French hunter on trial for killing mother bear ‘in self-defence’
(French Article)
Justice pour l’ourse Caramelles, tuée par un chasseur !
https://one-voice.fr/news/justice-pour-lourse-caramelles-tuee-par-un-chasseur/
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Category: General News
In BITZ, a municipality in the Zollernalbkreis district of Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Published/Updated 13.03.2025
(Translated)
Bats like these inhabit the cave where teenagers set off a firecracker. (Symbol photograph/Philipp Brandstädter/dpa)
Unknown individuals have broken into a cave – with far-reaching consequences. Two of the bats have already lost their lives – and the number could continue to rise.
A firecracker set off in the “Hohlen Fels” cave in Bitz apparently resulted in the death of at least two bats. This is according to a Facebook post by Dieter Hoffmann, chairman of the “Albstadt Cave and Karst Working Group.” The police are also aware of the incident.
A wildlife camera recorded five people, including presumably four teenagers, entering the cave in early February, Hoffmann writes—at a time when people have no business being there.
Cave closed in winter
From October 1 to March 31, there is a bat protection period, and visitors are prohibited from entering the cave. This apparently didn’t stop the unknown individuals from entering the cave and setting off a firecracker, as police confirmed in response to an inquiry from Schwäbische.de.
A bat died after unknown persons set off a firecracker in the “Hohlen Fels” (Hollow Rock). (Photo: Private)
For one of the bats, this meant immediate death, according to bat expert Hoffmann. It lay lifeless on the cave floor. “Something that doesn’t happen with bats that die a natural death, as they always seek a crevice somewhere, even with their last ounce of strength,” he explains on social media.
Another bat was found dead in a crack in the ceiling. It likely returned to the cave a few days after the incident and died there, Hoffmann speculates. It is currently unclear how the remaining bats that used the cave as a winter quarters will cope with the incident. However, their survival is not yet assured.
A bat was found dead in a ceiling crack. (Photo: Private)
If these sensitive animals are disturbed during hibernation, they lose energy that they urgently need until spring, the NABU writes on its website. This can be life-threatening for them. Whether the bats of the “Hohlen Fels” will survive depends on weather conditions and possible further disturbances, Hoffmann writes.
Not an isolated case
According to the bat expert, the fact that some bats returned to the cave despite the incident makes it clear how urgently the animals need the “Hollow Rock” as a winter quarters, “since the bats apparently do not know of any alternative quarters nearby.”
The Hechingen public prosecutor’s office is now investigating the case. The district office has filed a complaint against unknown persons. The perpetrators are accused of violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
.. and now for the little guys … without whom life on this planet would be impossible. A brilliant site and initiative, with lots of information, and local projects to get involved with.
Copyright Katie Waddington
Copyright Ed Phillips
Copyright Ed Phillips
Copyright Matt Eastham
.. well worth a visit … even if you’re not living in the US.
Recent Article of Interest:
https://aldf.org/article/state-animal-protection-laws-ranked-oregon-is-1-north-dakota-50/
https://www.oipa.org/international/stray-dog-crisis-kosovo/
Posted by oipainternational | Mar 11, 2025
Despite government programs, in Kosovo, in cities like Prishtina, stray populations have remained unchanged. Our member league Stray Angels Kosova Foundation reported to us cases of disappearing sterilized dogs and suspected underground culling. They need sustainable and humane solutions to manage stray dogs. With our support they can provide for vaccinations, sterilizations and adoption initiatives.
WHAT ANIMAL RESCUERS DO IN KOSOVO
For years, independent rescuers and local groups have provided free services to their community, often lacking in funds themselves. Their initiatives include:
- Providing temporary shelter and medical care to vulnerable or injured animals.
- Facilitating adoptions and fostering: Coordinating with local fosters and adopters, completing vaccination and EU-required Titer tests, and organizing animal travel.
- Sterilizing and vaccinating dogs to prevent overpopulation and disease.
- Raising awareness: Educating communities about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and how to support stray dogs.
- De-escalating neighborhood complaints: Handling conflicts like threats to poison, relocate, or kill dogs.
- Supporting CNVR operations: Identifying pockets of unsterilized dogs and collaborating with veterinarians to address the issue.
