Mali has been held in a barren pen at the Manila Zoo for 40 years. Decades spent pacing back and forth on a concrete floor have left her with potentially fatal foot problems. Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand has offered Mali a place where she can roam freely, receive the medical care she needs, and interact with other elephants. But the Manila Zoo has refused to let her go.
Elephants in the wild spend up to 18 hours a day walking on grass, soil, dirt, and mud. There is no way that elephants living in places like the Manila Zoo are able to get enough exercise to prevent cracked nails, overgrown cuticles, cracked pads, and arthritis.
When captive elephants develop foot and joint problems, it is imperative that they get care immediately before their wounds become infected. Mali has not received the appropriate foot care in the entire time that she has been held at the Manila Zoo. Elephant experts who have observed her recently now fear for her life.
Mali has spent 40 years alone and in pain at a facility that has done nothing to help her. Together we must speak out to make sure she spends her last years in a place that will nurture her back to health, provide her with a natural habitat, and expose her to the company of other elephants.
Posted on April 4, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Dear Mark,
On October 4, 2016, human rights activist Gaspar Matalaev was arrested in Turkmenistan, Central Asia. He has reportedly been subjected to torture by electric current to force him to confess to false charges of minor fraud.[1] Gaspar’s family was promised time and again that he’d be released, but this never happened.
Gaspar is a prominent human rights activist in Turkmenistan, where he has been monitoring the state-orchestrated forced labor system in the country’s cotton fields. His work has helped draw attention to the Turkmen Government’s annual mobilization of tens of thousands of citizens, including children, forced to pick cotton under threat of punishment.
Gaspar’s arrest came two days after he published a report on the extensive use of forced laborand child labor in the 2016 cotton harvest and one day after the Minister of National Security was severely reprimanded by the Turkmen President at a State Security Council meeting for not properly repressing activism in the country.[2] It is clear Gaspar’s arrest was politically motivated.
It is now up to the international community to speak out and demand action on behalf of courageous monitors like Gaspar who put themselves at risk to help others.
Posted on April 3, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Mark,
Wow — An amazing 611,000 people across Europe have already signed the official Stop Glyphosate petition (ECI). Thank you!
For the European Citizens Initiative to have teeth, it has to be backed by at least one million EU citizens, coming from at least 7 out of the 28 member states.
Or you can copy and share this email if you prefer:
Dear Friends,
I signed an official petition (a European Citizens Initiative) calling for a ban on glyphosate weedkiller, a trustworthy pesticide approval procedure, and EU-wide targets to cut pesticide use.
We need 1-million signatures. A successful ECI guarantees us a right to a public hearing in the European Parliament, and compels the European Commission in Brussels to spell out what action it will take in response.
This is a special online petition only for people old enough to vote in European Parliament elections, including the UK.
Posted on March 28, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Well here we are in the week when (on Wed 29/3) the UK Prime Minister Mrs. May goes to Brussels and formally presents the EU with Article 50 – the formal declaration that the UK is going to leave the EU.Many of us are very happy about this – the UK will get its independence back from the shackles of ‘do nothing’ Brussels, and all our laws will be changed and re vamped into better UK laws by British MPs in the UK House of Commons – not by un-elected self important; the ‘do nothings’ at the EU in Brussels.
On the animal welfare front already there are many national groups within the UK who are pushing the UK government hard for updated and better legislation when we formally quit the EU.Something we have said all along – when we go it alone; animal legislation will get better than the false promises made under useless legislation in Brussels.Article 50 presentation then gives the EU and the UK TWO YEARS to hold very important talks and to establish the future trade agreements etc which we hope will benefit both the EU and the UK.But the main thing is that we get our own legislation back in the hands of the UK – not with jobsworths in Brussels who always say they can do nothing even when it goes directly against the legislation of EU law.
On the issue of live animal transport which we do know a little about, having been involved for around 30 years; work is already under way to get a complete ban on the export of live animals from the UK.At the moment, hands have been / are being tied by the ‘we cannot do anything’ bunch at Brussels, despite them being presented with overwhelming evidence that the implementation of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the so called ‘protection’ of live animals in transport simply does not work and is not being enforced.This is supposedly the main EU Regulation to ‘protect’ animals on the road.The reality is, it is joke legislation – never enforced and not wanted to be by the Brussels leaders.
