Reacting to the news, one social media user wrote: “Hunter hunted. There is party in animal heaven.
Read more – Trophy Hunter Killed – Bing News
Regards Mark
Category: Hunting
Farmgate: animal rights body takes swipe at Ramaphosa (msn.com)
Cape Town – Anyone involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa was potentially involved in other crimes was not surprising.
This is the view of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit animal rights organisation, in reaction to criminal investigations into Ramaphosa after millions of US dollars “concealed” in furniture on his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo were stolen – allegedly by a gang of Namibian nationals with the assistance of his domestic worker.
Ramaphosa is being investigated for alleged money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping the suspects who were allegedly interrogated and breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, no 121 of 1998 (“Poca”) and the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act No12 of 2004 (“The Corruption Act”).
Ramaphosa has only confirmed that the matter was reported to the head of his security, and not the police.
It remains unclear whether Sars and the SA Reserve Bank have launched their investigations in relation to the breaching of the country’s laws around foreign currency.
In 2020, the same year of the theft of the money, PETA conducted an undercover investigation which revealed Ramaphosa’s alleged hidden connections and investments in the trophy hunting industry, after a hunting Safari owner was caught on video stating that the president had bought a 50% stake in their company.
In 2020, the same year of the theft of the money, PETA conducted an undercover investigation which revealed Ramaphosa’s alleged hidden connections and investments in the trophy hunting industry, after a hunting Safari owner was caught on video stating that the president had bought a 50% stake in their company.
“Footage reveals that Ramaphosa is quietly developing and expanding a trophy hunting property called Diepdrift — stocking it with animals from his own wildlife breeding operation, Phala Phala — and that he owns a 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris. In other words, far from ‘conserving’ wildlife, wild animals are bred specifically to be killed for trophies.
PETA recorded conversations in which Ramaphosa’s managers admitted that he shares equally in the profits from all hunts conducted through Tsal and spoke of the importance of concealing his involvement,” the organisation said at the time.
“One person identified as the manager was quoted saying: ‘We try to keep the president’s name out of the hunting thing because … of all the greenies …. So he wanna spare himself this, how can I say, bad publicity and all of that.”
Following the PETA investigation, Ramaphosa distanced himself from the allegations last January, saying they were “unsubstantiated”.
In a statement he said: “Contrary to PETA’s assertions, neither Phala Phala nor I have a stake in the trophy hunting industry. It is furthermore also patently false that Phala Phala breeds game for the purpose of being sold to trophy hunters. Phala Phala is well known and recognised for its wildlife breeding and management practices that comply with the best ethical and lawful practice in the sector; as well as for its contribution to the racial transformation of the sector.”
PETA Asia Senior Vice-President Jason Baker yesterday told the Cape Times they were not surprised at recent developments concerning possible illegal activity involving Ramaphosa.
“We’re glad to see an investigation into the President’s animal breeding business, however we hope that authorities will also investigate the animal cruelty aspect of this. Anyone involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that the President is potentially involved in other crimes is not surprising,” said Baker.
“Animals shot by trophy hunters often endure a prolonged and painful death — simply so that hunters can chop off their heads and other body parts. The only solution to this is an end to trophy hunting, and we hope South African authorities will end this industry for good.”
“Animals shot by trophy hunters often endure a prolonged and painful death — simply so that hunters can chop off their heads and other body parts. The only solution to this is an end to trophy hunting, and we hope South African authorities will end this industry for good.”
Approached for comment on Wednesday, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said they had nothing to add.
Meanwhile Ramaphosa is reportedly set co-chair the third session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Windhoek from June 28 to July 1, alongside his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob.
Cape Times
Regards Mark
Comments from supporter Jack – thanks Jack:
Hunting in South Africa is out of control. The corruption at all levels of government. The so called “Farmers” 99% white apartheid people are at the core of Trophy hunting and poaching. The Private Rhino Owners Association is part of the Illegal Rhino horn trade. I lived in South Africa and witnessed this going on without any consequences.
