Getting the show off the road
Dancing bears, monkey acts, and big cats leaping through hoops of fire are almost history now in India, where such acts appear to have started in Vedic times, spreading through- A lion couple, photographed in the wild in Kenya. (Kim Bartlett) out the world. Some dancing bears, monkeys, and circus lions, tigers, and leopards are still on the South Africa regulates––but does back roads, or are stashed in sheds by A rescued bear at the Wildlife SOS exhibitors who imagine that the Wild Life sanctuary near Agra. (Kim Bartlett) not ban––killing captive lions Protection Act of 1972 might be repealed or and Visakhapatnam. Other are being built. amended, but for most the show is over. The lions, tigers, and bears at the res- CAPE TOWN––“We are putting people who are half drunk on the back of a The Supreme Court of India turned cue centers are the last captive generation of an end, once and for all, to the reprehensi- truck hunting lions who are in fact tame their kind. None have been legally bred in six ble practice of canned hunting,” insisted animals is quite abhorrent.” out the lights on May 1, 2001. Six years later, years. Because no more big cats and bears are South African environment minister Summarized the South African the significance of the Supreme Court ruling to be bred for show or sale, the pretense of cap- Marthinus van Schalkwyk at a February 20, Press Agency, “The new regulations also against traveling animal shows is just becoming evident, as the possible foundation of a para- tive breeding can no longer be used as legal 2007 press conference in Cape Town. introduce a uniform national system for the digm shift in Indian and perhaps global attitudes cover for taking more from the wild. “South Africa has a long standing registration of captive breeding operations, toward keeping wildlife in captivity. Capturing bears, monkeys, lions, reputation as a global leader on conserva- commercial exhibition facilities, game More than 280 lions, 40 tigers, and and tigers for exhibition was outlawed in India tion issues. We cannot allow our achieve- farms, nurseries, scientific institutions, by the Wild Life Protection Act 1972. Before ments to be undermined by rogue practices sanctuaries, and rehabilitation facilities. scores of aging ex-performing bears are living 2001, however, the law was often circumvent- such as canned lion hunting,” van “It’s a step in the right direction,” out their lives at Central Zoo Authority-accred- ited Animal Rescue Centres near Agra, ed by poachers who killed mothers, stole Schalkwyk continued. ventured International Fund for Animal Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Jaipur, Tirupati, (continued on page 10) Effective on June 1, 2007, van (continued on page 8) Schalwyk said, the new regulations will prohibit “hunting large predators and rhi- noceros who are ‘put and take’ animals––in other words, a captive-bred animal who is released on a property for the purpose of hunting within twenty-four months. ANIMAL PEOPLE Hunting should be about fair chase,” van Schalkwyk said. “Over the years that got News For People Who Care About Animals eroded and now we are trying to re-estab- lish that principal.” Added van Schalkwyk, “Hunting thick-skinned animals and large predators April 2007 with a bow and arrow will be prohibited, Volume XVII, #3 and hunting from vehicles will no longer be allowed.” Said van Schalkwyk later, to Clare Nullis of Associated Press, “To see Wolves, grizzlies lose protection–– + and Alaska resumes wolf bounty + WASHINGTON D.C.– – W o l v e s North American predators, even in Alaska. and grizzly bears, the iconic predators of the “But a majority of board members North American frontier, lost their agreed with member Bob Bell, who argued Endangered Species Act protection within the that wolverines are so secretive and scarce, it’s continental U.S. within days of each other in nearly impossible to spot one as part of a March 2007, opening the possibility that both wildlife-viewing experience, whereas they do may soon be legally hunted. have value for trappers,” wrote George Demonstrating how wolves and griz- Bryson of the Anchorage Daily News. zlies became endangered in the first The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on place––and what has historically always hap- February 8, 2007 began the delisting process pened when rural states are allowed jurisdic- for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains tion over large predators––Alaska Governor by opening a 60-day comment period on the Sarah Palin’s office on March 20 introduced a formal delisting proposal, a month before $150 bounty on wolves. The bounty is open delisting was completed for wolves in the only to the 180 pilots and aerial gunners who upper Midwest. are registered volunteer participants in the On March 12, 2007, the Fish & state’s predator control program. Wildlife Service returned management authori- Killing 607 wolves in the four pre- ty over wolves in Michigan, Minnesota, and ceding winters, the program had a 2007 target Wisconsin to their state wildlife agencies. of 382 to 684 wolves. Only 98 had been killed The Midwest delisting also covers with five weeks to go before the aerial shoot- wolves in the Dakotas and Iowa, although ing season was to end on April 30. none are known to be established in those The predator control program was states. promoted by former Governor Frank “Bear hunters who use dogs and Murkowski and his appointees to the Alaska some livestock farmers began an advertising Bangalore children played with street puppies before two recent mauling deaths Board of Game, to make more moose and campaign to convince Wisconsin officials to sparked the fiercest challenge yet to the 10-year-old Indian policy of favoring Animal Birth caribou available to human hunters. immediately cull wolf numbers in the state Control instead of killing to control street dogs. [Pages 3, 18.] (Savitha Nagabhushan) Alaska paid a bounty on wolves from 500 to 350, the quota listed in from gaining statehood in 1959 until 1972, Wisconsin’s state wolf plan,” noted John then pursued a variety of other methods of pro- Myers of the Duluth News Tribune. New Mexico bans cockfighting moting predator killing. “Wisconsin officials say they have no plans to The Alaska Board of Game in March do so.” SANTA FE––New Mexico Gov- could not be charged,” summarized Deborah 2007 also opened a spring grizzly bear hunting Minnesota introduced a plan to pay ernor Bill Richardson on March 12, 2007 Baker of Associated Press. season in Chugach State Park, at risk of trappers $150 per wolf killed. signed into law a bill banning cockfighting, “The push for change was home- orphaning cubs––and authorized trapping “Attitudes of the public have leaving Louisiana as the last U.S. state that grown,” reported Los Angeles Times s t a f f wolverines in Chugach. changed. But the attitudes of the state manage- allows it. writer Nicholas Riccardi. “When Garcia took Wolverines are among the rarest of (continued on page 7) “Today, New Mexico joins 48 other office in 1989, a male colleague suggested states in affirming that deliberately killing ani- she try to ban cockfighting. Her bill was easi- mals for entertainment and profit is no longer ly defeated” Riccardi recalled, “and Garcia acceptable,” said State Senator Mary Jane soon learned that the ban suggestion was a Garcia (D-Dona Ana), who pushed prohibit- sort of hazing to which veteran legislators ing cockfights for 18 years. subjected young female colleagues.” Thirteen New Mexico counties had Garcia did not appreciate that She already individually banned cockfighting. objected as well to claims by cockfighters that Taking effect on June 15, “The bill cockfighting is part of New Mexico’s Latino makes participating in cockfights a petty mis- heritage. “How dare they insult me this way, demeanor on first offense, a misdemeanor on that it is my culture?” Garcia asked. “Never, second offense, and a fourth-degree felony–– never, never.” punishable by up to 18 months in prison––for Garcia repeatedly reintroduced her a third or subsequent offense. Spectators (continued on page 9)) 2 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007
+ + ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 3 Editorial Media relations & the Bangalore dog crisis The Bangalore dog crisis, extensively covered in both this and the previous edition Yet in Bangalore the very first sentence was neglected, for whatever reason: of ANIMAL PEOPLE, has underlying meaning for almost every reader. Do not wait for the media to come to you. If you do, they usually will not come Heavily publicized dog attacks, in Bangalore and elsewhere, may cause India to until someone has complained about a problem, which puts you on the defensive. rescind or weaken the decade-old policy mandating civic participation in the national Animal The remedy, anywhere and everywhere, is to get to know your local media. Birth Control program, and forbidding indiscriminate massacres of street dogs. Find out who edits each of the newspapers and broadcast news programs serving This would be a reversal of momentum toward achieving no-kill animal control of your area. Find out who covers lifestyles, children’s issues, municipal affairs, crime, and global influence––and would come even though ABC has cut the street dog population of wildlife. Introduce yourself to all of these people. India by as much as 75% in 10 years, according to the most recent World Health Organization Send personal letters of introduction, explaining what your organization does that estimate. Dog attacks are down proportionately, including in Bangalore, which has 74% involves each reporter’s beat. Then call. Make yourself immediately and easily accessible as fewer dog attacks per 1,000 citizens than the national average. a reliable source of information and perspective, who can be reached on deadline, can be Yet because dog attacks are fewer, those that occur are getting more attention. quoted on the record, and will not retreat from controversy. Because the Bangalore and Indian national news media were inadequately informed about Be aware that journalists often have short tenures. Read newspapers, and listen to ABC successes, and were insufficiently enlisted in educating the public, much of India now the broadcast news. If someone new addresses a topic that might overlap animal work, make wrongly believes that dog attacks are more frequent and more vicious than when ABC started. immediate contact. If reporters disappear, find out where they went and maintain acquain- Journalists have been easily manipulated by political opportunists who saw in two tance. Many will have moved up to editing, or to media reaching more people. Those who recent fatal dog attacks––one of them beyond the areas served by ABC––a chance to restore to have changed cities might become valuable contacts on regional or national issues. Those who the public payroll their goonda bagmen and enforcers. Traditionally such thugs were hired as have retired might volunteer to help amplify your media outreach. dogcatchers, supplementing their salaries by selling dog meat, fur, and leather. Always have background material ready to e-mail, fax, or deliver in person to any- The most outspoken opponents of ABC, in Bangalore and throughout India, include one who needs it, and have the information posted at your web site. politicians whose careers are founded on manipulating the votes of illiterates, and operators of Include, in this order: unlicensed, uninspected, unsafe, unsanitary, and thoroughly inhumane shanty butcher shops, • Contact information––and don’t forget to offer a number for 24-hour-a-day cri - whose carelessly discarded offal attracts street dogs who form warring packs. Such packs sis response. Being able to reach you in the morning doesn’t help when the morning edition were responsible for both recent fatalities. describing last night’s incident goes to press at three a.m. Illiterates vote in India––but they do not buy newspapers. The illegal meat shops • Vital statistics on your work, together with the national norms on important pay bribes to avoid law enforcement, but they do not buy mass media advertising. There was subjects. For example, none of the Bangalore news media knew, until informed by ANI- no inherent reason why ABC opponents gained the immediate amplification and leverage they MAL PEOPLE, that Bangalore has 75,000 fewer dog bites per year than could be expected, did, except that supporters of ABC had insufficiently introduced themselves in newsrooms. based on Indian norms, and no rabies within city limits in three years. Ethnic and class issues were immediately exploited by the foes of ABC. Butchering, • Succinct explanations of variance from the norms. The Bangalore ABC pro- for example, is chiefly done by members of the Muslim minority, officialy 12% of the Indian grams are demonstrably preventing at least 75,000 dog bites and hundreds of human rabies population. About two-thirds of Indians eat meat, including most of the poorest. ABC pro- cases each and every year. grams are by contrast mostly headed by educated and relatively affluent vegetarians, who tend • Succinct statements of realistic short-term and long-term objectives. The goal of to be acutely aware of their vulnerability to mob violence, as well as of the vulnerability of the ABC is often misrepresented by opponents as trying to perpetuate street dog populations. dogs they try to help. Often ABC program heads and spokespersons are too discreet to point They get away with it because ABC proponents inadequately explain the ecological principles out to illiterates at volatile public meetings that many of their blustering leaders are the very behind the ABC approach. people whose exploitive habits are most responsible for their misery. The longterm goal of ABC is to eliminate street dogs by preventing them from For example, instead of funding the eradication of rabies through immunizing dogs, breeding up to the carrying capacity of the habitat. The short-term goals include reducing the at a fraction of the cost of killing them, politicians relying on illiterate support make a show of carrying capacity of the habitat, by allowing dogs who cannot reproduce to continue to con- “putting poor people ahead of dogs,” by funding only post-exposure vaccination for dog bite sume the food, which would otherwise encourage the fecundity and nursing success of breed- victims. This brings kickbacks from local vaccine makers and distributors, as has occasional- ing bitches. (An important unofficial goal of ABC, which also must be amplified, is encour- ly been exposed, and earns the gratitude of the victims and their families, but does nothing to aging communities to improve their sanitation, before each dog’s place is taken by two mon- make communities safer because it fails to attack rabies at the source. It does, however, per- keys, three cats, 100 rats, or a pig, all of whom will be much more problematic.) petuate fear of rabies as a device that can be used to rally voters. • Succinct statements of needs in order to achieve objectives. As Animal Rights Anti-ABC politicians are pushing a policy which will inevitably result in poor chil- Fund volunteer Poornima Harish explained in the March 2007 edition of ANIMAL PEOPLE, dren continuing to be exposed to maulings and rabies. the hue-and-cry over the dog attacks gave the Bangalore ABC programs an excellent chance to The reasons for this should have been firmly and forthrightly established in media seek further funding and community support. Unfortunately, much of the momentum of the awareness and public opinion b e f o r e the recent fatal attacks ever occurred––and through moment was lost because the programs’ unmet needs were not already prominently on the broadcast as well as print media, to reach the illiterate poor. public agenda. If the ABC program leaders had been vociferously on record, demanding the Because these points were not adequately made, ABC opponents were taken seri- wherewithal necessary to extend their efforts to the unincorporated area where the second ously when they alleged that ABC is responsible for the very problems it is rapidly reducing. fatality occurred, they could not have been accused of not “doing the needful.” • Your most recent financial summary, including any compensation paid to top + Do not wait for media to call personnel. The Bangalore ABC programs were wrongly accused in print of self-aggrandize- + ment. All of them are led entirely by volunteers, and ANIMAL PEOPLE has often cited one In sum, the Bangalore crisis is an ongoing illustration of the most important points of them, Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, as a model of accountability. Had the financial made by the ANIMAL PEOPLE tip sheet Media Relations for Animal Shelters. facts already been shared with local news media, the people making the allegations––includ- Thousands of copies have been distributed since 1993 as conference handouts, both ing some reporters and columnists––might have been asked by their editors to document their on paper and in CD format. More have been downloaded from the ANIMAL PEOPLE and claims, instead of those claims going to press. Best Friends Animal Society web sites. People for Animals founder Maneka Gandhi incorpo- rated much of Media Relations for Animal Shelters into the PfA handbook on media relations, expressly for use in India. Key tips are closely paraphrased in the World Society for the Recovering from disaster Protection of Animals membership handbook. Media communications presenter Lynn The Bangalore ABC programs were victimized by much sloppy and sensational D’Souza kept the Best Friends edition on an overhead projector screen throughout most of her reporting, mostly by people who were shielded by the common Indian practice of identifying talk at the January 2007 Asia for Animals conference in Chennai. newspaper article authors only as “Our Correspondent,” or “Our Staff Reporter.” One article quoted a nameless veterinarian who asserted that no vet can do more than SEARCHABLE ARCHIVES: www.animalpeoplenews.org seven or eight sterilization surgeries per day, even if supported by veterinary technicians. Key articles available en Español et en Français! Therefore the Bangalore ABC spokespersons were said to be lying when they claimed to steril- ize 40 dogs per day. That the quoted vet was incompetent, by global surgical standards, might have been recognized before his remarks saw print, if the ABC programs had shown ANIMAL PEOPLE enough reporters and editors over the years the standards that their surgeons meet. News for People Who Care About Animals Media failures to verify purported statistics were ubiquitous. A “Staff Reporter” for The Hindu claimed that only 70,000 dog sterilizations were done in all of India last year, Publisher: Kim Bartlett – [email protected] while Rahul Sehgal’s Animal Help Foundation team did 45,000 in Ahmedabad alone. Editor: Merritt Clifton – [email protected] Beneath the headline “Figures belie NGOs’ ABC claims on dog,” Smitha Rao of Web producer: Patrice Greanville The Times of India misrepresented vaccination and revaccination counts as unsubstantiated Associate web producer: Tammy Sneath Grimes assertions about the numbers of dogs sterilized. Newswire monitor: Cathy Young Czapla Much of the Bangalore coverage consisted of reporters merely repeating the rantings and ravings of local demagogues, without subjecting any of it to tests of veracity, fairness, or P.O. Box 960 accuracy, and without presenting any opposing perspective. Clinton, WA 98236-0960 Fortunately, apart from having failed to cultivate sufficient media contacts in ISSN 1071-0035. Federal I.D: 14-175 2216 advance, the Bangalore ABC spokespersons did not transgress the other basics for winning over media in difficult situations, of which the most important is Never lie to a reporter. You Telephone: 360-579-2505. will always get caught, and you will lose more credibility in five minutes than you have built Fax: 360-579-2575. up in five years when it happens. Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org At this writing, while dog bites and even occasional serious attacks continue to Copyright © 2007 for the authors, artists, and photographers. occur in Bangalore, as in all cities, the ABC programs appear to have begun getting better Reprint inquiries are welcome. press. Some of this may be ascribed to several severely libeled persons serving notice on the offending media that they may be sued. ANIMAL PEOPLE: News for People Who Care About Animals is published The turnabout, however, had already begun before the legal notices were served. A 10 times annually by Animal People, Inc., a nonprofit, charitable corporation dedicated to key part of it was not ascribing to malice what could be ascribed to ignorance or miscommuni- exposing the existence of cruelty to animals and to informing and educating the public of cation. In India as elsewhere, animal care and control tends to be a low priority topic, often the need to prevent and eliminate such cruelty. handled by rookie reporters. Better informing them helped. So did making contact with more Subscriptions are $24.00 per year; $38.00/two years; $50/three years. experienced reporters. The Deccan Herald, for instance, published some of the most incendi- Executive subscriptions, mailed 1st class, are $40.00 per year or $70/two years. ary criticism of the ABC programs, but did a striking turnabout when the situation was turned The ANIMAL PEOPLE Watchdog Report on Animal Protection Charities, over to an editor who had previously visited some of the ABC program hospitals. updated annually, is $25. The current edition reviews 121 leading organizations. ANIMAL PEOPLE helped to inform her understanding, and eventually helped ANIMAL PEOPLE is mailed under Bulk Rate Permit #2 from Clinton, many other Bangalore journalists. Which brings up the last of the Media Relations for Animal Washington, and Bulk Rate Permit #408, from Everett, Washington. Shelters tips: if a reporter wants to verify your information, or needs broad perspective or his- The base rate for display advertising is $9.50 per square inch of page space. torical background, we’re here, we’re news media too, and almost every day we help mass Please inquire about our substantial multiple insertion discounts. media colleagues to make heads or tails of complicated animal issues. The editors prefer to receive queries in advance of article submissions; unsolicit- (If you don’t have Media Relations for Animal Shelters, send an e-mail to get ed manuscripts will be considered for use, but will not be returned unless accompanied by the latest updated edition.) 4 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 by Khalid Mahmood Qurashi The Plight of Pakistani Animals President, Animal Save Movement, Pakistan In Pakistan even human beings are the animals they keep. They do not protect even as poorly as human rights are protected, one pro-animal institution per five million peo - not accorded fundamental rights. But the con- animals for their own sake. but almost none champion animal rights. No ple. Most are larger than their Pakistani dition of animals is worse and miserable. Neither are these laws enforced. organization claims to be the champion of ani- counterparts, and many Egyptian projects Both birds and land animals are so No one pays any attention to the mal rights. There is no prominent or official besides the Brooke affiliates receive at least frequently hunted as if they were an enemy ongoing loss of animal life in Pakistan. Many encouragement of mercy and sympathy toward some help from abroad. army, including by some of the persons and of our formerly indigenous species are now animals. We see no advertisements for animal Among nations of 100 million or organizations whose jobs are to protect ani- only seen in zoos, including elephants, lions, protection in our news media. There are no more people, only Nigeria appears to rate mals. and their lives. Members of our wildlife tigers, tree kangaroos, zebras, and wild pigs. essay contests for school children about why behind Pakistan, with one pro-animal institu - and forestry departments often aid the hunters, We are also losing such formerly animals should be kindly treated. There are no tion per 18 million humans. African leaders and even participate in the killing. common species as camels, buffalo, deer, pro-animal conferences or seminars. But ani- include South Africa, with one pro-animal Bankers, industrialists, and politi- wild cattle and goats, peacocks, pelicans, and mals are slaughtered in public and eaten on institution per 170,000 humans, and Kenya, cians invite their foreign business partners, even some of our once most abundant small some holidays as if their cries are unheard and with one per 760,000 humans. including Arabian princes, to come hunt even birds and waterfowl. they are as insentient as vegetables and fruits. At the most active end of the spec - our rarest species––and to capture our vanish- Unrestrained hunting is the most vis- On March 23, 2007, we of the trum, the U.S. has one pro-animal institution ing wild falcons, to turn them into hunting ible cause of depleted animal life, but agricul- Animal Save Movement, Pakistan held a per 44,000 humans. World Animal Net data weapons. Local leaders and merchants show tural chemical spraying also takes an enor- peaceful procession in Multan against the deci- indicates that the United Kingdom, Germany, their influence by hosting cockfights, bear- mous toll on birds and other animals who sion of the district government to close and Switzerland, and The Netherlands each have baiting, and other kinds of animal fight. ingest poisoned insects or plant material. demolish the only veterinary hospital in this about one per 100,000 humans. Greece, con - The condition of water creatures is Logging is depleting forests, while city of more than four million people, in order sidered underserved, has one pro-animal also not good. Fish, tortoises and other aquat- tree replanting is not being done, despite pub- to build a commercial plaza. The authorities institution per 136,000 people––but most are ic species are losing their lives and habitat not lic promises. were unmoved, and are meanwhile killing small. Romania, one of the most underserved only to nets, but also to explosives detonated Our human population is increasing, street dogs in both Multan and Rawalpindi. nations by European standards, has one pro- to kill them by shock. as our animal population decreases. This is Feeling as if our years of trying to animal institution per 345,000 humans. Hunting and fishing seasons suppos- wrongly accepted as inevitable. The U.S., build awareness have been of no use to the ani- India, according to the Animal edly exist to protect animals at least during the Britain, Japan, and parts of Europe also expe- mals and those who care about them, we are Welfare Board of India membership roster, seasons when they raise their young, but rienced explosive human population growth considering trying to start a veterinary clinic. has one pro-animal institution per 440,000 poachers, even if they are captured by chance, during the 20th century, but managed to great- [Contact Animal Save Movement humans. This appears to be by far the most of usually escape serious punishment by paying a ly increase their wildlife populations by pro- Pakistan c/o #1094/2 Hussain Agahi, Multan any major nation in Asia. Thailand has one bribe. Because there is no effective check on tecting endangered species and critical habitat, 60000, Pakistan; 92-3007-368557;
Editor’s note: There is some logic to requiring animal shelters to meet stricter standards than vet hospitals, because shelter ani - mals are usually of unknown history, and may be returned into the community more- or-less at random, taking with them what - ever problems they harbor. In addition, shelters typically house far more animals at a time than vet clinics; vet clinics usu - ally have a vet handy, whereas shelters often have only veterinary visits; and a badly managed vet clinic usually soon puts itself out of business, whereas badly run shelters often struggle on for years.
Al ong with almost every arti - cle from back editions, the A NI MAL PEOPLE w eb site offers transl ations of key items into French & Spani sh ... Lewyt Awa rd- winni ng heroic & compassionate animal sto- ri es...vet info links. ..download- able handbooks... fund-raisi ng how-to. .. our 6 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 South Africa, Zimbabwe claim need to cull elephants ADDO NATIONAL PARK– – Feral continued. “If South African officials Africa mentioned in passing, while introduc- attractions,” Momberg noted. South African environmental affairs and wanted to relieve the pressure of an increasing ing the draft South African elephant culling “Blyth said an elephant caught in a tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk on number of elephants, an area of fencing could policy, that “We don’t work with the outdated snare had recently been shot so that officials February 28, 2007 announced that culling ele- be taken down, but they refused to consider concept of carrying capacity any longer.” could determine how many elephants a year phants may resume soon after a 12-year sus- that option because the struggle is over ivory, What might make the concept of car- would be required to keep their crocodiles pension, under a draft policy open for public not elephants.” rying capacity “outdated,” van Schalkwyk did fed,” Momberg recounted. comment until May 4. Feral called on wildlife organiza- not explain, but the concept may be inconve- Said Blyth, “They are destroying “If culling is allowed after the tions to “withhold significant grants to South nient for nations and organizations seeking to everything. We believe there is a silent cull process of public comment, and if it is includ- Africa, and decline tourism, as long as their expand “sustainable use” of wildlife products. going on. More and more tourists are com- ed in the final draft,” van Schalkwyk said, policies threaten elephants and imprison them As regards elephants, this means plaining they are not seeing any game.” speaking cautiously to media at Addo National inside parks for the purpose of shooting them. trophy hunting and selling ivory. Working in partnership with the Park on the Eastern Cape, “it would really South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and The Zimbabwean elephant popula- Friends of Hwange Conservation Society of depend on the management plans and man- Botswana routinely support initiatives to com- tion data, the Harare Herald said, was from a Britain and the SAVE Conservancy of agement objectives of each of the parks” mercialize and exploit wildlife,” Feral survey financed by the World Wildlife Fund, Australia and South Africa, the Zimbabwe where elephants might be killed. charged. “They treat their elephants like founded by trophy hunters in 1961 to promote Conservation Task Force has raised more than Addo and Kruger National Park, hostages: ‘Give us money or we’ll have to “sustainable use” and oppose hunting bans. $1 million to help maintain 5,400-square-mile South Africa’s oldest and largest, are most shoot elephants inside Kruger Nationa Park.’” “Elephant and lion trophies were the Hwange National Park. often mentioned as sites of alleged elephant most expensive,” at a mid-March 2007 auc- At the same time, as London overpopulation. Ivory politics tion of hunting permits, the H e r a l d n o t e d . Sunday Telegraph correspondent Peta “We have about 20,000 elephants in Affirmed International Union for the The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Manage- Thorneycroft summarized from Harare, South Africa,” van Schalkwyk said, of whom Conservation of Nature elephant specialist ment Authority “raised close to $1 million Rodrigues “has accused hunters, mainly from “more or less 14,000 are in Kruger National Julian Blanc, to the Lesotho-based Afrol U.S. and over $1.5 billion [in Zimbabwe dol- South Africa and the U.S., of drastically Park. In 1995, when we stopped culling we News service, “Southern African countries lars] in the Zambezi Valley hunts auction held reducing the lion population in southern had around 8,000 elephants. The population have been doing heavy lobbying for re-legal- in the capital last week,” the Herald trumpet- Zimbabwe where they are in theory a protected growth of elephants is six to seven percent [per ization of the ivory trade. Other African ed. “This was a significant increase from last species. He has also regularly criticized both year]. This is the hard reality,” Van regions still have not achieved sustainable ele- year’s auction, which raised only $150 mil- the government and some private sector safari Schalkwyk explained. phant herds,” Blanc added, “and fear that lion,” the H e r a l d said––but with runaway operators for wayward conservation practices. “Culling or contraception, I would legalization of the ivory trade may cause inflation taken into account, the returns “When Hwange National Park was personally have preferred not to consider,” increased illegal hunting.” appeared to be about the same as in 2006. critically short of funds, Rodrigues exposed van Schalkwyk added. “Culling may be used In a recurring pattern preceding Despite the purported value of ele- the authority’s purchase of a fleet of top-of- to reduce the size of an elephant population CITES triennial meetings at which easing the phant trophies, however, Zimbabwe the-range 4x4s for use by officials in Harare. subject to due consideration of all other popu- 1989 international ivory trade ban is anticipat- Conservation Task Force chair Johnny His last alert reported that Zimbabwe’s largest lation management options. ed, elephant poaching has escalated. Rodrigues alleged to Eleanor Momberg of the safari company, Shearwater Adventures, “Contraception appears to be a Nearly 23 tons of poached ivory Cape Times that some alleged “guardians of which operates out of the Victoria Falls World promising measure to control the rate of repro- were seized by various law enforcement agen- Zimbabwe’s national parks have entered the Heritage site, had taken 10 young elephants duction of elephants in certain limited circum- cies in August 2006 alone, Samuel Wasser of lucrative crocodile breeding business, and from their mothers in the Hwange National stances,” van Schalkwyk allowed, but assert- the Washington University Center for have allocated 50 to 100 elephants a year to Park. It is believed that the young elephants ed that “the long-term social, physiological Conservation Biology told Afrol News. feed the crocodiles. could be trained to provide rides for tourists,” and emotional impacts on elephants are not yet “Customs agents typically detect “They have shot three already,” Thorneycroft recounted. fully understood. Current contraception meth- only about 10% of contraband,” Wasser said. Rodrigues told Momberg. “We are looking Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife ods are highly invasive,” van Schalkwyk said, “That means more than 23,000 elephants, or into allegations that other crocodile farms in Management Authority director general Morris “and should therefore be used with caution.” about 5% of Africa’s total population, likely the country are being supplied with elephant Mtsambiwa responded by writing to Rodrigues Summarized Lavinia Mahlangu of were killed for that amount of ivory.” meat from culls in conservation areas.” in January 2007 that, “Due to continuous neg- BuaNews in Tshwane, “In addition to culling Namiban minister of environment Rodrigues’ case was supported by an ative and false reports emanating from your and contraception, the draft provides for ele- and tourism conservation scientist Louisa e-mail from Kariba resident Geoff Blyth, who organisation about conservation in Zimbabwe, phant population control using water supply Mupetami recently told Absalom Shigwedha asserted that the elephants of the Lake Kariba the authority can no longer afford to associate management, enclosure or exclusion, creating of the Windhoek Namibian that her agency is region were jeopardized by the construction of with you. With immediate effect, the authori- movement corridors between different areas, not yet ready to take a public position on the a crocodile farm in the Kaburi wilderness area, ty will no longer accept any donations that will and expanding elephant range by acquiring proposals that will be before CITES in 2007. “on the shore opposite two popular tourist come through your organization.” additional land.” But “Namibia and Botswana have jointly sub- Concluded van Schalkwyk, “I want mitted a proposal to maintain restricted ivory to emphasise that the draft norms and stan- sales while easing conditions for future sales,” dards merely represent a new chapter in the Shigwedha wrote. ongoing debate about elephant management. “Botswana is also independently Our department does not pretend that this will seeking authorization” to sell 40 metric tons of be the final word. Their adoption will not be a stockpiled ivory, Shigwedha added. ‘victory’ for any given position, nor