Quarterlyaw I Fall 2014 Volume 63 Number 4 AW I Quarterly ABOUT the COVER Off the Coast of Tonga in August, a Baby Humpback Whale Surfaces As Mom Glides Below
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QuarterlyAW I Fall 2014 Volume 63 Number 4 AW I Quarterly ABOUT THE COVER Off the coast of Tonga in August, a baby humpback whale surfaces as mom glides below. FOUNDER Come October, mother and calf will head south to Antarctic feeding grounds. Christine Stevens The 65th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC65) took place this past DIRECTORS Cynthia Wilson, Chair September in Portorož, Slovenia, with AWI in attendance to advocate for greater protection John W. Boyd, Jr. of whales. Among the agenda items: Japan’s scientific whaling program in the Antarctic Caroline A. Griffin, Esq. Charles M. Jabbour (ruled illegal in March by the International Court of Justice); and a proposal from Argentina, Mary Lee Jensvold, Ph.D. Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Gabon for a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary. Cathy Liss Other key items under discussion included Greenland’s renewed bid for a subsistence OFFICERS Cathy Liss, President quota—despite the fact that much of the meat and blubber is sold commercially, and the Cynthia Wilson, Vice President increasing international trade of whale products among Iceland, Norway and Japan. Charles M. Jabbour, CPA, Treasurer Caroline Griffin, Secretary A full report on outcomes both positive and negative from IWC65 begins on page 6 of this issue. SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE PHOTO BY SCOTT PORTELLI Gerard Bertrand, Ph.D. Roger Fouts, Ph.D. Roger Payne, Ph.D. Samuel Peacock, M.D. Viktor Reinhardt, D.V.M., Ph.D. USDA Slaps SCBT with Historic Second Hope Ryden Robert Schmidt, Ph.D. Complaint After Campaign by AWI John Walsh, M.D. INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE On November 4, 2014, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Aline S. de Aluja, D.V.M., Mexico Health Inspection Service Administrator Kevin Shea filed a 10-page complaint Ambassador Tabarak Husain, Bangladesh Angela King, United Kingdom alleging a plethora of willful violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by Agnes Van Volkenburgh, D.V.M., Poland Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (SCBT), one of the world’s largest suppliers of Alexey Yablokov, Ph.D., Russia research antibodies. This marks the third AWA enforcement action against STAFF AND CONSULTANTS SCBT since 2005, including this almost unprecedented second complaint. The Alexandra Alberg, Graphic Designer Nancy Blaney, Senior Federal Policy Advisor first complaint is still pending (see Winter 2013 AWI Quarterly). Sue Fisher, Marine Animal Consultant Georgia Hancock, General Counsel In addition to civil penalties and a cease and desist order, the new complaint Chris Heyde, Deputy Director, seeks the suspension or revocation of SCBT’s dealer license—a serious potential Government and Legal Affairs Brittany Horton, Website and consequence given that USDA policy requires both a research registration and a Communications Coordinator dealer license for laboratories to sell animal-derived antibodies. Dena Jones, Farm Animal Program Manager Eric Kleiman, Research Consultant The complaint cites repeated failures to provide adequate veterinary care, Kenneth Litwak, D.V.M., Ph.D., Laboratory Animal Advisor research oversight, and fresh, nutritive food, as well as a failure to ensure that Susan Millward, Executive Director the procedures avoid or minimize animal pain and distress. But the heart Kate O'Connell, Marine Animal Consultant Amey Owen, Public Relations Coordinator of USDA’s latest complaint is the grave charge that SCBT willfully refused to Michelle Pawliger, Farm Animal Policy Associate even allow USDA inspectors access to an entire site housing over 800 goats Mary Lou Randour, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, from at least March 6 through October 30, 2012. When USDA inspectors were Animal Cruelty Programs and Training Ava Rinehart, Senior Graphic Designer finally allowed access, they reported finding goats suffering and in need of Naomi Rose, Ph.D., Marine Mammal Scientist veterinary care. The inspection report from October 31, 2012, states that “[t]he D.J. Schubert, Wildlife Biologist existence of the site was denied even when directly asked” during multiple Sierra Seevers, Membership Coordinator Regina Terlau, Executive Assistant prior inspections. Dave Tilford, Writer/Editor Tara Zuardo, Wildlife Attorney AWI supporters joined the organization in waging a relentless campaign calling for USDA to take firm action. Additionally, in an October 30, 2014, letter For subscription inquiries or other information, contact AWI at 900 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, to USDA raising concerns about SCBT’s record, US Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) Washington, DC 20003 advised USDA to take enforcement action “as expeditiously as possible.” Phone: (202) 337-2332 Facsimile: (202) 446-2131 Email: [email protected] Website: www.awionline.org With your help, AWI will continue the call for revocation of SCBT’s dealer ISSN 1071-1384 (print) license and the largest fine allowable by law. We will also urge all researchers ISSN 1930-5109 (online) to seriously consider a supplier’s animal welfare record and make an informed, ethical choice before purchasing a single antibody. follow us on Twitter: @AWIonline become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/animalwelfareinstitute ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE QUARTERLY 10 20 14 Fall 2014 VOLUME 63 NUMBER 4 ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES MARINE LIFE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 2 USDA Slaps SCBT with Historic Second 4 Marine Wildlife Traffi cker Finally Tanked 12 USFWS Hibernates on Bat Protection Complaint After Campaign by AWI 4 EU, Canada Approaching Accord 12 Pet and Women Safety Act Introduced 9 NIH Funds No Longer Allowed on Inuit Seal Products in US House for Research with Class B Dogs 4 AWI at International Marine 9 Maternal Deprivation Studies to Conservation Congress AWI PUBLICATIONS Be Restarted 5 Shark Species Face Extinction 26 New Report Examines Icelandic 5 Ghost Fishing Haunts Ocean Ecosystems Fin Whaling COMPANION ANIMALS 6 AWI Reports from IWC65 26 Consuming the Earth: AWI’s New 10 Animals and Emotions 8 Can Cetacean Research in Russia Brochure Examines Our Outsized 13 FBI Sets Eye on Animal Cruelty in Escape Captivity? Effect on the Planet National Crime Statistics 14 AWI Courts Awareness About Animal WILDLIFE REVIEW Cruelty at National Judges’ Conference 19 South Africa to Sell Rhinos 27 EARTH A New Wild 19 Rep. DeFazio Introduces Bill to FARM ANIMALS Fight Ivory Trade 16 USDA Finalizes Poultry Slaughter 19 Pachyderm Poachers Headed to Prison Inspection Regulations Under New Mozambique Law Above Left: Predatory plunge—a brown 16 California Downer Ban Survives 19 Drones Deployed to Defend Wildlife bear chases dinner in Katmai National Challenge 20 Predators: Pivotal Role, yet Increasingly Park, AK. (Patrick Moody) 17 Nestlé and Unilever Announce New Imperiled Top Right: A rat leans into a friendly Commitments to Animal Welfare 24 Wildlife Services Trapper Can’t Wriggle scratch. New studies seek to understand 17 Oregon Supreme Court Recognizes Out After Injuring Dog the emotional underpinnings of animal that Animals Can Be Individual 24 AWI Helps Communities Choose Fertility behaviors. (Jim Kene ck) Crime Victims Control of Deer over Deadly Management 17 California Egg Law Upheld by 25 Lynx Left in Limbo Bottom Right: A Chicago program helps Federal Court both kids and canines get second chances. 25 New Jersey, New York Pass Laws to Ban 18 AWI Issues New Report on the State of Trade in Ivory and Rhino Horns (Safe Humane Chicago/Josh Feeney) Legal Protections for Farm Animals 25 Political Climate: USFWS Shows Weak Will on Wolverines 28 AWI Challenges Wildlife Assault in Ocelot Country marine life · briefly Marine Wildlife Trafficker EU, Canada Approaching Finally Tanked Accord on Inuit Seal A ONE-TIME SMUGGLER of marine animals has been Products collared by authorities in the Philippines, after more IN MAY 2014, the European Union’s (EU) 2009 ban on imports than three years on the lam. Olivia Lim Li was arrested of commercial seal products was upheld by an appellate in October in Zamboanga City in a coordinated effort by body of the World Trade Organization after a challenge several Filipino law enforcement agencies. from Canada and Norway (see Summer 2014 AWI Quarterly). In June of 2011, Li and her husband, Joe Pring, (who However, the EU was required to address discrimination remains at large) vanished after customs officials in Manila against indigenous hunters in the ban’s exemption for seal blocked their attempt to smuggle out of the country two products derived from subsistence hunts. container vans filled with over 400 pounds of sea whips; In October 2014, the EU and Canada agreed to a 7,300 pieces of trumpet and helmet shells; 163 stuffed framework for cooperation that is expected to result in hawksbill and green sea turtles; and more than 21,000 Canadian Inuit resuming the export of seal products to the pieces of black coral. The haul was worth an estimated 35 EU—even if processed, manufactured and marketed by non- million pesos (about US$780,000). indigenous people. Products from seals killed in Canada’s Li’s is one of a series of high-profile arrests this year by massive commercial seal hunts will continue to be banned Filipino officials attempting to crack down on the lucrative by the EU. market for endangered marine species. AWI AT INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION CONGRESS The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is a professional society for conservation scientists and practitioners from academia, government, charities, and professional associations. In 2009 its Marine Section held the first International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC). The organizers wanted the IMCC to be more than a typical scientific conference, where the 15-minute talk USFWS ALASKA format allows for little give or take with attendees. The A sea lion catches a meal off the coast of Alaska. Competition for food in heavily fished areas sometimes pit these animals against IMCC was meant to be an opportunity for collaboration commercial fishermen. among conservation stakeholders, including fishermen, commercial whale watchers, oil and gas representatives, and zoo professionals, as well as non-profits and wildlife conflict (for example, when sea lions remove fish academics.