[Onthebarricades] Animal rights, welfare and conservation, part 1 of 2

[Andy]

ON THE BARRICADES:  Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/



*  JAPAN:  Anti-whaling protests continue

*  US:  Protester chains self to tree in protest over dog chaining

*  ITALY:  Footballer protested over alleged cat killing

*  UK:  Anti-fur protest "getting louder"

*  US:  Opposition to sending elephant to Mexico

*  SERBIA:  Protest against bearskin at British embassy

*  NEW ZEALAND:  Vivisection conference protested

*  SURINAME:  Protests over support for whaling

*  SOUTH AFRICA:  Protest at university over animal testing

*  INDIA:  Protest against cosmetic tests on animals

*  UK:  Unilever targeted over threat to orang-utan

*  US:  Protest over killing of sealions

*  SWEDEN/AUSTRALIA:  Boycott victories in mulesing campaign

*  PHILIPPINES:  Celebrity joins foie gras protest

*  CANADA:  Fur protest at fashion show

*  TAIWAN:  Dog-burning case sparks protests

*  AUSTRALIA:  Kangaroo cull targeted

*  UK:  Cambridge "go veg" protest

*  CYPRUS:  Conservationists protest bird shooting

*  NEW ZEALAND:  Protests target Procter and Gamble

*  AUSTRALIA:  Live dog research angers vet students

*  AUSTRALIA:  Sydney naked protest against animal exports, fur

*  US, Florida:  Protest against Daytona Beach greyhound track

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=589337&rss=yes

Paper whales in latest Japanese protest
19:08 AEST Mon Jun 30 2008
46 days 2 hours 6 minutes ago
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Anti-whaling protesters have paid a surprise visit to the Japanese Consulate 
in Sydney, leaving behind thousands of origami paper whales in a plea to 
have the country end its slaughter of the mammals.
Federal police officers were quickly at the scene of Monday's protest where 
placards reading 'justice for whales' were held by people wearing T-shirts 
which read: 'I love Japan but whaling breaks my heart'.
Greenpeace Australia CEO Steve Shallhorn was joined by crew members of the 
Greenpeace anti-whaling vessel the Esperanza, when he walked into the 
consulate on Monday morning.
The group met with the Deputy Consular General Kazutoshi Inadome.
"He received a petition of 50,000 signatures of people, many from Australia, 
but from around the world, asking for Japan to stop whaling in the Southern 
Ocean," Mr Shallhorn told reporters outside the consulate.
Monday's action was also a show of anger over the detention of two Japanese 
Greenpeace activists who have been held without charge for 11 days.
"Japan has failed to give any assurance at the International Whaling 
Commission meeting that they will halt their whaling program," Mr Shallhorn 
said.
"The unjust behaviour towards Greenpeace activists who were exposing large 
scale corruption within the whaling program is causing concern around the 
world."
Head of Consular security Nobushiro Oiwa accepted bagfuls of handmade paper 
origami whales.
The 10,000 paper whales contain the names the 50,000 people who signed a 
petition.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhgbgbqlcwid/rss2/

Japan: Whale protesters arrested over meat 'theft'

20/06/2008 - 08:14:21
Japanese police have arrested two environmentalists on suspicion of stealing 
a box of whale meat that they attempted to use as evidence of embezzlement 
by government-backed whalers.

Police said in a statement today members from the environmental group 
Greenpeace Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki allegedly stole the box from a 
storage of a private postal company in Aomori, northern Japan, in April.

Japan kills about 1,000 whales a year under a scientific whaling programme 
allowed under international rules, and sells the meat as food.

Greenpeace and other opponents say the programme is just a cover for 
commercial whaling, which has been banned for major species since 1986.

The group presented the box of meat last month as evidence of this.

http://www.cbs7kosa.com/news/details.asp?ID=6917

Man Chained to Tree in Protest-07-06-08
Kara Lee
Man Chained to Tree in Protest
07-06-08
CBS 7 News

San Antonio, TX.-It is definitely something park visitors don't see often.
An animal rights advocate in San Antonio, Texas chained himself to a tree in 
a local dog park this weekend.
Adam Moran reportedly planned to stay there for 24 hours as part of a 
demonstration sponsored by the non-profit group, Dogs Deserve Better.
The organization hopes to raise awareness about the harm of chaining dogs to 
trees and doghouses.
For more information log onto dogsdeservebetter.com

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/1947037/Inter-Milan's-Luis-Figo-faces-black-cat-protest.html

Inter Milan's Luis Figo faces black cat protest
The Inter Milan footballer Luis Figo has faced protests from fans after he 
was accused of deliberately running over a black cat following a string of 
bad results.

>From Nick Pisa in Rome
Last Updated: 10:53PM BST 11 May 2008
The Portuguese star was booed as he arrived for training. Banners were held 
up bearing slogans including: "Figo, shame for Inter, justice for the cat".
The controversy erupted after Vittorio Feltri, the editor of Libero, said 
Figo, 35, ran over the cat because it was bringing the team bad luck.
The footballer, whose team is top of the Serie A league, denies the 
allegation.
Inter's misfortune continued on Sunday when they drew 2-2 against Siena, 
leaving them one point ahead of Roma with one game to play.


http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/07/405092.html

Anti-Fur Protests At Nauticalia Getting Louder
SARC | 31.07.2008 22:25 | Animal Liberation | Ecology | South Coast
SARC were out again today in Portsmouth to name and shame Nauticalia because 
of their unethical choice to keep selling toy cats made from real rabbit 
fur.

We had a really strong turnout with activists from all over the South and 
West and beyond out being vocal about the horrific toys Nauticalia sell.

A volunteer approached the shop to make sure they were still selling the 
barbaric toys and was suprised to find that they had been put on a half 
price offer because after all, who would pay the extreme prices Nauticalia 
were charging for murder in a basket?

The protesters brought with them Nauticalia placards and a couple of 
megaphones today to inform everyone in the local area and outside the shop 
exactly why they were there. We had a great response from the speeches which 
were given with people remarking time and time again that they could hear us 
ever us loud and clear outside the shop and it was convincing people not to 
shop in a place which sells a souvenir so cruel, that the farms which 
produce fur were banned in the UK in 2003.

The SARC bunny even had a go letting everyone know exactly what the 
Portsmouth Tourist scene tucks away in this dingy little corner of the 
Historic Dockyard, she also bounced around teaching children why respecting 
animals is important and posing for tourist photographs. The protesters (and 
the bunny) passed out hundreds of leaflets over the lunchtime rush and 
filled pages and pages of petitions.

The heat is now on, not only for Nauticalia to take the vile creatures off 
their shelves, but for The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to adopt a fur free 
policy. Campaigns like this don't fizzle out. They get stronger, until all 
the fur is gone.
SARC

