Category: General News

For the festival of love

Who should actually still trust human love when intelligent and pain-sensitive living beings are tortured, killed, and even eaten in the name of this love?

Weihnachten: Gans oder Truthahn? Hauptsache, die Liebsten sitzen mit am Tisch.
 © Camerique/​Fotex

What else I wanted to say before Christmas…

Please leave the turkeys alone.
And the geese, chickens, ducks.
And the pigs.
And the cattle, calves, oxen. Merci. ❤️

Best regards, Venus

“Baby”: the longest river dolphin in captivity in the world is dead

The sad life of the last wild-caught dolphin in Duisburg Zoo, Germany has come to an end after 45 years of imprisonment: Dolphin “Orinoko”, who was mainly called “Baby”, is dead.

For a handful of fish, dolphins are forced to entertain the paying audience.

“Baby” was the last captive river dolphin outside of South America. His death marks the end of an era full of suffering and loneliness.
A look at “babies” tragic life proves: Dolphins do not belong in zoos and dolphinariums!

River dolphin “Baby”: Torn from nature and put to sleep after almost 46 years in captivity

“Baby” was originally born in freedom: He comes from the South American Amazon region.

In 1975 he and other conspecifics were torn from their natural environment as wild-caught and brought to Germany.

That was 45 years and nine months ago – that is how long “Baby” has lived in Duisburg.
He has also been all alone for 14 years: as the last of his kind in the local dolphinarium, he ekes out a lonely and monotonous existence in a small pool.


Now the Duisburg Zoo announced that “Baby” had to be put down after an illness.
He no longer wanted to eat and reacted increasingly cautious.

In addition, wound infection was diagnosed. As his condition worsened, “Baby” was put to sleep.

At the time of his death, he was the longest river dolphin in captivity in the world – a sad record that was accompanied by much agony and privation for the animal.

Dolphins suffer massively in captivity

It doesn’t matter how big and modern the tanks are – for dolphins captivity always means animal suffering. In captivity, marine animals have little opportunity to express their natural behavior – but this is often used as an argument in favor of keeping dolphins, orcas, etc. in zoos.
However, no general knowledge can be derived from animals in captivity. In addition, zoos do not make any contribution to species protection: not a single dolphin living in Duisburg Zoo has ever been returned to nature.

“The captivity of dolphins always means animal suffering, no matter how large and modern the tanks may be. With robot dolphins, on the other hand, things are different. In July, PETA asked the zoo to transfer the bottlenose dolphins to managed marine reserves and invest in a ‘Robotic Dolphin’. “
(Marine biologist Dr. Tanja Breining, specialist librarian for fish and marine animals at PETA Germany).

Nach 45 Jahren eingesperrt im Zoo Duisburg: Flussdelfin „Baby“ ist tot

And I mean… To make one thing clear: the reality of the life of the dolphins who are always “smiling” (because that is their natural mouth shape and not because they are in such a good mood) and squeaking (because that is their language and not an expression of their mood) is different than in ” Flipper “was shown, it is a tragic one which is used to amuse and entertain stupid visitors.

Amazonian dolphins have been kept in aquariums since 1975 – outside of Venezuela – only in Duisburg Zoo.

Under “kept” is to be understood completely unnatural conditions where they have to wait. This can go as far as the suicide of the animals due to depression – because no dolphin willingly jumps through rings and live happily in a “bathtub”!

Buying and trading with the dolphins drive a completely different, extremely dirty business, as we have already reported: the dolphin massacre in Taiji.

In a Japanese coastal town, whole schools of dolphins are regularly driven into a bay by fishermen.
In front of the dolphin family members, some animals are stabbed alive and cut up. The bay turns red with the blood of agony.
In between, young, small dolphins swim, chosen by the men and later sold to dolphinariums.
Completely traumatized, these animals end up in shows and are supposed to entertain children – what a morbid act!

Now the Duisburg Zoo is moaning in the media and is playing a comedy of emotions that only idiots or the unsuspecting can convince.