will it CITES Scientific Support Unit immediately lead to the wholesale slaughter of spokesperson David Morgan told Associated elephants anywhere.” Press in Geneva, Switzerland, that Kenya and The final word, unlikely to be Mali have proposed that all trade in ivory tusks acknowledged as such, may be the verdict on or finished products be banned for 20 years. elephant trophy and ivory trade proposals Tanzania has requested that its ele- before the 14th triennial meeting of nations phants be downlisted from CITES Appendix I which have endorsed the Convention on to Appendix II, which would be a first step International Trade in Endangered Species. toward allowing resumed elephant hunting. The meeting will be held June 3-5, 2007, in As Kenya has a long undefended border with The Netherlands. Tanzania, the downlisting could expand the The South African draft policy opportunities for transborder poachers to mar- announced by van Schalkwyk closely followed ket elephant ivory, which now moves mainly recommendations outlined by World Wildlife through Somalia. Fund/South Africa acting chief executive Rob Zambia and Zimbabwe are actively Little to Stella Mapenzauswa of Reuters on lobbying to expand elephant trophy exports. February 23, 2007. Zambian tourism and environment “Friends of Animals has long argued minister Kabinga Pande in January 2007 led an that South Africa is motivated to kill elephants official delegation to the Safari Club to stockpile ivory, which South Africa claims International convention in Reno, Nevada, needs to be sold to benefit conservation,” where they asked U.S Fish & Wildlife Service responded Friends of Animals president assistant director for international affairs Ken Priscilla Feral. FoA has been actively Stansell to increase the number of permits involved in African elephant conservation for granted to U.S. hunters to import elephant tro- more than 20 years. phies. The U.S. annually issues 20 permits for “Kruger National Park is secured elephant trophies from Zambia, but 500 for with electrified fencing so that elephants can’t elephant trophies from Zimbabwe. escape to migrate to other neighboring states,” Between 2001 and 2005, Pande claimed, Zambia lost $1.1 million because it was not able to sell permits to U.S. hunters to kill 115 elephants who were shot for various management reasons. Zimbabwe is meanwhile arguing that it should be allowed to export more elephant trophies, and ivory too. “We have a hunting quota of 500 every hunting season, but this is not meaning- fully reducing the population,” Zimbabwean environment minister Francis Nhema told the government-controlled Harare Herald. “Over 110,000 elephants now inhabit Zimbabwe, and the number is growing at 5% annually, although there is space and food for only 47,000,” the Harare Herald asserted. The Harare Herald did not explain how so many elephants could survive and reproduce if they had already exceeded the carrying capacity of the habitat by more than African elephant. (Ellisa Free) 100%. However, van Schalkwyk of South ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 7 Wolves, grizzlies lose federal protection–– Horse slaughterhouse closes after verdict D A L L A S ––Horse slaughter in the Dallas Crown, Beltex, and Cavel and Alaska resumes wolf bounty (from page 1) U.S. for human consumption appeared to be International of DeKalb, Illinois, were the ment agencies haven’t,” Humane Society of wolf increase, and in 2006 had a record 123 closer to an end on March 23, 2007, when only horse slaughterhouses left in the U.S., the U.S. predator specialist Karlyn Atkinson cattle killed by wolves, resulting in 44 wolves the Dallas Crown slaughterhouse in killing 108,000 horses in 2006. About Berg told Myers. “They are pretty much the being shot. Kaufman, Texas, temporarily laid off staff. 30,400 horses were sent to Canada, Mexico, same. The states have arbitrary quotas on how As the habitat fills, wolves are “We have decided temporarily not and Japan for slaughter. many wolves we can have and where they increasingly often killing each other. “Wolves to process, because we have some changes to A slaughterhouse in Ciudad Juarez, should be allowed. They aren’t based on any killing other wolves accounted for 44% of make here,” Dallas Crown spokesperson Mexico, reportedly kills as many as 15,000 scientific, biological, or even social carrying adult mortality for radio-collared animals in Chris Soenen told Michael Gresham of the horses per year, 80% of them from the U.S. capacity––just on keeping wolves as few as Yellowstone last year,” reported Cory Hatch Kaufman Herald. Soenen said that “just The Humane Society of the U.S. on possible,” without allowing them to again of the Jackson News & Guide. about everyone other than administration” March 20, 2007 served notice of intent to sue become federally protected. had been sent home, but said this did not Cavel International for alleged violations of The northern Rockies wolf delisting Grizzly fate mean Dallas Crown would be going out of the federal Clean Water Act. “The violations proposal covers Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn business. “This is just temporary as we include the documented release of excessive Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Wolves Scarlett on March 22, 2007 announced that restructure,” Soenen said. ‘animal residue’ into the local sewer system,” would continue to be fully protected within grizzly bears would lose Endangered Species The entire U.S. Court of Appeals said HSUS spokesperson Leslie Porter. “The Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Act protection in the continental U.S., as there for the Fifth Circuit on March 6, 2007 plant slaughters more than 500 horses a week “In Montana and Idaho, manage- are now more than 500 grizzlies in affirmed a January 20, 2007 appellate panel and discharges aproximately 13,000 gallons ment would be passed to state agencies. Each Yellowstone National Park and adjacent states. ruling that Dallas Crown and Beltex of wastewater per day during operations.” is already talking about setting up hunts,” “Stripping the bears of protection Corporation, of Fort Worth, have killed Legislation pending in Congress reported Mike Stark of the Billings Gazette. could eventually clear the way for hunting. A horses for human consumption in violation of and before the Illinois legislature seeks to ban Wyoming has not yet produced a measure that would allow hunting grizzlies has a 1949 state law. killing horses for human consumption. A wolf management plan that meets U.S. Fish & passed the Montana Senate,” noted Alan Dallas Crown has also operated bill to repeal the 1949 Texas law has been Wildlife Service approval. Suderman of Associated Press. “Opponents of since March 2006 in defiance of an order to introduced into the Texas legislature by state “If Wyoming and the Fish & Wild- the delisting, including more than 250 scien- close from the Kaufman Board of representative Sid Miller (R-Stephenville.) life Service come to an agreement,” wrote tists and researchers who sent the government Adjustments, which according to Gresham, The legislation does not prohibit Stark, “wolves in the entire state would be a letter of protest, question whether the bear “determined Dallas Crown to be a public nui- killing horses as animal feed, a less lucrative delisted. Those in the northwest corner could population is large enough to be genetically sance as well as a health and safety hazard.” branch of the business. be classified as trophy game and possibly diverse and withstand outside pressures such hunted. Any wolves found in the rest of the as global warming and food scarcity.” Representative Denny Rehberg, a Republican, state would be considered predators and could Delisting grizzlies “will put the last that the times are changing. be killed without regulation. remnants of wild places grizzlies need to fully Schweitzer and Rehberg had just tes- “If Wyoming and FWS can’t come recover and raise their young at risk from irre- tified to the committee in favor of continuing to an agreement,” Stark said, “wolves would sponsible oil drilling, unsustainable logging, to kill bison who leave Yellowstone, lest they be delisted in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and sprawling development––all of which transmit brucellosis to domestic cattle. with the notable exception of the northwest helped drive the grizzly to the brink of extinc- “Slaughter is not management,” corner, where they would remain under federal tion in the first place,” said Sierra Club execu- responded committee chair Nick Rahall (D- protection. Wolves in the rest of Wyoming tive director Carl Pope. West Virginia). “It is an approach from a would then come under state law classifying Natural Resources Defense Council bygone era and has no place in a time of rapid them as predators.” bear program director Louisa Willcox indicat- and scientific and economic progress. We are Extirpated from the continental U.S. ed that the NRDC would fight the delisting capable of more ingenuity and more compas- North American timber wolf. (Kim Bartlett) by predator control killing, absent from the either through litigation or seeking sion, if we are willing to try.” More than 1,000 bison who wan- Yellowstone National Park region for 70 years, Congressional intervention. Rahall in 2003 proposed a budget dered out of Yellowstone National Park were wolves were reintroduced in 1995. While wolves and grizzly bears out- amendment that would have stopped the killed during the winter of 2005-2006. Only Twelve years later, U.S. Fish & side of Yellowstone National Park are now at Yellowstone bison killing program. It failed, two were killed in 2006-2007, however, part- Wildlife Service wolf recovery coordinator Ed greater risk of being killed, House Natural 220-199, a narrow margin in a Congress then ly because a milder winter encouraged bison to Bangs believes there are 673 wolves in Idaho, Resources Committee chair Nick Rahall on controlled by the Republicans. “That vote was stay inside the park, and perhaps partly also 316 in Montana, and 311 in Wyoming. March 20 warned Montana Governor Brian a harbinger of what will come, that the status because public outrage over the 2005-2006 Wyoming since 2004 has had a 31% Schweitzer, a Democrat, and Montana quo is no longer sufficient,” warned Rahall. killing had political influence. 8 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 South Africa regulates killing captive lions (from page 1) Welfare regional director Jason Bell-Leask, to Agence France- Joubert “said it made little difference whether a lion Presse. Other animal advocates were less convinced. was freed for six months or two years before being hunted,” “Despite what the South African government claims, wrote Nullis of Associated Press, “because once it is used to the new regulations by no means outlaw this egregious prac- being reared and fed by people, it is hard to break that trust. tice. They simply redefine what is meant by ‘canned hunting,’” Joubert said there should be an outright ban on intensive breed- said Humane Society International wildlife trade program direc- ing projects, which often remove cubs from the mother at birth, tor Teresa Telecky. Telecky noted that U.S. hunters are the so the lioness mates more quickly, and often destroy female most numerous patrons of South African canned hunts. “Most cubs, as male lions fetch a higher trophy price.” of the nearly 1,200 lion trophies exported from South Africa “The legislation makes absolutely no provision for from 1994 to 2005 went to the U.S.,” Telecky said. “In 2005, the protection of white lions, who are more at risk than ever,” 206 of the 322 lion trophies exported were captive-bred. One objected Global White Lion Trust chief executive Linda hundred twenty of those went to the U.S.” Tucker. “This critically endangered animal,” not international- Overall, South Africa attracts as many as 7,000 visit- ly recognized as even a subspecies, “is not listed on the ing trophy hunters per year, who spend an average of $18,000 Schedule of Threatened and Protected Animals of National apiece to kill animals, according to the Professional Hunters’ Importance. In the proposed clampdown on the canned hunting Association of South Africa. About 55% of the hunters come industry,” Tucker predicted, “a frenzy of hunting is sure to from the U.S. and Canada, with most of the rest coming from take place, with captive white lions as primary targets. Europe. Altogether, 480 lions were killed in South Africa in “Of even graver concern,” Tucker said, “is that no 2006, 444 of them bred in captivity. prohibition has been placed on lion hunting reserves such as Prices ranged between $6,000 and $8,000 to shoot a Timbavati, where the last surviving gene pool of this critically female, and $20,000 and $30,000 to shoot a maned male. endangered animal is being wiped out.” mally, whatever that means. The new regulations allow you to “The big thing for South Africa would be to stand up drag a carcass around the hunting camp, and then hide and wait and say ‘This industry is immoral and unethical and we are not Leghold traps at the carcass for lions, leopards and hyena to show up,” going to allow it,’” declared Louise Joubert of the SanWild A more detailed critique of van Schalkwyk’s regula- Mercer continued. “And you can still kill leopards and hyena Wildlife Trust. tions came from retired attorney Chris Mercer, founder of for fun by first blinding them with a dazzling light. Cannedlion.com, and a frequent book reviewer for ANIMAL “What is missing here?” Mercer finished. “Well, just PEOPLE. “After June 1, 2007,” wrote Mercer, “you will no about every other living creature, starting with buffalo, who Animal Planet pulls longer be permitted to restrain a rhino or large predator by will continue to be used for target practice. Buffalo, hippopota- means of a leghold trap. You may continue to use a leghold mus, eland, kudu, wildebeest, gemsbok––all kept in fenced White Lions video trap on all other species, such as elephant, buffalo, and hippo, camps, awaiting execution.” as well as exotic species such as tigers. “Other questions remain subject to debate,” noted The December 2006 edition of ANIMAL PEO- “But who could conceivably want to use a leghold Agence France-Presse, “such as what will become of the thou- PLE mentioned that the Animal Planet cable television chan- trap on a lion or rhino, you may ask? How else can you hold sands of lions who have been raised in captivity and will not be nel had come under criticism from canned hunt opponents for the animal in one place so that the bow hunters and their video worth rearing for the breeders after June 1.” airing a documentary called White Lions: King of Kings. photographers can get close enough? Use a pack of dogs? “The text does not say anything about the welfare of The documentary, said ANIMAL PEOPLE book Yes, but this is now also ‘regulated.’ It is perfectly legal under those animals,” observed Animal Rights Africa spokesperson reviewer and Cannedlion.com founder Chris Mercer, “pre- the new regulations to set a pack of dogs on any helpless ani- Michele Pickover. “There is a need for a real financial commit- sented Marius Prinsloo, a notorious canned lion breeder in mal, from an elephant down, only now the animal must first be ment,” Pickover said, “to truly create a life for these lions South Africa, as a paragon of conservation working to pre- wounded, however slightly. post-promulgation.” serve the white lion gene.” “You may no longer, after June 1, shoot lions in Wrote Nullis, “The South African Predator Breeders’ Announced Global White Lion Trust chief execu- their cages, or rhinos in their boma. If you cannot live without Association, set up to lobby against the regulations, has tive Linda Tucker, on March 12, 2007, “The misinformed killing lions and rhinos, you can turn them out into a fenced warned that breeders may be forced to kill the estimated 3,000 White Lions documentary has been withdrawn from the inter- camp which has a few springbok grazing in it, let them grow to 5,000 lions they have reared, if they are unable to offer them national circuit.” out into huntable size for two years, and then kill them. to foreign hunters and can no longer afford to feed them.” Tucker thanked Mercer, CARE sanctuary founder “The fenced camp must fall within the definition of That, said Joubert. “would be a tragic day, but if it is Rita Miljo, Paul Hart of the Drakenstein Lion Park, and ‘extensive wildlife system.’ Here it is: ‘extensive wildlife sys - the only way for this country to get a grip, so be it.” Marianne Birrell of My First Safari for their help in bringing tem’ means a system that is large enough, and suitable for the The South African Predator Breeders’ Association the matter to the attention of Animal Planet. management of self-sustaining wildlife populations in a natural threatened to litigate against the new regulations––but the regu- Animal Planet appears to have made no public environment which requires minimal human intervention…” lations were endorsed by the Professional Hunters’ Association statement about withdrawing White Lions: King of Kings, “As you see, there is no minimum size for the hunt- of South Africa, whose president, Stewart Dorrington, told but all mention of it appears to have vanished from the ing camp,” Mercer pointed out. “And you can supplement the Nullis that the breeders’ association represents only about 3% Animal Planet web site. feeding of the captive-but-free-roaming animals, but only mini- of the South African hunting industry. Now available: DVD on canned lion hunting A professionally prepared collection of slides, narrative and video clips exposing: • What is canned hunting and how does it asset-strip the environment? • How and why the industry grew so big, so fast in South Africa • How UNEP and IUCN bear responsibility. How the Convention on Biodiversity and the doctrine of sustainable use tells African governments they may treat elephants and lions as if they were bacteria. • How hunting clubs like Safari Club International influence conservation policies in the Third World. How blood dollars, like blood dia- monds, pervert conservation policies in vulnerable African governments away from protection. Ideal course material for ethics classes, environmental law and animal law courses, or animal welfarists with a general interest in the issue. Designed to complement the web site www.cannedlion.co.za
