DawnWatch: Cage-free eggs on NY Times front page 8/12/07
“Suddenly, the Hunt Is on for Cage-Free Eggs”

The Wilderness Society: Help the Spotted Owl and Northwest Forests
The Bush Administration is now attempting to revise the Plan to undermine key wildlife protections, including habitat reserves for the northern spotted owl and other at-risk species.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Push for an Ocean Protection Treaty
WWF has launched a campaign to urge Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to hold a hearing on U.S. ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention.

Carnivals

Carnival of Open Records #2 (August 13, 2007 @ State Sunshine and Open Records)

Vegetarian Carnival #5 (August 13, 2007 @ Country Kitchen Pantry)

Newsletters

Best Friends Animal Society: eNewsletter, August 10, 2007
Area 51 cat adoption & more

Save Our Wild Salmon: August 2007 Wild Salmon & Steelhead News
Caution: Major Tiny Violin(tm) alert!

Woodstock Sanctuary: August 2007 Newsletter
News and Upcoming Events

Petitions

Enforce Animal Cruelty Laws!!!!!!!!!

Repeal Breed Specific Legislation in New Zealand

Stop reintroductions of Slovénes bear in the French Pyrenees without protection

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist green nature action alerts activism link dump link roundup link farm link sanctuary click through sites click to donate care2 the animal rescue site the rainforest site World Wildlife Fund wwf wildife conservation Joe Biden treaty Law of the Sea Convention ocean Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends news in the news newsletter Woodstock Woodstock FAS Woodstock Sanctuary logging forests Northwest Forest Plan spotted owl endangered species dawnwatch eggs cage-free eggs factory farming chickens hens Save Our Wild Salmon salmon steelhead petitions the petition site animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty New Zealand bsl breed specific legislation dog canine cat feline pet companion animal carnivals foia freedom of information act government politics civil liberties vegetarian recipes

The World Wildlife Fund also sent out an action alert regarding the prarie dog poisonings on public land in Nebraska and South Dakota:

You have until July 23 to urge the U.S. Forest Service not to loosen its protections on prairie dogs. These cute and amusing creatures also have a serious side. They serve as a key food source for hawks, burrowing owls, badgers, swift foxes, critically endangered black-footed ferrets and other species, and their burrows also provide important shelter for these species.

Without extensive, healthy prairie dog towns, we won’t be able to protect and restore the Northern Great Plains grasslands, an
ecosystem that WWF has identified as one of the highest priorities for conservation worldwide and one of the places that must be saved in the next 50 years.

Act now to safeguard one of the most important ecosystems on Earth.

Past alerts here.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Jun 28, 2007 8:34 PM
Subject: Protect Polar Bears, Prairie Dogs, and more

Support Needed for Polar Bear Protection Act

The Polar Bear Protection Act (H.R. 2327/S. 1406) is currently pending in Congress. If passed, this bill will amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to strengthen polar bear conservation efforts. Your federal legislators need to hear from you right away in support of this bill.

In the Arctic, polar bears are up against an increasing number of threats, including trophy hunting, and quicker ice melts each year – that threaten food supplies, and also result in drowning of bears who may be forced to swim extreme distances in search of a place to come ashore.

Just last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment that stops funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue permits for the importation of sport-hunted polar bear trophies. Unfortunately, late last night this amendment failed to pass the House of Representatives. This means it is more important than ever that H.R. 2327/S. 1406 gain momentum forward toward permanently protecting these magnificent animals.

To be sure polar bears receive the protection they deserve, please contact your federal legislators today and ask that they co-sponsor H.R. 2327/S.1406.

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1242&more=1

Stop Prairie Dog Poisoning on National Grassland

The National Forest Service is currently in the process of re-examining its management plan of black-tailed prairie dogs on the Buffalo Gap and Fort Pierre National Grasslands in South Dakota and the Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska.

In 2005 the management plan was amended to allow the extermination of prairie dogs in complaint cases along the borders of private land — which already results in the deaths of thousands of prairie dogs each year.

The proposed amendment to this plan would expand the use of poisoning to include the entire National Grassland areas — and will potentially result in the deaths of tens of thousands of prairie dogs!

Your comments to the National Forest Service are needed opposing to this amendment by July 23, 2007.

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1243&more=1

Sea Turtles Achieve One Victory — But Now Require Additional Protection

This alert is being sent by the Animal Protection Institute on behalf of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project.

Last summer, the Animal Protection Institute (API) enlisted your help in protecting the critically endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtle and other marine life. Your letters to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) asking that they refrain from issuing permits for drift gillnet fishing along the California and Oregon coasts paid off. The NMFS decided it would no longer issue these permits, thus protecting an important ocean conservation area. Thank you for your help in achieving this
victory for sea turtles and other marine life.

