IDA eNews: 01-09-08
Wednesday, January 9th, 2008
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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jan 9, 2008 8:09 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 01-09-08
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IDA Holds Candlelight Vigil for Victims at SF Zoo
Urges city officials to take publicly-funded zoo in new direction
On Thursday, January 2nd, the day the SF Zoo reopened for visitors, IDA and Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals held a candlelight vigil outside the zoo to give people an opportunity to mark the untimely passing of Sousa and Tatiana and pay their respects.
Infected Birds Found in Pet Stores
Psittacosis can be fatal to both birds and humans
A recent outbreak of psittacosis in birds sold by pet store chains in several states has provoked quarantines and recalls throughout the nation.
A Brand New Year for Animals
IDA celebrates 25th anniversary in 2008
Looking back on 2007, we are truly proud of what we have accomplished with your support and involvement.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA eNews: 01-02-08
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jan 2, 2008 11:45 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 01-02-08
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Escaped Tiger at SF Zoo Kills One, Injures Two, Before Being Shot Dead
Around 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Day, a 350-pound Siberian tiger named Tatiana escaped from her outdoor enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo, then killed 17-year-old Carlos Sousa, Jr. and severely wounded two young companions. IDA calls for closure of zoo’s tiger exhibit, transfer of remaining tigers to sanctuary, ban on public feeding of large cats, and increased USDA oversight of zoos.
IDA’s January 2008 Guardian of the Month – Lacey Conner
From rescue to advocacy, VH-1’s Rock of Love “bad girl” does good for animals. “I tried to use the show as a platform to shine a light on issues relating to animals”
22 Pit Bulls Seized in Louisiana Dogfighting Case
Urge fire department to fire man facing dogfighting charges for second time. Caddo Animal Services officers who raided the Shreveport home of firefighter Eric Mosley on December 18th seized 22 pit bulls and equipment used to train dogs for fighting.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA eNews: 12-26-07
Thursday, December 27th, 2007
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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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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).
(More below the fold…)
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IDA eNews: 12-12-07
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
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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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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…
(More below the fold…)
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IDA: Tell FWS to Reject Zoo’s Elephant Semen Import!
Sunday, December 9th, 2007
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.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA eNews: 12-5-07
Friday, December 7th, 2007
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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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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.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA Writing Alert: Elephant breeding under fire
Friday, December 7th, 2007
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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.”
(More below the fold…)
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IDA eNews: 11-28-07
Friday, November 30th, 2007
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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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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.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA Writing Alert: Thinking big when it comes to elephants
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007
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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.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA: Maggie Arrives Safely at PAWS Sanctuary
Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
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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.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA Writing Alert: Breeding elephants doesn’t protect them
Thursday, November 1st, 2007
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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?
(More below the fold…)
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IDA Writing Alert: Elephants suffer in zoos
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007
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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.
(More below the fold…)
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IDA Writing Alert: World GO VEGAN Days
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007
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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 23, 2007 11:31 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: World GO VEGAN Days
World GO VEGAN Days is an annual event designed to spread information and educate people about the vegan lifestyle, which is a compassionate way of eating and living. Veganism is a healthy choice that shows love and respect for animals, the environment and your own life. As a vehicle to promote veganism each year through outreach events and the media, we hope that World GO VEGAN Days will help make the word “vegan” a household term that is universally recognized as meaning love and compassion for all living beings. World GO VEGAN Days will be observed on October 26, 27, and 28 2007.
“World GO VEGAN Days” is also about celebrating what it means to be vegan. Veganism enables people to live in balance with all of Earth’s creatures and promote freedom for animals from exploitation as part of their everyday lives. Modern animal agriculture is cruel and violent toward the chickens, cows, pigs and other creatures used to make meat, milk and eggs. During World GO VEGAN Days, we encourage people to become conscious of what – and who – they are eating, the effect it has on the world, and that a non-violent alternative exists.
(More below the fold…)
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