Ok, so the situation is if the sand headers at Brussels will not do anything to help animal welfare, then the nation of the UK will.Hence just one of many reasons why we are getting out of the EU, taking back our own control and fighting hard now for a live animal export ban.We hope that by early fighting, new legislation for a complete ban willbe in force under new UK law on the day (in 2 years time) when we formally leave the EU behind and make and enforce our own laws once again.
Here is a link to a report from the very respected Christa Blanke – the Founder of ‘Animals Angels’ – an organisation which specialises in exposing the cruelty of long distance animal transport across the EU and beyond.
Entitled – The Myth of Enforcement of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport – the report gives a superb insight into exactly why the EU legislation is simply not even worth the paper that it is written on – and boy have we also not said enough about this over the years?All the welfare froups and their investigators have shown it time and time again – and still the EU refuses to act on the pile of evidence presented to them.
Also, as we have presented so many times in our posts, the EU is, for example, doing absolutely nothing regarding the situation for live animals being exported from the EU to Turkey.Have a look at these videos which show the actual real situation obtained by actual, real investigators; not ivory tower jobsworths sitting behind desks in Brussels:
So; things like the above report go to Brussels; and endless video evidence like that shown above also goes too Brussels; and then what do we get back from Brussels ? – word from Mr Van Goethem and the rest of the dire team that ‘there is nothing they can do’ – they hold their hands up and take no action to enforce the rules, THEIR EU RULES; whilst every day, live animals continue to suffer. On the endless trips of cruelty and despairAnother joke is that Mr Van Goethem claims to be a veterinary – yes, a vet ! – are not these people supposed to look after the welfare of animals rather than dismiss the cruelty that is presented to them ?
The UK getting out of the EU is not going to change everything; but it will show the EU the strength of feeling over issues that they simply dismiss whilst shouting that they can do nothing.If the UK can get out of Europe, take back its own laws and stop the export of live animals; then so can other EU member states.But do they have the guts to do it or will they just keep on obtaining information and being continually met with the ‘we can do nothing’ shouts from the Brussels brigade over the next five, ten years or more ?.
For Brits, this is not good enough – the EU has failed the citizens of the UK when they have presented endless info and petitions etc about the horrors of live animal exports.The EU has ignored the facts.Ok, so now we ignore the EU and we go it alone, making new laws just within the UK and enforcing them.Maybe the EU will learn from this, or will ivory tower EU continue to have its head in the sand as usual, ignoring the evidence and the campaigns for enforcement of ‘EU’ legislation within Europe !
Here is a new link, one of many, that calls to get the UK government to ensure live exports are banned when we formally leave the EU.Please sign and pass on – already we have over 29,500 sigs from UK citizens.Note that this can only be signed by UK citizens, as we hope the issue will be discussed in a UK parliament which represents the UK people.
Posted on March 23, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
You know who doesn’t wear seal fur? Just about everyone.
No caring person wants Canada’s commercial seal slaughter to continue—which is why 35 countries around the world have already banned imports of seal-derived products and Canadian citizens continue to speak out against the barbaric practice of shooting and clubbing tens of thousands of baby seals to death every year.
Canada is about to turn 150 years old, and to celebrate, we’re calling on its prime minister, Justin Trudeau, to stop using Canadian tax dollars to support the mass murder of baby seals.
Target: David Leyton, Prosecuting Attorney for Genesee County, Michigan
Goal: Seek maximum penalties for those allegedly responsible for binding a dog with tape and beating the poor animal to death.
The remains of a Shih Tzu mixed-breed dog were found days after the animal had been tortured, stomped to death, and left by the roadside. Photos of this shocking discovery appeared on social media after local Sheriff Robert Pickell urged residents to speak up, and called for tougher penalties for animal abusers. Within days, a tip was received, which led to the arrests of a couple living near where the dog had been found. The tip had come from the mother of one of the alleged abusers, who was concerned for the well-being of her grandchildren after learning what had happened to the 7-year-old dog.