The narrative is written by Chris Mercer, founder and director of Campaign against Canned Hunting, a South African nonprofit organization. Chris is co-author, with his partner Beverley, of the books For The Love of Wildlife and Canned Lion Hunting–– A National Disgrace. He received the Marchig Trust Animal Welfare Award for 2006 in To order: recognition of his work. Download for free from http://www.animalpeopleonline.org/SAcannedhunts1.htm If you cannot download it, you can obtain a DVD by sending $15 US to Jill Gershen, 15120 Plainfield Lane, Darnestown, MD 20874-3402, USA. Outside North America, order directly from Campaign Against Canned Hunting in South Africa, c/o ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 9
New Mexico bans cockfighting; Louisiana last holdout; stronger laws are next goal bill, eventually winning the endorsements of HSUS revealed that 82% of Louisianans want were exporting adult roosters to Guam and the Through mid-March 2007, H5N1 the New Mexico Conference of Catholic cockfighting banned,” wrote HSUS publicist numbers shipped. HSUS recognized almost all had infected at least 275 people in 12 nations, Bishops––and Governor Bill Richardson. Martin Montorfano. of the exporters as cockfighters.” killing at least 167 of the human victims––and Richardson as recently as January HSUS in December 2005 document- cockfighting continues to be among the major 2006 became a target of SHARK video truck Further goals ed to Continental that it had “unknowingly vectors for outbreaks. protests and an e-mail campaign for offering After banning cockfighting in shipped more than 3,000 fighting birds to Thai Department of Disease Control incentives worth $750,000 to try to lure the Louisiana, increasing the penalties in states Guam for the purpose of cockfighting,” director general Thawat Suntrajarn, M.D., Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association with weak bans will be among the HSUS leg- Allanach wrote. “In October 2006, acknowledged on March 20 that the most headquarters from Colorado to New Mexico; islative goals. Continental decided to stop shipping adult recent Thai outbreak of the H5N1 avian flu pledging $12 million in state funding for a top- Thirty-three states offer felony roosters to Guam.” was probably caused by gamecocks smuggled level rodeo arena; and pledging an additional penalties for cockfighting, but Ohio, for In November 2006, HSUS present- from Laos. Reported Arthis Khankhom of The $3 million in renovation funding for local example, has no minimum fine for cockfight- ed similar findings to Philippine Airlines. Nation, from Mukdahan province, bordering rodeo arenas. ing, and sets a 90-day maximum jail term. “More than 4,000 birds are shipped to the Laos, “A source who asked not to be named Cockfighters, claiming to contribute “Virginia’s lax punishment for cock- Philippines every year,” said Allanach. said that cockfighting game dens were ordered $70 million per year to the New Mexico econ- fighting makes it a magnet for cockfighters In February 2007, HSUS document- shut down right after Laos confirmed the bird omy, asserted that “Richardson vowed not to from nearby states that punish it more severe- ed to Korean Airlines that it too “is responsible flu epidemic, yet many local gamblers still outlaw cockfighting when he ran for governor ly,” Associated Press political writer Bob for shipping thousands of fighting cocks to the sneaked out with their fighting cocks for a ses- in 2002, and was shifting because he didn’t Lewis summarized on January 29, 2007 after Philippines,” Allanach finished. sion in Laos. want to take flak for it in the Democratic presi- a legislative hearing on a bill to strengthen the “A frequent gambler was the live- dential race,” recounted Riccardi. Virginia ban. H5N1 adds urgency stock officer. A number of his fighting cocks “Garcia received death threats and “Cockfighting in Virginia is illegal Efforts to ban cockfighting both in died, and he himself was being watched for got police protection,” Riccardi continued. now only if admission is charged to watch the the U.S. and worldwide gained momentum bird flu infection, said the source.” “A lobbyist for the bishops called authorities fights, or if prizes are awarded for the animals after 2003. Early in the year, outbreaks of The most recent previous H5N1 out- after people drove SUVs by the house of his who survive,” Lewis continued. “A January exotic Newcastle disease spread from game- break in Thailand, in July 2006, was also mother and sisters late one night, honking and 21 raid in Mecklenburg County, on the North cocks to factory farmed laying hens in traced to cockfighting. Cockfighter Yongyuth flashing their headlights.” Carolina border, resulted in the arrests of 122 California, Arizona, and New Mexico. That Daenmisi, 17, fell ill a week after burying 10 Actress Ali MacGraw, a New people, about 75% of them from other states, fall, cockfighting also proved instrumental in dead gamefowl with his bare hands. Mexico resident, rallied celebrity opposition mostly North Carolina,” according to testimo- spreading the H5N1 avian influenza through- “The victim failed to report the death to cockfighting to help the bill move, and ny from Mecklenburg County deputy sheriff out Southeast Asia. of his fighting cocks because he was afraid that “was beside Richardson as he signed the bill,” Danny Fox. “Twenty-two of those arrested Agribusiness previously tended to authorities would slaughter his birds,” Thai Riccardi said. were illegal aliens whom the Department of oppose cockfighting bans, mostly to avoid prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told A Louisiana ban on cockfighting is Homeland Security is deporting, and many of creating legislative precedents for extending Anusak Konglang of Agence France-Presse. believed to be imminent. them were members of alien gangs such as the humane laws to cover poultry. The Thai agriculture ministry Mexican Mafia and MS-13, Fox said,” After 2003, recognition spread that “imposed a complete ban on cockfighting in Louisiana progress according to Lewis. cockfighting is a bigger short-term economic both Pichit and Phitsanulok provinces,” hop- “I support banning cockfighting,” Ten children and crack cocaine were threat to the commercial poultry business than ing to isolate the region where the outbreak Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco told found at the cockfight, wrote Christina animal advocacy ever has been. H5N1 in par- occurred, agriculture minister Sudarat Doug Simpson of Associated Press in a March Nuckols of the Virginian-Pilot, but the present ticular has caused the deaths of several hun- Keyuraphan announced. 12, 2007 single-sentence e-mail. maximum penalty for cockfighting in Virginia dred million commercially raised birds, some The Thai poultry export trade is now Louisiana defenders of cockfighting is only a fine of $500. from the disease itself, and even more from the world’s fourth largest, but was first largest appear to have shifted from trying to prevent HSUS deputy manager of animal containment efforts. before H5N1 hit. the passage of any ban to stalling for time. fighting issues John Goodwin testified that “Probably the days are numbered for 20,000 to 30,000 Americans participate in cockfighting in our state,” Louisiana House of cockfighting, compared with about 40,000 + Delegates speaker Joe Salter (D-Florien) involved in dogfighting. + acknowledged in a March 19 address to the Passage of the New Mexico cock- Press Club of Baton Rouge. fighting ban and the likelihood that cockfight- Reported Simpson, “Salter said he ing will be restricted in Louisiana improved would back a bill that would impose a six- the chances of federal legislation being passed month jail term, $1,000 fines, or both on peo- to introduce a felony penalty for transporting ple found guilty of organizing or taking part in animals interstate or internationally to partici- cockfights. It would take effect in 2010. pate in animal fighting, and for engaging in “In previous years,” noted Simpson, interstate or international commerce in cock- “cockfighting bans have been killed in the fighting spurs, knives, and gaffs. House Agriculture Committee. Cockfighting The pending federal bills are H.R. opponents have asked that such bills go instead 137, which cleared the U.S. House of Rep- to the Judiciary Committee, which normally resentatives on March 27, 2007, and S.B. 261 handles matters of crime and punishment.” in the U.S. Senate. Salter said that the bill he favors “An ongoing HSUS investigation would go to the agriculture committee, but has assembled convincing evidence of a mas- added “I’m going to do what I can to make sive trade in fighting cocks between the United sure that it comes out of committee,” and goes States and the Philippines,” HSUS publicist to the full House for a vote. Karen L. Allanach said on March 19, 2007. A competing bill drafted but not yet “HSUS has requested that Philippine Airlines introduced by Louisiana state senator Art and Korean Air Lines immediately halt any Lentini would provide the same penalties for shipment of fighting birds, as required by fed- cockfighting, but would take effect immedi- eral law,” which at present provides only mis- ately. Lentini “filed a similar bill last year,” demeanor penalties for violation.” wrote Simpson, “It passed the Senate, but Allanach wrote only three days after stalled in the House agriculture committee.” a federal court jury awarded $97,150 to Commented Humane Society of the Arkansas gamecock breeders John and Anna U.S. president Wayne Pacelle, “Forty-nine Slavin, for the loss of 63 adult birds and about states have banned cockfighting, and not one 1,000 eggs allegedly caused by contaminated of them included a phase-out period. feed. “The Slavins operate a 320-acre farm Cockfighting should be put to death quickly, near Hon in Scott County, where they typical- not sustained with a slow bleed.” ly raise between 500 to 800 gamecocks,” Agreed Louisiana SPCA executive reported the Fort Smith Times Record. “The deirector Laura Maloney, “Lawmakers should Slavins sell their gamecocks mostly to cus- not prolong the inevitable.” tomers from Mexico and the Philippines,” “A 2004 poll commissioned by according to their attorney, Bill Walters of Greenwood, Arkansas. The birds were poisoned after med- icated feed, meant for cattle, was mistakenly bagged with a batch of Land O’Lakes Purina chicken feed. However, the HSUS information appeared to come from a different direction. “Early in 2005,” Allanach recount- ed, “HSUS received information from a con- fidential informant that Continental Airlines was the only airline that would transport adult roosters to Guam, and that the airline was used by cockfighters to send fighting birds there. In July 2005, HSUS received records Gamecock. (Carroll Cox) from Guam documenting which U.S. breeders 10 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 Getting the show off the road (from page 1) babies, and sold the babies to exhibitors as work the most remote rural areas have much captive-born. chance to stay in business, moving from vil- There is still a small market for cap- lage to village, hoping to bluff down anyone tured baby bears and big cats to be smuggled who asks questions with the pretense of having abroad, or to be kept as illegal pets, and there government permits that do not exist. is biomedical research demand for rhesus The Kalandar circus clan, whose macaques, but exhibiting animals for enter- seasonal wanderings with bears and other ani- www.GREY2KUSA.org tainment requires visibility. Some exhibitors mals named the wall calendar, are beginning still take the chance of acquiring and exhibit- to taking up other employment, after centuries ing a bear illegally taken from the wild, but in on the road. much of India, to visibly possess bears, big For the Central Zoo Authority, cats, or monkeys is now to court arrest and keeping ex-performing animals at accredited after facilities built to serve for decades outlive the risk of U.S. zoos running out of crowd- confiscation––unless one happens to be a bio- Animal Rescue Centres is––depending on their first animal inhabitants. pleasing species, the American Zoo medical researcher. which members speak––either the beginning Should they become off-exhibit con- Association advanced the notion of zoos Someone in every crowd has a cell of a transition of mission, or a distraction servation breeding facilities? Adjuncts to the becoming conservation breeding repositiories. telephone camera. Every Internet café offers from promoting species conservation, in the existing zoos? Or should they continue in an As this idea gained popularity, inter- the opportunity to electronically transmit evi- global mode of the past several decades. expanded sanctuary role? national zoo associations jumped on the band- dence to law enforcement agencies—and to The contradiction between operating The rising discussion in India chal- wagon, even though conservation breeding in People for Animals, the largest Indian animal mostly off-exhibit hospices for ex-performing lenges an appearance of consensus reached zoos was then mostly just a hope. Only one rights group, or to PETA-India, the largest animals and promoting captive breeding to among the international zoo community after species, the North American bison, had ever PETA overseas subsidiary, or to local animal attract paying audiences is causing Indian zoo the United Nations-brokered Convention on been restored to the wild from zoo stock. advocacy groups. management to reconsider and debate what International Trade In Endangered Species in The AZA created Species Survival Helping to encourage intervention their roles should be in the 21st century. 1973 officially ended worldwide the so-called Plans for many of the rarest animals in captivi- on behalf of captive wildlife are hundreds of While American and European zoos “Bring ‘em back alive!” era of wildlife capture ty, consisting of stud books and breeding school animal rights clubs, encouraged by have mostly rejected animal advocates’ hope for exhibition. exchange agreements. Zoo publicists encour- local chapters of PfA. Several thousand that they should evolve into sanctuaries, the More than half of all the animals aged the idea that some descendents of animals school children in each major city have been Animal Rescue Centres are sanctuaries. who were captured to be brought back alive in the Species Survival Plans might eventually taught to be vigilant against animal abuse, Though mostly not open to the public, they did not survive capture and transport, putting be re-introduced to the wild, to replenish including traveling animal acts, for whom are among the best-known and most praised the survival of many rare species in jeopardy. extirpated populations. children are the primary audience. zoo projects in India. To counter growing public recogni- Some species have been reintro- With the cities becoming dangerous Ahead is the question of what the tion that capture for exhibition was a major duced using zoo specimens, notably the black- venues for illegal exhibitors, only those who Animal Rescue Centres should evolve into, cause of species endangerment, and to avoid (continued on page 11) Coming events April 15: Touched By An Animal benefit, C h i - cago. Info: 773-728- 6 3 3 6 ; < m . g a l a n t i @ c o m - cast.net>. April 21-22: Critter Care Conf., Farm Sanctuary, Orlands, Calif. Info: 607-583-2225, x221. April 29: Farm Animal Forum, Philadelphia. Info: 607-583-2225, x221. April 29-May 1: C a r i n g During Crisis: Animal + Welfare During Pan- + demics & Natural Dis- asters, Guelph, Ontario. Info: 519-824-4120, x 5 3 6 7 7 ;
If you know someone else who might like to read ANIMAL PEOPLE, please ask us to send a free sample. ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 11 Getting the show off the road is a new role for Indian zoos (from page 10) footed ferret, Mexican grey wolf, red wolf, tions and preserve wild habitat. lion hybrids. After the offspring of the origi- to send the animals. California condor, and golden lion tamarin. But the amount of money actually nal pairings mostly failed to thrive, and more Better zoos usually lack the space to (The North American grey wolf, taken off the raised for field work is small compared to the than 30 died in 1999 and 2000, the program take in more animals, especially those of large federal endangered species list in March 2007, cost of operating a zoo. ended with the sterilization of all the males. and abundant species. The American Zoo was reintroduced using wild-trapped animals.) The Wildlife Conservation Society, As of September 2006 there were 21 survivors Association and European Zoo Association Mostly, though, the Species by far the largest zoological contributor to still at the zoo. model for zoo self-improvement begins with Survival Plans have been means of perpetuat- overseas programs, in 2005 spent about $95 The Delhi Zoo specialized in pro- reducing collections, so as to provide better ing captive populations of animals who cannot million to run the four New York City zoos ducing albinos of a wide range of species, conditions for the remaining animals. But con- be replaced from the wild––except under hard- and the New York Aquarium, allocating $48.5 much to the frustration of People for Animals trary to American and European advice, to-get conservation research permits. These million to field work: 34%. Conservation founder Maneka Gandhi. acceding to public expectations, Indian zoos have been most prominently used to import International, funding similar work, raised But at least one bizarre breeding do often try to accept all animals in need. panda bears from China through breeding and spent nearly twice as much without run- experiment was stopped early by the Central At the Delhi Zoo, for instance, loans that have paid China up to a million dol- ning a zoo. Zoo Authority. Circa 1989 the Byculla Zoo in Bindu Shajan Perappadan of The Hindu report- lars a year per bear couple, while producing Spot-checking major zoos’ IRS Mumbai acquired a “hobra,” a male hybrid of ed in May 2006, 30 of the 134 resident very few offspring born outside of China. Form 990 filings, ANIMAL PEOPLE found a horse and a zebra bred by a circus. After the species were represented by more than 150 Captive breeding as a conservation no others spending even half as large a per- CZA ordered that hybrid animals could no rescue cases, including six sloth bears, two strategy is still a shaky concept. Both Asian centage of budget on external projects as the longer be exhibited, the hobra lived for 16 leopards, and three elephants. and African elephants, for example, are in Wildlife Conservation Society. years in a 30-foot-long enclosure at the zoo “The Delhi Zoo has been taking in steep decline in captivity because zoos have hospital. He died at age 24 in August 2005, rescued animals, including monkeys, don- not managed to curb infant mortality. Captive- Hybrids thwarting a two-year PETA campaign to have keys, elephants, reptiles, and birds, all year reared animals of many species turn out to lack Indian zoos rhetorically embraced him sent to a sanctuary. round,” director D.N. Singh said. “These ani- parenting skills and any semblance of ability to the species survival breeding concept without Indian zoos still have a minimal role mals cannot be kept with the other inhabitants fend for themselves in the wild. quite understanding it. Unable to induce many in authentic Species Survival Plans. Most still due to the fear of them transmitting infections Conservation breeding still resonates genuinely endangered indigenous species to fall well short of international standards––but or causing fights, though some rescued ani- as a raison d’etre with the public, but while breed in dreary steel-and-cement cages that the Central Zoo Authority has tried to encour- mals have been exhibited after a quarantine.” touting the few successes, U.S. and European often date back to British rule, and typically age improvement. The CZA hoped that clos- Singh complained to The Hindu, he zoos have gradually shifted the emphasis of working independently of international Species ing the notoriously deficient Pratep Sinhav said, after being “burdened with responsibility their conservation programs––beyond public Survival Plan protocols, some Indian zoos Udyan Zoo in Sangli in 2005 would send a for an elephant,” rescued by People for education––to field work. prolifically produced hybrid animals whose message to other bad zoos to shape up. Animals, who “was being regularly beaten by The prevailing current concept births brought headlines, yet no authentic con- But the Central Zoo Authority has the mahout with an iron spike. The elephant among zoological conservationists is that zoo servation value. limited ability to close zoos, no matter how was found in a malnourished state, dehydrat- animals are ambassadors for their wild kin, The Chhatbir Zoo in Chandigar, for bad they are. The fundamental problem is that ed,” with foot injuries and osteoporosis, helping to raise funds to study wild popula- example, bred more than 80 African/Asian closing a zoo requires having somewhere else (continued on page 12) Events (continued) ® Maddie’s Fund Congratulates Park,” St. Louis. Info:
