AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 Volume 51 Number 1 About the Cover

AWI Emmy award winning cinematographer Ginger Kathrens has dedicated her life QuarterlyAWI QuarterlyQuarterly to documenting the lives of animals. Kathrens founded the Wild Horse and Winter 2002 Volume 51 Number 1 Burro Freedom Alliance, of which AWI is a member, to protect and preserve wild horses through education and advocacy. One issue currently of major importance to the Alliance is horse slaughter. In 1971 Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, championed by Velma Johnson, better known as “Wild Horse Annie,” specifically to protect the wild horse. However, 31 years later, horses are still being removed overzealously from their land by the very agency tasked to protect them (the Bureau of Land Management) with many subsequently sent to slaughter by individuals who Table of Contents adopted them under false pretences. The fate of this filly (Mahogany), her mother, and all other horses will remain precarious unless action is taken FARM ANIMALS immediately to ensure no more horses are slaughtered (see story pages 4-5). Necessary Evil or Blind Eye? Putting an End to the Cruel Practice of Horse Slaughter, by Christopher J. Heyde…4-5 Directors Whistlestop Tour Unites Soldiers in the Fight Against Animal Factories…6 Marjorie Cooke Roger Fouts, Ph.D. Ducks—Yet Another Animal Factory Victim…7 David O. Hill Grimaud—Full of Foie Gras…7 Fredrick Hutchison Cathy Liss Songbirds for food! Born Free Foundation Christine Stevens WILDLIFE AND FORESTS Cynthia Wilson Songbirds for food! Compared with this, making kindlings of Songbirds for food!…2 pianos and violins would be pious economy.—Our National Parks Officers Ebola Strikes in Gabon…8 Christine Stevens, President by John Muir Cynthia Wilson, Vice President Not Just GRASPing at Straws…8 Fredrick Hutchison, CPA, Treasurer rying to sneak legislation through Michigan’s State Legislature Roughly 30,000 lions remain UN Speaks Out Again on Illegal Exploitation in the DRC…9 Marjorie Cooke, Secretary in the wild. Individual popula- repealing its 92 year-old ban on dove hunting has become Nyiragongo Erupts!…9 more of an annual tradition for the US Sportsmen’s Alliance tions are small, isolated, and Scientific T decreasing (see story page 13). Coexisting in Kenya, The Human-Elephant Conflict, Committee (formerly the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America), National Rifle by Meitamei Ole Dapash…10-12 Association (NRA), and guns and ammunition lobby than their Marjorie Anchel, Ph.D. An Elephantine Question: Gerard Bertrand, Ph.D. claim about dove hunting itself. How Many Elephant Species are There?…12 F. Barbara Orlans, Ph.D. As the Michigan legislature recessed for its 2001 year-end Roger Payne, Ph.D. Lions on the Brink?…13 Samuel Peacock, M.D. break, the most recent bill (HB 5478) introduced by Representative John Walsh, M.D. Cameron Brown (R-Sturgis) was put on hold. This bill would allow Nine Charged with Illegal Trade in Exotic Cats…13 the unelected, politically appointed Natural Resources Commis- 2002—The International Year of Ecotourism…14 International sion to decide which animals and birds can be hunted, taking the Robber Baron Ravages the Redwoods, by Ben White…15 Committee authority away from the legislature whose members answer to Polar Bears Suffer in the Suarez Brothers Circus, Aline de Aluja, D.M.V., Mexico voters. Ambassador Tabarak Husain, Bangladesh by Adam M. Roberts…16-17 Preventing dove hunting has broad public support. The Detroit Angela King, United Kingdom China Still Jails Bears…17 Simon Muchiru, Kenya Free Press reports that Representative Susan Tabor (R-Lansing), Godofredo Stutzin, Chile sponsor of last year’s failed attempt to repeal the ban on dove Dead Grizzlies Not Welcome in the EU…17 Agnes Van Volkenburgh, D.M.V., Poland hunting, has her “fingerprints on Brown’s bill.” Chris Christoff, a Wildlife and Drug Smuggling: A Tangled Tale…20 Alexey Yablokov, Ph.D., Russia reporter for the newspaper, said in his latest column that “no other Staff and Consultants single issue—not abortion, taxes, pay raises for politicians, noth- Marine mammals Ava Armendariz, Publications Coordinator ing—elicits the outpouring of public outrage that shooting doves Amy Conklin, Editorial Assistant Navy Admits to Killing Whales, but LFAS Steams Ahead…19

does. Lawmakers will tell you that. I’ll attest, too.” USDA John Gleiber, Assistant to the Officers In Wisconsin, the state’s symbol of peace lost a very important Capture/Recapture Study Kills Dolphins…19 Diane Halverson, Farm Animal Advisor Christopher J. Heyde, Research Associate legal battle this January when Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser upheld Mexican Tuna Super-Seiner Busted with 10.5 Tons of Cocaine…19 Colored Wild Muscovies are Lynne Hutchison, Executive Secretary the Department of Natural Resources establishment of a hunting drastically different than their Cathy Liss, Executive Director season. Groups that filed the suit have not decided if they will domestic cousins raised for IN REMEMBRANCE Nell Naughton, Mail Order Secretary appeal. The first 60-day dove-hunting season was cancelled pend- Greta Nilsson, Wildlife Consultant food (see story page 7). Saying Goodbye and a Profound Thank You to Astrid Lindgren…18 Viktor Reinhardt, D.M.V., Ph.D., ing this decision. Laboratory Animal Advisor Jennifer Rinick, Research Assistant Adam M. Roberts, Senior Research Associate Wendy Swann, Research Associate Contact AWI at: PO Box 3650, Washington, DC 20007, phone: (202) 337-2332, facsimile: (202) 338-9478, Ben White, International Coordinator email: [email protected] or visit AWI’s website at: http://www.awionline.org

