“Just received this exciting news in an email from PCRM.”
I am writing with important news. This week, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service proposed extending full endangered species status to all captive chimpanzees in the U.S., including those currently being used in laboratory experiments. If this rule is adopted it could have a major effect on chimpanzees used in experiments.
Currently, while wild chimpanzees are afforded full protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, their captive counterparts are not. The proposed rule extends protection to all chimpanzees, including those currently in laboratories.
The proposed rule follows an announcement earlier this year by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) working group, which recommended that nearly all federally owned chimpanzees currently in laboratories be retired to sanctuaries. We are awaiting NIH’s final plan for implementing those recommendations.
The new rule is another step in the right direction. It is subject to a 60-day comment period, and, of course, PCRM is weighing in. As the Fish & Wildlife Service rulemaking process moves forward we will keep you informed.
“For centuries, Man & Wolf lived together as they roamed the lands; both respected each other & their personal space. Sure some were killed for their meat or coats…but that was nothing compared to what society kills today in the farming industry; we kill far more than we can really eat…WHY…just because we can!!
“Just watch this poor excuse of a man, (sorry a total knob head) you would think he had struck gold…imbeciles!! What did that wolf ever fxxxxxg do to them? NOTHING!!
“This is nothing but a blood sport!! He caught the wolf with his bullet, but the poor wolf ran for its life; until he had no life left in him…COLD HEARTED KILLERS!!”
Uploaded - December 2012
“Can anyone explain to me WHY these beautiful creatures need to be killed? It’s not for eating, it’s not for clothing as we have both in abundance! NO, THE WOLF IS KILLED PURELY BECAUSE CERTAIN STATES AROUND THE WORLD SAY IT CAN BE…THEREFORE;THOSE THAT TRAP & KILL ANY ANIMAL, DO IT PURELY FOR SPORT OR TROPHY HUNTING. THEY ARE ALL JUST COLD BLOODED KILLERS WHO CALL IT A SPORT…THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.”
After decades of protection, the American Grey Wolf was just barely back from the brink of extinction in 2011.
But then Congress made a rash decision to de-list wolves from the Endangered Species Act. Now trapping and killing of wolves is legal, and as you can see it being carried out with brutal efficiency. Already, more than half the wolves that roamed the Rockies and mid-west are dead. If we don’t act soon, there will be none left.
You can help stop this - Don’t look away. Sign below and share with friends and family who love the wild things so we can live in a world where wolves, and the wilderness they need to survive, can thrive alongside people.
Video 1. Brutal Wolf Killing – “This is cowardly, the wolf is already caught in a trap, nothing butch or manly about this…which is probably why kids are taught to kill them with guns!! After the wolf is shot…Guy in video says “Ha ha ha ha…that’s the end of her!”
Published on 28 Nov 2012
This video is hard to watch for anyone who’s ever loved wolves or wildlife. but we’re asking you not to look away. Right now in 5 states trapping and killing of wolves like this is totally legal. It’s all because of a rash and ill-informed decision made by Congress. But we need President Obama to act NOW to save the wolves.
“Another video; where the shooter is killing a sentient being, caught in a trap, so it can’t retaliate or even fight for its life…this is just a pathetic blood sport?”
Video 2. Second Wisconsin Wolf Killed;” Listen to the guy talk, as if he just fought off a wild lion…pathetic! Guy in video says “Yes sir, that’s the best thing I ever seen in my life!!”
“Please sign any & all petitions to stop the idiotic killing of an animal that has lived in harmony with man; for centuries!”
“Watch & listen to just a few of the many beautiful songs & videos created by my dear friend & animal warrior; Louise Du Toit. Louise manages to encapsulate the thoughts & feelings of animals, along with the daily struggles they have to endure, against their biggest enemy; man! Enchanting melodies, with an angelic voice, Louise has written many songs along with videos to educate & create public awareness to the plight of animal abuse etc. This is one of my personal favourites; from her album “Ode To Magnificence”
I am wolf, I am the true spirit of nature a perfect creation walking beside you, guiding your senses to see the invisible.
I am a predator, preserving the delicate balance of nature, a sentient being no more evil or righteous than any other creature, born with everything I need to survive.
I am intelligent, courageous, strong, a true survivor, devoted to my family, loyal to my pack, the defender of my territory.
Mankind has chosen me as its enemy, lack of knowledge, brought fear, bred hatred, enveloped in a dark cloud of demonic imagination.
Like countless other earthlings, I am shamelessly persecuted.
My true destination, will only become visible when humans discard their imaginary fear, false legends phantasmal myths, to seek the truth!
