92 Spring 2016 Price £2 (free to members) animalwa ch PUTTING ANIMALS ON THE AGENDA OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

HOBO’S STORY

ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION AND THE BOOK OF JOB

ASWA.ORG.UK | 1 IN THIS ISSUE A WARM WELCOME 3 HOBO’S STORY 5 5 NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD 6

ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION 8 CONSERVATION AND THE BOOK OF JOB 9 8 ASWA REMBERENCE SUNDAY SERVICE 9

THE BIBLE AND... 11

Cover image courtesy of Orangutan . 9

Monday 22 to Thursday 25 Sunday 2 October August DORIS’ DIARY Animal Welfare Sunday Annual Ecumenical Animal Hello! My name is Doris, and I ASWA Annual Service, Welfare Retreat, Charney am a Border Leicester ewe with St Cross Church, Winchester, Manor Retreat House, 9.30am. The preacher will be very large ears! I was rescued by Charney Bassett, Nr Wantage, the Rt Revd ASWA secretary Sam Chandler, Oxfordshire. For more OGS, ASWA President and information, please contact as I had outlived my usefulness former of Monmouth. as a breeding ewe. Mrs Irene Casey, [email protected]. Below are some great events ewe Sunday 13 November may enjoy! Friday 26 to Monday 29 August ASWA Remembrance Service at the Animals’ War Memorial, Greenbelt Festival, Boughton Saturday 21 May Park Lane, , 3pm. House nr Kettering. ASWA Annual General Meeting, St Michael’s Church, 4 Chester For further details of events, Square, London, SW1W 9HH, please visit the website: 11am. The guest speaker will be www.aswa.org.uk Dr Brett Cochrane, Group Head of Science at the Dr Hadwen Trust.

Sunday 17 July Animal Celebration Service, Norwich Cathedral Cloisters, 6.30pm. Further details available from Revd David Austin (07740 922 468; email dsj.austin@ hotmail.com).

Sunday 24 to Wednesday 27 July Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics annual summer school at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. This year’s subject is the ethics of eating animals.

2 | ASWA.ORG.UK HELLO AND WELCOME TO ANIMALWATCH

Welcome to Animalwatch. Our focus in this issue is conservation. With extinction rates growing, and more and more habitat being lost to the expansion of human settlements, whether building or converting previously ‘wild’ land to farmland, conservation is becoming more important than ever. Readers will notice some changes in this issue. Following the survey conducted last year, Poets’ Corner will no longer appear, but we will now be including a regular theological reflection or Bible study in each issue. Also in this issue, we have reports from a variety of churches on Animal Welfare Sunday/animal blessing services held, and information about those standing for election to the ASWA committee. We hope that you enjoy keeping up-to-date with news and information on our website. Do check regularly for resources and information about upcoming events. Please do make a note of the dates in Doris’ Diary – especially the AGM in May. We hope to see you there. Please send any items for consideration for Animalwatch to Revd Jennifer Brown, Editor, PO Box 7193, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8GT. Email is even better – [email protected]. Please note that, owing to space restrictions, it may not be possible to print all contributions, and that letters and other contributions may be edited for length. Jennifer Brown, Editor The deadline for the Summer magazine is Monday 23rd May 2016.

ASWA SPEAKERS AVAILABLE

If you have a group or service that would welcome an ASWA speaker, we would love to hear from you! We often travel a fair distance so please call to discuss it. We usually bring a stall and literature and always liaise with our hosts to ensure the talk is appropriate for their particular audience. Keep the invitations rolling in!

Claudia Castle, Woodbridge, A Warm Welcome Jeremy Miller, St Peter, Channel Suffolk Islands to our new members. We look forward to hearing F J Franklin, Sherbourne, Dorset Tomos Povey, Cwmbran, from you. Monmouthshire Andrew Halford, Beaconsfield, Barbara Babbage, Faversham, Buckinghamshire Jamie Roscoe-Jones, Woking, Kent Surrey Barbara Bell, Kingswood, Jay Hayes-Light, Warrington, Cheshire Cheshire Kumko Shimizu, London,

Antje Brandtner, Baldock, Jason Jorgensen, West Chester, Lorna Stevenson, Callington, Ohio, USA Cornwall

Maria Brett, Newick, East Sussex Holly Kernot, Great Munden, St Augustine’s Church, Hertfordshire Scaynes Hill, East Sussex. Joann Brizendine, Waterville, Maine, USA Lisa Luciana-Turner, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada To all our new members we extend a warm welcome Jane Burrell, Newbury, Berkshire and, along with our existing Janine McDougall, Riddells Creek, Victoria, Australia members, we would ask that Charles Butchart, Truro, you encourage others who Cornwall share your concern for animal Keith McDougall, Riddells Creek, welfare to join. Introductory Victoria, Australia Shellie Byatt, Hereford, leaflets are available from the Herefordshire Secretary.

