in
1986.
Paul Watson, the American leader of militant Sea Shepherd organization,
told the Oslo newspaper Verdens Gang on Wednesday that anti-whaling
activists were responsible for sinking the Morild.
Watson was convicted in absentia three years ago of sabotaging the
whaling boat Nybraena.
Norway claims the minke whales it hunts are plentiful and says small
coastal towns need the revenue from the sale of whale meat.
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 23:51:58
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Downtown tales - Part 1
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971112235158.36074722@dowco.com>
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VANCOUVER, BC - A deer was spotted in the early hours of this morning
wandering down Granville Street, in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
After being spotted walking on the street, surounded not by the normal
trees, bushes and grass, but skyscrapers, banks and shops, police were
called in by early arrivals and they decided the best thing to do for an
animal that does not normally commute, was to guide it in to what passes as
wilderness in Vancouver - Stanley Park.
With an eye open for oncoming traffic, a police cruiser slowly herded the
deer along Granville Street, then Georgia Street and in to the park. The
officers kept their car's siren and lightbar off, so as not to scare the
animal.
Sgt Pike, in charge of this morning's operation, noted the deer stopped at
every intersection, and looked both ways for traffic before crossing -
something he wished he saw with humans.
Wildlife conservation officers plan to re-locate the deer to real
wilderness area as soon has he has chance to calm down a little.
[BCTV aired this story on their late news program, and showed footage of
the police guiding the deer into Stanley Park.]
David Knowles
Animal Voices News
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 00:13:39
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Downtown tales - Part 2
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971113001339.361fe442@dowco.com>
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VANCOUVER, BC - Whilst in downtown Vancouver myself this afternoon, I
stopped to look at couple of street kids who had a young kitten with them,
and a handwritten sign stating: "Please help us get the kitty to the vets."
I asked "Mike", one of the human pair, how old the kitten was. He replied
he didn't know, but guessed she was only a few weeks. He then went on to
tell how he had rescued the kitten this morning.
He and his girlfriend noticed one of the downtown's "bag ladies" dump a
plastic bag on the sidewalk outside the dowtown Bay department store. When
he saw the bag move, he looked inside and found the kitten.
"Mike" also said he had previously rescued two cats and a dog, and had
found them good homes.
"People tell me I shouldn't be hanging here doing nothing, but they've no
idea what I do," he said, referring to volunteer work he does with a
downtown eastside residents' group, and a group which provides sandwhiches
to the homeless, as well as the animals he has helped.
The woman who dumped the kitten is a regular in the area who is mentally ill.
I asked whether the vet who used to come down to the area still comes.
"Yes, but only at the end of the month, and I don't want to wait that long
to get her to a vets," said "Mike" who then noted that even when he does
come, the police officers who patrol the area make would-be clients sign an
agreement not to panhandle on the street before they are allowed to see the
vet.
"It's supposed to be a no-restrictions service, but that's not the case,"
he said.
[I was able to provide them with the name of a vet who will examine the
kitten, will probably not charge for the service, or at least charge a
minimal amount. I will be checking out about the conditions imposed on
access to the vet - stay tuned.]
David
David Knowles
Animal Voices News
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 00:31:50
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK/IN] Missile test range threat to turtles
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971113003150.3607afb0@dowco.com>
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>From The Electronic Telegraph - Thursday, November 13th, 1997
Missile test range threat to turtles
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have demanded the closure of a missile test range in the
eastern Indian state of Orrisa, claiming that it is threatening the
survival of the world's largest colony of Olive Ridley turtles.
World Wide Fund for Nature officials in New Delhi said exhaust fumes, oil
and hydrocarbons released by boats sailing in and out of the range at
Wheeler's Island are endangering the rare turtles' reproductive cycle.
Rahul Bedi, New Delhi
© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 00:40:40
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] 'Ruthless' animal rights bomber convicted
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971113004040.1a1f53b0@dowco.com>
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I didn't write this!! Anyone got a better take on this??
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Thursday, November 13th, 1997
'Ruthless' animal rights bomber convicted
By Will Bennett
AN Animal Liberation Front firebomber was convicted yesterday of an arson
campaign that caused £3 million damage and almost burned down a shopping
centre.
Barry Horne raised his fist in a salute to supporters after a jury found
him guilty of burning down shops in the Isle of Wight and attempting to do
the same in Bristol. Police believe that Horne was one of the most militant
and dangerous members of the ALF and was prepared to put lives at risk.
Bristol Crown Court was told that Horne, 45, from Northampton, travelled
around England planting incendiary devices in shops "in the cause of
political terrorism". In 1994, he started a series of fires on the Isle of
Wight that caused £3 million damage and were so severe that firemen had to
call in help from the mainland.