arrive at the slaughterhouse where the open hole, unable to get out since workers abuse them right up to the the floor was wet and slippery. Work- At the end of his life he should be retired, actual slaughter. ers continued to beat the horses until To better understand the cruelty they were able to throw their bodies adopted, or humanely euthanized if no better perpetrated by the horse slaughter out of this hole. Due to the over- solution can be found. Anything else makes industry I went to one of the three crowding and panic, a large male got remaining US-based, foreign-owned his leg hooked over one of the upper a mockery of the words which for centuries horse slaughterhouses (two in Texas rails. Again, workers proceeded to and one in Illinois) to witness what beat him continually until the horse have been used to describe our game… takes place. It didn’t take long to real- lunged forward gouging his leg open ize that all of the horrible stories were on the solid metal fence, which forced Sport of Kings. going to prove true before my eyes his leg free of the rail. Federal within the 45 minutes I was there. law requires the presence of a US —John Hettinger, Trustee, New York Racing Association Located at the rear of the nonde- Department of Agriculture inspector script facility was a double-deck trailer during slaughter, but an inspector was fully loaded with horses. They filled nowhere to be found. extra cash to those stealing them. (throughout the ‘Horse Industry’) both rows and were unable to stand I left the facility with a sense of These horses are being slaughtered killer buyers and the callous and normally, forced to keep their heads utter disbelief at the magnitude of the simply because the option exists, and irresponsible people who dump their low. Despite the fact that several of brutal treatment. These horses were money can be gained. There can be no horses at the end of their usefulness.” the horses I could see had cuts and not old, sick, or past recovery. They defense of this industry. Allowing slaughter to continue is blood trailing from their mouths and were adoptable. One can only imagine John Hettinger, a Thoroughbred simply turning a blind eye to the larger noses, all looked healthy and fairly how many more horrific incidents take owner well known in the Thor- problem of cruelty, neglect, and com- young. Only a few horses at a time place at this and other slaughterhouses oughbred community, has taken the plete irresponsibility. Horses should were removed from the truck so many each day without any oversight. issue head on. He received several not be abused whether they are at a were still on board when I left. When Many of those aware of this prac- awards from the Thoroughbred indus- racetrack or on a farm. Anti-cruelty some were moved off the trailer, work- tice simply say the industry is a “nec- try for his tireless campaign to educate laws exist in every state and should ers poked them with long fiberglass essary evil,” that slaughtering horses is owners and push for a ban on slaugh- be enforced when animals are being Necessary Evil or Blind Eye? rods through holes on the side of the a responsible way to dispose of those ter. Mr. Hettinger, in a letter strongly abused. Simply exchanging one form trailer. The horses, typically very sen- who are either sick, abused, or no refuting a statement issued by the of cruelty for another is not the answer. sitive animals, slid and fell down longer wanted. However, these people “Horse Industry,” rebuffed its claim Mr. Hettinger summed up the need Putting an End to the Cruel Practice the ramp only to be whipped by stand to gain from the industry. Selling that the “Horse Industry” is opposed for a total ban when he noted, “Absent another worker’s rod. All of the horses horses to slaughter provides additional to a ban on horse slaughter. He legislation those of us involved in this of Horse Slaughter at the facility exhibited fear typical money to purchase another horse or said, “I doubt if there is complete work are doing what we can to remedy of “flight” behavior in horses, unanimity on a shameful situation. With a ban on pacing in prance-like move- this issue, but slaughter we could concentrate all our By Christopher J. Heyde December 7, 2001 no regulations even ments with their ears pinned have NO doubt efforts on making sure that the other existed in the US governing the treat- back against their heads and that if ALL quality of life problems of horses will ment and care of horses during trans- eyes wide open. horse owners receive more and better attention than o most Americans the horse port to slaughter. Once inside the building were polled the they ever have before.” slaughter industry exists only Horses end up in slaughter in a more callous workers, standing slaughter of AWI’s companion organization, Tin the phrase “to be taken to variety of ways, all unlucky. Sometimes high on the railing that lined horses would be the Society for Animal Protective the glue factory,” but this antiquated they are sent to slaughter by individu- the stalls, beat the horses on a thing of the Legislation, together with the Doris phrase is off the mark. Neglected, als or groups no longer able or willing the nose, forehead, neck, back, past.” Mr. Het- Day Animal League, is working with surplus, or discarded horses consid- to care for them. Sometimes they are or hindquarters to get them to tinger further Congresswoman Constance Morella ered burdensome are currently more retired or injured race horses, riding move. This continued until they said that, “The (R-MD), who introduced legislation likely to fall victim to slaughtering in school or show horses, federally pro- entered the kill chute. only people called the American Horse Slaughter the United States for human consump- tected wild horses, foals born as a by- Two egregious acts of cru- with a stake in Prevention Act, to ban the domestic tion abroad. product of the Premarin© industry, or elty took place right in front this game are and international transport of live AWI has long fought against stolen horses. Auction houses provide of me. Running across the floor a handful of horses or horse meat for human the cruel and inhumane conditions an easy out for irresponsible equine of the barn was a grate-covered people called consumption. within livestock slaughterhouses. owners to discard an animal they no drain about three feet deep. Horse slaughter facilities are no differ- longer want while getting some cash A section of the grate was ent and may, in fact, be worse. Since in return. Those purchased at auctions missing in one of the stalls Opposite page: Two terrified horses await their fate at a horses in the US are not raised or con- by individuals known as “killer buyers” through which horses were US slaughterhouse. Photo by Gail Eisnitz/Humane Farming sumed for their meat, the horse slaugh- are then shipped on double-deck trail- being forced. Because they Association. ter industry manages to avoid much ers for as long as several days without were crammed into a space and Left: Retired horse lives at peace on one of the many horse of what little oversight exists. Until adequate water, food, or rest only to panicking, each horse fell into sanctuaries throughout the US.

4 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 5 Part of the ducks’ sensitive upper bills Whistlestop Tour Unites Soldiers in the Fight are cut off, as shown above at Grimaud Farms, causing excruciating life-long Against Animal Factories suffering.

bill trimming and confinement as a ommunity buildings across the proclaimed “Kennedy warns audience the shadow of animal factory pollution, “carefully planned program for duck Midwest filled with farmers of factory farms.” The goal of the tour stench and cruelty and who have orga- husbandry that considers the welfare of C and concerned citizens in early was to warn people living in regions nized to fight industrial farming. the ducks under their care.” Mr. Ernst’s December when Friends of Rural burdened by animal factories about Following are excerpts from Mr. writings clearly demonstrate his sup- America and Illinois Stewardship Alli- their dangers, identify citizens in Kennedy’s presentation: port and promotion of the cruel meth- ance organized a whistlestop tour need of legal support in their fight “Instead of raising hogs on farms ods employed by those in the intensive through Iowa and Illinois for Water- against factories, and provide details they shoehorn thousands of animals animal factory industry. keeper Alliance Senior Attorney Nico- of Waterkeeper’s legal actions against into a building where they live in Viva! USA Based on the initial review and lette Hahn and Southeast Representa- Smithfield Foods, Inc., the world’s unspeakable misery in tiny confine- findings at Grimaud, Mr. Ernst is devel- tive Rick Dove. AWI’s Farm Animal largest hog raiser and processor. ment crates. They live without straw oping a set of guidelines for raising Advisor, Diane Halverson, organized a Waterkeeper Alliance has filed bedding, without rooting opportunities, ducks. AWI received a draft copy of Minnesota whistlestop for Waterkeeper multiple legal actions against without sunshine, without the social the UC Davis study from Grimaud for Alliance Founder and President Robert Smithfield under the federal Racketeer interactions that are critical to the hap- review and comments after requesting F. Kennedy, Jr. Influenced and Corrupt Organizations piness of these animals. Ducks—Yet Another Animal to discuss the issue. Following consul- The tour galvanized various groups Act (RICO), the federal Clean Water “What polluters do is make them- tations with avian veterinarians from to fight corporate hog factories and Act, the federal Resource Conservation selves rich by making other people the Association of Veterinarians for led to massive press attention, includ- and Recovery Act (the federal solid and poor. They raise standards of living for Factory Victim Animal Rights and the Muscovy duck ing the Omaha World Herald and Des hazardous waste law), and North Caro- themselves by lowering quality of life expert at the University of Miami, AWI Moines Register. The St. Paul Pioneer lina state law. RICO is a powerful tool for everybody else. And they do that determined that the study, if enacted as Press proclaimed “Factory farms face to rein in outlaw industries. One of the by escaping the discipline of the free s the old adage puts it, ducks ily address confrontation among Mus- written, is far from humane. threat of legal action;” while in North- themes of the RICO complaint is that market, by forcing the public to pay are not adapted to exist covy ducks, which are known to fight If you shop in any of the following field, Minnesota, the Northfield News’ Smithfield’s operation is funded by its part of their costs of production. A without access to water, but that with their feet and wings. stores please urge them to stop selling headline read: “Kennedy: ‘Day of reck- illegal pollution-based profits. In vio- “I want to make one last point is exactly what 24 million ducks being According to lauren Ornelas of ducks raised in cruel and inhumane oning coming.’” In Red Wing, Minne- lating environmental laws, which is an and it’s probably the most important raised in deplorably inhumane condi- Viva!USA, the organization responsible duck factories such as Maple Leaf sota, the Red Wing Republican Eagle intended part of its business strategy, it point, but I think it takes a higher level tions on duck factories throughout the for exposing the cruelty perpetrated on and Grimaud Farms: Wal-Mart Super- is unlawfully shifting the cost of understanding: the most important US are being forced to do each year. ducks, the largest supplier of factory Center, Kroger’s, Albertson’s, Safe- of handling its pollution to the issue that we’re dealing with here is The most common ducks in these raised ducks in the US is Maple Leaf way, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods/ American public. not the environmental democracy issue factories descend from the largely Farms headquartered in Indiana, which Fresh Fields. The tour culminated with but the issue of how we treat these aquatic Mallard. They can never fly or produces about 15 million ducks a year. Mr. Kennedy’s stirring speech animals…at some level, we begin treat- swim and live in filthy sheds crammed Grimaud Farms, located in California to an overflow crowd, including ing these sentient beings with such together with hundreds of other ducks. and is a major producer of Muscovy Grimaud—Full of a dozen state legislators, attor- unspeakable cruelty that it has to come They are denied access to sufficient factory-raised ducks, processes as neys from Minnesota’s Office back and hurt us and it’s going to water for bathing and preening, which many as 8,000 ducks a week. Muscovy Foie Gras of Attorney General, family destroy our humanity. is essential to their health. Such depriva- ducks are the only modern domestic farmers, public interest activ- “I’m going to close with a proverb tion often results in serious eye prob- duck not descended from the Mallard. rimaud is not only the leading ists, and interested citizens from the Lakota people, appropriated lems and eventual blindness. They can Their wild counterparts are strong Gsupplier of Muscovy ducks in from seven states, at St. Olaf to some extent by the environmental barely walk because of bone deformities flying birds that inhabit wetlands near the US, it also provides ducklings College in Northfield, Minne- movement, where they said ‘We do not caused by slatted or wire mesh floors. wooded areas, using trees for roosting to Sonoma Valley Foie Gras, one sota on December 7. Preceding inherit the earth from our ancestors, One of the cruelest practices is bill and nesting. Despite misrepresenta- of only two foie gras producers in the meeting, AWI organized a we borrow it from our children.’ If we trimming or “debilling,” which destroys tions by duck factory operators, the the US—the other being Hudson press conference that included don’t return to them something roughly the ducks’ ability to fulfill their natural Muscovy duck is indeed a species of Valley Foie Gras. However, this Waterkeeper Alliance, AWI and equivalent to what we received, they instincts to preen and forage for food. waterfowl and does require full body Doug McCrae/Faribault Daily News relationship does not end with the environmental, public health, have a right to ask us some very dif- The very sensitive top portion of the access to water. ducklings. Grimaud then markets and family farm activists, and ficult questions….Thank you for join- bill is burned off with a stationary blade Grimaud contacted the University the final Sonoma Valley Foie Gras a reception for Minnesota citi- ing us in this fistfight. As long as we or cut off with a knife or scissors of California at Davis to evaluate its product. Even though Grimaud zens who suffer from living in don’t give up, we can never lose.” without anesthesia, in an attempt to duck husbandry practices. A summary claims not to be involved in the prevent pecking and cannibalizing of of the study released by Ralph Ernst, inhumane process of force-feeding other ducks in the overcrowded shed. Extension Poultry Specialist at the the ducks, they do handle almost Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speaks about the cruelty and environmental dan- According to Sarah Stai, a Muscovy UC Davis, confirmed that Grimaud is every other aspect of this cruel gers of factory farming at St. Olaf College, Northfield, duck expert from the University of indeed an industrial duck factory. The business. Minnesota. Miami, this practice does not necessar- report justifies Grimaud’s practice of

