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A monthly Magazine edited and published by Maria Lopes - October 2006 Dear Friends, This
month has seen the sad demise of one of the great champions of animal
rights. Michael Ogorzaly died October 15th whilst in a coma following a
heart attack. His passing is a sad blow to all of us, and he will be
especially missed by those of us involved in the struggle against
bullfights.
Maria Lopes
A Life Story
Historian waged crusade against bullfighting October 22, 2006
By Lauren FitzPatrick Staff writer Polish-American professor of Latin American history Michael A. Ogorzaly turned his compassion toward animals into a personal and historical crusade. "Bullfighting ought to be ended," he'd tell his wife,
Rosamaria Garcia Ogorzaly.
Or as he'd put it, it "belongs in the dustbin of
history."
Ogorzaly's second book, "When Bulls Cry: The Case Against
Bullfighting," was published in April. It was the pinnacle of his career as a
historian and professor, and he was thrilled to hold the first printed copies,
said Bob Bionaz, one of his Chicago State University colleagues.
All this from a wheelchair, which kept him mobile and
relatively independent since he survived a car crash at age 20. Years before the
Americans with Disabilities Act, Mr. Ogorzaly had learned to drive a
hand-operated van so he could retain his independence, Bionaz said.
Mr. Ogorzaly, of Chicago's Beverly community, died Oct. 15 of
complications after a heart attack. He was 58.
He truly believed bullfighting was wrong and took to task
anyone who had sponsored or glorified what he considered a blood
sport.
"It was hard for him to watch," his wife said of his thorough
research. "He had night sweats -- he often couldn't get to sleep. He had to see
so many of them, and they're just as gruesome on film."
To read the full article:
Michael's book "When Bulls Cry: The Case Against Bullfighting"
is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Bulls-Cry-Against-Bullfighting/dp/1425927726/ref=sr_11_1/002-5774096-5900846 AUSTRALIA
UPDATE - Help stop Marrabel Rodeo (Sa-Au)
MARRABEL Rodeo organisers are
planning to scrap all but one event because of the growing controversy over
perceptions of animal cruelty.
Although a crowd of more than 3000 people yesterday confirmed the ongoing
popularity of the event's various spectacles, future rodeos are likely to be
limited to bull-riding events only.
Publicity officer Nathan Rowett said the event committee was looking at making major changes to the long-running rodeo. "We're looking at dropping all the events except the bull riding," he said. "It's a lot of work . . . and the other events are the ones that are more controversial. There's always protesters but they usually don't cause any trouble." The revamp would involve scrapping horse events such as barrel races and saddle bronc riding. RSPCA spokeswoman Emily Vatkovic said her organisation welcomed the banning of certain events, however, a total ban would be more appropriate. "We are extremely satisfied they've decided to scrap some of the events but we'd still like to see a total ban," she said. Anti-rodeo protesters again made their annual pilgrimage to Marrabel yesterday to demand immediate bans on what they say are cruel events. The rodeo attracted 150 of Australia's top riders competing for more than $20,000 prizemoney. Yesterday was the 70th annual Marrabel Rodeo, which is recognised as the best in the state and one of the top five in Australia. Spectators included Mitch Ralph, 39, from Lyndoch and her god-daughter Lilly Foster, aged one. "It's a great event, it's a lot of fun and it's excellent to come and watch." http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20508596-2682,00.html CHINA
Chinese Animal Olympics Spark Worldwide Rage
Source:KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN
SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Shanghai Animal Olympics - Cruelty in the name of entertainment! http://www.animalsasia.org/index.php?module=6&menupos=10&lg=en SOURCE INFORMATION FOR CONTACTS:
China National Tourist Office http://www.tourismchina-ca.com/about.html Official website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games - Games of the XXIX Olympiad http://en.beijing2008.com/ Travel China Guide, Embassies