“Baby” was a character animal in our zoo.

The loss affects employees and visitors alike and makes us very sad.
With “Baby” we have lost a symbolic animal that represented its endangered conspecifics in South America and the shrinking of the tropical rainforest.”

That is why the rainforest and its rare animals will disappear! because of such predators, animal abusers, unscrupulous criminals who see both animals and nature as only means to their economic ends.

My best regards to all, Venus

England: UK Live Animal Exports News. 23/12/20.

UK Live Animal Exports News.  23/12/20

Well, I am making really positive progress with our contribution to the UK government to try and get live animal exports stopped from the UK in 2021.  With 30 years experience on the issue there is a lot to detail about non compliances with (EU) regulation 1/2005 on which UK law is also based

Check it out yourself – pick your language and format links here:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2005/1/oj

Note for English, select ‘EN’.

So much has been written for submission; that today I have passed a copy of the current draft to a great campaigner friend for extra safekeeping, just if the situation ever arose where a recovery copy needed to be retrieved.  Hopefully it will never be needed, but always better to be safe !

Also, I had contact today from Lesley who runs ‘Eyes on Animals’ in the Netherlands.  https://www.eyesonanimals.com/   – they specialise in undercover work involving live animal transports specially; I gave Les some info, and she has promised to give a contribution to the UK government consultation be the new year, which is great news.

Between us, we are really concentrating on the importance of access to animals throughout their journey time on the road; and also the use of sealed box trailers which are just no good at all for livestock transporting; but which are used in the EU and by Dutch livestock hauliers coming to the UK to buy up British animals for slaughter within the EU.

We are covering all issues in the consultation, but are especially concentrating on driver access, or lack of, to sick and injured animals, and also the use sealed box trailers.  Below is a photo by friend Val Cameron of one of these Dutch box trailers arriving at an English port.  Would you believe that this is full of live sheep ? !!

Many would consider it a refrigerated trailer as usual; but it is not; it IS full of live sheep going for export to Europe !

Photo – Val Cameron

Another photo we took managed to get a very rare glimpse in through the rear of one of these trailers, showing all the sheep inside (as viewed from the rear).  We are not currently publishing this.

These sealed box trailers are used quite a lot here in England by the Dutch – so we consider that these trailers are very bad for animal access and ventilation; plus they have no signage to say they are carrying live animals – which is illegal and against the EU regulation ! – and so hopefully we may get their usage stopped.  Time will tell us in 2021.

Regards Mark

Lesley has produced the following reports on these issues in the past – check them out.

The importance of access during transport:

Heat stress during transport:

https://www.eyesonanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190325-Notitie-hittestress-def.pdf

England: Finally some good news? Covid-19 claims another victim as Boxing Day hunts cancelled.

WAV Comment – Excellent news – foxes, deer, hare etc; all free from being hunted down illegally on Boxing Day (26/12).  This is the one day in the UK when all hunts ‘parade themselves’ through their local areas; and it is always a big event as many ‘antis’ (those who hate hunting) go out to match up against the hunts as they ride through local towns and villages.  The result – normally a bit of fist to cuff (fighting).  All the sabs and antis can have a safe day at home this year, as British wildlife will not be hunted down and illegally killed by the other side for blood lust pleasure.

We agree with the London Economic – finally, some good news !

Finally some good news? Covid-19 claims another victim as Boxing Day hunts cancelled

It is the first time that hunting has been suspended en masse since February 2001 – during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The Boxing Day hunt – one of the most controversial traditions in the country – has been cancelled.

An estimated 250,000 people tend to gather on Boxing Day to watch their local pack of hounds meet on village greens, at pubs and in town centres across the UK – making it the biggest event in the hunting calendar. 

Earlier this year, the executive body for trail-hunting – The Hunting Office – sent a bulletin to roughly 250 packs across England and Wales telling them to cancel.  “The hunting community needs to take the lead during these extraordinary times and act respectfully and responsibly to help the fight against coronavirus … and to ensure the wellbeing of the local community who are so supportive each and every year,” a statement said.