6 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 7 a traditional Christmas meal in Gabon could include monkeys, chimpanzees, UN Speaks Out Again on Illegal gazelles, or wild boar. Other mammals in Gabon that have been identified by Exploitation in the DRC the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as being in the com- n a follow-up report on the state gold mining in DRC. Zimbabwe, a (columbo-tantalite), dubbed “blood mercial bushmeat trade include the man- of illegal exploitation of natural fierce opponent of the international tantalum,” dropped from $300 a pound drill, Moustached monkey, Black colo- resources in the Democratic Repub- ban on commercial trade in elephant in 2000 to an average of $25 a pound in bus, and Grey-cheeked mangabey. I lic of Congo (DRC) the United Nations ivory, is particularly involved in DRC 2001. Legislation has been introduced The CITES Bushmeat Working Panel of Experts has recommended deforestation. A British nongovern- in the US Congress by Representative Group meeting in Cameroon in January a moratorium on the purchasing and mental organization, Global Witness, Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) to prohibit 2001 revealed that some 68 species were AP/Wide World Photos importing of various products from reported of a deal struck by Zim- the importation of coltan into the threatened in Gabon by poaching for the the region including coltan, diamonds, babwe’s embattled president, Robert US from countries supporting the vio- bushmeat trade. However, the infrastruc- gold, and timber (see Summer 2001 Mugabe, to log 33 million hectares in lent conflict in the DRC (specifically, ture to combat this poaching does not AWI Quarterly, “Militants and Profi- the DRC, 15 percent of the territory. Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the exist: staff is inadequately trained and teers Wipe Out Wildlife in the DRC”). Zimbabwe also is heavily involved in DRC itself). Said the Congresswoman, the ability to monitor protected areas The Panel notes that the DRC’s history mining for copper and cobalt. “This legislation, supported by the is lacking. Enforcement of Gabon’s ban “has been one of systematic abuse of its DRC government officials are Ambassador of the DRC, would begin A dead monkey awaits the cooking pot in Gabon. on bushmeat hunting is poor, and villag- natural and human resources… backed involved in embezzling diamonds that to institute the tough measures neces- ers apparently continue to consume the by the brutal use of force and directed are allegedly smuggled through South sary to end this horrible and deadly flesh of these wild animals, despite the to the benefit of a powerful few.” Africa, another proponent of the global conflict.” Meanwhile, the Security tions are being placed on provinces potentially grave risks. The DRC, home to numerous ivory trade. Coltan, a metal ore used Council will consider the Panel’s rec- within the country. While the death toll The Ebola virus (Ebola hemor- Ebola Strikes threatened and endangered species in hi-tech and communications devices ommendation of a trade moratorium rises from this disease, which is esti- rhagic fever) is named after a river in such as gorillas, chimpanzees, bono- and which is a vital component in cell with the DRC. If that doesn’t work, the mated to kill 90 percent of its victims, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Gabon bos, elephants, and lions, has become a phones, is removed from DRC by a Panel has already introduced the idea rumors swirl about whether the infec- and can be spread through contact with veritable cookie jar of natural resource number of groups, notably the Rwan- of imposing sanctions. A new Panel has tion is being spread by the consump- an infected animal such as primates in pilfering—with several countries and dan army, and exported worldwide. been convened to follow-up the ongo- n the West African nations of Gabon tion of meat from infected primates. Africa. According to the Centers for unsavory characters sticking in their After publication of the UN Pan- ing work by the United Nations on this and the Republic of Congo, at least Authorities in Gabon have urged Disease Control, within a few days, hands. The Ugandan army carries out el’s initial report, the price for coltan matter. I34 people have died in a recent local villagers to abstain from eating patients may suffer flu-like symptoms. outbreak of the Ebola virus. Gabon’s bushmeat, but it is unclear whether Within a week of infection, chest pain, border with the Republic of the Congo this sage advice will be heeded. shock, bleeding, blindness, and death has been sealed off and similar restric- According to a recent Reuters report, may result. Nyiragongo Erupts!

