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Macedonia: Vardariste Pound, Skopje, Campaign – Part 2 of 3

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Video links to Vardariste facility can be seen in Part 1 of these campaign posts:

Part 1 Link:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/macedonia-vardariste-pound-skopje-campaign-part-1-of-3/

A selection of photographs taken at Vardariste pound can be viewed here by accessing the following links:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121506&id=176149692261

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121197&id=176149692261

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=133485&id=83377435960

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=128575&id=83377435960&page=2

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=140564&id=83377435960&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2744089&id=176149692261

Petitions – there are 2 currently running; please get as many people to sign it as you possibly can.

Petition 1 – To stop the massacre in Skopje.

Petition Link:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-massacre-in-skopje-macedonia

Petition Wording:

Target: Mayor of Skopje

There is one only shelter in Skopje, and dogs are killed in huge number and impressive frequency. The Mayor, responsible of the shelter, declared openly that dogs must be KILLED, everyone of them.

Volounteers of “Care for Animals” protested, of course, but it’s been vain
The shelter was meant to sterilize dogs and then let them go, but OFFICIALLY 56% of dogs are killed, there are about 10,000 dogs in the streets that have to be “cleaned” and volounteers can do very little without an International support.

It’s about time to let the Mayor know that DOGS CAN’T BE KILLED!

Vi ja prenesuvam mojata zgrozenost I revolt vo odnos na nacinite so koi gradot se obiduva da %u201Cvospostavi kontrola%u201D nad prekumernata brojka na bezdomni kucinja. Stacionarot Vardariste na koj kako prvicen concept ZALOVI-STERIZIRAJ-VRATI ni predizvika voodusevuvanje bidejki vetuvase human tretman so precizni vostanoveni cekori (koi ne davaat proctor za manipulacija), se ispostavi deka e samo pokritie I NAMESTO TOA , TAMU SE SPROVEDUVA SRAMNA, NE ETICKA I SPROTIVNA SO ZAKON ELIMINACIJA NA POVEKE OD SEKOE VTORO KUCE VO GRADOV (56%) STO E NEDOPUSTLIVO, NEEFIKASNO I SRAMNO PRAKTICIRANJE NA SILA, NESTO STO SKOPJE KAKO GRAD NO VOEDNO I NAS KAKO MAKEDONIJA KAKO DRZAVA NE UNAZADUVA I ETIKETIRA PRED INTERNACIONALNATA JAVNOST, KOJA DECIDNO NE SAMO STO NE DOZVOLUVA I%u017DIVUVANJA VRZ ZIVOTNITE, TUKU I ISTOTO NAJSTROGO GO OSUDUVA I SANKCIONIRA!!

Poradi toa into e potrebno:
1. Urgenten prekin na masovna eutanazija! Vakvoto nesto ukazuva na grozomorna surovost, koncepciska zaostanatost I grubo krsenje na zacrtanite zevropski standardi vo odnos na tretiranjeto na bezdomnite kucinja!
2. Itno reorganiziranje I zgolemuvanje na kapacitetite vo stacionarot Vardariste- Sramno e da ocekuvame nekoi rezultati od stacionar koj nudi samo 1 sluzba za zalovuvanje I 1 veterinar- a treba da se istretiraat 10000 kucinja! So vakviot neseriozen pristap samo se pribegnuva kon nekontrolirano ubivanje a nepovratno se trosat ogromni sumi na pari! Preku potrebno e vklucuvanje na najmalku uste 5 veterinarni lica ili sekoja opstina da angazira vetyerinar I zalovuvacka sluzba so vozilo.
3. Voveduvanje na konstanten monitoring na rabotata na ovoj proekt- inspektorat, gradska uprava, graganski zdruzenia,
4. DOSLEDNO VRAKANJE na zalovenite kucinja na istata lokacija, obvrska koja Komunalec apsolutno ne ja sproveduva, iako se za toa plateni! (posledica: %u201Cisprazneti lokacii%u201D gi popolnuvaat kucinja od drugi lokacii, duri I od nadvor od gradot!
5. Angaziranje na kompetenti lica vo stacionarot koi bi se zalagale za zgolemena stapka na vdomuvanje na kucinjata namesto nekompetentni I KOMPROMITIRANI lica na Komunalec, KOI SE NISTO DRUGO TUKU UBIJCI NA KUCINJA!
SOOCETE SE SO OVOJ PROBLEM NA HUMAN I EVROPSKI NACIN-SVETOT GLEDA!!

