‘Lion Ark’ Documentary Showcases Animals’ Rescue From Illegal Bolivian Circuses (VIDEO)

From Mother Nature Network’s Laura Moss:

An undercover investigation by Animal Defenders International or ADI led to a 2009 ban on circus animals in Bolivia. The circuses were given a year to comply with the law, but many kept their animals, including a number of lions, caged in deplorable conditions.

Bam Bam is the leader of the first pride that was released into their into their 20-acre outdoor habitat of the 25 circus lions airlifted from Bolivia to the Wild Animal Sanctuary. (Photo By Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

In 2010, with the aid of Bolivian wildlife officials, ADI stepped in.

“Lion Ark” follows ADI’s team as they track down eight illegal circuses, face off against angry circus owners and race against time to transport 25 lions to a Colorado animal sanctuary.

The movie opens in the middle of a confrontation between rescuers and a knife-wielding circus owner, and through a series of interviews and flashbacks, viewers learn how ADI located the illegal circus in a remote Bolivian town.

Over the course of the film, rescuers track down filthy, starving lions — some living eight to a cage — and transport them 5,000 miles to freedom.

Although the film features appearances by Bob Barker and “CSI“-star Jorja Fox, the lions are the real stars of the movie — especially Colo Colo, an aggressive 12-year-old lion that’s spent his entire life in the same small cage.

He claws and snarls at rescuers, and when he’s finally released into a more spacious holding cage, Colo Colo launches himself at ADI President Jan Creamer who calms him with a drink from a watering can. When the lion is finally released and walks on grass for the first time, it’s one of the most poignant moments of the film.

Today, the 25 lions — many of which spent years confined to a cage by themselves — live in prides at the 320-acre The Wild Animal Sanctuary near Denver in one of the largest captive lion enclosures in the world.

“Lion Ark” will be on the international film festival circuit in June. To find a screening near you, visit the movie’s website. Check out the trailer below.

Trailer & News Link:-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/lion-ark-documentary-animal-rescue_n_3385212.html

Lion Ark

The sampler( below in link) was made as we started work on Lion Ark, it gives a taste of this action driven documentary following the world’s most ambitious and daring animal rescue, with a narrative meticulously compiled from interviews, conversations and the reactions of participants as events actually unfolded.

The making of Lion Ark & lots more interesting clips: http://www.lionarkthemovie.com/

ADI New Video: Elephant Training At Have Trunk Will Travel – No Fun For Elephants

Animals in entertainment

Animal Defenders International’s undercover investigations go behind the scenes, exposing the abuses wherever animals are forced to perform, including movies, circuses, advertisements, special events and rides. In fact, many of the companies provide animals across this spectrum of entertainment. For example, in Perris, California, ADI captured on video the trainers and owners of Have Trunk Will Travel violently beating and electric shocking their elephants in training sessions and routine husbandry.

These elephants including Tai and Rosie, the famed movie stars of ‘Water for Elephants’ and ‘Zookeeper’, are also hired out for weddings, elephant rides at county fairs, TV ads, and even forced to travel cross-country to do ridiculous tricks in the circus. You can help ADI shine a spotlight on and end the abuse of animals in entertainment. ADI conducts letter writing and email campaigns to legislators, studios, advertising firms and local newspaper editors, and organizes outreach events when the circus comes to town. Find our current campaigns and how you can help detailed below. Together, we will make a difference!

Click here:- http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/

News Letters:-http://www.ad-international.org/newsletter/

Out Of Control ADI Parliamentary Briefing: Wild Animals in Circuses PDF Document:- https://www.ad-international.org/admin/downloads/adi_parlbrief_circus_regulation_oct_2011f.pdf

Elephant Training at Have Trunk Will Travel

Published on 21 Mar 2013

ADI investigation of Have Trunk Will Travel, based in California, which shows trainers and owners violently beating and electric shocking their elephants in training sessions and routine husbandry.

Support our campaign to end the use of animals in entertainment 
http://www.ad-international.org/anima…

No Fun For Elephants!

PLEASE WATCH & SHARE this incredible new video “No Fun for Elephants” narrated by Bob Barker and help ADI end the use of elephants giving rides at fairs, performing in circuses, and making appearances at parades and other events in the United States. ADI is sending copies of the DVD, which features our undercover footage, to fair and event organizers all over the country. PLEASE HELP ADI STOP THE SUFFERING – Donate now to help this campaign and our investigations.

Get involved – send a polite email or letter to event organizers in your neighborhood, urging them to stop offering elephant rides. Email usa@ad-international.orgfor information.