ASWA.ORG.UK | 3 GOOD NEWS UK Expands Marine Protected Zones In January of this year, the British government announced that it was creating an additional 23 Marine Conservation Zones. The UK now has 8,000 square miles of ocean waters legally protected from environmental degradation. These zones help to conserve habitats, important geological features and sensitive species. NEWS & NOTICES Don’t forget, you can Meat-free Lent • The group meets monthly. Members come from follow ASWA on Twitter Once again, ASWA is encouraging as far as Tring, Milton Keynes @aswanews people to take part in the Meat-free and Chesham to this group. The Lent campaign. Abstaining from meat You can also keep up with what’s new contact for this group is Sarah during Lent is a practice that goes via our website www.aswa.org.uk Dunning (01923-467502). back many centuries in the Christian ASWA AGM tradition. In fact, in the Orthodox • There is an Ecumenical group, the The annual general meeting will be tradition, it is customary to abstain Three Counties Animal Welfare taking place on Saturday 21 May, from meat and dairy products as Prayer Group, who meet for a 11am at St Michael’s Church, 4 one’s Lenten fast, so if you’re already service at Gloucester Cathedral Chester Square, London, SW1W 9HH. a vegetarian, why not try going vegan at 12.15 on the first Saturday of The guest speaker will be Dr Brett for Lent? If this is your first Meat-free each month. The contact for the Cochrane, Group Head of Science at Lent, do get in touch and let us know ecumenical group is the Revd the Dr Hadwen Trust. how it goes. Helen Hall (01633-677775 or [email protected]). Money boxes Paw A Coffee • The Revd David Austin has Thank you to all those who have Paw a Coffee for ASWA will run recently started an ASWA prayer made use of the ASWA money boxes from 4th June to 21st August. How group in the Norwich area. If to collect . As the end of the about holding a gathering for your anyone is interested in joining, UK financial year is approaching, it Church friends with coffee (or tea) David’s contact details are 01603 would be a great help if those of you and cake? We provide invitations, 469112 or dsj.austin@hotmail. who have not yet sent in the money napkins with an ASWA logo, literature com. collected could do so soon. Please to give out and a disposable money do not send cash through the post. box for any donations. This is a great ASWA is always keen to support the Instead, count up what you have way to raise funds for ASWA, to tell formation of new groups. If you are collected and send us a cheque for people about the work that we do, interested in starting a group in your the equivalent amount. and to remind others that God cares area, please contact the Secretary. about all of his creatures. For further Correction Animal-friendly Church awards information, please contact the Is your church animal friendly? Last ASWA Secretary or ASWA Committee In our last issue, Sarah Dunning’s year, ASWA launched the Animal- Member Janet Murphy (07793- email address at the end of the friendly Church awards. Churches 748634). report on the cats of Bandung (News from Around the World) was printed can apply at any time and those ASWA Local groups meeting the necessary criteria will incorrectly. The correct email address be awarded animal-friendly church Don’t forget that there are ASWA is [email protected]. We status. Information is available on the local groups in different areas. apologise for the error. website or from the Secretary.

TALKING POINT Is destruction the only answer? A recent feature on the BBC news web site asks the question, “Would it be wrong to eradicate mosquitoes?” It’s a good question. As well as being widely regarded as an irritant and nuisance, mosquitoes act as vectors for the spread of disease, such as Zika virus, as we’ve been hearing about recently in the news. For all but pregnant women, Zika tends to be a mild infection with no major consequences for the suffers, but mosquitoes also spread much more deadly infections, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. One obvious way to protect humans from these infections is to wipe out mosquito populations. Only a very small proportion of mosquito species (about 100 out of more than 3000) spread diseases to and among humans. Even so, wiping out these species could have unforeseeable impacts on their ecosystems. So, is wiping out mosquito populations the solution?

4 | ASWA.ORG.UK We returned Hobo back to the wild on the of back/side gates, to enable them to visit HOBO’S STORY evening of April 16th, providing him with as many as eight or nine gardens in an We found Hobo, a 250g juvenile male a two roomed release box, with separate evening. By learning more about their hedgehog, wandering in our local area eating and sleeping accommodation and habits and requirements, we can each on the afternoon of October 3rd, 2014. a regular supply of both food and water give a helping hand to the gardener’s best He had numerous problems; not least, an in the first few days. After placing Hobo friend, the humble hedgehog. outside in the release box, in a quiet corner old wound on his side and some broken Linda J Bodicoat spines, as well as a stomach infection and of the garden, I closed off the exit for 30 a chesty cough, presumed to be caused minutes or so, in the hope that he would by lungworm. eat a little supper before he was released. After all the usual checks and treatments, Eventually, we crept down to the bottom good food, lots of TLC and somewhere of the garden, by torchlight, to unblock safe to practice his nest building skills, the exit, enabling him to escape as and Hobo began to make good progress and when he felt ready. We didn’t have to by Christmas he had reached a healthy wait too long as he had already been 850g. Once we were sure his chest had busy planning his escape route and had improved and he was no longer coughing, begun to move one of the bricks, which we moved his rabbit hutch out of the was blocking his exit! On removing the utility room and into the garage, where it last brick, we stood a short distance away, was colder, in the hope that Hobo would to watch as he took his first steps towards eventually drift naturally into hibernation. freedom. He did, and safely survived his first Access to gardens is vitally important for hibernation, weighing around 750g on the survival of hedgehogs and they can be waking. helped greatly by creating small gaps in walls and fences and by raising the height

