IDA eNews: 6/21/06

IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. Stop Horse Massacre in National Wildlife Refuge
2. Make Someone's Day - Appreciate an Animal Advocate
3. National Zoo Plans to Expand Elephant Exhibit – And Herd
CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES
1. Compassion for Animals Road Expedition
2. The Special Chimpanzees of IDA-Africa
3. Whole Foods Market Ends Sale of Live Crustaceans


IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. Stop Horse Massacre in National Wildlife Refuge
Tell U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to protect horses, not slaughter them

Displaying a gross misuse of power and a fundamental failure to fulfill their conservation mandate, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has gone ahead with their plan to remove as many as 1,200 wild horses living in Nevada's Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. FWS has done this without allowing the public to comment on their plan even though the horses were removed from federally-owned land at taxpayers’ expense. Many of these horses are being “adopted” in groups by horse brokers who will then send them to slaughterhouses.

FWS claims the horses' removal is necessary to preserve the water supply for antelope and sage grouse -- two species that happen to bring revenue to the state from fees for special hunting permits. Their intent is to increase the populations of these animals so that hunters will have more animals to shoot. However, FWS based their plan on an outdated environmental study done in 1978, and has so far refused to conduct a legally-required Environmental Assessment to scientifically justify the horses' removal. A more recent study done by FWS determined that wild horses can live sustainably with antelope and sage grouse in the refuge.

FWS was particularly callous in gathering the horses in springtime, just after foaling season, when newborn horses are between one and three months old and not weaned yet. The roundup seriously endangered these babies’ lives, leaving them at risk of being trampled to death or run to exhaustion. Foals who are separated from their mothers at such a young age are unlikely to survive, even if they are adopted instead of put on trucks bound for slaughter, because they must have milk from their mothers or a very expensive foal supplement to maintain their nutrition. Foals who do not receive this nutrition will die or suffer serious lifelong health problems. Some mares were likely in foal late and still pregnant during the roundup, and the stress may have caused their unborn babies to miscarry.

FWS’s plan allows only "mass adoptions" of captured horses, with FWS paying three "carefully screened" agents $300 per horse to take them away by the truckload. Many of these horses are destined to be auctioned off for slaughter, earning those who "adopt" the animals as much as $500 per horse at the slaughterhouse on top of their $300 transport fee. The new policy furthers endanger horses by no longer allowing rescue organizations and concerned individuals to adopt and provide new homes for wild horses.

What You Can Do:

- Please urge FWS officials not to gather any more horses from Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge until they have conducted a proper Environmental Assessment as required by law. Also tell them to allow rescue organizations to adopt horses and not to give any horses to brokers who may sell the animals to slaughterhouses.

Brian Day, Manager
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 111
Lakeview, OR 97630
Email: brian_day [at] fws.gov

Paul Steblein, Project Leader
Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 111
Lakeview, OR 97630

The Honorable H. Dale Hall
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Main Interior, 1849 C. Street NW, Room 3238
Washington, D.C. 20240-0001
Web-contact form: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/mail/?agencyindid=790&type=AN

- Urge your federal Representative and two Senators to prevent FWS from gathering any more wild horses from Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. You can get the mailing addresses and phone numbers for your elected officials by clicking http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/home.html and entering your zip code. Click http://ga0.org/campaign/SheldonHorses to send them an automatic follow-up email.

- Write a letter to the editor of your city's newspaper opposing FWS's plan to send horses from a national wildlife refuge to slaughterhouses using federal tax dollars. Also urge local television and radio stations to cover this story. Visit http://www.newslink.org for media contact information.


2. Make Someone's Day - Appreciate an Animal Advocate
Take a moment to thank someone for their hard work

There are so many wonderful people today doing so many great things to make the world a better place for animals. Determined activists take to the streets to educate the public about the suffering of animals on factory farms while courageous lawyers fight for animal rights in the halls of justice. Staff and volunteers care for animals in shelters and sanctuaries as enlightened politicians sponsor humane legislation to reform industries that profit from animal exploitation. Popular musicians record songs that give voice to the voiceless and compassionate celebrities publicize important causes that reshape people's perceptions of other species. With the astounding range of actions being taken for the benefit of animals, each one of us can be proud to be part of a movement that is making history each and every day by opposing the abuse of helpless creatures.

Anyone who has tried changing the world knows that it's hard work. Regardless of what you do to help animals, the rewards of knowing in your heart that you're making a difference can be the engine that drives you to keep going and prevents you from burning out in despair and exhaustion. When people know that their efforts are worthwhile their levels of satisfaction and energy increase, enabling them to continue the work and accomplish even more for the cause.

That's why just a little appreciation goes a long way. Recognizing the special talents and dedication of those who are working towards a common goal not only supports individuals and groups who are helping animals but also strengthens our movement as a whole. If we take care of each other, we can all take care of the animals. From all of us at IDA, thank you for all that you do to help animals. We couldn’t do our important work without the help of our grassroots activists and supporters.

What You Can Do:

Thank someone you admire for what they do to help animals. It could be a prominent activist or famous artist/performer who inspires you, a friend who campaigns with a local grassroots organization, or even a family member who provides a good home to a beloved animal companion. Showing our gratitude to one another can really help keep people motivated and allow us to make new connections, so be sure to make thanking the everyday heroes of our movement a regular part of your activism for animals.


3. National Zoo Plans to Expand Elephant Exhibit – And Herd
Urge legislators to hold a public hearing on Zoo's costly yet inadequate plan

The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., yesterday announced its intention to build a 3.5- acre outdoor area and renovated barn to house 8 to 10 adult Asian elephants and their offspring. While the Zoo's existing 1930s-era Elephant House and one acre of space is wholly inadequate to meet the complex needs of the three elephants already living there, the expanded exhibit will still not deliver a decent quality of life for elephants even at the estimated cost of $60 million -- half of which Americans would pay for with their federal tax dollars.

As IDA program director Suzanne Roy told the Washington Post ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062001531.html ), four acres is not nearly enough room for the number of elephants the National Zoo hopes to put on display. Whether in the wild or in captivity, elephants need to walk long distances to maintain their health. For example, in sanctuaries that provide elephants with up to 2,700 acres of naturalistic terrain, even older elephants from zoos and circuses who suffer from arthritis and foot problems after years of intense confinement walk as much as 15 miles a day.

Zoo officials are using a conservation message to sell this costly plan, but the proposal has nothing to do with preserving endangered elephants where they belong -- in their natural habitats. The project includes plans to expand the Zoo's captive breeding program, yet none of the elephants born at the Zoo will ever be returned to the wild. In addition, not a penny of the $60 million price tag is earmarked for real conservation programs, such as habitat preservation or anti-poaching activities, that have a direct impact on the species' survival in range countries.

The National Zoo's announcement comes less than two weeks after the tragic death of 48-year-old Gita at the Los Angeles Zoo, and at a time when zoos around the country are reevaluating their ability to provide for the complex social, psychological and biological needs of elephants. Two elephants have already died prematurely at the National Zoo as a result of captivity-related health disorders. Nancy was euthanized in 2000 after suffering for years from horrible and painful foot infections, and Toni died in January of this year at just 39 years of age. In the final years of her life, Toni was so wracked with painful arthritis that she could barely stand and desperately tried to find relief by leaning against the walls of her enclosure and even her elephant companion. If the National Zoo proceeds with its plans, more elephants may suffer and die before their time. .

What You Can Do:

The National Zoo needs the approval of federal and city review panels before being allowed to start construction of their proposed expanded elephant exhibit. Please click http://ga0.org/campaign/NationalZooExpansion to urge members of the House Administration Committee and the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to put this plan on hold and convene a public hearing regarding the use of $30 million in tax dollars to build a four-acre elephant exhibit that cannot possibly meet the needs of 8 to 10 adult elephants and their offspring.


CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES

1. 4th "Compassion for Animals Road Expedition" Begins in July
Animal Defender Anthony Marr to Visit Over 100 North American Cities

Anthony Marr is a world-famous animal rights activist who has traveled the globe in his fight against cruelty to non-human species. Whether doing undercover investigations that expose the hidden realities of animal abuse or coordinating media events that grab attention and headlines, Marr is a fearless and tireless defender of animals.

Founder of HOPE (Help Our Planet Earth), Marr is about to kick off his fourth Compassion for Animals Road Expedition, a whirlwind tour of over 100 cities in some 30 states and half a dozen Canadian provinces. Marr and his traveling companions drive the CARE-a-van (a 21-foot RV towing a trailer equipped with a 54-inch TV screen) cross-country, making stops along the way to show people how animals are abused and to get them involved in stopping it. The CARE team also coordinates animal rights protests, demonstrations and outreach events with local activists in each city.

The fourth CARE tour starts in July, so Marr and friends may well be coming to your town. Check out the CARE tour's itinerary at http://www.hope-care.org/CARE-4%20flyer%2001.htm to see their route. You can find out more about HOPE and Anthony Marr at http://www.hope-care.org .

What You Can Do:

- Host a local event when the CARE tour comes to your area. People are especially needed to help book speaking engagements for Marr at lecture halls and other venues, and to make contact with the local media. You can also host Anthony Marr in your home when he takes the CARE tour to your area if you can provide a warm bed and vegan meals for a hard-working animal advocate. Contact Marr at Anthony-Marr [at] HOPE-CARE.org or (866) 822-1169 to find out how you can help.


2. The Special Chimpanzees of IDA-Africa
Amazing stories of rescue, rehabilitation and renewal

IDA-Africa is both a project of IDA and a non-governmental organization in the Republic of Cameroon. Its mission is to save Cameroon's chimpanzees and gorillas from extinction, wage a conservation campaign against the illegal bushmeat trade, and provide sanctuary in a natural environment for chimpanzee orphans of the illegal bushmeat trade.

With the help of many generous supporters, IDA-Africa has been able to rescue 55 chimpanzees orphaned by the bushmeat trade and give them a chance at a new life at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center (SYCRC). Each of these chimpanzees has a special story. Here are just a few updates:

Jacky

Jacky is very much the leader of his group. One day, the caretakers saw him in the very top of the trees with about 10 other chimpanzees, all of whom were busy eating the succulent leaves. The other chimpanzees want to be with Jacky and also show him a great deal of respect. Given the situation in which Dr. Speede first met Jacky and the struggle with the loss of his vision, his current status and position of admiration is even more meaningful. Although he has in the past been fond of Caroline, he is now seemingly very interested in Leilah who is just reaching maturity. He is shown here in this photo relaxing in the trees while young Cindy makes a nest in a tree nearby.

Cindy

Cindy is very sweet and she gets along well with everyone in her family group. She is a bit shy but easy-going, and all the chimpanzees like her (including Jacky, the alpha male). She has a very well-balanced personality: she is not dominant, but also not submissive to the point that she becomes scared, probably because she is still young and tiny for her age. She has a kind of "social immunity" within the group, but if needed she will get the support of her sister Leilah -- they have always been together since she arrived at the Center. Leilah recently became an adolescent and therefore is therefore now considered very attractive within the group. Agnes, the Center manager, recently saw Jacky in a tree seated on a branch doing self-grooming and Cindy very nearby making a nest high in the tree. She looked very comfortable being close to the dominant male of the group.

Foe

Foe spends his days playing with Chouki and with all the juveniles in his group, especially Mica, Rob and Berchi. Currently his family lives in a small electric enclosure, about 1/2 acre in size, and an adjacent satellite cage. They spend their days in the forested enclosure where they take two of their daily meals. They receive their morning and evening meals in their satellite enclosure where Foe sleeps in a small hammock that has been hung high, about 10 feet off the ground, along with five other little hammocks for the other juveniles. After the evening meal, the six juveniles contentedly climb up into their hammocks for the evening and usually don't come out until they hear the caregivers coming with their breakfasts in the morning. The Center has just started construction on an extension of their enclosure which will give them several acres of forest in which to play. It is expected to be finished in the fall.

Gabby

Gabby enjoys playing and rough-housing with the youngest chimpanzees. He remains small for his age probably as a result of the gunshot wound he sustained as a baby. Gabby remains good friends with Bikol but as they become juveniles, their relationship will shift. He prefers to avoid confrontation and often chooses to eat his meals with the babies as there is no need to worry about nuances and exchanges with the stronger males. Gabby is a natural climber and loves to be high up in the trees as he is in this photo with Jacky. He gets along with everyone in his family group and as he develops and grows, his confidence will follow.

Moabi

Moabi is showing signs of transition from being a young, playful chimpanzee to a maturing adolescent. He has gained some status over the past few months and has started to show interest in the adult females. He is displaying and vocalizing more often, grabbing food from the babies, and otherwise testing boundaries and limits with the adult males. He does still at times resort back to being "just a kid," but more and more he is behaving like a young adult and his interests and motives are changing. Anyone who doesn't know him would never realize that he suffered a serious head wound and emotional trauma as an infant when he witnessed his mother's brutal murder. Today he is happy and healthy and very much an important, active member of his family.

Nama

Nama continues to be the dominant female in Jacky's group. The Center staff calls her "the mother of the world" because she takes care of everyone. She is a wonderful peacemaker and peace keeper. Recently, as a volunteer and caregiver walked around the outside of her enclosure, Nama followed, walking upright the entire way brandishing a stick/baton in exactly the same manner as the workers who were cutting brush an removing debris. She was an amazing imitator! Nama is a natural leader, and very much the female who keeps her family strong and well-functioning. Nama is shown here with Hope and Gwendolyn. This photo highlights her unique coloring.

Kiki

Kiki is showing more signs of emotional stability and taking more responsibility for keeping peace in his little family. Recently, Chouki -- who gets confused and frustrated at times because he is blind -- was playing a little too rough with juvenile Massamba and was frightening him by refusing to let him go. Kiki was out of sight, 30-40 yards away, but when he heard Massamba cry he ran up stomping his feet in a rather gentle display to break up the little altercation. Chouki immediately released Massamba and ran down a trail to get out of Kiki's way. But within a couple of minutes, Chouki was sitting calmly with Kiki, the two of them being close friends. The Center staff is happy that Kiki is showing this kind of alpha male leadership in the family. He appears in this photo with Berchi and Rob, two youngsters who look up to him with admiration.

Bikol

Bikol has a calm personality. He is creative and pensive but also very easygoing and fun-loving. Instead of spending time with the dominant male of the group, Jacky, Bikol is building strong bonds with the adult and young females who will give him support in the years to come when Jacky is too old to lead the group. Bikol spends most of his time playing with the babies or grooming, lounging and socializing with Dorothy or Nama. He makes wonderful contributions to his family and is well-liked and respected by others.

Mintak

Mintak lives up to his name which in the local dialect means "joy." He remains good friends with Johnny and Tic, but this youngster doesn't need a group of friends to have a lot of fun. Just recently, the caretakers at Sanaga-Yong watched Mintak play with a ball for hours while all the other chimpanzees were busy in the forest. He kicked the ball just like a football player and then chased it all over (playing by himself). He is a very social, gregarious individual with a great imagination. He makes himself laugh and smile and he doesn't hesitate to do flips and cartwheels just for the fun of it.

Dorothy

Dorothy has lost weight and obviously feels more comfortable. She is now able to walk around the perimeter of the enclosure with the caretakers for the morning inspection (the caretakers are on the outside and she is walking with them on the inside). When she first arrived, Dorothy was only able to make this walk very slowly and with support from another chimpanzee. She was exhausted but now she has greatly improved. She has gained some status as an elder female and even though Jacky (the dominant male) has never shown interest in her as an adult mature female, she is showing a clear preference for Bikol who has started paying attention to her.

Agnes, the Sanaga-Yong Center manager, recently shared these stories of Dorothy:

"It was misty one morning and the whole group was looking for some shelter inside the forest. Despite the doors being opened for the chimps to get out of the rain, Dorothy did not come in. I was surprised and wondered what she was waiting for. A few minutes after, Bikol showed up and she immediately started to walk on a path leading deep into the forest waiting for Bikol to follow (by looking back) but surprisingly he did not follow her. So she went to get him! He was confused about where to go and she made some grunts to convince him to follow her, which is what he ended up doing. Dorothy stopped every 10 seconds to make sure he was behind her and they both disappeared into the dense foliage."

"I was walking around the enclosure when I suddenly heard a fight, I rushed to see what it was about and I saw Dorothy fighting with Caroline with all the group vocalizing. I don't know why, but Dorothy was furious at Caroline. Caroline had moved away but Dorothy was still punching in her direction and breathing fast. Then at least 10 chimps surrounded Dorothy to see and taste the blood coming out of her finger. She was close to the enclosure bars and I sat in front of her. Then she stretched her arm to show me her wounded finger. I inspected the whole hand but could only notice a tiny scratch. Basically, none of them had been physically hurt but both were upset. Dorothy cannot stand conflict and even if she can't stand up for herself vigorously because of her weight she is always very upset and emotionally hurt."

Center Development

In addition to the daily care of the residents at Sanaga-Yong Center, the staff and volunteers are busy this summer constructing new enclosures and maintaining the old ones, improving the solar energy panels, engineering a water supply system, building a new storage structure for fruits and vegetables, and educating visitors (to name just a few things).

At the same time, IDA-Africa's education and sensitization program remains a high priority. They continue to run the radio ads and are working on increasing the broadcast area and tapping into more media outlets. The Center's outreach to schools and community groups continues as well.

What You Can Do:

Adopt a chimpanzee to help provide for their care at the Sanaga-Yong Center. You can truly make a difference in the life of a chimpanzee by becoming his or her adoptive friend and advocate. Please visit http://ida-africa.org/index.php?page_id=212 to learn more.


3. Whole Foods Market Ends Sale of Live Crustaceans
Grocery chain cites "humane treatment and quality of life" as reasons

Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural food chain with 180 stores in North America and the U.K., announced last week that they will no longer sell live lobsters and crabs because of concerns about inhumane treatment. "This is about quality of life," said Margaret Wittenberg, Whole Foods' vice president of quality standards. "Whether it's you, me, a dog, a cat, sheep, cow, or lobster, it's about giving them the ability to express their normal behavior, to really support who they are as a creature. It's the right thing to do."

Most lobsters are caught in summer, but to keep prices steady throughout the year, many are held in storage warehouses for months before being sold in supermarkets. The company cited the extended period of time that lobsters are kept in glass aquariums and out of their native habitat as the reason for the policy change. The fact that lobsters' claws must be banded to protect them from constantly attacking their tank mates is indicative of how stressful such an artificial environment is for these naturally solitary animals. Animal advocates also object to the standard methods used to kill lobsters: boiling them alive (while they thrash about trying to escape), or severing their brains from their spinal cords, then slicing them lengthwise through their nerve centers with a sharp knife while still conscious.

Whole Foods' decision was prompted by a European Food Safety Authority Animal Health and Welfare panel report released in November 2005 which concluded that crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs have "a pain system and considerable learning ability." A task force commissioned by the company spent more than seven months studying lobsters' biological needs and natural behaviors, looking into every aspect of their living conditions in captivity while waiting to be purchased and eaten. The team even collaborated with a seafood company to develop more humane methods of transporting, storing and housing lobsters. However, they were unable to recommend an alternative method of caring for lobsters that would satisfy the company's stringent animal welfare standards.

The removal of live crustaceans from Whole Foods' seafood departments is consistent with the company's landmark Animal Compassionate Standards, which they are developing to provide "environments and conditions that support (animals') physical, emotional, and behavioral needs." Click http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/meat-poultry/qualitystandards.html to learn more about Whole Foods' species-specific Animal Compassionate Standards.

What You Can Do:

If your local newspaper runs an article about Whole Foods' decision to stop selling live lobsters, use it as an opportunity to write a letter to the editor about the suffering that lobsters - and all animals - endure in order to become a meal. Visit http://idausa.org/ir/activist/makenews.html#10 for tips on writing effective letters to the editor.


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