ildlife in the DRC and sur- Wrounding regions is imper- Not Just GRASPing at Straws iled by the January 17 eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano, about six miles outside the city of Goma rguing that “every local extinc- commerce in bushmeat has particularly ations, noted, “Wildlife tourism is one near the Rwandan border. The tion is a loss to humanity, dire implications for these primates. of the mainstays of Uganda’s economy lava flow has displaced hundreds a loss to the local community Their meat is not only sold locally and and mountain gorillas are certainly A of thousands of people in the area. and a hole torn in the ecology of the in city centers but is illegally exported the biggest draw, closely followed by According to NASA, “bio- planet,” the United Nations Environ- for sale in western cities. Recently, a chimpanzees. Uganda has pioneered

Dian Fossey GorillaDian Fossey Fund International mass burned from Nyriagongo, ment Programme (UNEP) has under- Nigerian couple was arrested for selling the sharing of revenues from great and nearby Mount Nyamuragira, taken an ambitious new venture to save bushmeat illegally in London. ape tourism with local communities, eruptions tends to create clouds great apes across the globe: the Great The GRASP team will establish and thousands of families now benefit of smoke that adversely affect the Apes Survival Project (GRASP). survival plans in each great ape range directly from the presence of their Mountain Gorillas living in the Across Africa and Asia, great apes country in an effort to equip wildlife gorilla and chimpanzee neighbors.” adjacent mountain chain.” Goril- (gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and law enforcement officers appropriately, As UNEP’s Executive Director, las are already under pressure in orangutans) survive in 23 countries. preserve great ape habitat, and educate Klaus Topfer, said, “The clock is stand- the area from habitat destruction But that survival is under constant local people who live with this wildlife ing at one minute to midnight for the and poaching. Chimpanzees and assault as a result of war, deforestation, about the benefits of ecotourism focus- Great Apes.” But with the technical and other wild animals are similarly mining, capture of live animals for ing on great apes. financial resources that come through at risk. sale, conversion of forestlands for agri- Dr. Eve Abe, formerly with the the collaborative Great Apes Survival Under the watchful eyes of the male silverback mountain gorilla, his group takes culture, and poaching for bushmeat. Uganda Wildlife Authority and now a Project, the clock may be stopped just a siesta. All gorillas are threatened by the violent conflict in the DRC. The billion-dollar-a-year international co-director of GRASP’s technical oper- long enough to save them.

8 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 9 of the ecosystems within which they live. Participants as a way of enhancing wildlife-derived benefits. Because expressed serious concerns over growing threats to the sur- of the problems mentioned earlier on, and the feeling that vival of Maasai people, elephants, and their shared habitat in the colonial government stole Amboseli to create a wildlife Amboseli and across Maasailand. “These threats,” they said, preserve without consultations, the Maasai are very vulner- “come from commercial agricultural expansion; sidelining of able to these ideas. the Maasai from mainstream nature conservation; insensitive KWS already has expressed unequivocal interest in tourism practices; and continued loss of Maasai traditional working with MERC and Amboseli communities to address lands to other modern economic enterprises. The ongoing human-elephant conflicts and a number of specific actions destruction of forests, commercial hunting, and loss of wild- resulted from this valuable dialog. MERC will encourage life migratory routes and breeding grounds must be stopped KWS to include local communities’ participation in the devel- now if the future of wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania is to be opment and implementation of conservation programs in guaranteed. Moreover, as we lose land and culture, elephants their localities. KWS will review the existing revenue-sharing and other wildlife lose habitat.” policy with the view of increasing the community’s share, Intensifying competition for limited water resources was while job training and placement opportunities in the tourism the single most important factor responsible for human-wild- industry will be extended to the local communities. The life conflicts in Amboseli. According to the participants, Maasai have proposed the establishment of a code of conduct approximately 80% of the permanent sources of water are and ethics for the tourism industry to safeguard environmen- located in the center of the park. Additionally, women and tal integrity and the culture of the Maasai people. Finally, Coexisting in Kenya children have to endure a 10-15 kilometer daily trudge across MERC is proposing the establishment of a problem animal the dry, open Amboseli basin into the middle of the park to control unit in Amboseli to respond to reports of animal fetch water for domestic use. This increased human presence attacks. This unit will be responsible for rapid response in sit- The Human–Elephant Conflict in the park, coupled with human-elephant-livestock conver- uations where people or livestock have been attacked by ele- gence at the watering points, creates tremendous tension (Continued on page 12) resulting in occasional deadly conflicts. By Meitamei Ole Dapash serve their migratory routes. Amboseli is dotted with oases Maasai communities often are forced to take the law into (created by the melting snow of Mt. Kilimanjaro) and peren- their own hands by killing rogue elephants when they believe nial swamp grass species. These permanent sources of water that no help is coming from the park’s office. An act of We, the Maasai have never failed in our moral duty as guard- and green vegetation attracted more wildlife and Maasai this nature often escalates friction between wildlife author- ians of wildlife. However, those with myopic understanding livestock into the park during the recent drought period than ities and the communities. According to one elder, “ele- of our way of life and its interconnectedness with nature have any other time in the history of Amboseli. Consequently, phants hardly ever attacked people unless provoked, thirsty consistently failed both the people and wildlife of Amboseli. human-elephant conflicts erupted leading to the spearing of or instinctively reacting to an experience of past attack.” –Lengete Ole Manti, Amboseli resident eight elephants—six of whom died from their wounds, while Although men would sometimes successfully scare away an orphaned baby was reported to have died of starvation. elephants from watering points, elephants in most cases pre- he Maasai people name their clans after animals such Reports from Maasai indicate that within the same time- vail by maintaining their ground and forcing people and as lions, elephants, or rhinos to demonstrate the impor- frame, two Maasai (including a mother of a three week old livestock to go thirsty. Many participants pointed out that Ttance of wildlife prosperity in Kenya and Tanzania to infant) and at least 42 livestock had been attacked and killed water scarcity outside the park for communities and con- the Maasai culture. Each clan advocates for the protection by elephants. tinued habitat loss to encroaching agricultural communities of its particular species, which becomes the clan’s totem and The Maasai Environmental Resource Coalition were some of the serious problems undermining Maasai’s symbol of prestige. Wildlife conservation in Maasailand owes (MERC), with support from the Animal Welfare Institute, set centuries’ old peaceful coexistence with elephants. its success to the Maasai traditions that prohibit the killing out to create a dialogue to discuss human-elephant conflict Conflict is also exacerbated by the Maasai’s dissatisfac- of wildlife or destruction of forests or any part of the natural and related conservation issues in Amboseli and find long- tion about the current level of wildlife-derived benefits being ecosystem for commercial or any other form of consumptive term solutions to the conflicts. On June 30, 2001 the first extended to the local communities. Currently, Kenya Wildlife use. This is why, even today, wildlife thrives in Maasailand, meeting took place under a huge acacia tree at Meshenani Service (KWS) distributes approximately US$10,000 among unlike many other areas where animals have been eliminated area in the Olgului/Ololarrashie group ranch, the largest, the seven group ranches adjoining Amboseli National Park. either for food or to create land for commercial agriculture. most important communal land that almost engulfs the The forum heard that the amount was not only meager; it was Kenya’s prolonged droughts in 1999 and 2000, the worst Amboseli National Park. More than 60 people, representing erratically given, in spite of the fact that Amboseli generates

in 25 years, led to widespread competition for water through- twelve villages within the vicinity of Amboseli National more tourists’ dollars for KWS than any other park in the photos courtesy of MERC out East Africa. Many rivers, swamps, and dams dried up, Park, attended the meeting. country. Moreover, lodges in Amboseli employ more than and the few water sources that survived the droughts imme- Moving testimonies were heard about the peaceful coex- 1,500 people of which Amboseli residents constitute fewer diately became hot spots for human-wildlife conflict. This istence of Maasai and wildlife in the delicate balance than 100 people, put in the most undignified, poorly paid natural catastrophe caused starvation among wildlife, live- positions. Amboseli residents feel cheated and are increas- stock, and even people in some parts of Kenya. ingly becoming resentful of tourism and conservation pro- Amboseli National Park was the most affected protected Above: The Amboseli Maasai-elephant Dialogue is convened grams alike. area in the country. “Empusel” (Amboseli) is a Maasai word under a tree by the roadside to tap the inputs of passersby, The dialogue revealed that there is also pressure from Well dug by hand by the Maasai. Maintaining water for “dry land” and is located on the northern foot of Mt. Kili- who may not be residents of that location. The forum has no wildlife consumptive use proponents to persuade and manip- wells outside Amboseli National Park in Kenya would manjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. Amboseli chairperson, master of ceremonies, or any form of authority ulate Maasai into urging the government to allow commer- reduce human competition with was established mainly to protect Kenya’s elephants and pre- figurehead. cial hunting for trophies, particularly in communal lands, elephants for water inside the park.