Unfortunately, the NMFS is now considering allowing long line fishing — another fishing activity that threatens endangered leather back sea turtles and other marine life along the Pacific coast.

The turtles and other marine animals urgently need your help! The NMFS is accepting public comments on this issue until July 13, so please take action today.

For additional information and to take action on this alert, go to www.seaturtles.org/actionalertdetails.cfm?actionAlertID=111

Thank you for supporting the sea turtles and our oceans!

Further Action Needed for Kangaroos in California

This alert is being forwarded by the Animal Protection Institute on behalf of the Food Empowerment Project.

Just a few weeks ago we asked you to take urgent action to oppose SB 880, a bill to that would allow the sale of kangaroo skins and body parts in the state of California. Many thanks to all who contacted your Senator on behalf of the kangaroos.

Sadly, SB 880 has passed the California Senate and now is pending before the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, where it will soon be voted on. The kangaroos still need help, so please take this opportunity to contact your state Assemblymember in opposition to SB 880.

If this bill passes it would erase a law that was implemented in 1970 to protect kangaroos by prohibiting the sale of their skins. A similar bill passed the legislature last session that reversed this protection for alligators, allowing their skins to be sold in California. It is important that the same fate does not befall the kangaroos!

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1240&more=1

California Residents: Keep Anti-Trapping Ordinances Local

If you live in California, please contact your state Senator today to oppose AB 815. If this bill passes, the state Fish and Game agency will become essentially the only entity with the power to adopt laws or regulations regarding the taking of fish and game in California.

AB 815 will take away the rights currently afforded to cities and counties in California to enact local anti-trapping laws specific to their communities. Under the new legislation, an ordinance could only be adopted if it meets extremely strict standards.

API is concerned that AB 815 will expand the powers of Fish and Game at the expense of city and county government, and that it will negatively impact these governments’ ability to protect their citizens, companion animals, and wildlife.

Because this bill already has passed the California Assembly and soon will be considered by the Senate Natural Resources committee, please take action today to oppose AB 815 and protect wildlife in your community.

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1239&more=1

Last Chance to Defeat Cruel Trapping and Hounding Bill in Illinois

Residents of Illinois, your actions are urgently needed to defeat HB 297, an anti-wildlife bill that has passed the Illinois legislature and now rests on the Governor’s desk. HB 297 would allow the chasing of coyotes, raccoons, and rabbits in the gruesome practice of hound-running — also called, “penning,” or “hounding.”

Hound-running involves training hunting hounds on live wildlife in enclosed pens. The wildlife are frequently maimed and killed in the process.

This bill is very close to becoming law in Illinois. The Governor could sign it any day now. Please take action immediately in order to defeat HB 297.

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1241&more=1

Get Interactive for Animals

Attention MySpace Users

Help us spread the word about farmed animal issues by adding “cow hugger” to your Friends list. This profile supports API’s program to end farmed animal abuse. Your involvement in spreading the word is a vital part in changing the lives of these animals and putting a stop to their suffering — so please add “cow hugger” (www.myspace.com/cowhuggersunite) as a friend today!

Other Ways to Help Animals

Photography by Danette

Danette’s gorgeous work combines her two greatest passions — animals and photography. Danette’s real-life photos capture the beauty of animals as individuals in their natural surroundings. Using select images from Danette’s collection, you can design your own personalized products, and 10% of each sale (minus shipping and taxes) will be donated to API.
Visit Danette’s website today to make your purchase to support API: www.photographybydanette.com/photographybydanette/clients/a/api/api.asp

Fine Art by Bela Fidel

In her Endangered and Exploited Species Series, Bela wishes to convey the cruel treatment and impending extermination of species that are poached for parts, tested upon in laboratories, decimated for sport, or used in entertainment.
Bela will donate 50% of the net proceeds from the sale of the Elephant poster or 8″x10″ matted print or Giclee print (high resolution, high fidelity reproduction) and 20% of the net proceeds from the sale of any original painting on her site. As a special offer to API supporters, if you order a 20″x24″ or larger Giclee, you will receive a free Elephant poster.
To learn more, go to www.fidelcom.com/BelaArt/

Posted 06/27/07 – Okay to Forward/Crosspost

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Please do not reply to this email. Send any questions to the webmaster@api4animals.org.

Copyright ©2007 Animal Protection Institute, PO Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts api animal protection institute bears polar bears hunting trophy hunting wildlife conservation Marine Mammal Protection Act Polar Bear Protection Act canada import black-tailed prairie dogs prairie dogs grasslands Buffalo Gap Fort Pierre National Grasslands South Dakota the Oglala National Grassland Nebraska nfs National Forest Service sea turtles Sea Turtle Restoration Project kangaroos California ood Empowerment Project kangaroo skin trapping Illinois penning hounding myspace wwf world wildlife fund

Time to Protect Chile’s Blue Whales

The Gulf of Corcovado and Chiloe coast in Southern Chile is one of the most important feeding and calving grounds for the highly endangered blue whale, the largest animal ever known to have existed on planet earth.

Since the unique importance of the area was discovered in 2003, WWF and its partners have worked to obtain a government decree to protect an area that supports not only the blue whale, but dozens of other marine mammals including humpback whales and the Chilean dolphin.

However, rapid economic growth in the area and increasing fishing, tourism and marine traffic in the Gulf of Corcovado could now pose a threat to blue whales and the larger ecosystem they inhabit.

The approval of a new marine protected area has now been endorsed by the local governments in the region, the Chilean senate, and is strongly supported by conservation organizations and the scientific community. But approval by the Ministry of Defense and a Presidential decree are still needed in order for the area to be finally protected.

Following Chile’s positive role at the recent International Whaling Commission meeting, where the Government strongly advocated for whale conservation, we are now asking the Chilean President to protect blue whales and their habitat.

ACT NOW: Ask the Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet, to create the Chiloe and Corcovado Gulf Marine and Coastal Protected Area.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund wildlife conservation nature Gulf of Corcovado Chiloe coast Southern Chile Chile blue whale humpback whale Chilean dolphin marine protected area IWC International Whaling Commission whale conservation Chiloe and Corcovado Gulf Marine and Coastal Protected Area

Help Lions, Snow Leopards and More

Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act!

Lions, snow leopards, African wild dogs, and other wild cats and canids may be fierce and powerful, but they are also extremely vulnerable. Worldwide, they face serious threats from illegal hunting, habitat loss, disease, and many other factors.

Last year, there was significant support in the House for a Great Cats and Rare Canids bill. WWF thanks the many activists who urged their representatives to support that bill and helped boost the number of cosponsors. The debate is starting anew and a nearly identical bill has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. Once again, we need to demonstrate strong support for the measure by convincing many members of Congress to become cosponsors.

Send a free letter urging your members of Congress to save these critically important species!

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund wildlife conservation big cats wild cats canids lions snow leopards African wild dogs Great Cats and Rare Canids Act

One of World’s Largest Fisheries at Risk

Bristol Bay is at the epicenter of a sustainable seafood industry that’s worth $2 billion annually. It makes no sense to allow oil and gas drilling that would put Bristol Bay’s fisheries and its rich arctic marine biodiversity at risk, yet would generate only $7.7 billion total over 25 to 40 years of operation.

Now is the time to speak out — a House committee is expected to vote next Tuesday on whether to make Bristol Bay off limits to energy development for one year.

Of course, a Tiny Violin alert is a given here; if you use the WWF’s sample letter, be sure to edit out all areas of concern except for that of Bristol Bay’s ecosystem.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund oil drilling oil spill bristol bay fish fisheries ecosystem alaska energy

In a major victory for conservation, raising captive tigers for trade in their parts was rejected last week by members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in The Hague.

Parties to the international wildlife convention also urged China to phase out its large-scale commercial tiger farms.

Prior to the decision WWF and other conservation organizations unveiled the massive two-storey-high tiger mosaic, made up of more than 26,000 of your photos, outside the conference centre urging world leaders to end all trade in tigers. Delegates had to walk past the mosaic on their way to the tiger debate.

See a photo slideshow of the mosaic being unveiled at: mail.panda.org/inxmail/url?vmkeq00d4gi0qbfbn3a3

Watch the video: mail.panda.org/inxmail/url?vmoeq00d4gi0qbvi43a3

4 countries with wild tigers – India, Nepal, Russia and Bhutan – were joined by the United States in advocating for a strong decision for tigers. India called on China to phase out the country’s privately run “tiger farms,” which house nearly 5,000 big cats and are pushing the Chinese government to allow legal trade in tiger parts. With leadership from these countries, the 171 member countries of the CITES convention adopted a strong tiger trade decision by consensus.

China has said that it will not lift its ban without listening to scientific opinion from around the world. The world spoke and urged China not to reopen any trade in tiger parts and to increase protection for tigers in the wild.

This is great news!

Thank you to everyone who took action and added their photo to the tiger mosaic. Without your help this would not have been possible!

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Via the World Wildlife Fund:

Help End the Tiger Trade

Your snapshot could help save tigers. Add your photo* to the world’s largest photo mosaic of this endangered species and your picture will be included when the mosaic is unveiled to world leaders in June as they gather to discuss trade in endangered species. Upload your photo now.

You can also sign a letter urging China to make its tiger trade ban permanent. Your views will be personally conveyed to China’s leaders.