Music, text and vocal performance by Louise du Toit in Greece, 2012. Video created and produced by Louise du Toit. The copyrights to the music and lyrics are reserved by the artist. The images in this video are not the property of the producer. This video was made as a contribution to the salvation of wolves, for non-profit educational purposes, without any intention of commercial advantage or private financial gain. There is no intention of copyright infringement either.
“Other songs performed by Louise Du Toit:-Howl Across America - Video on YouTube:-
The song for HOWL ACROSS AMERICA was written by Louise du Toit as a contribution to the August 2011 events, organized by NIWA (Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance), Wolf Warriors, Howling For Justice and individual wolf advocates around the world, protesting against the killing of wolves. Music, lyrics, performance and recording by Louise du Toit in Greece, 2011. Video created and produced by Louise du Toit. The copyrights to the music and lyrics are reserved by the artist. The images in this video are not the property of the producer. This video was made as a contribution to the salvation of wolves, for nonprofit educational purposes, without any intention of commercial advantage or private financial gain. There is no intention of copyright infringement either.
Created by members of NIWA (Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance), Wolf Warriors, and Howling For Justice, HOWL ACROSS AMERICA is calling on all wolf advocates to speak up for the wolves in August 2011. Please join their page at the following link and add your voice of protest against the war on our precious wolves:
“Ode to the Wolves” is an artistic tribute to all wolves, written to raise awareness about the endless atrocities they endure from humans all over the world, with a positive message to support the plight of the wolves and to end their suffering.
The show is designed to make people believe Lolita is having fun.
Meet Lolita: an intelligent and sensitive orca, confined to the smallest orcatank in North America.
This life means daily misery for Lolita, but big bucks for the Miami Seaquarium. And, even though her shameful living conditions clearly violate the Animal Welfare Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) continues to hand out AWA licenses to the Seaquarium.
The Animal Legal Defense Fundis outraged and petitioning the USDA to give Lolita the justice she so rightly deserves.
Lolita was one of seven orcas kidnapped in the notorious 1970 Penn Cove round up in Puget Sound, Washington. In this horrific event, when four orcas (three calves) drowned in the nets, their bellies were slit in an attempt by human captors to sink the bodies and perhaps to hide this shameful waste of life. However, the bodies of the dead orcas washed ashore and lead to righteous public outrage. You can hear the cries of Lolita and her family in the devastating video footage of her family’s capture.
“For some reason I couldn’t see the video that would play on that page; so I have included this video instead, which has some of the soundtrack from that capture!”
Footage shot by KING TV in the early 1970′s of the early killer whale captures in Puget Sound.
“In this video one of the divers from that day, explains what happened, he still shed tears to this day!”
“Orca Stories” from “Baby Wild Films Presents: The Killer Whale People”
“Another video that show’s part of capture of the whales”
“A promo stunt goes badly wrong when a theme park secretary is given the opportunity to ride on the back of a killer whale; but it goes terribly wrong & the women ends up having over 100 stitches to close the wound on her leg! I don’t think this whale did this out of malice, I think it’s out of sheer frustration; the pools they swim in are like bath tubs to the orcas!”
“Please sign the petition, do anything you can to have these beautiful mammals put back where they belong…in the WILD”
In the wild, orcas spend their entire lives with their mothers and family bonds last a lifetime. In 1996, twenty-six years after her capture, Lolita was played a recording of her family’s calls. Heartbreakingly, Lolita returned the distinct dialect of her family’s calls, in clear recognition of familiar voices. And at more than 80 years old, Lolita’s mother still thrives in a seaside sanctuary in their home waters, just waiting for Lolita to come home.
Performers literally ride on Lolita’s back for profit.
Instead, because she brings in profit, Lolita swims tiny circles in a shallow and barren cement tank that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. Constantly exposed to the burning Miami sun and tropical storms, Lolita has been without any orca companion for three decades.
In the beginning, Lolita had the company of Hugo, a male orca who shared her tank from 1971 until 1980. They mated, but in her stressful environment Lolita suffered unsuccessful pregnancies. In 1980, in what many believe was a desperate attempt to break free from his miserable prison, or commit suicide, Hugo continuously rammed his head into the side of the tank and died of a brain aneurysm Since Hugo’s sudden death in 1980, which left Lolita sulking at the bottom of her tank in a state “not unlike bereavement,” Lolita has not had a killer whale companion.
As a reward for her own extraordinary will to live, Lolita has been exploited for 42 years. She was abducted from her family and enslaved purely for the profit of the “amusement” park. Despite shameful and inhumane living conditions, Lolita endures – and her survivor spirit has haunted the hearts of people around the world. But given the low quality of her life at Seaquarium, it is likely she will die decades before her time, unless we act now, as we did for Keiko (“Willy”). It is time for us to set Lolita free.