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/default.htm FULL CONTACT INFORMATION SAMPLE LETTER & EMAIL BLOCK IS AFTER CONTACT INFO CHINA NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICES China National Tourist Office, Toronto 480 University Avenue, Suite 806; Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V2, Canada ph: 416-599-6636, 1-866-599-6636; fax: 416-599-6382 email: cnto@tourismchina-ca.com, toronto@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, New York
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6413, Empire State Building; New York, NY 10118, USA ph: 1-212-7609700; fax: 1-212-7608809; email: ny@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Los Angeles
333 West Broadway, Suite 201; Glendale, CA91204 USA ph: 1-818-5457507; fax: 1-818-5457506; email: la@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, London
4 Glentworth St., London, NW1 5PG, UK ph: 44-20-79359787; fax: 44-20-74875842; email: london@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Frankfurt
llkenhans str 6, D-60433; Frankfurt AM Main, Deutschland ph: 49-69-520135; fax: 49-69-528490; email: frankfurt@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Madrid
Gran Via 88, Grupo 2, Planta 16 28013; Madrid, Espana ph: 34-91-5480011; fax: 34-91-5480597; email: madrid@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Paris
15, Rue De Berri; Paris 75008, France ph: 33-1-56591010; fax: 33-1-53753288; email: paris@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Singapore
7 Temasek Boulevard, # 12-02 Suntec Tower One; Singapore 038987 ph: 65-3372220; fax: 65-3380777; email: singapore@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Sydney
19th Floor, 44 Market Street; Sydney, NSW2000, Australia ph: 61-2-92994057; fax: 61-2-92901958; email: sydney@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Tokyo
Air China Building, 2-5-2 Toranomon Minato-Ku; Tokyo, Japan 105 ph: 81-3-35918686; fax: 81-3-35916886; email: tokyo@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Osaka
4F OCAT Building,1-4-1 Minatomachi, Nanwa-ku; Osaka, Japan 556 ph: 81-6-66353280; fax: 81-6-66353281; email: osaka@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Kathmandu
P. O. Box 3639, Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, The Kingdom of Nepal ph: 977-1-255936; fax: 977-1-267695; email: kathmandu@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Seoul
(100-706) 15F Daeyongak Blvd., 25-5, 1-Ka, Chungmu-ro, Chung-ku, Seoul, Korea ph: 82-2-7730393; fax: 82-2-7573210; email: seoul@cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office, Zurich
Genfer Strasse 21CH-8002 Zurich, Schweiz ph: 41-1-2018877; fax: 41-1-2018878; email: zurich@cnta.gov.cn Asia Tourism Exchange Center Limited
B1, 20/F, Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong ph: 852-28657183, 852-28662371; fax: 852-28611371; email: atec@cnta.gov.cn BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) 267 Bei Si Huan Zhong Lu; Haidian District; Beijing 100083, China ph: (86.10) 66 69 91 85; fax: (86.10) 66 69 92 29; email: 2008@beijing-olympic.org.cn
General Office: mishubu@beijing-olympic.org.cn Project Management: zongti@beijing-olympic.org.cn International Relations: international@beijing-olympic.org.cn Sports: sports@beijing-olympic.org.cn Media & Communications: xuanchuan@beijing-olympic.org.cn Construction & Environment: guihua@beijing-olympic.org.cn, environment@beijing-olympic.org.cn
Marketing: marketing@beijing-olympic.org.cn Technology: technology@beijing-olympic.org.cn Legal Affairs: legal@beijing-olympic.org.cn Games Services: gamesservices@beijing-olympic.org.cn Audit & Supervision: jiancha@beijing-olympic.org.cn Human Resources: renshi@beijing-olympic.org.cn Finance: caiwu@beijing-olympic.org.cn Culture & Ceremonies: wenhua@beijing-olympic.org.cn Security: security@beijing-olympic.org.cn Media Operations: mediaoperations@beijing-olympic.org.cn Venue Management: VEM@beijing-olympic.org.cn Paralympic Games: paralympic@beijing-olympic.org.cn Transport: transport@beijing-olympic.org.cn Olympic Torch Relay Centre: OTR@beijing-olympic.org.cn Accreditation: accreditation@beijing-olympic.org.cn CHINESE EMBASSIES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Write to the embassy in your country only. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - website: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong 2300 Connecticut Ave., N.W.; Washington D.C. 20008 ph: +202-328-2500/01/02; fax: +202-588-0046 email: CHINAEMBASSY_US@FMPRC.GOV.CN UNITED KINGDOM - website: http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/
Ambassador Zha Peixin 49-51 Portland Place London W1B 1JL ph: +44-20-72994049 CANADA - website: http://ca.china-embassy.org/eng/
