Slightly Graphic video; Animals Asia: Anger and sorrow as 13 more bears die in Halong

 “This is cruel, despicable, illegal & heartbreaking. Caught & imprisoned from cub to adult in tiny rusty cages; their world is one of pain, irritation, infection, teeth pulling & repulsive food; literally going stir crazy!! They simply won’t know what it is like to live as a wild bear should, with fresh air, lush grass & trees etc. They can not be returned to the wild as they simply wouldn’t be able to survive; having been kept a prisoner most of their pitiful lives!. Although the video documentary is 43 minutes long, I urge you to watch it, see how Animal Asia started undercover investigation to save these sentient beings. It is hard to imagine how these beautiful bears can still be bought or caught, entrapped some wear a metal jacket around them, with a tube constantly fixed; to extract bile. But it’s not just bile, parts of the bear can also be acquired; the farmers will make money dead or alive.  Public demand warrants this abuse; even though there are now synthetic bear bile products, there is no need for these bears to live & die in a cage; in constant pain. These bears need to be rescued so please help by signing the petition at the end of this blog & share amongst your social media friends etc.”

29 January 2015

Thirteen more bears have died at Cau Trang Bear Farm in Halong Bay, Vietnam bringing the total death toll since November last year to 18.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BELOW

It leaves Cau Trang bear bile farm – at the centre of an international campaign demanding permission to rescue the bears – with only nine remaining bears. The campaign had been backed by over 80,000 animal lovers including celebrities such as Ricky Gervais, Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry and Olivia Newton-John.

In the two months since Animals Asia inspected three farms in the vicinity of the World Heritage Site, 26 of the 49 moon bears – a protected species – are said to have died leaving just 23 alive in Halong City.

(Some scenes are graphic) Although this video is long, please watch it to understand what happens to these poor bears & how Animal Asia came about to rescue them!

“Published on 13 Sep 2012

Watch the hard-hitting, undercover documentary showing the brutality of the bear bile industry across China, which recently won a top award at the Fifth China Ya’an International Panda, Animals and Nature Film Week. The documentary was made by three independent film-makers who devoted four years to its production, visiting small and large bear bile farms, revealing “legal” farms with conditions that are clearly breaking current regulations for such farms in China.”

Having previously focussed just on Cau Trang Farm, Animals Asia is now pressing the Vietnamese government to allow it to bring all 23 remaining bears in the Halong City area to its Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre in nearby Tam Dao.

The latest news has left Animals Asia staff devastated and angry that bears have been allowed to die when an offer for their rescue remains on the table.

Authorities, concerned that the bears are being slaughtered for parts for use in traditional medicine have also ordered that TV cameras cover their burial – as interest in the case continues to grow in Vietnam.

Animals Asia’s Vietnam Director Tuan Bendixsen said:

“The eyes of the country are now on Quang Ninh province and the relevant authorities to see that right course of action is taken. We cannot be sure of the exact details surrounding the bears’ deaths but we can say the farmer chose to let them die. We offered to treat the animals and the offer was rejected. It was the farmer who took the decision to let the animals die. It was a conscious choice. We can only speculate as to his motives.”

The Central Forest Protection Department (FPD) has informed Animals Asia that it is urgently requesting the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) form an investigation team.

The team, expected to include representatives from Central FPD, CITES and MARD’s Nature Conservation Department, would travel to Quang Ninh province to investigate the exact causes of death, whether the correct procedures were followed to dispose of the bodies and to ascertain how the remaining bears can be saved.

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, said:

“These deaths are utterly tragic and unnecessary. It’s heart breaking to learn that so many bears have spent years suffering on the farms, and have now needlessly died when there is a sanctuary ready and willing to give them the life they deserve just a few hours down the road.”

“Through the increased local coverage of the deaths of these bears, Vietnam is seeing the reality and brutality of bear bile farming. While their deaths have shone a spotlight on the industry in Vietnam, there was no need for them to die at all.”

“There have been enough delays and we’ve seen what that has achieved. The time has come to act, and act now. We are beseeching the authorities – let us save the remaining Halong Bay bears before it’s too late.”

Nearly 2,000 bears remain in cages in Vietnam being farmed for their bile for use in traditional medicine – despite the practice being made illegal. Bear bile farming technically became illegal in 1992 when Ministry of Forestry approval became necessary to keep bears. In 2002, bears came under CITES group I, making their exploitation strictly illegal. However it wasn’t until 2005 that the first species-specific regulations were enacted.

Animals Asia has rescued over 500 bears from bear bile farming as part of its work to end bear bile farming in China and Vietnam.

HELP US SAVE THE HALONG BAY BEARS

Emaciated, missing limbs, some near blind, others with open wounds, all starving – these are the animal collateral of Vietnam’s cruel bear bile industry.

Help us force the farmer who profited for years from these poor bears to hand them over to Animals Asia for urgent medical care and rehabilitation.