It is the first time that hunting has been suspended en masse since February 2001 – during the foot-and-mouth outbreak. Some hunts – including one in Kent – had hoped to proceed this year, but were forced to scrap plans in the wake of increased, tier 4 coronavirus restrictions.

A spokesman for the East Kent hunt said they had “no choice” but cancel, adding it was “disappointing for all our supporters but inevitable”.

“The masters could obviously not allow an event which encourages large gatherings of people and would clearly be irresponsible,” he said. “In fact, the decision was taken a few weeks ago because even in Tier 3, we were limited to six people. But the hounds are still being taken out for regular exercise.”

A past victim murdered by Kent hunts – Photo Mark (WAV). Why ???

“what you don’t want to be done to you don’t do it to anyone else.”

 

Schweinehaltung: So unwürdig sind die Lebensbedingungen der Tiere - ÖKO-TEST

“The pig must be freed and the abuser sent immediately to a closed facility, where ideally he should be kept in such a metal frame to encourage compassion for his victims.

With good behavior, i.e. without annoying whining and complaining, he can return to his home stable after 6 months and continue to amortize the mother sow’s frame with his forced lying in it.

After a further 6 months, he can be released back into the wild with lifelong animal husbandry and hunting ban”.

Text by Hanspeter Niederer

We agree!
This is the only way to free psychopaths, animal abusers, and animal exploiters from their perverse inclinations

Regards and good night, Venus

Global: Photographers Capture Powerfully Moving Images of Animal Exploitation Around the World.

 

Photographers Capture Powerfully Moving Images of Animal Exploitation Around the World

Thanks to Stacey at ‘Our Compass’ for supplying this info.

There are lots of terrible photos on this link; so it is best you are directed there rather than we download all the photos and text.

Regards Mark

Photographers Capture Powerfully Moving Images of Animal Exploitation Around the World | Our Compass (our-compass.org)

Please remember that all animals exploited for human use suffer, no matter the country; animal suffering is not limited to certain locations or areas, an animal whose body is used, manipulated, taken from, and violently killed, is an animal who is abused, no matter the conditions endured prior to vicious, terrifying slaughter, but that 99% of all animals in the United States, and >90% globally, are “produced” in extremely confined, CAFO/Factory Farm conditions. The ONLY humane is vegan. SL

More Info: EU Court backs ban on animal slaughter without stunning.

File pic of halal slaughter of sheep in Belgium
Photo – Getty Images

WAV Comment: We have covered this news recently; but here is the official from the BBC network.

EU Court backs ban on animal slaughter without stunning

A Belgian ban on kosher and halal slaughter of animals without being stunned has been backed by the European Court of Justice, which rejected objections by religious groups.

The EU’s highest court backed a Flemish decision to require the use of stunning for livestock on animal rights grounds.

The animal is not killed in the stunning process.

The head of the conference of European rabbis said the ruling would be felt by Jewish communities across Europe.

“This decision goes even further than expected and flies in the face of recent statements from the European institutions that Jewish life is to be treasured and respected,” said Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt.

But the Flanders government in northern Belgium hailed Thursday’s decision, with nationalist animal welfare minister Ben Weyts saying “we’re today writing history”. Animal rights group Gaia said it was a great day and the culmination of a 25-year struggle.

The ruling came as a surprise as it went contrary to a recommendation in September to quash the Flemish law by the Court’s Advocate General, who said stricter animal welfare rules were allowed if the “core” religious practice was not encroached upon.Under the requirements of Muslim halal slaughter or Jewish shechita, an animal’s throat is slit quickly with a surgically sharp knife while it is still conscious.

EU law, along with UK law, already requires animals to be stunned before being killed, unless the meat is intended for Muslims or Jews, and then only in approved abbatoirs.

What did the Court rule?