Ambassador Lu Shumin 515 St. Patrick Street; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, KIN 5H3 P.O. Box 8935 New Terminal, Alta Vista, Ottawa, Canada ph: +1-613-7893506, 7899586; fax: +1-613-7891911, 7891414 email: chinaemb_ca@mfa.gov.cn AUSTRALIA - website: http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/
Ambassador Fu Ying 15, Coronation Dr., Yarralumla, A.C.T. 2600; Canberra, Australia ph: +61-2-62734780; fax: +61-2-62734878, 62735189 email: chinaemb_au@mfa.gov.cn If your country is not listed above, try:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/embassy_list.htm http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/default.htm EMAIL BLOCKS & SAMPLE LETTER Feel free to use portions of our letter, but please add some original thoughts. Hundreds of identical letters may lessen the impact. EMAIL BLOCKS / Includes all emails for:
1. China National Tourist Offices cnto@tourismchina-ca.com, toronto@cnta.gov.cn, ny@cnta.gov.cn, la@cnta.gov.cn, london@cnta.gov.cn, frankfurt@cnta.gov.cn, madrid@cnta.gov.cn, paris@cnta.gov.cn, singapore@cnta.gov.cn, sydney@cnta.gov.cn, tokyo@cnta.gov.cn, osaka@cnta.gov.cn, kathmandu@cnta.gov.cn, seoul@cnta.gov.cn, zurich@cnta.gov.cn, atec@cnta.gov.cn 2. BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games
2008@beijing-olympic.org.cn, mishubu@beijing-olympic.org.cn, zongti@beijing-olympic.org.cn, international@beijing-olympic.org.cn, sports@beijing-olympic.org.cn, xuanchuan@beijing-olympic.org.cn, guihua@beijing-olympic.org.cn, environment@beijing-olympic.org.cn, marketing@beijing-olympic.org.cn, technology@beijing-olympic.org.cn, legal@beijing-olympic.org.cn, gamesservices@beijing-olympic.org.cn, jiancha@beijing-olympic.org.cn, renshi@beijing-olympic.org.cn, caiwu@beijing-olympic.org.cn, wenhua@beijing-olympic.org.cn, security@beijing-olympic.org.cn, mediaoperations@beijing-olympic.org.cn, VEM@beijing-olympic.org.cn, paralympic@beijing-olympic.org.cn, transport@beijing-olympic.org.cn, OTR@beijing-olympic.org.cn, accreditation@beijing-olympic.org.cn 3. EMAIL THE EMBASSY IN YOUR COUNTRY ONLY.
Embassy emails under FULL CONTACT INFO, ABOVE Dear Sir/Madam, I respectfully ask you to make enforceable animal protection
laws a priority before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China's global image
continues to deteriorate as it allows horror shows such as the recent Animal
Olympics at
the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. This absurd spectacle reinforced the call for a boycott of Chinese tourism, goods, and the 2008 Olympic Games. To turn China's "Golden Week" holiday (in early October) into
a moneymaker, Shanghai's fourth annual Animal Olympics forced over 300 animals
-- including cheetahs, lions, tigers, bears, macaques, poodles, a Golden
Monkey, a chimpanzee, a zebra, a llama and an elephant -- to execute foolish tricks against a backdrop of loud pop music. Among the appalling images to emerge in international press,
juvenile Moon Bears pummel each other in a staged boxing match. Other Moon Bears
must stand and clap their hands for an entire day. A black bear poised
unsteadily
atop a small scooter has to peddle a human performer across a tightrope. Two more bears wobble dangerously on horses who parade before spectators. Gloved kangaroos are punched in the head during staged fights
with trainers dressed as clowns. A cycling monkey is bound to a child's bike by
the collar and chimpanzees are coerced into lifting heavy weights. Poodles
balance on
their hind legs for hours. Sea lions lumber through a high-jump event. Zebras are goaded over hurdles as they race around a track and an elephant is coaxed into clutching a torch in his sensitive torch. Clearly, trainers must bully wild animals into performing
unnatural stunts in close proximity to onlookers. To pose with people for photos
that cost around $1.25-2.50 in U.S. currency, animals are chained and crudely
declawed. Many, like one brown bear in a sailor suit, have their mouths wired
shut. One blind, clawless Moon Bear is prodded with a metal stick each time he
fidgets during daylong photo sessions.
If China hopes to mend its stunning record of animal abuse,
the government must make visible strides to protect wild and companion animals.
Bear bile farms, live animal markets, the dog/cat fur trade, and sweeping dog
massacres as a form of rabies "control" tarnish your reputation. Exhibits such
as an Animal Olympics further degrade Chinese culture -- even more so as the
Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games promotes a "Green Olympics" and "One
World One Dream" slogan.