10 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 11 (Continued from page 11) local communities’ complaints and in Maasailand will be protected for Lions on the Brink? phants, lions, or buffaloes. It will also liaising with the wildlife authorities generations to come. discourage people from taking action on for quick resolution; initiating water For more information or to help their own to address the problem. projects outside the park to minimize the work of the Maasai Environmental f you want to be in the can region was considered as a shock.” MERC continues to promote and human-elephant contacts inside the Resource Coalition, contact Meitamei killing club then you’ve The “information exchange” on sustain the peaceful coexistence nec- park; and initiating community-based Ole Dapash at 2020 Pennsylvania got to kill a lion. Safari “Status and Needs for Conservation essary for the safety of both human ecotourism programs in the Amboseli Ave., NW, Suite 136, Washington, I Club International, an orga- of Lions in West and Central Africa” and elephant populations in Amboseli. area. With the active involvement of DC 20006, (202) 785-8787, nization dedicated to pro- reveals that in west and central Africa, We need to keep focused on: handling MERC and the Maasai people, wildlife [email protected] moting the killing of wild lions in countries such as Senegal, Mali, animals for sport, has the Benin, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon lion listed on a number of its are threatened by poachers, loss of hunting awards. The lion is habitat (especially for conversion of genetic populations, there would only one of the “Dangerous Game land to agriculture and forest cutting be an estimated 400,000 savannah of Africa,” the “African 29,” for timber), slaughter for the use of elephants and roughly 150,000 forest the “Cats of the World,” their parts in traditional medicines, and elephants. and the grand slam “Africa trophy hunting. There is the possibility that some Big Five” (lion, leopard, ele- The situation seems dire in some will argue that the forest elephant, phant, rhino, and buffalo). Safari parts of southern Africa as well. taken as its own species, is not yet Club International’s magazine is Researchers Chris and Tilde Stewart in protected at all. Elephant poachers and replete with stories about lion Zambia claim that in the northeastern ivory traders engage in myriad mach- hunts in which hunters hang bait part of the country, “numbers are crit- inations to engage in their deadly from tree limbs in what one author ically low and they probably have trade. Recent evidence suggests that called “the perfect setup” for an easy no future here.” Little population data the relaxation of the worldwide ban ambush and kill. Another author rates apparently exists for the rest of the on ivory in 1997 was misperceived as the lion as the most dangerous of the country. In Botswana, the Director of MERC sending a message that the ivory trade Africa Big Five and “perhaps the most Wildlife placed an immediate ban on all is soon to be reopened unfettered. In difficult of all Africa’s great prizes.” He hunting of lions in February 2001, as It is possible for the elephants of Amboseli and the Maasai people to coexist the past few months, ivory seizures contends, “Most parks in Africa hold a precautionary measure to prevent fur- peacefully as they have for centuries. But will elephants live free from the ivory- have been made across the globe. good numbers of lions, so there need be ther decline of lions there. The tempo- seeking poachers’ bullets? Reports reveal in September 2001, 20 no concern over the species’ survival.” rary ban was praised by conservation- tusks were impounded in Zurich, Swit- In reality, the future looks bleak ists but assailed by trophy hunters. zerland; in November 2001, 30 tusks for the African lion (Panthera Leo) Will Travers of the Born Free were seized at Bangkok’s airport; that of west and central Africa, based on Foundation has stressed the need to An Elephantine Question: same month, 230 tusks were confis- the results of a workshop held in Cam- respond to the findings of the Camer- cated in Egypt; the biggest recent bust eroon in June 2001. The recently pub- oon workshop as a matter of urgency. How Many Elephant Species are There? came in Tanzania where 1,255 tusks lished proceedings from the meeting “This latest lion news must serve as were found in two homes. Ivory traders highlight the pressures placed on these a wake up call to all conservationists. “Raffi” was rescued (and photographed) rguably the biggest conservation phants in Africa’s tropical forests (Lox- continue to take advantage of under- by the Born Free Foundation from a fragmented lion populations and the Unless we take concerted action to debate concerning elephants in odonta cyclotis). According to the staffed and underfunded anti-poaching cage atop a bar in the Canary Islands. need to protect them immediately. One reduce poaching, prevent further habitat A the last decade has been over Report, the two African elephant spe- and wildlife law enforcement units. He now lives happily on 5 acres at the participant at the meeting noted that the loss, stop trade in lion parts and elimi- the international ban on trade in ele- cies began to diverge genetically over All elephant species undoubtedly Shamwari Private Game reserve in population estimates of between 1,500 nate trophy hunting this serious situa- phant ivory. But a new debate may two and a half million years ago. warrant and need complete protection South Africa. and 2,000 lions “in the entire West Afri- tion will soon become a crisis.” be arising over how many African ele- Asian elephants and most African under international conservation Trea- phant species actually exist. countries’ elephants (except Botswana, ties and domestic legislation around the It has long been assumed that Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) world. Recognizing the forest elephant there are two elephant species: the are already listed on Appendix I of the as a separate, fully protected species Nine Charged with Illegal Trade in Exotic Cats: Asian elephant (Elephas Maximus) and Convention on International Trade in may also call greater global attention Tigers, Leopards, and Other Big Cats Appear to Have Been Killed for Trophies the African elephant (Loxodonta Afri- Endangered Species of Wild Fauna to the deforestation rampaging Africa cana). However, in a Report in Science and Flora (CITES), thus prohibiting by greedy logging companies. Perhaps magazine (Vol. 293, 24 August 2001) international commercial trade in their heightened conservation measures will ollowing a lengthy investigation by the ing tigers, leopards, snow leopards, lions, guilty to brokering the interstate sale of researchers studying DNA sequences parts and products. Recognizing two be taken to protect the forests in which F US Fish and Wildlife Service, a series mountain lions, cougars, mixed breed cats, three tiger skins. He was sentenced to from nearly 200 African elephants distinct African elephant species may the endangered forest elephant clings of indictments have been issued against and black bears with the intention of intro- six months of home detention, two years individuals in Michigan, Arkansas, Okla- ducing their meat and skins into the lucra- probation, a $2,000 fine, and he was found genetic distinctions that they have interesting conservation implica- to existence. homa, and Missouri for trafficking in pro- tive animal parts trade. ordered to pay $28,000 to the National argue warrant separation of African tions and political repercussions under The great elephant debate just got tected tigers and leopards. A couple of the At this point only one individual has Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s “Save the elephants into two distinct species: CITES. Taken together, the African ele- a little more intriguing; we hope the individuals involved are licensed as exhibi- been sentenced. Woody Thompson, Jr., Tiger Fund.” those inhabiting the savannah (Lox- phant population may appear relatively mighty elephants will get additional tors under the Animal Welfare Act. Appar- owner of the Willow Lake Sportsman’s More indictments are expected odonta africana) and the smaller ele- strong. But separated into two distinct protection as a result. ently, those charged were buying and kill- Club in Three Rivers, Michigan, pled soon.

