December 2013 – Art, animals, and the earth

Liberia: Advocating a vegan lifestyle

December 22, 2013December 22, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

LAWCS (Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society) spent the month of November reaching over 10,000 students with an inspiring message about the importance of a vegan lifestyle.

To conclude the program, LAWCS held a Vegan Day and provided free, delicious vegan food.

LAWCS Vegan Outreach Program was sponsored by FARM’s Sabina Fund. It gave Liberian students and teachers an insight into the healthful benefits of vegan food, and even more importantly, it stressed that animals are sentient beings, to be treated with compassion and respect.

The program was a tremendous success, and the Liberian Ministry of Health has asked that it be expanded to hospitals and clinics so that patients can learn how to adopt a more compassionate and healthier diet.

LAWCS dynamic Program Coordinator, Morris Darbo, has been instrumental in creating a number of innovative programs to raise the level of awareness about animal welfare among Liberian people. He writes, “LAWCS humane education is about fostering kindness, respect, and empathy for animals, people, and the environment, and recognizing the interdependence of all living beings.”

Active since 2001, LAWCS conducts programs on a whole range of animal issues, from humane policies for community dogs to educating people about how to protect wildlife and forests.

Photos: Courtesy of LAWCS

To learn more about LAWCS, please visit their website. Click here.

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Good blue-throated macaw news from Bolivia

December 22, 2013by sharonstjoan1 Comment

Dear Kitty. Some blog

This video is called Blue-throated Macaw, Bolivia. It says about itself:

26 Jan 2008
One of the last few nesting pairs of Blue-throated Macaws in the wild, Bolivia. Ara glaucogularis. More info and photos here.

From Wildlife Extra:

Conservation success in Bolivia
Blue-throated Macaw Reserve doubles in size with purchase of adjoining ranch
December 2013: The Barba Azul Reserve, which is located in the Bolivian Beni and protects the world’s remaining population of blue-throated macaws, has secured the purchase of 14,827 acres of natural savanna and forest habitat to more than double the size of the reserve to 27,180 acres.
The extension by Asociación Armonía is significant because it will protect a mosaic of tropical grasslands, as well as two large palm forest islands, a small central river, water-edge short-grass habitat, and more than 20 small isolated palm islands.
An extension of this size means that…

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animals

France: Much-needed help for Spanish greyhounds

December 21, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Thanks to the outstanding work of C.R.E.L., this dog is now free to run and play in the snow.

C.R.E.L., a network of animal rescuers throughout France, has for several years been extending a very much-needed helping hand to the Spanish dogs called “galgos,” who are Spanish greyhounds.

The galgos (and “podencos,” a similar breed) are used for hunting in Spain. The hunters treat them with extreme cruelty and keep them only for the duration of the hunting season.

Kind people in Spain, many of whom run shelters, devote their time to saving the many thousands of galgos every year who need shelter, rehabilitation, and forever homes. These Spanish rescuers are dependent on animal people outside Spain for material support for their work, for transportation for the dogs, and for loving homes in other countries to adopt the dogs.

C.R.E.L. has been working for several years to provide much-needed assistance for these beautiful dogs so that they can recover and go on to live happy lives with their new families.

C.R.E.L.’s website is in several languages, including French, English, German, and Dutch. Click here. (Caution: the treatment of the galgos is extremely cruel, and the descriptions are graphic.)

To read C.R.E.L.’s newsletter, in French, click here.

Photo: Courtesy of C.R.E.L. / A rescued galgo who can now run and play in the snow.

animals

India: Andhra Pradesh: VSPCA helps thousands of storks

December 20, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

In the year 2000, VSPCA (Visakha Society of Protection and Care of Animals) began their program of protecting a large colony of Painted Storks at Telenelipuram, in Andhra Pradesh, against poaching. They have continued to work with the local people to provide a safe environment for the storks.

This year with support from the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, VSPCA is developing a full fledged team of vets, paravets, and helpers to keep an eye on the birds, to help with their protection, vet care, and to assist chicks who’ve fallen from their nests.

During recent storms and severe flooding, VSPCA, with the expert wildlife rehabilitation help of Saleem Hameed, along with several other organizations, was able to save thousands of stranded Asian Open Bill Storks. They took off on their yearly migration in November, and VSPCA has turned their attention again to the Painted Storks of Telenelipuram.

These beautiful birds need ongoing help to stay safe.

To visit the Facebook page of VSPCA, click here.

Photo: Courtesy of VSPCA / Painted storks at Telenelipuram.

animals

Egypt: New constitution to include animals

December 19, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Ahmed El Sherbiny, Chairperson of ESAF, has written to let us know that the 50 member Constitution Committee, charged with drafting the new constitution of Egypt, has determined that animal welfare issues will be included.

This represents a huge step forward as only a few countries in the world make mention of animal welfare in their constitution.

Many Egyptian animal welfare groups worked together to bring this about. Among them were The Brooke Hospital, SPARE, ESAF, The Donkey Sanctuary, AWAR, and ACE Egypt.

Congratulations to the Egyptian people for joining the ranks of countries that make a special place for animals in their constitution!

Photo: Courtesy of ESAF / These camels are benefitting from ESAF’s feeding and vet care program for working animals at the Pyramids.

To visit ESAF’s Facebook page, click here.

animals

One Million Protest Stripping Wolves of Endangered Listing

December 18, 2013December 18, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Wolves still need protection, but may be delisted anyway….