reception with drinks and vegetarian food In the service we celebrated all of God’s ANIMAL WELFARE on the Saturday evening at the Deanery, creatures great and small, and how we courtesy of the Very Revd Christopher can learn from them about difference and SERVICES Dalliston and his wife Michelle. We diversity, about tolerance and respect, ASWA’s Annual Service invited local Church representatives of all about unconditional love. The talk was denominations, ASWA members living in delivered by Vicky Johnson, with the area and representatives from local her dog, Percy, who is known around the animal welfare groups. The evening was cathedral for being a little bit mischievous. most enjoyable despite the turnout being We were also joined by The Ely Imps, rather disappointing. Unfortunately there the Cathedral Children’s Choir, the Ely was an international Rugby match taking Choristers, and people from various place in the city on the same evening! animal charities. We heard the amazing Animal Welfare Sunday 2016 falls on story of Blaze, a guide dog who had given Sunday 2nd October and our annual her owner Clare new hope, about the work service will be at St Cross Church in of K9, a which supports vulnerable On Animal Welfare Sunday 2015, Winchester. If you are an ASWA member adults through pet therapy, and we heard the ASWA team were invited to living in Winchester and would like to be about the work of the Donkey Sanctuary, St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle to involved, please contact the Secretary. as well as other worthy causes. share our message at their 10am service. Samantha Chandler The most amazing thing about Ely’s pet We had never visited Newcastle before service is the number of people who might and it was a great opportunity to make not normally come through the cathedral’s contact with a new area and talk to them Ely Cathedral doors but who come to worship with their about animal welfare. pets. All are made welcome, and this Ely Cathedral is known affectionately ASWA Patron, the Rt Revd James Jones, hospitality shows that the church cares and as The Ship of the Fens, but in October preached an excellent sermon. He began respects all of God’s creatures, great and it was transformed into a modern day by recounting an experience he had small. It also says something profound Noah’s Ark, as hundreds of animals were whilst in Honduras with Tearfund, when about the Christian faith to those who welcomed into the cathedral for the 28th Psalm 104 became very real to him as are perhaps unfamiliar with church. For annual pet service. In aid of local and he observed the beauty and order of his God loves the smallest sparrow, the flower national animal charities. The Cathedral natural surroundings. A full version of of the field, and every living things that was full, with cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea this sermon can be found on our website creeps upon the earth. Wild animals, and pigs and two Alpacas, Daisy the Donkey, under ‘Sermons’ but if you want a paper cattle and creatures of every kind, God who is a regular participant in cathedral copy, please send an A4 sized SAE to the sees as good. There are some who think worship at Easter and Christmas, and an Secretary and she will print one off for you. such services are just a gimmick, but at elderly tortoise Freda (Aged 50), who has Ely the annual pet service is a vital part ASWA Chair, the Revd Dr Helen Hall took been a regular at the Pet Service for many of our mission and outreach strategy, and the opportunity while the service was on years. We were also joined by Aled Jones a means of communicating the Christian to spend some time with the children and and BBC Songs of Praise, who wanted to faith to a wider audience. so ensure that they were not left out of our come and find out more. The program message. We also had a stand displaying was, appropriately, broadcast on the Feast Victoria Johnson our literature. of St Francis. As we have done for the last couple of years, we also organised an evening

ASWA.ORG.UK | 5 San Martín de Porres, La Palma, Canary and prayers were said for animals in our local supermarkets. Alongside this Islands different parts of the UK and Europe, information, there were illustrations, including Spain, Russia and Cyprus. Bible texts, prayers, and quotations from On October 4th, St Francis’ day, we held Christian thinkers, both ancient and In previous years, I have given a talk during our first ever Animal Blessing service which modern, who have written about Christian the service about one of the animal welfare was conducted by the Revd Jennifer Elliott responses to animal suffering. de Riverol, the first in Charge of the projects I am involved with but this year I newly formed Anglican congregation. We took the opportunity to pay a personal The windowsill display had a challenge are an animal friendly church and have tribute to Brian Sewell, the art critic of the for everyone who came into our church: been officially recognized as such by London Evening Standard, who died two “Lord, what can we do to protect our animal ASWA. weeks before the service on the 19th. friends and brothers and sisters? We can September. Brian was life-long animal ask questions. We can read labels when Four dogs and “Percy” the fish were lover, who generously supported a variety we shop. We can pray. At Choral blessed. Readers can learn more about us of animal charities and welfare causes on St Francis’ day Hannah preached about on: www.lapalmaanglican.es and who endeavoured throughout his the food industry and animal welfare. Lots Jennifer Elliott de Riverol life to encourage people to show greater of people were interested and wanted to respect and compassion for the other living talk about it with her afterwards.