Click here to learn more.

Donate now to help this campaign and our investigations

No Fun For Elephants!

Published on 28 Feb 2013

Animal Defenders International (ADI) has launched the first nationwide initiative in the U.S. about the use of elephants giving rides or making appearances at public events. At the heart of the campaign is a new DVD narrated by Emmy award winning TV host Bob Barker entitled ‘No Fun For Elephants,’ featuring harrowing undercover footage from inside elephant training facilities in California, as well as abuse of an elephant on tour by a Texas-owned company. The ‘No Fun For Elephants’ DVD is being mailed to event organizers across the U.S., including board members of county fairs, renaissance fairs and organizers of town parades, urging them to adopt a humane ‘no elephant rides or performances’ policy, in view of the suffering these animals endure. 

For more information: 
http://www.ad-international.org/anima….

Toronto Council votes to send zoo’s elephants to California — again

 Elephants Going To PAWS At Last, Hope they have a Happy Christmas, best of luck to them all xxxx

After a year of political wrangling and opposition from Toronto Zoo staff, city council has reaffirmed its decision to send the zoo’s three ageing elephants to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in California.

Zoo management, who had opposed the move, indicated after the 32-8 vote that they will abide by council’s edict.

One of the Toronto Zoo’s elephants wanders near a transport crate placed in the elephant paddock for the animals to get used to. A year after the decision was made to send the last three to California, only to meet with strong opposition from Zoo staff, the original decision has been reaffirmed.

“I think it’s disappointing but we also have to accept the decision of council and move on,” said John Tracogna, the zoo’s chief executive officer.

Council has had the benefit of receiving a lot of information over the past year. It still thinks the sanctuary is the best place, and zoo management is now prepared to accept that, Tracogna said.

“The public debate on this issue has occurred, and so we’ve got the direction and we’ll move on.”

Zoo staff vehemently disagreed with council’s decision in October 2011, in part because of PAWS’s lack of accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and then because of concerns about disease at the sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif. Staff hoped to send the elephants to a new, accredited sanctuary under construction in Florida instead.

“There was concern around tuberculosis at the facility,” Tracogna said. “But council’s heard all this and made their decision so we have to respect that.

“We’ve had a public debate. The information has come out fully. Council has made a decision.”

He noted that there are logistical hurdles to overcome, and stressed it’s up to PAWS to come up with an acceptable plan to fly the elephants westward.

“A good part of it is having a sound transportation plan that is going to move the elephants safely,” Tracogna said, adding he believes retired game show host and animal advocate Bob Barker, who had offered to pick up transportation costs, is still willing to do so.

“Basically we need a transportation plan from PAWS that’s going to be safe and meet all the requirements to fly three elephants all that distance. Along with that, we need the proper permits and the proper crate training.”

Tracogna couldn’t give a timetable to move the elephants, but councillors who pushed for the move want to see it happen as soon as possible.

“We just want to do what’s best for our elephants, and that’s what we did here today,” said Councillor Michelle Berardinetti, who has fought hard for the move.

“We did that a year ago, but we saw that they dragged their feet. They found every reason to drag their feet. You saw a sound decision by council once again. Sending them to PAWS is the best place.”

Not so, said Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby, who fought the move.

“They’re sending them to a facility that’s got TB, active TB. Why would you do that?” she said.

“I can’t understand what goes through some of these people’s minds. They are our elephants; one was born here. How could you do that to them? But council rules supreme, even though I certainly can’t agree with it.”

 News Link:–http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/cityhallpolitics/article/1294168–toronto-council-votes-to-send-zoo-s-elephants-to-california-again

Adopt* A PAWS “Wild Child”

For Yourself Or To Give As A Gift

Adopting a PAWS animal helps us provide nutritious food, veterinarian care and an enriching habitat for your animal — and you’ll have the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re making a difference in the life of a PAWS animal.

Adoptive parents receive:

•  Biography of their adopted animal
• Certificate of adoption and a color photograph
• A guest pass to one regular PAWS ARK 2000 open house (special events are not included)
• Periodic updates about the adopted animal
• Periodic mailings and invitations to special events
• PAWS online E-NEWS (Adoptive parent’s email address must be provided. Recipient may opt out at any time and no email address will ever be sold or given away.)
• Opportunities to take direct action to help captive wildlife

Happy ele day’s

PAWS:-http://www.pawsweb.org/about_paws_home_page.html

Bob Barker Launches Campaign to Keep Animals Safe on Film Sets

 

Bob Barker and The Simpson’s co-creator Sam Simon have teamed up to spearhead a new animal rights campaign to keep creatures safe from harm on movie and TV sets.