The European Court said all member states had to reconcile both animal welfare and freedom of religion and EU law did not prevent countries from requiring the stunning of animals as long as they respected fundamental rights.

While the Court accepted that imposing such a requirement limited the rights of Muslims and Jews, it did not ban ritual slaughter and the Belgian law’s “interference with the freedom to manifest religion” met an “objective of general interest recognised by the European Union, namely the promotion of animal welfare”.

It also said the Flemish parliament had relied on scientific evidence indicating that prior stunning was the best way of reducing an animal’s suffering and that the law allowed “a fair balance to be struck” between animal welfare and freedom of religion.

https://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/SMPj/2.36.7/iframe.html media captionButcher Mohammed Adnan explains the difference between halal and non-halal meat

Muslim groups repeatedly challenged the Flemish legislation before it was passed and came into force in January 2019. The French-speaking Wallonia area of southern Belgium adopted the law months later.

When the Belgian laws came in, Muslim and Jewish groups feared they were being used by nationalists to whip up anti-immigrant sentiment.

The head of the European Jewish Association, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, said Friday was a “sad day for European Jewry” and Belgium’s Jewish umbrella group, CCOJB, said it would take its legal fight to the European Court of Human Rights.

EU Court backs ban on animal slaughter without stunning – BBC News

Denmark: Covid: Denmark to dig up millions of mink culled over virus.

 

Denmark is set to dig up millions of mink that were culled because of a mutated form of coronavirus.

About four million mink will be exhumed from mass graves and incinerated to prevent pollution, the government said.

It is set to happen in May, when officials say the risk of coronavirus contamination from the dead animals will have passed.

More than 15 million mink have been culled in Denmark, devastating its fur industry – the largest in the EU.

Some of the mink buried in mass graves in a military area in the west of the country have resurfaced because of the nitrogen and phosphorus gases produced by their decay.

The two burial sites are highly controversial, as one is near a bathing lake and the other not far from a source of drinking water. Residents have complained about the potential risk of contamination.

The ministry of food and agriculture said in a statement on Sunday that the government had gained support in parliament to dig up the mink next year.

“Once the mink are no longer contaminated with Covid-19, they will be transported to an incineration facility, where they’ll be burned as commercial waste,” the ministry said.

Denmark announced early last month that it would cull all of its mink after a mutated form of coronavirus was found on mink farms. There were concerns that the mutated variant could threaten the effectiveness of future vaccines.

The government later admitted that the cull was mishandled.

Covid: Denmark to dig up millions of mink culled over virus – BBC News

WAV Comment – Read all our previous post relating to Danish Mink at:

Search Results for “Denmark mink” – World Animals Voice

EU sues Malta!

The Valletta government is coming under increasing pressure for its hunting-friendly policies.
On December 3rd, the European Commission initiated three proceedings against the island nation for violations of the European Birds Directive.
Specifically, it is about the opening of the spring hunt for quail, which is banned in all other EU countries, as well as the catching of golden plovers, thrushes, and finches with large folding nets.

The photo shows a shot quail-Malta

According to the Commission, Malta has failed to ensure adequate police controls, which has led to a massive increase in poaching.
The committee had documented hundreds of cases of abuse in recent years and informed the European Commission about the situation in Malta.
If convicted by the European Court of Justice, Malta faces fines running into the millions.

a linnet as a decoy-Malta

This news is invaluable – it is not only a signal to the Maltese government but also to other EU countries that may also be planning such hunting permits.

https://www.facebook.com/Komitee.CABS/

And I mean...Amazing!
The violation that is now being brought to court has only taken place since the end of October 2020.
In this case, the EU brought a lawsuit in barely more than a month – that’s really great!

The process will of course take a while, but the start was sensationally quick.

If Malta is forced to withdraw these three permits, thousands of hunters will reluctantly comply with the new laws.
Of course, there will always be some criminals idiots who do not adhere to any regulations and will try to trick.
The committees’ fight against bird murder continues, however, and these poachers will hopefully be brought to justice too!

My best regards to all, Venus