creatures who share this planet with us. He We held our animal blessing service during St Martin’s, Kensal Green, London was a true original in every sense of the Afternoon Church at 4.30 pm. It was a word and will most assuredly be sorely The 2015 animal blessing service attracted delightfully informal, cafe-style service. missed. one of the most diverse gatherings for some Our readings were Psalm 104 and a story years, with visitors from across London, St.Martin’s has links with an Orthodox from ’s Life of St Francis. At the Home Counties and a couple all the convent in Russia, where the animal-loving the end, at the Blessing of the Animals, way from Paris. We were really pleased to nuns rescue and care for unwanted and everyone received a card with the words of welcome ninety-two humans, twenty-seven abused animals, and a retiring collection the blessing, and space for them to write in dogs, five cats and a guinea pig. was held to assist them with their welfare their animal’s name. They took the cards As usual, dogs were in the majority but work, raising £230. home, as a permanent reminder that God cats were also well represented, including James Hogan loves their animals and does bless them. a feisty kitten who was entirely at ease in Some people brought photos of animals the presence of the dogs and people. The that they weren’t able to bring to church St Peter’s, Harrogate exotics were not to be outdone, however, with them for blessing. It was a special joy with a baby bearded dragon proudly For St Francis day this year, Hannah Beck, to welcome all those coming to St Peter’s presented for the blessing by its young a Reader at our church, made an eye- for the first time, and those for whom the owner. catching display in the church windowsills, animal blessing service is the one day of The companion animals of those unable to about animal welfare and the food industry. the year that they come to church. attend the service were also remembered Each windowsill was full of information Helen about the animal welfare policies of NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AUSTRALIA Working tirelessly for animal welfare the combination of public outrage and Pearson, a member of the Upper House I am pleased to report that there is the results of government inquiries will of the NSW Parliament, spoke about plenty of work on behalf of animals eventually bring an end to this ‘sport’. his work in Parliament to challenge all underway in Australia. One issue that Live exports issues are ongoing. In legislation which could have a negative has come to the fore in the past year November 2015 I met Dr Lynne Simpson, impact on animals. Next month Mark is the greyhound industry. The secretive a vet who had worked on many voyages will convene a roundtable in Parliament and cruel practices of this industry are taking cattle and sheep to the Middle for various animal groups that have a under close scrutiny by governments East. Dr Simpson wrote a report for particular interest in the over-supply of after Animals Australia and Animal the Federal Government and this has healthy but unwanted cats and dogs in Liberation, Queensland uncovered live been widely circulated, nationally and Australia. I am looking forward to that as baiting using rabbits, possums and internationally. It is heart-breaking to see I help to run an organisation that assists piglets. Shocking footage was shown on what the animals endure on their way to pensioners with the cost of pet desexing. national TV, causing an outcry. Dozens a cruel death. Rallies were held in major If the roundtable participants decide of trainers were immediately suspended cities last year calling for an end to live to work together, there could be some or banned for life, CEOs were sacked exports, and to make sure the public moves to reduce the kill rate in pounds and racing boards demolished. was fully aware, there was a billboard and shelters and foster improved owner Government inquiries were launched campaign. It was encouraging to see responsibility. I wonder how many and we await outcomes. Many hope the billboards across major highways puppies and kittens were given as gifts that the industry will be closed down. and on the back of buses and taxis. Why at Christmas and are now no longer As well as their appalling treatment in does this trade persist? wanted. Australia, greyhounds are exported In October 2015 Christ Church This year there will be a general election into Asian countries, where these Cathedral here in Newcastle hosted our in Australia. Hopefully, there will be beautiful animals fare even worse than annual animal service, which is always candidates from the Animal Justice Party. in Australia. This was also shown on so enjoyed and looked forward to. Mark national TV and one can only hope that Olga Parkes 6 | ASWA.ORG.UK wolves. They do not cause severe harm responsible for regularly walking dogs, SOUTH AFRICA to livestock, the deer of the Sami (the or working as a volunteer may be a win- indigenous people of the North), or, in win solution for everyone. the long run, the economy. The report Charity challenges hunting finds that, sadly, only 400 wolves are Sandra Kinley CACH is a registered wildlife charity left in the wild in Sweden. This leads me and public benefit organisation. We are to report an interesting turn of events for a group of volunteers who campaign the sheep owner in Moraberg Farm. He together to secure a ban on the captive claims that 70 of his sheep were struck breeding of lions for the canned hunting and killed by wolves and he wanted the USA industry. There are no paid employees, licence to hunt and kill any wolf he saw. not even the directors, and all funds He also sought reimbursement from the Working to improve lives for people raised go to meet campaign expenses. insurance company. The good news is and animals that the County Administrative Board CACH has raised awareness of the plight Project PAT (People-Animals-Together) of the African lion and, in particular, has submitted a complaint to the police authority on the grounds of neglect is an offshoot of the Humane Society the barbaric cruelty of the lion farming US “Pets for Life” programme, the and canned hunting industry, more on two points: not having safety or supervision for the sheep, and the fact goal of which is to enable people in than any other conservation or animal under-served, low-income areas keep welfare organisation. In late 2014 that the sheep owner declined the offer of having temporary safety installed to their beloved pets healthy, happy and CACH worked with the CBS News 60 with them forever. Waterville, Maine Minutes team to expose the unethical protect the remaining sheep. The sheep owner now faces an interesting spring. is the poorest city in the state with two sale of lions by the Lion Park near areas recognised as having the lowest Johannesburg. This show, entitled The I would like to bring some hope in the income and the fewest services in terms Lion Whisperer (http://cbsnews/the- often overwhelmingly hard reality for our of transportation, access to grocery lion-whisperer/) was apparently seen by animal and bird friends. As we know, stores and pet care. A Wellness Clinic 18.4 million people in the USA. dogs are often seen as expendable was held on October 31st for residents CACH has been raising awareness via and many people tire of their pets and of these areas who have a cat or a social media, TV documentary shows, abandon or neglect them. Dog pounds dog. Each animal was given rabies radio interviews and via the books by or sanctuaries exist in many forms, not and distemper vaccines if needed, a the founders Chris and Bev, For the Love all of them good. There is, however, check-up by a licensed veterinarian, of Wildlife and Kalahari Dream in order much hope in one of them, Hundstallet, flea and tick preventatives and vouchers to encourage responsible tourism. Our the “Dog stable” situated in Stockholm, for no-cost spaying or neutering. colleague in Australia, Donalea Patman, in a suburb, in newly built kennels with a Local neighbourhood associations successfully lobbied for a ban on the nearby green area for long walks. and businesses helped by handing out import of lion trophies into Australia. The Dog stable is a sub-society to the information to their patrons. Our goal CACH was the sole beneficiary of Swedish Dog Protection Society. Founded is to spay/neuter 500 pets from those the Global March for Lions in March in 1908, for the past century it has taken areas. In addition, we are in the process 2014 when 62 cities around the world care of and rehomed tens of thousands of obtaining funding for a “trap, neuter, participated in protest marches, all of dogs, helping them find new forever release” programme for the large on the same day, to call for a ban on homes. The Dog stable accepts all kinds population of feral cats. canned lion hunting. We also won a of dogs, those who have been abused, as well as those who have had to leave gold at the World Responsible Tourism Joann Brizendine Awards in London on 4th November their owners due to family reasons such 2015. as the death of an owner. Most dogs come via the police or the general In 2016 CACH will concentrate on public. It receives no government funds bringing awareness to the Tourism but relies entirely on private funding and and Volunteer agencies with regard donations. It has an annual turnover of to cub petting and lion walking events 24 million Swedish Krona. It is open 24 which are linked to the canned hunting hours a day all the year round. The Dog industry. stable has one supervisor and nine dog handlers, five administrative assistants Beverley Pervan and eight part-time workers. Many volunteers are engaged in dog walking and also provide emergency homes SWEDEN when the Dog stable is full. The policy is to rehome every dog, to rehabilitate Good news for Swedish canines: and medically treat as many of them as wild and domestic possible. Vets offer their services and the dogs are medically sound when The Swedish Environmental Agency they are placed. Last year 244 dogs has concluded in their latest report were accepted and only 18 had to that Swedish wolves can cause harm to be put down for medical reasons. For domestic animals, resulting in damages people who would love to have a dog for owners. The damage caused is not, but for some reason are unable to have however, seen to be of such gravity as to one, then becoming a “doggie walker” warrant the further hunting or culling of