Yes, human and non-human animals DO share "One World" and the
Olympics ought to celebrate life. Exhibitions of human mastery over terrified
animals do not fulfill this vision. Ongoing negative media attention may ensure
this is China's last Olympics.
Please keep me informed of new legislation to safeguard wild
and domestic animals from all forms of abuse. I am eager to know about any
action to initiate momentous reforms for animals in China.
Sincerely,
Name/Country FRANCE
FEEDBACK - REINTRODUCTION OF BARBARIC
STONE CRUSH TRAPS IN FRANCE
Source: Proact International
I have just received this reply from the European
Commission. From: European Commission Directorate-General Environment Directorate B – Protecting the Natural
Environment ENV.B.2 – Nature and Bio-diversity 26 October 2006-10-26 Dear Mr Conlin, Thank you very much for your email of 11 September 2006 to
Commissioner Dimas referring to the use of stone crush traps. In conclusion, it appears that the new method used in
France is in accordance with the relevant decisions of the Court (cf. C-452/85
and §3.4.45 of the Guide on Hunting) which implies that the methods which of
themselves are not entirely selective can be considered as selective when
certain technical aspects of the method used can verifiably demonstrate
selectivity (e.g. when combined with the skills and experience of the operator,
or by a combination of both). Once again I would like to thank you for your interest in
this subject and for your demonstration of strong support for the full
implementation of this key nature directive in order to safeguard our shared
heritage of wild birds. Yours sincerely, Patrick Murphy Head of Unit I have replied as follows: Thank you for your email with attachment on the use of stone crush traps – tendelle – in France. As I am committed to provide comprehensive feedback to the members of my organisation and others on this matter – over 1,000 individuals wrote to Mme Olin, the French Environment Minister - I would be grateful for a copy of the protocol describing the new tendelle to which you refer, either by post or as an email attachment. If the latter, I would be grateful if you would send as a clean PDF or Word document – printing out and scanning or re-typing a photocopy involves a lot of extra work. I have two follow-up questions: Does the Commission intend to accept the French
protocol at face value or will it ask for an expert opinion (test) of the
non-selectivity of the trap? Will the Commission engage or direct an independent body
to monitor use of the traps? Recent events in connection with hunting and
trapping, cf. Malta, have demonstrated that national authorities are not always
effective (or sometimes particularly willing) in their policing of the hunting
or trapping operations. In this case you appear to give the French authorities
very much the benefit of the doubt (my italics): “ it appears that
the new method used in France is in accordance with the relevant decisions of
the Court … which implies that the methods which of themselves are
not entirely selective can be considered as selective”; and very
subjective and requiring close and effective monitoring in order to exclude
abuse. “ when certain technical aspects of the method used can verifiably
demonstrate selectivity (e.g. when combined with the skills and
experience of the operator, or by a combination of both). If the answer to both of the above questions is no, then both you and I can guess as to what is likely to actually take place on the slopes of the Massif Central! You can be assured however that, in any event, non-governmental conservation organisations will unofficially monitor the ‘tendelle’ season and you will be informed of their observations. Yours sincerely, David Conlin Proact International NEPAL
End Breeding/Export Of Nepal's Monkeys For
Research
Source: KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN
Government of Nepal
http://www.nepalgov.gov.np/index_eng.php About Nepal > Government > Ministries
http://www.nrn.org.np/aboutnepal/ministries.php Experimentation Being Conducted at WaRPRC
http://www..primatefreedom.com/centers/washexptype.html SIGN PETITION: Monkey Business in Nepal
http://www.gopetition.com/online/3130.html SIGN PETITION: Stop the Export of Nepal's Monkeys and
Associated Research
