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Jasper is still laughing from watching Animal Crackers .... :)
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"The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality." ~Schopenhauer  click photo by Betsy Seeton (in Bali) for list of top 10 worst zoos for elephants FROM IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS (IDA): San Rafael, Calif. - The 2009 list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants, by In Defense of Animals (IDA), exposes the hidden suffering of elephants in zoos. In its sixth year, the list highlights how confinement of these giants to tiny enclosures wreaks havoc on their physical and psychological health and leads to premature death for many. For the first time, the list includes a Canadian entry, the Toronto Zoo. India took the lead internationally last year when it stunned the zoo world by banning elephants in all zoos. Authorities cited problems common to most zoos, such as lack of space, poor breeding, and the absence of any positive effect on elephant conservation. In contrast to India's progressive leadership, North American zoos remain mired in the past, denying the devastating impacts of zoo captivity on elephants, sinking hundreds of millions of dollars into woefully inadequate exhibit renovations, and clinging to archaic and cruel circus-style training methods. The expert testimony in federal court of Mike Keele, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ elephant group head, on behalf of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its brutal elephant handling practices is a mark of just how out of step with progressive elephant care and advocacy most zoos have become. "The Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants list shines a spotlight on the terrible suffering of elephants in zoos," said IDA president Elliot Katz, DVM. "It’s time for North American zoos to join India in recognizing that Earth’s largest land mammals don’t belong in urban zoos which lack the space and complex natural conditions elephants need. Zoos must follow the lead of the two U.S. sanctuaries that provide elephants with vast acreage in natural habitats and a far superior quality of life." TO SEE LIST OF TOP TEN CLICK HERE "True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation." -- Joseph Addison  photo from WSPA From The World Society for the Protection of Animals Inside the bear farms... Over 12,000 bears are captive in bear farms in Asia. Most are held in cages the size of a telephone booth, in which they are unable to stand and can only turn around with difficulty.  The bears in these farms are visibly in severe distress. They are often hurt or scarred from repeatedly rubbing or hitting themselves against the bars of their tiny enclosures. Farmers prevent bears from hibernating – the cage floors are iron bars to stop the bears lying on firm ground. Painful surgeryBear bile can be accessed in a number of inhumane ways. All are likely to be carried out by untrained farm workers, with no veterinary experience.  A caged, farmed bear with bile extraction wound© TBC Depending on the region, farms will use one of three methods: Lifelong suffering If those bears subjected to operations do not die during or after the first procedure, they suffer from serious health problems. Infections to the open wounds, tumours, internal abscesses, gallstones, and other related illnesses are common. It is a life of unremitting pain and distress. Bears may stop producing bile after only a few years. They are then left to die or are killed for their paws or gall bladder. Protect the bearsYou can help WSPA end bear farming. "We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing we set back the progress of humanity." -- Rachel Carson  by Margaret West Regional Director WSPA Oceania I've recently returned from Bali, where every dog is in terrible danger. In fact, their lives are in our hands. Rabies has spread across the entire island of Bali. And with no experience in controlling this deadly disease, the Balinese government felt that they had no other option than to begin a mass cull of all dogs. They sent teams, armed with strychnine-poisoned darts, to villages and towns to cull any unconfined dog. Thousands are already dead. Many were just innocent puppies. And all died in great pain and fear.Let me tell you rabies is a terrible way for a dog to die, but being killed by strychnine poison is horrific. Thankfully, after months of negotiation WSPA, and our partners the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), have been given the Balinese Government's approval to stop mass culling and run an island-wide emergency vaccination program instead. A mass vaccination is not only feasible, but is the only effective way to respond to a rabies outbreak. The Balinese government don't currently have the resources or budget to run the vaccination program themselves, so WSPA and BAWA must work together to reach dogs before the rabies spreads even further and the government resort to culling again - this is why we need your help. We have been given just six months to vaccinate over 70% of 460,000 of Bali's dogs against rabies, or the culling could begin again.To run this vital program - and save these dogs lives - we need extra resources right now. I urgently need your help with a donation today:
Once the nation-wide vaccination program has been conducted, WSPA and BAWA will work with government teams, training them to stop rabies outbreaks from happening again. Plus, we'll continue to focus on humane dog population management in Bali, in partnership with local communities and other organizations. There's more at stake than the lives of the 460,000 dogs in Bali. All round the world, as many as 200 million dogs live in countries using inhumane mass culls to try and control dog populations. Right now, we have a chance to make a difference for these dogs too. Your donation today could help ensure that we can deliver this life-saving program to save dogs and other animals from a cruel and needless death.If you love animals like we do, and can't sit by while dogs die alone and in pain, then please make an urgent donation today to save Bali's dogs, and other animals around the world. Yours sincerely Margaret West Regional Director WSPA Oceania P.S. Please give today to help stop dogs being painfully poisoned to death. The lives of Bali's 460,000 dogs - and other animals around the world - are in our hands. Here's The World Society for the Protection of Animals 2010 year end review. Enjoy their video. It's heart warming to know good organizations are out there helping animals around the globe. Think about forgoing a few cups of coffee (sometime during the coming year) and donate the money saved to your favorite organization. You can make a difference. Pass it on ... A Special Tiger Protection Force For Corbett National Park on its Platinum JubileeAuthor: Subhash KandpalThe Jim Corbett National Park, one of the oldest and most popular wildlife reserves in India will get the most required gift on the occasion of its platinum jubilee – a special tiger protection force. The Uttarakhand cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank recently sanctioned the special tiger force, and the forest department is now expecting that the special force will become the reality as soon as the Jim Corbett National Park, known for its healthy tiger density, turns 75. A huge celebration will be done on the occasion and a special function will be organized in the first few months of 2011 to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the favorite destination of tourists, The Jim Corbett National Park. Right after the meeting the official announced that the new special tiger force will include one company consisting three platoons and it will be headed by a forest officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). Every platoon will have six foresters, one ranger and 30 special guards. The hallmark of this new special force will be 30of the forest guards that will be taken from the neighboring communities living in the surrounding area of the park like the nomadic tribes – Van Gujjars. The force will be given similar role of police and their main task will be to protect the tigers from the rustlers. Along with that they can also enjoy the power under section 197, the section of the criminal procedure code (CrPC). With the rising concern on the diminishing population of the tigers, the Centre has approved the plan for such force and will be spending the sum of Rs 4 crore every year on it. There are just 1, 400 tigers left in the country and Jim Corbett National Park has nearly 160 tigers, which is the highest amount of tigers anywhere in the country and that is why the animal lovers, government and various corporations are working overtime to save the animal.