This is why ALDF is doing everything it can to help return Lolita to her family. In addition to a petition to stop the USDA’s unmerited renewal of the Seaquarium’s AWA license, ALDF (along with PETA) is suing theNational Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to end the exclusion of Lolita from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of the Pacific Northwest’s Southern Resident orcas.
ALDF is asking the courts to intervene where federal agencies – charged with protecting Lolita – have repeatedly failed her. “The horror of Lolita’s confinement is almost inconceivable” says Jenni James, litigation fellow at ALDF. “It is time for the government to grant her the legal protections she has been denied for decades.”
What You Can Do to Help
Do not buy a ticket to any amusement park with captive orcas, especially the Miami Seaquarium.
Educate yourself, educate your friends, and spread the word.
Arrange a screening of Lolita: Slave to Entertainment at your school, community center, library, or local community television station.
Do not support companies like Princess Cruises (a division of Carnival Cruises) that endorse animal cruelty at the Seaquarium.
Contact the USDA and ask them to follow the law provided in the Animal Welfare Act.
Lolita the orca is kept in a tank so small that it fails to meet minimum legal size requirements and offers no protection from the burning sun—clear violations of theAnimal Welfare Act. Lolita was taken from her family as a young orca and has spent over 40 years in this barren tank, being forced to entertainMiamiSequarium patrons.
The government’s failure to provide Lolita with the protections enjoyed by the wild members of her pod has enabled the Miami Seaquarium to keep her in conditions that violate the Endangered Species Act. Lolita must be granted the protections under federal law which she is rightfully due and which best ensure her survival and well-being, which—depending on her condition—could include transferring her to a sea pen in her home waters and releasing her back to her family pod.
In the wild, orcas live in tight family units with bonds that may last a lifetime. At Seaquarium, Lolita swims endless circles in a small, barren tank that does not comply with USDA regulations. This highly intelligent and social animal has been without an orca companion since 1980.
Sign ALDF’s petition to the National Marine Fisheries Service, urging them to include captive members of Lolita’s Southern Resident pod in ESA protections.
U.S. Congress has never before ousted an animal or plant from Endangered Species Act protections — until now. In August, a federal district court ruled to NOT delist Western gray wolves. The case is still open on appeal. Yet Congress ignored separation of powers (between judicial and legislative branches) by taking matters into their own hands. A rider attached to the recently passed spending bill delists wolves, thereby deleting their federal safety net.
This political maneuver is unconstitutional and leaves wolves in the crossfire of state-sponsored killing. Idaho already conducted a hunt by helicopter in which wolves are cornered and shot at point blank range. Last year, pups and mothers were gassed inside their dens.
America’s wolves were nearly eradicated in the 20th century. Now, after a remarkable recovery in parts of the country, our wolves are once again in serious danger.
Federal sharpshooters are preparing for aerial wolf killing in Northern Idaho.
In Montana, the anti-wolf Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife are offering a $100 bounty per dead wolf.
Wyoming is moving forward with a plan that would allow wolves to be shot on sight across much of the state, including in National Forests and in some of the best available gray wolf habitat in the state.
Politicians in the Southwest are preventing the release of Mexican gray wolves into the wild – despite critically low wolf numbers that threaten a second extinction in the wild for these rare wolves.
This is an inspirational, visual & vocal tribute to wolves, from my dear friend & sister animal warrior; Louise Du Toit. Louise has lent her musical talents to fight the injustices of many sentient beings, the world over. In this song ’Ode to the Wolves’ her enchanting voice, echo’s the travesties these wolves face, in their daily battle to survive. Once upon a time it was just the hunters the wolves feared, but now they stare death in the face, from the sky too…as Louise say’s ‘Where can you hide’!”
“Ode to the Wolves” is an artistic tribute to all wolves, written to raise awareness about the endless atrocities they endure from humans all over the world, with a positive message to support the plight of the wolves and to end their suffering…. Louise Du Toit”
The music and lyrics of “Ode to the Wolves” were written by Louise du Toit and the paintings in the video were done by fierce wolf protector, author and artist, Vincent Arthur Kennard, with the purpose of accompanying the song.
“We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.” ~Albert Schweitzer, The Philosophy of Civilization
Authorities are now offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that helps catch whoever killed a an animal believed to be a wolf found in mid-March in northeast Oregon.
Oregon State Police are still waiting genetic tests to confirm that the animal killed in Union County was a wolf, but are investigating the case as a crime. They haven’t said how the animal died.