Two years later he was arrested by detectives who had seen him plant
incendiary devices in the Broadmead shopping centre, Bristol, after
trailing him for more than a month. The prosecution said the Bristol
firebombs, contained in cigarette packets, were identical to those used in
the Isle of Wight attacks.
The jury convicted Horne of four counts of arson, five of attempted arson
being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and one of possessing
articles with intent to damage property.
Horne, who claims unemployment benefit but is a full-time animal rights
activist, had pleaded guilty to two alternative counts of attempted arson
and two of possessing articles with intent to damage property.
The jury acquitted him of one charge of attempted arson at the store in the
Broadmead shopping centre where he was arrested. The case was adjourned
until Dec 5 to allow for pre-sentence reports.
Horne chose not to give evidence and no witnesses were called for the
defence, although the court was told that he had not intended to harm anyone.
After the case, Det Chief Inspector Roy Lambert, who headed the
investigation, said: "He is a very dangerous and ruthless man absolutely
committed to his cause. We are very pleased at the verdict.
"We believe that we have saved Bristol and other cities from horrendous
firebombing campaigns. He never gave a moment's thought about any loss of
life that may have occurred."
© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 01:09:47
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Lest we forget
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971113010947.1a1f21aa@dowco.com>
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Vancouver-based radio show "Animal Voices" again broadcast their tribute to
animals who gave their lives in the cause of human warfare, plus a look at
some of the animal heroes.
Written transcripts are available.
[Note: This is essentially the same as was broadcast last year, with the
addition of a poem written for the occasion. Copies of either the whole
transcript, or just the poem can be obtained by e-mailing me privately.]
Many thanks, and my apologies for the delay in posting this.
David Knowles
Producer
"Animal Voices"
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 09:05:00 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Group Wants Bird Boycott
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113090457.0069e8b0@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Thanksgiving/Environmental impact of factory farming
from CNN http://www.cnn.com/
--------------------------------------------------
Oklahoma State News
Reuters
13-NOV-97
Group Wants Bird Boycott
(MIAMI) -- A group of protesters want to ban the Butterball at your
Thanksgiving table this year. The Local Environmental Action Demanded
agency sent letters to residents in Miami... asking people there to protest
Butterball birds after a recent waste spill at a nearby processing plant. A
failed pump at a Missouri Butterball plant caused 200-thousand gallons of
sludge to be released into a waterway. That river eventually connects to
Grand Lake in eastern Oklahoma.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 09:09:24 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Swine Facility Being Rebuilt
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113090921.0069e8b0@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Activist Alert: vivisection...(possible) university slaughterhouse (which
is also a problem in North Carolina)
from CNN http://www.cnn.com/
-------------------------------
Wisconsin State News
Reuters
13-NOV-97
Swine Facility Being Rebuilt
(ARLINGTON) -- Construction is under way on a new four- Million-dollar
swine research facility at the Arlington Agricultural Research Center. A
fire two years ago destroyed the facility and killed hundreds of pigs.
Decades of human and animal medical research was destroyed when the fire
ripped through the building. The University of Wisconsin lost more than 20
years of cholesterol research in the fire. U-W officials say the rebuilt
facility will conduct about a dozen research projects each year.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 09:16:22 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Greenpeace Ends Rotterdam Soybean Ship Blockade
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113091619.006fe0d4@pop3.clark.net>
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genetically engineered food...Monsanto
from CNN http://www.cnn.com/
---------------------------------------------
Greenpeace Ends Rotterdam Soybean Ship Blockade
Reuters
13-NOV-97
By Eric Onstad
AMSTERDAM, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Environmental group Greenpeace called off its
blockade of a ship in Rotterdam said to be carrying genetically modified
crops after being threatened with legal action, a spokesman said on Thursday.
"We could not incur those kinds of financial risks," spokesman Jon Walter
told Reuters.
Two firms involved in the shipment threatened to seek damages and a daily
fine of 500,000 guilders ($258,000) if Greenpeace refused to budge.
The Greenpeace vessel the Sirius, with about 20 crew members on board, left
a berth late on Wednesday evening which it had occupied for two days.
The Turkish ship the M.N. Istanbul pulled in and began unloading on
Thursday morning, Walter added. Other berths did not have sufficient cranes.
"We are obviously disappointed...but we have managed to inform the public
that this shipment is coming and about the danger of these kinds of
products coming into the food supply," Walter said.
Greenpeace on Tuesday blocked the Istanbul, which it said was carrying
60,000 tonnes of genetically engineered soybeans and corn gluten pellets,
and painted "Genetic X" in huge letters on its side.
The threat of legal action came from stevedore firm European Bulk Services,
contracted to unload the cargo, and a Dutch unit of U.S. agribusiness giant
Archer Daniels Midland, which owned it.
They have declined to comment on the issue or say what the cargo contained.