All nonhuman must be treated as sentient beings.
Agreed !
Callum Muir, 25, of Logan, Ayrshire, used his three dogs, terrier Pip, lurcher Bella and bull lurcher Mig to maul badgers and foxes.
After receiving intelligence that he was involved in this behaviour, Scottish SPCA Inspectors executed a warrant on his house, where they found evidence that Muir was self treating his dogs, who were badly injured.
They also found video evidence of the fights, which show Muir laughing while watching his dogs rip apart a fox.
An undercover cruelty investigator said: “The evidence we found at Muir’s home address was consistent with what you’d typically find when someone is heavily involved in animal fighting.
“All three of his dogs had significant injuries across their faces. Pip and Bella, the two older dogs, had injuries across their neck and legs.
“Both dogs had several missing teeth as a result of the fights they’d been in, and the lack of appropriate veterinary treatment would have made the suffering even worse.”
“Mig had some scarring to her muzzle and legs but as she was a much larger, stronger and younger dog it’s likely she’d been able to avoid serious injury up to this point.”
During the search of the property, several items associated with animal fighting were found, including locator collars which are used to track dogs when they are underground in badger setts.
Officers also discovered nets for catching wild animals when they bolt from their den.
This evidence was analysed at Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and fox and badger DNA was found.
Muir was sentenced to six months in prison at Ayr Sheriff Court on May 24, and has been banned from owning animals indefinitely.
The inspector added: “In my line of work you see a lot of stomach churning examples of animal cruelty, but the videos and images relating to this case are among the worst I’ve ever seen.”
“The complete disregard for the wellbeing of the dogs and wild animals in the videos is appalling. In many of them, Muir can be heard encouraging his dogs to attack wild animals as they scream in pain. In one clip, he laughs as a fox’s skin is torn away and they are ripped in half by dogs. In another, two of his dogs attack a fox whilst a man stamps on its head as Muir laughs.
“New legislation has now come into effect which means offenders can receive up to five year sentences for animal welfare crimes. We’ve been involved in thousands of criminal cases and this ranks up there as one of the worst.”
Regards Mark
Man jailed after ‘worst example’ of animal fighting Scottish SPCA has ever seen (msn.com)
WAV Comment:
Its still not too late to sign up for the ‘League Against Cruel Sports’ (UK) Fox Day 2022.
Get all the information at Fox Day brought to you by the League | League Against Cruel Sports
TAKE ACTION FOR FOXES
You can show your support for foxes across the UK, by supporting our campaigns to protect foxes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How will you show your support to our UK foxes?
Foxes are beautiful and intelligent creatures, deserving of a peaceful life without fear. And yet they still face persecution by hunters and their dogs.
Sadly, this issue remains controversial. That’s why foxes need your voice right now.
This Fox Day, add your name to show your support for the abolition of fear for Britain’s foxes.
Fox Actions | League Against Cruel Sports
SUPPORT OUR WORK
From buying fox themed gifts, supporting our amazing fundraisers taking on personal challenges, to supporting future foxes, your kind support will help us protect more foxes now and in the future to ensure we end fox hunting once and for all.
Fox Day brought to you by the League | League Against Cruel Sports
Share your support for the foxes with all your friends and contacts:
Share your Support | League Against Cruel Sports
Regards Mark
PS – I have a real admiration and respect for foxes; so much that I spend time photgraphing them often. Here are a few of my shots – Enjoy ! – Mark
Before the move a few years back, a wild fox used to pop into the office; climb the stairs and chill out with me while I did computer work. I would never touch him as he was wild. After an hour or so gazing out the window, he would go down and vanish into the undergrowth to return to the wild. I told many friends about it, but they never believed; so I had to get photographic proof – so here is one of many shots of him sitting at my office window:
These little monkeys are stealing all my berries !:
Shoot them with Cameras; NOT GUNS !