******** ******** ******** ********

Petition 2 –

There is also another Petition to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn asking that he fully investigates if there is actually any animal welfare legislation enforcement by Balkans states requiring EU membership prior to them being granted official EU membership.

Petition Link:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/EU-Investigate-Balkans-Animal-Welfare

Petition Wording:

Target: European Union Enlargement Commissioner: Olli Rehn

Sponsored by: Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/

Several Balkans states are now seeking either full membership (Accession) to the European Union (EU), or are attempting stronger links with the EU.

These include: Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo.

Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) has been campaigning for the improved welfare of Balkans animals for several years. We have extensive experience and data relating to the terrible daily suffering inflicted on animals, despite existing Balkan states national legislation which should legally prevent much of this. There is very little evidence to show political and municipal authority enforcement of animal welfare legislation. %u2013 details of this on a %u2018nation by nation%u2019 basis can be seen via our site at https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/

In October 2009, SAV wrote to Commissioner Olli Rehn; EU Commissioner for Enlargement, expressing our deep concerns regarding an apparent lack of existing national animal welfare legislation implementation and enforcement by governments throughout the Balkan states.

Over 25 prime evidence links from the SAV site were provided to Commissioner Rehn, each of these containing many sub links, showing extreme Balkans animal suffering video footage which relate to our concerns. A few examples are shown in the following links ;

**WARNING Graphic Animal Suffering**:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZSXlSH4pEA&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sewZvVbQro0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEfxbysd_Y&feature=channel

We have expressed our concerns to the Commissioner, that even when provided with such evidence, clearly showing extreme animal abuses, nothing with regard investigation and prosecution is being followed up by the Balkans authorities to press charges; to enforce (the) often existing national animal welfare legislation. In Serbia for example, the Public Attorney appears to be dismissing all evidence provided by animal welfare campaigners; instead, they themselves are themselves being accused of obstructing them (the Public Attorney) from getting on with their legal work.

In our letter, we have reminded Commissioner Rehn that (on his website) his very own words declare:

The European Union currently has 27 Member States. The Western Balkan countries, Turkey and Iceland may also join once they meet the conditions for membership. The aim of enlargement is simple: to extend the area of peace, stability, democracy and the rule of law, and prosperity and well-being throughout Europe.

We draw particular attention to the statement by Commissioner Rehn of – democracy and the rule of law, as it is felt that despite Serbian animal welfare campaigners providing large amounts of evidence to Serbian legislators, no action appears to ever be taken by Serbian authorities to apply the rule of law, a fundamental condition necessary for EU membership.

If no action (in the form of prosecutions against animal cruelty) is being shown to be taken by Serbian legislators following the production of evidence and documented requests by animal welfare campaigners, then we declare that Serbia is not meeting some of the necessary and fundamental aims of EU enlargement with regard showing the implementation of both democracy (ie. requests by animal welfare campaigners) and the rule of law (ie. by not prosecuting perpetrators of causing animal suffering), even when evidence is provided.

As a consequence, Signators of this petion request that Commissioner Rehn now fully investigates if there is actually any animal welfare legislation enforcement by Balkans states requiring EU membership prior to them being granted official EU membership. Or is animal welfare legislation implementation simply being ignored.

We request the implementation of democracy and the rule of law for all animal welfare issues within Balkans states at all times prior to their EU Accession. Where this is not happening, we rquest the EU demands it prior to accession.