TRIBUTES In honor of the Prophet Isaiah, St. Martin De Porres and John Wesley. ––Brien Comerford ––––––––––––––––––––––
Maddie’s Fund® The Pet Rescue Foundation (www.maddiesfund.org) is a family foundation endowed through the generosity of Cheryl and Dave Duffield, PeopleSoft Founder and Board Chairman. The foundation is helping to fund the creation of a no-kill nation. The first step is to help create programs that guarantee loving homes for all healthy shelter dogs and cats through collaborations with rescue groups, traditional shelters, animal control agencies and veterinarians. The next step will be to save the sick and injured pets in animal shelters nationwide. Maddie’s Fund is named after the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997. Maddie’s Fund, 2223 Santa Clara Ave, Suite B, Alameda, CA 94501 510-337-8989, [email protected], www.maddiesfund.org 12 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 Getting the show off the road (from page 11) “which makes her unsuitable for display. We insisted Birsa Munda Zoo veterinary director are not a rescue center,” Singh emphasized. Dinesh Kumar, to Telegraph of India w r i t e r Responded Central Zoo Authority Arti Sahuliyar. “It is only the rescued animals member secretary B.R. Sharma, “While evalu- brought from outside who carry diseases,” ating the Delhi Zoo, it was observed that it said Kumar. was being used as a rescue centre despite not Allowed Sahuliyar, “The officials having adequate space. We have written to all here really have no reason to rejoice when res- the states,” Sharma said, “informing them cued animals are brought. With no adequate that in case they are short of funds for setting facilities available for their treatment, the zoo up [an official Animal Rescue Centre], CZA is more like a dumping space than the protec- would support them with 100% funding, so tive shelter it should be. Home already to that there is no pressure on the zoos to keep about 500 mammals and 300 birds, the zoo is rescued animals.” hardly in a position to look after them. The The availability of funding for animal hospital has doctors and caretakers, Animal Rescue Centres of course gives zoos a but no permanent compound, lab technicians, strong incentive to become more seriously and pathologists, equipment, or X-ray facilities.” deliberately involved––like the Birsa Munda Birsa Munda Zoo director Deepak Zoological Park near Ranchi in Jharkhand. Singh told Sahuliyar that the zoo was short 41 The Birsa Munda Zoo was already staff positions. “We are trying to make a considering adding an Animal Rescue Centre, quarantine ward so that rescued animals, Habituated to circus wagons, many of the Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Centre lions reported the Indo-Asian News Service, but brought from outside, can be kept there and stay behind bars even when they can go outside. (Kim Bartlett) “The project picked up momentum [in August not be mixed with the herd here,” Singh said. cus on rescue inspires animal advocates but anxiety is that for more than 30 years, profes- 2006] after six big cats were shifted to dismays zoo directors, many of whom have sional stature in the zoo community has cen- Visakhapatnam,” by order of the Central Zoo Future roles hoped to emulate western zoo management. tered on managing successful breeding pro- Authority, “following the death of six others The need for Animal Rescue Centres As the former circus animals now grams. The rarer the species whom a zoo due to disease.” is big enough that expanding the rescue net- populating Animal Rescue Centres die, more induces to breed, the higher the prestige of the The disease was babeosis, a tick- work could become the focal job of the Central animals from substandard zoos might take zoo. First-tier zoos produce Species Survival borne infection similar to Lyme disease, bore- Zoo Authority, and the star role of the leading their places. This too is a controversial idea, Plan offspring; others exhibit their genetically alosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain members, as it already is for some, including as many zoo directors would prefer to avoid redundant surplus. spotted fever. These diseases notoriously pro- the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in inheriting other zoos’ problems, and have To focus on housing older animals duce symptoms that masquerade as more Visakhapatnam, one of the few Indian zoos misgivings about seemingly participating in from closed circuses and bad zoos would be to familiar conditions. which can claim global stature. cannibalizing colleagues. gain the opportunity to lead the zoological “All of our animals are healthy,” The possibility that zoos might refo- Underlying the management level (continued on page 13) Events (continued)
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Getting the show off the road creates a new role for Indian zoos (from page 12) world in developing knowledge about geriatric do, if the animals are captured alive. elephants. Many were addicted to alcohol by ly popular, since it would take the onus off of wildlife care, but elder care––though increas- Recently the public and political their former mahouts, as a reward to keep public officials for killing rare animals. ingly recognized as necessary in western demand for facilities to house problem wildlife them working. Some were at least once In theory, zoos managing Animal zoos––does not attract media attention to near- has expanded to include street-dwelling rhesus returned to the wild, but failed to re-adapt, Rescue Centres could combine the new job of ly the extent as does holding cute babies. macaques, who resist relocation to rural areas after long captivity. housing dangerous wildlife with their declared Even after there are neither former by returning to cities, and rogue elephants, Most of the present Animal Rescue mission of captive breeding, hoping to eventu- circus animals nor former zoo animals left to amid exposés of cruelty at the “elephant Centres were built to house predators. If mon- ally replenish wild populations in protected house, the Animal Rescue Centres may still camps” run by state forestry departments. keys and elephants are added, new facilities habitat. Tigers, for example, could be rein- have a role, taking in big cats and other wild Originally built to house working will have to be constructed. troduced to the renowned Sariska tiger reserve, animals who come into conflict with humans logging elephants, the elephant camps now Relocating rogue wildlife to the from which they were poached out in 2003, if and livestock––as many Indian zoos already hold several hundred permanently out-of-work Animal Rescue Centres appears to be political- Sariska can be restored to a viable size, prey base, and level of securi- ty. Yet there is so little chance of reintroduc- ing any species now kept at Animal Rescue Centers, against against strong local political opposition to reintroduction of preda- tors, that the centers would probably remain care-for-life sanctuaries, whether or not they fully accept the role. Further, some conservationists worry that + if politicians get the idea + that all dangerous wildlife can go to Animal Rescue Centres, encroachment into protected habitat will accelerate, until the cen- ters become as overcrowd- ed as the zoos whose capacity they are augment- ing, and all reserves go the way of Sariska. But some ani- mals are being released from Animal Rescue Centres, including nearly 100 sambar and spotted deer, 800 star tortoises, and numerous birds who have been rehabilitated by the Animal Rescue Centre at Kodanad, in Kerala state. This rescue center, however, is operated by a state forestry department mini-zoo, not a full-scale zoo––and the deer were born on the premises, (continued on page 14)
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Placing predators in land of 1.1 billion people Indian tigers, lions, and leopards putting the numbers over 2,000, have been who menace humans or livestock are killed, as widely discredited. A new official count is predators are in other nations––but Indian ani- due to be completed later in 2007. mal advocates have long sought alternatives. Asiatic lion attacks have long been The tiger conservationist Jim rare partly because of the extreme rarity of Corbett, born in India of British parents, first Asiatic lions. But this may be changing. won fame by shooting the tigers he memorial- The last remaining Asiatic lion habi- ized in his 1946 memoir The Man-Eaters of tat, the Gir Forest in Gujarat state, was pro- K u m a o n . Yet far from boasting of his kills, tected in 1907 by order of the Nawab of Corbett pleaded for tiger habitat to be set Junagadh. The Gir Forest lion population aside, within which tigers could be tigers, soared from just 13 when the Nawab acted, to safe from the threat of human encroachment. 219 in 1950 to 285 by 1963, fell to 177 by Though tiger reserves were eventual- 1968, and climbed back to 359 in 2005. ly created, as Corbett recommended, and one During the past 50 years, however, of the largest was named in his honor, poach- human encroachment shrank the protected area ing and encroachment have diminished most from more than 4,000 square kilometers to of them. The Sariska tiger reserve, formerly barely 1,400. As many as 90 lions now live among the most accessible to tourists, was outside the protected area, leading to incidents Clouded leopard. (Kim Bartlet) apparently poached completely out of tigers in like the reported invasion of Virpur village by look away, Bhatt charged. the past three years. 2003, as was officially confirmed in a pride of seven lions on January 5, 2005. Boasts by Gir officials that poaching The human victims are typically November 2004. Poachers admitted killing “The lions killed 35 goats, four wild has been suppressed have been followed at women and children who are pounced while 10 of the 20-odd tigers who were believed to pigs, and an ox,” Virpur resident Kanubhai least twice in two years by discoveries of collecting windfallen wood or fruits under have inhabited Sariska. The rest appeared to Kothiya told the Times of India. “One or two poached carcasses, stripped of marketable trees where leopards lurk in ambush for deer, have existed only on paper as result of counts lions stray into the village every week, but this body parts. Most recently, two lionesses and their primary prey. inflated to keep tourists coming. was an army.” a cub were poached circa March 1, 2007. Leopards found close to human habi- Tiger attacks have declined with the Even within the protected zone, Thirty-seven recent instances are tation are often live-trapped to be relocated, tiger population, from about two dozen a year encroachment is an increasing threat, Gujarat known of Asiatic lions falling into deep open- but lack of places to put them leads to head- when India was believed to have several thou- SPCA representative Snehal Bhatt recently pit wells, of whom only 18 were pulled out lines like, “Leopard saved, now what?”, in sand wild tigers, to fewer than half a dozen detailed to fellow members of the Asian alive, Gujarat forest minister Mangubhai Patel the February 12, 2007 edition of the per year recently. Current data indicates that Animal Protection Network. Hugely outnum- told news media on March 6. Suspicion that Telegraph of India. + India may now have less than 1,500 wild bered, and often related to the offenders, the many of these incidents are caused by people “A few days ago,” explained Teleg- + tigers. The most recent official tiger counts, local forest guards and other authorities mostly seeking to kill lions rose after tire tracks raph reporter Roopak Goswami, “when a (from page 13) showed that someone apparently chased two leopard who strayed into a busy area of Getting the show off the road cubs into a well, where they were found dead Bhaskarnagar was tranquillized and captured, from a handful of ancestors who were fenced Ruling in Mrs. Gandhi’s favor, the on February 24. many felt it was a job well done. But for the in to attract visitors more than 20 years ago. Supreme Court dismissed a decade of litiga- “There have been calls for some Forest Department, it was an addition to a The Supreme Court of India ruling tion by the Indian Circus Federation, and lions to be moved to a second reserve, to give problem––the lack of a proper place to rehabil- of May 1, 2001 only freed tigers, lions, leop- upheld a 1991 order that the tigers, lions, them more space,” I n d e p e n d e n t Delhi corre- itate big cats who wander out of their habitat.” ards, monkeys and bears from performing and leopards, monkeys, and bears in their posses- spondent Justin Haggler reported on March 9. A leopard, for example, can only be traveling with Indian circuses. sion must be retired, issued by Mrs. Gandhi “A site has been found, at the Kuno wildlife released into an area “within range of the spot Effecting a paradigm shift in the when she was minister of forests. sanctuary in the neighbouring state of Madhya it is rescued from, with an adequate prey base, roles of zoos and perhaps in Indian wildlife Mrs. Gandhi suggested that taking in Pradesh. The idea is backed by the central sufficient water, and most importantly, away conservation policy was scarcely envisioned in the former circus animals would be part of government in Delhi, and by the Wildlife from human settlements,” Assam State Zoo reportage at the time––except by People for reforming the mission and operation of zoos, Institute of India. But the Gujarat state gov- divisional forest officer Narayan Mahanta told Animals founder Maneka Gandhi. Then in part by increasing the obligation of the ernment has opposed the move, saying the Goswami. Indian federal minister for animal welfare, national government to assist the work she saw lions are a symbol of pride for Gujarat. Wrote Goswami, “Most often, Mrs. Gandhi has long recommended that zoos as zoos’ legitimate role. “Leading opposition to the reloca- these big cats are rescued from hillock areas of should exist only as sanctuaries and education- Mrs. Gandhi personally directed tion is Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, the city,” where isolated islands of habitat are al institutions. only the first part of the federal response to the who cannot travel to Britain,” Haggler noted, surrounded by dense suburbs. As a newspaper columnist before Supreme Court ruling, while being rapidly “because of calls for him to be prosecuted “It is very difficult to release them in entering politics, more than 20 years ago, transferred––with the animal welfare min- under international law for the Gujarat mas- these places, as the residents will protest,” observing zoos rushing to embrace conserva- istry––through several different cabinet posts. sacres [of Muslims, by Hindu nationalists who Mahantas said. tion breeding as their purported central pur- A bizarre coalition of science and superstition, accused Muslims of starting a deadly train fire] The Assam State Zoo added the pose, Mrs. Gandhi predicted that captive representing both biomedical researchers and in 2002.” leopard to a caged leopard collection already breeding would probably only perpetuate the practitioners of animal sacrifice, ousted her Leopards have no protected habitat numbering a dozen. practice of producing cute babies for exhibit, from the cabinet and stripped her of the animal designated especially for them. Officially, Housing more than 700 animals of doing nothing to rejuvenate wild populations. welfare ministry in mid-2003. about 14,000 leopards survive in India, some 45 species, in just 47 enclosures on a 430-acre Within India, she was right. Not But by then the aftermath of the in forest reserves, many in farming areas site, the Assam State Zoo recently announced one Indian species has been reintroduced from Supreme Court ruling had gained independent where they are blamed for killing cattle, a 20-year improvement plan focused on con- zoo stock. momentum. ––Merritt Clifton sheep, goats, and at least 33 humans during servation breeding and research.