http://www.petitiononline..com/anpo/ <http://www.petitiononline.com/anpo/> CONTACT INFO & SAMPLE LETTER Feel free to use portions of our letter, but please add some original thoughts. Hundreds of identical letters may lessen the impact. Ministry of Forest & Soil Conservation Mr. Gopal Rai Singha Durbar, Kathmandu ph: ++977-01-4220160, 4220067; ++977-01-224892, ++977-01-230862 email: nbu@biodiv-nepal.gov.np, mfsc@mail.com.np website: http://www.biodiv-nepal.gov.np/ Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
Mr. Pradip Kumar Gyawali Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal ph: 4256-226, 4256-234, 4256-231, 4256232 ext. 211; fax: 4227281 email: info@tourism.gov.np, motca@ntc.net.np website: http://www.tourism.gov.np/feedback.htm Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
Mr. Man Bahadur Biswokarma Singha Durbar, Kathmandu ph: 977 (1) 4244609, 4247391, 4240654, 4222571, 4231172 fax: 977 (1) 4225474; email: info@most.gov.np website: http://www.most.gov.np/en/ Office of The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Rt. Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala Royal Palace, Defence Singh Durbar P.O. Box: 43312 Kathmandu, Nepal ph: 977-1-421000, 4211055, 4211005; email: info@opmcm.gov.np website: http://www.opmcm.gov.np Advisors of the Prime Minister
Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise (Mr.), Foreign Affairs Advisor Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers ph: 00977-1-4211094; fax: 00977-1-4211065 email: schalise@opmcm.gov.np, rajbiraj@hotmail.com ALL EMAILS IN THIS ALERT:
nbu@biodiv-nepal.gov.np, mfsc@mail.com.np, info@tourism.gov.np, motca@ntc.net.np, info@most.gov.np, info@opmcm.gov.np, schalise@opmcm.gov.np, rajbiraj@hotmail.com Dr. Rt. Honorable Prime Minister and Respected Ministers: I kindly ask the government of Nepal to acknowledge worldwide
concern about its export of monkeys for use in biomedical research. I am
dismayed to learn about a breeding farm for Nepalese rhesus monkeys at Lele,
Kathmandu Valley to fulfill an agreement between the Washington National Primate
Research Center (WaNPRC) and its Nepali coordinate, the Nepal Natural History
Society (NHS).
I urge officials to oppose the breeding and subsequent use of
Nepalese monkeys in research laboratories. Please defend your country's
treasured wildlife and enact laws to prohibit their export for scientific
purposes.
After the Indian ban on the overseas sale of rhesus monkeys for biomedical research, Western labs turned to Nepali monkeys. The WaNPRC-NHS alliance creates a dangerous precedent, opening the door for other foreign researchers to exploit Nepal's animal species. No one can really track the surfeit of animal experiments
performed at WaNPRC. Taxpayer dollars subsidize the Seattle, Washington facility
where experimenters infect monkeys with SIV and HIV strains to form SHIV, a
laboratory invention with no bearing on HIV in humans. Cranial implants are surgically inserted in monkeys to see if
they master tasks when electrically stimulated. Electrodes lodged in monkeys'
brains and spinal cords allow one experimenter to record electrical variations
while animals undergo taxing drills. Virginia M. Gunderson taught herself to
trigger seizures in three-month old monkeys by bolting their heads into
restraint devices and injecting chemicals into their brains.
"Unfortunately," she wrote, "this procedure was not reliable in obtaining seizures on a regular basis." It is difficult to imagine what method Ms. Gunderson next
concocted for infant monkeys in her pursuit of more federal grants.
Animals at research centers like WaNPRC suffer unceasing fear
and pain for data that proves largely inapplicable to human health. There are
too many physiological, cellular, genetic and psychological disparities between
species for predictive extrapolation to humans. For example, researchers have
conceded primates do not contract human AIDS or develop its clinical symptoms.
Their immune system encounters the virus in a different manner than the human
immune network.
Experimentation upon primates has not led to cures for AIDS,
Alzheimer's, cancer, or other human ailments. Yet it has shown us monkeys are
bright, perceptive beings with physiological and psychological instincts as
intricate as our own.
In Nepal, Hindus celebrate monkeys as a reincarnation of Lord
Hanuman. Buddhists feel the killing or mistreatment of any animal is wrong.
Monkeys are an integral thread in Nepal's rich natural and cultural tapestry.
Inside a lab, a monkey's life is reduced to boredom, loneliness and
terror.
I respectfully ask Nepalese authorities to advocate
progressive animal-free research techniques. Please eliminate breeding compounds
and enforce laws that bar animal experimentation upon Nepalese
monkeys.