Past Macedonian SAV Post Links:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/macedonia-update-vardariste-pound-111009-sav-formally-writes-to-eu-animal-welfare-intergroup-requesting-investigation-into-conditions-at-and-eu-funding-of-same/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/macedonia-mayor-of-skopje-dog-killer-contact-him-and-the-eu-animal-welfare-intergroup-please-read-on/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/eu-balkans-sav-launch-new-petition-asking-eu-to-act-in-advance-of-balkans-states-eu-membership-accession-please-read-and-sign-petition-link-in-text-below/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/eu-sav-writes-to-eu-enlargement-commissioner-olli-rehn-regarding-concerns-about-balkans-animal-welfare-legislation-enforcement-or-lack-of/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/macedonia-exposed-the-alleged-wonderful-conditions-at-vardariste-animal-pound-via-eu-funding-of-10000-euros-a-year-we-demand-eu-intervention-now-to-stop-this-terrible-abuse-of-animals-par/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/macedonia-eyewitness-report-of-skopje-macedonia-wants-eu-membership-but-the-eu-does-not-want-them-whilst-animal-abuse-and-suffering-continues-now-we-ask-the-eu-animal-welfare-intergroup-and-mep/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/take-action-now-for-dogs-in-skopje-macedonia-video-footage-and-oipa-action-links/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/macedonia-mayor-of-skopje-declares-all-dogs-must-be-killed-please-read-and-send-sample-letter-supplied-also-2-petitions/

The final Post (3) of this initial campaign series will provide full details of how you can give your support to the animals at Vardariste facility.

Post 3 will be visible on SAV over the next couple of days – please keep visiting.

** Important Information Link:

ANIMA MUNDI:

http://www.demotix.com/users/anima-mundi/profile

Filed under: Animals Requiring Adoption or Homes - Worldwide, CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, MACEDONIA (Capital - Skopje), PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), SHELTER - Information, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

USA: Pound Seizure / Behind Closed Doors

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

So much for the „myth“ of animals from shelters NOT going to labs …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7mjiqFUwachttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fmzJAFYMyI&feature=related

And behind closed doors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fmzJAFYMyI&feature=related

Filed under: GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

EU / Balkans: SAV Launch New Petition Asking EU (Enlargement Commissioner Mr. Olli Rehn) To Act In Advance of Balkans States EU Membership (Accession) – Please Read and Sign – Petition Link In Text below

Posted on October 24, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Video Link – Dogcatchers (Shinters) in Nis City, Serbia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rV5hu-uVJI&feature=player_embedded

24/10/09 – Update.

Further to our correspondence with Commissioner Rehn of 19/10/09,

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/eu-sav-writes-to-eu-enlargement-commissioner-olli-rehn-regarding-concerns-about-balkans-animal-welfare-legislation-enforcement-or-lack-of/

we have now decided to support this with a petition, the full wording of which follows at the end of this post.

The petition finsihes by declaring:

“Signators of this petion request that Commissioner Rehn now fully investigates if there is actually any animal welfare legislation enforcement by Balkans states requiring EU membership prior to them being granted official EU membership. Or is animal welfare legislation implementation simply being ignored.

We request the implementation of ‘democracy’ and the ‘rule of law’ for all animal welfare issues within Balkans states at all times prior to their EU Accession. Where this is not happening, we rquest the EU demands it prior to accession”.

** To sign the petition, simply click on the following link ** :

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/EU-Investigate-Balkans-Animal-Welfare

The petition is global, international and open to everyone – please support it.

We would especially though love to see lots of support from existing EU citizens; Commissioner Rehn is supposed to be a representative of the EU citizen, so let him know how EU citizens feel about this issue.

Please finish and comment you leave on the petition with wording like:

“I am an existing EU citizen, and I request that the EU Enlargement Commissioner acts on behalf of EU citizens and Balkans Animals”.

Add Your Voice for Serbian Animals Voice !!! – Sign today.