ASWA.ORG.UK | 7 ASWA COMMITTEE ELECTIONS Once again it is time for ASWA Committee TV’s 4Thought series and BBC regional in Singapore. He joined ASWA some Elections. There is, however, no postal radio and Radio 4. twenty years ago and since retiring has voting form in this issue of Animalwatch been able to devote more time to God’s George Ochola: George was born and because at the time of going to press there animal kingdom. He is also a trustee and ordained in Kenya and worked in Church were fewer candidates for committee actively involved with three other Christian Ministry in the of Maseno South places than there were vacancies. You organisations and lives happily near [ACK] for ten years. He then moved to will find information about the candidates Bristol with his wife, daughter, three cats where he works as Team Chaplain below. and dog. of West Hertfordshire hospitals, NHS Trust ASWA committee members are trustees, as well as being a priest to the Benefice of The deadline for applications to stand which means they have legal duties and St Michael and All Angels Parish within the for election to the ASWA committee next responsibilities. The tasks of the committee Diocese of . George is married year (2017) is 16th January 2017, but are to manage the day-to-day running of with six children. we ask that you contact the Secretary by ASWA, including the planning of ASWA the end of December 2016 in order to Sarah Dunning: Sarah is a retired primary services, commissioning and producing facilitate getting profiles of candidates into school teacher who has been a member informational material, managing the Animalwatch on time. Candidates must be of ASWA for many years, and has served budget, organising fund-raising events willing to attend three committee meetings on the committee for about fifteen. She is and the production of Animalwatch, to a year, which are held in London, and must a member of St Michael and All Angels’ name but a few. be proposed and seconded - preferably Church, Watford, where she organises by existing ASWA members or a member Samantha Chandler: Samantha has an annual animal blessing service, is a of the clergy who knows the prospective been Secretary since 1996. She has been member of the choir, volunteers with the nominee well. involved in animal welfare for over twenty Foodbank and sometimes helps with the five years, supporting many organisations Sunday School and Messy Church. such as Compassion in World Farming, Sarah runs the ASWA Mobile Prayer Group Animal Aid and the Born Free Foundation. and hosts ASWA Watford at her home. Samantha says that working for ASWA Sarah also helps regularly with the ASWA gave her the opportunity of combining her stall at the Animal Aid Christmas Fayre in Christian faith with her love of animals Kensington, and represents ASWA at the and concern for their welfare. She is recently formed Animal Interfaith Alliance married with three children and lives in [AIA], where she is a director on the board. Hampshire with a menagerie of animal friends including a small flock of rescued Keith Cottrell: Keith’s lifelong passion sheep. Sam has appeared on Channel 4 for animal welfare started as a child

ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION Founded in 1990, the Orangutan them for release back into the wild. The day also become a protected area of Foundation is the foremost orangutan Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, which the orangutan habitat. conservation organization. Since the start, Foundation works to protect, is one of the The Orangutan Foundation are working the Orangutan Foundation has developed few places in Indonesia where translocated hard to keep this incredible species alive a diverse range of programmes to save and rescued orangutans can be safely in the wild. To learn more about the this enigmatic species and safeguard released, and over 200 orangutans Foundation’s work or to contribute to critical areas of habitat, as well as working have been reintroduced there. This year their efforts, visit their website at www. with local communities and promoting is the Orangutan Foundation’s 25th orangutan.org.uk. research and education. This approach Anniversary, and to mark the occasion recognises that orangutans are essential the Foundation has secured a deal to Rowan Sharp to their habitat, which is important and extend the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve by unique in its rich biodiversity and is 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres); a notable crucial for local communities, who are as achievement for orangutan conservation. dependent on the forest as the orangutans The Foundation also works in co- are. operation with the park management in As a result of habitat loss, a growing Tanjung Puting National Park to protect its challenge the Foundation faces is the critical forest ecosystem. The park is home increasing number of orangutans found to a wide range of wildlife, including over isolated in remnant patches of forests 4,000 orangutans. Thanks to Orangutan or encroaching upon villages and oil- Foundation guard posts, this wildlife palm plantations. As orangutans are remains under vigilant protection. Another displaced by deforestation, they are also area in Central Kalimantan, named occasionally found orphaned, injured or Belantikan Hulu, is known to contain the kept in villages as pets. In collaboration largest single population of orangutans with local government and communities, outside of protected areas. Along with the Foundation therefore supports an its Indonesian partners, Yayorin, the orangutan reintroduction programme, Foundation undertakes research within rescuing these animals and preparing this area in the hope that it will one

8 | ASWA.ORG.UK CONSERVATION AND THE BOOK OF JOB Some of the most evocative descriptions of animal life are as living evidence of the glory of God, and our response contained within the book of Job. Destitute, bereaved and has been to wipe them out. covered in boils, the eponymous hero finally reaches the There is an uncomfortable irony in the way in which the end of his tether and snaps. He cries out to God wanting to biblical text contrasts the domestic oxen with their wild know why these disasters have befallen him, and receives cousins, highlighting that the aurochs cannot be harnessed an eloquent and dramatic reply: “Where were you when I and made useful to humanity. The voice of God cited this laid the foundations of the Earth?” After this, arguably the as reason to pause and understand his greatness; we greatest put down in history of world literature, the Lord apparently saw it as reason to them from the face of reminds Job of the wonders and mysteries of his creation. the planet without worrying too much about it. A litany of animals appear in the text, and it is made clear that they have lives and purposes beyond the knowledge From a Christian perspective, conservation has to be tied and understanding of humankind. It is glaringly apparent to our understanding of our path within God’s world and from the latter part of the Book of Job that the universe the sacred duties which he has given us. There are many really isn’t all about us. pragmatic reasons why we should care for our environment, other animals and eco-systems. Put starkly, it is a sine One beautiful and now poignant passage stands out qua non for our own continued survival, as the crisis with above the rest: population levels of pollinating bees should have reminded Is the wild ox willing to serve you? us. But for Christians, it shouldn’t be that self-interest which Will it spend the night at your crib? drives us. We should of course be mindful of our special duties as appointed stewards of God’s creation, and the Can you tie it in the furrow with ropes, need to carry that out in a Christ-like way. God invests or will it harrow the valleys after you? human beings with power in order to use it for the benefit Will you depend on it because its strength is great, of the weak, not so that they can exploit them for their and will you hand over your labour to it? own ends. This holds true of kings and , but also all people when it comes to responsibilities which flow from Do you have faith in it that it will return, being created in the image of God. We should be moved and bring your grain to your threshing-floor? by compassion for the suffering of our fellow creatures, (Job 39:9–12)­ empathize with their pain and remember that Jesus gave his body for their wholeness as well as ours. Unlike Job, we cannot gaze upon the wild ox and marvel at its strength and freedom, because the aurochs had the There is no escaping from the message of the book of dubious honour of being the first recorded extinction in Job. It really is not all about us. God spoke in pride and modern times. The last known individual died in Poland celebration for the aurochs, and our response was to in 1627. Unsurprisingly, human beings were largely destroy it. We cannot change that now, but we can make responsible, having destroyed their habitat and hunted the choices about how we treats the animals, and indeed population to beyond the point of no return. It is difficult to plants, which remain to his glory. see how any Christian could not hang their head in shame Helen Hall about this reality. Our Holy Scriptures cite these creatures

ASWA REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE On Sunday 8th November, ASWA We were also thrilled this year to have afternoon so that clergy and those who held its fifth Remembrance Service for two representatives from RAF Police attend their own church services in the Animals at the Animal’s War Memorial Military Working Dogs and Ziggy the morning can still come to remember in Park Lane, London. black Labrador. Flight Sergeant Lee the animals in the afternoon. We Close also gave a talk about the work always lay a special ASWA wreath at The service was once again led by of the Military Dogs and their huge the memorial but please feel free to ASWA Chair, Revd Dr Helen Hall, and importance and often sacrifice. bring your own wreaths or flowers if we had the biggest crowd to date, you so wish. with well over 100 people present. We were also joined by our friends Pen Farthing from Nowzad Dogs was from Catholic Concern for Animals Samantha Chandler unable to be with us, as he was called (CCA), Quaker Concern for Animals to Afghanistan, but his colleague Sally and the Animals Interfaith Alliance. Baldwin attended in his place and Chris Fegan from CCA did one of the gave a short talk about the wonderful readings. work they do. Nowzad also introduced This is now a firm date in the ASWA their lovely new Remembrance badge diary, so please come along and which is available on their website. support us this year when we meet Nowzad members were also present again on Sunday 13th November at and it was wonderful to have their 3.00pm. We hold our service in the support.