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_Elephant_Fight.html

Plans to send elephant to Mexico stirs debate
By ANA LEY
Associated Press Writer

DALLAS — Jenny the elephant lazily poked her trunk into a bucket of fruit as 
her keepers at the Dallas Zoo hosed her during her morning bath, seemingly 
oblivious to the fact that she's about to be shipped far from her home of 
the past 22 years.
She's also certainly unaware of the controversy her departure has stirred.
Zoo officials are planning to send Jenny, who became the zoo's lone elephant 
when her companion died in May, to a drive-through wildlife park in Mexico 
because African elephants become unhappy when left alone. Activists say it's 
a terrible decision, and that Jenny is a nervous 9,000-pounder who fears 
cars and would be miserable there.
"It would be inherently cruel to move her to Mexico," said Margaret Morin, a 
registered nurse who heads a group called Concerned Citizens for Jenny. 
"We've grown up with Jenny. She's our family. She deserves better than 
getting sent to a drive-through tourist attraction in Mexico."
The group and dozens of other activists gathered in front of the Dallas Zoo 
last weekend protesting the move, and this week Dallas City Councilwoman 
Angela Hunt wrote a commentary in The Dallas Morning News criticizing the 
decision. They want Jenny to go to a much larger park in Tennessee.
Hunt said she's concerned because the Mexican zoo is not subject to annual 
inspections and regulations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and 
elephants in Mexico are also not protected by the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.
"Jenny's situation is of great concern to many people I represent," Hunt 
told The Associated Press. "This is not an indictment of the zoo in Mexico, 
but Jenny deserves to be somewhere she will be happy."
Officials at the Dallas Zoo, the Africam Safari Park near Puebla, Mexico, 
and even celebrity zookeeper Jack Hanna all say Africam is a top-notch 
facility where 32-year-old Jenny will be well cared for.
"We know she is a nervous elephant, and with protected contact, she can 
approach people if she wants to and we can monitor her stress levels easily 
without anyone getting hurt or killed," said Africam owner Amy Camacho.
Camacho said Jenny and her future companion, a female named Shanty, would 
share about five acres in a new African elephant exhibit at the park 80 
miles southeast of Mexico City. Camacho said Africam would be a good place 
for the 32-year-old Jenny because she is an older animal and she is used to 
being in captivity.
On Tuesday, Hanna released a statement supporting the zoo's decision.
"These animals need our help to protect their natural habitat, as well as 
facilitate conservation programs throughout the country that are helping new 
generations of wildlife stewards and conservationists," his statement said.
But Hunt and the other activists think Jenny would be much better off at the 
Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., a much larger area where elephants 
can roam freely for hundreds of acres. Jenny's current home in Dallas is 
about one-sixth of an acre.
The 2,700-acre refuge in Tennessee facility is home to 17 elephants and is 
known as a haven for troubled elephants. While the Elephant Sanctuary is not 
a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it is approved by the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is the nation's largest natural-habitat 
refuge. At the elephant sanctuary, Jenny would share a 300-acre enclosure 
with three other African elephants.
Carol Buckley, who co-founded the haven in 1995, said the refuge would take 
Jenny, but the sanctuary is not supporting activists to persuade the zoo.
Dallas Zoo spokeswoman Susan Eckert said the zoo has no plans to move Jenny 
to Tennessee.
Instead, they plan to continue inspecting Africam Safari Park near Puebla, 
Mexico to ensure it is the right fit. Africam, founded in 1972, is 
considered one of the top zoos in Latin America and is accredited by the 
Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
On Tuesday, Dallas Zoo director Gregg Hudson visited the Mexico facility.
The Dallas Zoo will consider bringing the animal back once its habitat for 
African animals is built, Eckert said, but officials are not yet sure 
whether she will return. Since the zoo will retain ownership of the animal, 
they will monitor her behavior at Africam to determine whether she would be 
happier in Dallas. The habitat is slated for completion in three years.
For now, though, Jenny continues to frolic in the Texas heat until a final 
decision comes in the fall to move her to Mexico. Zoo officials say they 
will continue preparing to send her to Africam, although they would 
reconsider if they encounter a major problem with the facility.
"Whenever you deal with children or animals, you have to consider a lot of 
options," Eckert said. "We're still trying to go through our plans, and we 
usually have time to consider our options, but with all the furor that we've 
had to go through, we've had to be a little more outspoken about our 
choices."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/072808dnmetjenny.4329302.html

Protesters want elephant Jenny to go to sanctuary
01:01 AM CDT on Monday, July 28, 2008
By JOANNA CATTANACH / The Dallas Morning News
jcattanach at dallasnews.com
Waving homemade signs reading "Sanctuary for Jenny" and "No to Mexico," more 
than 100 people rallied Sunday afternoon for Jenny, the Dallas Zoo's lone 
elephant.
Video

Mexican park director defends site for Dallas Zoo's Jenny
July 27th, 2008
A group calling itself Concerned Citizens for Jenny organized the protest 
after zoo officials announced plans to move Jenny to the Africam Safari Park 
near Puebla, Mexico, in the fall.
"Her life will be a hell in Mexico," said Margaret Morin, founder of the 
group. She said it has about 1,000 members.
Zoo officials reject the criticism. "We don't want to put her in a facility 
that's sub-par," zoo director Gregg Hudson said.
Also Online
Owner says Mexican zoo 'good option' for Jenny
The protesters say Jenny should be sent to the Elephant Sanctuary in 
Hohenwald, Tenn.
Animals there "are not exposed to the trauma of people and loud noises," 
said protester Katherine Schlund. She held a photo of Jenny taken nearly 20 
years ago, when Ms. Schlund was a first-grader visiting the zoo.
High school and college students also attended the protest, held just 
outside the zoo. Many said they have patronized the zoo for years and also 
want Jenny in Tennessee.

JIM MAHONEY/DMN
Jenny, a 9,000-pound female elephant was out of her quarters and available 
for viewing for the first time since KeKe, the zoo's oldest elephant died.
View larger Photography Photo store
"After 22 years of serving in this community, she deserves to retire," said 
protester Daniel Webb, a Southern Methodist University senior.
Hunt's visits
Dallas City Council member Angela Hunt supports the move to Tennessee. Her 
visit to the sanctuary this month far outshined her tour of Africam, she 
said.
She saw three Asian elephants there in an enclosure that she estimated was 
less than one acre. Ms. Hunt did not attend the Sunday rally.
Jenny's current home in Dallas is about one-sixth of an acre.
The Tennessee sanctuary was featured Friday on the ABC news show 20/20 . 
Founded in 1995 by Carol Buckley and Scott Blais, the 2,700-acre refuge is 
home to 17 elephants and is known as a haven for troubled elephants.
At the elephant sanctuary, Jenny would share a 300-acre enclosure with three 
other African elephants.
Africam, founded in 1972, is considered one of the top zoos in Latin America 
and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Tennessee 
sanctuary is accredited by the Association of Sanctuaries.
Mr. Hudson, the zoo director, visited the sanctuary this month. He said the 
issue isn't about zoo versus sanctuary.
It's about "who's going to be the best equipped to take care of Jenny every 
day," he said.
Expansion
He said Africam is that place, assuming it finishes expanding its elephant 
enclosure to nearly five acres and provides a companion for Jenny.
Jenny would share a portion of the expanded enclosure with Shanty, a female 
African elephant.
The majority of City Council members and Mayor Tom Leppert support the zoo's 
decision.
But Ms. Morin and others say if Jenny moves to Mexico, they'll no longer 
patronize the zoo.
"We feel betrayed by the zoo," said Ms. Morin.
The protesters' concerns are "not falling on deaf ears," said Mr. Hudson.
"No one is going to be as particular or as demanding as we are," he said.

http://www.b92.net//eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=08&dd=01&nav_id=52357

PETA protest at British embassy 1 August 2008 | 09:22 | Source: B92 
BELGRADE -- An animal rights group protested in front of the British embassy 
in Belgrade on Thursday.

Bare Skin, not Bear Skin (FoNet)

PETA activists were denouncing the killing of Canadian black bares as part 
of the "Spare a Bear" initiative.

The bear pelts are used to make headpieces for a British army regiment.

Accordingly, PETA’s slogan is “Bare Skin, not Bear Skin.”

A European tour to promote the cause made a stop in Serbia yesterday. The 
female activists appeared in front of the embassy wearing nothing but 
luxurious hats made out of faux fur and Union Jack flags.

They did not hide their surprise when a large number of news crews and photo 
reporters appeared to cover their protest.

“We hope that the people will visit our web site and we want to say to the 
[UK] Ministry of Defense that killing bears for making headpieces in the 
21st century is unjustifiable, to say the least."

"The feeling is fantastic. And if we needed to do it this way, in order to 
get the attention and protect the bears, then, we would have no problems to 
take our clothes off,” PETA’s Lauren Bowie said.

Soon after Sean Moran, the UK consul to Serbia, visited the PETA activists.

“British Ministry of Defense has been considering the possibility to use 
artificial fur for the last ten years. PETA offered the alternative 
materials, which did not comply with the standards,” is what Moran, had to 
say.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0806/S00267.htm

Anti-Vivisection Conference Protests in Auckland
Friday, 20 June 2008, 10:54 am
Press Release: Animal Rights Collective