- Establishing feeding points for sterilized strays as well as monitoring the health and situation of stray dogs, as well as their movements.
STRAY ANGELS KOSOVA FOUNDATION activities
Stray Angels Kosova’s mission is to empower animal welfare organizations, rescuers, and volunteers to care for and protect stray animals across Kosovo. Especially, they provide:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation for injured or ill dogs;
- Sterilization and vaccination programs;
- Fostering and adoption initiatives;
- Education and advocacy campaigns for communities.
STRAY ANGELS KOSOVA FOUNDATION DREAMS
To make a lasting impact, Stray Angels Kosova aims to:
- Establish stable funding for rescuers and Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) programs;
- Launch a nationwide education program to teach all age groups about responsible pet ownership and purchasing, sterilization, how to safely interact with stray animals, and ways to mitigate animal abandonment.
DONATION LINK
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bear-brain-surgery-boki-wildwood-trust-b2714268.html
Boki the bear in his enclosure after undergoing brain surgery (PA Wire)
Wednesday, 12 March 2025 11:27
By Hannah Cross
In February, 2025, Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) exposed rampant animal cruelty and environmental violations at Butterfield Dairy and Rainbow Valley Dairy – two major suppliers of Coca-Cola’s fairlife milk outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Despite fairlife’s claims of humane sourcing, ARM’s investigation proves the corporation’s complicity in severe abuse.
Undercover Investigation Reveals Brutal Cruelty
Between July and December 2024, ARM operatives infiltrated these dairies as employees, capturing disturbing footage of:
- Calves violently separated from their mothers, confined in tiny wooden crates, and subjected to relentless abuse by workers and managers.
- Workers punched, kicked, whipped, and dragged calves by their ears, tails, and legs, resulting in fractures, internal injuries, and painful deaths.
- Calves denied food, water, and medical care, left to suffer from fatal infections.
- In 135°F heat, calves collapsed from dehydration and exhaustion, left to die in filthy conditions.
At Butterfield Dairy, workers rough-housed confused newborn calves and shoved feeding tubes down their throats, leading to fatal internal injuries and trauma. Their carcasses were left scattered across the property or sent to a methane plant for fuel.
At Rainbow Valley Dairy, pregnant cows endured continual beatings, their tails broken, and electric prods used to force compliance. Managers botched euthanasia procedures, shooting cows in the neck and leaving them to suffer prolonged, agonizing deaths.
Environmental Infractions & Worker Misconduct
- Illegal disposal of animal carcasses threatens wildlife and contaminates local water sources.
- Leaking waste pits pose a serious risk to the environment and public drinking water.
- Rainbow Valley employees were documented operating heavy machinery under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs, endangering both animals and public safety.
A Pattern of Abuse: The DeJong Family & Fairlife’s Broken Promises
Both dairies are owned and operated by the DeJong family. ARM’s 2019 dairy expose at Natural Prairie Dairy and Fair Oaks Farms exposed similar horrors, revealing Coca-Cola and fairlife’s direct ties to industrialized animal cruelty.
In response to public outrage, Coca-Cola pledged over $40 million in animal welfare reforms, promising audits, employee training, and video monitoring. However, ARM’s latest findings prove these measures were nothing more than corporate deception—systemic abuse persists.
Take Action: Demand Accountability
ARM demands immediate arrests of dairy owners, managers, and employees. All calves must be removed from inhumane enclosures. Coca-Cola and fairlife executives must be held accountable for their role in enabling this cruelty and for this ongoing atrocity.
Consumers have the power to demand real change. Boycott fairlife and Coca-Cola’s cruelty-ridden products and expose corporate lies.
Update:
The Maricopa Sheriff’s Office and the USDA are currently conducting their own investigations for arrests and accountability.
Fairlife has stated it has cut ties with the Rainbow Valley and Butterfield Dairy, however ARM will monitor this to ensure this continues.
A civil action lawsuit has been filed against fairlife, Click to view.
We will update this page once this investigation develops and arrests are made.
Read ARM’s detailed reports of Rainbow Valley Dairy and Butterfield Dairy.
Take the pledge to hold Coca-Cola’s fairlife brand accountable.