Walter said the legal threats and ending of the blockade would not affect
Greenpeace's new "Genetic Hazard Patrol" to target such shipments coming
into Europe.
"It's a matter of tactics and strategy...In other cases we might make other
decisions," he said.
Genetically modified soybeans are approved in the European Union, but
campaigners say they are potentially hazardous and should be separated from
normal soybeans.
U.S. chemicals firm Monsanto, which developed the modified soybean, says it
is safe, and such biotechnology is the only way to feed the huge expected
growth in population over the next 50 years.
Greenpeace said it had learned that the Istanbul was also carrying
genetically modified corn gluten, used in animal feed.
The group called on Dutch authorities to inspect the cargo because they
said only one of three types of genetically modified corn is approved for
use in the European Union and the Istanbul was carrying a mixed cargo.
Dutch government officials declined to inspect the shipment. A
representative of a Dutch trade group for edible oil producers told Reuters
corn gluten was not affected by the regulations since it was a processed
form of corn and did not contain live DNA.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 09:50:36 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (EG) Egypt Bars Shipment of 71 Cows
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971113095033.00688df8@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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mad cow disease
from Associated Press http://wire.ap.org/
------------------------------------
11/12/1997 10:33 EST
Egypt Bars Shipment of 71 Cows
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Egypt on Wednesday barred a shipment of 71 cows from
entering the country, fearing they could be contaminated with ``mad cow''
disease, airport officials said.
The officials said the cows were brought in on a flight from Germany. But
airport veterinarians discovered that the cows were loaded onto a Dutch
plane in Belgium before heading to Germany.
Egypt has banned the import of beef and other cattle products from
Belgium since last July after reports indicated British beef was being
smuggled via Belgian companies. Britain has been trying to eradicate mad
cow disease from its herds.
The 71 cows were being held in quarantine at Cairo airport until they
could be shipped out of Egypt, the airport officials said. They spoke on
condition their names not be used.
In August Egypt turned back a ship laden with European beef and banned
trade with its Belgian exporter, Verbist.
Two other Belgium companies, Lifebvre and Tragex Gel, were blacklisted
after Egypt accused them of tampering with documents in a bid to get
around the ban.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 08:15:18 -0800 (PST)
From: bchorush@paws.org (pawsinfo)
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: 98 Whales Alive Conference [Hawaii]
Message-ID: <199711131615.IAA04808@k2.brigadoon.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Sixth Annual Whales Alive "Celebration of Whales" Conference, January
15-18, 1998, Four Seasons Resort Maui, Wailea, Hawaii
Presented by Whales Alive, a project of Earth Island Institute
By bringing together the luminaries of the Save the Whales movement with
scientists,
artists, writers and those with a passion for whales, the Whales Alive
Conference provides a rare opportunity to learn, get involved and meet
others who share a similar interest while inspiring new strategies for
cetacean protection.
Delegates to include Dr. Lindy Weilgart, Dr. Paul Spong, Patricia Forkan,
Dave Phillips, Dr. Bob Brownell, Dr. Jim Darling, Jan Straley, and many
others.
For registration and more info. email: whalesalive@igc.apc.org or call
(360) 446-0528.
Stan & Carol Butler
Bob Chorush Web Administrator, Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
15305 44th Ave West (P.O. Box 1037)Lynnwood, WA 98046 (425) 787-2500 ext
862, (425) 742-5711 fax
email bchorush@paws.org http://www.paws.org
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 13:28:26 -0500 (EST)
From: Me1ani@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: "Boobs of all sorts"
Message-ID: <971113132826_2104696623@mrin45.mail.aol.com>
On Friday November 14th eleven greyhound tracks from around the
country will be participating in the "Million Dollar Night of Greyhound
Stars." This national simulcast event is, according to racing industry
spokespeople, intended to "showcase greyhound racing and introduce new
customers to the sport" and "to promote adoption of retired racers as pets."
The Hooters Restaurant chain (Atlanta, GA-770-951-2040) is the national
sponsor. "Hooter girls" will be present at all participating restaurants and
tracks.
NOTE: The following is a copy of the program "spun" for the event and is
representative of the racing industry's new public relations offensive:
* ...............TAKE HOME A WINNER.............. *
In the mid-1980's the building blocks for a remarkable success story
were put into place and the yield from that initiative some dozen years
later is increasingly promising. Every faction of the greyhound
industry set aside their past differences and joined together in a
common goal. The plan was to significantly reduce and ultimately
eliminate the darkest cloud that hovered over our sport. Now, in 1997,
greyhound adoption is an exciting, immensely popular and successful
dynamic of the American racing industry. The once seemingly unreachable
goal of 100% retired racer placement is now within our grasp.