Allegedly, one of the abusers, Nathan McCue, had gotten enraged after the dog, Dakota, had urinated on his clothes. What happened next is unthinkable. According to police, it is suspected that both McCue and his girlfriend Jessica Brown proceeded to bind the dog’s feet and face with electrical tape and tied him to a tree. They then reportedly stomped on the dog’s neck and back until he died.
This couple has allegedly committed a disgusting crime against this innocent animal and must be punished, if found guilty. The fact that they had small children in the home is troubling, considering the fact that if a dog’s misbehavior could prompt such malice, one wonders what could have happened to a child who had done similarly. McCue has a prior history of violence, which means he should be considered particularly dangerous if found guilty of this crime.
Too many dogs have suffered in Michigan with too little done in response. Just earlier this month in the same county, a man received a paltry $375 fine after he plead no contest to charges that he had beat and starved his three dogs. This level of leniency is inexcusable, and should not be applied to this case or any other cases of abuse going forward. Please sign this petition to demand that this case be taken seriously and that these alleged abusers get served the maximum penalties, should they be found guilty.
Shocking photos of a dog lying dead and bound with electrical tape that were posted by a Genesee County Sheriff are heartbreaking and difficult to view. The dog in the photos, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu mix named Dakota, had his feet and head bound before he was stomped to death. The reason for this shocking act of cruelty? The dog had apparently urinated on his owner’s clothing.
This inexcusable behavior cannot be tolerated. If the two suspects are found guilty, they must not be allowed to remain free and able to cause more harm to other animals or to their children. If such malicice could be carried out against a helpless animal, one wonders what they are capable for doing to another human being, particularly one reliant on their care.
More must be done to prosecute and punish those who abuse animals in Genesee County. Earlier this month, a man named Lavelle Gulette pleaded no contest to charges he had beaten his dogs and starved them, and was given only a $375 fee.
We cannot allow these two alleged criminals to get off so easily should they be found guilty. I urge you to do all you can to seek justice for this dog so that his death will not be in vain.
Posted on March 21, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Dear Mark,
Two weeks ago, by a vote of 225-193, the House of Representatives approved H.J. Res. 69, which would roll back regulations enacted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) prohibiting heinous hunting and trapping practices for killing predators on national wildlife refuges in Alaska.
The resolution, now designated as S.J. Res. 18/H.J. Res. 69, is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate THIS WEEK, and could be as early as TODAY!
We need your help to stop this reckless and cruel measure.
Read this Los Angeles Times editorial strongly condemning this joint resolution here.
The FWS was forced to act in response to the state of Alaska’s adoption of antiquated, scientifically baseless, and inhumane predator management policies intended solely to decimate predator populations in order to boost numbers of deer, moose, caribou, and other ungulates. We must be sure that FWS’s established regulation is not invalidated.
Please take a moment today to call and email your senators to stop this insanity. See below for how to take action.
Thank you for speaking out for wildlife!
Camilla H. Fox Founder and Executive Director
What You Can Do:
We urgently need your help today to defeat S.J. Res. 18/H.J. Res. 69. As time is of the essence, please call your senators today;
click HERE for their contact information and use the talking points below. Then send a follow-up message by clicking HERE.
Talking points: (please be respectful and personalize your message):
You can simply say, “Please oppose Senators Sullivan and Murkowski’s Joint Resolution 18 and House Joint Resolution 69, which would revoke the FWS rule protecting wildlife on Alaska national wildlife refuges from cruel hunting methods.”
Cruel hunting and trapping practices have no place on America’s national wildlife refuges.
Predators deserve protection, not persecution, given their critically important role in preserving natural diversity and promoting healthy ecosystems.
Federal laws and regulations governing the management of wildlife on refuge lands, including those in Alaska, provide the FWS with full and unfettered authority to enact rules protecting predators.
Predator management practices authorized by the Alaska Board of Game are scientifically fraudulent, inhumane, entirely unnecessary, and are merely intended to artificially boost ungulate numbers.
Congress should not interfere with or politicize a carefully deliberated rule that was based on the best available science and was subject to public input and congressional debate.
PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT WITH OTHERS!