Anti-Vivisection Conference Protests in Auckland
Animal Rights activists will be descending on Auckland to protest against a 
conference promoting animal experimentation. ANZCCART (the Australian and 
New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching) is the 
main pro-vivisection lobby group in Australasia. This year their annual 
conference will be held in Auckland from Sunday June 29th to Tuesday July 
1st at the Ellerslie Events Centre, 100 Ascot Avenue, Greenlane, Auckland.
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Over 300,000 animals are used in vivisection each year in New Zealand. 
Organisations including the National Anti Vivisection Campaign (NAVC), 
Animal Rights Legal Advocacy Network (ARLAN), Save the Beagles Campaign and 
the Auckland Animal Rights Collective (AARC) are coming together to organise 
actions and events to highlight the plight of these animals used and abused 
in the name of science.
TIMETABLE OF EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
LIBERATE 08 - animal rights benefit shows
Friday June 27th - R18 show at The Kings Arms Featuring.... Hellatosis 
Shitripper Blackout Army of Darkness Brick vs Face
>From 8.00pm
Saturday June 28th - all ages show at Ellen Melville Hall Featuring... Cry 
Wolf Strangers Brick vs Face Army of Darkness Antagonist Tourettes
>From 5pm
$10 on the door each night. All proceeds to go to outreach and animal 
rescue. Come along and make your voice heard for the animals!
Public meeting & short film screening - Lifting the Veil of Secrecy: Animal 
Experimentation in New Zealand WHEN: Saturday 28th June, 7pm WHERE: Grey 
Lynn Community Centre
Animal experimentation in New Zealand is regulated by Section 6 of the 
Animal Welfare Act 1999 entitled 'The Use of Animals in Research,Testing and 
Teaching'. This section exempts persons who experiment on live animals from 
all the other requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. Most importantly, it 
exempts animal researchers who experiment on live animals from being 
prosecuted for animal cruelty.
Of the 300,000live animals are experimented on each year in New 
Zealand,approximately 17, 000 of those are subject to very severe suffering. 
Is this ethically acceptable in our society?
Hear speakers from the National Anti Vivisection Campaign (NAVC), Save the 
Beagles Campaign and the Animal Rights Legal Advocacy Network (ARLAN) 
discuss the veil of secrecy surrounding animal experimentation in New 
Zealand.
Also short film screening: Wasted Lives.
This film makes a powerful moral and scientific case against animal 
experiments. It unravels the science question - making plain that animal 
experiments produce data that can't be reliably applied across the species.
Information stalls on site. Tea, coffee and vegan cake provided. When: 
Saturday 28th June Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm Where: Grey Lynn Community Centre: 
510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn
Email nzarinfo at gmail.com for more information about this event.
Rally at opening of ANZCCART conference WHEN: Sunday 29th June, 1pm WHERE: 
Ellerslie Event Centre, 100 Ascot Avenue, Greenlane, Auckland.
Meet outside the conference venue at 1pm to hear anti-vivisection speakers 
and to protest against the unethical and unnecessary use of animals in 
scientific experimentation in New Zealand. Come along and bring your 
friends! This is your chance to speak out for the thousands of animals in 
vivisection labs in New Zealand (and for the millions across the world) that 
cannot speak for themselves!
Protests on Monday 30th June and Tuesday 1st July
On Monday and Tuesday, we will be holding a range of protests aimed at 
disrupting the ANZCCART conference, as well as raising awareness about the 
plight of animals maimed, tortured and killed every year in New Zealand 
animal testing laboratories.
Monday 30th June: 7.00am: Morning protest as people go in to conference
6.45pm: Protest the conference dinner!
Tuesday 1st July (last day of ANZCCART): 12 mid-day: lunchtime protest, give 
the vivisectors the send off they deserve!
We will be meeting before each protest at 100 Ascott Ave, Greenlane, 
Auckland.
We want these protests to be as visible and loud as possible so please 
bring: Placards, Drums, Noise-Makers, Banners etc.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=139912

Waipuna Hotel draws protest
29/06/2008 14:32:01
Animal activists have gathered outside the Waipuna Hotel in Auckland, 
protesting against an animal research conference being held there.
Anti-vivisection spokesman Mark Eden says the conference was moved when the 
Ellerslie Events Centre cancelled the booking after it was misled over the 
nature of the conference. He says pro-vivisection lobby groups are not 
welcome here, and his group is planning to cause as much disruption to the 
conference as possible. He says more than 300,000 live animals are 
experimented on each year, and 17,000 suffer severely.
Mr Eden views vivisection as disgusting and ethically unacceptable.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-8556--36-36--.html

Environmentalists protest Suriname's pro-whaling position
Published on Monday, June 16, 2008Email To Friend    Print Version

Demonstrators holding banners in front of the Surinamese embassy in Brazil
protesting Suriname's pro-whaling position.
By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan at caribbeannetnews.com

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Activists from Greenpeace and other environmental 
groups held a demonstration Thursday in Brazil and Chile against Suriname’s 
pro-whaling voting at the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The 
activists are urging the Suriname government to start voting for the whales 
instead of for those who are hunting them for commercial reasons.

During the protest in front of the Suriname embassy in Brasilia and at the 
venue of this month’s IWC-meeting in Santiago, Chile, demonstrators were 
holding banners calling on Suriname “not to shame Latin-America” and to 
“vote for the whales”. Currently this Caricom member state is the only 
country in South America that is cooperating with Japan to end the 
decades-long moratorium on commercial whaling. In Brazil protesters 
presented a petition to the Surinamese embassy, denouncing the country’s 
position on commercial whaling.

A Greenpeace activist hands over a petition to an official of the Suriname 
embassy in Brazil during protest urging the Suriname government not to 
support Japan in its bid to resume commercial whaling.
In an interview with Caribbean Net News, Greenpeace activist Farah 
Obaidullah, maintained that the Surinamese government has no plausible 
explanation why it is voting to resume commercial whaling. Surinamese 
officials however argue that since whaling is believed to be an ancient 
Japanese tradition and whale meat is part of the menu in several Japanese 
communities Suriname will not stand in the way of Japan for observing that 
tradition.

They also indicate that whales are threatening fish stocks therefore 
sustainable whaling should be allowed, in order to safe guard the fishing 
industries worldwide.

“Suriname is supports preservation of the environment and biodiversity, but 
it also respects the cultures of other nations,” Kermechend Raghoebarsing, 
minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries said recently during 
a press conference.

Greenpeace refutes these claims, however, saying that there’s no scientific 
proof that whales are a threat to the fishing industry.

According to Obaidullah, the Surinamese government doesn’t have a unified 
position on the whaling issue.

Following discussions she had in March with several ministries, it is 
evident, she said, that only the ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry 
and Fisheries supports whaling.

“It seems like only the ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and 
Fisheries supports commercial whaling. The discussions I had here with 
officials revealed that other ministries which also have a stake in this 
matter don’t have a clue what’s going on,” she said.

She maintains that possibly there is more at hand than securing development 
aid from Japan by supporting the call for resumption of commercial whaling. 
“There are several countries such as Brazil which receive development aid 
from Japan but still vote against whaling at the IWC.”

According to the Greenpeace activist, Suriname should follow in Dominica’s 
steps, which announced this week that it would abstain from voting this 
month at the IWC meeting in Chile.

“Whales form an integral part of our marine ecosystems and it is important 
that we protect them,"  says Leandra Goncalves from Greenpeace Brazil.

“Suriname is well-known for its pro-active position with respect to 
safeguarding its own environment. Its policy at the IWC is therefore all the 
more hypocritical and puts Suriname to shame amongst other Latin-American 
countries,” said Samuel Leiva from Greenpeace Chile.

In January 2007 Japan granted US$7 million to Suriname for the construction 
of a small-scale fisheries centre in Paramaribo.

Responding to questions from reporters, Foreign Affairs minister Lygia 
Kraag-Keteldijk then denied that the donation was a favour from Japan in 
exchange for Suriname's vote to resume commercial whaling at the meeting of 
the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in May that year.

“This project fits within the framework of the cooperation between the two 
countries. It has nothing to do with the whaling issue,” the minister said.

Suriname have constantly sided with Japan and other pro-whaling nations and 
voted to end the moratorium on commercial whaling at last year's IWC 
meeting, since it became an IWC-member in 2003.

Japan, along with a number of countries, including Norway, Nicaragua and 
Iceland, advocates the lift of a 20-year-old ban, while other nations, 
including Brazil, Spain, Chile and Peru are against.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Medical&set_id=1&click_id=117&art_id=vn20080425070822281C223074

Protest over lab tests on animals
    April 25 2008 at 04:14PM

By Kanina Foss

Every second, about five animals die in laboratories around the world. They 
are dissected, infected, scalded, drowned, electrocuted, poisoned, de-limbed 
and brain-damaged, often without the benefit of anaesthesia or painkillers.

Thursday was World Dayfor Laboratory Animals.

In Joburg, animal rights activists gathered to protest outside Wits, one of 
the universities in South Africa that conducts animal tests.

Scientists argue that the benefit to humans justifies the suffering 
inflicted on animals
"We believe that animals shouldn't be exploited the way they are," said 
Animal Rights Africa trustee Alan Rolstone.

Animals are used to test cosmetics, medical drugs, tobacco, and commercial 
products such as household cleaners.

Beauty Without Cruelty spokesperson Anne van Vliet said she had spoken to a 
vet who had been in attendance during a test on cats for painkillers. The 
scientists took two cats, one of which had been administered the painkiller, 
burnt their paws on a hot plate and compared their reactions.

Scientists argue that the benefit to humans justifies the suffering 
inflicted on animals.

But activists say animal testing is a fraudulent practice because it's 
unreliable, as animals are too different from humans.

"It has been proved time and time again that results from animal-based 
research are not reliable," said Van Vliet. "You cannot extrapolate animal 
research results onto human beings."

Van Vliet added that the conditions in research laboratories, where animals 
live in terror, contributed to false results.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=351729

PETA activists protest against animal killing for testing cosmetics

ANI     Wednesday 23rd April, 2008
Mumbai, Apr 23 : Activists of People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals 
(PETA) on Monday staged a protest against animal killing for testing 
cosmetics.