The two celebrities have joined People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals activists in calling for the reform of the No Animals Harmed… label given to film projects that are given the American Humane Association (AHA)’s stamp of approval whenever horses, dogs, cats and other furry friends are used.

Barker and Simon will stage a press conference to launch the campaign on Thursday, when they will ask AHA officials to investigate claims that animals are being mistreated on sets.

Peta bosses claim the AHA has failed to adequately oversee several recent and current film and TV productions, where animals have been injured and killed.

The campaign launch comes just months after Peta chiefs won a major battle with TV executives at HBO over horse racing drama Luck following the deaths of two horses.

The animal rights activists fought to shut the set down after the tragedies and creators and producers agreed to cease production.

The projects that have come under fire for questionable treatment of animals include The Lone Ranger, There Will Be Blood, Failure to Launch and The Hobbit.

Peta bosses have revealed they received information about the mistreatment of animals on these and other film sets from “whistle-blowers” after they released leaked information about the deaths of the horses on the set of Luck.

Announcing the new campaign to force AHA officials to take action, Peta’s Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo tells WENN, “Moviegoers can’t rely on the assurance that ‘no animals were harmed’ if the very people standing on film sets to safeguard animals are the ones placing animals at risk. The reports of complicity and complacency that Peta has received suggest a broken system that must be fixed immediately, before one more animal is injured or killed”

News Link:-http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/Bob+Barker-256738.html

 

Shocking Video: Walmart Pork Supplier Caught Abusing Pigs

Published on 17 Jul 2012 by mercyforanimals

Are your Walmart purchases funding animal abuse? Bob Barker issues a consumer warning following a new Mercy For Animals investigation revealing blatant animal cruelty at a Walmart pork supplier. See the secretly recorded video.

http://www.WalmartCruelty.com
http://www.MercyForAnimals.org

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION BELOW:-

Speak Out Against Walmart’s Cruelty to Pigs

Do you think it’s acceptable to cram an animal into a crate so small she can’t even turn around, lie down comfortably, walk, run, play, or engage in other basic behaviors? Walmart does.In fact, the pork sold at Walmart comes from factory farms where pregnant pigs spend nearly their entire lives locked in narrow, metal gestation crates—cages barely larger than their own bodies.

How do I know? Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I am an investigator with Mercy For Animals, and for more than two months I worked undercover at Christensen Farms, a factory farm that supplies pork to Walmart. The misery and abuse that I witnessed at this factory farm will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Thousands of pregnant pigs were confined to barren metal crates barely larger than their own bodies. These pigs could not turn around. They could not walk. They could not even lie down comfortably. I saw pigs with open wounds and bloody pressure sores from rubbing against the bars of their metal cages or lying on hard concrete. Pigs would constantly ram their heads against their tiny stalls or spend day after day, hour after hour, biting the bars of their cages out of frustration. These intelligent and social animals would go insane from boredom and stress.

While all of the abuses I witnessed at Christensen Farms were horrific, the use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs is perhaps the cruelest factory farming practice in the world. In fact, gestation crates are so cruel they have been banned in nine US states, as well as in the entire European Union.

Recognizing their inherent cruelty, major food providers, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Chipotle, and major grocery retailers, including Safeway, Kroger, Kmart, Costco and Whole Foods, have all started demanding their suppliers do away with these cruel crates. But Walmart continue to support blatant animal abuse by selling pork from suppliers who confine pigs in tiny crates.

I am asking that you help the pigs whose suffering I witnessed, as well as the millions of others across the nation who are subjected to similar abuses. Please take a moment to sign my petition urging Walmart to do the right thing and demand their pork suppliers stop confining pigs in cruel gestation crates.

Thank you.

“John”
Undercover Investigator

http://www.change.org/petitions/speak-out-against-walmart-s-cruelty-to-pigs

News Link & other information about the above:–http://www.walmartcruelty.com/#take_action

“I have just found the following article, which links to this video & decided it should be posted with the above. I can’t post the findings due to copyright but basically its as follows:-

A panel of farm animal care specialists established to analyze undercover video investigations at livestock farms has completed a review of an investigation posted on the internet on July 16, 2012 by the group Mercy For Animals’.

 “Please read the following article below in full, in the mean time, here are a couple of  snippets!!!” .

* Overall, these animals were well taken care of. There were no signs of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect. The sows were clean, free of lesions, calm and in good condition.”