Tonight the American Greyhound Track Operators Association is proud to
present the $1 Million Greyhound Night Of Stars. While tonight's event
is a national celebration of the sport's greatest racing stars, it is
also a shining opportunity to showcase greyhounds that are destined to
become even greater stars. Their racing careers on the track may be over
but now they are running a different event. Their new assignment is to
race into the homes and hearts of American families and children all
over the nation.
Greyhounds are taking America by storm. In 1996, over 18,000 retired
racers became treasured family members. Greyhounds are affectionate,
friendly dogs who thrive on attention and human companionship. They make
terrific pets. Greyhounds are excellent with children and senior
citizens. Their gentle, patient and sensitive temperament is an ideal
fit in virtually any household situation. They have lived in a kennel
setting and are used to the routine of being turned out. The result is
that many are instantly housebroken. Greyhounds even interact well with
other family pets. They do not require excessive amounts of exercise but
certainly are always ready to adapt to the lifestyle of their new owner.
Our goal tonight is to make this the biggest night ever for greyhound
adoption. If you have been thinking about adding a loving pet to your
family, pick a real winner in the animal world... a greyhound!! Please
contact the local adoption center at the track nearest to you, to learn
more about taking home a star. Throughout the evening, we will be
displaying those phone numbers during our telecast. Tonight, we are
honoring stars and shining brightly is a large group of dedicated
people. On behalf of the entire greyhound racing industry, here is a
special salute to the hundreds of men and women, many of them
volunteers, that have donated their energies, talents and time to making
greyhound adoption a resounding success.
http://www.agtoa.com/ntofstrs.html
In response to the racing industry's shameless exploitation of the dogs,
various peoples, the adoption movement itself and the gross inflation of
adoption figures, greyhound advocates from around the country plan awareness
rallies at participating tracks. For updated information about greyhound
racing, or for information about a rally nearest you, please contact
Me1ani@Aol.Com or 1-800-GHOUNDS.
Educate~Legislate~Eliminate
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 16:53:19 -0500 (EST)
From: Jean Colison
To: Ar-news
Subject: Maryland - developer killing deer
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
City set to OK deer kill to make way for houses
by Jen Chaney, Staff Writer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 12, 1997
Gaithersburg officials are backing a developer's plan to kill more than
100 white-tailed deer this winter to make way for new homes.
City officials said this week that they recommend hiring a sharpshooter
to conduct a deer kill on 340 wooded acres that stretch from Route 28 to
Great Seneca Highway, an area that eventually will become the Lakelands,
a neo-traditional community similar to the nearby Kentlands. The kill,
also called a harvest, would be paid for by the property's developer,
Natelli Communities of Gaithersburg.
The proposal could cost between $30,000 and $40,000 and requires City
Council approval. Many city officials say hiring the sharpshooters and
killing the deer is the only viable option. If approved, this type of
deer kill would be a first in the state.
"As far as I know, this is the first [case like this] we've had in
Maryland," said Josh Sandt, director of the wildlife division for the
state's Department of Natural Resources.
Michael Markarian, director of campaigns for the Fund For Animals,
concurred.
"This is probably the first time I've heard of such a direct result
between development and killing wildlife," he said.
Tom Natelli of Natelli Communities, the managing partner and developer
of Lakelands, estimated that as many as 200 deer may be on the property.
Sandt confirmed that the number of deer at the Lakelands is one of the
highest such populations in Montgomery County.
Although Natelli and city officials have not determined how many deer
must go, the developer said most of the population will be killed.
"Those of us who have been involved have been convinced ... that, from a
humanitarian standpoint, this is the option that makes sense," Natelli
said. "Simply ignoring the issue is something that results in additional
stress on the deer and on the community."
The harvest could occur sometime between late January and early March,
said City Manager David Humpton. Prior to that, the City Council would
have to formally approve a resolution allowing Humpton to issue a permit
for the harvest.
"The council will select the most humane and best course of action, but
not until we have a public discussion of the issue," said Mayor W.
Edward Bohrer Jr.
A public forum will be held in January prior to the council's vote.
Natelli said he may hire White Buffalo, a non-profit research and
wildlife management group based in Hamden, Conn., to conduct the
harvest.
Tony DeNicola, White Buffalo president, said his organization has
reduced deer populations in Indiana, Maine and New Hampshire.
The group uses state-of-the-art rifles, which DeNicola described as
"counter-sniper weapons," that are equipped with telescopic scopes,
night vision capabilities and suppressers to quiet the sounds of shots.
The sharpshooters usually place bait in strategic locations and then,
from an elevated stance, fire bullets into the deer's heads, which
DeNicola said is the quickest way to kill them. The carcasses are
processed and the meat is donated to food shelters.
DeNicola stressed that his group does consider other deer management
options, but, in the case of the Lakelands, he said a harvest is the
only solution.