"We are here to try and bring an awareness amongst the people about the 
cruelty endured by the animals that are used for cosmetic testing around the 
world. Progressive countries around the world have given up cosmetic testing 
but countries such as India continue with such pre-historic thing," said an 
activist.

"There are so many new things that have been developed, people can use DNA 
technique, they can use Computer models to test the animals. There is no 
need to put your shampoo into rabbit eyes or make a hamster or a rat eat 
some lipsticks so that we look beautiful," said Jaya Sinha, campaign manager 
PETA.

PETA activists displayed a huge dinosaur with words "cosmetic testing on 
animals is prehistoric."

"We are here to tell that this (Animal testing on animals) is a very old 
technique. Since there are new techniques available we should not test on 
animals," said Simran, Member PETA

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7358071.stm

Ape protest at Unilever factory

Some of the protesters were dressed as orang-utans
About 50 Greenpeace campaigners, some dressed as apes, have staged a protest 
at two Unilever sites over the company's use of palm oil.
The protesters went into the plant at Port Sunlight, Wirral, and Unilever 
House, London, early on Monday.
Campaigners left both sites about nine hours later after talks with 
managers.
Greenpeace claims the use of palm oil is damaging the Indonesian rainforest, 
but Unilever says it is leading the search for a sustainable product.
In November, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) - which Unilever 
chairs - agreed criteria for sustainable palm oil production which addresses 
many of Greenpeace's concerns, the company said.
"The problem is simply that demand of palm oil has exploded," a spokesperson 
said.
"It is essential that all those involved sign up to agreed criteria to make 
sustainability work on the ground - but this is not an easy process and is 
taking longer than we would all like.

It was a frank exchange of views but very amicable and grown up

Unilever spokesman
"Nevertheless, we remain absolutely committed to finding a solution."
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said officers monitored the protesters 
during the demonstration, which she described as "peaceful".
A Greenpeace spokesman said the group arrived in two vans at the front and 
back entrance of the Wirral site at about 0640 BST and simply walked in.
Later at 0735 BST, campaigners dressed as orang-utans scaled ladders on to a 
balcony at the headquarters in London.
Campaigners left both sites at about 1545 BST after a meeting with a senior 
Unilever manager from London.
Andy Tait, a campaign manager for Greenpeace at the Wirral protest site, 
said: "Unilever have promised a substantive response in the next couple of 
weeks and during that time we will look at other ways to keep up the 
pressure.
"Today has been a success in terms of keeping it on the public's and 
Unilever's agenda but the real success will be when Unilever changes their 
policies by not dealing with suppliers who destroy the rainforest."
A Unilever spokesman said production at the plant in the Wirral had not been 
affected by the action.
"It was all very peaceful and amicable," said the spokesman.
"One of our senior managers in London met with a Greenpeace representative 
today. It was a frank exchange of views but very amicable and grown up."
Greenpeace is urging Unilever to use its influence to stop palm oil 
suppliers clearing areas of rainforest - the natural habitat of orang-utans 
in Indonesia - to support the crop.
Palm oil is an ingredient in foods, soaps and detergents and a bio-fuel 
added to diesel for cars.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/05/animal_rights_activists_protes.html

Animal rights activists protest as wildlife officials investigate killing of 
sea lions

In The Oregonian's news podcast, Today in Oregon, for Monday, May 5, 2008:

• Animal rights activists protested today near Bonneville Dam while 
fisheries officials investigated the illegal killing of six sea lions

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/06/2236987.htm

Mulesing protesters have boycott win
Posted Tue May 6, 2008 3:17pm AEST
International animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of 
Animals (PETA) says it is hopeful more companies will boycott Australian 
wool producers who still use the controversial mulesing process on their 
sheep.
PETA has convinced two Swedish retailers to stop buying wool from Australian 
farmers who cut skin from their sheep's backside to prevent fly strike.
AB Lindex which has almost 350 retail outlets in Europe and RNB Retail and 
Brands, which has 450 shops in 12 countries say they will only sell wool 
products from Australian farmers who refuse to use the procedure.
The director of PETA's Asia Pacific branch, Jason Baker, says retailers will 
continue to send a strong message to farmers, until they abandon mulesing.
"A lot of retailers are talking to the wool industry and they're not really 
trusting what the wool industry is telling them," he said.
"They first told them they would stop all mulesing by 2010, then it was the 
end of 2010, then they're calling it a target date, instead of a deadline."
"So the retailers didn't feel they had a strong enough goal from the 
industry and so they're putting it in writing themselves."
Mr Baker says there are more effective and humane methods of preventing fly 
strike.
"Australia is really the only country in the world that does mulesing. It 
doesn't happen in other countries and that's why there's so much pressure on 
the industry."
Another animal rights group says the Federal Government needs to intervene 
to stop farmers using the controversial mulesing process.
Glenys Oogjes from Animals Australia says the Federal Government needs to 
put more pressure on wool producers.
"The Rudd Government, as the previous government did, have left it to the 
wool industry, that is they've said it's an industry issue," she said.
"I actually think that that's a bit of a cop out. I think governments are 
there to do public good and to ensure that we're forward thinking here in 
Australia."
The peak Australian body - Wool Producers has so far been unavailable for 
comment.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2008/04/30/feat/pinoy.stars.join.protest.v..foie.gras.production.html

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Pinoy stars join protest v. foie gras production

WHAT do top model Isabel Roces, actor and Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. 
and comedian and cover girl Rufa Mae Quinto have in common?

They -- along with actress and singer Yasmien Kurdi and veteran actor Eddie 
Gutierrez -- have all signed People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 
(Peta) Asia-Pacific's pledge never to eat or buy foie gras and to encourage 
their millions of fans to do the same.

Why? Because foie gras is the enlarged, diseased liver of ducks and geese 
who are painfully -- and often fatally -- force-fed using pipes that are 
plunged down their throats up to three times per day. Other movie performers 
who have signed the pledge include Arci Munoz, Alicia Mayer and K Brosas; 
models Corey Wills, Raya Mananquil and Bianca Valerio; and Jack TV's The 
Peep Show host Karen "Dylan" Vizcarra.

Foie gras is made from the livers of ducks and geese who are force-fed and 
develop a painful liver disease.

Foie gras farms in the US, Europe and Canada have documented sick, dead, and 
dying animals. Some animals had holes in their necks from pipe injuries. 
Dead birds were dangling from wires as bloods pilled from their neck wounds 
onto the live birds beneath them.

"Force-feeding birds until their organs explode is one of the most violent 
forms of cruelty to animals on factory farms today," said crusade manager 
Rochelle Regodon.

"All Filipinos can protect ducks and geese from this torture simply by 
refusing to buy or eat foie gras," Regodon said.

Foie gras has been banned in 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, 
Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, as well as in the US in the state of 
California and the City of Chicago.

Pope Benedict XVI once referred to foie gras production as the "degrading of 
living creatures to a commodity" and added that it "contradict(s) the 
relationship of mutuality that comes across in the Bible."

For more information and to sign the pledge, visit PETAAsiaPacific.com. 
(Press release)

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080429/peta_protest_080429/20080429?hub=Canada

Nearly naked anti-fur protesters visit trade show
Updated Tue. Apr. 29 2008 10:42 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Nearly naked, green-painted anti-fur campaigners converged on a Montreal 
trade show Tuesday, hoping to convince passers-by that no matter what their 
thoughts may be on animal cruelty, fur is bad for the environment.
Lucas Solowey, a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and 
president of the Concordia University Animal Rights Association, was one of 
about 15 people who protested outside the Fur Council of Canada's annual 
event in downtown Montreal.
Of those, three were nearly naked, wearing green spray paint and dressed in 
nothing but underwear and wigs. The stunt was meant to call attention to 
what PETA sees as the deception of the Fur Council's recent "Fur Is Green" 
media campaign, which calls fur the "ultimate eco-clothing."
"There's nothing green about fur," said Solowey, who said chemical 
preservatives are required to condition fur that is going to be used for 
clothing. "Those toxic chemicals run into our waterways."
The Fur Council's executive vice-president called PETA's angle 
"misinformation," saying harsh chemicals are more often used to treat 
leather than fur, which is too delicate to be treated with strong 
substances.
"Fur dressing is really quite gentle," Alan Herscovici told CTV.ca. "It's 
mostly treated with alum salts, lanolin, table salts... They're fishing at a 
red herring."
He called fur a sustainable clothing option, noting the fur trade has been 
going on since Canada's early days without impacting beaver populations.
PETA's endorsement of fake fur over the real stuff indicates a lack of 
understanding of conservation, since most fake furs are made with 
petroleum-based products which are costly to the environment and difficult 
to break down, Herscovici said.
Solowey has a hard time believing the fur industry's claim to 
sustainability, noting many Canadian furs come from farmed animals, not from 
the wild. The manure run-off from such farms is another cause of pollution, 
he said.
Herscovici said the Canadian industry produces farmed fur over wild fur at a 
two to one ratio.
"The fur industry is misleading people," said Solowey. "If people... see the 
cruelty and toxic waste involved they might take a second glance at their 
actions. Tradition doesn't justify cruelty."
He said his group has filed a complaint with Canada's Competition Bureau 
over the Fur Is Green campaign. PETA's parallel "Fur Is Dead" site says the 
Fur Council deliberately misleads consumers into thinking that buying fur 
helps the environment.
"The fur industry pollutes the environment with highly toxic chemicals, 
including sulfuric acid, formaldehyde, and ammonia," states the website. 
"Dressing and dyeing furs is classified as high-polluting by Canada's 
National Environment Protection Bureau."
When asked his thoughts on the current debate in the European Union on a 
potential seal pelt ban, Herscovici called the anti-sealing campaign in 
another example of manipulation of the public by special interest groups.
"A lot of governments in Europe are coalition governments and they have to 
have something to pay off their left wing or their green wing," he said, 
noting most countries in the world participate in some kind of wildlife 
harvesting.
Herscovici, the author of a book titled "Second Nature: The Animal-Rights 
Controversy," appeared at a news conference in support of the industry 
Tuesday morning alongside Quebec Industry Minister Raymond Bachand and NWT 
Sustainable Development Minister Bob McLeod.
"The more we dig into it, the more we come back to nature -- and fur is 
nature," Bachand told CTV Montreal in an interview.
On Monday, the Newfoundland and Labrador government called on Ottawa to help 
prevent the EU's proposed ban on seal pelts.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/kaohsiung/2008/04/29/154048/Burning%2Ddog.htm