“No signs of abuse or cruelty?? So having injuries, sores, prolapse’s & smashing piglets on concrete…is ok, its standard practice?? WT…It’s barbaric & for so-called professionals to say it’s ok is disgusting…so if this is industry standard, I assume it goes on in all pig farms & it’s all legal & above-board!! This is one reason why I don’t eat meat”

*Castration/Tail Docking – The panel members agreed the methods shown in the video were standard practice and commonly accepted as proper procedure.

“So we have to assume it’s fair & proper to deny piglets of anesthetic, while parts of their bodies are torn out, how bloody cruel is that… but again, these are the experts…this is standard practice & legal. Well I think it’s stinks of animal abuse!! “

The report:–http://www.feedstuffs.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=F4D1A9DFCD974EAD8CD5205E15C1CB42&nm=Daily+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=A3D60400B4204079A76C4B1B129CB433&tier=3&nid=5F665F6B23A54F3681F5922478BF20E0

Bob Barker on the Calgary Stampede rodeo: ‘close it down’

CALGARY — For prominent animal rights activist and TV game show legend Bob Barker, no rodeo is a good rodeo.

Bob Barker says: “I would like very much to see them celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede by saying that is enough animal cruelty.”

Despite efforts by the Calgary Stampede to make its animal events safer for both critters and cowboys, the man who signed off each episode of The Price is Right with a plea for people to neuter there pets would like to see an end to the display of western skills.

“I would like very much to see them celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede by saying that is enough animal cruelty,” Barker said recently in an interview with The Canadian Press. “Let’s wind it up and close it down.”

The Calgary Stampede marks it 100th birthday when it kicks off Friday and still the rodeo remains a lightning rod for controversy.

Rodeo events at the Stampede invariably sell out each year, but concerns over animal welfare have become more prevalent over the last decade and were magnified in 2010 after six horses died.

In 2011, the Stampede adopted new rules for rodeo events and chuckwagon races to try to provide more protection for both human and animal participants.

All horses are now inspected by veterinarians when the animals arrive at the Stampede and before and after every race. There is also a mandatory rest day after every four days of racing.

The number of outriders that accompany each chuckwagon as it thunders around a dirt track was reduced to two from four in an effort to reduce congestion and possible accidents. Several riders have been seriously injured over the years.

The 88-year-old Barker doesn’t buy the attempt.

“I doubt seriously if they’ve made any great strides in making rodeo safe. I don’t know how they could and I would imagine they talk about it more than they actually do.”

He criticized his former game show earlier this year for giving away trips to the Calgary Stampede as part of a prize package.

“I know that every national animal protection organization is absolutely opposed to rodeo and the Calgary Stampede is considered one of the most despicable of all rodeos in the world.”

The criticism doesn’t surprise Stampede organizers.

“You put it in perspective. We have to hold true to our own values and we know in our heart what outstanding treatment we provide for all of our animals in the show,” said Bob Johnson, Stampede vice-chairman.

“We know we’ll never escape opinions from certain elements of the public. But we hold true to ourselves and the excellent treatment we provide in that regard, but we always seek to improve.”

While the Calgary Humane Society has applauded the work of the Stampede around protecting animals and works closely with organizers, the Vancouver Humane Society has been a vocal opponent. It says more than 50 chuckwagon horses have died since 1986.

The Vancouver organization is taking a more measured approach than Barker, asking only that calf roping be banned.

“We do think there are people across Canada, including in Calgary, who have concerns about animal welfare at the rodeo in particular with calf roping. That’s why our campaign objective is to see an end to calf roping at the Stampede and we think that is a reasonable objective,” said Peter Fricker.

“We think it is in terms of the stress and fear and pain the animal is subjected to the worst event at the Stampede and we’re hoping our campaign will continue to raise the concerns about that event.”

“Sorry I have to go with Mr Bob…No rodeo is a good rodeo!!”

News Link:–http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/1222410–bob-barker-on-the-calgary-stampede-rodeo-close-it-down

5 California research monkeys retiring to Oklahoma

LOS ANGELES

Five rhesus monkeys from a California research lab are being retired to anOklahoma sanctuary because of a $200,000 donation from animal activist Bob Barker.

The unidentified research lab, the Mindy’s Memory sanctuary in Newcastle, Okla., and the animal advocacy group Stop Animal Exploitation Now worked out details that will allow the animals to spend the rest of their lives at the primate sanctuary.

The organizations said Tuesday that the monkeys will be moved after the lab staff socializes the animals.

Mindy’s Memory, founded in 1992, is already home to about 100 retired research monkeys, as well as several potbellied pigs and a few dogs, cats and other animals.