"Based on the fact that they will be developing there come this spring
and on the abundance of deer there, there is really nothing else you can
do," he said.
City officials share DeNicola's assessment, an opinion they say they
reached after considering various alternatives.
A memo from city staff to the mayor and City Council states that a
committee comprised of city officials, Natelli, and people from
organizations like DNR and Maryland's Park and Planning Department
discussed other ways to handle the deer.
Some of those options included contraception and relocation, both of
which were ruled out as ineffective.
"If we had a long-term, long time to deal with the area, we might be
able to deal with contraception ... but we don't," Humpton said.
Attempts to relocate the deer to sites in Delaware, Kentucky, New
Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania were denied by those states.
Having examined those alternatives, Humpton said a harvest is the
sensible choice.
"Once the [city] council decided on a land use, it caused us to do
this," he said. "We're going to be responsible and do the right thing
and I think a harvest is the right thing to do."
Officials have said the harvest will be supervised and will probably
take place at night to ensure the safety of nearby residents.
Some of the communities adjacent to the site include Washingtonian Woods
and the Kentlands.
Natelli proceeded with the Lakelands plans a year ago despite the
wildlife issues on the site. He defends the decision, however, by
pointing out that the area is designated for development in city and
county master plans.
Now Natelli said he is merely trying to comply with the city's
environmental regulations by managing the deer problem.
"The deer issue is not unique to that property and I think people need
to be aware of that ... the do-nothing option, which is what happens in
the county now, will just force the deer on to other properties," he
said.
Humpton and others also say that the deer would have been dealt with at
some point regardless of the Lakelands plan.
"There are plusses or minuses and the council felt that development
over-all was good for the city and good for the county," Humpton said.
"In my opinion, the deer population had to be dealt with anyway because
of the number of deer being killed on the roads and overpopulation."
Humpton added that the city will take a "regional approach" and may look
at managing deer on other nearby sites, like the Manor Care property on
Route 28.
While most acknowledge that the county's deer problem is getting worse,
some do not think that managed hunts or harvests are the right answer.
Markarian believes the deer should be left alone and suggested that
residents become more educated about how to adjust to living with deer
in their backyards.
"If we continue to develop and encroach on what is the deer's home then
we need to take responsibility for ourselves and educate ourselves about
how to co-exist with wildlife," he said. "We have to reach a balance
where ... we use the tools we have to co-exist with animals rather than
reaching for the gun."
Markarian suggested that more vehicle reflectors be installed on road
sides to prevent deer collisions, and said that residents should explore
barriers and other repellents that will protect their property from
deer.
"Sharp shooting is never going to solve any of these problems,"
Markarian said. "Hunting or killing deer is just a band-aid approach."
Dr. Alan Rutberg, senior scientist with the Humane Society, also does
not support a harvest at the Lakelands.
While he did credit Natelli for attempting to deal with the problem
prior to developing, he echoed Markarian's sentiments about letting the
deer keep their home.
"Certainly our preference is that they not develop at all, but since
they seem absolutely committed to doing this, they should leave as much
of the habitat as possible to let the deer stay where they are," he
said.
Development of the Lakelands will not get into full swing until next
spring and city planners estimate it will not be complete for five to 10
years.
Nonetheless, as news of the harvest spreads, officials may soon be
confronted with serious opposition from the public.
"This is the first I've heard about it," said Markarian, whose
organization has 6,000 members in Maryland and 200,000 nationally. "We
haven't put a lot of planning into a specific situation, but we would
certainly be very vocal against this plan. We will let our members in
the area know and urge them to voice their opinions as well."
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 16:30:45
From: David Lloyd
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) [MD] Deer Kill Proposed to make Way for Houses
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971113163045.1ccf1694@us.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
=========
Sorry about spelling errors, etc...
=========
DEER KILL PROPOSED TO MAKE WAY FOR HOUSES
Jen Chaney, Staff Writer, Gazette
November 12, 1997
Gaithersburg [Maryland] officials are backing a developers plan to kill
more than 100 white-tailed deer this winter to make way for new homes.
City officials said this week that they recommend hiring a
sharpshooter to conduct a deer kill on 340 wooded acres that stretch from
Route 28 to Great Seneca Highway, an are that eventually will become the
Lakelands, a neo-traditional community similar to the nearby Kentlands.
The kill, also called a harvest, would be paid for by the property's
developer, Natelli Communities of Gaithersburg.
The proposal could cost between $30,000 and $40,000 and requires City
Council approval. Many city officials say hiring the sharpshooters and
killing the deer is the only viable option. If approved, this type of deer
kill would be a first in the state.
"As far as I know, this is the first [case like this] we've had in
Maryland," said Josh Sandt, director of the Wildlife Division for the
state's Department of Natural Resources. Michael Markarian, director of
campaigns for the Fund For Animals, a national organization based in Silver
Spring, concurred.