Please feel free to crosspost.

Many Thanks – SAV.

—————————————————————————————–

PETITION WORDING:

Target: European Union Enlargement Commissioner: Olli Rehn

Sponsored by: Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/

Petition overview:

Several Balkans states are now seeking either full membership (Accession) to the European Union (EU), or are attempting stronger links with the EU.

These include: Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo.

Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) has been campaigning for the improved welfare of Balkans animals for several years. We have extensive experience and data relating to the terrible daily suffering inflicted on animals, despite existing Balkan states national legislation which should legally prevent much of this. There is very little evidence to show political and municipal authority enforcement of animal welfare legislation. – details of this on a ‘nation by nation’ basis can be seen via our site at https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/

Over 25 ‘prime’ evidence links from the SAV site were provided to Commissioner Rehn, each of these containing many ‘sub’ links, showing extreme Balkans animal suffering video footage which relate to our concerns. A few examples are shown in the following links –

**WARNING – Graphic Animal Suffering**:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZSXlSH4pEA&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sewZvVbQro0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEfxbysd_Y&feature=channel

We have expressed our concerns to the Commissioner, that even when provided with such evidence, clearly showing extreme animal abuses, nothing with regard investigation and prosecution is being followed up by the Balkans authorities to press charges; to enforce (the) often existing national animal welfare legislation. In Serbia for example, the Public Attorney appears to be dismissing all evidence provided by animal welfare campaigners; instead, they themselves are themselves being accused of “obstructing them (the Public Attorney) from getting on with their legal work”.

In our letter, we have reminded Commissioner Rehn that (on his website) his very own words declare:

“The European Union currently has 27 Member States. The Western Balkan countries, Turkey and Iceland may also join once they meet the conditions for membership. The aim of enlargement is simple: to extend the area of peace, stability, democracy and the rule of law, and prosperity and well-being throughout Europe”.

We draw particular attention to the statement by Commissioner Rehn of – “democracy and the rule of law”, as it is felt that despite Serbian animal welfare campaigners providing large amounts of evidence to Serbian legislators, no action appears to ever be taken by Serbian authorities to apply ‘the rule of law’ – a fundamental condition necessary for EU membership.

If no action (in the form of prosecutions against animal cruelty) is being shown to be taken by Serbian legislators following the production of evidence and documented requests by animal welfare campaigners, then we declare that Serbia is not meeting some of the necessary and fundamental aims of EU enlargement – with regard showing the implementation of both ‘democracy’ (ie. requests by animal welfare campaigners) and the ‘rule of law’ (ie. by not prosecuting perpetrators of causing animal suffering), even when evidence is provided.

Ends

—————————————————————-

** To sign the petition, simply click on the following link ** :

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/EU-Investigate-Balkans-Animal-Welfare

The petition is global, international and open to everyone – please support it.

Filed under: BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA (Capital - Sarajevo), CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, CROATIA (Capital - Zagreb), GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, LETTERS, MACEDONIA (Capital - Skopje), SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SLOVENIA (Capital - Ljubljana), VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

Serbia: Evidence; What Evidence ? ! ?

Posted on October 14, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

WARNING – Graphic footage of animal suffering in organised fights etc is shown in sub links on each of the following primary links – that is those which have not already been removed by the users ! – please read on for details.

Serbian Public Attorney; try these as evidence for a start and then tell us it is not possible to identify who is involved ! :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZSXlSH4pEA&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UQdd7OGZ4Y&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sewZvVbQro0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEfxbysd_Y&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe56SxOQVKA&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUnu8yKOt5s&feature=channel

We still have copies of them all regardless.

Past Links and Evidence:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/05/10/serbia-criminal-charge-made-to-serbian-authorities-and-pictures-of-may-9th-public-awareness-day-belgrade/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/serbia-time-for-the-public-attorney-general-mrs-gordana-miloshevic-stojanovic-to-act/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/serbia-now-video-proof-of-organised-animal-fighting-obtained-calls-to-government-to-now-prosecute-those-shown-on-film/

Note that on many of the above links that we gave on the original SAV posts showing animals fighting with each other, including foxes and badgers being baited, and dogs attacking wild boar, MUCH OF THE FOOTAGE HAS NOW ‘BEEN REMOVED BY THE USER’.