News Link:http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/12/4556448/5-california-research-monkeys.html

Sea Shepherd crew | Life aboard the Bob Barker

“A video taken in 2011, I’m posting in support of  Conservation group leader Paul Watson“

With bunk beds in cramped rooms, stickers with slogans such as “Woodchipping Sucks” plastering the walls and the smell of samosas filling the air, this could easily be a backpacker’s hostel.

But life aboard the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society‘s anti-whaling ship Bob Barker is no holiday.

The Bob Barker, named after an American game show host who donated money to buy the ship, is docked in Sydney’s White Bay and will soon make the voyage into the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean for a three-month campaign.

Over summer, the crew of 35 conservationist volunteers will stalk the Japanese whaling ships and brave nature’s whims to put themselves between the hunters and their prey.

The crew will work exhausting days and nights in an ocean known for its dangerous winds and huge waves.

“I think this season down in the Southern Ocean is going to be the most intense year to date,” the ship’s manager, Andrea Gordon, said.

“Sea Shepherd has been getting stronger and more successful every year and last year we saved over 850 whales and we intend to shut them down completely this year.”

We talked to the crew – who were busy doing maintenance and stocking medical and food supplies – about a day in the life of the Bob Barker’s crew at sea.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/whale-watch/it-takes-a-pirate-to-catch-a-pirate-20111102-1mviq.html#ixzz1vPNKK3PQ

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Sea Shepherd crew | Life aboard the Bob Barker, posted with vodpod

Correcting Misinformation About PAWS

PAWS is not a zoo, we are a Sanctuary; we provide a dignified peaceful refuge to injured, abused, unwanted and retired animals. Zoos, on the other hand, seek to form collections of healthy, virile specimens to exhibit and breed in displays that are often inadequate. Fortunately, some zoos are changing their ways.

When it comes to our elephants, our medical issues arrive with the elephant. The same cannot be said for many zoos and circuses which often create foot problems, arthritis and skin diseases in elephants due to lack of space, poor facilities and unnatural substrates. PAWS inherits all of those problems when those animals are retired to PAWS.

Virtually every elephant that comes to PAWS has a history of physical and/or psychological illness, often untreatable.We are the last alternative to the painful and lonely death of an animal who may have suffered most of its life.

With the City of Toronto‘s decision to donate the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS, the question of TB at PAWS has become the focus of certain zoo personnel and other misguided individuals who are opposed to sending the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS in the uninformed belief that their presence at PAWS endangers their welfare.

Read more. . .

Pat Derby addresses the issue of tuberculosis at PAWS in her latest blog. To read . . . click here.

“Some great footage of the ele’s in the rain, I think PAWS  is a fantastic place for elephants, just a shame more zoo’s don’t send their ele’s their, no zoo can afford such space & amenities like PAW does. Surely they deserve to spend their older years in paradise after giving everything to entertain the public?”

AFRICAN ELEPHANTS: RAINY DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN

Published on 18 Apr 2012 by PAWSWEB

April 11, 2012 — PAWS’ ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary, San Andreas, CA. African elephants Maggie, Lulu and Mara.

Related articles

• Bob Barker Pays $880,000 for Private Elephant Flight (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)
• Help Elephants (IDA) – Top Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants – 2011 (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)

Bob Barker Pays $880,000 for Private Elephant Flight

“OMG…I would seriously love to give this gentle compassionate gent a big kiss!  If only more people felt so fondly of animals; much of their suffering would end”

Bob Barker is a hero. Seriously. He’s picked his cause and given not only cash and time, but heart – serious heart – something that is as noble and it is inspirational. One example of heroism would be enough to define a life, but Barker has a portfolio – and this is his latest.

The former “Price is Right” host has reportedly agreed to pay a staggering $880,000 for a private plane capable of flying three elephants from the Toronto Zoo to the Performing Animals Welfare Societyelephant sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif.

The original plan was to transport the elephants via truck – but after Barker learned that one of the animals would be unable to withstand the long trip, he decided air would be better.

Barker said the elephants “have suffered so much for so long and now they have an opportunity to live the rest of their lives at what has been described as `elephant paradise.’ To think that one of them might not survive the trip in a truck touched my heart and purse strings.”

Wow. According to reports, the elephants will travel in crates aboard a massive Russian cargo plane.

So, whatever you’re drinking tonight, remember to raise a glass to Barker. Actions such as these – whether for the betterment of mankind, the lives of animals, or in conservation of the planet – are worth pausing to admire.

Click link to read more:-  Performing Animals Welfare Society – Paws – News letter