Animals through the World - Online since June 2003

A monthly Magazine edited and published by Maria Lopes - November 2004

Dear Friends,

Again China but what a surprise....

Japan continues to capture dolphins.

In the name of beauty and to avoid aging millions of animals are tortured and killed.

Please protest, defend those who have no voice. They need us.

For the Animals

Maria Lopes

Coordinator of the International Movement Against Bullfights

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind."
Albert Einstein (Nobel Prize)

CHINA

China Kills Thousands of Dogs for Olympics

Source: ITD http://itstheirdestiny.2kat.net

Here at ITD we are accustomed to hearing reports of savagery perpetrated on dogs in China. When we heard this latest one we thought it must be a cruel hoax due to the sheer numbers involved. Regrettably, the report was confirmed.
This comes from our colleagues at Sirius GAO, the New Zealand based charity fighting for the Chinese dogs. The extract below is taken from their web site. Please visit http://sirius.2kat.net/cixiguilin.html for more details, photos and email addresses to write to. Please note - this slaughter is one of many planned throughout China.

CHINA PREPARES FOR 2008 OLYMPICS

"In preparation for the Olympic Games to be held in Beijing in 2008, China has decided that it is time to tackle the problem of stray dogs. Due to fears of rabies, these animals are not generally eaten and have become widespread in some cities. Instead of introducing a plan of spay and neuter as has been done in many more civilised countries, the Chinese solution is far more immediate and, not surprisingly, brutal. The photos on this page were taken in Cixi between 10th and 16th October 2004 where an unverified estimate of 40,000 dogs were slaughtered.

The city of Guilin is planning a similar massacre during December. URGENT response is needed if there is to be any hope of preventing this. Please join Sirius' campaign at http://sirius.2kat.net/cixiguilin.html.

INTERNATIONAL

SAVE THE WHALES

Source: Whalewatch

This year, over 1,400 whales will be slaughtered in the world's oceans by commercial and scientific whaling operations. Despite a ban on commercial whaling nearly 20 years ago, Norway, Japan and Iceland continue to kill whales using methods that date back to the 19 th Century.

'Whalewatch' is the new campaign initiative of over 140 non-governmental organisations representing more than 55 countries worldwide which focuses on the inherent cruelty associated with killing whales.

In 1946, Dr Harry Lillie, a ship's physician aboard an Antarctic whaling ship likened the killing of a whale to:

"a horse having two or three explosive spears stuck into its stomach and being made to pull a butcher's truck through the streets of London while it pours blood in the gutter. The gunners themselves admit that if whales could scream the industry would stop, for nobody would be able to stand it."

The killing methods have changed little to this day. The global, 'Whalewatch' campaign is highlighting the suffering of whales and is ultimately calling for commercial and scientific whaling operations to be halted.

To send a fax or an email please go to:

http://www.whalewatch.org/takeaction_english.asp

INTERNATIONAL

Stop Airlines transporting monkeys

Source: BUAV

The BUAV has been campaigning for many years to stop airlines transporting monkeys for vivisection. We've had many successes over the years, with a large number of airlines refusing to take part in this cruel trade. However, there are still airlines that profit from
the trade in primates. So, now you can e-mail them. Go to
http://www.buav.org/protests/emailairlines.html

ITALY

CAMPAIGN "HUNT THE HUNTER"

Source: "Caccia il Cacciatore"

Excellent news from the "Caccia il Cacciatore" ("Hunt the hunter") campaign. In the last few days, 2 Roman provincial councils (Genazzano and Olevano) have issued a decree of ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION OF HUNTING throughout the whole municipal territory for reasons of public safety! This is thanks to the work of the local "Caccia il Cacciatore" inhabitants committee.

Many of you already know of the "Ponza senz'armi" (Ponza without weapons) initiative (it is also part of the Caccia il Cacciatore campaign), which aims at boycotting tourism in Ponza in that this island - a place of great natural beauty and destination of many migratory birds - has unfortunately for years now been the UNDISPUTED REIGN OF HUNTERS AND POACHERS, the result being that the island has become a living hell for its winged inhabitants and for the many tourists.

After the initial results achieved in other places, and in view of the "counter-information" initatives which are to take place in the 3 tour operator workshops in different cities in Italy, we would like to ask all of you to write, from all over the world, to the municipal tourist board in Ponza and the Italian Tourist Board, urging them to transform Ponza into a hunting-free zone.

Write to:
info@prolocodiponza.it; sedecentrale@enit.it; direzgenerale@enit.it

Draft-message
(you are invited to write a personal one, if you wish!)

Dear Sirs,
Having heard that two Italian municipalities have banned hunting on their territories for reasons of public security, I would like to add my voice to the request to transform the whole island of Ponza into a "hunting-free" area and assure that the necessary checks are carried out according to the law.
While Ponza continues to be under the control of hunters and poachers, I will refrain from visiting the island and will ask my friends and acquaintances to do likewise.