If the ‘user’ (who almost certainly made the footage) has nothing to hide and all their activities are valid as far as they are concerned, then why now have they removed the footage ? – something to hide ?; could it be in relation to Criminal Charge evidence submitted to the Serbian Public Attorney by animal welfare organisations ?

Fortunately, and assuming that the creators of these sadistic scenes of animal abuse would eventually remove them from public view, welfare campaigners ensured that full copies of all the footage were taken in advance at the time that it was still being publicised. So regardless of the current situation where the ‘user’ has now removed the footage, we still have copies of everything should future legal actions be necessary.

Names, surnames, video evidence and photographic evidence of those involved with these clear abuses of animals were provided to the Serbian Public Attorney; the video footage clearly showing the faces of parties involved. Video footage we still have which still shows the faces.

Now welfare campaigners have been informed that both the police and the inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment have found NO EVIDENCE of any wild animals having been caused any suffering. We have been informed that ‘some people keep wild pigs as pets’:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWupK-gWSHA&feature=channel

– Obviously this shows footage of daily ‘play’ between pet animals no doubt !!

The Ministries ask for ‘proof’ , even though we consider that the above video footage for example is enough ‘proof’.

The police have oddly enough ‘LOST’ the first documented Criminal Charge presented by the campaigners some THREE (3) TIMES now ! – requiring a 4^th copy to be sent to them on 23/02/09.

Further charges have now been persented / submitted by welfare campaigners since this time; building on the stack of evidence and video footage now held; remember, this is oddly enough some of the footage which has now been removed by the user.

It would appear that the police have not been able to find the Criminal Charge, and as a result they have not been able to find those who have been involved in these actions.

Campaigners feel that both the police and the Public Attorneys in Serbia have been obstructing any criminal charges brought by welfare campaigners regarding animal fighting. Below are some copies of the large amount of documentation now held by welfare campaigners relating to this.

Fighting between dogs, dogs and foxes, and dogs and badgers has often been taking place underground; literally – see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcjjss3csAs&feature=channel

Ministries are claiming to campaigners that bodies of foxes and badgers which have been involved in fighting have never been found, so it would appear that nothing can be done as there is no ‘evidence’ !.

One person (fighter) who lives in Chachak and who has made in the past extremely brutal animal fighting videos in which foxes were kept and continually attacked by dogs until their (foxes) deaths, has never had any action taken against them. Neither have Dejan Molnar who does fights in Subotica, Obrad Panic who does fights in Subotica, and Aleksandar who does fights in Sefkerin.

Despite all the video evidence and criminal charges presented by welfare organisations, both the police and the Ministries who should be involved with prosecutions, as well as the Public Attorney, all appear to be unable to keep footage in their holding, requesting copies of criminal charges (with the video links) be provided some 4 times ! – and they also seem to be unable to visually identify persons who are involved in these fights, despite clear facial evidence being shown on several parts of different video footage.

Even the Deputy Public Attorney General, Mrs Gorgdana Milosevic Stojanovic, has written a very stern and angry letter to welfare campaigners making statements and declarations such as they (the welfare campaigners) are obstructing the legal work of the Public Attorney General by sending in these charges !!

What does the public of Serbia have a Public Attorney General for ?

Welfare campaigners ask what exactly the Serbian Public Attorney General does require in the way of evidence before they can bring charges.

They have been supplied with:

Photographs
Video Footage – samples of which are given above as examples
Names of persons involved
Towns or villages where these persons live
Written Criminal charges by welfare organisations – which have been lost by the police up to four (4) times
A Deputy Public Attorney General who finds that a public legal issue, including such evidence as detailed, is ‘obstructing them from getting on with their legal work’ !!! – WOW !

