———- Forwarded message ———-
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: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Nov 22, 2007 7:12 AM
Subject: Celebrate This Thanksgiving by Speaking Out for Animals

Alerts at a Glance:

* Tell Pier 1 What’s Wrong with Using a Capuchin Monkey in Its Holiday Catalog
- This holiday season, your efforts can help educate Pier 1 Imports and reduce the demand for primates and other exotic animals in the entertainment industry.

* Celebrate Fur Free Friday on November 23
- Help animals keep their fur coats for themselves. Ask your favorite retailer to take a stand against fur by joining Consumers for a Fur Free Society and signing the international fur free pledge.

* Fly Free with New National Bird Day CafePress Designs
- Check out fabulous new “Think Outside the Cage” designs, and get tips for putting your National Bird Day event plans in motion.

* Urgent! Letters Needed to Protect California’s Sea Turtles
- Send comments by Friday, November 23 to ensure the future of California’s sea turtles and other marine species living off the California coast.

* Your Comments Help Out Virginia Wildlife
- Update: Find out how speaking out for animals kept two egregious proposals from harming wildlife in Virginia.

* Other Ways to Help Animals:
** “Adopt” a Primate: Give the gift of a bright tomorrow to residents at the API Primate Sanctuary.
** Vehicle Donation: Turn your old car, truck, RV, trailer, or boat into cash to help API continue to successfully advocate for animals.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
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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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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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Nov 12, 2007 10:01 PM
Subject: Elephant Dies at San Antonio Zoo-Urge Closure of Elephant Exhibit! 11/12

As Maggie explores her new life in Sanctuary, Alport dies after a lifetime in Captivity!

Animal activists across the country are celebrating the relocation of Maggie from the Alaska Zoo to PAWS Elephant Sanctuary in California. Unfortunately, while life for Maggie has dramatically improved, hundreds of elephants across the country are still suffering in captivity.

Alport, a lifelong captive of the San Antonio Zoo, died early this month. She lived at the zoo since she was donated only four years after her birth in Kenya in 1958. Although the cause of Alport’s death is not immediately known, a veterinarian last week diagnosed her with a painful orthopedic tear.

Alport was noticeably uncomfortable last Wednesday, Oct 31st, and was struggling to walk and stand on Thursday morning, she finally collapsed and was unable to get up on her own on Friday, Nov 1st, at 5:30 A.M.

Alport’s death leaves just one elephant at the San Antonio Zoo, a 47 year old elephant named Lucky.

Since 2000, 56 elephants have died at A.Z.A. accredited institutions, half of them dying before the age of 40. Elephants in the wild live up to 70 years of age. Elephants are suffering in captivity - the proof is before our eyes - we must speak and act on their behalf.

Please take a minute and write to the San Antonio Zoo, encourage them to send Lucky to sanctuary and (most importantly) to close their elephant exhibit permanently. Sample text is below, contact information is at box to left.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Nov 9, 2007 11:29 PM
Subject: Speak Up for Elephants and Other Exotic Animals, and Shop API’s eBay Auction

Alerts at a Glance:

* Do You Know Where Your Entertainment Dollars Go?
- Be sure you don’t indirectly support the mistreatment of animals in the circus, and tell Kenneth Feld you won’t support any of his shows while Feld Entertainment continues to use elephants and other exotic animals in its productions.

* Maggie the Elephant Soaks Up the California Sun
- Find out how your efforts have helped Maggie the former Alaska Zoo elephant start a new life at the PAWS sanctuary in California.

* Exclusive Designer Handbags Available Through API’s Ebay Auction
- Don’t miss your opportunity to own exquisite handbags from internationally renowned New York designers at NY Artificial.