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ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 15 Wildlife SOS “franchises” dancing bear sanctuaries A G R A––Wildlife SOS, operating three sanctuaries for dancing bears, has made a speciality of helping Kalandar dancing bear exhibitors into other occupations, in exchange for their bears and a pledge to stay out of promoting animal acts. Frequently the price of a dancing bear is the training and start-up capital to enable a Kalandar family to start a small business, a sharp break from a tradition so ancient that many of the oldest circus families worldwide––such as the Chipperfields, performing in Britain since 1683––appear to have Kalandar origins. “We have seen a change in attitude amongst the Kalandar people themselves,” says Wildlife SOS cofounder Kartick Satyanarayan. “Bear poachers in Uttar Pradesh state recently tried to sell a young cub to a Kalandar community, but the villagers refused to buy the cub because they knew this would be against the law. I truly feel there is an end in sight,” Satyanarayn emphasizes, “and one day the streets of India will be free of captive bears being tortured for entertainment.” Wildlife SOS began as a wildlife rescue auxiliary to Three bears await their porridge and fruit at the Wildlife SOS sanctuary near Agra. (Kim Bartlett) the Friendicoes Society for the Eradication of Cruelty to Bartlett on a recent visit, “The area designated for Wildlife can come and go in their enclosures with no fear,” Bartlett saw. Animals in New Delhi. In 1996 Wildlife SOS began building a SOS was cleared land, but they planted trees that have grown “The bears sleep in their inner dens, or outside, as they wish. dancing bear sanctuary on 20 acres within the Sur Sarovar so fast that it seems to be a natural jungle. The feel of it is It is all very natural. wildlife refuge, 17 kilometres from the Taj Mahal in nearby exactly the same as at Keoladeo Ghana National Park,” the “The land for the bears goes down to the river that Agra. Initiated as part of a multinational string of dancing bear renowned bird sanctuary near Bharatpur, before recent years of circles around the back of the Taj Mahal,” Bartlett added. sanctuaries funded by the World Society for the Protection of drought drained most of the habitat. “They are trying to secure a parcel of land on the other side of Animals, the first Wildlife SOS sanctuary was completed six “Wild animals are moving in from elsewhere,” said the river, so as to expand the bear facilities, as they are expect- years later as the first Animal Rescue Center accredited by the Bartlett, who photographed a 20-foot python nearby, “and ing to receive more bears.” Central Zoo Authority of India, after a split with WSPA. they are all safe there. Wildlife SOS takes other species of res- Meanwhile, Wildlife SOS has opened two additional It opened on Christmas Day 2002, sponsored by cued animals into the facility,” as necessary. Civets and nilgai Animal Rescue Centres for rescued bears––within Bannerghatta International Animal Rescue, Save the Bears, and One Voice. were on the premises when Bartlett visited. National Park, near Bangalore, in Karnataka state, and at Van Observed ANIMAL PEOPLE publisher Kim “These bears are not dangerous to the handlers, who Vihar, near Bhopal, in Madya Pradesh state. Indian humane societies clash with PETA & government over wildlife rescue role by Merritt Clifton Karuna animal shelter, and the Animal Rescue and including lack of a working well on the premises, but CUPA B A N G A L O R E ––PETA/India, the Karnataka state Rehabilitation Trust,” The Hindu reported. has much more space to expand into, as funding permits. forestry agency, and the Central Zoo Authority of India are The only approved non-governmental wildlife rescue CUPA returns to the wild any animals who can be aligned against all five of the local humane societies in a turf facility in the Bangalore area appears to be the bear rehabilita- released safely. Some birds who were released successfully war over who has the right to house and treat wildlife. tion center operated by Wildlife SOS on land within some time ago still fly back for daily visits. Summarized The Hindu on February 27, 2007, “In a Bannerghatta National Park. Access is closely restricted by the Meanwhile, official governmental wildlife care cen- petition before the Supreme Court, PETA seeks the closure of park administration. ters around India often have their own problems––and have all unrecognised zoos and unauthorized rescue and rehabilita- Visiting the CUPA Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation also come into conflict with the Central Zoo Authority. tion centers,” allegedly because “poor infrastructure has led to Centre in January 2007, soon after visiting the River Trail “At the Forest Department’s Deer Research and unnecessary pain and suffering of animals housed in them.” Nature Center and The Grove nature center in the Chicago area, Animal Rescue Centre in Bidhannagar,” reported Rakeeb The CZA recognizes 15 zoos and wildlife parks in and the renowned Wisconsin Humane Society wildlife rehabili- Hossain of the Hindustan Times on January 2, 2007, “rescued Karnataka state, but does not recognize six privately operated tation wing in Milwaukee, I found that the quality of animal animals are crammed into small transport cages with hardly any zoos, and “has withheld the applications filed by People for care was about the same. space to move. They have no proper housing, round-the-clock Animals, the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre in The CUPA facilities hold far fewer animals, with medical facility, full-time veterinarian, or veterinary unit. Bannerghatta run by Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, the only one full-time staff member, and operate under limitations (continued on page 16) + + 16 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007
The Watchdog monitors fundraising, spending, and The political activity in the name of animal and habitat protec - tion—both pro and con. His empty bowl stands for all the bowls left empty when some Watchdog take more than they need. Animal Rescue League of Boston closes five-year-old Pembroke shelter ANTI-GASSING VERDICT A T L A N T A–– Fulton County Sup- B O S T O N ––The Animal Rescue who are not adopted will be transferred to the Tremont and Chandler streets,” in Boston, erior Court Judge Cynthia D. Wright on League of Boston announced on February 28, Animal Rescue League shelters in Boston, reported Thomas C. Palmer Jr. of the B o s t o n March 23, 2007 ordered the Georgia Depart- 2007 that it will close the Pembroke Animal Dedham, and Brewster, Bowen said. Globe in August 2006. ment of Agriculture to enforce the 1990 state Care & Adoption Center, only five years after Building the Pembroke shelter was “The league and creatures in its cus- Humane Euthanasia Act, which requires that completing it, at cost of $7 million. funded by a 1986 bequest of $2.3 million from tody inhabit a crowded and outdated facility, animal shelters must use sodium pentobarbi- Animal Rescue League president Jay the estate of a man named Fred Potter. built in the 1950s,” Palmer explained. “The tal to kill dogs and cats, and prohibits leav- Bowen, heading the league since 40-year pres- The Animal Rescue League spent organization hopes to capitalize on residential ing dying animals unattended. The law ident Arthur Slade retired in December 2005, $687,000 to buy the property in 1994, includ- real estate market, and let a developer and allowed county animal control agencies that told news media that the Pembroke shelter has ing a house used for several years by then- some new condo owners help finance a mod- used carbon monoxide gas chambers in 1990 lost more than $1 million a year. league operations director Edward Powers. ern facility that it would own, below the pri- to continue using them, but did not allow “The league has more than $100 mil- The Animal Rescue League called the site a vate residences.” new gas chambers to be installed. It exempt- lion in assets and an endowment of more than “wildlife sanctuary.” So far, no deal has been disclosed. ed counties of under 25,000 residents. $80 million,” despite investment losses of In 1997 the Town of Pembroke While the Animal Rescue League The case was filed by former state more than $20 million since 2002, “but revoked the league’s tax exemption on the prepared to close the Pembroke shelter, after representative Chesley Morton, author of the Bowen said the Pembroke shelter has lost property. In 1999 the Massachusetts Appellate closing a shelter in Salem in 2003, and can- Humane Euthanasia Act, and veterinary money every year,” wrote Syndey Schwartz of Tax Board board ordered the league to pay celling plans to build a shelter in Ipswich, the technician Jennifer Robinson, whose dog the South-of-Boston Patriot Ledger. back taxes of $10,545. Humane Society of the U.S. on March 17, Pacino was gassed by Clayton County “The organization plans to sell or The Animal Rescue League in 2007 broke ground for a new 4.3-acre Cape Animal Control after being hit by two cars. rent the Pembroke building, but will keep its August 2006 announced that it was looking for Wildlife Center in Cummaquid, Massa- adjacent 60-acre nature sanctuary and dog “developers willing to combine residential chusetts. The much smaller original site in Euro Commission sues Greece walk,” Schwartz said. units with new veterinary facilities on the West Barnstable, opened in 1995, now han- Animals at the Pembroke shelter prime real estate the organization owns at dles more than 1,600 wild animals per year. B R U S S E L S ––The European Commission on March 21, 2007 announced RSPCA of Australia offers beer for cane toads People & positions that it “has decided to refer Greece to the S Y D N E Y ––“ Hops for hoppers show hosts Anne Barker and Mark Colvin European Court of Justice for failure to prop- plan likely to croak,” the Sydney Morning that the proper way to kill toads is to treat The Mohawk & Hudson River erly implement and enforce European Union Herald headlined on February 27, 2007. them first with anesthetic hemorrhoid cream. Humane Society, serving Albany, New legislation on animal welfare in transport and A year after the Royal SPCA of “Just run a 25 millimetre strip down York, since 1887, on March 19, 2007 intro- at slaughter. The Commission first initiated Australia began offering cane toad hunters a the back of the cane toad,” Wilkinson said. duced new executive director Brad Shear. an infringement procedure against Greece in free beer for every toad delivered to RSPCA “The cane toad will quickly go into a deep Shear was previously shelter manager and ani- 1998,” the announcement explained, “but shelters alive, the offer has reportedly had sleep. You pick the toad up, and place it into mal care and control director for the Humane terminated it following commitments from few takers––while hunters continue to club a plastic bag, and you put it in the freezer.” Society of Boulder Valley in Colorado, man- Greek authorities to improve matters. Food cane toads, shoot them, spear them, and Wilkinson warned that children aged the Brooklyn shelter for the New York & Veterinary Office visits carried out sometimes lick them, to get a potentially exposed to the usual methods of killing cane City Center for Animal Care & Control, between 2003 and 2006 revealed no substan- lethal high from a poison they secret that has toads might progress to using similar methods and was director of operations for the Atlanta tial improvement.” reputed psychadelic effects. to kill feral cats, also widely demonized in Humane Society. Shear succeeds interim Jeffrey S. Klausner , dean of the Native to the Amazon rain forest, Australia, and eventually develop “psycho- director Warren Cox, who has headed 24 University of Minnesota College of 101 cane toads were released in Queensland pathic tendencies” toward fellow humans. humane societies and animal control agencies Veterinary Medicine since 1998, and a facul- in 1935 to combat cane beetles, native to Two months later, when use of in 55 years. His seventh post was as founding ty member since 1977, is to be named chief Australia, who were attacking sugar cane hemorrhoid cream to kill toads did not catch director of the Animal Rescue League i n executive of the Animal Medical Center o n crops. Ignoring the cane beetles, cane toads on, Wilkinson partnered with Cooper’s Marshalltown, Iowa, whose director since April 23, 2007, the center announced. The instead became the most successful predators Brewery and the Cavenagh Hotel in Darwin 1976, Wendy Fields, in March 2007 Animal Medical Center was founded in 1910 of mosquito larvae Down Under. to offer a glass of Cooper’s at the hotel in announced her retirement. Fields began work- to help pets of the poor, but has long empha- Grown to full size, however, cane exchange for each toad. ing at the Animal Rescue League at age 16 to sized advanced treatments and research toads also consume native amphibians, “No coupons for squashed toads,” pay off her dog’s impoundment fees. She suc- instead. With income of nearly $40 million, lizards, ground-nesting birds, small marsupi- Wilkinson warned. ceeded then-director Bob Brandau, recalled Animal Medical Center spent $285,780 to help al mammals, and fellow non-native species Wilkinson said that the RSPCA Greg Pierquet of the Marshalltown Times- the pets of indigent people in 2005, and including mice, rats, and young rabbits. would kill the toads with sodium pentobarbi- R e p u b l i c a n , after showing her dedication by spent$431,793 to provide care to guide dogs. Despite decades of aggressive per- tal, applied to the toads’ skin, rather than by bottle-feeding two orphaned skunk babies. Lois Snider, 74, a cofounder of the secution, there are now an estimated 100 mil- injection as for mammals. The skunks remained her pets for eight years. Brown County Humane Society i n lion cane toads in Australia, who have estab- Two beers were claimed the first Former Clark County assistant Georgetown, Ohio, retired on February 20, lished a presence as far as 2,000 road miles day. Then the offer seemed to be forgotten— manager Christine Robinson debuts on April 2007, after 32 years of service to the organiza- from their release point. until the RSPCA shelter in Cairns in early 10 as executive director of the A n i m a l tion in six different leadership roles. Seeking to discourage cruelty to 2007 announced a similar deal, partnering Foundation. The Animal Foundation operates Eileen Liska, legislative liaison for cane toads, Lindsay Wilkinson, interim with the Red Beret Hotel in Redlynch. The the Lied Animal Shelter in Las Vegas, where the Michigan Humane Society since 1985, executive director of the Darwin branch of Cairns deal, however, offered two beers for approximately 1,000 animals were killed in has announced her retirement, but said she Royal SPCA of Australia, in January 2006 a bag of 20 cane toads, and received no tak- February 2007 to contain outbreaks of par- would remain involved on behalf of Michigan told Australian Broadcasting Corporation talk ers at all. vovirus, distemper, and panleukopenia. Humane as a paid consultant. Indian humane societies clash with PETA (from page 15) There are hardly any employees trained to handle the animals. while held in filthy, crowded conditions by traffickers, and “Though it was set up a decade ago as a rescue cen- might take the diseases back into the wild population. tre,” Hossain explained, “the department also tried to use the Star tortoises, for example, seldom seen in shelters facility as a deer research park, without necessary permission as recently as five years ago, are now relatively ubiquitous. or facilities. After the Forest Department applied to the CZA Because they are endangered, they cannot be adopted out. for recognition of the center, CZA scientific officer Bipul Because they have street value, they require special security Chakraborty in June 2006 visited the Bidhannagar centre. He precautions to keep safely. found 188 animals of 14 species, cramped in a space ‘only two But star tortoises are the least of the longterm wildlife hectare in area and surrounded by the Krishnapur water chan- care problems now confronting Indian humane organizations, nel, the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, and the residential who find themselves expected to house animals that govern- area of Salt Lake.’” ment agencies, zoos, and the Animal Rescue Centres either Among the animals were 15 spotted deer, 15 rhesus cannot or will not accommodate––and also find themselves macaques, seven langurs, five bonnet macaques, a jackal, a subject to regulations written for exhibition facilities, that they palm civet, 33 soft-shelled turtles, 63 star tortoises, 15 para- have difficulty meeting. keets, and 25 munias, Hossain said. Monkeys are the biggest problem. Even if all of the Animal Rescue Centres now accred- As Animal Birth Control programs reduce the popula- ited by the CZA expand to their maximum projected capacity, tions of street dogs, rhesus macaques and Hanuman languors they will be far from enough to accommodate all the former are increasingly becoming an urban nuisance, much more like- captive wildlife and rescued wild animals in India who need ly to bite and do property damage than the dogs whose places safe housing. they take around trash heaps. CUPA wildlife rehabilitator Saleem Hameed Major Indian humane societies such as CUPA, The conventional municipal response is so far mostly with baby civets. (Eileen Weintraub) Compassionate Crusaders of Calcutta, the Bombay SPCA, the just to round monkeys up and dump them in the countryside, Blue Cross chief executive Chinny Krishna doubts Animal Help Foundation of Ahmedabad, Help In Suffering, but urbanized monkeys typically find their way back into town, that large numbers of monkeys really can be given good lives, and the Visakha SPCA of Visakhapatnam have always integrat- much as dogs did when the same method was tried with them. within the limitations of funding and space that humane soci- ed wildlife care into their missions, building facilities to house Most Indian humane societies have so far avoided eties deal with. He has also argued for decades that doing wild species in small numbers. taking in street monkeys, other than occasional special cases Animal Birth Control, rather than sheltering large numbers of Recently, however, many have been asked to handle who have been injured in accidents. dogs, cats, or cattle, should be the focal role of Indian humane more than just the occasional wild animal. Crackdowns on The Chennai-based Blue Cross of India, however, organizations. wildlife trafficking have produced a surfeit of confiscated ani- has gained experience at housing whole troupes by taking in an Yet the Blue Cross does shelter hundreds of dogs, mals such as star tortoises, common in captivity but rare in the entire laboratory colony several years ago. The survivors now cats, and cattle, because the public and donors expect it, and wild. Usually these animals cannot be returned to the wild occupy two large cages at one of the Blue Cross Animal Birth because Chinny Krishna himself admits that he cannot refuse because of the risk that they may have been exposed to diseases Control clinics on the Chennai outskirts. shelter to an animal in urgent need. ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 17 Kenya wildlife policy policy committee pushes “cropping,” not “hunting” N A I R O B I ––“The National Steering Committee,” (as) there is developed effective mechanisms for ensuring that “It needs to be understood once and for all that the drafting revisions to Kenyan wildlife policy, “has dropped rec- there are direct benefits to local communities.” intention of the Kenyan nation is to not kill but preserve all of ommendations for killing animals for fun,” revealed T h e This leaves the door open to allowing sport hunting at its wildlife. Period,” The Nation editorialized on March 18, N a t i o n environment correspondent John Mbaria on March 16, a future date. 2007, as the largest and most influential Kenyan newspaper. 2007. Instead, Mbaria wrote, “it has adopted cropping Mbaria had on February 24, 2007 extensively “The whole philosophy of wildlife management in the wildlife.” Mbaria explained that the draft policy “defines crop- exposed efforts by the U.S. Agency for International mind of the average Kenyan is to benefit from wildlife by car- ping as ‘harvesting free-ranging animals for a range of prod- Development and Safari Club International to undermine the ing for animals, not by killing them. The draft wildlife policy is ucts, including meat and wildlife trophies.’ Kenyan hunting ban. neither entirely honest nor does it take into consideration the “In Kenya,” Mbaria continued, “most animals are “Cropping has now replaced sport hunting,” Mbaria strategic and long term interests of Kenya,” The Nation contin- free-ranging. Apart from Saiwa Swamp in Western Kenya, observed. “But many Kenyans living with wildlife are still ued. “Kenyan wildlife must not be killed for trophies. and Aberdares and Lake Nakuru national parks, which have opposed to it. Representatives of communities from different “Those who wish to eat meat ought to be encouraged electric fences, the rest of the parks and reserves are open.” regions organized a demonstration [during the second week of to keep a cow or a goat. Those in the wildlife business who The new draft policy position “is just a matter of March, 2007], at which they hoped to present their grievances have determined that the easiest way to benefit from animals is semantics. Cropping is hunting by another name,” Inter- to tourism and wildlife minister Morris Dzoro. But the demon- by killing them should shift their business to the 22 African national Fund for Animal Welfare regional communications stration was scuttled by the police, who said the group of about countries which see no problem in killing their animals. officer Elizabeth Wamba told Mbaria. 