Burning dog case draws protests

The China Post news staff
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan -- More than 200 dog lovers gathered at a junior high 
school in Kaohsiung yesterday to protest two school students' act of burning 
dogs with alcohol.
Wearing dark clothes, the protesters held placards with slogans showing 
their anger and calling for more humane treatment of dogs and other animals.
This was part of a series of protests after the reports of two students at 
the junior high school and two more students at a senior high school in 
Kaohsiung recently used alcohol to burn dogs.
The protesters stressed that they were not seeking penalties against the 
students, but they wanted to use the case to remind people in the largest 
city in southern Taiwan to show care for dogs and other pets.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004382161_sealion30m.html?syndication=rss
Trapping protests rise after sea lion dies
By The Associated Press
Related
Archive | Court rules partly in favor of sea lions
PORTLAND — One of seven sea lions trapped at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia 
River and sent to the Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma has died 
while undergoing medical inspection before transfer to a Sea World park, the 
Humane Society of the United States said Tuesday.
The society, which is mounting a federal appeals-court challenge to federal 
authorization to kill or capture some of the animals, demanded a moratorium 
on the captures until a full investigation can be held.
"Given that sea lions eat so few of the salmon compared to overfishing and 
other impacts, there should be no rush to remove these animals from the 
wild, especially in light of the apparent problems with capture and 
relocation," said Michael Markarian, the group's executive vice president.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Rick Hargrave confirmed the 
death, saying the sea lion "went under anesthesia and never came back."
Hargrave added that the department's marine-mammal specialist, Robin Brown, 
said such deaths are neither common nor unusual among marine mammals. 
Hargrave said plans are to continue trapping on Mondays and Thursdays.
The sea lion, branded as B198, was anesthetized so blood samples and other 
biological work could be done to make sure it was healthy, said Sharon 
Young, who directs the marine-mammal program for the Humane Society.
Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife authorities started trapping the 
animals on Thursday after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said 
federally authorized captures could proceed but said no animals could be 
killed pending the outcome of a hearing the court has scheduled for May 8.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), at the request of Oregon and 
Washington, authorized the killing or capture of up to 85 sea lions a year 
for five years at the base of the dam, where they feed on salmon headed 
upriver to spawn. The NMFS recommended that the total number be closer to 30 
and that emphasis be placed on live trapping.
State wildlife officials say they have confirmed commitments for homes for 
19 or 20 of the animals.
Those sent to Tacoma were branded or otherwise identifiable as being among 
about 60 animals known to be problems and targeted for immediate removal.
Several others, including some threatened Steller's sea lions, have been 
caught at the dam but were not on the "wanted" list and were released on the 
spot or taken to the mouth of the river near Astoria, Ore., and freed.
The sea lions are not endangered or threatened, but are protected under the 
1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act.
An amendment to the act allows selected animals to be captured or killed 
under some circumstances if states request it.
The Humane Society contends the NMFS has not proved the required 
"significant negative impact" from sea lions on the salmon runs. It seeks an 
injunction barring trapping or killing for this year until the case can get 
through the courts.
The government contends the animals do major damage to fish runs that are 
supported at heavy public cost. It is backed by Columbia River Indian tribes 
and commercial- and sport-fishing interests.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD44767.htm

Protesters fail to disrupt Australia kangaroo cull
20 May 2008 07:36:20 GMT
Source: Reuters
CANBERRA, May 20 (Reuters) - Protesters failed on Tuesday to stop the 
controversial cull of hundreds of kangaroos on a military base near the 
Australian capital, Canberra, which animal rights activists had branded as 
"barbaric".
Two protesters who broke through security and police lines in a bid to free 
kangaroos penned inside a screened enclosure reached the wrong animals, with 
vets tranquillising and killing almost 400 kangaroos in a separate area, the 
military said.
"The actions of these protesters stressed a small number of kangaroos that 
had been capture-darted," said defence spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic.
Authorities said the 400 eastern grey kangaroos, which feature on 
Australia's coat of arms, threatened other endangered local species through 
overgrazing.
A total of 600 kangaroos lived on the 200-hectare (495-acre) military 
communications base on the outskirts of Canberra, and the military said they 
would all have starved had not 400 of them been darted and killed with 
barbiturates.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith denied the cull would damage Australia's 
overseas reputation as local newspapers carried cartoons of the coat of arms 
on the parliament peppered with bullet holes where the kangaroo usually 
sits.
"Culls have occurred in the past in Australia. They may well occur in the 
future, and the scientific and public policy assessment will stand and fall 
on its merits," Smith said.
Up to 4 million wild kangaroos are culled each year in Australia from a 
total population of 50 million to control population and prevent 
overbreeding.
Animal activists have written to former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and his 
recently divorced wife Heather Mills asking them to fund a A$750,000 
($714,000) relocation of the animals ruled out by the government as too 
expensive.
"(Mills) said that she will donate all the money from her divorce 
proceedings to animal welfare groups," Animal Liberation NSW spokeswoman 
Angie Stephenson told local media.
In March McCartney appeared on a Web site set up by the British animal 
welfare group Viva! to condemn the cull and protect the kangaroos from 
"shameful massacre".
In 2004 there was an international outcry over the shooting of 900 kangaroos 
at a dam supplying water to Canberra. The animals were causing erosion 
problems through grazing. ($1=A$1.05) (Reporting by Rob Taylor; editing by 
Roger Crabb)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4554931a12.html

Protesters frighten wrong kangaroos after break-in
AAP | Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Protesters have broken into a Canberra defence property in a bid to disrupt 
the controversial culling of more than 400 kangaroos – but targeted the 
wrong animals.
But instead of stopping the cull they frightened and agitated a group of 
kangaroos which had been sedated and were due for release from a fertility 
trial, defence said.
The culling resumed this afternoon after an estimated 40 eastern-grey 
kangaroos were euthanased by defence contractors yesterday.
The roos are being gathered in a pen at the former naval communications 
property at Lawson, in northern Canberra, then moved into an enclosed area 
where they are put down.
Two protesters gained access to the property and tried to disrupt the cull.
"The actions of these protesters stressed a small number of kangaroos that 
had been capture darted," defence spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said.
"These particular kangaroos are part of the defence fertility trial and were 
recovering from sedation prior to release.
"The actions of the protesters frightened and agitated the kangaroos."
Defence has called on the protesters, gathered outside the site, to act in a 
peaceful and law-abiding way.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett asked protesters to accept the 
cull is also for the benefit of other species at the site, some of them 
endangered.
"A properly-administered humane cull, difficult as it is, is the right 
course of action," he said, recognising that some people were passionate 
about the issue.
"As a regrettable last option, these kinds of actions have to be taken.
"You have to look at other species that are being affected by those 
kangaroos.
"These's no doubt that the authorities have to undertake this in a way which 
is appropriate and is humane, and I'm sure they will do that."
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith was quizzed about the cull's possible damage 
to Australia's image overseas and whether it would empower the pro-whaling 
lobby.
"I don't think it will," he told reporters.
"Culls have occurred in the past in Australia, they may well occur in the 
future.
"And the scientific and public policy assessment will stand and fall on its 
merits."
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, who has long supported the cull, said it 
should have been done earlier.
Up to 4,000 roos were culled every year in the ACT alone, he said.
"Private land owners cull every year in the ACT to control eastern grey 
kangaroos," he told reporters.
"There's no controversy, there's no media interest and there's no 
demonstrations until the land manager turns out to be a government 
(department)."
Defence had no option but to undertake the cull, he said.
Animal Liberation NSW has asked the Rudd government to allow it time to 
raise the $750,000 ($NZ936,563.43) needed to relocate the kangaroos.
But spokeswoman Angie Stephenson said she was yet to receive a reply.
"I've put to them that if it's too expensive for the defence force to pay 
for the relocation – and that's the only reason they are killing them – then 
Animal Liberation and the other wildlife groups will gladly take the 
relocation on board and do it for them," she said.
"We are going to put it to (Sir) Paul McCartney and (his ex-wife) Heather 
Mills as well.
"(She's) said that she will donate all the money from her divorce 
proceedings to animal welfare groups."
Calls to the office of parliamentary secretary for defence Mike Kelly were 
not returned.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23713387-1242,00.html?from=public_rss