Yours faithfully
Name,Country

JAPAN

Major dolphin capture in Japan

Source: Mark Richards

Responding to an order placed by members of the dolphin captivity industry, the fishermen of Futo, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, have driven a pod of about 100 bottlenose dolphins into Futo harbor. This is the first time dolphins have been captured in Futo since 1999. The harbor has been sealed with a net so that the dolphins can't escape, and all public access to the area has been blocked with ropes to prevent anyone from videotaping the scene.

Divers from at least two Japanese aquariums will arrive in the morning of November 12 to select up to 30 "show-quality" dolphins for their facilities.
Some of the dolphins will be killed for research. What will happen to the remaining dolphins is uncertain at this point. Coalition member Elsa Nature Conservancy is on the scene, documenting the symbiotic relationship between the dolphin hunters of Japan and members of the world's Zoos and Aquaria.

With this capture there is a great risk that Futo will follow in the footsteps of Taiji and become a supplier of dolphins for Zoos and Aquariums in Japan and abroad. We view this as yet another piece of evidence that members of the dolphin captivity industry are fuelling the continued existence of the annual dolphin massacres in Japan.

In order to put a stop to these deadly captures, worldwide protests are needed immediately.

Please urge the authorities to let the captured dolphins go. And please ask that no further dolphin captures will take place in Japan in the future.

We need to flood the authorities with letters. Showing them that the world is watching is the only thing that will stop these crimes against nature.

Please send your letter to:

*Fisheries Section of Shizuoka prefecture: Fax:+81-54-221-3288
E-mail: webmaster@pref.shizuoka.jp

*Mr. Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Governor of Shizuoke prefecture:
Fax:+81-54-221-2164
E-mail: webmaster@pref.shizuoka.jp

*Ito Fishing Cooperative: Fax:+81-557-35-0756
E-mail: ito@soitoshigyokyo.jf-net.ne.jp

*Ito Fishing Cooperative Futo Branch: Fax:+81-557-51-1139

Emails:

webmaster@pref.shizuoka.jp, ito@soitoshigyokyo.jf-net.ne.jp

Dear Shizuoka Prefecture authorities,

I am appalled to hear that the fishermen of Futo, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, have driven a pod of about 100 bottlenose dolphins into Futo harbor.
This is the first time dolphins have been captured in Futo since 1999.

Dolphins, highly intelligent and sentient animals, suffer: they are terrorized by the hunters' loud underwater sounds; cornered, they are stabbed with fishermen's hooks and knives and left to bleed to death; those captured for captivity suffer during their long-distance transportation; scientific evidence suggests they then suffer extreme mental and physical
stress in confined spaces and have much lower life expectancy.

Anyone who enjoys harming one sensitive species (such as dolphins) can also enjoy harming others, such as the human species: many peaceful demonstrators have been intimidated or attacked at dolphin/whale hunts.This shows that the violence of the dolphin hunters is indiscriminate.

A ban on dolphin and whale hunting in Futo (Shizuoka Prefecture) will protect society from individuals becoming desensitised and sick in the mind.
It will also greatly improve your image.

Yours sincerely,

SPAIN

A PARTY IN CATALONIA INTENDS TO AMEND THE ANIMAL WELFARE LAW

Source: International Movement Against Bullfights and Manuel MaciﾯFONT>

As you remember in April this year Barcelona was declared anti-bullfighting city by the City Hall of Barcelona.

That did not ended with bullfights because it was just a mere declaration.

Now one of the parties in power in the region of Catalonia intends to introduce an ammendment to the Animal Welfare Law of 2003 in order to forbid the use of picadors, banderillas, sword and the killing of the bulls in bullrings.

Meaning and you are reading well all the instruments of torture will be banned.

Our goal would be the complete ban of bullfights but somehow this initiative will tend to end bullfights once there will be no public, the matadors won't partipate in bullfights without all the torture and the contractors will loose money.

Please send support letters to the Parliament of Catalonia. This time no sample letter is given because it's most important that all letters are different. Send in your own language because they will understand you perfectly.

Emails:

grupciu@parlament-cat.es,
gsoc-cpc@parlament-cat.es,
grpppo@parlament-cat.es,
gruperc@parlament-cat.es,
grupicv-ea@parlament-cat.net,
ernest-benach@parlament-cat.net

U.S.A.

Help End the Use of Animals in Testing Botox® Cosmetic

Source: HSUS, letters Kinship Circle

Millions of Americans have gotten injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic in order to have some of their facial wrinkles smoothed out for a few months. What they may not realize, and what Botoxs manufacturer, Allergan, doesnt tell them, is that animal suffering is the hidden ingredient in this beauty product. Every batch of Botox is tested using the notorious LD (Lethal Dose) 50 Test, which estimates the potency at which 50% of the injected animals will die. The test can last up to 3-4 days, during which the poison paralyzes muscles as it moves through the animals body. Ultimately, the mice die from suffocation, undoubtedly after considerable distress.

Both Allergan and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration share the blame for this outrageous state of affairs. According to Allergan, the FDA requires LD50 testing for Botox. The FDA has ignored our requests for information about its oversight of Botox. And Allergan has refused to provide details on its testing program or on its efforts to develop alternative methods.

