AR-NEWS Digest 674

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) India asks nations to help curb animal trade
     by Andrew Gach 
  2) (Canada) Scrapie outbreak in sheep
     by bunny 
  3) BABOONS, SAFETY IN XENOTRANSPLANTATION: REQUEST FOR INFO
     by bunny 
  4) RFI - Dates
     by David J Knowles 
  5) Re: RFI - Dates
     by Vadivu Govind 
  6) Leghold Trap Ban
     by dove@slip.net
  7) (US) Tougher Animal Cruelty Bill Sought
     by allen schubert 
  8) BOYCOTT DEER PARK SPRING WATER
     by joemiele 
  9) Waste Spills Have Hurt Streams
     by SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
 10) Update on Exotic Animals
     by SMatthes@aol.com
 11) (HK) Judge throws out suit over chicken slaughter 
     by Vadivu Govind 
 12) RE: Dentist fax number!
     by Bob Chorush 
 13) Very Important ALERT! Lets get Ringling on violations!
     by NOVENAANN@aol.com
 14) Ringling Dates-please sign up!
     by NOVENAANN@aol.com
 15) Responses to RFIs
     by FARM 
 16) Park sued over trail decision
     by Michael Markarian 
 17) Brucellosis peril in park is overstated
     by Michael Markarian 
 18) RFI- Socially Responsible Companies
     by "David Meyer" 
 19) Maryland Legislative Alert
     by DDAL@aol.com
 20) (US) Rebuttal witnesses are called
     by allen schubert 
 21) RALLY SHOWS WORLDWIDE SUPPORT OF HUNTERS
     by "Christine M. Wolf" 
 22) Ethic committees
     by Lynette Shanley 
 23) FW: URGENT - Wolf Comments Needed by March 6th
     by Jill Hein 
 24) MN Alert: Don't Let Hunters Hijack the Constitution!
     by Michael Markarian 
 25) (Ca) Prairies Get Protection
     by Ty Savoy 
 26) Vials monkeys and the Gov.
     by paulbog@jefnet.com (Rick Bogle)
 27) WRPRC speaks out
     by paulbog@jefnet.com (Rick Bogle)
 28) Leg-hold trap letters
     by jeanlee 
 29) PHORID FLIES TO COMBAT FIRE ANTS - USA
     by bunny 
 30) Sarasota Plans Great American Meatout Events (March 20 & 21)
     by SMatthes@aol.com
 31) (CN) Tiger as market attraction
     by jwed 
 32) (US) Jurors to begin deliberations
     by allen schubert 
 33) Injunction sought against Navy tests on whales
     by Andrew Gach 
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 21:09:12 -0800
From: Andrew Gach 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: India asks nations to help curb animal trade
Message-ID: <34F255F8.314A@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

India asks nations to curb animal trade

Reuters News Service 
NEW DELHI, February 23, 1998

India urged developed countries like the United States and Japan on
Monday to take effective steps to ban trade in wild animal products.

Saifuddin Soz, India's Environment and Forests Minister, said at a
two-day conservation conference that India was doing its best to prevent
wildlife poaching and illegal trade in animal products.

But trade in products made from tigers, elephants, rhinos and other
endangered species had become a lucrative business, threatening
conservation efforts, he added.

"The government solicits support from non-governmental organisations and
the governments of developed countries for further strengthening of the
conservation efforts in this country," a government statement quoted Soz
as saying.

"Effective measures for reducing the dependence of local people on
forests and mitigating the man-animal conflict have been taken in the
country through various schemes for eco-development," he said.
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:02:04 +0800
From: bunny 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (Canada) Scrapie outbreak in sheep
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19980224135411.2d8fbc82@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

SCRAPIE - CANADA
****************


Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 03:31:17 -0500

Source: ANIMALNET 


An outbreak of scrapie has, according to this story, forced the Canadian
federal government to slaughter almost 5,000 sheep in Quebec over the past
14 months.

Only a small number of the animals tested positive for scrapie but entire
flocks have been destroyed to prevent it from spreading further. Normally
Canada reports about five flocks a year, but in 1997 and early 1998 infected
sheep were discovered in 17 Quebec flocks, as well as two small herds in
Ontario. In the Maritimes, more than 65 animals were traced back to Quebec
farms and destroyed.

The story adds that while government officials played down the public-health
impact, saying scrapie poses no proven risk to humans, the outbreak has bad
a dramatic economic impact on some cash strapped farmers. Georges Parent, a
breeder in Saint-Gabriel-des-Hauteurs, Que., has seen his entire flock of
1,200 animals destroyed since the beginning of the year, a loss of more than
C$500,000.

He was cited as saying yesterday that he was too devastated to discuss the
issue, but hoped that compensation will be sufficient to ensure that he can
resume his operations. Mr. Parent added the government has offered between
C$150 and C$300 for each animal that was slaughtered, while he estimates
that each animal was worth between C$175 and C$600.

The Canadian food inspection agency has adopted the practice of destroying
all sheep that may have been exposed to this disease, by tracing farm
records and animal registrations. If the records aren't available, the
entire flock is depopulated. Ron Rogers, acting chief of epidemiology for
the food inspection agency, was cited as saying the Canadian control program
is drastic.

The incidence of scrapie remains low in Canada, and only a tiny fraction of
the country's 12,000 flocks - 1,100 of which are in Quebec - ever turn up
with disease.

--
=====================================================================
========
                   /`\   /`\    Rabbit Information Service,
Tom, Tom,         (/\ \-/ /\)   P.O.Box 30,
The piper's son,     )6 6(      Riverton,
Saved a pig        >{= Y =}<    Western Australia 6148
And away he run;    /'-^-'\  
So none could eat  (_)   (_)    email: rabbit@wantree.com.au
The pig so sweet    |  .  |  
Together they ran   |     |}    http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
Down the street.    \_/^\_/    (Rabbit Information Service website updated
                                frequently)                                

Jesus was most likely a vegetarian... why aren't you? Go to
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/4620/essene.htm
for more information.

It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
       - Voltaire

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:05:17 +0800
From: bunny 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: BABOONS, SAFETY IN XENOTRANSPLANTATION: REQUEST FOR INFO
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19980224135723.2d8fcbee@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This is not my request. I post this request for your information
on the status of xenotransplantation.


BABOONS, SAFETY IN XENOTRANSPLANTATION: REQUEST FOR INFO
********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 17:49:34 +0300
From: Giuseppe Botta 


We are planning to evaluate baboons for possible xenotransplantations. I
would like to have suggestions about which pathogens transmissible to
humans can be present and which can be looked for. I am referring mostly to
retrovirus, herpesviruses and hepatitis viruses.  [Also,] what about yellow
fever and Ebola?  Are tests available?
Can someone help me to retrieve CDC guidelines?  

--
Giuseppe Botta
Arabian Gulf University
PO Box 22979
Bahrain
Tel:  +973 277209
Fax:  +973 271090
e-mail: giuseppe@ns1.agu.edu.bh
=====================================================================
========
                   /`\   /`\    Rabbit Information Service,
Tom, Tom,         (/\ \-/ /\)   P.O.Box 30,
The piper's son,     )6 6(      Riverton,
Saved a pig        >{= Y =}<    Western Australia 6148
And away he run;    /'-^-'\  
So none could eat  (_)   (_)    email: rabbit@wantree.com.au
The pig so sweet    |  .  |  
Together they ran   |     |}    http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
Down the street.    \_/^\_/    (Rabbit Information Service website updated
                                frequently)                                

Jesus was most likely a vegetarian... why aren't you? Go to
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/4620/essene.htm
for more information.

It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
       - Voltaire

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 00:02:15
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: RFI - Dates
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19980224000215.0a373920@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Does anyone know of a site, or have a list, of recurring dates related to
ar- and enviro- issues.

I know about the International Week for Lab Animals, Great American Meatout
and Earth Day, but I would appreciate knowing all such dates.

Please reply via private e-mail.

Many thanks,

David 

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:19:44 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Re: RFI - Dates
Message-ID: <199802240819.QAA10029@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>Does anyone know of a site, or have a list, of recurring dates related to
>ar- and enviro- issues.

http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/calendar/longcal.html
http://www.ivu.org/congress/

- Vadivu

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 00:39:19 -0800
From: dove@slip.net
To: AR-News@Envirolink.Org
Subject: Leghold Trap Ban
Message-ID: <34F28736.7DD0@slip.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Congress Considers Leghold Trap Ban

There are twin bills in the U.S. Congress that would ban the Steel Jawed
Leghold Trap, which is used to trap fur-bearing animals for their fur.
(It also traps at least three times as many "non-target" animals,
including domestic animals, endangered species and yes, even humans.) 