"This is probably the first time I've heard of such a direct result
between development and killing wildlife," he said.
Tom Natelli of Natelli Communities estimated as many as 200
white-tailed deer are on the Lakelands property. Sandt confirmed the
number is one of highest such populations in Montgomery County.
Although Natelli and city officials have not determined how many deer
must go, the developer said most of the population will be killed.
"Those of us who have been involved have been convinced ... that, form
a humanitarian standpoint, this is the option that makes sense," Natelli
said. "Simply ignoring the issue is something that results in additional
stress on the deer community."
The deer kill could occur between late January and early march, said
City Manager David Humpton. Before then, the City Council has to approve a
resolution allowing Humton to issue a permit.
"The council will select the most humane and best course of action,
but not until we have a public discussion of the issue," said Mayor W.
Edward Bohrer, Jr.
A public forum will be held in January before a council vote.
Natelli is leaning toward hiring White Buffalo, a non-profit research
and wildlife management group based in Hamden, Conn., to conduct the deer
kill.
Tony DeNicola, White Buffalo president, said his organization has
conducted similar kills in other areas, including Indiana, Maine and New
Hampshire.
The group uses state-of-the-art rifles, which DeNicola described as
"counter-sniper weapons," that are equipped with telescopic scopes, night
vision capabilites and supressers to quite the sounds of shots.
The sharp shooters usually place bait in strategic locations and then,
form an elevated stance, fire bullets into the deer's heads, which DeNicola
said is the quickest way to kill them. The meat is process and donated to
local food kitchens.
DeNicola stressed his group does consider other deer management
options, but, in the case of the Lakelands, he said a deer kill is the only
solution.
"Based on the fact they will developing ther come this spring and on
the abundance of deer there, there is really nothing else you can do," he
said.
To maximize saftey of residents ajacent to the Lakelands site,
officals ahve said the hunts will be supervised and will probably take
place at night.
City officals share DeNicola's assesment, which they reached after
considering various alternatives.
A memo from city staff to the mayor and City Council states that a
committee of city officals, Natelli and people from the state Department of
Natural Resources and Maryland's Park and Planning Department dicussed
other ways to handle the deer.
Some of those options included contraception and relocation, both of
which eventually were ruled out as ineffective.
Attempts to relocate the deer to Delaware, Kentucky New Jersey, New
York and Pennsylvania were rebuffed by those states.
Humpton and others also say that the deer would have been dealt with
at some point anyway, whether or not Lakelands was developed.
"In my opinion, the deer population had to be dealt with anyway
because of the number of deer being killed on the roads and
over-population," Humpton said.
While most acknowledge that the county's deer population is
increasing, some, like the Fund For Animals, do not think that managed
hunts or harvests are the right answer.
Markarian believes the deer should be left alone and suggested that
residents become more educated about ways they cn adjust to living with
deer in their backyards.
"If we continue to develop and encroach n what is the deer's home then
we need to take responsiblity for ourslevs and educated ourselves abot how
to co-exist with wildlife," he said. "We have to reach a balance where we
use the tools we have to co-exist with animals rather than reaching for the
gun."
-30-
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 14:23:28 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Markarian
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US-NY) Canned Hunting on Ch. 7
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19971113195555.2ec7699c@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
In the New York City area, Channel 7's Eyewitness News will do a piece on
canned hunts on Sunday, November 16th, at 11:00 p.m.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 20:32:28 -0500
From: jeanlee
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: ESA reauthorization letters
Message-ID: <346BAA2C.4DF9@concentric.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Hi All-
I've printed out two letters I wrote and invite you to copy (or
customize) and mail them. The first is to your senators regarding S.
1180. This is Sen. Dirk Kempthorne's bill and is not supported by
humane organizations. It's been described as jeopardizing the mission
of the ESA to recover species in peril. Guess who it benefits?
The second letter is to your representative, H.R. 2351, and is the bill
animal rights people support - most environmentalists too. It's
described as reaffirming and strengthening the nation's commitment to
animals and plants.
Dear Senator:
I don't think there's much disagreement that the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) needs improvements to make the law work better for people as well
as wildlife. Unfortunately, S. 1180, which would reauthorize the ESA,
not only fails to include many of these needed improvements, it erodes
existing protections that are essential to the survival of species:
~S. 1180 will allow private landowners and federal agencies to lock in
long-term habitat conservation plans that exempt them from further
conservation obligations and make future land management adjustments
nearly impossible - even where the survival of the species is at stake,
~Make it harder for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National
Marine Fisheries Service to hold other agencies accountable for actions
that jeopardize species and result in critical habitat destruction,
~Add significant new bureaucratic burdens to the listing and recovery
planning process, thus ensuring that scarce agency resources will be
stretched even thinner and that the backlog in listings and recovery
planning will increase, and
~Allow industry representatives to have a greater role in key ESA
decision making while excluding other citizens from this process.