200 representatives had not notified them properly.” “Creating a legal market for game trophies is the “Kenya will now not have trophy hunting,” affirmed “Just as in the current process of making the coun- equivalent of putting a gun to the economy and pulling the trig- African Network for Animal Welfare founder Josphat Ngonyo. try’s wildlife policy, the earlier cropping experiment was intro- ger. Wildlife is a strategic economic resource,” The Nation “However, it will have cropping. This has been abused duced at the behest of powerful international forces,” Mbaria reminded. “Kenya has no minerals. It relies on agriculture and before,” Ngonyo warned. “Besides, wildlife numbers have wrote. “Seemingly, the country’s wildlife resource has been tourism. Its future prospects are tied around these two sectors. declined, and we do not know the correct population position targeted by such elitist hunting groups as Safari Club The management of wildlife is therefore not down to a few MPs yet. We are therefore campaigning that this be put at bay.” International,” which was also behind the passage of a stealth taking a junket and having their views swayed. It is also not “Fear that cropping might further diminish wildlife in bill to repeal the hunting ban in December 2004. down to the views of a couple of NGOs with an eye to a poten- Kenya is underscored by past practice,” Mbaria wrote, “espe- Kenyan President Mwai Kbaki vetoed the repeal after tially lucrative donor. cially by big-time game ranchers who were given a go-ahead to Youth for Conservation mobilized nationwide opposition. “Our wild animals contribute 25% of our gross engage in cropping on an experimental basis by the Kenya Cropping previously “had very little benefit to local domestic product, according to some government estimates, Wildlife Service between 1991 and 2003.” communities,” Mbaria noted, “as it was meant for large-scale and account for 10% of all formal jobs. Yet, we have lost 60% The experiment ended after a company called Tasha landholders hosting wild animals on their properties. of our wildlife in the last 20 years or so. Bioservices Ltd., headed by Moi University lecturer Jim Kairu, “Many people who took part in a nationwide views- “One would have thought that the sensible thing to do spent 2001 gathering data. Tasha Bioservices found that “Some gathering exercise were opposed to the introduction of cropping is to devise a policy that protects these animals and replenishes croppers are known to abuse their licences by injuring both tar- in the draft policy,” Mbaria added. “Communities in 18 of the populations. “The view of the Sunday Nation is that the Draft get and non-target animals, shooting animals indiscriminately, 21 wildlife regions in Kenya ruled out hunting, cropping, Wildlife Policy should be thrown out of the window, together shooting species not included in the allocated quotas, and culling, or any other consumptive use of wild animals.” with the committee that wrote it,” the editorial concluded. killing animals beyond the scheduled boundaries.” The Kenya Wildlife Service had incorrectly believed, based on reports and complaints from private landowners, that “many non-protected wildlife areas were teeming with excess wildlife,” Mbaria summarize. This proved to be false. “Cropping does not benefit the local communities,” Ngonyo said, “and will jeopardize the strategies proposed to curb the bush meat problem and compensation through human- wildlife conflict.” Ngonyo was a close observer of the previous failure of cropping. As an employee of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant and rhinoceros orphanage, Ngonyo helped to raise animals orphaned by poachers who used cropping as a cover. Ngonyo later founded Youth for Conservation to attack the bush meat trade, which also used cropping as a cover. Since 1998 Youth for Conservation has organized volunteers to remove poachers’ snares from the Kenyan national parks. States the March 5, 2007 edition of the draft wildlife policy, “Cropping will be allowed, subject to verified scientif- ic information and clear framework for benefit sharing.” The draft policy “encourages and promotes as appro- priate” manufacturing and exporting products made from wildlife. “For the time being,” the draft policy says, “sport hunting is excluded from wildlife user rights until such time Giraffes in Kenya. (Elissa Free) Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Center helped to save a troubled zoo V I S A K H A P A T N A M ––Built to a the zoo image, after much of the collection captive breeding protocols has disappointed With most of the Indian traveling then-state-of-the-art plan in 1972, the 625- was poached or stolen under his predecessors zoos nationwide, who had hoped for an influx shows now out of business, Vijay Kumar and acre Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Vis- during the 1990s. of new genes from circus animal collections. staff do not anticipate an ongoing large influx akhapatnam is among the world’s most spa- Replacing the missing animals and Keeping lions and tigers healthy and of more ex-circus animals. cious zoos, and is among the few in India with restoring the grounds, Vijay Kumar more than happy in a confined environment is a consider- The Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue authentic conservation breeding credentials. tripled zoo attendance, revenues, and the able challenge, even at the best of zoos. Centre has, however, received animals from “Captive breeding for species sur- operating budget. Physically and psychologically rehabilitating at least two other zoos that had serious prob- vival” is the mission touted on page one of the More than a quarter of the budget ex-performing cats is more challenging still. lems. Most recently, in August 2006, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park brochures. goes into maintaining the Animal Rescue Most of those in Visakhapatnam center took in six big cats from the Birsa Captive breeding successes include the Centre. Not open to the public, the Animal arrived with chronic physical problems, as Munda Zoological Park in Ranchi, Jharkand, December 2007 births of eight dholes, Asian Rescue Centre has nonetheless become a result of poor diets, parasites, lack of ade- after six others died within a month’s time cousins of the better known African wild dog. source of community pride, attracting at least quate exercise while spending years in small from the tick-borne disease babeosis. Yet while captive breeding may have as much news coverage as the zoo itself. cages, and untreated old injuries. Ironically, the Birsa Munda Zoo was itself enhanced the prestige of the Indira Gandhi Zoo Built to hold 30 lions and 30 tigers, Scars on most of the big cats’ fore- planning to build an Animal Rescue Centre. among fellow zoo professionals, the mission the Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Centre heads are a visible consequence of repeated Two years earlier, in August 2004, that really saved the zoo appears to have been actually houses 48 lions and 13 tigers at pre- electroshocking. Degenerative hip ailments the Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Centre opening one of the first CZA-accredited sent, as––to the surprise of the Central Zoo are a legacy of riding many thousands of miles took in seven tigers from the former Pratap Animal Rescue Centres for ex-circus animals, Authority––African lions turned out to be far over bumpy roads in wagons without good Sinhav Udyan Zoo in Sangli, Maharashra, in February 2001. more common in Indian circuses than either springs––or any springs at all. Some of the derecognized by the Central Zoo Authority Current Indira Gandhi Zoo director tigers or native Asiatic lions. cats are blind. due to bad conditions and poor animal care. B. Vijay Kumar added the Animal Rescue The paucity of Asiatic lions in cir- As much physical care as the big Despite the derecognition, and Centre as part of a master plan to rehabilitate cuses who might be suitable for inclusion in cats typically require, however, their psycho- despite protests led by PETA/India, the Pratap logical abnormalities are harder to treat. Sinhav Udyan Zoo continued operating for The tigers, in general, adapt more another year, still with five lions, until flood- rapidly to relative freedom within spacious ed by the August 2005 monsoons. enclosures. Many of the lions, even after Wildlife SOS then evacuated the last years at the Animal Rescue Centre, are still five Sangli lions to the Animal Rescue Centre afraid to go outside. Once coaxed or coerced run by the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park to go outdoors, they wait fearfully beside the in Tirupati. [Two photos of the evacuation door until allowed back in. appeared on page 12 of the September 2005 Inside, some pace within the exact edition of ANIMAL PEOPLE.] bounds of the circus wagons they occupied The Sri Venkateswara Zoological years ago, imagining barriers where none Park built the Tirupati Animal Rescue Centre exist. Several try to hide from humans. to more-or-less the same specifications as the Eight lions and tigers died from vari- Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Centre, to ous unforeseen complications during the first accommodate 60 big cats. 21 months that the Visakhapatnam Animal After receiving the last of the Pratap Rescue Centre operated, Ramesh Susarla of Sinhav Udyan Zoo lions, it was almost full, The Hindu reported in June 2003. Among but nonetheless accepted another 16 lionesses, them, four tigers were killed by other tigers three lions, and a tiger just two weeks later. after finding various ways to breech cage bar- Kerala Forest Department senior veterinary riers, despite repeated barrier modifications E.K. Easwaran told news media that the Jumbo and reinforcement. The original design appar- Circus of Wayanad, Kerala, had apparently ently worked well with ordinary zoo tigers in kept the animals for seven years in a garden on France, but the ex-circus tigers proved to be a coffee plantation, hoping to find a way to Former circus tiger at the Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Center . (Kim Bartlett) more inventive and aggressive. again exhibit them. ––Merritt Clifton 18 - ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 Anti-ABC backlash after fatal dog attacks is burning out in Bangalore B A N G A L O R E ––Blue Cross of district of Mysore a day later, The Hindu India chief executive Chinny Krishna, archi- reported, where a mob bludgeoned a dog who tect of the Indian national Animal Birth was believed to have bitten four children. Control policy, had for 10 years predicted a “Sunnadakeri resident Jogi Manju violent backlash. Dog-haters, Krishna said there were six meat stalls in the locality warned, would ally with opportunistic politi- and all of them dumped wastes on which dogs cians seeking a “wedge” issue to attack pro- fed,” The Hindu noted. “Manju said children ABC governments. played on the same road and the dogs tended ABC had to succeed so completely to fear that their food would be snatched.” in preventing rabies and dog attacks as to The Mysore government by mid- avoid giving anti-dog factions any opportunity night “launched an operation to catch and cull to gain momentum––“Because once the cities dogs,” The Hindu added. “Officials claimed start killing dogs again,” Krishna predicted that only 47 dogs were given lethal injections, over and over, “they will not stop.” but according to eyewitnesses the number was Once dog-killers are back on the higher. Officials claimed that only ferocious public payroll, Krishna explained time and dogs and those displaying signs of rabies were again, they would again become part of culled, but it was obvious that even timid and India’s sprawling bureaucracy, with rein- friendly dogs were not spared. forced political backing. “Seven meat stalls were closed down If the history of ABC ever enters at Sunnadakeri and eight in other parts of the Savitha Nagabhushan’s videotape of a dog massacre helped to turn public opinion. (CUPA) textbooks, the first months of 2007 may be city,” The Hindu continued. ments, which are fragile and can explode; to The extra work obliged the ABC remembered for the Battle of Bangalore, Back in Bangalore, “The fight refrain from answering provocative questions programs to suspend doing surgeries––for beginning with a January 5 fatal pack attack on spilled into a very hot political arena,” Harish from the media; to be part of the drive to which they had not been paid by the city in six a nine-year-old girl named Sridevi, near a lot told ANIMAL PEOPLE, “with government round up feral dogs, those who run in packs, months. The suspension was also a warning to used for dumping meat wastes in a shantytown taking it as an issue, the Bangalore commis- and those who bring complaints; and to shelter public officials that the ABC directors felt they suburb beyond reach of local ABC programs. sioner under terrible attack, the media unre- and evaluate the dogs who are brought in.” had been unfairly blamed long enough, and A prompt response by the ABC pro- lentingly dishing up sensational and terribly Jairaj by March 5 had reassigned 30 hoped to see some signs of support. gram chiefs quelled the initial backlash, as damaging statements. All of the animal wel- municipal trucks to dogcatching, each staffed When after six days there was detailed by Animal Rights Fund volunteer fare organizations have been accused of with three garbage handlers to do the captures, nowhere left to put dogs, the captures Poornima Harish in the March 2007 edition of embezzling, by both Kannada and English a policeman to guard them, and a health offi- appeared to stop. Dogs already in custody ANIMAL PEOPLE. ARF had warned in press, without a shred of evidence. cer. As the garbage handlers proved unable to remained in trucks outside the ARF, Karuna, 2002 that illegal meat shops were encouraging “Were it not at the cost of so many clear the streets of dogs, Jairaj two days later and CUPA facilities for days, receiving volun- dog packs to form in that very area. innocent lives, the political drama would have hired “12 professionals from the Malabar teer care and feeding, while the city built three But much of Bangalore exploded provided comic relief,” Harish said. “Till now region of Kerala,” The Hindu reported, who new holding areas for dogs at outlying sites. against dogs when a second fatal attack I have not understood who was using this snared 491 dogs on their first day of work. By March 9, Jairaj told The Hindu, occurred on March 1, also near a site where issue. Knives were drawn for dogs and for The “12 professionals” are believed 1,297 dogs had been captured. “Of these 221 meat wastes were dumped, also beyond the animal welfare organizations, in that order,” to have been a team from Trivandrum who were culled,” he said. Later the same day, limits of the ABC programs as defined by their Harish explained, naming at least three politi- were trained by Animal Rescue Kerala to Jairaj told Habib Beary of BBC News that municipal contracts. cal factions who tried to exploit the crisis. assist an ABC program. Instead, ARK more than 2,000 dogs were caught. “Four-and-half-year-old Manjunath “Chastised by public uproar against founder Avis Lyons told the Asian Animal was playing with his friends,” the Times of the stray dog menace,” trumpeted the Times of Protection Network, they used their training Secret killing India reported, “when the dogs caught him in India, “health minister R. Ashok declared on “to kill most of the street dog population in “Unable to accommodate hundreds their jaws and dragged him across the open Friday that all stray dogs would be euthanised Trivandrum.” of dogs, Bangalore officials are exterminating ground. Within seconds, the murderous pack within a month. Since then, they have worked in the dogs and dumping their carcasses,” had almost severed his neck. The last words of “We’ll intensify the culling and other cities as a mercenary hit squad, killing Afshan Yasmeen of The Hindu r e v e a l e d . this little boy were ‘neeru, neeru,’” meaning killing without mercy. As health minister, I’m as many as 1,000 dogs in November 2006 at “According to sources at the dog pounds, the “water, water.” not happy with the animal welfare organiza- Conoor and Kotagiri, after a dog injured a canines are either electrocuted or injected with Surgeons tried for nine hours to save tions’ work,” Ashok fulminated. child, according to Fay Vohra of the India poison. The method of disposal is posing a Manjunath, to no avail. Project for Animals & Nature. health hazard to villages near the dumping “An agitated crowd of 400” rallied Dog heroes The first dogs caught in Bangalore yards. The villagers, who have always com- after Manunath’s funeral, asking the authori- Observed M. Radhika of T e h e l k a : were taken to the local ABC headquarters. plained about the unbearable stench of the ties to “eradicate street dogs,” said The Hindu. The People’s Paper, “The city’s media is sid- “There are dogs in the van parked garbage dumped there, are now protesting.” “Vociferous demands for resignation ing with those who want stray dogs killed, so outside. There is no space to keep them Residents of three villages stopped of Health Minister R. Ashok and Bangalore much so that mere bites are now being report- inside,” said Harish. four truckloads of dead dogs, Yasmeen said. commissioner K. Jairaj disrupted traffic for ed as crime stories. Lost in frenzy is the story “We had to turn away one van “With private contractors refusing to over half an hour,” added the Deccan Herald. of how dogs helped save a newborn’s life in because we did not have space to keep the transport the carcasses, the civic body is using “Indiscriminate killing of dogs has the forests of Devarayanadurga in Tumkur on dogs,” said a Karuna ABC staffer named its own garbage lorries,” Yasmeen continued. never been the solution for dog control man- March 9. An unwed mother abandoned her Dharneesh. Barred from the Bangalore pound at agement,” World Health Organization zoonot- child in the forest, but a pack of dogs, who The Compassion Unlimited Plus Koramangala, Yasmeen and a photographer, ic disease chief F.X. Meslin told a March 3 had followed her, stood guard over the infant Action hospital and shelter, across a side “noticing that dogs were being taken to the press conference in Bangalore, explaining that all night to prevent any attack by other ani- street from Karuna on the Hebbal Veterinary city’s dysfunctional asphalt plant across the the Animal Birth Control approach “is the best mals. The next morning, a passerby found the College Campus, took in 200 dogs, in addi- road, sneaked into the premises and found way to stabilize dog numbers.” child and, as it chanced, took the baby to the tion to those already there. heaps of dog carcasses,” Yasmeen added. “While public outcry is understand- same woman, who wept with joy, having “We don’t know where they origi- The Times of India in particular con- able, it is imperative to be rational,” Animal spent the night in guilt.” nated––the vans just brought them, and we tinued to inflame public fury against dogs, the Welfare Board of India chair R.M. Kharb The Devarayanadurga incident was housed them till we could not manage any city government, and ABC, “But the tide has added, emphasizing that “ABC needs to be verified by other media. more,” director Suparna Ganguly e-mailed to turned,” CUPA veterinarian Shiela Rao told extended on a much larger scale, executed by Commissioner Jairaj “has requested ANIMAL PEOPLE. “They just started pick- ANIMAL PEOPLE. a highly motivated and professional team.” us to be with him and not alienate ourselves,” ing up all sterilized dogs on the road.” “A very active group of young sup- But even as they spoke, The Hindu said Harish. “We have had years of relations “The commissioner ordered that only porters has been busy. One lot stormed into the recounted, a dog bit a 10-year-old girl. A with the city government, and they, I feel, sick, ferocious and dangerous dogs should be Times’ office, demanded to see the editor and mob killed the dog. value the association. We have been told, taken, but innocent dogs were picked up,” threatened to burn his paper on the streets if he Mayhem spread to the Sunnadakeri almost ordered, to be sensitive to public senti- agreed CUPA treasurer Sanober Bharucha. (continued on page 19) Beirut animal rescuers are back online “Just now, after seven months, were we able to “Even though the war is over, the political situation establish a new e-mailing system,” Beirut for the Ethical is still unstable,” BETA said. “Everybody is concerned with Treatment of Animals wrote on March 27, 2007, after last e- personal survival, scared of what will happen the next day, and mailing directly to ANIMAL PEOPLE on October 3, 2006, defending animals seems insignificant to most people. Rescues eight days after evacuating 300 animals to the Best Friends never stopped. We now have 200 dogs and 130 cats in our Animal Sanctuary in Utah. care,” with an “urgent need for evacuation of our dog shelter. BETA had rescued 237 dogs and 2005 cats during Our neighbors are not very fond of dogs and have issued us a two months of fighting in southern Lebanon between Israeli month’s notice,” BETA explained. “Thankfully, we were able troops and the Hezbollah militia. to locate a piece of land and are now in the process of building a shelter according to European and American standards.” LEFT: U.S. Army captain Gwynne Kinley, BETA fundraising has for ten months relied mostly Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa veterinarian and on response to the BETA web site,
MAKING TRACKS: THE MARIN HUMANE SOCIETY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS Edited by Elaine Sichel & Pam Williams. Photos & photo editing by Sumner W. Fowler Marine Humane Society (171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato, CA 94949), 2007. 96 pages, hardcover. $24.95.