Exposing the Big Game

http://ens-newswire.com/2013/12/17/one-million-protest-stripping-wolves-of-endangered-listing/

WASHINGTON, DC, December 17, 2013 (ENS) – The public comment period closed today on a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove federal protections for all gray wolves across the country. Close to one million Americans stated their opposition to the plan – the largest number of comments ever submitted on a federal decision involving endangered species.

Also today, conservation groups challenged as “premature” the Service’s removal of federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in Wyoming. Arguments were heard at the U.S. District Court in Washington this morning.
wolves
The court’s decision will determine whether Endangered Species Act protections will be restored to gray wolves in Wyoming unless and until state officials develop a stronger wolf conservation plan.

The delisting of wolves in Wyoming turned wolf management over to the state, which the plaintiff groups say is “promoting unlimited wolf killing across more than…

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animals, the earth

Pakistan: Letter requesting protection for migrating cranes and bustards

December 14, 2013December 14, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Honorable Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Prime minister of Pakistan,

It’s Winter, and it’s the time for the arrival of Migratory Birds from Europe, Central Asia and Siberia to the wetlands of Pakistan. Several endangered migratory birds including Siberian cranes and bustards are being hunted indiscriminately. Both species of the migratory birds flying into Pakistan from Siberia during the winter months are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) with 14,000 other endangered species in Pakistan including birds, other animals and plants.

The locals have been found shooting at flocks of Siberian cranes flying overhead during winter with their AK-47 machine guns just for leisure and on the other hand members of royal families from the Middle East, particularly those in Saudi Arabia, are often given licenses to hunt endangered migratory birds, such as bustards, despite the stringent restrictions. International laws are been violated. These birds are of much Ecological importance as they prey on insects and weeds and thus contributing towards the betterment of Agriculture and Environment. In an era of unstable climate change the environmental disaster is elevated by the mass killing of such birds.

I request your honor to kindly take strict actions against hunting of Migratory Birds in Pakistan and impose a complete ban on hunting of these Birds. I, hope that this request will get your kind consideration and mercy towards your “Guests” the beautiful and innocent Migratory Birds.

Sincerely,

Khalid Mahmood Qurashi,

President, Animal Save Movement Pakistan

H # 1094 / 2 Hussain Agahi Multan , Pakistan

Photo: Photographer: BS Thurner Hof / Wikimedia commons / “This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.” / A Siberian Crane; this one is in captivity in a zoo.

To view the Facebook page of Animal Save Movement Pakistan, click here. (Caution: graphic photos)

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Wonderful 3-minute video of joyful cows…

December 13, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

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Nelson Mandela

December 6, 2013by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Echoes in the Mist

Without the leadership of Nelson Mandela, there is no doubt that South Africa would have descended into chaos. He turned the looming prospect of turmoil and upheaval into a beacon of light for the nations.

The amazing courage he exemplified in his lifetime, together with his great spirit, which enabled him to embrace his enemies — made him one of the greatest men in history — leading the way forward to peace and justice.

He was born into a tribal royal family, but spent his early years tending sheep in the hills. He became a boxer, then a lawyer.

He started the armed wing of the ANC, launching a course of armed struggle. He spent 27 years in brutal prisonment.

Upon his release from prison, he set South Africa not on a course of vengeance, but instead on a course of reconciliation. The Truth…

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animals

Egypt: ESAF’s Pyramids Project has helped 6,000 animals

December 5, 2013December 5, 2013by sharonstjoan1 Comment

The program for horses and camels who work at the Pyramids, giving rides to tourists, has provided feeding and vet care to over 6,000 animals since this past July.

This is one of a series of such programs carried out by ESAF and other Egyptian animal groups, over a number of years, for the working animals at the Pyramids. This most recent special project has come to a successful close. Their ongoing, regular work with the Pyramids animals will continue.

The periodic unrest in Egypt has caused great hardship for the animals because, when there are few tourists, there is no income for the animal owners, who then have difficulty providing food and vet care to their animals. ESAF’s programs are a great help to them, and they will be continuing twice-weekly clinics in the Pyramids area, as well as their usual work in the area around ESAF’s shelter.

Ahmed El Sherbiny, ESAF Chairperson, writes that there was a slight increase in the number of tourists during the month of November, and a consequent decrease in the numbers of animals needing special feeding. He wrote, “We have also noticed a slight improvement in the animals overall condition.”

Any improvement at all is really wonderful news, and, for the sake of the animals, it is to be hoped that there will be peace and stability in Egypt, so that more tourists will return. While working animals do not ever lead ideal lives, good food and vet care can make a huge difference to their well-being. ESAF also conducts ongoing educational programs with the owners to encourage kind treatment of the animals, with good, practical solutions, like replacing wire bridles with soft nose pads.

Ahmed El Sherbiny expressed his heartfelt thanks to the people and organizations that made possible this latest Pyramids Project: Animal Aid Abroad, Wereld Asielen, Sue Evans and her UK group, Richard Gabriel, and Humane Society International (HSI).

The total number of animals treated and fed during the month of November was 1,002 horses and 379 camels.

During the course of the project, which ran from July 10 through the end of November, the total number of animals fed and treated was 5,471 horses and 663 camels.

Thanks to ESAF and their generous sponsors for doing so much to make the lives of the Pyramids animals easier and more comfortable.

To go to ESAF’s Facebook page, click here.

Photos: Courtesy of ESAF