Mark
Dont you just love these girls – the ‘Anadin Brothers’ !
MONTREAL — A well-known Quebec lawyer is going before the Superior Court to prevent the cull of white-tailed deer living in a forest on Montreal’s South Shore.
Lawyer Anne-France Goldwater, who has previously voiced her opposition to the plan, has filed a court petition on behalf of herself, a wildlife rescue organization called Sauvetage Animal Rescue, and a local animal-rights activist.
Goldwater is asking the court to prevent Quebec’s Wildlife Department and the City of Longueuil from killing the deer until the case is heard.
Last November, Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier said the city would kill all but about 15 deer in order to protect the Michel Chartrand Park, which can’t support the roughly 70 deer living there.
Sauvetage Animal Rescue had proposed to relocate the animals, but the committee said last year the only short-term solution was to kill them.
Longueuil’s previous administration had planned to cull the deer in the fall of 2020, but the city relented after a strong backlash that included a petition, a protest and threats against the former mayor.
Goldwater says the case is expected before a judge next month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2022.
The Canadian Press
Animal welfare advocates ask court to stop white-tailed deer cull south of Montreal (yahoo.com)
Regards Mark
It is deeply sickening.
The way brown bears have been treated across the planet – over thousands of years – is one of the most damning examples of humanity’s disdain for the natural world.
Across the globe – and especially across Europe – their homes have been carved to pieces and their populations culled en masse. They’ve been baited, beaten and slammed into cages to spend their lives tortured and performing for grim human amusement.
A simple map of Europe paints the picture in gory detail. In the UK, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland there is not a single surviving wild bear. Not one.
And every casualty behind each of those bloody extinctions was a creature who was truly, undeniably marvellous.
Brown bears are remarkably intelligent – cubs spend years with their mothers learning everything from fishing to finding the plant foods available in each season. They possess one of the most complex brains relative to their size and have more muscle than they know what to do with – allowing them to thrive in forests or steppes or tundra.
But that muscle was futile against human traps, guns and persecution. Almost every bear that wasn’t hidden in deep forests is now dead. The final few in Europe are clinging on in shrinking scraps of habitat and – without help – their chances of surviving this onslaught look slim.
If we want a natural world with brown bears – real bears free from metal cages – then we must help save them. We must not lose them from Europe.
Around a third are hidden away in Romania’s forests, and it’s here that turning their fate around is feasible. Despite centuries of devastation, we now have a realistic hope, with realistic plans. Local people are on board with our project, and we’ve got the expertise to protect the bears.
We just need to secure the forest.
And – through your donations today – we could help do that. We want to help purchase vital land and put up strategic fences to keep the forest and the people who live by it safe. That way we can protect these bears, and give them the safety they’ve needed for generations.
Humanity is irrefutably the villain of this centuries-old tragedy but – with the help of local communities and people like you – we have one last chance to change that, and be the heroes who come through at the end.
| Please help save brown bears. If everyone reading this donates just £3, you could help end centuries of suffering and keep bears free and thriving in the wild. Thank you. |
Donation link – Please donate and help protect our planet’s species (fauna-flora.org)
LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS (LACS).
The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), formerly known as the League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports, is a UK-based animal welfare charity which campaigns to stop blood sports such as fox hunting, hare and deer stalking; game bird shooting; and animal fighting. The charity helped bring about the Hunting Act 2004 and Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, which banned hunting with hounds in England, Wales and Scotland.
Thanks to our friends at Wikipedia:
- 1924 – The League was founded by Henry B. Amos to oppose rabbit coursing[7] – he was successful in achieving a ban. This resulted in the organisation expanding its remit to include other blood sports – such as fox, hare and deer hunting.
- In 1935, Amos was jailed briefly for throwing a copy of Henry Stephens Salt‘s Creed of Kinship through a stained glass window at Exeter Cathedral during evensong
- He first became interested in vegetarianism in about 1886.