The most remarkable aspect of the Francisco until after the Golden Gate Bridge Making Tracks notes that under 750 volunteers.) Their innovations were most- Marin Humane Society turning 100, as it will opened in 1937. Morse, Marin Humane in 1962 opposed wear- ly similar. How they implemented change was on December 14, 2007, is not that it has Anticipating the eventual transition ing furs and the use of leghold traps. Morse often markedly different. endured as long as it has, but rather that it has of the community, Tompkins opened a dog- and Marin Humane thereby affirmed policies Avanzino, a philosophical libertari- endured so long with only three generations of and-cat shelter in 1929, and added full-time that had been unequivocal positions of an and former Republican mayor of longterm leadership, through repeated redefin- humane officer Scott Tilden to the staff in American Humane for decades, but from Atascadero, was noted while in San Francisco itions of role, in a community changing 1935. With auxiliaries already active in the which American Humane had retreated. for issuing high-profile frontal challenges to almost beyond recognition. four largest Marin County towns, the humane Morse in 1964 won passage of the the status quo. Avanzino abolished use of the Making Tracks: The Marin Humane society took over the county pound in 1949. first California county bylaw prohibiting the decompression chamber to kill animals on his Society Celebrates 100 Years is a souvenir Tompkins retired in 1957, at age 88, sale of pound animals for laboratory use. first day as SF/SPCA president, introduced a album, including only transient discussion of but remained involved in the organization until Morse also led Marin Humane in actively five-year phase-out of animal control work in most of the controversies that Marin Humane her death, shortly after the 1968 opening of opposing seal-clubbing and bullfighting, and 1984, made the SF/SPCA a no-kill shelter in has addressed or been part of––but a three- the oldest portion of the present Marin County in encouraging appreciation of wild pumas and 1989, and introduced the Adoption Pact in page timeline gives hints. Humane Society complex. coyotes, who were actively persecuted by 1994. This made San Francisco in effect the Founder Ethel H. Tompkins lived Tompkins’ successor, Mel Morse, a local sheep ranchers. first U.S. no-kill city––although city animal almost her entire life in the San Anselmo home World War II military dog trainer, had helped These too reflected campaigns control director Carl Friedman dislikes the where she was born in 1876 and died in 1969. American Humane Association president aggressively waged by American Humane as term because his agency still kills sick, She briefly attended a New York City board- Richard C. Craven to establish humane super- far back as the mid-1930s, but dropped in the injured, and dangerous animals. ing school, but was expelled in 1894 for leav- vision of the Hollywood screen industry in the 1950s and 1960s, while the Humane Society Since becoming executive director ing class to ride a policeman’s horse. She had 1940s. Later, as director of the Rocky of the U.S. took them up. of Maddie’s Fund, Avanzino has emphasized obtained the policeman’s permission. Mountains office of American Humane, Founded in 1954 by former Ameri- consensus-building and moved away from Tompkins opened the first Marin Morse helped American Humane to relocate to can Humane staff member Fred Myers, in confrontation, but he still prefers incentive- Humane Society shelter in a San Rafael stable Denver, after 80 years in Albany, New York. rebellion against the loss of moral leadership based approaches to getting animals sterilized in 1912, and started a classroom humane edu- Making Tracks erroneously credits that the compromises represented, HSUS and otherwise encouraging better animal care. cation program in 1913, becoming a charter Morse with hiring the “nation’s first full-time hired Morse away as Myers’ successor in What Avanzino sells, Allevato both participant in the annual American Humane humane educator, Madelon Tormanen” in 1972––one year before Marin Humane real- sells and seeks to mandate. The Marin Association “Be Kind to Animals Week” two 1969. As some humane societies had ized Morse’s ambition of opening one of the Humane Society, for example, still does ani- years later. employed full-time humane educators for near- first low-cost sterilization clinics in California. mal control, and Allevato believes this is an Farming, fishing, and operating San ly 90 years, and Morse knew it, something Morse served only briefly at HSUS essential part of promoting animal welfare. Quentin Prison, founded in 1853, were then appears to have been garbled in repetition. before giving way to the 30-year regime of Allevato is described as exemplify- the Marin County economic mainstays. Ferry But Morse did introduce the use of a former ministers John Hoyt and Paul Irwin, ing a caring, nurturing, teamwork-based lead- boats connected the county with San Francisco computer to track Marin County dog licensing who were succeeded in 2004 by current HSUS ership style. Throughout her career, she has to the south and Richmond to the east, but fre- in 1958. This appears to have been the first president Wayne Pacelle. been most often mentioned as a member of quent interruptions of service due to inclement use of a computer in humane work, a distant Marin Humane meanwhile ran group projects, including many HSUS shelter weather and adverse tides inhibited the growth yet direct ancestor of the web-assisted rehom- through four executive directors in eight years evaluation teams, and has tended to avoid of the region into a bedroom suburb of San ing networks now active worldwide. before bringing aboard attorney Diane conflict with most people, Avanzino excepted. Allevato in 1980, who has Possibly not coincidentally, Marin Succeeding in Galapagos, Animal announced her retirement County during Allevato’s tenure at Marin effective in July 2007. Humane has attracted a constellation of nation- Balance takes s/n to the Dominican Making Tracks makes al animal advocacy organizations, each found- SAN FRANCISCO– – the dog and cat population sterilized no mention of the long rival- ed elsewhere but finding Marin congenial to Moving to the Dominican Republic on San Cristobal and Isabela ry between Allevato and fel- further growth. Among them are the Animal with her personal pets in February islands, and are very close to reach- low attorney Richard Avan- Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Farming 2007, planning to start surgeries in ing it on Santa Cruz. zino, who headed the San Association, and In Defense of Animals. March, Animal Balance founder “Santa Cruz has the Francisco SPCA from 1976 While Tompkins and Morse initiated Emma Clifford hopes that lessons largest population of people, cats, through 1998, but a book the Marin Humane tradition of working close- learned in introducing dog and cat and dogs,” Clifford said, “plus we could be written comparing ly with national groups, Allevato has expand- sterilization to the Galapagos see a more transient human popula- and contrasting their styles ed it to include active national outreach in Islands off Ecuador, human popula- tion and more cruel treatment of and tactics––which have had shelter improvement, humane education, and tion 30,000, can be applied in a animals there. However, we are similar results. disaster relief. Caribbean island nation of more persevering, and expect to hit 70% Both Avanzino and Who will head Marin Humane post- than nine million. there this year. I’d say we are at Allevato achieved plummet- Allevato is as yet an open question. Her suc- “I think we’ll be the first around 68% by now. We are in the ing shelter killing tolls and- cessor will inherit one of the strongest regional to do a focused spay/neuter cam- tricky phase of handing over the soaring donations, while humane societies in the world, with a $5.6 paign in the Dominican,” Clifford project to the municipality,” attracting some of the million annual budget and $9 million in assets, told ANIMAL PEOPLE. “We are Clifford added. “Santa Cruz is a largest volunteer corps in and will arrive only months after the hiring of targeting villages across the north- tricky place to work, but we are the humane field. (Marin new SF/SPCA president Jan McHugh-Smith. ern coast, starting in Cabrera. We keeping under the political wire, Humane now has more than ––Merritt Clifton will work with the local vets and the and the mayor supports us.” national veterinary school. As the Turning sterilization pro- Surprising NAIA conference speakers Dominican Republic is the place for grams over to host communities, PORTLAND, Oregon–– fessor of veterinary law Jerrold baseball,” where more people of all after teaching how to run them, is Known in recent years for opposition Tannenbaum; former American ages play than anywhere else in the central to the Animal Balance phi- to international animal adoption pro- Veterinary Medical Association pres- world, “we have been collecting losophy. “We didn’t even take a grams, the National Animal Interest ident Bonnie Beaver; and Gary used baseball gloves, and will be U.S. vet on our most recent Gala- Alliance has announced a 2007 con- Patronek, who headed the Tufts giving them out as incentives for pagos visit,” Clifford said. “We ference speakers roster that may be University Center for Animals & people to get their animals steril- used four Ecuadoran vets, and our most notable for including speakers Public Policy, 1997-2003. Patronek ized, along with the collars and Animal Balance folks helped. It usually heard at mainstream humane in January 2007 became director of leashes. St. Louis Cardinals manag- was great to see the Ecuadoran vets conferences. animal welfare and protection for the er Tony La Russa has joined us and take the lead and organize every- Founded in 1993 by Port- Animal Rescue League of Boston. lent his name to the project to help thing. They know that they need to land dog breeder Patti Strand, author “I remember reading T h e gain interest,” with credibility on reach 70%,” to stabilize the dog of a 1992 book called The Hijacking Hijacking of the Humane Movement animal issues earned as cofounder and cat populations, “and then of the Humane Movement, the years ago with amazement and dis- with his wife Elaine of Tony La we’ll help with top-up campaigns National Animal Interest Alliance has tress,” Briggs told ANIMAL PEO- Russa’s Animal Foundation. [to maintain 70%] in the future. in the past featured such speakers as P L E . “It seemed to misrepresent “We are also thinking of “At this point,” Clifford tuna fishing and fur trade representa- most things I believed to be just and holding dog training classes at the said, “if we don’t visit each island tive Teresa Platt; Joan Berosini, true. And I have followed their cam- local baseball stadium,” Clifford on our campaigns, the island we wife of former Las Vegas orangutan paign against dog transport programs. said, a tactic remembered from her don’t go to is offended, so now trainer Bobby Berosini; Pet Industry I decided to accept the invitation to years at the San Francisco SPCA. each time we do tri-island cam- Joint Advisory Council attorney speak because I seldom get invita- “I am going to coordinate paigns, hard core spay/neuter on Marshall Meyer; and biomedical tions to speak about animal welfare Animal Balance from the Domini- Santa Cruz and top-ups and cheer- researcher Adrian Morrison. Each issues and approaches outside the can,” Clifford said, “and Alice Ng leading on the other two. has been a longtime board member. ‘choir.’ Hopefully there is an oppor- will handle the U.S. office from San “The big issue is the The 2007 roster includes tunity to be a change agent.” Francisco. We will keep working in smuggled purebreds now,” Clifford Alliance for Contraception of Dogs The conference is to be the Galapagos,” Clifford affirmed. noted. “On the one hand, people & Cats president Joyce Briggs; held April 20-22, in Vancouver, “We are four years into the work in are taking great care of their pets University of California at Davis pro- Washington. the Galapagos now. We are confi- but on the other, they are making dent that we have exceeded 70% of money from selling puppies. “As there has been no funding from leading animal rights groups Ex-orang trainer Berosini loses again for a sustained anti-fur campaign SAN FRANCISCO––The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on in the affluent neighborhoods of February 6, 2007 upheld a lower court order that former Las Vegas orang- New York City, I decided to put up utan trainer Bobby Berosini owed $340,230 in legal fees and interest to law an anti-fur mural,” wrote New firms representing former PETA executive director Jeanne Roush. York City resident Irene Muschel. The money was paid in May 2000, but Berosini appealed. The The mural went up in March 2007, appellate verdict appeared to end 17 years of litigation originating in 1988, “recognizing,” Muschel said, when PETA distributed a video clandestinely made by one of Berosini’s “that the best time for anti-fur employees, which showed Berosini striking an orangutan backstage. murals is when the weather is Berosini won a $3.1 million defamation verdict against PETA in 1990, but warmer, so people can learn lost on appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court. before they buy fur.” ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2007 - 21 The Dogs of Windcutter Down Paix pour les Dauphins by David Kennard St. Martin’s Press (175 Fifth Ave., New York, OneVoiceDolphinProject.com NY 10010), 2006. 277 pages, paperback. $24.95. Peace for the Dolphins The Dogs of Windcutter Down i s have had to diversify to British sheep farmer David Kennard’s sequel survive, mostly into Silent Victims: to his first book, A Shepherd’s Watch, which offering bed and breakfast service to urban we reviewed in the June 2006 edition of visitors. Kennard supplements his farming Recognizing and Stopping Abuse of the Family Pet ANIMAL PEOPLE. income by shearing sheep on other farms, and by Pamela Carlisle-Frank & Tom Flanagan It is a nostalgic look at the vanishing by breeding and training sheep dogs. University Press of America (4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 220, traditional farming lifestyle. Dog lovers will One day someone suggested that he Lanham, MD 20766), 2006. 296 pages, paperback. $39.95. enjoy Kennard’s descriptions of sheep dog tri- should open some of his fields at Windcutter als, but the hardships of sheep farming may Down to visitors, and put his sheepdogs Social scientist Pamela Carlisle- Meanwhile, Silent Victims’ f i r s t surprise many readers. Besides long, arduous through their paces for the pleasure of paying Frank and Tom Flanagan, a Boston police chapter, “Why we all need to get involved in hours of working with sheep through often spectators. At first sceptical, Kennard and his officer turned humane officer, in S i l e n t stopping animal abuse,” probably will not be miserable weather, Kennard laments the wife Debbie decided that they had nothing to Victims pull together information from a broad needed by anyone who shells out the cover declining market value of sheep, the intrusion lose. The first few shows were not lucrative, range of sources, seasoned by practical expe- price voluntarily. More useful will be “What of European Union bureaucracy at every level, but persistence paid off. Eventually the per- rience, which might usefully be on the we know about animal abuse in the violent and the slaughter of millions of sheep and cat- formances attracted as many as 200 paid visi- required reading list for anyone aspiring to a home,” “When the perpetrator is a batterer,” tle in 2004 in a failed government effort to halt tors. Like their human companions, the career in social work or law enforcement––but and “When the perpetrator is a child or adoles- the spread of hoof-and-mouth disease without Kennards’ working dogs became entertainers. for what specific class? cent.” The most valuable chapters of all are resorting to vaccination. ––Chris Mercer & Bev Pervan. Few universities teach humane law “The neglected animal,” “When it stops being More than 60% of British farms
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