Wet weather dampens kangaroo cull protests
May 17, 2008 02:39pm
Article from: AAP
WET weather seems to have dampened expected protests against the Canberra 
kangaroo cull.
Only a small number of protesters turned out on day one of a process which 
is expected to run for some weeks.
The cull was announced yesterday afternoon when defence spokesman Brigadier 
Andrew Nikolic said the Federal Government had withdrawn support for 
research into relocating some 400 surplus kangaroos from the former navy 
transmitting station in Belconnen in Canberra's north.
"Defence therefore has no option but to undertake a cull," he said.
That prompted an outcry from animal welfare activists who said hundreds 
would turn out today.
But in the face of wet weather the turnout was more modest.
ACT Animal Liberation spokesman Bernard Brennan said today all was quiet 
because the weather had really closed in.
"So we are saving our energy. We have just got a dozen or so people at 
various points around the place, just keeping an eye on it," he told Sky 
News.
But he said many more could be called upon once the cull started.
Mr Brennan said there were some 600 kangaroos on the 200-hectare site which 
was too many.
He said a figure of $3.5 million had been cited as the cost of relocating 
the kangaroos from Belconnen into NSW.
"The problem is, it's going to cost a lot of money no matter what they do. 
Because it is in suburbia they can't use firearms," he said.
"It doesn't matter whether they tranquilise these kangaroos and kill them or 
dart these kangaroos and move them, the cost is going to be very high.
"They are saying it is going to cost too much to move the kangaroos but the 
cost to move them is not going to be much different than the cost to kill 
them."
Defence plans to cull around 400 kangaroos and has contracted a private firm 
Cumberland Ecology which has expertise in kangaroo population management.
The kangaroos will be tranquilised with a dart gun then injected with the 
deadly chemical Lethabarb.
The cull was initially planned for earlier this year but was postponed to 
allow consideration of alternatives.
It drew international condemnation by animal activists including British 
group Viva!, which has the support of celebrity rock stars Sir Paul 
McCartney and Chrissie Hynde.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=566645&rss=yes

Roo protesters charged in Canberra
18:25 AEST Wed May 21 2008
80 days 13 hours 12 minutes ago

Land where a roo cull is taking place has been claimed.
By Julian Drape and Susanna Dunkerley
Eight people protesting against Canberra's kangaroo cull have been charged 
with trespass and banned from the commonwealth site where it's taking place.
The Defence department has also accused animal welfare activists of again 
attempting to free kangaroos which weren't going to be culled.
Four men and four women, indigenous elders among them, were taken away in 
police vans on Wednesday after they jumped the boundary fence at the former 
naval site and tried to light a ceremonial fire.
They were later charged with trespassing on commonwealth land.
The protesters have been prohibited from returning to the site in Canberra's 
north until their court appearance early next month.
"There are bail conditions involved and one of those is that they're not 
allowed to return to the area," an ACT Policing spokesman said.
"We support people's right to protest as long as it's done lawfully and 
peacefully."
Defence contractors began culling about 400 eastern grey kangaroos on Monday 
after the federal government refused to cover the estimated $3.5 million 
cost of relocating the animals.
Ngunnawal people spokeswoman Isobel Coe said the protesters were reclaiming 
the land.
"We are Aboriginal people and we have come here to claim our land," Ms Coe 
told police.
"We are claiming our land and that's what our sacred fire means."
Other protesters say their vigil will continue indefinitely.
"As far as we are concerned it's never finished," Wildcare's Pat O'Brien 
said.
"We will be back here for the next year, the next two years, the next four 
years, putting up signs to remind people of the kangaroos that have been 
murdered."
But Defence says it is acting responsibly and the protesters are misguided.
Two internal fences were cut late Tuesday night allowing six kangaroos to 
escape from a recovery yard.
Defence spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said those animals weren't 
earmarked for culling.
"These particular kangaroos are part of Defence's fertility control project 
and were not to be euthanased," Brigadier Nikolic said in a statement.
"The action was dangerous because the animals were partly sedated and 
following release could have drowned in the dam."
Protesters also mistakenly agitated sedated kangaroos involved in the 
fertility trial on Tuesday, Defence said.
The cull, which involves the kangaroos being tranquillised with darts and 
then injected with a lethal drug, is expected to take about three to four 
weeks to complete.

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-5-22/70914.html

Whale and Roo Killing Protests Coincide in Canberra
AAPMay 22, 2008

Pro-whaling groups in Japan have defended their hunting of the mammals by 
pointing to Australia's killing of kangaroos. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty 
Images)

CANBERRA�Greenpeace stepped up its campaign against Japan's killing of 
whales in Canberra today as protesters a few kilometres away continued their 
fight against a controversial kangaroo cull.
Greenpeace representatives sought to deliver a letter to the Japanese 
ambassador demanding an open and thorough investigation into an alleged 
whale meat embezzlement scandal.
The environment group has accused Japanese whalers of stealing meat from the 
country's annual research hunt in the Antarctic and selling it on the black 
market.
A criminal complaint has been filed with the Tokyo District Public 
Prosecutor's Office against 12 crew members, the group said.
Its four-month investigation had found that crew of the Nisshin Maru factory 
ship had smuggled the meat ashore in bags designated as personal luggage and 
passed it to traders to be sold illegally.
Pro-whaling groups in Japan have defended their hunting of the mammals by 
pointing to Australia's killing of kangaroos.
Japanese TV and radio have covered protests against the culling of more than 
400 kangaroos on defence land in Canberra, which finally got under way late 
last week and was to continue today .
Protesters today continued a vigil at the site of the cull after eight 
demonstrators were yesterday charged with trespass.
Meanwhile, activists who gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Canberra 
today displayed a large banner in Japanese and English characters, saying: 
"Stolen whale meat. Scandal."
The letter asked that the Japanese public prosecutor's investigation into 
the meat scandal be as open and thorough as possible.
The investigation should not merely scapegoat some members of the ship's 
crew and reveal how high up the command ladder it reached," Greenpeace 
whales campaigner Rob Nicoll told reporters.
"We're also asking the Japanese government, given that there is this 
controversy and possible corruption within the whaling program, that all 
scientific permits are revoked and includes both the north Pacific 
scientific whaling program and the scientific program that takes place down 
in the Southern Ocean.
Delivery of the letter was part of coordinated action at sites around the 
world.
Mr Nicoll wants Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to raise the issue with Japan at 
the July meeting of G8 leaders in Tokyo.
"We expect ... this issue is broached and that we get some movement and 
hopefully an agreement by the Japanese government to end whaling in the 
Southern Ocean," he said.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/australia/2008/05/22/157576/Australian%2Dpolice.htm

Australian police arrest kangaroo cull protesters

Reuters
Thursday, May 22, 2008

CANBERRA -- Police arrested eight protesters on Wednesday as they tried to 
stop a cull of hundreds of kangaroos on a military base near the Australian 
capital, and local Aborigines joined the campaign against the slaughter. 
Elders from the local indigenous Ngunnawal clan said they were reclaiming 
the land from the Australian Defence Force, lighting a small ceremonial fire 
which they attempted to carry onto the defence communications site.
"We are claiming our land and that's what our sacred fire means," elder 
Isobel Coe shouted at police as protesters forced their way to the site of 
the cull. Police arrested four men and four women, who will face trespass 
charges.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356849,00.html

Aborigines Arrested for Protesting Kangaroo Cull in Australian Capital
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