The House bill is H.R. 1176 and has 76 co-sponsors. (They are:
Abercrombie, Ackerman, Andrews, Berman, Bilbray, Blumenauer, Brown,
Campbell, Capps, Clay, Davis, DeFazio, Dellums, Deutsch, Dixon, Eshoo,
Farr, Fawell, Fazio, Filner, Foglietta, Ford, Frank, Franks, Furse,
Gallegly, Gejdenson, Gilman, Goss, Horn, Hyde, Kennedy, Kennelly,
Lantos, Levin, Lewis, Maloney, Manton, Markey, Martinez, Matsui, Meehan,
Mink, Moran, Morella, Nadler, Neal, Norton, Olver, Owens, Pascrell,
Pelosi, Pickett, Porter, Price, Rothman, Roybal-Allard, Schiff, Shaw,
Shays, Skaggs, Slaughter, Smith, Stark, Tierney, Torres, Towns,
Traficant, Vento, Waxman, Weldon, Wexler, Weygand, Whitfield, Woolsey,
Yates)

If your representative is not on this list, write and ask him/her to
co-sponsor this bill.
Rep. ----------
House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515

A companion bill, S. 1557, has been introduced in the Senate. So far,
six states have already banned the barbaric leghold trap, but a national
law would spare all animals nationwide from this evil device . 

Please write to your two U.S. Senators and ask them to co-sponsor S
1557. 

Senator --------
Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510

Let's ban the steel jawed leghold trap in the U.S.!


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jackie Dove
San Francisco Liberation Radio
http://www.slip.net/~dove/Unheard_Cries.html
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 07:21:16 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Tougher Animal Cruelty Bill Sought
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980224072113.006cb058@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from CNN custom news page http://www.cnn.com
-------------------------------------------
Iowa State News
Reuters
24-FEB-98

Tougher Animal Cruelty Bill Sought

(FAIRFIELD) -- The owner of a Fairfield animal shelter is challenging Iowa
lawmakers to toughen up proposed animal cruelty legislation. David Sykes
owns Noah's Ark... where 23 cats were killed and injured during a break-in
last year. One version of the proposal calls for a 90-day jail sentence for
anyone convicted of breaking into an animal shelter. But Sykes says
lawmakers need to craft a bill that protects animals both inside and
outside a shelter. 
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 07:20:41 -0500
From: joemiele 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, sue4turkey@aol.com, Bedford@Palsplus.org,
        Sbenn@cyberenet.net, biginil@mail.dnb.com, cabivona@aol.com,
        wave6@juno.com, blaeuer@earthlink.net, veganman@idt.net,
        TaraLogan@hotmail.com, amachi@bergen.org, zorka@superlink.net,
        lisa_donnelly@hotmail.com, JILLD@aol.com, vegansbg@earthlink.net,
        VincenzaM@Juno.com, redwoods.reviews@mci2000.com,
        enigma@nerc1.nerc.com, nurt@iname.com, kelsay@bergen.org,
        modernjim@compuserve.com, sincag2@aol.com, lyndasmith@mpecom.com,
        Sultanofswing@compuserve.com, jeannies@bellAtlantic.net,
        miriamdg@carroll.com, msmopane@ix.netcom.com, sirius@mindpulse.com,
        ara@superlink.net, vegan904@superlink.net, njara@superlink.net,
        BNUS02C@prodigy.com, MLauren310@aol.com
Subject: BOYCOTT DEER PARK SPRING WATER
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19980224072041.007a7510@qed.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The spring that is the source of Deer Park Spring Water is located in the
ultra-evil Hegins, Pa.  Write to Deer Park and tell them that you will
boycott their product until the disgusting pigeon shoots are banned.

Deer Park Spring Water
Valley View Spring
Hegins Township, PA  17981

Comments?  800-288-8281



Peace,
Joe

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Visit NJARA's web page!

http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/njara/index.html

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 98 06:36:23 UTC
From: SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
To: ar-news@Envirolink.org
Subject: Waste Spills Have Hurt Streams
Message-ID: <199802241238.HAA23357@envirolink.org>

Tulsa World, OK, USA:  Two malfunctions at a Missouri poultry plant
may have killed fish and polluted water in two Grand Lake tributaries
near Grove, state officials said Monday.

The malfunctions at Simmons Foods' poultry processing plant in South West
City, MO., may have harmed Cave Springs Branch, which flows into Honey
Creek, officials say.

"This was once one of the most beautiful streams in northeastern
Oklahoma, crystal clear, and full of fish," said Jimmie Pigg, a fishery
biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

"I was up there Sunday afternoon. The fish are dying and Cave Springs
was full of muddy organic waste material that stunk to high heaven. If I
hadn't had waders on, I wouldn't have gone into it," Pigg said.

Simmons' plant, just across the state line near Grove, OK, has had two
malfunctions with treatment system equipment within the past month, said
Doug Siemens, the company's community relations manager.

Simmons' plant discharges into Cave Springs Branch, which flows for a half
mile in Missouri before it crosses the state line and flows into Honey
Creek, which dumps into Grand Lake.

Joel McGough, a member of Concerned Citizens for Green Country Conservation
in Grove, said the water was in the worst condition he has ever seen.

"There are virtually no fish. There is all kinds of slime, huge amounts of
foam and suspended solids floating all through it," McGough said.

"It breaks my heart to see this," said McGough, who lives along Honey Creek.

-- Sherrill
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 07:46:42 EST
From: SMatthes@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, EnglandGal@aol.com, alf@dc.seflin.org,
        RonnieJW@aol.com, Pandini1@prodigy.net, dawnmarie@rocketmail.com,
        Chibob44@aol.com, OneCheetah@aol.com, Ron599@aol.com, nbgator@ibm.net,
        jdanh@worldnet.att.net, GAK97@webtv.net, sscarth@ifaw.org
Subject: Update on Exotic Animals
Message-ID: <424ae0b3.34f2c135@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Thanks to all who responded and for the offers to help these animals who need
homes.

The closing zoo in Illinois surrendered their USDA license last Friday.  The
zoo staff/board has cooperated and is working together with Sarasota In
Defense of Animals. The following has been accomplished:  

One Liger:  placed (California) leaving soon
One Tiger:  placed (California) leaving soon
Two Tigers:  Tentatively have homes near Chicago.
Two Cougars:  Will be going to Texas to live in a free-roaming facility.
Two Lions:  No firm commitment.  Negotiating with a recommended facility in
Oakland, California and Tampa, Florida.
Two Bears:  Have a temporary facility (small with den and pool) in Texas that
previously housed two bears, but is not satisfactory to meet our standards on
a permanent basis.

SDA is providing initial construction funds for a new larger bear compound and
will continue fund-raising efforts for the total amount needed ($10,000) for
the bear project.  As we have done in the past, we will monitor and control
the funding of the entire project.  

Animal transport cages are being borrowed, truck is available and a qualified
animal handler will drive the animals from Illinois to California and to
Texas.  All legal documents and permits are being put into place.  

Thanks again for your continuing compassion and assistance.

Sarasota In Defense of Animals, P.O. Box 15653, Sarasota, Florida, 34277-1653
(Phone: 941-924-2505; fax: 941-925-8388.)




Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:13:06 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK) Judge throws out suit over chicken slaughter 
Message-ID: <199802241413.WAA10102@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>Hong Kong Standard
24 Feb 98

Judge throws out suit over chicken slaughter
By Angel Lau 

THE bird flu scare ending with the mass slaughter of chickens was a natural
calamity for which not everyone affected could be compensated, a judge said
on Wednesday. 

Justice Wally Yeung Chun-kuen struck out a claim by the owner of a
cooked-chicken takeaway shop against Secretary for Economic Services Stephen
Ip Shu-kwan. 
The judge told the Court of First Instance that litigant Cheung Gi-ying had
sued the wrong person.
Mr Ip did not order the slaughter of more than a million chickens, which was
a decision by Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Lessie Wei Chui Kit-yee. 

Even if she was suing the right defendant, Cheung would not have succeeded
because Mrs Wei had acted honestly in making the order, the judge said. 

The judge ruled that the decision was the result of careful and detailed
consideration and was not careless and erroneous as alleged by Cheung. 

``However, the problem of H5N1 (bird flu) is purely a natural calamity.'' 

Mr Justice Yeung ordered Cheung to pay costs. 

Cheung had been seeking $245,000 compensation. 