12 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 13 2002—The International Year of Ecotourism

e should all be lucky enough els based on the splendors of the natu- the Earth’s ecosystem.” After agricul- to experience the exhilaration ral world, including wildlife and wild ture, tourism is the biggest benefactor W of driving across the Maasai places—is a vital part of the conserva- to the development of Kenya’s econ- Mara land in Kenya and seeing a chee- tion of the environment and the animal omy. Wildlife-viewing safaris bring tah on the hunt; the surprise of seeing species living within it. It is also a about one million visitors to the coun- minke whales surface around a boat fundamental mechanism to assist local try annually. Whale-watching alone is on a brisk afternoon whale-watching communities in their economic devel- thought to bring in a total of more than adventure off the coast of Maine; the opment by bringing in foreign visitors, one billion dollars to the economies of haunting sounds of the morning calls and foreign dollars, to these indig- 80 countries across the globe. of endangered lemurs in Madagascar enous peoples. This is why it is But ecotourism must be responsi- (the indri) from high in the rainforest’s so important that the United Nations ble tourism. On Cat Ba Island in Viet- treetops; the awesome magnitude of (UN) declared 2002 the “International nam, for instance, the near extinct Cat Victoria Falls, dividing Zimbabwe Year of Ecotourism.” Ba, or golden-headed langur, clings to and Zambia, and whitewater rafting The UN Resolution making the life (this primate was featured on the These ancient redwoods, some 15 feet in diameter and over 250 feet high, are part of a 142 acre grove of known marbled down the Zambezi river; or watching declaration notes “that travel and cover of the Fall 2001 AWI Quarterly). murrelet habitat threatened with imminent clearcutting. vibrantly colored toucans eating tourism provide a source of income More than 70,000 tourists visit the bananas from a nearby tree while drink- for many people,” and “that travel island each year and while tourism sup- ing your morning coffee in Costa Rica. and tourism contribute to the conser- ports the local economy, it also leads “Ecotourism”—adventurous trav- vation, protection and restoration of to difficulties in waste disposal, which fouls the natural environment, as well Robber Baron Ravages the Redwoods as increased pressures to build intrusive roads and bridges to accommodate the visitors. As well, Tilo Nadler of the Story and Photo By to developers and loggers. These make cut through most of the A through D Endangered Primate Rescue Center in Ben White it legal to destroy endangered species’ stands. Now they have asked for the Vietnam reports, “The tourist demand habitat knowingly as long as other areas final letters from the US Fish and Wild- for wild-animal meat increases the are set aside and “mitigations” are con- life Service and the California Depart- hunting pressure inside the national he latest bulletin from behind jured up, only to be routinely ignored. ment of Fish and Game to release the park; the collection of geckoes, snakes, the Redwood Curtain in North- The remaining 3% of the California E stands. frogs….” Some restaurants in town Tern California finds Charles ancient forests are but a speck on the two The E stands comprise about seven offer wild animal meat from macaques, Hurwitz’ Pacific Lumber Company million acres that once spread along the hundred acres of the biggest unpro- civets, birds, and other animals. (PALCO) petitioning federal and state coast. Endangered Pacific fishers, Hum- tected trees on earth, an irreplaceable Tour operators must tread lightly government agencies to give final per- boldt martins, and spotted owls try to part of America and critical wildlife Ben Dykes/Born Free Foundation on the lands used by wildlife and inter- mission to cut the last unprotected live here, but the primary indicator spe- habitat: trees 15 feet in diameter, some national visitors. It’s important to be groves of the biggest trees in the world cies is the marbled murrelet. This tiny groves have no stumps, they have never respectful when watching wildlife and and known endangered species’ habitat. bird spends much of its time in coastal even been thinned. not interfere in their natural way of The current crisis was set up by seas, nesting only in thick moss found To many, these groves are sacred. life. Heed the motto: “Take only photo- the unfortunate deal struck in 1999 in trees more than 150 years old. The Indeed, the first response of a visitor graphs; leave only footprints.” among the federal government, the murrelet is an auk, a cousin of the Great is to be struck dumb, mouth agape Perhaps 2002 is the year for you state of California, and PALCO to save Auk, which was the first bird pushed gazing up at trees 300 feet high, cano- to visit Kenya’s elephants, Costa Rica’s the Headwaters Grove in Humboldt to extinction in the New World. With pies touching to form a natural cathe- A toucan eats a morning breakfast of bananas at La Laguna del Lagarto Lodge black howler monkeys, or any of the County. In trade for a little more than their numbers plummeting at an esti- dral. The oldest have been holding the in northern Costa Rica near the Nicaraguan border. other amazing wild animals and places 7,000 acres, about half of it old growth, mated 13% per year, it is now the mur- soil and exhaling oxygen for more than around the globe. Hurwitz received a king’s ransom: 380 relet that is facing that ultimate fate. two thousand years. million dollars from the federal govern- Under the HCP’s approved with Using the knowledge I acquired ment, 100 million dollars from Cali- the Headwater’s deal, murrelet habitat as a professional arborist before join- Bequests to AWI fornia, and more than seven thousand is rated from A to E. An A designates ing AWI, I am training climbers for other acres of additional land that he the least valuable trees and habitat. the exceedingly difficult job of ascend- If you would like to help assure the Animal Welfare Institute’s future through a provision in your will, could plunder. An E stand holds the biggest trees, ing to the heights of these monarchs this general form of bequest is suggested: Worst of all, the deal also included most intact groves, and most precious to obstruct their cutting. If permitted, I give, devise and bequeath to the Animal Welfare Institute, located in Washington, D.C., the sum of $______and/or approved “habitat conservation plans” murrelet habitat. The idea was that Hurwitz’ PALCO plans to level all of (specifically described property). (HCP’s) on thousands of acres. These PALCO would slowly whittle away the groves before March 24, 2002, the Donations to AWI, a not-for-profit corporation exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), are tax deductible. progressive-sounding loopholes in the these groves, starting with the A’s. day that marbled murrelets regularly We welcome any inquiries you may have. In cases where you have specific wishes about the disposition of your bequest, Endangered Species Act allow the The whittling has not been slow. begin building their nests and laying we suggest you discuss such provisions with your attorney. granting of “incidental take permits” In two and a half years PALCO has their eggs.