Sign the petition and ask the Vietnamese government to remove the bears from the farm so Animals Asia can give them the care they deserve.

Animals Asia was founded in 1998 and is devoted to ending the barbaric practice of bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals in China and Vietnam.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION:- http://halong.animalsasia.org/savehalongbears/

NEWS LINK:- https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/media/news/news-archive/anger-and-sorrow-as-13-more-bears-die-in-halong.html

The ISSUES ABOUT BEAR BILE FARMING

More than 10,000 bears – mainly moon bears, but also sun bears and brown bears – are kept on bile farms in China, and just under 2,000 in Vietnam. The bears are milked regularly for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine.

Bile is extracted using various painful, invasive techniques, all of which cause massive infection in the bears. This cruel practice continues despite the availability of a large number of effective and affordable herbal and synthetic alternatives.

Most farmed bears are kept in tiny cages. In China, the cages are sometimes so small that the bears are unable to turn around or stand on all fours. Some bears are put into cages as cubs and never released. Bears may be kept caged like this for up to 30 years. Most farmed bears are starved, dehydrated and suffer from multiple diseases and malignant tumours that ultimately kill them.

“PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO HELP SAVE THE REMAINING BEARS! “

News Link:–https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/our-work/end-bear-bile-farming/

Dog ‘tortured’ in Limerick given new home in the UK

“There are some evil sadistic people on this planet, that should not be able to breathe the same air as decent folk. I certainly hope they are found & get what they deserve!”

By Donal O’Regan Published 23/01/2015

A PUPPY ‘tortured’ in Limerick has found a new home in England.

The public have raised over €3,400 for George, a five-month-old Terrier, to pay for veterinary operations. He was rescued by Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW) after being thrown over a wall in Southill.

George had a broken pelvis, an untreated eye injury, both hips broken, ear tips cut off, burns to his stomach and his whiskers singed off.

LAW’s Kilfinane sanctuary manager, Marie Quirke said he had been “tortured so badly that he is terrified of people.” In the past three weeks he has been nursed back to health by LAW staff.

“George came home on Saturday from Noah Veterinary Clinic in Baldoyle where orthopaedic surgeon Billy McCartney performed an operation on both his hips to stabilise them using pins. He will need to be on strictly confined rest for four weeks to allow the healing process to work. He is on antibiotics and pain relief. Little George will need to have check-ups with John O’Dwyer, a vet in Henry Street to make sure everything is going well,” said Marie, who wished to thank Mr McCartney, all at Noah, Mr O’Dwyer and everyone who contributed to George’s veterinary care fund on their Facebook page.

“Any money over and above the cost of George’s treatment will go towards two other dogs in our care who also need expensive operations to injuries sustained in road traffic accidents,” said Marie.

After a terrible start to life for George is going to live in the lap of luxury for the rest of his days in England.

Animal lover, Coral Plunkett, got in touch with LAW.

“Having read the cruelty this little man suffered and the battle to recover which faced him I didn’t think twice. I contacted LAW and offered him a home with Matt, Connie and Hannah, also adopted from LAW.

“After speaking with Marie there was no hesitation on my part in naming him George, after St George. Unfortunately George is one of many, you could say he is one of the lucky ones.

The work undertaken by LAW is just amazing and they are totally reliant on the generosity of people, so to have raised over €3,000 for George is just fantastic. Offering your heart and your home to a rescue animal is one of the best investments you will ever make, it will be repaid with love, loyalty and commitment,” said Coral.

News Link:-http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/community/dog-tortured-in-limerick-given-new-home-in-the-uk-1-6537663

 

Cat Carer Julie Newnham Spared Jail After Being Convicted Of Letting Animals Suffer

“When are Judges going to man up, grow a pair & start kicking some ass? Suspended sentence for 12 months, why the hell do they bother mentioning prison if the culprit isn’t going? The RSPCA has lost cost of over £4,000, the culprit should be made to pay the full vet fees & any hospitalization for animals in a mess under the culprits care. Oh, lets not forget the terrible sentence of having to do some unpaid work, boo hoo! No cats for 10 years, well that’s not too long, she can have dogs or rabbits until then! 

“Seriously, what is the point of taking these cases to court if the person doesn’t have to pay for their crime. There is little wonder charity’s like the RSPCA don’t take all cases to court…they can’t bloody afford to. Jail should mean Jail, unpaid work should be back-breaking work, shovelling shit at a rescue farm, & no animals, well that should be for life! These people let animals suffer & die…with the judicial system as it is, there is no wonder there are so many at it, the punishment is no deterrent at all!!”

“I am so bloody sick of hearing excuses like “got into problems, couldn’t afford to feed them, got ill…so fxxxxxg what!!! I’m retired, due to being disabled & have to get by with disability benefits. Most days I’m bed bound, yet my 3 dogs & 2 horses still get the best of care, just because I’m ill is no excuse to not feed or care for them, you get help from family or friends. But if you’re in that situation in the first place, animals are the last thing you need, they are expensive to keep. If I couldn’t afford to care for mine, then, as much as it would break my heart, if  friends couldn’t take them, I would contact the RSPCA to help me, before they started to become sick & skinny.. .that’s what you do when you really love animals…you put their health & care first!!!