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 09:12:28 -0800
From: Bob Chorush 
To: "'ar-news@envirolink.org'" 
Subject: RE: Dentist fax number!
Message-ID: <0036E62F4D76D111AD4B004095020B3601E768@EXCHANGE>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


                          PJ is a 23 year-old capuchin monkey. She has
lived in a
                          dental office in downtown Seattle since she
was 2 1/2
                          years old. PJ's "home" is a barren Plexiglas
box mounted
                          on the wall of one of the office exam rooms.
She spends
                          her days watching patients having their teeth
cleaned and
                          listening to the whine of the dentist's drill.
She spends nights
                          and weekends in another barren cage inside a
storage
                          closet across the hall from the office. PJ
never feels the
                          sunshine on her face. She never takes a breath
of fresh air.
                          She can't play, groom or interact with others
of her own
                          species. 

Please contact Dr. Fleege. Let him know that monkeys prefer a natural
environment and the company of their own kind to a dentist office. 

----------

The numbers that you are looking for are below. I just checked them and
they are both fax machines (although they were both rather slow to
answer - 4-6 rings.)

Dr. Fleege - Fax: 206-292-8090
Robert Watt, Pres., Seattle Chamber of Commerce  Fax: 206-389-7288

You can also see the story and more info at:

http://www.paws.org/activists/pj/


Bob Chorush, Web Administrator
Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
15305 44th Ave W. Lynnwood,WA 98046
425-787-2500 ext 862 fax 425-742-5711
bchorush@paws.org




> ----------
 > From: molgoveggie@juno.com[SMTP:molgoveggie@juno.com]
 > Reply To: molgoveggie@juno.com
 > Sent: Monday, February 23, 1998 5:46 PM
 > To: ar-news@envirolink.org
 > Subject: Dentist fax number!
> 
> 
> Whoever posted the information concerning the Dentist, a Dr. Fleeger
> in
> Seatle who keeps a monkey in a pexiglass box to entertain his
> patients, 
> would you please give me the fax number again?  The fax I sent was not
> the right fax number, neither was the fax number right for the chamber
> of
> commerce.
> 
> Thanks,
> Molly
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________
> You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
> Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
> 
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:41:44 EST
From: NOVENAANN@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Very Important ALERT! Lets get Ringling on violations!
Message-ID: <1ee4543b.34f3146a@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

RARN would like to ask every group/individual to help get Ringling Bros. and
other traveling acts on violations. Virginia, and several other states have
laws regarding how long animals can be on trains for without being exercised.
When Ringling was in Richmond they loaded the animals on the train at 9pm
Sunday night. The animals were not unloaded in Norfolk, Virginia until 7pm
Monday night! The Virginia animal welfare act says that animals cannot be on
trains for more than 24 hours without exercise, etc. 2 more hours would have
been a violation. It also states that the shelter must be properly cleaned and
with suffecient frequency to minimize the animals contact with excrement. How
is this possible for animals that have been sitting on a train for 22 hours? 

We would like EVERY group/individual to -
1) Be there when the circus loads the animals up to leave town
2) Find out where they are headed
3) Alert a group in the next town of what time the
animals were load and what time they left

This is very, very important that we all do this because we could probably get
the circus on several violations in each state. We are posting a seperate list
of all of the upoming dates/places so that groups can send us the contact info
and we will post the list for everyone.

Thanks,
Richmond Animal Rights Network
PO Box 4288 
Richmond, VA 23220
http://members.aol.com/novenaann/organiz2.htm

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:00:34 EST
From: NOVENAANN@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Ringling Dates-please sign up!
Message-ID: <1b2d6941.34f318d5@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Please see post "Lets get Ringling on violations"

We need to network and let the next town know when Ringling loaded the animals
up and what time they left. If you are a group/ individual that can find out
this information when the circus comes to your town please sign up! I will
post the list so that groups can keep in contact with each other. This list is
not seperated by the Red or Blue circus. Please send the contact info to me. 

Ringlings dates are-
Fayetteville, NC Feb. 25 - Mar. 1 Crown Coliseum
Hampton, VA Mar. 4 - 8 Hampton Coliseum
Cincinnati, OH Mar. 4 - 8 TBA
E. Rutherford, NJ Mar. 10 - 15 Continental Airlines Arena
Baltimore, MD Mar. 12 - 22 TBA
Uniondale, NY Mar. 17 - 23 Nassau Arena
Washington, DC Mar. 24 - 29 MCI 
CenterNew York, NY Mar. 27 - Apr. 13 Madison Square Garden
Landover, MD Apr. 1 - 5 US Airways Arena
Washington, DCApr. 7 - 19 DC Armory
Philadelphia, PA Apr. 16 - 26 CoreStates Spectrum
Charleston, WV Apr. 23 - 26 Charleston Civic Center
Providence, RI Apr. 29 - May 3 Providence Civic Center
Huntington, WV Apr. 30 - Mar. 3 Huntington Civic Center
Springfield, MA May 5 - 6 Springfield Civic Center 
Worcester, MA May 8 - 10 Worcester's Centrum Centre
New Haven, CT May 12 - 13 New Haven Arena
Mexico City, MX Mar. 12 - 31Palacio de los Deportes
Hartford, CT May 15 - 17 Hartford Civic Center
Hershey, PA May 21 -24 Hersheypark Arena 
Albany, NYMay 28 - 31 Pepsi Arena
Syracuse, NY Jun. 2 - 3 OnCenter 
Rochester, NYJun. 5 - 7Rochester War Memorial
Austin, TX Jun. 11 - 14 Erwin Spec. Events Ctr.
Nashville, TN/Louisville, KY Jun. 11 - 14 Nashville Arena/Freedom Hall
Lubbock, TX Jun. 18 - 21Lubbock Municipal Coliseum 
Memphis, TNJun. 18 - 21 The Pyramid
Little Rock, AR Jun. 25 - 28 TBA
Las Vegas, NV Jun. 26 - 28 Thomas and Mack Center 
Pheonix, AZ Jun. 30 - Jul. 5 America West Arena
San Antonio, TX Jul. 1 - 5 Freeman Coliseum 
College Station, TX Jul. 9 - 12 Reed Arena
Fresno, CA Jul. 9 - 12 Fresno Convention Center 
Long Beach, CA Jul. 15 - 19 Long Beach Arena
Houston, TX Jul. 15 - 26 Compaq Center 
Los Angeles, CA Jul. 22 - 26 Los Angeles Sports Arena 
Anaheim, CA Jul. 28 - Aug. 4 Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim
Dallas, TX Jul. 29 - Aug. 9 Reunion Arena 
Ft. Worth, TX Aug. 1 - 16 Ft. Worth/Tarrant Cty. Coliseum 
Inglewood, CA Aug. 6 - 9 Great Western Forum
San Diego, CA Aug. 12 - 16 San Diego Sports Arena
Oakland, CA Aug. 19 - 23 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 
New Orleans, LA Aug. 20 - 23 Louisiana Superdome
San Jose, CA Aug. 26 - 30 San Jose Arena 
Wichita, KS Aug. 28 - 30 Kansas Coliseum
San Francisco, CA Sep. 3 - 7 Cow Palace
Moline, IL Sept. 4 - 6 The Mark of the Quad Cities
Kansas City, MO Sept. 9 - 13 Kemper Arena
Sacramento, CA Sep. 10 - 13 ARCO Arena
Indianapolis, IN Sept. 16 - 20 Market Square Arena
Seattle, WA Sep. 17 - 20 KeyArena at Seattle Center
Spokane, WA Sep. 22 - 23 Spokane Arena
Ft. Wayne, IN/Grand Rapids, MI Sept. 23 - 27 Allen Cty. War Memorial/Van Andel
Arena
Portland, OR Sep. 25 -27 Rose Garden
Detroit, MI Sept. 30 - Oct. 4 Joe Louis Arena
Salt Lake City, UT Oct. 1 - 4 Delta Center 
Denver, CO Oct. 7 - 18 Denver Coliseum
Boston, MA Oct. 7 - 18 Fleet Center
Buffalo, NYOct. 21 - 25 Marine Midland Arena 
Cleveland, OH Oct. 23 - Nov. 1 Gund Arena
Pittsburgh, NY Oct. 27 - Nov. 1 Civic Arena
St. Louie, MO Nov. 4 - 8 Kiel Center 
Rosemont, IL Nov. 4 - 15 Rosemont, Horizon
Chicago, IL Nov. 18 - 29 United Center
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:15:38 -0800
From: FARM 
To: AR-News 
Subject: Responses to RFIs
Message-ID: <34F3468A.532D@farmusa.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

In the interest of holding down the overwhelming number of e-mail
messages, may I humbly suggest that responses to RFIs be sent privately?
Thanks. Alex H.


Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 11:28:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Markarian 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Park sued over trail decision
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19980224143233.31efe58e@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

from The Billings Gazette (http://www.bigskywire.com/gazette)

Wednesday, February 18, 1998, 21:52

Park sued over trail decision

Several groups sue over failure to close snowmobile trail 

By JENNIFER McKEE
Gazette Wyoming Bureau 
©The Billings Gazette

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - Casting a new legal shadow
over an on-going study of winter use here, a host of environmental
groups filed suit against the National Park Service Wednesday, alleging
the agency's decision not to close a snowmobile trail this year flies in the
face of federal law. 

"Not only did they waste a wonderful opportunity to collect data, they
have compromised the EIS itself," said D.J. Schubert, a wildlife biologist
with the Fund for Animals, one of the groups that filed Wednesday's
lawsuit. 

The suit comes after a Fund For Animals lawsuit last September that
spurred a pair of environmental studies on winter recreation in the park
and drew opposition from gateway communities who rely on
snowmobilers for their winter-time economies. 

The National Park Service settled the first suit in September, agreeing to
a list of stipulations such as a preliminary environmental study on closing
one road in the park to snowmobiles this year. The settlement also called
for a full-blown environmental assessment of winter recreation -
examining everything from cross country skiing to snowmobiling - which
would lay scientific groundwork on winter management in the park for
the future. 

Amidst controversy from communities in three states around
Yellowstone, officials decided in January not to close any snowmobile
trails this year, opting instead to study the effects of groomed trails on
migrating wildlife while leaving the park's 30-year history of unfettered
snowmobiling access intact, at least for the next few years. 

But that decision violates not only the original settlement, Schubert said,
but also the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Endangered
Species Act and a host of other federal laws governing use of public
lands. 

"We don't believe there was any scientific basis to the decision,"
Schubert said. Instead, the Park Service buckled to political pressure,
Schubert alleges. 

The park defended the decision at the time, saying Yellowstone officials
didn't have enough information to be able to completely study the effects
a trail closure might have on bison. 

The Fund For Animals alleges that groomed trails allow bison easier
access through the park, leading to greater numbers later which stress
their summer pastures and spill out of the park in the winter. Montana
officials shot and killed more than 1,000 of the animals at the park
boundary last year in an attempt to stop the spread of the cattle disease,
brucellosis. 

Schubert didn't know how this second suit might upset the budding
environmental impact statement, still in its infancy in Yellowstone's
planning office. 

Park officials hadn't seen the suit on Wednesday and didn't know what, if
any effect, this latest legal hurdle might pose. 

"I won't know until I see it," said Yellowstone's Marsha Karle. 

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 11:28:29 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Markarian 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Brucellosis peril in park is overstated
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19980224143240.31efbed8@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from The Billings Gazette (http://www.bigskywire/gazette)

Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Guest Opinion
By Virginia Ravndal

Brucellosis peril in park is overstated

The plan to manage Yellowstone bison is due out next month - after eight
years of delays. The plan focuses on managing bison mostly to prevent
transmission of a disease, brucellosis, to cattle. Resources might have
been better spent if the plan dealt with the real issues.

Yellowstone bison have lived with brucellosis for 80 years.
They have never transmitted the disease to cattle - the
stated concern of the cattle industry. Dr. Paul Nicoletti, an
expert on brucellosis, says there is no scientific basis for
the livestock industry's insistence on drastic actions to reduce the already
minimal risk of transmission of the disease from bison to cattle.
Notwithstanding his assessment, 1,084 bison were killed last winter on
the insistence of the livestock industry.

If brucellosis were anything like the "mad cow" disease, killing one third
of the oldest free-ranging herd of bison in the country might have been
justified. But the effect brucellosis has on beef cattle is minimal, typically
causing cows to abort once after initial infection, after which they tend to
calve normally.

The far more numerous elk in and around Yellowstone also have
brucellosis. Unlike bison, elk have, according to legal decisions,
transmitted the disease to cattle. Yet, Montana's Department of
Livestock (DOL) has never suggested using taxpayer funds to kill all the
elk that leave Yellowstone. This would, of course, be unpopular with
hunters and with the state, which earns significant revenue form elk. The
disease is, after all, only the pretext for killing bison.

In spite of its position that the risk is "extremely serious," Montana has
never called for a risk assessment. Such a study was done in Wyoming
for bison from Grand Teton National Park. A higher percent of those
bison have been exposed to brucellosis, cattle actually graze inside that
park, and there are more cattle with whom bison could come into
contact. Nevertheless, an occurrence could be expected only once every
27 years in that area if simple precautions are taken. The risk that
Yellowstone bison will transmit brucellosis to cattle is equally minimal.
After 60 years of experience with the disease, the sophistication exists to
deal with isolated outbreaks if they occur.

Bison are being killed not because they have brucellosis, but because
they are perceived as a threat. The livestock industry feels threatened
these days, not only by dropping cattle prices. Bison represent the
pre-cattle (and perhaps the post-cattle) West. They are the symbol of the
unpopular (in their eyes) environmental movement and the emblem of the
despised U.S. Department of Interior. And Yellowstone bison are
"owned" by the federal government which is blamed for hardships
resulting from restrictions on livestock grazing, predator control, water
rights and, more recently, for reintroducing the wolf.

But, bison present more than a symbolic threat. The cattle industry
perceives a serious threat in the vision of buffalo repopulating the plains -
a vision some Native American and environmental groups are working
toward. And, even bison ranching, like sheep ranching before it, is seen
as a threat to the cattle ranching industry.

The killing of Yellowstone bison is, in part, a form of retaliation and a
manifestation of hostility by the western livestock industry and the
environmental movement. This "War of the West" is not about a disease;
it's about bison and about grass and about feeling threatened. The
disease is merely a convenient excuse to kill bison.

Eradicating brucellosis in wildlife may be impossible but is worth trying to
do if we adopt a reasonable time frame (15-20 years) and a
cost-effective and environmentally sensitive approach. Unfortunately,
these have not been major considerations thus farm. The most dangerous
diseases in this affair may prove the most difficult to eradicate. Fear and
hate die hard.

Virginia Ravndal lives in Gardiner.

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 12:57:48 -0000
From: "David Meyer" 
To: 
Subject: RFI- Socially Responsible Companies
Message-ID: <199802242125.NAA12057@mail.instanet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit



Does anyone know of a litst or "scorecard" for environmental, socially
responsible corporations who deal in
1) fast food, 
2) supermarket foods,
3 toys

Inofrmation sought is more broad that animal treatment alone.

Thanks.

David 
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:12:33 -0500 (EST)
From: DDAL@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Maryland Legislative Alert
Message-ID: <980224161232_-24497844@mrin39.mx>

ATTENTION MARYLAND RESIDENTS!!

 A vote is scheduled in the Maryland Senate tomorrow on S.B. 88, a bill that
would allow for the issuance of animal-friendly license plates in Maryland.
 A portion of the revenue generated through the sale of these plates will go
back to the counties to fund spay/neuter programs.  Six states (including
Virginia) have already enacted similar legislation.  Please call your state
Senator as soon as possible and express your support for this life-saving
legislation.  All Senators can be contacted toll-free (in Maryland only) at
(800) 492-7122.  

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:15:58 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Rebuttal witnesses are called
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980224161556.0070ea10@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from Amarillo Globe-News  http://www.amarillonet.com/oprah/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Web posted Tuesday, February 24, 1998 1:16 p.m. CT

Rebuttal witnesses are called

By KAY LEDBETTER
Globe-News Farm and Ranch Editor

The defense rested its case and rebuttal witnesses were called this morning
in the cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial, signaling the end is near.

After a morning of differing expert opinions on alleged damages, the
defense again asked U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to dismiss the
remaining common-law business disparagement case.

Bettina Whyte, a defense damage-calculation expert, concluded testimony
saying the plaintiffs actually benefited from "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
because feeder cattle prices also went down and they were able to buy
cheaper.

"They received a discount so they would have had a lesser loss or a higher
profit," Whyte said.

Dr. Wayne Purcell, plaintiff expert on agriculture economics, was called to
refute the prices used by Whyte. He also was asked to clear up a
data-crunching error from his previous charts that were called into
question and characterized as invalid by an earlier defense witness.

Whyte was one of four witnesses called to the stand on Monday as defense
introduced a flurry of experts and exhibits.

Defense attorneys have filed two sets of instructions for the jury they
would like considered, as well as interrogatory questions they want
presented. In addition, the defense asked the court for a judgment as a
matter of law on the remaining business-disparagement claim of the
plaintiffs.