14 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 15 Polar Bears Bears, panting in temperatures over 110°F, disturbing that the two federal agencies responsible for pro- are repeatedly whipped and hit in the ear and tecting polar bears would allow arctic animals to be held face with a rod to force them to climb stairs in tropical climates.” Several bipartisan measures have been Suffer in the and go down a slide on the other end. introduced in Congress, including an amendment to the con- tentious annual “farm bill,” to prohibit the exhibition of polar bears by carnivals, circuses, or traveling shows. Suarez Brothers There is widespread agreement that it is inhumane and bloody diarrhea, with a lot of mucus, was inappropriate for polar bears to be in the Suarez Brothers Circus draining from one of the cages, accumulat- Circus. Now the Courts, Congress, and the Administration ing on the floor, and several flies, attracted can each take appropriate action to ensure the poor bears’ by the apparent bad odor of the blood, were long-term well-being. By Adam M. Roberts clearly visible.” According to a Marine Mammal Com- mission (MMC) review of United States midst the cold Arctic snow and ice of Alaska, Canada, Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspec- China Still Jails Bears Greenland, Norway, and Russia massive polar bears tion reports for the circus and a video of A travel hundreds of kilometers in search of food and the facility, Suarez Brothers is repeatedly out ust months after being awarded the 2008 Olym- mates every year. They swim in frigid waters, eat and sleep of compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. Jpics, two illegal bear bile factories in China were in the open, and hunt for their food of meat and blubber, The polar bears have only occasional access uncovered by undercover journalists for China’s notably from seals. Fewer than 30,000 polar bears exist in to pools of water and fully air-conditioned Central Television. Thousands of bears are still kept the wild today. holding areas and are receiving poor vet- in cramped cages in China and elsewhere through- In the Suarez Brothers Circus of Mexico, miserable erinary treatment. In a letter to the acting out Asia, regularly milked for their bile, which is polar bears suffer in confinement and only travel where the administrator of the USDA Animal and Plant used in traditional Chinese medicines and can fetch circus takes them—even to the warm-weather Caribbean. Health Inspection Service, the MMC offers prices higher than gold or heroin on the black market. They live in oppressive heat, exhibit the stereotypic behavior this synopsis of the polar bears’ conditions: Reuters reports, “footage showed bears yelping in pain of rocking back and forth insanely in their cages, have little “The animals are constantly swaying and PETA as keepers extracted the bright green liquid….At the access to water or air conditioning, and eat whatever food is panting, suggesting that they are distressed. second factory, the bears have their teeth and claws given to them, including dog chow and lettuce. Seven polar It appears that neither the air conditioning removed so they are not a threat to their handlers.” bears languish in these horrid conditions. system nor the fans were operating. The time The circus is currently in Puerto Rico and faces cruelty Maintaining polar bears in Puerto Rico is akin to placing an and temperature are recorded as being 10 a.m. and 112.8 charges brought by the Puerto Rican Department of Natural African elephant on the North Pole.” degrees, respectively. The tape also shows that the bears Resources—charges the circus has twice tried, and failed, to Diana Weinhardt, Chair of the American Zoological are being maintained in filthy conditions and that waste Dead Grizzlies Not have dismissed. A separate suit brought by People for the Association Bear Technical Advisory Group, visited the products, when they are being removed from the transport Welcome in the EU Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Humane Society of Puerto facility and observed that some bears flinched when the enclosures, are being deposited directly on the ground adja- Rico, and private individuals has been filed in a federal court bears’ trainer approached them with a camera and a four and cent to the enclosures.” fter a partially successful campaign that saw in Washington, DC to keep the bears in the US. Marianne a half foot “fiberglass stick with a blunted point on the end.” At least one animal already has died at Suarez Brothers. Atrophy hunting of grizzly bears stopped or Merritt, co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the federal case, She added, “The actions I thought were an indication that According to the MMC, “ ‘Yiopa’ died of heart failure due reduced in many areas of British Columbia (BC), stated: “Allowing these arctic animals to be maintained in a they have been hit with this stick possibly on a regular basis to dirofilariasis. With proper treatment, this should not have Canada, last year, the Environmental Investigation tropical climate in such inhumane and deplorable conditions as a guide to get a desired behavior.” been a life-threatening condition. However, that animal was Agency (EIA) has announced that the 15 European is an abdication of the government agencies’ legal duties. A Puerto Rican veterinarian and zoologist, Dr. Pedro not provided veterinary care until he was in an advanced Union (EU) countries have taken the additional step of E. Nunez, observed bears “caged stage of deterioration and was not treated in a timely fashion banning the importation of grizzly bear trophies into individually in spaces too small after the diagnosis was made.” the EU from British Columbia. for their size as the lengths of There is also a looming question about whether these According to EIA, “The EU accounts for up to their bodies were practically reach- polar bears were captive born or taken (illegally) from the 30% of the 120 BC grizzlies killed on average each ing from one end to the other.” He wild. Dr. Terry Maple, President and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, year by fee-paying foreign hunters. The total hunt graphically continued, “They didn’t notes that the circus’s claim that one of the polar bears was including bears killed by Canadians averaged 300 griz- have access to a pool and you could born in Atlanta is false. “These documents are not accurate, zlies per year during the last decade, from a population see that some bottles of drinking since the Atlanta-born bear (“Snowball”) died in a German which independent biologists [estimate] could be as water were dirty with tomato, let- zoo in 1994,” Dr. Maple wrote. He noted that the bear must low as 4–6,000.” tuce and carrot. A large quantity of have had another origin and that the circus’s records must The United Kingdom and Germany called for the have been doctored. ban to stop the unsustainable BC hunt. Daniela Freyer, While the cruelty case is proceeding, at least 55 Rep- International Campaigner with the German organiza- Dr. Pedro E. Nunez observed: “One of resentatives and 16 Senators have weighed in to urge tion, Pro-Wildlife, said, “More BC grizzlies end up the polar bears had an area of scabs the USDA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to decorating houses in Germany than almost any other and bald spots in the mouth and take appropriate action to ensure the well being of these ani- country, so it is fitting that along with the UK it was

PETA face consistent with follicle ursine mals, including confiscating and relocating the polar bears. Germany leading the call for an import ban.” mange.” According to Congressman George Miller (D-CA), “It is