Despite the endangered-species status of the southern resident orcas, the federal government is refusing to offer imprisoned orca Lolita the same protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that the rest of her family pod enjoys.
The Miami Seaquarium and the federal government filed motions to get the case dismissed, and the judge acquiesced on timing grounds—he didn’t address the merits of the case—meaning that the Miami Seaquarium can continue to confine Lolita to the smallest orca tank in North America (the orca equivalent of a bathtub), prevent her from interacting with any members of her own species, deny her appropriate protection from the sun, and force her to perform silly tricks. But PETA and the ALDF are already regrouping and planning our next move, and the lawsuit’s dismissal is merely a hitch in our efforts to see Lolita released into a seaside sanctuary in her home waters.
You Can Help
Please send a polite e-mail to Eric C. Schwabb, assistant administrator for fisheries, urging him to give Lolita her rightful protection under the ESA.
We saw it coming. When Congress stripped federal protections from wolves in the Northern Rockies one year ago, we warned that hundreds of wolves in the region would be killed.
It’s especially bad in Idaho. Broken promises and political pandering to anti-wolf extremists has led to the elimination of more than 400 wolves — almost half the state’s wolf population — in just one year.
Starting today, we’re marking the first anniversary of wolf delisting with a series of actions aimed at shining the national spotlight on Idaho’s extreme wolf-killing policies — and the dangers it poses to wolf recovery in the American West.
Idaho officials aren’t stopping as the death toll surpasses 400 — they’re aiming to kill off as many wolves as possible until they drive the population down to 150. Officials have already changed their rules to make it even easier for hunters and trappers to kill even more wolves.
It’s clear that Idaho’s goal is to drive wolves down to the barest minimum of 150 wolves — decimating the state’s wolf population down to minimum numbers.
This is not wolf management. It’s a backwards attempt to once again eliminate an ecologically important predator from the landscape.
Federal officials delisted wolves in the Northern Rockies based on Idaho’s commitment to maintain between 518 and 732 wolves. But the governor broke this promise, leading to Idaho’s policy of killing off hundreds of wolves. This gives new unfortunate meaning to the old phrase of “bait and switch.”
Quite simply, Idaho is refusing to treat wolves as wildlife — pursuing a path of targeting wolves as vermin, using troubling tactics:
No quota limit throughout most of the state on the number of wolves that can be killed through hunting;
Allowing hunting for 8-10 months out of the year, which includes through denning season in some areas;
Increasing the number of wolves that can be hunted, trapped or snared per person;
Using aerial gunning to wipe out entire packs of wolves to artificially boost game populations;
These extreme policies only feed a frenzy of anti-wolf rhetoric in the state.
Wolf recovery is one of the most important conservation success stories in this country. We can’t let Idaho’s extreme actions turn back the clock. Related articles
Adding to the polar bear‘s bleak prospects under climate change, risky offshore drilling and toxic contamination, the international trade in endangered species parts is booming. The price for polar bear fur reached a record high this year as the bears’ numbers shrink along with their sea-ice habitat.
The United States granted the polar bear Endangered Species Act protections in 2008, but Canada refused to extend similar protections to its bears last year and remains the world leader in polar bear sport-hunting and commercial trade. The Center for Biological Diversity is pressing Canada to stop its egregious overharvest.
Please ask the Fish and Wildlife Service to take a stand for polar bears and champion these urgently needed trade restrictions.
You might recall that last fall, PETA convinced Simon Property Group, the largest real estate company in the country, to ban exotic-animal exhibits at all its properties. At one mall that Simon owns in Winchester, Virginia, Cole Bros. Circus makes an annual appearance during the city’s Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, which means that Cole Bros. would have to skip this city altogether or use only human performers in its show—no animals whatsoever.
To our surprise, that is just what the circus is doing! The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival announced that Cole Bros. had created “a new-concept circus in 2012 entitled ‘Circus of the Stars‘ that they feel will be just as dazzling and just as amazing as previous circuses.” I’m of the opinion that seeing a circus replete with daring and funny human performers would be considerably more exciting than watching frightened, abused animals forced to do silly tricks.
Cole Bros. has a long history of repeatedly violating the Animal Welfare Act and recently incurred a $15,000 fine after PETA filed two complaints with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the physical safety and psychological well-being of two of its elephants. It was also forced to pay $150,000 for illegally selling endangered elephants to someone wholly unable to provide them with proper care, in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
But this humans-only circus is a great start toward making Cole Bros.’ abuse of animals a thing of the past, and PETA will continue working to have venues host only the circus’s animal-free performances.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
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DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