These are my very serious concerns about S. 1180 - special access for
special interests, taxpayer subsidized habitat destruction, roadblocks
to recovery, and weakened protections for species on public and private
lands. This jeopardizes the mission of ESA to recover species in
peril.
I urge you to oppose S. 1180 when it comes before you on the floor of
the Senate.
Sincerely yours,
Dear Congressman/Woman:
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of the FEW laws that exist on
the federal books to protect animals. Senator Dirk Kempthorne’s bill to
reauthorize the ESA, S. 1180, would jeopardize the mission of the ESA to
recover species in peril. A much better bill has been introduced in the
House, i.e., H.R. 2351.
This bill would reaffirm and strengthen the nation’s commitment to
wildlife and to protect our children’s future. H.R. 2351 would conserve
declining species before they near the brink of extinction, place a
deadline on listing decisions for candidate species, and provide
economic incentive to encourage voluntary conservation.
It is estimated that we are losing approximately 100 species every day.
Rather than weaken protection for fragile plants and animals, Congress
should strengthen the ESA so that species do not slip through loopholes
and cracks in the current ESA.
I urge you to cosponsor this crucial legislation.
Sincerely yours,
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 10:25:39 +0800
From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (NZ)Tender for research on use of RCD(deadly rabbit virus)
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19971114101915.23c77762@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
**New Zealand MAF(Ministry of Agriculture)originally brought down a "No"
decision against the use of RCD as a biological control based on scientific
evidence received in submissions from eminent authorities around the world
exposing the dangers of such use of deadly viruses as bio-controls.
Read below as NZ MAF now endorses research into the use of the deadly
RCD/RHD virus as a biological control agent of wild rabbits in New Zealand.
(RCD was illegally imported into New Zealand after the "No" decision and
subsequently spread by renegade farmers). Here is research money being
offered to scientific researchers who supported RCD - probably because of
vested interests (up and coming grants) and CSIRO affiliations . (Some of
these researchers probably come from the hot bed of bio control development
at Massey University in New Zealand - supporters of RCD came from that
institution).
********************************************************************
Tender Specification for RCD Research.
The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology has advertised a
tender for research into the epidemiology of RCD in New Zealand.
Expressions of interest in the required format are to be with the
Foundation by 12 noon, Friday 21 November 1997. Tender specifications
are available from the Foundation at Box 12-240 Wellington, or phone
(04) 499-2559.
>
> It is intended that tenders will be considered and funding approved by
> early December. This funding is for research in the 1997/98 year. ie
> through to the end of June 1998. Research beyond that time will be
> considered in the normal PGSF funding rounds. A summary of the tender
> specification is outlined below.
************************************************************************
********************
TENDER SPECIFICATION
>
> The Foundation and MAF have identified the need for:
>
> Research aimed at establishing and underpinning knowledge into the
> epidemiology of the Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD) under New Zealand
> conditions. This research will be undertaken with the view to
> obtaining a better understanding of its environmental impact and how
> RCD could be most appropriately managed as a control agent for rabbit
> management in the pastoral sector. This would involve, in particular,
> research into the mechanisms of RCD transmission and infection,
> persistence of the virus in different environments and under different
> farm management practices, and modelling the effectiveness of RCD
> under these different conditions.
>
> Proposals are expected to address some or all of the following points:
>
> 1.Clearly indicate the capacity of the research group(s) to
> address the Tender Specification, including achievements to date in
> this and related areas.
>
> 2.Demonstrate the programme's linkages into existing research
> initiatives into sustainable management of South Island high country
> (and other rabbit-prone farming areas).
>
> 3.Clearly describe how the research will be complementary to that
> being funded through operational funds by the various Government
> Departments.
>
> 4.Demonstrate how the research will utilise existing data and
> information bases that have been established by end-users.
>
> 5.Propose a mechanism through which it can effectively disseminate
> information and provide input into management advice for pastoral
> farmers.
>
> 6.Incorporate evidence of the involvement of other end-users as
> appropriate.
>
> Those people interested in receiving the full tender specification for
> the research into the epidemiology of RCD in NZ should request this
> from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Box 12-240,
> Wellington.
