———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 26, 2007 6:28 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 12-26-07

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News

Take IDA’s Vegan Pledge!
A New Years resolution you’ll actually keep
If your New Year’s resolution could help save the planet and animals’ lives, wouldn’t you stick to it?

Help Songbirds by Leafleting Your Local VW Dealer
Contact IDA for help organizing an effective demonstration
VW’s president and CEO, Stefen Jacoby, has failed to respond to our communications asking him to use the auto company’s influence to stop the experiments.

Victory: Congress Passes Chimp Haven is Home Act
Take Action to urge President Bush to sign bill into law
This will protect chimpanzees used in research by closing a loophole in the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act (CHIMP Act).

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 12, 2007 4:24 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 12-12-07

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News

Holiday Safety Tips for Animal Companions
Keep your whole family safe and happy during this special season
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But with all the tempting foods, exotic plants, and artificial decorations around, your animal companions may need a little extra protection to keep them safe and happy around this special time of year..

Cast Your Vote for IDA’s Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2007 List
Help us publicize pachyderms’ paltry conditions in captivity
For the last few years, IDA has released its annual list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants to draw attention to the appalling treatment of Earth’s largest mammal in captivity…

Three Face Animal Cruelty Charges for Puerto Rico Bridge Massacre
Perpetrators could spend nine years in prison
The owner of Animal Control Solutions and two of his employees have been charged with animal cruelty for throwing dogs and cats off a bridge in Puerto Rico…

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Why, oh why, do I get the feeling that this post will see a disproportionate amount of traffic?*

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 7, 2007 6:48 PM
Subject: Urgent: Tell FWS to Reject Zoo’s Elephant Semen Import!

Urgent Action Alert: Help elephants by writing to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Deadline is this Monday, December 10!

The Woodland Park Zoo has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for an extension of its permit to import semen from a male Asian elephant named Rex at African Lion Safari in Canada for the purpose of artificially inseminating its female elephant, Chai. The Zoo is proceeding with the artificial insemination (AI) attempts despite the known risk that any baby born will contract the deadly elephant herpes virus, which in June claimed the life of Chai’s six-year old daughter Hansa.

The elephant herpesvirus causes death by massive internal hemorrhage and has claimed the lives of 10 elephants since 2000.

In addition to the loss of her daughter, Chai has endured four failed artificial insemination attempts to date. The procedure is highly invasive; elephants are restrained for several hours at a time while veterinarians pass an endoscope through their entire reproductive tract into the uterus.

In their zeal to produce a baby elephant (which always increases zoo attendance), Woodland Park Zoo officials are willing to subject any offspring produced to the significant risks of contracting this deadly virus, and to force the mother, Chai, to endure the anguish of watching another baby die a terrible death.

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 5, 2007 8:06 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 12-5-07

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News

Guardian of the Month for December – Elaine Hendrix
Actress, activist, and IDA celebrity spokesperson is a superstar for animals
IDA’s Guardian of the Month for December 2007 is the multi-talented Elaine Hendrix.

Victory: Final Four Murphy Horses Safe At Last
Long-suffering Boulder equines will go to new homes in Arizona and California
We are proud to report that the last four Peruvian Paso horses “owned” and bred by Mike Murphy of Boulder, Colo. are finally out of his “care” forever.

Tell Congress to Ban Aerial Gunning of Wolves
Canine-slaughtering season in Alaska to open soon
As part of their “predator control program,” the State of Alaska has already started issuing permits for the aerial gunning of wolves.

IDA Releases Report on Elephant Herpesvirus
Deadly virus is caused by mixing Asian and African elephants in captivity
A relatively recently discovered disease, the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), is having a deadly impact on Asian elephants in zoos.

IDA Prompts Fish and Wildlife Service to Investigate Illegal Sale of Elephants
Take Action to urge FWS and the USDA to send Tina and Jewel to a sanctuary
Tina and Jewel are Asian elephants in their early forties who have endured lives of hardship and abuse traveling with the Cole Brothers Circus.

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 5, 2007 2:57 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Elephant breeding under fire

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer published an article about a report IDA issued on the deadly elephant herpes virus. Please write a letter to the editor supporting IDA’s call for an end to breeding of Asian elephants at affected zoos, as well as for severe restrictions on the transfer of elephants between facilities. Send letters to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer at editpage [at] .seattlepi.com.

Read “Elephant breeding under fire” online.

Elephant breeding under fire

Risk to baby too high, activists tell zoo leaders

Last updated December 4, 2007
By KATHY MULADY
P-I REPORTER

Animal rights activists called Woodland Park Zoo’s elephant breeding program “reckless” and “irresponsible,” and demanded Tuesday that zoo leaders abandon plans to artificially inseminate an elephant next month.

The group wants to stop the insemination of Chai until a treatment or cure is found for herpes, the virus that killed the elephant’s 6-year-old offspring, Hansa, in June.

“It is just common sense. You have a contaminated facility. There is a very, very good chance you will have another death,” Catherine Doyle from In Defense of Animals told zoo board members.

“It is unconscionable for the zoo to risk subjecting another young elephant to this fatal disease and putting Chai through the anguish of watching another baby die a terrible death.”