ASWA.ORG.UK | 9 BOOK REVIEW ASWA NEWS AMERICAN ZOO to zoos. Those who care for vulnerable A sociological safari humans, namely the very old and the very By David Grazian young, are also often poorly paid. As with zoo animals, those dependent on their Princeton University poorly paid carers are often those of great Press value to us. In all of these cases – caring ISBN 978-0-691- for babies and small children, the elderly, 16435-9 and zoo animals – a high proportion of 272pp + notes and the work is physical labour, something our index society values much less than intellectual Hardback endeavour. That specific knowledge, Price £19.95 compassion and specialist skills are all American Zoo is a look at life in American necessary in caring for the vulnerable, zoos, but not in the way you might think. whether human or non-human animal, Although the animals take centre stage at seems to be something that is completely any zoo, this book focuses on the human overlooked when it comes to how this type life of the zoo and how people, whether of work is valued and remunerated. staff or visitors, interact with the animals What is the purpose of a zoo? The zoos and the zoo environment. David Grazian themselves would probably say that they is a sociologist who did his zoo research exist to educate the public about animal ASWA’s witness at the Animal Aid through interviews with staff and a period life and to contribute to conservation. But Christmas Fayre of participant observation at two zoos that doesn’t seem to be what the public (he worked as a volunteer and observed ASWA has manned a stall at the Animal is looking for: “...research shows that both the staff and the visitors while he was Aid Christmas Fayre in Kensington for zoo audiences tend to desire recreational there). The book, based on this academic about fifteen years now. We are not only and entertaining experiences far more research project, is very accessible and the only Christian group present, but the than instructive opportunities to learn…” readable. as Grazian tells us. For many zoos, this only faith group there. The introduction sets the scene by means that in order to engage with the We have always thought that our presence discussing human impact on the public, they have to put on animal ‘shows’, is a definite witness, and thought it environment and ‘nature’ (itself a human although these are often used as a means important to engage with people in the construct). Zoos artificially re-create of educating their audiences about the animal movement, who mainly have had ‘nature’ by building habitats intended to animals that they are seeing. a poor view of the Church and its apparent mimic the environments in which the zoo Zoos do contribute to conservation disinterest in animals generally. At the start animals would live in the wild (though efforts. Captive breeding programmes for most visitors to the stall would challenge many of the animals themselves are endangered species have been running us about this anthropocentric stance, and captive-bred). While we might think such since the 1970s, but these have so far had some were hostile to our presence at the engineering of habitats and enclosures is a limited impact on wild populations. No Fayre. So it was necessary to own the truth for the animals’ benefit – and in part it doubt this is in part related to practical that for centuries the Church had adhered is – in the main, it is for the human visitors difficulties. Funding is, as with many to a dogma which stemmed more from to the zoo. This artificial re-creation of institutions, a major issue. This poses Aristotle than the Bible. We had to admit wild habitats and ecosystems both helps a dilemma for those of us interested in the Church had got it wrong on this matter, to create an immersive experience for the animal welfare. We may be opposed and say that ASWA’s mission was to right zoo visitor and aids education by showing, on principle to keeping wild animals that wrong. rather than simply describing, the spaces in captivity and exhibiting them for the the creatures would inhabit in the wild. That witness is bearing fruit. We were entertainment of a paying public. On the always able to engage in meaningful other hand, we recognise the necessity There is an interesting exploration of discussion, and there has been a the significance that humans assign of rescuing and preserving endangered noticeable shift in people’s reaction to us to different animals, and the human species. Sadly, with continuing destruction over the years. These days, visitors to the preference for some kinds of animals over of habitats, poaching and other threats, stall are interested in ASWA’s work and ask others – charismatic megafauna, cute there may be no alternative place for about our progress. They are now glad to animals and animal infants, for example conservation to take place than in see us annually at this event, and we have – and our aversion to others, namely zoos. But to run effective conservation friendly and often long and interesting bats, snakes and insects, regardless of programmes, zoos need funds. Should conversations. I like to think that ASWA’s any actual threat posed to humans by we be giving to zoos in the hope that our regular presence at the Animal Aid Fayre the species in question or their value to funds help with conservation, even if we has helped many people in the animal human society. see a fundamental flaw at the heart of their day to day operations? movement to see the Church in a more In looking at the human ‘residents’ of the positive light. zoo (the zookeepers), Grazian examines Zoos are not perfect, but what comes the paradox that being a zookeeper across clearly in his conversations with Sarah Dunning requires a university degree and long these (mainly young) zookeepers is the period of internship (often unpaid), and keepers’ love for and commitment to the yet the pay is very low – about half the animals in their care. This is an immensely US average income. This is despite the interesting book that provides a real fact that the animals the keepers care for insight into these complex and sometimes are, in many cases, rare and valuable. controversial institutions. Of course, this paradox is not restricted Jennifer Brown