Animals should not be suffering for vanitys sake, especially through the outdated LD50 Test, which has been criticized as unreliable and terribly inhumane. The HSUS is demanding that Allergan undertake a well-funded project to replace the LD50 Test with a non-animal alternative. The HSUS is also calling upon the FDA to work with Allergan to develop this technically superior non-animal alternative test, and to change its policy on Botox potency testing accordingly.

SAMPLE LETTER #1: To Allergan

David E.I. Pyott, Chief Executive Officer
Allergan, Inc.
P.O. Box 19534
Irvine, CA 92623
ph: 714-246-4500; fax: 714-246-4971; email: info@allergan.com
web email form: http://www.allergan.com/site/system/contact.asp?id=&largeText

Dear Mr. Pyott,

BOTOX ® Cosmetic is a "miracle" for people who want to age minus the crow's feet, frown lines and forehead furrows. In 2003 Botox treatments unwrinkled weary skin a record 2.3 million times, netting Allergan some $225 million in sales.

Considering Allergan's success, I find it difficult to believe your company still uses the antiquated LD50 Test to evaluate every new batch of Botox. Lethal Dose tests, to measure the potency at which 50% of poisoned animals die, last a grueling 3-4 days. Depending upon the strength of a test batch, dosed mice endure varying degrees of muscle paralysis and vision decline until they succumb to suffocation.

There is no excuse to inflict pain and distress upon any living creature--especially when Allergan could easily finance the exploration of non-animal modalities with a percentage of its BOTOX® Cosmetic assets. In fact, Allergen has a vital opportunity to expedite the formulation and validation of non-animal alternatives.

Is Allergan actively pursuing the use of non-animal test modes? How?

How much of Allergan's net sales for BOTOX® Cosmetic will fund the elimination of animal tests?

What steps has Allergan taken to reduce redundant studies? Is a singular batch tested multiple times before approval? How many animals undergo LD50 tests for each batch of Botox?

Does Allergan coordinate efforts with the FDA--which currently requires LD50 Tests for Botox--to assure the prompt authorization of any non-animal applications it formulates for BOTOX® Cosmetic?

It is ethically irresponsible to sacrifice hundreds of animals for a quick cosmetic fix. Moreover, the LD50 Test does not generate data wholly applicable to humans. Animals cannot predict adverse reactions. Different species metabolize chemicals along diverse circuits at variable rates. No two species share identical physiological, cellular, or genetic components.

As proof of the vast inconsistencies between species, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that over 50% of approved, animal-tested drugs have "serious adverse effects not detected prior to approval."

Please do not force animals into paralysis and death to help people appear more youthful. And please do not risk human health and safety with unreliable animal research. I look forward to your update on non-animal techniques to replace the LD50 Test.

Thank you,

SAMPLE LETTER #2: To FDA

Dr. Lester M. Crawford, Acting Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
ph: 1-888-INFO-FDA (463-6332)
email: d.commissioner@fda.hhs.gov

Dear Dr. Crawford,

I strongly encourage the Food and Drug Administration to revise its required use of LD50 Tests for all FDA-regulated products. Lethal dose testing, to measure the potency at which 50% of poisoned animals die, last days to months. Depending upon the strength of a test batch, dosed animals suffer paralysis, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, vision decline, and bleeding from the eyes, nose and mouth.

In addition, the LD50 Test does not generate data wholly applicable to humans. Animals cannot predict adverse reactions. Different species metabolize chemicals along diverse circuits at variable rates. No two species share identical physiological, cellular, or genetic components.

I urge the FDA to expedite the development and validation of non-animal alternatives to the LD50 Test. For example, please coordinate efforts with Allergan, Inc. to formulate non-animal tests to replace the LD50 Test. Allergan currently uses lethal dose testing to evaluate every new batch of BOTOX® Cosmetic, which the FDA regulates as a drug. A product designed to diminish crow's feet and forehead furrows shouldn't force hundreds of animals into paralysis and death..

Please modify guidelines for Botox potency testing and allocate time and money to the development of a technically superior non-animal test. I look forward to an update on the FDA's endeavors to phase out the antiquated LD50 Test.

Thank you,

PETITIONS

Want to help save our Kangaroos from cruelty and exploitation?
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/918445067
and
http://www.PetitionPetition.com/cgi/petition.cgi?id=5263
and
Urgent Petition "Save our last complete Kangaroo Gene Pool Mobs"
http://www.PetitionPetition.com/cgi/petition.cgi?id=6462

Time Is Running Out - for Kei the wolf !
Two Petitions:

http://www.petitiononline.com/keinow/petition.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/Earle2/petition.html

Stop the Culling of Elephants in South Africa

http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/908828038

Stop Primate Torture at Oxford

http://www.petitionthem.com/?sect=detail&pet=1401

International Petition against hunting and birdcatching in Malta

http://www.protectiondesoiseaux.be/content/view/637/72/

PROTEST MTV AIRING ANIMAL CRUELTY ON OZZFEST