Despite international and domestic bans, a thriving black market for tiger skins and bones threatens to wipe out wild tigers. China, with its booming economy, burgeoning human population and ancient traditions of using tiger parts as medicine and clothing, is the world’s leading consumer of tiger products.

The good news is that the Chinese government has taken decisive action to help save the species, outlawing the trade of tiger products, increasing enforcement efforts and running public awareness campaigns to curb the demand for tiger products.

But there is a new threat in China that could put every last wild tiger at risk: the increasing population of captive-bred tigers on so-called “tiger farms.” Investors in these businesses are now pressuring the Chinese government to allow them to sell tiger products.

* Where’s Kelly?

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund tigers tiger farms tiger skin tiger bones wildlife conservation mosaic China tiger products hunting poaching

Tell New Zealand to protect endangered dolphins

Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins live around the shores of New Zealand and are amongst the rarest marine dolphins in the world.

The biggest threat to Hector’s and Maui’s is from commercial and recreational fishing. The dolphins are unable to detect set nets – nets that are held on or off shore with anchors – and, if they become entangled, they drown within minutes. They are also accidentally caught by fishing boats.

Add to this the disturbances to their habitat from tourism, polluted waters, coastal development and boat traffic, and survival for one of the world’s rarest marine dolphins is a daily battle.

But there is hope. By taking the necessary action and removing all human threats New Zealand can give the dolphins their best chance of survival. Failure to do so could mean we will lose these enigmatic animals forever.

Help save Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins by signing our petition to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Helen Clark.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund dolphins wildlife conservation new zealand Hector’s dolphins Maui’s dolphins fishing endangered species

Protect Polar Bears From Global Warming

Deadline: 4/9/2007

U.S. activists: Help protect polar bears from the impacts of global warming by endorsing a proposal to list them as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.

Being added to the Endangered Species list would give the bears important protections, such as prohibitions on killing, harming or otherwise “taking” the species.

The listing would require that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designate critical habitat for polar bears and would ensure that the federal government’s actions do not jeopardize the bears’ existence or adversely modify or destroy their critical habitat. The government also would need to prepare a recovery plan that specifies measures needed for the bears’ protection.

Write to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now to endorse adding the polar bear to the Endangered Species list.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund wildlife conservation esa endangered species act polar bears climate change global warming

Protect Bulgaria’s natural treasures

The location of the new holiday complex near the village of Varvara on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is nothing but idyllic, where the thickly forested Strandzha Mountains march almost directly onto the Black Sea.

Little wonder that holiday homes have already been snapped up by foreign investors, even before construction is completed.

The problem – unbeknown to investors – is that the complex is being built illegally within the Strandzha Nature Park, without the agreement of the park authorities.

Sadly this story is not unique. In Bulgaria, especially when it comes to environmental protection, laws on paper still mean little in practice. Lack of capacity, will or even corruption on the part of authorities and political decision makers are allowing individual interests to ransack Bulgaria’s greatest natural treasures. In all too many cases, foreign investors from the UK and other countries are silent accomplices.

Send an email now to the Bulgarian authorities.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund passport panda Bulgaria development conservation Varvara Black Sea Black Sea coast Strandzha Mountains Strandzha Nature Park

WWF’s Passport Panda also has a similar alert and sample letter available here.

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Via the World Wildlife Fund:

Help Save the Peruvian Rain Forest

The Peruvian rain forest is one of the world’s most biologically rich and diverse regions and provides habitat for wildlife such as the jaguar, harpy eagle and giant river otter.

Unfortunately, these creatures and their habitats are at risk from the unsustainable harvest of timber, particularly of big-leaf mahogany–a threatened species so valuable that it can lead to the destruction of large forest areas. Peru is the world’s largest exporter of big-leaf mahogany, with 90 percent going to the North American market.

The international trade in big-leaf mahogany is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Peruvian government has taken many steps to improve forest management and stop illegal logging. Despite these precautions, big-leaf mahogany continues to be harvested at unsustainable levels and illegal logging remains rampant.

Many of these trees are illegally logged in protected areas or on the lands of indigenous peoples who receive only a fraction of the actual value of the wood. Strong measures must be taken today if this species and the rain forest of which it is a part are to survive for future generations.

Every year, Peru sets a quota for mahogany that determines how much can be exported. It is critically important that Peru sets a quota level that is sustainable and scientifically-based, and that can be verified as legally harvested. If that does not happen, WWF will urge countries worldwide not to import Peruvian mahogany.

Action is urgently needed as Peru is expected to announce its annual quota for mahogany exports in only a few days.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund rainforest Peru Peruvian rainforest biodiversity jaguar harpy eagle river otter mahogany timber deforestation conservation CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora endangered species