10 | ASWA.ORG.UK THE BIBLE AND... LETTERS TO Conservation food supply. To some, this may seem THE EDITOR to be a very anthropocentric (human- This short Bible study is designed to centred) and self-serving rationale for Dear Editor enable an individual or small group conservation. For the ancient Hebrews, These days we often hear the word to use the Bible to think about what however, maintaining a reliable food ‘rescue’ in relation to finding homes a Christian approach to conservation supply was essential. Even today, for cats and dogs. It brings images might look like. and even for those who don’t rely on of a poor, under-nourished animal being cared for in a secure place after What is conservation? In ecological animals as a food source, maintaining being cruelly treated or abandoned. I terms, conservation is the preservation a healthy and diverse ecosystem is consider my dog Sandy to be a rescue and protection of species and necessary for our continued survival dog. She appeared in my garden ecosystems. Is this a biblical concern? (see Helen Hall’s article Conservation one night during a fierce storm, As conservation is a modern and Job for more on this). As Star Trek’s very hungry and shivering with cold phenomenon, many would probably Mr Spock says, “To hunt a species to and fear. As she was only a puppy, think it isn’t. And yet, there are extinction is not logical.”2 I imagine she had been dumped in several biblical passages that point the neighbourhood by someone in a When it comes to conservation, our to conservation as something of passing car. She was so frightened responsibility is not just to ourselves importance. and nervous that she would run off if alone, nor even just to our fellow anyone came too close. After several God’s concern for the conservation creatures. We also have a responsibility days, I tried lying down on the grass of species is seen first in the story of to God. Psalm 24 begins, “The earth and finally when she realised I wasn’t Noah (Genesis 6.5–22). In the flood, is the Lord’s and everything in it, the going to hurt her, slowly she moved God could have destroyed everything compass of the world and all who towards me. Close enough for me to and begun again from scratch. But this dwell therein.”3 We should remember stroke her head. is not what he chooses to do. Instead, that this world does not belong to us, it I’ve not had a dog since I was child and God tasks Noah with building the belongs to God. being nearly sixty didn’t think I would ark in order to save representatives adapt to having one now, but within • What does it mean to you that the (breeding pairs) of all animal species. a few days Sandy became a constant earth belongs, not to us to use as In other words, God gives Noah the companion and real joy to have we please, but to God? vocation of conservation. around the place. She soon became • When you think of stewardship well known in the neighbourhood • How does Noah’s calling to of the earth and its creatures and a regular visitor to our church, conserve animal species relate to only falling asleep if the sermon goes (Genesis 2.5–15), do you think of humanity’s calling to be stewards on a little too long but normally just this as preserving the earth and of the earth (Genesis 2.5–15)? walking quietly round saying ‘hello’ our fellow creatures to the members of the congregation. • In the light of God’s refusal to • for their own sakes, In fact last year she helped in our wipe the slate clean and start from church, the Anglican Church at San scratch in the story of Noah, how • for future human generations Martin de Porres in La Palma, being should we understand the place so that they won’t be deprived awarded an Animal Friendly Church of the non-human creation in of the beauty and goodness certificate by ASWA. the renewal of heaven and earth that we’ve enjoyed, Life is full of changes and mine (Colossians 1.13–20; Ephesians • for God who created the earth has recently suffered losses and 1.9–10; 2 Peter 3.10–13; and charged us with caring heartbreaks but along with my faith Revelation 21.1–5)? Which is the for it, the love of Sandy has really got me better fit with what we know of through some very sad and difficult God: utter destruction or renewal, • or all three? times. It’s left me thinking “Who rescues whom?” rebirth and restoration? • What role does the Church have Conservation also appears in the laws to play in conservation? Alan Chopping, La Palma, Canary Islands that governed the lives of the ancient Even in just the few passages covered, Hebrew people. In Deuteronomy we see that the Bible does have 22.6–7, the people are commanded: something to say about conservation, “If you come on a bird’s nest, in any and this is an issue relevant to tree or on the ground, with fledglings Christians both as residents of the or eggs, with the mother sitting on the earth and also as people of God. fledglings or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. Let the 1. NRSV mother go, taking only the young for yourself, in order that it may go well 2. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. ©Paramount Pictures, 1986 with you and you may live long.”1 3. Common Worship Psalter, ©Archbishops’ Leaving the mother bird allows her Council, 2000 to have more clutches of eggs in the future, thus ensuring a continuing

ASWA.ORG.UK | 11 A Service for Animal Welfare

St Cross Church, Winchester Sunday 2nd October 2016, 9.30am Preacher: the Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS ASWA President and former Bishop of Monmouth All Welcome

For further information contact Samantha Chandler, Secretary Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals Tel: 01252 843093 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aswa.org.uk

ANGLICAN SOCIETY FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS

PO Box 7193, Hook, Hampshire [email protected] The Rt Revd John Pritchard RG27 8GT, UK. www.aswa.org.uk Patrons: (Former Bishop of Oxford) Correspondance Secretary: Dr Tony Campolo The Revd Dr Steven Shakespeare Mrs Samantha Chandler Mr David Coffey MRCVS Tel/Fax: 01252 843093 President: The Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS Email: [email protected] The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell (Former Bishop of Monmouth) (Bishop of ) Treasurer: Mrs Jenny White Vice President: The Rt Revd James Jones Editor: Revd Jennifer Brown The Revd Dr Martin Henig (Former Bishop of Liverpool) Email: [email protected] Chairman: Rt Revd Richard Llewellin Membership Secretary: The Revd Dr Helen Hall (Former ) Mr Keith Plumridge Email: