Month: September 2020

General News

Crimes of humanity

In the photo, you can see Patrick from Virunga National Park.
Until his murder, he was one of the rangers looking after the mountain gorillas.

Next to him sits a gorilla who lost his mother to hunters.

Due to the constant threat from armed groups, the Virunga National Park Rangers even have to complete military-like training.
But there is another danger, oil.

The gorillas sit on oil and the French oil giant TOTAL is producing shit-oil in their area.

There is a lot of oil at stake, namely deals worth billions of dollars and the gorillas in the middle, because Virunga is not spared either. Uganda has given the oil companies in Virunga the green light.

The first oil exploration licenses have been signed by European oil companies.

Despite global protests, Uganda signed an agreement with the French oil company Total on the 1,443-kilometer East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in September 2020.

Three journalists and six environmental activists were arrested for criticizing the project.

Oil giant TOTAL is planning the world’s largest heated oil pipeline through Uganda and Tanzania and will destroy some of the world’s most important reserves that protect countless elephants, lions, and chimpanzees and displace tens of thousands of families.

Another environmental crime.
Caused by highly criminal elites.

But governments and the media keep us busy with the horror corona statistics so that the process of making stupid can be accelerated, and we get afraid of losing a life that will soon be impossible to living.

Regards and a good night from Venus

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

FAO/OIE/WHO Tripartite statement on the pandemic risk of swine influenza.

😊

FAO/OIE/WHO Tripartite statement on the pandemic risk of swine influenza

15 September 2020

A recent report on the circulation of A(H1N1) subtype influenza viruses in the swine population in China with evidence of zoonotic potential has alerted the world to the pandemic risk associated with swine influenza viruses.

“Although there is limited data assessing human infections and circulation of these viruses in pigs, awareness and vigilance is strongly advised for a number of reasons” says Keith Sumption, Chief Veterinary Officer of the FAO. “The viruses analysed in the recent report from China show characteristics associated with increased ability for zoonotic transmission – the potential ability to infect humans. The viruses have some genetic markers to suggest human infection is possible; they can replicate in human airway cells, and viruses can be spread via respiratory droplets passed between ferrets.”

It is important that new and updated swine influenza surveillance data collected by countries are rapidly analysed and risk-assessed on a global scale to enable tracking how endemic and novel viruses are spreading. With the aim to facilitate and support this, OFFLU (OIE-FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza) advocates timely sharing of swine surveillance data from all regions to ensure that a One Health approach is applied to emerging influenza A viruses and that diagnostic tools are regularly updated to detect a wide range of influenza viruses, including emergent strains.

It is recommended that laboratories continue to conduct tests for swine influenza according to OIE International Standards. Further testing information, protocols, and guidance for surveillance in animals and in humans are given on the OIE, FAO and WHO websites.

A number of countries have reported sporadic human infections with novel influenza viruses including strains of swine-origin, under the WHO International Health Regulations in the past decades. Cases of human infections with swine influenza A viruses from the 1C genetic clade have been reported from Eurasia in recent years.

The viruses analysed in the recent report from China show characteristics associated with increased ability for zoonotic transmission – the potential ability to infect humans. The viruses have some genetic markers to suggest human infection is possible; they can replicate in human airway cells, and viruses can be spread via respiratory droplets passed between ferrets.

Keith Sumption, Chief Veterinary Officer of the FAO

“The timely release of genetic sequence data and sharing of virus isolates of emerging influenza viruses with GISRS (Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System has allowed both public and animal health specialists to rapidly assess associated risks” informs Ann Moen, Chief Influenza Preparedness and Response Unit, WHO. “Such timely action is critical to inform effective mitigation measures and prepare for a potential pandemic.”

Over the past four decades instances of sporadic transmission of influenza viruses between animals and humans have occurred. These sporadic zoonotic infections remind us that the threat of an influenza pandemic is persistent. While avian influenza has been the focus of surveillance and pandemic preparedness, swine influenza should not be neglected. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic was caused by a strain of swine influenza A virus which was introduced into humans and spread worldwide. Since then humans have re-introduced these viruses back into pigs, where they continue to evolve. It is important to identify emerging influenza viruses in swine populations and investigate their potential to infect humans.

The Tripartite contributes to this through supporting the understanding of the complexity and diversity of human-animal interfaces in different regions and significant differences in capacities of animal and human health national surveillance between countries and across geographic regions.

“Influenza in swine is not an OIE listed disease and thus does not require reporting to the OIE by the veterinary authorities. However, due to the pandemic risk associated with animal influenza viruses, there is a need for continued surveillance and risk assessment of emerging strains in swine populations” says Dr Matthew Stone, Deputy Director General (International Standards and Science), OIE.

“Through the international partnership between OIE, FAO, WHO and contributing laboratories, emerging influenza variants, that may be of public or animal health concern, can be identified and flagged for further attention. We continuously monitor changes in circulating influenza virus strains in animal populations worldwide.”

The development of zoonotic influenza A candidate vaccine viruses, coordinated by WHO, remains an essential component of the global strategy for pandemic preparedness. Such readiness is dependent on continued monitoring through surveillance in animals including swine populations and timely reporting of human infections under International Health Regulations. The WHO Collaborating Center at China CDC has previously reported human infections by other 1C A(H1N1) variant viruses, including two recent viruses with a similar 1C.2.3 genotype. A candidate vaccine virus from a similar 1C.2.3. (Eurasian avianlike) A(H1N1) virus has been developed by the WHO Collaborating Center at China CDC, available for development of human vaccines for pandemic preparedness purposes.

Knowledge gained from international One Health cooperation, highlighted in the Tripartite’s Commitment (2017) and WHO Global Influenza Strategy, allows animal and human health experts to conduct timely risk assessment, update diagnostic tests and diagnostic reagents, anticipate vaccine component requirements, and develop response plans for current or future events.

Read more at source   OIE/FAO/W

Regards Mark

General News, Vivisection

Germany: Pigs mutilate as military training

The following scenario is so cruel that it is probably beyond your imagination: Against your will, you are fixed on an operating table, as if for an operation. But in truth, they have to serve as an exercise object. Surgeons stab them to cause severe, bleeding wounds and poke their stomachs.

Then they kill them. – A horror movie? Unfortunately not.

This unimaginable fate is still a cruel reality for pigs in the german military today.

In so-called live tissue training, also known as trauma training, the german military uses live pigs to replace people with war injuries. Even though there are already animal-free methods such as simulation models that depict human anatomy in a lifelike manner.
Mutilating pigs is of no use.

Each year, the German military mutilates live pigs in gruesome and deadly trauma training exercises for surgeons, even though studies confirm the superiority of human-patient simulators and regulators have blocked attempts by the U.S. Army and contractors to conduct this self-described live tissue training (LTT) in Germany.

During LTT, the German armed forces use pigs as stand-ins for troops wounded in combat, and military medical personnel practice surgeries on the live, bleeding animals. Not only is this inhumane, but these animals also have drastically different anatomy and physiology from that of humans, which makes maiming pigs irrelevant to human battlefield medicine.

Globally, LTT is the exception, not the rule.

In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard, following a PETA eyewitness investigation and extensive discussions with us, ended what the agency’s leader at the time called “abhorrent” trauma training on animals in favor of advanced human-simulation technology.
A landmark study published by PETA and military medical experts in the journal Military Medicine also found that nearly three-quarters of NATO member states don’t use animals in their military medical pieces of training.

As part of a campaign against the abuse of animals in trauma training courses in NATO countries, PETA USA approached the German Armed Forces in 2010.
At that time, our partner organization was informed that the military worked with modern models, not with animals.
But a 2016 publication showed that animals are still being abused.

In 2020, PETA and our German affiliate fired off a letter to Germany’s defense minister calling for an end to all trauma training drills on animals, citing the widespread availability of anatomically accurate human-patient simulators and other realistic non-animal methods that can mimic severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, responses to medication, and even death in humans.

Things have long been different: after campaigns by PETA and its international partner organizations, the Polish military has already confirmed that it will no longer use animals for trauma training.
Poland has thus joined the almost three-quarters of the NATO countries that do not torture or kill animals in military exercises.
So all these countries see themselves in a position to work with modern simulators instead of suffering animals – then the German army can do that too.

Continue reading “Germany: Pigs mutilate as military training” →

General News, Stray Animals

India: September Rescues From ‘Animal Aid Unlimited’ (AAU).

Dear Mark,

Healing is often quicker at home than in the hospital, even when home is in the street. When animals with minor conditions are treated in their own neighborhoods, they usually feel much more calmthan if they are in a new place with strangers. People witness our Street Treatment team and participatemore in their care, and we avoid exposing animals to viruses. In the video below, we show you one of the 40 cases we treat on the street each day. We’re deeply grateful for your help. We couldn’t do it without you.

Healing little Jeelu’s massive wound.

Jeeluwas hiding as many animals do when they are suffering acute pain. Normally cheerful and always charming, this young teenage puppy must have had her skin snagged by a passing vehicle and the wound was so wide that stitching it closed was not an option. She needed several weeks of daily wound care, antibiotics and painkillers, flushing, re-bandaging and rest in order to stabilize.

The final stage of healing could take place outside the hospital.With a kind and caring family in her home neighborhood, we knew it would be safer to return her where human and animal friends would welcome her, and avert the danger of exposure to the viruses other hospital patients can carry.

Checking up on her every week, we watched Jeelu flourish, and you can too.

For small animals with big wounds: Please donate.

Tender-hearted Samson’s neck was wounded ear-to-ear.

Lacerated and infected with bacteria and maggots, themassive wound encircled this little donkey like a hideous necklace of pain. This injury was caused by the friction of a rope bound far too tight. At first the gentle victim was terrified of being touched, but as days turned to weeks in his beautiful healing process, this sweet little guy gained trust.

We’ve named him Samson, after the famous story of Samson’s great strength to right wrongs. Someday with your help animal cruelty will stop.

For all the meek and mild, let your love give strength. Please donate.

Regards Mark

General News

What a pleasure to know a story like this!

Joao, the world’s oldest chimpanzee, group 2’s elder, and former alpha and still going strong.

Born between 1943 – 1948, starting his journey in Mozambique as a circus act, only to be given to a local zoo in Maputo with his companion when they were still young. Sadly, Joao’s companion passed away 😔

Soon after war broke out and subsequently Joao ended up living in isolation for many years.

Kind locals fed Joao before he eventually arrived at the sanctuary in 2006 🌳

Joao is a kind, wise old man and has lived one heck of a life. Now between 72 – 77 years old, Joao lives the rest of his days in peace with a loving family.

Great Ape Project

 

Have a good night, Venus

Hunting

Swiss: Poaching of gamekeepers in Valais!

The Valais is a canton in the southwest of Switzerland.
In terms of area, the Valais is the third largest canton in Switzerland and lies entirely within the Alps.

There are practically no lynxes in the south of Valais. Although the living conditions are ideal, last year not a single animal fell into one of the more than 130 photo traps set up by the Kora Foundation.

The suspicion: poachers kill the protected animals as soon as they enter the mountain canton. Five years ago, researchers at the University of Bern discovered a total of 17 snare traps that had been set up on the border with Vaud.

Three Valais rangers are accused of illegally hunting lynxes and wolves.

This puts the cantonal authorities in a dubious light shortly before the vote on the new hunting law in Switzerland.

Even then, the researchers were wondering whether the Valais authorities are adequately combating poaching – or whether the canton is even holding its protective hand over the poachers.

This now seems to be confirmed: BLICK Magazin has spoken to several witnesses who report exactly that.
According to their report, the problem is far more serious.

They claim: several game rangers – state employees – have illegally hunted lynxes and wolves themselves!

A total of five people were willing to give BLICK Magazin information personally. They accuse an active and two former Wallis rangers of poaching.

In particular, game warden Pierre D. *, who is still on duty, is not a blank slate.
Several criminal proceedings are currently ongoing against the Valaisan. He is accused of having two eagles imprisoned at his home and illegally shooting a deer in a no-hunting area while on a trophy hunt.

«Ein guter Luchs ist ein toter Luchs» – Diese Devise soll lange Zeit in der kantonalen Dienststelle für Jagd, Fischerei und Wildtiere geherrscht haben. “A good lynx is a dead lynx” – this motto is said to have prevailed for a long time in the cantonal office for hunting, fishing and wild animals.

 

Now the air is getting even thinner for Pierre D.
BLICK has a photo in which he is holding a dead lynx in his hands – and grinning broadly into the camera. The authorities assume that the lynx got caught in a fence in an attack on sheep and was killed in the process. The gamekeeper does not seem to be saddened by the animal’s death.

The accusation of poaching against D. weighs heavily: For example, a hunter who, for fear of revenge on the part of the authorities, does not want to be named by name, says D. asked him several times directly to shoot lynxes. “He said it was our job to destroy the predators in Valais.”

In addition, the gamekeeper organized a real wolf hunt ten years ago: “When he found out that a wolf was roaming the Alps, he immediately alerted us and instructed us to shoot the animal,” says the hunter.
Later, D. appeared armed on the alp himself. “I was completely stunned”

Game rangers are usually responsible for protecting wild animals. They count the stocks and shoot sick and injured animals. Also protected, but only after an official decision of the canton in accordance with the Hunting Act Ordinance.

Continue reading “Swiss: Poaching of gamekeepers in Valais!” →

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

England: This Is Huge ! Respect for Animals – Fighting the Fur Trade – Poland Close to Historic Fur Farming Ban. –

From ‘Respect for Animals’; Nottingham England.  Fighting the fur trade.

THIS IS HUGE !!!

Poland close to historic fur farming ban

Poland close to historic fur farming ban

Over two dramatic days, the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish Parliament) has held a historic meetings advancing the legal protection of animals in Poland. It concerned the so-called “Five for animals”: a proposed bill with key changes to animal protection law. MPs voted in favour of an amendment, which includes a ban on breeding animals for fur.

The sitting of Sejm on Thursday, 17 September 2020 was saw an impressive majority backing the legislation. Politicians from across the political spectrum supported the initiative and resulting in a majority of MPs (77%) voting in favour. Now the bill has to be voted on by the Senate (the upper house of Polish parliament) and signed by the president. 

The sponsor of the Bill was the Law and Justice Party MP Grzegorz Puda, Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy. He defended the project against attacks by fur industry apologists. In addition to the key issue of ethics of animal cruelty, he argued that the project had involved consultations with villagers who suffer from the stench, insect infestations, environmental and groundwater pollution as a result of fur production.

This victory over the cruel and unnecessary fur trade is a major moment in the anti-fur campaign: Poland is the third biggest fur producer in the world. Every year over 5 million animals are killed for fur in Poland. This cruelty is now close to finally coming to an end.

Respect for Animals is proud to campaign with our Fur Free Alliance colleagues Otwarte Klatki and Viva! Poland and commends their fantastic campaigning in Poland.

After many years of frustration, this legislation has progressed remarkably swiftly. Last week, we brought you news of a shocking new undercover investigation from Poland on one of the world’s biggest fur farms, which depicted horrible suffering of mink.

The footage revealed numerous cases of cannibalism, aggression, self-harming, open wounds and paralysis amongst mink on the farm. Also, it showed the lack of veterinary care on the farm and many cases of animals escaping.

After viewing the recent footage Mark Glover, Campaigns Director at Respect for Animals said:

“This is a shocking investigation. The suffering of these animals can scarcely be imagined.

“I personally know what impact seeing these atrocities first hand and close up can have. As the undercover activist said in the video, some of the things he has seen will live with him forever. I still live with some of what I saw in UK fur farms more than 20 years ago and it is not easy, but is certainly one of the things that has driven me on to work to end this disgusting industry.”

Just two hours after the publication of this footage a press conference was organised by the ruling party, in which they announced the “Five for Animals” bill.

Respect for Animals has been running an open letter to the Polish Embassy calling for a fur farming ban.

You still have time to add your name, here:

Poland close to historic fur farming ban

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

European pig sector suffering from animal welfare and environmental problems, says research by European Parliament – Is That Not Obvious ?

WAV Comment:  As if we did not know ! – we have been shouting about this, and providing evidence for years !

Check out all our pig issues at  https://worldanimalsvoice.com/?s=pig

European pig sector suffering from animal welfare and environmental problems, says research by European Parliament

15 September 2020

The European Parliamentary Research Services recently published a comprehensive briefing on the EU pig meat sector that is meant to inform MEPs and their assistants. Animal welfare and environmental degradation feature prominently among the issues to be urgently addressed.

Pig meat production accounts for half of the total meat production of the European Union, which is also the main global exporter of pig meat products. Exports and pig meat prices increased substantially in 2019-20 due to the epidemic of African Swine Fever in Asia, which has decimated the local pig population. 

But it’s not all about the economy, and it’s definitely not all roses. In a new report, the European Parliamentary Research Service importantly stresses that “the vast majority of pigs in the EU are bred, kept and slaughtered for meat within an intensive system that gives rise to numerous issues linked in particular to animal welfare and pollution.” And we are talking about 150 million animals.

 

The report goes into detail on the generalised lack of compliance with the Pigs Directive explaining that “Despite EU regulations prohibiting routine mutilation, most piglets in the main pig producing Member States are routinely subjected to harmful practices.”  We were pleased to see that the important activities of the Intergroup for the Welfare and Conservation of Animals and our campaign End Pig Pain, which collected more than 1 million signatures asking for better lives for pigs, are mentioned in the report.

Another major issue is the environmental impact of pig farming, which is responsible, according to the research services of the European Parliament, for significant water and air pollution, as well as “odour and noise, the spreading of heavy metals, pesticides, toxic substances and pathogens (including antibiotic resistant pathogens), water pollution by residues of pharmaceuticals, excessive use of groundwater”. 

https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/news/european-pig-sector-suffering-animal-welfare-and-environmental-problems-says-research-european

Vivisection

China and cosmetics: less animal testing in sight

In 2012, PETA was able to show that some previously animal-free companies had started to market their products in China and to have the animal tests required by the Chinese authorities carried out approvingly.

For such experiments, hundreds of thousands of animals are tortured every year in cruel, fatal poisoning tests in which substances are forcibly administered to them, chemicals are applied to their skin, or chemicals are dripped into their eyes.

The latest developments in China in animal testing for cosmetic products give hope for great animal-friendly improvements.

The Chinese government is now taking new steps and easing its requirements for cosmetic tests on animals.

In detail, it looks as if China will soon no longer require animal testing for imported cosmetics in the “Non-Special Use” category (e.g. shampoo, shower gel, body lotion, make-up) so that these products can be marketed in China.

In January of this year, a long-awaited new draft of the so-called Cosmetic Supervision and Regulation (CSAR), China’s outdated cosmetics regulation, was drawn up.

The final publication for implementation was delayed due to COVID-19, but the final draft has now been published and is currently being analyzed.
If it is passed, it would be possible in the future to market many imported cosmetic products in China that have not been tested on animals.
That would be a huge step forward and save countless animals from cruel experiments!

Unfortunately, however, it does not mean that animal testing is no longer carried out in China at all.

Companies that manufacture products in the “Special-Use” category must continue to have animal tests carried out for marketing in China, which means that animal tests are still required for these products – regardless of where the products were made.

This category includes special cosmetic products such as hair dyes, perm products, whitening products, sunscreens, or hair loss agents.

The passing of the CSAR would be a very important milestone, but the suffering of the animals would not end there and countless animals would still need our help.

https://www.peta.de/china-kosmetik-tierversuche-neue-regelung

 

And I mean… Companies that want to export cosmetics to China have to accept animal testing.
Without registration with the CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration), customs clearance is not possible – and therefore no market entry.

This regulation is now to be relaxed.
In addition, the Chinese government has approved two new cruelty-free testing methods
We are really happy.

Of course, there is still no ban on testing cosmetic products on animals, but at least and with the new regulation, companies can now officially decide freely whether to use methods that do not involve animal suffering

The animal rights organization Cruelty-Free International (CFI) sees this as a very important step.
It remains to be seen whether China will abandon animal testing for cosmetics altogether.

That would eventually increase China’s sales, because the many cosmetics companies that don’t want to sell their products there, for this reason, would do it again.

My best regards to all, Venus