>
===========================================
Rabbit Information Service,
P.O.Box 30,
Riverton,
Western Australia 6148
Email> rabbit@wantree.com.au
http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
(Rabbit Information Service website updated frequently)
/`\ /`\
(/\ \-/ /\)
)6 6(
>{= Y =}<
/'-^-'\
(_) (_)
| . |
| |}
jgs \_/^\_/
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 18:53:29
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [AU] Thrush that lost its way pits naturalists against
naturists
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971113185329.2b976658@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Friday, November 14th, 1997
Thrush that lost its way pits naturalists against naturists
By Geoffrey Lee Martin in Sydney
A BLUE rock-thrush, never before seen in Australia, is causing a flutter
among sun-lovers at Alexander Bay, Queensland's most fashionable nudist
beach, near Noosa Heads.
Bird watchers have flocked to the beach in the past week, armed with
telescopes, binoculars and cameras with high-powered zoom lenses in an
attempt to get a glimpse of the thrush.
"I was in the bushes with my telescope when this topless woman stumbled on
me," said Mike Carter, from Melbourne, who holds the Australian record of
757 different species sightings. "She looked at me as if I was a dirty old
man," he said.
The seven-inch male thrush has been elusive, spending much of the time
hiding in rock crevices. It has a chestnut belly with a blue-grey back -
typical of the species that breeds in northern Asia and Europe and is
referred to in the Bible as "the sparrow alone upon the housetop".
Dr Glen Ingram, senior curator of vertebrates at Queensland Museum, said
the thrush may have been on its annual migration to South-East Asia when it
became disorientated by the forest fires in Indonesia.
He said he had waited six hours before sighting the bird. "It's a bit of a
mongrel when they don't co-operate," he said. "Even if there are other
attractions around."
© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 19:15:34 -0800
From: Dena Jones
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Update on Cleveland Metroparks Deer Kill
Message-ID: <346BC256.174@gvn.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Injunction Granted!
Cleveland, Ohio Common Pleas Judge Frank Celebrezze granted an injunction
today (November 13) in a case brought by local residents and
Cleveland-based In Defense of Deer to stop the Cleveland Metropark's plan
to shoot 100 deer this winter. The deer have been given a reprieve until
January 5th, when the judge will hear arguments on whether or not the
shooting program should procede as planned.
In granting the injunction, Judge Celebrezze questioned the park's
authority to kill the deer and noted that the Metropark's bylaws require
that the wildlife be held in trust for the people. Grassroots group In
Defense of Deer presented the judge with petitions from more than 3,000
residents who object to killing the deer. The judge was also influenced
by a number of deer damage permits, granted by the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources, which list such frivolous justifications for killing
deer as "piles of poop" and "hoof prints on lawn".
Animal advocates willing to circulate petitions or able to donate to the
legal defense fund, should contact In Defense of Deer at P.O. Box 46597,
Bedford, OH 44146, 216-581-3410. (Sorry, no e-mail.)
Dena Jones
Animal Protection Institute
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 22:49:58
From: "veegman@qed.net"
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (NJ) Anti-fur demo this weekend
Message-ID: <3.0.2.16.19971113224958.2ebf90f4@qed.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance
PO Box 174
Englishtown, NJ 07726
(732) 446-6808
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 1997
Contact: Joe Miele (201) 368-8271
Demonstration against the fur trade
PARAMUS -- The New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance (NJARA) and its Fur
Action Task Force will be holding a peaceful demonstration to educate the
public about the barbaric practices of the fur trade. The demonstration
will take place on Saturday November 15, in front of Steven Corn Furs on
Rt. 17 North in Paramus. The demonstration is expected to begin at 1:00
pm.
"Motorists driving along Rt. 17 are passing a literal house of horrors"
said Joe Miele, chairman of the Task Force. "We will be there to remind
all who see us that the fur trade is a death trade. People with class and
a sense of fashion do not wear the fur of dead animals."
FACTS ABOUT THE FUR INDUSTRY:
Each year 40 million animals are killed worldwide for fur-based leisure
products. To produce a chinchilla fur coat, an average of 100 chinchillas
are killed. The two major means of acquiring animals for the fur trade are
so-called "fur farms" and trapping. "Fur farms" are operated with an
emphasis on fiscal efficiency - keep the margin of profit high, the
operational costs low. Rows and rows of tiny cages are crammed with
animals. Mink, 90% of the animals raised this way, are kept in cages that
measure 12" X 18." This is insufficient space for a predator with a daily
range of five square miles.
Trapping is the other most common means of collecting animals for the fur
industry. Steel leghold traps (which have been banned in 88 countries
worldwide), a primary trapping technique, leave the animal writhing in
pain. Broken bones and teeth, torn tendons, and the loss of limbs are
injuries sustained by the victims of steel leghold traps. Other casualties
occur due to loss of blood, dehydration, starvation, and hypothermia.
These animals can be trapped for days while waiting for the trapper to
either club them to death or break their necks. Trapping also contributes
to the deaths of companion animals and endangered species. Due to the
random and indiscriminate nature of traps, these casualties are unavoidable
to even the most experienced trappers.
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