CANBERRA, Australia —  Police arrested eight Aboriginal activists after they 
climbed a fence into a government site Wednesday to protest the culling of 
400 kangaroos, which are viewed as sacred symbols by Australia's indigenous 
people.
The four men and four women were charged with trespassing and released on 
bail. They were scheduled to appear in court next month, police said.
The eight Aboriginal protesters, led by renowned activist Isabel Coe, 
climbed over a gate to enter the abandoned military site in Canberra. They 
carried the black, red and yellow Aboriginal flag and smoldering eucalyptus 
leaves to light what Coe called a "sacred fire," which the activists sat 
around.
"We're here to claim our land today and to save the kangaroos," Coe said.
• Click here for photos.
The activists did not resist when police arrested them about an hour after 
the protest began. Some 30 protesters who remained outside the fence jeered 
the police. The protest was out of sight of the pens where kangaroos have 
been corralled before being killed with lethal injections.
Australians are divided on the merits of a mass killing of an iconic animal 
featured in their national coat of arms.
Defense Department authorities began the cull on Monday on the site where 
about 600 kangaroos live. Scientists say the kangaroos' growing population 
threatens the animals' own survival, as well as that of endangered native 
species of reptiles and insects.
Officials have refused to comment on how many kangaroos had so far been 
killed in an operation that was expected to take two to three weeks.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was monitoring 
the cull and said inspectors at the site Monday found animal welfare 
standards were met.
Defense officials reported Wednesday that intruders had cut through two 
internal fences overnight on the site, freeing six kangaroos from a yard 
where they had been recovering from the effects of tranquilizer darts.
These kangaroos had been sedated as part of fertility experiments and were 
not to be killed with lethal injections, Defense spokesman Brigadier Andrew 
Nikolic said in a statement.
Five of the kangaroos were recaptured but one had escaped to the free 
kangaroo population on the site, Nikolic said.
"The cull is being undertaken in the most humane manner possible and under 
the guidance of animal management experts," he said.
A police statement said that the eight activists were released on bail on 
condition that they do not again enter the site. They will make their first 
court appearance on June 6 on the trespass charges, which carry a maximum 
fine of $1,050.
But a protest leader Pat O'Brien, who was not arrested, said the Aborigines 
plan to apply for a court injunction preventing the slaughter of any more 
kangaroos while they fight the charges.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/roo-protest-rock-thrower-arrested/2008/05/23/1211183054954.html?s_cid=rss_news

Roo protest 'rock thrower' arrested
May 23, 2008 - 11:05AM
ACT police have arrested a woman accused of throwing rocks at security staff 
at the site of a controversial kangaroo cull in Canberra.
Police said officers called to the site about 7pm (AEST) yesterday arrested 
a 53-year-old woman from the inner-south Canberra suburb of Deakin.
She was granted bail and is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court on June 6, 
charged with using a weapon or missile likely to injure another person.
The latest incident brings to 10 the number of people arrested at the cull 
site on defence land in northern Canberra.
Defence contractors are culling more than 400 eastern grey kangaroos at the 
former naval communications base property at Lawson.
The kangaroos are being tranquillised with darts and then injected with a 
lethal drug.
The cull, which started on Monday, is expected to take about three to four 
weeks.
Yesterday, a 57-year-old man was taken away by police after allegedly 
damaging property at the site.
Earlier, four men and four women were charged with trespassing on 
commonwealth land.
AAP

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23720894-421,00.html?from=public_rss

Protesters fight roo cull as human shields
By Peter Jean
May 19, 2008 03:00am

ANIMAL liberationists are threatening to act as human shields to prevent a 
kangaroo cull on military land.
Killing pens and refrigerated trucks were in place yesterday at a former 
navy transmission station in Canberra, ahead of the planned culling of about 
400 kangaroos over the next few days.

The cull will be carried out to protect rare grasslands and plants and the 
threatened perunga grasshopper and golden sun moth.

The kangaroos will be stunned with tranquilliser darts and then given lethal 
injections.

The cull has earned the ire of international vegetarian group Viva! 
(Vegetarians International Voice for Animals) and its celebrity backers, 
including Sir Paul McCartney.

Animal Liberation spokesman Bernard Brennan said yesterday that protesters, 
who were heading to Canberra from Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland, were 
willing to act as human shields to protect the kangaroos.

"We're talking about professional people and housewives," he said.

"We're talking about lovely ladies in their 50s and 60s who haven't been 
very (politically) active in their lives, and now they're talking about 
walking out in front of dart guns."

About 200 kangaroos will be spared and allowed to remain on the site.

The Defence Department considered relocating kangaroos to another site but 
said the estimated $3.5 million cost was too expensive.

But protesters believe culling will be almost as costly.

Studies carried out for the ACT Government recommended against relocation 
because of the potential distress it could cause kangaroos.

The timing of the culling operation is likely to be dependent on the weather 
because dart weapons lose accuracy in windy conditions.

Canberra police have forbidden the use of firearms during the cull because 
the site is close to homes.

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399593.html

Midsummer Common Cows Protest – Go Veg!
Animal Rights Cambridge | 26.05.2008 23:12 | Animal Liberation | Climate 
Chaos | Ecology | Cambridge
Protest held on the Saturday 24th May 08.

See the video at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDzxStU8DMg

Following an article in the Cambridge Evening News regarding peoples 
concerns about the promotion of the meat from the Midsummer Common cows at 
Waller & Sons butchers, local animal rights campaigners protested to ask 
concerned people to have compassion for all animals and switch to a plant 
based diet.

According to Animal Rights Cambridge "It is upsetting, we agree, but then so 
is killing any farmed animal just for our taste buds. If people are truly 
offended about this it's time for them to give up eating animals."

The campaigners are calling for people to try out a vegetarian diet. "Even 
if it's only for a week. Give it a go! There are fantastic veggie options 
available these days, it's just about finding what's right for you."

The protesters also point out the environmental argument for leaving animal 
products off your plates. "The UN is now saying that animal agriculture 
causes more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world put 
together! If we want to save the planet going veggie is an excellent start!" 
"The threat from animal agriculture must be a key environmental issue no two 
ways about it."

-Animal Rights Cambridge meets on the fourth Monday of every month at the 
Bath House, Gywdir Street (off Mill Road) 8 p.m., £1 hall hire per person. 
For more on Animal Rights Cambridge 
http://animalrightscambridge.bravehost.com

- The UN report regarding animal agriculture can be found here: 
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html

Get a FREE veggie starter kit here:
 http://www.goveg.com/order.asp (more)

See the video at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDzxStU8DMg
Animal Rights Cambridge

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30937605.htm

Bird lovers protest at Cyprus spring hunt plans
30 Apr 2008 18:53:52 GMT
Source: Reuters
NICOSIA, April 30 (Reuters) - Conservationists in Cyprus accused authorities 
on Wednesday of allowing the spring bird-shooting season to go ahead despite 
a ban by the European Union.
Birdlife Cyprus, a local branch of Birdlife International, said Cyprus would 
permit hunters to shoot magpies and crows from May 1. Conservationists fear 
that hunters will also take the opportunity to shoot turtle doves, a popular 
delicacy.
Birdlife filed a complaint to the European Commission on Wednesday.
"There should be no shooting of any birds during this sensitive migration 
period," said Martin Hellicar, Birdlife Cyprus's Executive Manager.
"This is a crucial period when birds are migrating ... we feel this is an 
excuse to give hunters the spring shooting they have been clamouring for," 
he told Reuters.
Hunters would be permitted to shoot magpies and crows over a six-day period 
from May 1 as means of controlling their numbers.
Authorities said there was nothing untoward about the shoot, denying it was 
a guise for hunting other bird species.
"The government sets different dates for crow shooting every year, sometimes 
late April, sometimes late June ... it is nothing suspicious," said Pantelis 
Hadjiyerou, head of the island's Game Service.
"The hunters, as should always be the case, have to abide by the law. Any 
hunter falling out of line and who is caught by the Game Service will be 
charged."
An EU directive prohibits the shooting of birds in spring to ensure 
reproduction and sustainability in numbers. The European Commission forced 
Cyprus to curtail its spring hunting period last year.
Hunting is a popular pastime on the east Mediterranean island, which lies on 
a migratory route for birds. (Reporting by John Leonidou; editing by Giles 
Elgood)

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0805/S00263.htm

Global Protest Against Animal Testing Company
Sunday, 18 May 2008, 11:10 am
Press Release: SAFE