* Other Ways to Help Animals
** Ideal Bite — A Sassier Shade of Green: Make this your greenest holiday season ever — while helping support API’s mission.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 2, 2007 11:40 AM
Subject: Maggie Arrives Safely at PAWS Sanctuary

Maggie Arrives Safely at PAWS Sanctuary
U.S. Air Force pilots successfully complete Operation Maggie Migration

After 25 years, Maggie has finally made the move from a tiny enclosure at the Alaska Zoo to her new home at the Performing Animal Welfare Society elephant sanctuary in Northern California. This is a great day not only for Maggie, but for IDA and everyone else who has worked to secure her freedom. We offer our sincerest thanks and congratulations to everyone who helped make this victory possible.

This historic trip included a five-hour flight in a temperature-controlled crate aboard a United States Air Force C-17 cargo plane from Alaska to Travis Air Force Base, followed by an 85-mile drive in a flatbed truck to PAWS. Maggie arrived safely on schedule at the sanctuary at 6:30 this morning.

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From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 31, 2007 7:08 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 10-31-07

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IDA Action Alerts

IDA Seeks Whistleblowers at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
$2500 reward offered for evidence of animal cruelty at amusement park

Port Authority Exterminating Feral Cats at NY’s JFK Airport
IDA joins coalition to save cats and stop the killing

Rhode Island Woman Severs Stolen Parrot’s Leg
Take Action to urge prison sentence for animal abuser

Campaign News & Updates

Stay In Touch with IDA on Facebook
Networking site promotes friendship and animal advocacy

World GO VEGAN Days Wrap-Up
IDA holds outreach events, awards prize to winner of our e-Card contest

Cold Snap: Tips for Keeping Animals Safe & Warm This Winter
Protect your furry friends from frostbite, hypothermia & other seasonal health hazards

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 1, 2007 11:20 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Breeding elephants doesn’t protect them

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette printed an opinion piece about the Pittsburgh Zoo’s new elephant breeding facility. Please write a letter to the editor thanking them for publishing the piece and addressing the zoo conservation myth. Send letters to letters [at] post-gazette.com.

Read “Breeding elephants doesn’t protect them” online.

Breeding elephants doesn’t protect them

Zoos like those in Pittsburgh should help preserve the animals’ native habitat instead

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
By Marianne Bessey

During this month’s ground-breaking ceremony at the Pittsburgh zoo’s proposed elephant breeding facility in Somerset Country, lots of lip service was paid to “conservation.” It is without question that elephants, endangered in Asia and threatened in Africa, desperately need help. But will spending millions of dollars on breeding a handful of elephants actually help elephants — or just the zoo’s bottom line?

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 30, 2007 10:46 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Elephants suffer in zoos

The Birmingham News published an opinion piece about Birmingham Zoo’s plans for a new elephant exhibit. Please write a letter to the editor on the suffering elephants endure in zoos urging the zoo to scrap any such plans. Send letters to the Birmingham News at epage [at] bhamnews.com.

Read “Elephants suffer in zoos” online.

Elephants suffer in zoos

Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Birmingham Zoo’s plan to create a new, $15 million exhibit to house six to eight male elephants ignores the elephant in the room: the fact that landlocked urban zoos cannot provide Earth’s largest land mammals with the space and natural conditions they need to thrive.

The zoo’s proposed 14-acre Trails of Africa exhibit may sound good on paper, but even if elephants were allowed to roam the entire acreage (an unlikely prospect given the inability of zoos to house male elephants together due to aggression issues and the space that will be taken up by indoor housing and visitor amenities), it would still be inadequate for six to eight pachyderms.

Elephants evolved to walk tens of miles daily. Their feet were meant to dig, climb, swim, run and even stand, but all on natural dirt, sand, grass, forest and savanna floor, which maintain foot and joint health.

Zoo conditions prevent elephants from exercising, forcing them to stand, virtually in one place, for decades on unyielding substrates like concrete and compacted earth. These conditions wreak havoc on elephants’ joints and feet. More than 60 percent of all elephants in zoos suffer from foot disease, and nearly half have arthritis. These painful conditions are the leading cause of suffering and premature death of elephants in zoos.

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