Dear Mark,
Unfortunately, as you may have heard, New Mexico SB 268, the bill that Project Coyote and our coalition partners campaigned so intently for, which would have banned coyote killing contests in New Mexico, failed to get a hearing on the House floor before the state’s legislative session ended this past Saturday.
While we believe we had a sufficient number of votes to get SB 268 passed in the full House, the Speaker of the House did not prioritize this bill to get the hearing that it so deserved.
We are very grateful to Senators Jeff Steinborn and Mark Moores and to Representative Matthew McQueen for cosponsoring this legislation and for doing their very best to move this bill through two senate committees, the full Senate, and the House Judiciary Committee, from where it would have gone on to be heard before the full House before finally reaching the Governor’s desk. Please thank Senators Steinborn and Moores and Representative McQueen for their work on behalf of SB 268 by following this link for Senator Steinborn, this link for Senator Moores and this link for Representative McQueen.
Thank you so very much for your constant support, particularly your testimony, phone calls and letters. With your help, we were able to move the bill to ban coyote killing contests further through the New Mexico State Legislature than ever before. By sharing with all members of the New Mexico House and Senate our letter clarifying the science that supports a ban, and by Project Coyote Science Advisory Board Member Dave Parsons serving as an expert witness during the bill’s multiple hearings, we made a significant impact—convincing a good many legislators to support this bill. It is not fair to say we lost this time, because we won all four votes taken. Rather, we were denied the opportunity to win because the final vote was not taken. Politics can be very frustrating.
But, as a result of the momentum that our coalition has built around this issue statewide, we will have an even stronger base from which to build our next campaign. That achievement combined with our increased influence in the state legislature will help ensure that we prevail in New Mexico’s next legislative session in 2019.
While more people are becoming aware of the persecution that coyotes and other wild animals face from killing contests and other wildlife mismanagement practices in New Mexico, there is still much left for us to do to educate New Mexicans and policymakers about these important issues. We are now developing our campaign to ensure that New Mexico outlaws coyote killing contests in 2019.
If you are interested in getting more involved by volunteering and/or helping to show our new film Unfair Game: Ending Wildlife Killing Contests in your community, please email us at info@projectcoyote.org or fill out our volunteer form here.
Again, all of us at Project Coyote thank you for standing with us to demand protections for coyotes in New Mexico. None of this work would be possible without your support.
Target: Susan Bulling, Events Coordinator of Lancaster Event Center
Goal: Ban the James Cristy Cole Circus from using animal acts in its show.
The Lancaster Event Center is planning on hosting a circus put together by the James Cristy Cole Circus which has featured a cruel bear show during past performances. The bear show, which is produced by Castle’s Bears, puts terrified bears in crowded, loud arenas. It is time to stop supporting this cruelty.
Click on the petition link to read more.
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Dear Mark,
A bear cub wakes up in a cage. She cries out, scared, then paws at the rusty metal bars and tries to bite through them, but there’s no way for her to escape the trainer who is heading her way.
He ties a rope tightly around her neck and yanks her across the room. He yells, hitting her with a stick. It’s painful and confusing—she doesn’t understand what he wants.
But the day’s misery is not yet over. The trainer tethers her to a wall by the rope still around her neck, forcing her to stand upright on her hind legs. It’s agonizing for her—she’s used to being on all fours—but if she doesn’t remain standing, she could choke and die.
A PETA investigator documented that bear cubs in circuses and animal-training facilities across China endured precisely this kind of cruelty, but such abuse is not unique to that country. Circuses around the world confine animals to cramped cages and use violence and intimidation—exactly like that uncovered during this investigation—all the time. These animals are forced to perform repetitive contortions that, to them, are baffling, uncomfortable, and even physically damaging. It’s suffering on a global scale.
PETA’s exposé did more than just reveal the deplorable treatment of animals held captive by circuses. It also inspired tens of thousands of compassionate people to speak out against those who exploit animals for entertainment. Together with our international affiliates, we’re pushing back against cruel spectacles and achieving many victories—from 80 German towns’ decisions to ban wild-animal circuses to the forthcoming closure of the notorious Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the U.S.
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 