Sincerely,
Name/Country
PORTUGAL
Make the Algarve, in Portugal, an Anti-Bullfighting
Region
Source: Animal
ANIMAL and the League Against Cruel Sports are conducting a
campaign to create the first Anti-Bullfighting City in Portugal, having as
initial campaign targets Sintra (the only town outside the Algarve which is now
being targeted by this campaign), Aljezur, Lagos, Lagoa, Portimão, Silves,
Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Tavira e Olhão (these 10 towns are all located in the
Algarve). However, more than these 11 Portuguese towns, this campaign is aiming,
at the same time, to make the Algarve an Anti-Bullfighting Region. The Algarve
is visited every year by millions of British, German, Dutch, Austrian, American,
French and Italian tourists, among others. It is very common for bullfighting
promoters to attract the foreign to bullfights tourists visiting the Algarve,
announcing these cruel shows as “bloodless” spectacles which do not involve any
cruelty. Most of the tourists who are cheated in this way leave bullfights
disgusted with the cruelty that they witness in these shows and many never
return to Portugal, as a way of boycotting a country which allows these barbaric
spectacles to happen.
As an actual or potential tourist in Portugal, especially in
the Algarve, you can help to bring an end to the cruelty which is inflicted upon
bulls and horses in Portuguese bullfights. Aside from the ethical statement that
you may want to make against bullfights, you can use your economic influence as
a tourist and urge the Algarvian governmental and tourism authorities to make
the Algarve an Anti-Bullfighting Region, making it a modern and civilised region
in the world, officially promoting an ethical message of respect for animals and
of condemnation of animal cruelty.
Please, help ANIMAL and the League Against Cruel Sports to
acomplish this change: please send the suggested message below (or write your
own message, if you prefer) to the following governmental and tourism officials
in the Algarve (using the contact details below), urging them to make this
important step, both to protect bulls and horses from bullfights and also to
protect the public image and the economy of the Algarve, by not allowing cruelty
to animals to stain its international image:
Secretary of State of Tourism E-mail: seturismo@mei.gov.pt
President of the Metropolitan Area of the Algarve
E-mail: amal@amal.pt
President of the Portuguese Institute of Tourism
E-mail: correio@iturismo.pt
President of the Regional Tourism Board of the
Algarve
E-mail: rtalgarve@rtalgarve.pt
Civil Governor of Faro (capital of the Algarve)
E-mail: algarve@gov-civil-faro.pt
President of the Regional Development and Co-ordination
Commission of the Algarve
E-mail: geral@ccdr-alg.pt
Dear Mr. Secretary of State of Tourism,
Dear Mr. President of the Metropolitan Area of the
Algarve,
Dear Mr. President of the Portuguese Institute of
Tourism,
Dear Mr. President of the Regional Tourism Board of the
Algarve,
Dear Mr. Civil Governor of Faro,
Dear Mr. President of the Regional Development and
Co-ordination Commission of the Algarve,
Dear Sirs,
Put the Algarve on the Map… as an Anti-Bullfighting
Region
Bullfights are barbaric spectacles in which bulls and horses
are victims of severe violence in the name of a cruel form of entertainment and
celebration, which is totally out of character in a civilised region. I urge you
to protect the bulls and horses which are victims of bullfights by taking
the necessary steps to officially make the Algarve an Anti-Bullfighting Region,
namely by actively encouraging the presidents of Algarvian municipalities to
commit to not allow bullfights, or any kind of bullfighting activities, in their
cities and viillages, also officially declaring these Anti-Bullfighting Cities
or Anti-Bullfighting Villages.
I call upon you to make the Algarve a modern, evolved and
humane region where the torture of animals as a spectale is firmly banned. I
would feel particularly interested and encouraged to visit the Algarve if the
organisation and promotion of bullfights and bullfighting activities would be
regionally and officially forbidden in this region, while, if that would not
happen, I would not want to visit the Algarve knowing that bullfights are lawful
and common there.
I am sure that this step to end bullfights in the Algarve,
along with the ethical message that the region would promote, would also
generate great economic benefit, through greater tourist activity, brought by
global promotion of this message. I hope you will make this vital decision, both
for the good of animals and of the Algarvian region.