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 28, 2007 7:31 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 11-28-07

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News

Help Stop Elephant Abuses in South Africa
Take Action to oppose cruel capture & training for safaris and circuses.
Your help is needed urgently to halt the continued capture and training of elephants in South Africa for elephant-back safaris and circuses.

Oppose Development of Canned Hunting Facility
Deer, migrating geese, and non-native species caught in the crosshairs
At a recent Seneca County Industrial Development Agency meeting in Upstate New York, a real estate development company proposed a plan to build a $1.3 million canned hunting facility on 2,300 acres of currently vacant land on the former Seneca Army Depot. The Seneca County Economic Development Corporation approved the plan on October 16th.

Colombian Lab Illegally Importing Owl Monkeys
Take Action to urge government officials to halt traffic in wild-caught primates
A research facility in Colombia called the Foundation for Experimental Immunology (FIDIC) is engaged in the illegal international trafficking of wild-caught owl monkeys from the jungles of Peru and Brazil.

Fur Free Friday Generates Heat on the Fur Trade
Holiday shoppers exposed to the true price of fur Thank you to everyone who joined us on Fur Free Friday at any of our many exciting demonstrations around the nation.

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 21, 2007 9:09 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 11-21-07

November 21st, 2007

IDA Action Alerts

Fur Free Friday Is Almost Here
Be a part of the action on November 23rd

Non-Native Species Extermination Bill Puts Feral Cats At Risk
Take Action to urge your Senators to vote No on H.R.767

Urge Federal Government to Stop Cruel Coyote Killings
Wildlife Services accused of beheading pups with shovels

Campaign News & Updates

Motor City Protests Target VW Foundation’s Deadly Songbird Experiments
Hold a leafleting event at your local Volkswagen dealer

IDA and Others Petition FDA to Mandate Non-Animal Testing
Coalition urges federal agency to use more humane and effective alternatives

Puerto Rico Bridge Massacre Just the Tip of the Iceberg
Investigation claims thousands of dogs & cats were illegally killed over eight years

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 15, 2007 12:29 AM
Subject: IDA eNews: 11-14-07

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November 14th, 2007

IDA Action Alerts

Stop Volkswagen’s Deadly Bird Experiments
Car company funds studies to decapitate European robins, garden warblers, and zebra finches

Oil Spill Kills Birds in San Francisco Bay
Cargo ship hits bridge, dumps 58,000 gallons of fuel into water

Ask Senate to Stop Sale of Animal Companions to Laboratories
Take Action to urge your elected officials to approve Sen. Akaka’s Farm Bill amendment

Campaign News & Updates

Victory: Japan Dolphins Will Not Go to Dominican Republic
The Save Japan Dolphins Coalition spares the Taiji Twelve from life in a marine park

One Week Left Until Fur Free Friday
Make plans to help animals skinned for fashion on November 23rd

School Kicks Cruel Donkey Basketball Game to the Curb
Thanks to those who contacted high school and Society of St. Vincent de Paul

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 14, 2007 8:40 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Thinking big when it comes to elephants

The Oregonian published an opinion piece about Oregon Zoo’s plans to expand its elephant exhibit. Please write a letter to the editor on the suffering elephants endure in zoos. Send letters to the Oregonian at letters [at] news.oregonian.com.

Read “Thinking big when it comes to elephants” online.

Thinking big when it comes to elephants

Monday, November 12, 2007

Three decades ago, the Oregon Zoo was considered a world leader on captive Asian elephants. Today, even those representing the zoo admit that’s no longer the case. Despite evolving scientific knowledge about elephants and their complex needs, the Oregon Zoo, like most urban zoos, is living in the past. As a result, these endangered animals are needlessly suffering.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not for lack of trying. A behind-the-scenes tour leaves no doubt that those who look after Portland’s most popular zoo residents are doing what they can within the facility’s space limitations. But for years, the zoo has kept six or more elephants confined to pens the size of an average suburban backyard. That might be fine for the family dog, but we now know it’s totally inadequate for earth’s largest land mammal, which can weigh as much as 10,000 pounds and which has evolved to walk long distances each day.

Restricted space and unnatural conditions are causing the elephants to suffer and die prematurely from chronically diseased feet and crippling arthritis. Those challenges and the associated expense have led 16 major zoos to close or phase out their elephant exhibits, including zoos in Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York.

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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 7, 2007 6:51 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 11-7-07

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November 7th, 2007

IDA Action Alerts

Take IDA’s Thanksliving Pledge!
Go turkey-free to save lives & win prizes this holiday season

bebe Agrees to Go Fur-Free…but Not Quite Yet
Take Action to urge fashion retailer not to wait until 2008

Sponsor IDA’s Anti-Fur PSA for Fur Free Friday
TV spot shows viewers the animal cruelty fashion industry tries to hide

Campaign News & Updates

IDA’s November 2007 Guardian of the Month – Christine Dorchak
Greyhounds’ best friend has the dog racing industry on the run

IDA-Project Hope Adoption Spotlight – Dottie
Darling Dalmatian is one of 28 animals recently spayed/neutered by vet students at the sanctuary

Victory: Cape May Adopts Plan to Protect Both Feral Cats and Endangered Birds
IDA joins coalition that helped convince New Jersey town to preserve TNR program

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