Robinson already dismissed two matters of the lawsuit - concerning
defamation and the "veggie libel" law - after earlier defense requests for
a judgment as a matter of law.

In a brief filed Monday, defense attorneys said the plaintiffs' sole
remaining cause of action is a common-law business disparagement claim.

"Applying the actual malice standard and the clear and convincing
evidentiary burden, plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden of proof,
thus defendants are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Plaintiffs'
remaining business disparagement claim," the brief stated.

"In the alternative, defense request that the Court include the defendants'
proposed jury questions and instructions regarding actual malice and the
clear and convincing evidentiary burden in the jury charge for submission
to the jury," it stated.

The defense laid out 17 jury instructions and eight interrogatories they
want considered.

The plaintiffs filed a response to the defense request, saying during his
argument for a judgment as a matter of law, defense counsel Charles Babcock
suggested that a business disparagement claim can only be maintained where
a particular plaintiff's business or product is disparaged.

"Babcock argued that, because the instant plaintiffs' and their cattle were
not specifically mentioned on the program, the defendants are entitled to a
judgment as a matter of law on the disparagement claim," the plaintiff's
said.

Citing a "60 Minutes" case involving Alar and apples, plaintiffs argued
that the court in that matter concluded the program was "of and concerning"
apples. The appropriate inquiry for the instant product and business
disparagement claims in this case is whether "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
program was "of and concerning" beef.

The statement said an analysis of the Winfrey program demonstrated that
U.S. beef was the main target, and the mad cow segment of the show consumed
more than 25 percent of the program's running time.

In a judgment as a matter of law motion made this morning, Howard Lyman's
attorney said Cactus Feeders Inc. and Perryton Feeders owned no cattle at
the time of the program and claim no other damages; that there is no clear
and convincing evidence of actual malice on the part of Lyman; and the
complained-of statements are "substantially true." The motion also said
Texas Beef Group failed to identify specific words or statements alleged to
be disparaging and false.

Robinson made no ruling on either motion to dismiss prior to rebuttal.


Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:22:12 -0800 (PST)
From: "Christine M. Wolf" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: RALLY SHOWS WORLDWIDE SUPPORT OF HUNTERS
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19980224162534.23bffa82@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>From the "NRA Fax Alert List"............



 RALLY SHOWS WORLDWIDE SUPPORT OF HUNTERS

     On February 26th, the Masters of Foxhounds Associations
(MFHA) is planning a rally at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA.  To
show support of their fellow hunters in England, who are staging
a march in protest to the bill before Parliament to stop hunting
with hounds in Britain on March 1, a "beaconing" ceremony will
take place in Leesburg, as well as throughout the world, reports
the Feb. 18 issue of the Loudoun Times-Mirror. "Beaconing" is an
ancient English tradition of communicating danger from village to
village using bonfires.  Reminiscent of the lanterns used to
alert Paul Revere, those who attend these rallies are asked to
bring their own flashlights, candles, or other devices to
illuminate the danger of global efforts to ban hunting, and to
show support for not only hunting, but for all shooting sports,
fishing, and other outdoor activities.  For information on the
Leesburg rally, please call the MFHA at 703/771-7442.  If you
would like to see if there is a similar rally scheduled in your
area, please call the Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683.  We
can let you know who is the MFHA contact closest to you, and how
to get in touch with them, so that they can tell you of anything
happening near you.




******************************************************************
Christine Wolf, Director of Government Affairs
   The Fund for Animalsphone: 301-585-2591
    World Buildingfax:   301-585-2595
  8121 Georgia Ave., Suite 301e-mail: CWolf@fund.org
   Silver Spring, MD 20910web page: www.fund.org

Wild animals never kill for sport.  Man is the only one to whom the torture
and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.
     -James Anthony Froude

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 08:49:30 +1100
From: Lynette Shanley 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Ethic committees
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19980225084930.006cded8@lisp.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I am still receiving private e-mails regarding from being sacked from an
ethics committee. Obviously feelings run deep about these committees world
wide. It has been suggested that a meeting of animal welfare people who
oppose these committees here in Australia, be held in the next few months.
The meeting to discuss discreditation of such committees to the public. If
anyone is interested in such a meeting would they please respond off list.
Depending on numbers and suggestions it may or may  not go ahead. 


Lynette Shanley
International Primate Protection League - Australia
PO Box 60
PORTLAND  NSW  2847
AUSTRALIA
Phone/Fax 02 63554026/61 2 63 554026
EMAIL ippl@lisp.com.au


Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:10:17 -0800
From: Jill Hein 
To: "'ar-news@envirolink.org'" 
Subject: FW: URGENT - Wolf Comments Needed by March 6th
Message-ID:
<5F68209F7E4BD111A5F500805FFE35B903154738@red-msg-54.dns.microsoft.com>



> =====  A message from the 'alaskaction' discussion list  =====
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
   > The Alaska Board of Game will hold a meeting March 21-30 to consider
> 
> proposals for changes to the state's hunting and trapping regulations 
> for Interior Alaska.  We need your support for the following Alliance 
> proposals:
> 
> Proposal #107: End Fortymile Wolf "Control"
> 
   >  The Fortymile Wolf Control Program is the state's latest scheme to 
> "control" (read: eliminate) wolves.  The program is aimed at 
> artificially increasing the Fortymile caribou herd in east-central 
> Alaska to improve caribou hunting success and convenience.
   > In that respect, it is a typical state wolf control program.  This 
> time, however, instead of merely killing wolves, the Alaska 
> Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is experimenting with a more 
> permanent solution.  After assisting and encouraging trappers to kill 
> as many wolves as possible in the area over the past two years, ADF&G 
> now plans to sterilize remaining alpha pairs and relocate their 
> existing pups to other areas.
   > ADF&G's hope is that the remaining "altered" wolf pairs will 
> continue to defend their territory against outsiders moving in, while 
> vainly attempting to mate and form a new family group (pack).  This 
> will assure artificially low wolf numbers for years to come.
   > Meanwhile, ADF&G is attempting to convince the public that this is a
> 
> humane, "nonlethal" alternative to killing wolves.  By placing the 
> emphasis on how, rather than why,  wolves are being "removed," ADF&G 
> has successfully sidestepped the more relevant issues.  A close 
> examination of the facts shows why they might want to do so.
   > Consider these facts:
> * The Fortymile caribou herd is already growing.  ADF&G's own data 
> show that the herd has grown by 400% since the mid-1970's.  It grew 
> 4% between June 1995-96, and more than 10% between June 1996-97 
> alone.  The goal of the plan is to foster a herd growth rate of 5-10% 
> annually.  There is no justification for wolf control by any means.
> * This program is not "nonlethal" as ADF&G claims.  Most of the 
> wolves impacted so far were snared by trappers with the assistance 
> and encouragement of ADF&G officials.  Sterilization and relocation 
> are also far from nonlethal.  ADF&G expects a 40% mortality rate for 
> relocated wolves alone.
> * In many ways, sterilization will be worse than outright killing. 
>  The effects will devastate wolves' basic social structure, the 
> family group, or "pack."  Wolf sociality revolves around raising 
> pups.
> * Sterilized pairs may be unable to hunt large animals for food, or 
> they may be killed by competing groups.
> * Surgical filed sterilization involves chasing wolves with a 
> helicopter, shooting them with tranquilizers, then conducting 
> vasectomies on males and tubal ligations on females in the field. 
>   No follow up care is provided.
> * ADF&G is basing this outrageous plan on anecdotes from the early 
> 1900's that suggest there may have been a much larger caribou herd in 
> the Fortymile region then.  Such claims are irrelevant to current 
> conditions and cannot be verified anyway.  This is voodoo science at 
> its worst.
   > Since last fall, ADF&G has surgically sterilized 13 wolves.  Another
> 
> tranquilized wolf was not sterilized, but "mysteriously" died the 
> next day.
   > Please help us stop this senseless destruction of Alaska's wolves. 
>  Write to the Board of Game at the address below, and tell them you 
> support proposal #107.  Feel free to use information from this alert, 
> and/or add your own experience or opinions.
> 
> Proposal #97:  Eliminate "Saturation Snaring"
> 
   > One of the most serious threats facing wolves and their ecosystems 
> is "saturation snaring. "  Saturation snaring is a recent technique 
> developed by ADF&G and trappers.  The method involves placing dozens 
> of cheap wire snares in a single place, usually a brushy area along a 
> river or other wildlife corridor.   This type of set can be repeated 
> along an entire river, usually with the assistance of an aircraft or 
> snowmobile.
   > The effect is similar to that of high seas drift nets.  The 
> indiscriminate loops of wire lay waiting for an unsuspecting animal 
> to pass through.  The noose then quickly closes around whatever 
> appendage the animal has inadvertently placed in it.
   > The technique was developed to catch large numbers of wolves which 
> are more vulnerable because they travel in groups.  One trapper 
> caught twelve wolves in one set near Fairbanks.  As such, saturation 
> snaring threatens the viability of entire family groups.
   > Other large animals also fall victim to saturation snaring.  Moose, 
> caribou, bears, fox, lynx, coyotes, and even eagles are common 
> victims.  Consider that 40% of the animals reported killed, when 
> ADF&G used saturation snaring in its GMU 20A wolf control program, 
> were not wolves.  And these were the "professionals."
   > Tell the Board of Game you support proposal #97 to ban saturation 
> snaring.  If passed, proposal 97 would restrict the number of snares 
> that can be used in one "set" to two.  It would also make it illegal 
> to place these sets closer together than 50 linear yards.
> 
> What You Can Do:
> 
> PLEASE MAIL, FAX, OR E-MAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ALASKA BOARD OF
GAME
> 
 > ADDRESS:ATTN: Board Of Game Comments
   > Alaska Department of Fish and Game
   > Boards Support Section
   > PO Box 25526
   > Juneau, AK 99802-5526
 > Fax:(907) 465-6094
 > E-MAIL:dianac@fishgame.state.ak.us
> 
> SEND COPIES OF YOUR BOG COMMENTS TO THE ALLIANCE AND GOVERNOR
TONY 
> KNOWLES:
> 
 > ADDRESS:Governor Tony Knowles
   > PO Box 110001
   > Juneau, AK 99811-0001
 > FAX:(907) 465-3532
 > E-MAIL:governor@gov.state.ak.us
> 
> FOR THOSE WITH ACCESS TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB, THE ENTIRE BOARD OF
GAME 
> PROPOSAL BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT:
> http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/boards/gameinfo/pro  
> posal/proposal.htm
> 
> If you have any questions or need any additional information, call or 
> e-mail me at the Alliance.
> 
> Thanks,
> Steve
> ===================================
> Stephen Wells
> The Alaska Wildlife Alliance
> PO Box 202022
> Anchorage, AK 99520-2022
> (907) 277-0897
> (907) 277-7423 - FAX
> awa@akcache.com
> 
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:19:56 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Markarian 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, en.alerts@conf.igc.apc.org
Subject: MN Alert: Don't Let Hunters Hijack the Constitution!
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19980224162432.324f5d46@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