16 May 2008

New Zealand Joins Global Protest Against Animal Testing Company
New Zealand campaigners against animal testing will take to the streets 
tomorrow urging shoppers to avoid cruelly produced cosmetics, toiletries and 
household products.
SAFE, New Zealand’s second largest animal advocacy organisation, will 
specifically target products made by Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of the 
worlds largest companies still crudely testing products on animals.
The action is part of the 12th annual Global Boycott Procter & Gamble Day, 
led by British-based international animal protection group Uncaged, in 
partnership with animal protection groups around the world – including SAFE.
Christchurch, Auckland, Palmerston North, Dunedin, Whangarei, Nelson and the 
Hawkes Bay will be part of over 140 cities taking place across the world, 
from Sydney to Stockholm. The campaign is supported by stars such as Sir 
Paul McCartney, Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde, poet and musician 
Benjamin Zephaniah, and singer Morrissey.
P&G admit conducting poisoning tests on animals to assess chemicals in their 
brands which include Olay, Pantene, Pringles, Vicks and Herbal Essences. 
Cruelty free campaigners argue that if hundreds of other companies can 
produce cosmetics and household products without animal testing, so can P&G.
Dr Dan Lyons, head of Uncaged Campaigns, adds: “Typically, each animal test 
involves force-feeding chemicals via a tube inserted down the throats of 
scores of animals. This can easily damage the throat and organs of the 
animals, as well as cause suffering due to the toxic effects of the 
chemical. Those animals that survive to the end of the test are then killed 
for tissue analysis.”
Hans Kriek, campaign director of SAFE explains:
“Tomorrow SAFE will alert the public to the suffering behind famous brands 
such as Olay, Head & Shoulders and even IAMS ‘pet’ food. It cannot be right 
to abuse animals for the sake of ‘whiter whites’ and ‘younger-looking skin’.”
“Once they are made aware we find ethically conscious consumers want nothing 
to do with animal cruelty and will change their buying habits. As more 
people join in on the boycott we will get closer to saving thousands of 
animals from P&G's painful and lethal tests. Each person can make a 
difference by avoiding P&G,” says Mr Kriek.
Tomorrow SAFE campaigners will lie together in piles under bloodied sheets 
to represent discarded laboratory animals on the streets of Christchurch, 
Auckland, Palmerston North, Dunedin, Whangarei, Nelson and the Hawkes Bay.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,23713386-3102,00.html?from=public_rss

YouTube video protest at live dog research angers vet students
Hannah Martin
May 18, 2008 12:00am
A YOUTUBE video urging local authorities not to make pound dogs available 
for live research has angered veterinary school staff.
The emotive video, see right, encourages site visitors to write to three 
southeast Queensland councils, asking them to stop sending dogs to the 
University of Queensland.
Vet students operate on live dogs and cadavers as part of their study.
UQ School of Vet Science associate professor Dr Lucio Filippich said the 
university received unclaimed dogs from Brisbane City, Logan and the former 
Caboolture (now part of Moreton Bay Regional) councils.
However, public reaction to the YouTube video, posted by a Buddhist animal 
rights vegan group, has already prompted at least one council to stop giving 
dogs to UQ.
The move has angered Dr Filippich, who said the practice was essential to 
student learning.
"They are given to us on the understanding that they would otherwise be 
euthanased," he said.
"When we do take them, we don't necessarily euthanase them. We will rehome 
some.
"The YouTube video is counter-productive to the work we do and causing 
unnecessary anxiety.
"We'd love these people to get the facts. They only have half the story. 
It's offensive."
Dr Filippich said the number of live animals used in classes was strictly 
controlled by a university ethics committee.
Animal Welfare League spokeswoman Joy Verinder, who spoke on behalf of the 
group which posted the YouTube video, said practising on live dogs was 
outdated.
"In British veterinary colleges they don't use live animals and in Sydney 
University they don't, so it can be done well," Ms Verinder said.
"Human doctors don't practise on real children."
Logan City Council has been supplying UQ with dogs since August last year, 
but it said the agreement would not be renewed when it expires next month.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=560685&rss=yes

Animal protesters get naked for shoppers
16:39 AEST Sat May 10 2008
91 days 10 hours 31 minutes ago
By Simon Kirby
Shoppers in Sydney's CBD have copped an eyeful with a group of animal rights 
activists stripping off for a naked protest against live animal exports.
Heads turned as 24 young men and women wearing only skimpy green satin 
dressing gowns sauntered out into the middle of Pitt Street Mall at 1pm 
(AEST).
The group quickly disrobed and draped themselves on the cold paving slabs 
around a placard stating "Animals suffer and die in live export".
No doubt to the disappointment of some onlookers, all naughty bits remained 
covered by flesh-coloured sticky tape above and g-strings below.
The protesters endured the cold, occasional sniggers and a barrage of 
photographs from media, tourists and the voyeuristic alike in the hope some 
might see past the skin on show and heed their message.
Kate Monroe, 30, said it was an easy decision to strip off to raise 
awareness about the cruelty of live animal exports.
"I think it's a very worthy cause. There's millions of animals that die in 
horrendous conditions," Ms Monroe told AAP.
"Any attention we can bring to the problem to try to get people to do 
something about it is why I am here today."
Angie Stephenson of Animal Liberation NSW, which organised the protest with 
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), called for an end to 
"death ships" that carry millions of live sheep and cattle from Australia to 
the Middle East.
The animals were packed inside the ships for up to three gruelling weeks and 
endured terrible conditions, she said.
Live exporters factored into their business that a percentage of the animals 
would die, she said.
"What we are asking (Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd today is to think about each 
and every animal that is exported overseas and to stop this cruel, barbaric 
trade," Ms Stephenson said.
Ms Stephenson said naked protest was a non-threatening way to highlight the 
issue of live exports.
The public would be very confronted if they saw images of what happened 
aboard the ships, she said.
"Live export is very cruel. You see sheep having their throats slit, being 
dragged across bloody floors and being killed in front of their fellow 
travel-mates," Ms Stephenson said.
The Livestock Export Animal Welfare Group said the naked protest was a stunt 
that showed the activists were out of touch.
LiveCorp chief executive Cameron Hall, a member of the group, said the 
Australian industry invested $1.6 million each year to improve animal 
welfare around the world.
"Australia is the only country involved in the livestock export trade that 
is dedicated to improving animal welfare standards to the countries we 
export to," Mr Hall said.
"Our commitment ... is something for Australians to be proud of."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4570039a1860.html

Naked protest over fur industry (+pics)
AAP | Tuesday, 03 June 2008
Email a Friend | Printable View | Have Your Say

Reuters
CHILLY PROTEST: Australian Animal Liberation protesters pose for 
photographers during the launch of an anti-fur campaign in a central Sydney
Reuters
COVER UP: Australian Animal Liberation protesters pose for photographers 
during the launch of an anti-fur campaign in a central Sydney park.
Photo 2 of 3
NO FUR: Australian Animal Liberation protesters pose for photographers 
during the launch of an anti-fur campaign in a central Sydney park.
Naked men and women have posed in a Sydney park to launch Animal 
Liberation's winter campaign against fur.
The three-month long campaign aims to draw attention to the cruelty of the 
fur industry over the winter months.
Campaign manager Nicole Brown said the group, whose naked protest took place 
in the city's Wynyard Park, hoped to draw people's attention to the ethical 
issues surrounding the use of fur for clothing.
"Despite the glamour associated with wearing fur we want to show people the 
cruelty behind the industry," Ms Brown said.
"There are a lot of really good quality synthetic furs out there now and we 
would encourage people to wear them instead."
Ms Brown said animals held in fur farms were kept in appalling conditions 
and killed at a very young age.
Undercover footage obtained by Animal Liberation revealed that many animals 
were still conscious whilst they were skinned and remained alive for several 
minutes afterwards.
Ms Brown said the campaign would include protests outside shops selling fur 
products, fashion police walking the streets of Sydney and approaching 
people wearing fur, and further naked actions around the city.
Special actions were planned for August during the Beijing Olympics.
"As the fur industry is very big in China, we will be protesting around 
Chinatown during August and may also approach the Chinese embassy."
Ms Brown said there had been an increase in fur imports in Australia since 
last year, from 37,500kg in March 2007 to 65,500kg in March this year.
She said Animal Liberation had decided not to follow in the footsteps of 
high-profile overseas campaigns and enlist celebrities, because they wanted 
their message to appeal to the average person on the street.
"We did have discussions as to whether we would use celebrities or models, 
but we thought that wouldn't appeal to the average person.
"We decided to use activities and average representatives of the public so 
it doesn't seem it's just the celebrities who are wearing fur, because it is 
average people wearing it as well.
"We used the average person on the street to appeal to the person on the 
street."

http://www.wftv.com/news/16375587/detail.html

Activists Plan To Protest New Dog Racing Track In Daytona Beach
POSTED: 12:51 pm EDT May 23, 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A brand new dog racing track opened Friday morning in 
Daytona Beach. The Daytona Beach Kennel Club moved out of its old facility 
next to the Daytona International Speedway earlier this week.
The new $30 million complex is about two miles away. It includes a 50-table 
poker room and a simulcast gallery for wagering on horse races.
Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida plan to be on hand to 
protest the new track Friday night for the first races.