Tell Jasper what issues you would like to see him cover in 2011. What changes would you like to see Jasper tackle?   Click to enter Care2 to read the petition and sign. "Get a feel for fur: Slam your fingers in a car door." ~Anonymous, on the use of steel traps to capture fur-bearing animals, cited in Audubon, November 1990  "Each year, more than 4 million animals are trapped and killed for their fur in the United States. Millions more are trapped and killed in the name of “livestock” and “game” protection and for “nuisance” animal control. Whatever the purpose, the consequences for the trapped animals are the same — pain, suffering, and death."  Boy Chip sadly pondering his 4 million furry friends who die in animal traps each year. Under FUN FACTS on a trapper's website Jasper found this statement: "Fishers (much like a weasel) were nearly extinct in Minnesota by the early 1900s. But the population has grown steadily since then. Since the late 1970s, the population has remained at more than 10,000, enough to support a regulated trapping harvest of about 2,000 each year." Talking to Boy Chip (Jasper's dad) Jasper said, "What bothers me most is the idea that a population of any animal is thought of as something to harvest." Jasper felt like shouting from every rooftop: What's wrong with humans??!! Below is a full report on trapping to help the real activist become informed. The issue below is from Born Free. Please become a fan and supporter of their efforts! THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST IS THE WORLD'S BEST NON-PROFIT SAVING ELEPHANTS & OTHER ANIMALS12/21/2010 For animal lovers who are especially in love with elephants, fostering an orphaned elephant at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust organization is one of the best gifts money can buy. To my 5-year old granddaughter, I am giving the opportunity to make a difference in the life of an elephant in Africa by adopting Ajok. This lovely and magnificent elephant was orphaned when he was one week old. His mother was probably killed by poachers. Read all about AJOK here. Click the images below to enter their website.  You won't find a better organization out there making a bigger difference in the lives of orphaned elephants. It's hard to feel like there are good ways to help end the suffering that so many animals endure. For me, my heart is warmed by knowing a non-profit organization like the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is out there, spending its donated funds wisely and making such a wonderful difference in the lives of elephants, rhinos and other animals through its years and years of hands on experience. I whole heartedly endorse this organization and ask that you put them at the top of your list when you're seeking to donate to a worthy wildlife organization.  |
 "Ask not what an animal can do for you; ask what you can do for an animal." Jasper
 Click to Read about Chippy and the Crew  Photos for sale as greeting cards or framed prints. Click to go to online Art Gallery.  A bee swarm - click here to see lots of terrific bee photos  Jasper holding the U.S. Flag - By Betsy Seeton -- Click to go to the Animal Legal Defense Fund and sign the Animal Bill of Rights  Click for a collection of ladybug photos  LEARN ABOUT YAKS 
 http://www.greenmuze.com/animals/wild/768-bear-bile-farming.html  Confiscated Skins and Wildlife at JFK Int'l Airport Photo from: http://www.laurelneme.com  DON'T BUY IVORY  CLICK TO READ MORE  Anatomy of a Tiger - Learn about the very real threat to these beautiful creatures "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men." ~Alice Walker The source of the quote is Walker's preface to Marjorie Spiegel's 1988 book, "The Dreaded Comparison" . Her next sentence was, "This is the gist of Ms. Spiegel's cogent, humane and astute argument, and it is sound."  2014 Calendar For Sale Archives
February 2015
 Baking 101 with Albert "I was so moved by the intelligence, sense of fun and personalities of the animals I worked with on (the movie) Babe that by the end of the film I was a vegetarian." ~ James Cromwell  Elephant Care International ~~ Dedicated to the Healthcare & Conservation of Elephants  Categories
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 Chippy in Argentina working on animal abuse issues  |