Thank you in advance for your attention,
Name/Country
SPAIN
King of Spain shoots a Drunken bear Dead
Information source: Kommersant
Oct. 19, 2006 King of Spain Shoots a Drunken Bear Dead A domesticated bear falls a prey to an abominable performance King of Spain Juan Carlos I, who was on a visit to Russia in August, has killed a domesticated bear, as Sergey Starostin, deputy head of Vologda Region’s Hunting Grounds Preservation Department, reported to Vologda Governor Vyacheslav Pozgalev. What is more, the king made the bear drunk. Juan Carlos I visited Vologda Region in late August. The king and his retinue stayed at the House of the Wood Grouse recreation zone near the village of Limonovo. The place had earlier welcomed celebrities as film director Nikita Mikhalkov, Russian Emergency Situations Minister Sergey Shoigu and former Finance Minister Mikhail Zadornov. The Spanish guest did not make a secret of the fact that he had come to that middle of nowhere only because of hunting. Two months after the visit, details of the royal hunting have
leaked. “An abominable performance accompanied the hunting of King of Spain Juan
Carlos,” Starostin tells Vologda Regions’s government in a letter. “The party
‘sacrificed’ a good-humored and jolly bear called Mitrofan who had been kept at
a farm in the village of Novlenskoye. The bear was put in a cage and taken to
the place of hunting. Afterwards, the party made him drunk with vodka mixed with
honey, and pushed him out to the field. Quite naturally, the massive drunken
animal became an easy target. His Majesty Juan Carlos killed Mitrofan with one
shot.”
Sergey Starostin gave more examples where domesticated animals
from recreation zones happened to be trophies of guests. “A similar performance
was staged in early 2006 for Alexander Khokhlov, editor-in-chief of Moscow’s
Safari magazine. He was given a wolf for killing from the farm of Volgograd
Region Deputy Governor Sergey Gromov where another dozen of wolf cub are waiting
for their doleful fate,” the official writes. A TV crew from NTV once were
offered a 3-year-old lynx from a farm in the settlement of Peski. The lynx was
gnawed by hounds.
Starostin reports that the organization of this kind of
hunting is masterminded by Andrey Filatov, head of the Russian agricultural
watchdog’s Vologda branch, and the region’s Deputy Governor Sergey Gromov who is
in charge of farming. “I have repeatedly tried to express my concern over the
affairs in hunting farming to them,” Starostin notes. “But it never gave any
result.” The hunting farming official finishes the letter, calling on the
governor “not to let these officials to turn hunting into bloody
clownery.”
An employee from Sergey Starostin’s department who asked to be
unidentified mentioned a tiff between Starostin and Filatov. The source says
that Sergey Starostin allegedly got a hint that he had better offer his
resignation. Perhaps, the official decided to send this letter to the government
after this.
Starostin told Kommersant that Governor Vyacheslav Pozgalev
who knew about Juan Carlos’s successful hunting had no idea that the bear was
not a hunting one. “A very few people knew about this accident,” the official
said. “But this number may become bigger in certain circumstances.”
Andrey Ivanov, Vologda
Please send protest emails to:
S. M. el Rey Juan Carlos - Palacio Zarzuela
Carretera del Pardo, km 3400 - MADRID-28071 cecom@casareal.es;prensa@casareal.es;protocolo@casareal.es and also to the Spanish embassy in Russia
Your Majesty,
I learned that you went to Russia and shot a domesticated bear that had been drugged with vodka. This act was totally inappropriate for a person in a position like yours in a modern country. To kill animals just for "sport" and fun in the name of an antiquated tradition approved only by a pitiful minority, is not only archaic, but undignified for a modern and democratic Royal House! And when you go to other countries to hunt protected species you sully the name of Spain. You don't seem aware of the fact that both Spaniards and world citizens have shown their total rejection of any kind of activities where animals are killed for fun. With your behaviour not only have you managed to turn your people against you, but the people of Russia as well who feel outraged by your actions in their country. Name/Country/Email PETITIONS
Iceland Whaling Protest Letter
http://www.whales.org.au/alert/iceletter.html Don't Poison the American Prairie
https://secure2.convio.net/dow/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=573&autologin=true&s_einterest=C3C4&s_Affiliate=act_&JServSessionIdr007=2ervallb01.app24a Save primates
http://www.eceae.org/saveprimates/en/action.html Stop Abuse of Farmed Animals during Transport
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/952614565?ltl=1159979029 Horse Racing Petition
http://www.animalaiduk.com/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/horse/ALL/1159// Humane research petition
http://www.animalaiduk.com/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/experiments/ALL/1163// Against culling of flying foxes in Mauritius
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/170015062.?ltl=1161883638 Help Free Bill, The Chimpanzee, From Solitary
Confinement
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/902584609?ltl=1161883673
Petition to end the factory farming of ducks
http://timetogoveggie.com/jakepetition/index.php
Disclaimer: All items published in this magazine were received by us and we pass them on in good faith. We are not responsible for incorrect email addresses, errors, omissions etc. by the originators. INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS
This Magazine published by
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