We finish by saying that despite all this evidence being presented to Serbian Ministries and legal authorities, NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON who is clearly shown on some of this video evidence has to date ever been investigated or punished for this animal fighting.

Now these institutions have been sent another official request by the welfare campaigners asking what is happening / what has happened regarding these criminal charges originated by the welfare campaigners.

This type of action by people and organisations who should be upholding Serbian law / legislation does not seem very appropriate for a nation which is hoping to achieve accession into the EU in the near future.

The information in this post will immediately be forwarded to the European Union asking them to contact the Serbian authorities regarding the obvious lack of legal and investigative action in relation to clear animal abuses which are identified many times on different video footage.

We would say that if the Serbian authorities and legislators cannot undertake an investigation such as this, when they have been provided with most of the evidence already, then we question if they are worthy of EU membership; who has membership Accesiion Criteria declaring:

COPENHAGEN EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Membership criteria require that the candidate country must have achieved

stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;

the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union;

the ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic & monetary union.

MADRID EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Membership criteria also require that the candidate country must have created the conditions for its integration through the adjustment of its administrative structures, as underlined by the Madrid European Council in December 1995. While it is important that European Community legislation is transposed into national legislation, it is even more important that the legislation is implemented effectively through appropriate administrative and judicial structures.

This is a prerequisite of the mutual trust required by EU membership.

Additional action – Copies of this post are also being provided to the OIE – the World Organisation for Animal Health.

http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, DOCUMENTS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

Uk (England): Newsflash – Over 600 Crazy, Wild Gorillas Run the Streets of London !!

Posted on September 27, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Great Gorilla Run 2009 – LONDON

Really wild Gorilla Photos ! – http://www.greatgorillas.org/gallery

London VIDEO Link – Really CRAZY BRITS !! – http://www.greatgorillas.org/

26 September 2009

More than 600 runners in gorilla costumes put a smile on the faces of Londoners on Saturday 26 September in the Great Gorilla Run 2009.

The run, in its seventh year, is one of the most popular annual events in the capital.

The run was started by children’s television presenter Helen Skelton, who says “I’d encourage anyone to support a charity that helps protect gorillas. It’s easy to take wildlife for granted, but we’ll regret that in the not too distant future if we don’t act now. This is a fun race that is entertaining to watch and even more so to take part in.”

Helen started the run along with intrepid gorilla-runner Rory Coleman who had run all the way to London from his home in Nottinghamshire in a gorilla suit. He arrived to a rapturous gorilla-welcome, and was at the front of the hundreds of other runners.

The quickest gorilla-runner completed the 7km course in just 34 minutes. The slowest was the UN Ambassador for the Year of the Gorilla, Ian Redmond, who walked on all-fours for most of the circuit and finished in just under two hours.

This year’s fundraisers have already raised more than £130, 000 (pounds) for The Gorilla Organization.

They will still be raising money until November.

The donations go towards community conservation projects in areas of precious gorilla habitat in Africa. Today gorillas are threatened, not due to a demand for their meat or their infants, but due to pressures on the lush forest where they live. For the poverty-stricken communities around the gorilla habitat, it is the forest that provides them with many of their fundamental human needs, but sadly, the collection of basic resources, such as water and firewood, is destroying the gorilla habitat and in turn the gorillas.

There are now only around 720 mountain gorillas left in the wild. Executive Director of The Gorilla Organization, Jillian Miller, says “The Great Gorilla Run is a fantastic way to raise money for the brave African conservationists and rangers who risk their lives protecting the gorillas so they will still be there for generations yet to come.”

About Us:

http://www.gorillas.org/About!Us

For Superb photographs, visit the gallery at:

http://www.gorillas.org/Galleries?AlbumId=10

Meet the Team:

http://www.gorillas.org/About!GoStaff

And finally, with the full support of BBC TV Wildlife presenter Bill Oddie: