INTERNATIONAL NEWSThe items below are from animal news from around the world?Some items are quite old, however, it is interesting to note that many of the "old" problems are still around, still discussed and, sadly, still not resolved. Governments agree to take forward unprecedented global declaration on animal welfare:WSPA Media Release - November 25th 2005Delegates from four continents have concluded a meeting in Costa Rica where they have agreed to present a groundbreaking Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare to a high level ministerial conference for adoption in 2006. The ultimate aim is for the declaration to be accepted at the United Nations. The Costa Rican government hosted this inaugural steering committee meeting in co-operation with international animal welfare organisations, including the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), Humane Society International (HSI) and Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). The objective of the initiative for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare is to achieve both global recognition of animals as sentient beings, capable of experiencing pain and suffering, and animal welfare as an important aspect of the social development of nations worldwide. Major General Peter Davies, Director General of WSPA, said: “We are delighted that governments have recognized the importance of promoting animal welfare and have committed themselves to the success of this Declaration. We urge governments worldwide to support this initiative and help make cruelty to animals a thing of the past.” Discussion by representatives from Costa Rica, Kenya, India, Republic of the Philippines and the Czech Republic, acting as the Delegation Steering Committee, followed on from the Manila Conference on Animal Welfare held in 2003 where 22 delegations agreed the fundamental principles for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. Back to Top IWC Agrees Call to Action on Whale Welfare - Resolution on the suffering of whales passed at IWCWSPA Media Release - 17th August 2004International agreement on the need to address the inherent cruelty of whaling was reached today at the 56th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Sorrento, Italy. The resolution by New Zealand, with 16 co-sponsoring countries, calls for action to stop the suffering involved in modern day whaling activities and reconfirms the IWC's mandate to address animal welfare issues.
"This is a real victory for whale welfare. For too long, the inherent cruelty of whaling has been ignored, despite the IWC's mandate to address welfare issues", says Major General Peter Davies, coordinator of Whalewatch, an unprecedented coalition of over 140 animal welfare societies in more than 55 countries led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). "Far too many whales have suffered and continue to suffer agonising deaths from the whalers harpoon. We are delighted that the IWC has agreed that cruelty can no longer be tolerated and that committed action should be taken to stop it."
The Resolution on whale killing issues:
* Recognises that the welfare of hunted whales is an issue of international concern;
* Reconfirms the IWC's mandate to address welfare issues;
* Recognises that current whaling methods do not guarantee death without pain, stress or distress;
* Calls on the IWC to reconvene its regular Working Group on 'Whale Killing Methods and Associated Welfare Issues', which was dramatically dropped from this year's agenda, in what was seen by many animal welfare organisations as a clear sign that the IWC was not taking welfare seriously.
New Zealand's Resolution was co-sponsored by the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Austria, Mexico, South Africa, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, India, Argentina, Finland and the United States of America. It was passed by a simple majority vote of 29 to 22 in favour.
The Whalewatch coalition launched a global campaign in March this year to urge the IWC to watch whale welfare. This included publication of a scientific report, 'Troubled Waters', with foreword by naturalist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough. The report concluded that in whaling there is no reliably humane way to kill a whale at sea.
Over 20,000 great whales have been killed since the ban on commercial whaling came into force in 1986. Between them, Norway, Japan and Iceland are already at sea killing hundreds of whales in commercial and so-called 'scientific' whale hunts which are likely to command a death toll of about 1,400 whales this year alone. The Whalewatch coalition is calling an end to all commercial and 'scientific' whaling operations.
Leading organisations in the Whalewatch coalition include Campaign Whale, Care for the Wild International, Danish Animal Welfare Society, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Foundation Brigitte Bardot, Japan Animal Welfare Society, Lega Anti Vivisezione (LAV), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), RSPCA, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). Back to Top by Nicola Beynon - HSI Wildlife and Habitats Protection Program ManagerHumane Society International urges Australian Environment Minister Dr David Kemp to resist any pressure from Thailand to swap Australian wildlife for Asian elephants as part of the Free Trade Agreement signed between the two countries today.
Taronga and Melbourne Zoos are lobbying Dr Kemp for permission to import Asian elephants to Australia to keep their highly lucrative elephant exhibits going. Thailand is lobbying the Australian Government for a collection of our marsupials for a new safari park to be opened in Chang Mai and offering the elephants as a gift in return. There is speculation in the Thai press that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will use the opportunity of the free trade deal to persuade Australia to go ahead with the swap.
"HSI is confident Dr Kemp will not allow strict Australian laws protecting endangered wildlife to be circumvented in pursuit of new economic interests in Thailand" said Nicola Beynon, HSI Wildlife and Habitat Program Manager. "HSI has been advising Dr Kemp not to issue a permit for the zoos to import the Asian elephants because it would not meet the strict legal criteria that must be satisfied to import endangered wildlife to Australia".
Under Australia law, before allowing imports of endangered animals the Minister must be satisfied that the zoos can provide for the behavioural and biological needs of the species. There is now growing acceptance that urban zoos, no matter how hard they try, are unable to meet the behavioural and biological needs of elephants. Ms Beynon points out that "Elephants in zoo situations suffer a litany of problems ranging from stress, reproductive disorders, high infant mortality, short life expectancy, arthritis, poor diet and weight gain. For their needs to be satisfied elephants need kilometres to roam and to be part of complex social groups. In recognition of this high profile zoos in the United States have been closing their elephant exhibits".
Also under Australian law the Minister cannot import endangered wildlife, listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, if it is not for the purposes of conservation and is instead primarily for commercial purposes. As zoos worldwide have been unable to generate viable captive breeding programs for elephants, the Australian zoos are unable to claim the import would be for a genuine conservation benefit. "Elephants are a major draw card for zoos and it is disingenuous to pretend their motivation is not commercial" said Ms Beynon.
"Last week Minister Kemp demonstrated how best to help elephant conservation by providing funds to in situ conservation projects in Cambodia and Sumatra as part of the Government's Regional Natural Heritage Program. HSI suggests Taronga zoo follows the Minister's lead and considers redirecting their multi-million dollar budget to build a new elephant exhibit to projects that conserve elephants in the wild in Thailand" said Ms Beynon.
Similar strict criteria will apply to the export of Australian animals to Thailand. HSI notes as recently as May the Australian Government finalised its conditions for the export of koalas, perhaps with exports to Thailand in mind. However as the safari park in Chang Mai is new it will be very difficult for Australian authorities to verify its capacity and reputation in caring for exotic wildlife satisfactorily. "Australia should focus on habitat conservation at home for our marsupials rather than expose them to animal welfare problems and dubious conservation prospects at foreign zoos" concluded Ms Beynon
Back to Top By Jonathan Owen, WSPA UKBarcelona City Council took a historic vote today when it officially declared the Catalonian capital an anti-bullfight city; by 21 votes to 15, with two abstentions. This follows an announcement by the city's Deputy Mayor, Jordi Portabella, two weeks ago, when he declared his opposition to bullfighting in front of hundreds of protesters, saying, "Barcelona must act like a capital and be a pioneer in the abolition of bullfighting."
Leah Garcés, Head of Campaigns for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), said, "The vote is a giant step forward for animal welfare and will help lead the way to what could be the beginning of the end of bullfighting in Spain. We are delighted that the City Council is listening to the views of its citizens and has the courage to denounce such an outdated practice."
The landmark decision follows years of campaigning by the World Society for the Protection of Animals' (WSPA) and Asociación Defensa Derechos Animal (ADDA), whose 'Culture without Cruelty' campaign has, to date, received over a quarter of a million signatures from around the world in support of an end to bullfighting throughout Catalonia.
Carmen Mendez, ADDA President, said, "The majority of the people of Barcelona are against the cruelty of bullfighting. Not only is the City Council setting a precedent by declaring Barcelona an anti-bullfight city, it is proving itself to be a modern and enlightened city that isn't afraid to turn its back on cruel traditions."
An opinion poll conducted in 2003 found that 63% of Barcelona's residents do not want bullfights to continue in their city, with more than half (55%) agreeing that Barcelona should declare itself an anti-bullfight city. Bullfights are viewed as cruel and non-educational by 76%; 59% of residents have never been to a bullfight and just 7% see bullfights as being positive for Barcelona's reputation. The overwhelming majority of those surveyed agree that animals suffer when mistreated (98%) and that the suffering of animals for entertainment should be banned (96%). Back to Top By Rebecca Brand, Campaign Officer, IFAW Asia PacificGlobally pet overpopulation continues to escalate, causing suffering to animals as well as exposing people to injury and disease. The International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) global pet rescue program works to reduce companion animal overpopulation particularly in poorer communities around the world. Work focuses on providing humane spay/neuter and treatment programs, improving access to veterinary services such as mobile clinics and promoting responsible companion animal education.
In 2003, IFAW supported the efforts of the Animal Protection Society (APS), in Apia on the Pacific Island of Samoa, with a USD$10,000 pet rescue grant. The large street dog population in Samoa has generated health and welfare issues for the animals and problems for locals and tourists, with them experiencing harassment or being bitten.
>From its fixed veterinary clinic in Avele, a suburb of Apia, the APS is able to treat both owned and stray dogs. In addition, the APS operates four Mobile Veterinary Clinics (MVCs), which are able to offer community outreach services, visiting villages and offering veterinary care including humane sterilisations, treatments for worms, parasites and other diseases. Responsible companion animal ownership education is also an important component of the APS's vital work in Samoa and is achieved both via the mobile clinics and through the fixed veterinary surgery.
IFAW's financial support of the Animal Protection Society's work has enabled mobile veterinary services to be taken to villages where they were previously not available. It has also allowed for the production and wider distribution of animal care educational materials.
For more information about IFAW's programs and campaigns please contact www.ifaw.org or in Australia Freecall 1800 00 IFAW (4329)
Back to Top The Indonesian island of Bali is well known as a tropical paradise. Beautiful beaches, lovely weather and exotic sites attracts tourists from around the world. But the situation isn't quite as idyllic for the thousands of stray dogs that roam the streets.
Parasite-riddled dogs - alone, hungry, hairless and enduring abysmal conditions - live on whatever scraps they can find. The Yudisthira-Bali Street Dog Foundation works to heal the street dogs and educate locals about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Named after Yudisthira - a mythical character in Balinese folklore who was the keeper of the animals for eternity - the foundation has treated thousands of dogs since its establishment.
The foundation's aim is to sterilise the island's street dogs and treat their skin diseases, parasites and wounds to prevent them from getting worse or infecting other animals and humans.
Whilst it's easy for outsiders to think that the Balinese don't care about their animals, nothing could be further from the truth. Dogs have always been a part of Bali's culture and they live with, and among, the people. But the Balinese generally don't even have the means to provide medical treatment for their own children or pets, let alone for dogs on the streets.
Yudisthira, with support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, helps address this lack of resources by treating these dogs where they live. The Yudisthira- veterinary team operates a mobile clinic catch-and-release program. An outreach approach greatly reduces the stress on the dogs, who have usually never received medical treatment before the mobile team catches up with them. The unit is also able to follow up individuals, because the dogs are territorial and easily located after their initial treatment.
Yudisthira's work includes community and in-school pet responsibility and animal welfare education. The foundation also aims to improve standards of veterinary medicine and provides practical training for veterinary students at Udayana University, Denpasar.
For more information on IFAW's projects please contact www.ifaw.org or Freecall (Australia) 1800 00 IFAW (4329) Back to Top |