16 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 17 Navy Admits to Killing Whales, but LFAS Steams Ahead Saying Goodbye and a Profound wo studies released in mid-December provide twin smok- 1) Once a sound source causes the formation of bubbles Ting guns linking the killing of whales to the use of active in the blood (a phenomenon in human divers called the sonar devices by the US Navy. The first was a belated admis- bends) they can continue to grow on their own. Thank You to Astrid Lindgren sion jointly issued by the Navy and the National Marine 2) Bubbles can start growing at relatively low levels of Fisheries Service (NMFS). The agencies admit that the most sound (under 150 decibels—ten million times less than the strid Lindgren, an author and tossed her across the grass toward plausible source of the “acoustic or impulse trauma” that source level of LFAS). of original genius whose the farm house. Far from being fright- caused a mass stranding of whales and dolphins in the 3) The mechanism that causes the bubbles to grow is appeal was worldwide, ened, this early experience led Astrid to Bahamas on March 15–16 of 2001 was the Navy testing of independent of the frequency of the sound (giving the lie to the mid-range frequency sonar used to find submarines. Navy argument that even though the Bahamas stranding was hasA died at 94. She will be mourned fiercely defend cows and attack indus- The second study was funded by the Office of Navy most likely caused by the mid-frequency sound they generated, by all who seek to protect the billions trial dairy farming, in which cows are Research and published by Hauser, Howard and Ridgeway in that the low frequency LFAS is totally different and benign). of animals in animal factories. When confined to stalls year round rather than the Journal of Theoretical Biology. It explores the formation of We are still awaiting a decision by NMFS on whether she was awarded the Animal Welfare being allowed outside to eat the grass bubbles by sound waves in the supersaturated blood of deep- it is going to ignore all evidence and grant a “small take Institute’s Albert Schweitzer Medal in in summer. diving mammals. Three elements of the study are critical in authorization” to the Navy to kill dolphins, whales, and other 1988 Ambassador Wachtmeister said, In accepting the Schweitzer Medal our battle to stop the deployment of Low Frequency Active marine species by deploying LFAS, with a source level of 240 “In Sweden, she is not only the most Astrid said, “almost 80 years later Sonar (LFAS): decibels, in over eighty percent of the world’s oceans. famous lady, she is the most beloved. I [after being tossed by Bessie], I wrote am sure that if the animals could vote, an article about cows. About how the majority would be still greater in dreary the life of a cow could be nowa- her favor.” days. A cow didn’t get to graze any- Capture/Recapture Study Kills Dolphins Her books were translated into more, her calf was taken from her as 60 languages, and more than 130 mil- soon as it was born, and, worst of all, fter two months at sea, a National Marine Fisheries As an article explained in the Fall 2001 AWI Quarterly, lion copies were sold. Most famous she could no longer be courted by an self came to my home to deliver the AService (NMFS) research cruise that had been opposed AWI had presented a benign alternative to this expensive, were her stories of tales about Pippi interested bull. The inseminator came good news. The new law was supposed by its own scientists returned to port in San Diego. A NMFS highly invasive and useless study with the help of Dr. Al Longstocking, which she made for instead, and that was not the same. to be a kind of birthday present for vessel accompanied a contracted Mexican tuna boat to inten- Myrick, the leading NMFS expert on stress in dolphins for her young daughter while nursing “After that article I got a letter me! Goodness gracious, what a won- tionally harass the dwindling populations of spinner and spot- more than ten years. The senior NMFS scientists that we met her through pneumonia. Then while from a female veterinarian, Kristina derful present! But it turned out not ted dolphins to see if the creatures are indeed stressed by with agreed that the planned capture/recapture study was being chased and netted repeatedly by boats pursuing tuna. unnecessarily invasive and would yield little new information. Forslund. She was—and still is—a to be that wonderful—not on every Astrid herself was confined to her bed Fifteen hundred dolphins were caught in 27 sets of the net. But they were forced to carry out the study at the insistence by a badly sprained ankle, she wrote docent at the Swedish University of point—not for all animals. There is a Some were then subjected to having transmitters bloodily of Congressmen Gilchrest (R-MD) and Cunningham (R-CA) them down. Agriculture. She described her expe- great deal more that must be changed, bolted through their dorsal fins. and the efforts of Ocean Conservancy’s Nina Young. Astrid led the way in forthright riences as a veterinarian, with full before one can lean back and relax! The idea was to capture dolphins repeatedly and to The study was mandated as part of the International correspondence with the Prime Min- insight in our animal husbandry, and “And that is one of the reasons I take blood with each capture in order to see if the stress Dolphin Conservation Act of 1997 (dubbed the “Dolphin ister. Her letters were always printed it was a harrowing account about inde- am so happy to receive this medal. It hormones known to be present in blood would increase Death Act”) that attempted to drop the trade embargo on in Stockholm’s biggest newspaper, cent treatment of animals. She suc- gives me the guts to continue the strug- with each capture. But only five dolphins were caught more dolphin-caught tuna. More than seven million dolphins have Expressen—later they were published ceeded in making me so upset that gle! The struggle, yes indeed. There than once. By the time the nets were hung to dry, two died in the tuna fishery in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Evi- by AWI in English. Astrid tells of her even now, three years later, I still are reactionaries back home, you know, dolphins were killed outright and one calf was missing and dence enough, one would think, that the technique causes presumed dead. stress. family’s herd of cows who grazed hap- haven’t gotten over it. Kristina asked they don’t want any changes. It is pily on their lush green pasture. When me to help her in her struggle impossible, they say. It is too expensive Astrid was a small child, Bessie, one of to bring about better animal hus- they say. But let us hope that we one Mexican Tuna Super-Seiner Busted with 10.5 Tons of Cocaine the cows, lifted Astrid upon her horns bandry. She thought—optimist that day can get an animal protection law she is—that every- as kind and decent as people in other one would listen to countries believe that we already have. he drug-tainted Mexican tuna industry, which has killed Colombian and Mexican drug cartels bought up most me. At any rate we “For your help and encourage- Ttens of thousands of dolphins in defiance of US and of the Latin American tuna fleets in the 1980’s and early managed to rouse a ment, I thank you from the bottom of European bans on dolphin-deadly tuna, was embarrassed 1990’s to smuggle their contraband and to launder billions massive public reac- my heart. once again last December when the US Coast Guard cap- of narco-dollars. (For the detailed report, “Dolphins Die tured a giant Mexican super-seiner that was smuggling 10.5 for Tuna/Cocaine Connection,” see the Spring 1999 AWI tion, which finally “I am sure that all Swedish cows tons of cocaine in the eastern Pacific. Quarterly.) resulted in a new and bulls and calves and pigs and sheep The 180-foot Macel was boarded off the southwest coast The Mexican government has failed to seize the major animal protection and chickens and hens are joining me of Mexico on December 21, 2001 after being under sur- tuna fleets and canneries that are owned by the murderous

photos courtesy of June Hughes law in Sweden. The when I say it once more! veillance for several weeks by US Navy and Coast Guard Tijuana Cartel in partnership with powerful politicians. Even Prime Minister him- “Thank you!” ships patrolling the region for gangsters running cocaine and Colombia’s infamous Cali Cartel is a partner in major Mexican heroin from Colombia to Mexico, which is the major way- tuna companies. And the US government has steadfastly station for narcotics on the way to the US and Europe. refused to acknowledge that Mexico’s tuna industry is a front A total of 10.5 tons of pure cocaine, with a street value for drug trafficking. Instead, the Departments of State and Above: Astrid Lindgren looking at her Schweitzer Medal. of $500 million, was found hidden in special compartments Commerce have been actively assisting the Mexican govern- under tons of yellow fin tuna. The cocaine, ship, and 19-man ment and tuna industry to overturn the US dolphin-safe stan- Left: Swedish children dressed for the Feast of St. Lucia join crew were turned over to the Mexican Navy. dard for imported tuna. Astrid in singing some of the many songs she wrote.

18 AWI Quarterly Winter 2002 19 Wildlife and Drug Smuggling: A Tangled Tale

ustoms officials warned Jeffrey reptiles at cut-rate prices and then to sell rently focused only on Persaud and Allen Doth, operator of the some of the wildlife to other dealers, another Guyanese man, Doyle Debu- C Texas-based International including the infamous drug kingpin din, both of whom allegedly were Exotic Wildlife, of the proper proce- and convicted felon Mario Tabraue (see house guests of one-time wildlife dures for importing wildlife when, at Spring 2001 AWI Quarterly). Dealers or importer Cyril Lowe. Florida Fish and age 25, he was caught smuggling wild- their representatives would meet at the Game appears to be seeking prosecu- life into the US. A year later, in 1995, airport to divide each shipment. tion of Doth for not possessing a wild- wearing a baggy shirt, Doth boarded In late November, Doth, Miami life dealer’s license and for receiving a plane with five juvenile green tree Reptiles’ Michael Powell, Tabraue’s 17 dwarf caiman without a permit. pythons concealed in elastic stockings transporter Val Lorente, and a Guya- Excluding the caiman, the Fish and strapped around his waist. The US Cus- nese man, Rajendra Persaud, were at Wildlife Service has distributed the toms Service busted him at Los Angeles Miami’s Airport to receive a shipment entire shipment, including 12 kinka- International Airport for attempting to of mammals and one of reptiles. The jous, four two-toed sloths, 18 agoutis, smuggle the snakes from Indonesia reptile shipment also contained over five prehensile-tailed porcupines, and a without receiving necessary permits 100 pounds of cocaine hidden in false coatamundi to the prospective dealers! from the Indonesian government or bottoms of the transport boxes. Regard- No word on any action against Doth for declaring them to Customs. ing the illegal drugs, Customs is cur- his travels while under house arrest. At Doth’s trial he argued that rather than hiding the pythons under his cloth- ing to conceal them, he was merely trying to keep them warm and avoid paying extra airline costs. Doth was found guilty of two felony counts and faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. On October 22, 2001, Doth was sentenced to a lenient four months of home detention, a $5,100

fine, and three years probation. Adam M. Roberts/AWI Less than four months after sentenc- ing, while apparently still under house arrest in Texas, Doth was making trips to Miami to receive wildlife shipments from Guyana. He arranged to get whole- sale shipments of exotic mammals and A coatamundi in his native habitat.

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