A jobless mum who took in more than 30 cats has been banned from keeping them for 10 years after being found guilty of animal cruelty.

Julie Newnham, 38, advertised her home on the internet as being a haven for unwanted animals.

Scores of people who could no longer care for their pets took them to her thinking they would lead a healthy and safe life.

Why does she look like she is wearing a cat?

However, Newnham – pictured right – has now been found guilty of a string of animal cruelty charges – but spared an immediate jail sentence.

When RSPCA inspectors went to her home, in Homeside, Borrows Lane, Middle Stoke, on the Isle of Grain, after a tip-off they found four cats in very poor condition.They were emaciated, flee-ridden and had sores and ulcers. One cat – called Ruby – was so ill, she had to be put down.

There were said to be 33 cats at Newnham’s home as well as two dogs owned by her husband.

The cats were also suffering from diarrhoea. Some had sores, had suffered hair loss and were covered in faeces.

Newnhan allowed the cats to be taken by the RSPCA inspectors. They were all taken to a vet and given emergency treatment and pain relief. Unfortunately, Ruby did not recover and had to be put down.

RUBY – Julie Newnham’s cat ruby was so emaciated she had to be put down

Newnham was charged with four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and two counts of failing in her duty of care as she was responsible for ensuring the animal’s welfare.

She was found guilty in her absence after not turning up for a court hearing in September. A warrant was issued for her arrest and she was brought back before the courts a few days later.

Her case was adjourned to allow pre-sentencing reports to be completed and she was sentenced before magistrates in Medway.

Andrew Wiles, prosecuting for the RSPCA said: “The cats were extremely thin and sneezing and suffering hair loss and diarrhoea. Some were covered in faeces and had large flee burdens.

“One cat had discharged coming out of his eyes and was very thin, and had a ulcer in the right eye, it was at risk of losing it if the ulcer had burst.”

Mr Wiles said the total cost of the treatment for the cats and the subsequent investigation to the charity was more than £5,200 – and asked magistrates to consider awarding costs.

Jeremy Betts, defending, told the court Newnham had good intentions when she took in the cats, but did not have the means or finances to deal with them if they became ill.

He told magistrates she had overstretched herself and that she no longer advertises her services on-line  He said the cats’ ill treatment was not a deliberate act and that his client just could not cope.

Magistrates jailed Newnham for 12 weeks – but suspended the sentence for 12 months – and banned her from keeping cats for 10 years. She was also ordered to carry out 240 hours’ unpaid work and pay a contribution of £1,202.80 towards the charity’s costs.

Magistrate John Weir said: “Any right thinking person would have realised that these cats needed help.”

News Link:–http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/october/12/julie_newnham.aspx

Infection Kills Rescued Tusker In Coimbatore

 

The 50-year-old single tusker, which was rescued on Monday, was found dead on Tuesday evening near Karadimadai.

People paying homage on Wednesday to a 50-year old male elephant that died in a farm land, near Karadimadai on Tuesday evening.

On Monday, after receiving information that the tusker was seen in a feeble state, the Forest Department carried out a day-long effort to revive it. After administering intravenous fluids and medicines, the authorities, using a kumki elephant and an earthmover, lifted the elephant and made it stand on its legs by the evening.

On Tuesday evening, the tusker was again found lying in a feeble condition. By the time rescue and relief measures were put in place, it had breathed its last.

People from villages in and around Madampatti and Karadimadai paid homage to the tusker on Tuesday night and throughout Wednesday till officials began a post-mortem.

District Forest Officer V. Thirunavukkarasu, forest veterinarian N.S. Manoharan, Range Officers S.M. Natarajan and M. Nazir performed the autopsy.

Medical examination revealed that the death was caused by excessive parasitic load in the alimentary canal of the elephant’s biological system. Liver discoloration was also observed. Intestinal bleeding and reduced intake of food had turned the animal weak, officials said.

Liver samples were removed and would be sent to the toxicology laboratory of the Veterinary Institute in Chennai. Laboratory reports will throw light on the reason for the liver discoloration.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Mr. Thirunavukkarasu said that as regards parasite factor, the Forest Department was administering disinfection tablets by putting them in salt licks created by it along waterholes.

The department had carried out extensive disinfection drives to avert death of wildlife caused by parasites in problem-prone pockets such as Sirumugai and Mettupalayam and it is being done in the other four ranges as well.

Having come across the death of an elephant due to parasitic load, Mr. Thirunavukkarasu said that range officers have been instructed to step up the disinfection drive in all six ranges by administering tablets through salt licks in almost all water holes in the forests and fringe areas.

News Link:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3776212.ece