MINNESOTA ALERT

DON'T LET HUNTERS HIJACK THE CONSTITUTION!

The well-funded hunting lobby is once again trying to amend the Minnesota
Constitution to grant a constitutional guarantee to hunt. Such an amendment
may prohibit the future enactment of any restrictions on hunting. Time is
critical, and we need your help to defeat this dangerous bill!

Please immediately contact the Speaker of the House, Phil Carruthers, and
tell him to oppose H.F. 326. Tell him that you as a voter are outraged that
the Constitution is being used to promote the political agenda of the
hunting lobby. Write or call:

        The Honorable Phil Carruthers
        Speaker of the House
        463 State Office Building
        Saint Paul, MN 55155
        Phone: (612) 296-3709
        E-Mail: rep.phil.carruthers@house.leg.state.mn.us

Here are a few points you may wish to make:

* Voters such as you care about the integrity of the Minnesota Constitution,
and do not want it used to promote recreational hobbies such as hunting.

* There is no constitutional right to food, shelter, or a job, and there are
no special rights for other groups, so why should hunters be so privileged?

* Legislators should not tie their own hands and prevent themselves from
making educated decisions on future laws concerning wildlife.

* The state may be subject to frivolous lawsuits from hunters who claim they
have a "privilege" to longer hunting seasons or larger bag limits.

* The constitutional guarantee to hunt was defeated last year, and this
issue should simply be laid to rest permanently.

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 18:25:16 -0400
From: Ty Savoy 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (Ca) Prairies Get Protection
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980224222516.00813148@north.nsis.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        Saskatoon (CP) -- The Saskatchewan and federal government have set
aside nearly one million hectares of native Prairie to protect endangered
ecosystems in an agreement signed Friday.

        The crown land will be transferred to the Representative Areas
Network and be administered to preserve grasses and habitat.

        Monte Hummel, president of the World Wildlife Fund, applauded the
announcement by Premier Roy Romanow afrer being an outspoken critic of the
provinces record of protecting endangered areas.

        "This is by far the largest announcement that's been made by
Saskatchewan since we launched our endangered spaces campaign in 1989. It's
one of the largest we've had in Canada," Hummel said.

        "It's fantastic to see the floodgates open and some serious
conservation announcements being made."

        More than half of the territory is part of a network of community
pastures administered by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration.

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:53:10 -0600
From: paulbog@jefnet.com (Rick Bogle)
To: "AR-News Post" 
Subject: Vials monkeys and the Gov.
Message-ID: <19980224165519768.AAA189@paulbog.jefnet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

The Capital Times
February 24, 1998

Gov, wife join bid to help monkeys
By Jason Shepard

     Gov. Tommy Thompson and first lady Sue Ann Thompson are concerned about
the fate of the monkeys at the Henry Vilas Zoo, and the governor has made
phone calls to university officials trying to find a way to keep the
monkeys in Madison, the first lady said this morning.
     "I think they are a unique asset to the state and the county," Sue Ann
Thompson said in an interview. "It would be very unfortunate if we just
decided that we should dump them, after we've used the monkeys for so many
years in research. We have to step up and take responsibility for these
monkeys, and that starts with the university."
     The first lady, a teacher, said she has taken her elementary shcool class
to the zoo for years and the students spend 90 percent of their time in
front of the monkey house.
     She said the monkeys, "have a lot of social and educational value." When
her class returns to school, she talks to them about the importance of
social interaction, Sue Ann Thompson said.
     Johnathon Barry, a member of the UW Board of Regents and a former Dane
County executive, said he has been told the governor's staff is launching
its own study of the monkey controversy.
     "I understand that the governor is well aware of the issue and I further
understand that the governor is conducting an independent review of the
facts of the situation," Barry said.
     Topf Wells, an assistant to County Executive Kathleen Falk, said, "I know
that Kathleen has talked to both the governor and Mrs. Thompson. It is
certainly true that the governor is interested in the situation and he has
talked to Kathleen to express that interest.
     "I think Mrs. Thompson made it clear that not only does she enjoy the
monkeys, but on field trips to the zoo, her students enjoy seeing them as
well.  . . . She expressed her concern about what has been going on and if
there was anything she and the governor could do to help."
     The news of the governor's and first lady's interest in keeping some of
the monkeys in Madison comes to light six days before Dane County officials
are required to tell the UW if they will pay to keep the monkeys at the
zoo.
     The UW previously announced it would abandon support of the zoo monkeys
because of the loss of federal funding. University officials said they
would ship the 100 rhesus macaques to another research center and the
stumptails may go to Thailand -- unless the county agrees to to take over
the costs begining in 1999.
     UW officials said the county had to have an answer by March 2. Thursday
night, the county board formally requested a one-month extension of the
deadline to provide additional time to analyze the possibility of the
county taking over the care and management of some of the monkeys. On
Monday, UW officials rejected this request.
     Now, despite the UW rejection, monkey supporters are ecstatic about the
possibility that the governor may ask the university to work more closely
with the county to study the chances of keeping some of the monkeys in
Madison.
     Tna Kaske, executive director of the Alliance for Animals, the Madison
animal rights group that has been trying to raise money for the monkeys,
said the first lady is very concerned about the fate of the monkeys.
     "Mrs. Thompson contacted the Alliance for Animals on Friday morning to let
us know that she and her husband had made calls to Kathleen Falk and that
the governor would be in touch with university officials to try to find a
safer solution for the monkeys," Kaske said.
     "She is very concerned, and disturbed, that the university would not try
to find some money for the care of these monkeys. Mrs Thompson said she was
outraged that the university, which had benefited from the use of the Vilas
monkeys for the past 30 years, was now going to simply dispose of them
without spending a penny on them. She didn't like that at all."
     Further, UW Graduate School Dean Virginia Henshaw acknowledged Monday that
she had met with "individuals from the governor's office to provide
information for their office regarding the monkeys."

     Finger pointing: Meanwhile on Monday, Henshaw and Joe Kemnitz, interim
director of the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, said they are
not going to honor a request from the county for more time.
     "Since I have not yet received any commitment from the county regarding
the monkeys, I plan to abide by our previous understanding," Hnshaw said.
"Unless we have a clear commitment from the county by March 2 that they
will assume full responsibility for the monkeys and the facility effective
no later than Jan. 1, 1999, we will proceed with with our own plans for the
monkeys at the zoo."
     Regent Barry said the university is hesitant to extend the deadline
because it would like to see the monkey issue come to a close.
     "I think the university is at the point where they don't want to talk
about this any longer. They just want a commitment," he said, but also
added: " I can't believe Kathleen Falk wouldn't be able to pick up the
phone today and call David Ward or Virginia Hinshaw" and schedule a
meeting.
     However, in a letter to Hinshaw, Falk asked that the UW "enter into
discussions with us" about the monkeys. According to Wells, the UW has not
agreed to the request.
     "We are willng to meet with the UW, Wells said. "But it is true that they
have not offered to meet with us."

end 
     



Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 18:15:49 -0600
From: paulbog@jefnet.com (Rick Bogle)
To: "AR-News Post" 
Subject: WRPRC speaks out
Message-ID: <19980224181912425.AAB155@paulbog.jefnet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

At the Dane County Board meeting last week, many primate center staff spoke
out in support of sending the Vilas monkeys to Tulane Regional Primate
Research Center.  In an effort to report their positions accurately, I am
posting a few of their comments. Note: spelling of their names is likely
only phonetically correct.

[Correction: I reported that the resolution to consider options for the
monkeys passed 17 to 4. The correct tally was 27 to 5.]

Rick Lane, Animal research administrator, UW:

"Unless you belive that some private source will come up with several
million dollars or the community will miraculously discover a pot of money
- the only other option is to expand the zoo."

[The high-end estimate to relocate the rhesus monkeys to a sanctuary is
$106,000. Primarily, this is for housing construction.]

"Will the money come from other sources? Say, maybe cut the sheriff's
department, the highway department, the parks department? Or will you have
to look at the entire spectrum of human services from the youth to the
elderly to find other sources? If you don't want to cut, are you going to
raise taxes?"

Joe Thulan, UW veterinarian, area of specialization: lab animal medicine:

"Regardless of what another speaker said earlier, I do care about the
animals that are under my care in the same manner as any practitioner cares
about the animals under their care."

"I believe the board should ask the zoo director and staff, plainly,
whether they are willing and whether they will be able to care for these
animals effectively."

"The fact is, that in developing the plan [to send the monkeys to Tulane]
the university's primary concern was the well-being of the animals."

"I and many other employees believe that the transfer of the university
owned rhesus monkeys to the Tulane primate center is the most humane option
that exists or is likely to be found."

"The unversity already has looked at options for permanant placement of the
animals and has arrived at one that insures adequate care of the moneys
will be provided."

[No sanctuary contacted has mentioned any prior communication with the
primate center.]

Lyndon Goodly, laboratory animal vet, UW:

"I am here to tell you about, and hopefully relieve any fears or concerns
you have, in  regards to the Tulane Regional Primate Center. . . . I have
toured the facility and visited with the staff."

"The facility is located in this quiet, semi-rural community [Covington], 
 . . an ideal location for monkeys."

[Covington is one of the fastest growing communities in the U.S.]

"The plan is to send our research rhesus monkeys . . . to Tulane. There,
our monkeys will be quarantined on site for 90 days to insure they do not
acquire disease from the Tulane colony . . ."

[If quarantine somehow imparts a degree of immunity, we should all stay
locked inside for awhile.]

Moms and infants, as well as young juveniles, will be paired-housed, while
the remaining animals will be housed individually for the duration of the
quarantine period."

[Adults who have never been alone, will be in solitary confinement for 90
days. In humans this would be cruel and unusual punishment. What was it
these monkeys did wrong?] 

"At the end of the 90 days, the animals will be transfered to their
permanant housing which are outdoor, 1/4 acre, open-pen corrals of about 50
animals per coral."

" . . . the animals will receive specific treats . . . "

"Some of the animals will be placed in smaller breeding groups depending on
their compatability."

[In public testimony, UW staff said that the Tulane staff was excited about
the prospect of receiving intact matriarcal groups since they have none. 
So much for keeping these groups intact.]

"The few who cannot be successfully placed in breeding colonies will be
humanely used in biomedical research."

[What about the agreement Tulane was said to be willing to honor
safeguarding the monkeys?]

" . . . as a taxpayer myself, it would be a hard sell to convince me that
my tax dollars could not be better spent supporting the establishment of
youth centers, upgrading our police and fire fighters, or completeing the
existing zoo projects . . ."

"Finally . . . make your decision on logic and reason not unfounded
allegations regarding Tulane. Otherwise you may end up making a monkey out
of the taxpayers of Dane County."

[What are the unfounded allegations? Maybe Tulane is lying when it reports
that it is studying how SIV affects the progression of leprosy, or studying
bladder obstruction, or using monkeys as hosts for ticks.  Maybe Tulane is
monkey heaven.]

R


Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 19:51:24 -0500
From: jeanlee 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Leg-hold trap letters
Message-ID: <34F36B0C.5B81@concentric.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

In response to Jackie Dove's timely request for letters regarding bills
to ban leghold traps in this country currently in our U.S. Congress, I
will re-post my letters on that subject for busy people to copy.  If you
feel like customizing, that's super:




Dear Congressman/Woman:

This letter is to encourage you to support H.R. 1176, The Steel Jaw
Leghold Trap Prohibition Act.  The steel jaw leghold trap is by far the
most inhumane trap used today. It is designed to capture and hold
an animal by its leg, but will shut on any body part when it is
triggered.  The unspeakable pain and terror that animals endure when
caught by these barbaric devices have been well documented.  The trapped
animals suffer slow, excruciating deaths from fractures, ripped tendons,
blood loss, and amputations.  They often freeze or starve to death or
are attacked by predators.  Any dependent young left behind are
doomed.  

The leghold trap is indiscriminate as well as cruel, often trapping
domestic animals and endangered species, including when they are used
for “animal damage control.”  Steel jaw leghold traps are not the
only devices available to trappers today. There are many other traps
available that are less cruel and more selective than leghold traps.
This bill would not end the use of these alternative traps. 

A December 1996 national Caravan Opinion poll showed that 74% of
Americas believe these traps should be banned.  They have already been
banned in more than 80 countries.  It is time to listen to the
people.  Please support H.R. 1176 and help America join the civilized
world by banning these inhumane devices in the United States. 

Sincerely yours,



Dear Senator:

This letter is to encourage you to support S. 1557, A Bill to End the
Use of Steel Jaw Leghold Traps.  The steel jaw leghold trap is by far
the most inhumane trap used today. It is designed to capture and hold
an animal by its leg, but will shut on any body part when it is
triggered.  The unspeakable pain and terror that animals endure when
caught by these barbaric devices have been well documented.  The trapped
animals suffer slow, excruciating deaths from fractures, ripped tendons,
blood loss, and amputations.  They often freeze or starve to death or
are attacked by predators.  Any dependent young left behind are
doomed.  

The leghold trap is indiscriminate as well as cruel, often trapping
domestic animals and endangered species, including when they are used
for “animal damage control.”  Steel jaw leghold traps are not the
only devices available to trappers today. There are many other traps
available that are less cruel and more selective than leghold traps.
This bill would not end the use of these alternative traps. 

A December 1996 national Caravan Opinion poll showed that 74% of
Americas believe these traps should be banned.  They have already been
banned in more than 80 countries.  It is time to listen to the
people.  Please support S. 1557 and help America join the civilized
world by banning these inhumane devices in the United States. 

Sincerely yours,
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 10:00:52 +0800
From: bunny 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: PHORID FLIES TO COMBAT FIRE ANTS - USA
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19980225095258.2af7166c@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

PHORID FLIES TO COMBAT FIRE ANTS - USA
**************************************


Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 03:18:31 -0500

Source: ANIMALNET 


PHORID FLY SQUADRONS STILL BATTLING FIRE ANTS

Apparently the offspring of thousands of Brazilian parasitic flies released
last summer have survived the first generation. Many field-reared flies have
been found attacking ants and laying eggs to start a second generation. ARS
scientists released the pinhead-sized flies last July through October as
part of an environmentally friendly effort to control imported fire ants,
_Solenopsis invicta_. Fire ants infest millions of acres in the southern
United States.

Because the Brazilian flies are natural enemies of fire ants in South
America, ARS scientists brought the flies to this country. The ARS
scientists are hoping the flies will lower currently high fire ant densities
to the levels normally found in South America.

The fly deposites an egg inside the ant. The egg hatches into a larva within
a day or two. Researchers at ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and
Veterinary Entomology released the flies at three locations near
Gainesville, Florida: Kanapaha Gardens, the University of Florida Dairy
Farm, and along Hogtown Creek. When scientists last checked in January, they
discovered flies still attacking fire ant mounds. ARS research entomologist
Sanford Porter says this is a good sign, showing the flies can survive and
may have permanently established themselves.

It will take about another year or two to determine how effectively the
flies are controlling fire ant populations at test sites in Florida. The
scientists plan to release more flies in several other states later this year.
=====================================================================
========
                   /`\   /`\    Rabbit Information Service,
Tom, Tom,         (/\ \-/ /\)   P.O.Box 30,
The piper's son,     )6 6(      Riverton,
Saved a pig        >{= Y =}<    Western Australia 6148
And away he run;    /'-^-'\  
So none could eat  (_)   (_)    email: rabbit@wantree.com.au
The pig so sweet    |  .  |  
Together they ran   |     |}    http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
Down the street.    \_/^\_/    (Rabbit Information Service website updated
                                frequently)                                

Jesus was most likely a vegetarian... why aren't you? Go to
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/4620/essene.htm
for more information.

It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
       - Voltaire

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 21:33:44 EST
From: SMatthes@aol.com
To: farm@farmusa.org, ar-news@envirolink.org, MChasman@aol.com,
        EnglandGal@aol.com, Pandini1@prodigy.net, RonnieJW@aol.com,
        dawnmarie@rocketmail.com, Chibob44@aol.com, OneCheetah@aol.com,
        Ron599@aol.com, nbgator@ibm.net, jdanh@worldnet.att.net,
        GAK97@webtv.net
Subject: Sarasota Plans Great American Meatout Events (March 20 & 21)
Message-ID: 
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Sarasota In Defense of Animals (SDA) and the Gulf Coast Vegetarian Society
will celebrate The Great American Meatout on Friday, March 20, 1998 from 7 to
9 p.m. at Mim's Healthy Gourmet, 301 Pineapple Avenue (at Ringling), in
downtown Sarasota, Florida.  FREE buffet samplings of vegetarian entrees will
be offered on the patio -- a cash juice bar will also be available.  The
public is invited.  

Sarasota In Defense of Animals will be offering samples of FREE vegan food
(veggie burgers, veggie weiners with veggie chili) in the Publix Super Store,
at Palmer Ranch Shopping Center, Sarasota, Florida all day Saturday, March 21,
1998.  Recipes and literature will be available for store customers. 

The SDA Animal Education Mobile Unit will be open to the public in the parking
lot at Palmer Ranch Shopping Center all day on March 21st.  Posters and free
educational materials will be available. 

We're hoping that Sarasota citizens will celebrate spring by kicking the meat
habit.


  
  
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 11:33:10 +0800
From: jwed 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (CN) Tiger as market attraction
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19980225113310.007b73b0@pop.hkstar.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Date: 02/25/98
Author: Guo Nei
Copyright© by China Daily http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/

Vendors unleash controversy 
AN unusual controversy is out of the cage in a community market, even
though the tiger is confined. 

The issue surfaced when merchants adopted a Manchurian tiger from a local
zoo in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, and began raising it in their market. 

But keeping a tiger as a pet in a market is not a sign of affection, rather
a way to get customers' attention, a China Wildlife Conservation Assn
official told China Daily yesterday. 

The tiger in question is at the Hongbo Commercial and Trade Mart of Harbin. 

Manchurian tigers are under first-class State protection. 

Anyone wishing to adopt, or raise, an animal must first obtain a licence
from local forestry departments, said the official, speaking on condition
of anonymity. 

Hongbo market officials could not be reached by telephone to answer media
questions about whether or not they have a licence to raise the tiger. 

Anyone raising a tiger must adhere to strict conditions -- regarding
professional handling, medical care and suitable surroundings, the official
noted. 

"All these conditions seem difficult for the market to meet," the official
said, adding, "who can guarantee the safety of the animal and people in the
mart."
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:50:48 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Jurors to begin deliberations
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980224225045.0068aeb8@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from Amarillo Globe-News  http://www.amarillonet.com/oprah/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Web posted Tuesday, February 24, 1998 7:36 p.m. CT

Jurors to begin deliberations

By CHIP CHANDLER
Globe-News Staff Writer

After listening to more than five weeks of testimony, about two dozen
witnesses and countless repetitions of evidence, the jurors in the area
cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial are expected to begin deliberations
Wednesday.

But first, the jury will have to listen to more speeches.

Attorneys have been given an hour per side for closing arguments in which
they will try to wrap up their cases and push their points of view for the
last time.

Court resumes at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Jurors also will listen to the reading
of their charge: the explanation of what they are to consider in their
deliberations.

Attorneys engaged in some last-minute wrangling over the jury's charge in a
Tuesday afternoon session in U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson's
chambers. After 70 minutes, they exited and said Robinson would write the
charge before this morning's session begins.

Jurors will have to recall more than 20 days of testimony, sorting out some
contradictory statements.

At the heart of the case, though, is the cattlemen's contention that
Winfrey, Harpo Productions Inc. and Howard Lyman made disparaging
statements about the plaintiffs and the safety of U.S. beef. The defendants
have denied that they made such statements or that they should be liable
for any damages the cattlemen say they suffered.

Attorneys for Paul Engler, Cactus Feeders Inc. and Cactus Growers Inc. say
their clients lost about $6.5 million after markets crashed on April 16,
1996, the day Winfrey ran a segment on mad cow disease in a show titled
"Dangerous Foods." Texas Beef Group and its affiliated plaintiffs claim
losses between $525,000 and $4.5 million.

The thrust of the case changed last week when Robinson ruled that the jury
will not consider finding the defendants liable under Texas' False
Defamation of Perishable Foods Products law. They also will not consider
finding liability under defamation laws.

The plaintiffs have to prove that Winfrey and the other defendants are
liable under standard business defamation laws. Unlike criminal trials,
defendants are found liable instead of guilty.

This had been considered the first test of the perishable food law, also
known as the "veggie-libel" law. The judge made no ruling on the
constitutionality of the law.

The evidence portion of the case wrapped up on Tuesday, with both sides
closing their cases about 11:30 a.m.

Attorneys for the cattlemen finished their cross examination of an expert
on damage calculations who theorized that the plaintiffs actually made
money in the market crash.

Bettina Whyte, a witness for the defense, testified on Monday that if
Winfrey were responsible for the market crash on April 16, 1996, plaintiffs
would have lost some money in selling their cattle on that day. However,
she said, they would have saved money by buying more cattle at the cheaper
prices.

"Is it your contention that, as a result of `The Oprah Winfrey Show,' that
Cactus Growers (owned by plaintiff Paul Engler) actually benefited to the
tune of $421,000?" asked Michael St. Denis, an attorney for Engler.

"In fact, they did," Whyte answered.

She emphasized that her theory was hypothetical. The defense continues to
maintain that Winfrey's show did not cause the market to fall.

After Whyte left the stand, the defense rested, and plaintiffs began their
rebuttal.

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 20:46:58 -0800
From: Andrew Gach 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Injunction sought against Navy tests on whales
Message-ID: <34F3A242.7AB1@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Injunction sought against Navy tests on whales

Reuters News Service 
HONOLULU, February 23, 1998

A coalition of environmental groups Monday asked a federal court to stop
the U.S. Navy from launching tests designed to see how humpback whales
react to piercing sounds blasted through the water.

"The Navy has tried to minimize public awareness and input," said
attorney Paul Achitoff of the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund.

The proposed Low Frequency Active sonar system would use huge
transmitters towed behind ships to pump deafening sound into waters just
a few miles from the new Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine
Sanctuary.

The groups, including Greenpeace and the Animal Welfare Institute, asked
for a temporary restraining order to stop the tests off the Kona coast
of Hawaii's Big Island on Feb. 25.

"The public has a right to judge for itself if we need to put our
endangered marine life at risk in this way."

The groups said the test of LFA, designed as a long-range sonar system
to detect "quiet" submarines by flooding the oceans with soundwaves,
could torture and possibly injure the targeted whales in their favorite
breeding habitat.

"The test is specifically designed to see how the endangered whales --
including those breeding and nursing -- react to bursts of underwater
noise a thousand times louder than a 747 jet engine," said the news
release issued by the groups.

The Navy plan reportedly intends to use sounds of up to 215 decibels to
see how loud a sound must be before it causes a "behavioral change" in
the whales.

Scientists familiar with the project said it was designed to help the
Navy avoid disturbing marine life in the future by obtaining data on
what exactly the whales can tolerate.


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