- 1975 – A bill seeking to ban hare coursing, supported by the League, was passed through the House of Commons, but did not receive approval in the House of Lords.
- 1978 – The League secured legal protection for otters, including a ban on hunting them. The aquatic mammal was up until that point hunted with packs of hounds, one of the reasons for their numbers declining.
- 1992 – The League helped secure the Protection of Badgers Act, which expanded the protection of the mammals themselves to their setts. The homes of badgers are illegally targeted for several reasons, including being blocked by fox hunts to stop animals being pursued by hounds fleeing underground.
- 2002 – Fox, hare and deer hunting and hare coursing was banned in Scotland under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, which was introduced by MSPs following campaigning by the League and other animal protection organisations.
- 2004 – Fox, hare and deer hunting and hare coursing was banned in England and Wales under the Hunting Act 2004. The legislation was introduced by MPs following campaigning by the League and other animal protection organisations.
- 2005 – The Hunting Act 2004 came into force – making fox, hare and deer hunting and coursing illegal across England and Wales.
- 2005 – The Waterloo Cup hare coursing competition held its final meeting at Great Altcar in Lancashire, closing after 169 years following passage of the Hunting Act.
- 2006 – A huntsman with the Exmoor Foxhounds was found guilty of illegally hunting foxes with dogs in a private prosecution brought by LACS, but the case was overturned on appeal.[8][9]
- 2007 – Two members of the Quantock Staghounds were successfully prosecuted by the League following chasing a deer across Exmoor.[10]
- 2008 – Two members of the Minehead Harriers pleaded guilty to chasing a fox with a pack of hounds in a private prosecution by LACS.[11]
- 2009 – The League announced a new campaign against dog fighting, amidst news reports that there is an increase in dog fighting in London.
- 2014 – The League celebrates 90 years of campaigning against cruelty to animals in the name of sport. Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that there have been 341 convictions under the Hunting Act 2004.
- 2015 – Prime Minister David Cameron offered a free-vote on repealing the Hunting Act, backing down shortly afterwards following pressure form the League, MPs and other animal protection organisations.
- 2015 – Cross-channel ferry companies stop shipping pheasants and partridges from French factory-farms to British shooting estates, following an investigation and lobbying by the League.
- 2018 – Conservative Party drops its manifesto commitment to offer a free-vote on repealing the Hunting Act following pressure from the League, meaning no Westminster party any longer supports repealing the hunting ban.
- 2018 – Scottish Government announces intention to strengthen the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, which bans hunting with hounds in Scotland, following pressure from the League and other animal protection organisations.
- 2018 – Welsh Government bans pheasant and partridge shooting on public land following campaigning and pressure from the League and Animal Aid.
- 2018 – The Labour Party backs calls made by the League to strengthen the Hunting Act – including prison sentences for those who chase and kill wild mammals.
- 2019 – University of Wales suspends pheasant shooting on its countryside campus at Gregynog Hall following campaigning by the League.
- 2020 – In January 2020, an employment tribunal in Britain ruled that ethical veganism is a “philosophical belief” and therefore protected in law. This is the first time an employment tribunal in Britain ruled this. This case was in regards to vegan Jordi Casamitjana, who stated he was fired by the League due to his ethical veganism.[12
Web link: Home | League Against Cruel Sports
Photo – Mark (WAV) / East Kent Hunt Sabs.
ROYAL SOCIETY for the PROECTION of CRUELTY to ANIMALS (RSPCA)
The society was the first animal welfare charity to be founded in the world.
Founded on the 16th June 1824, by Richard Martin, William Wilberforce and the Reverend Arthur Broome, at the Old Slaughter’s Coffee House, near Trafalgar Square, London, who together agreed that the neglect, cruelty and abuse of animals was unacceptable.
Now very close to its 200th anniversary; and going stronger than ever.
Wilberforce was an advocate and staunch campaigner for the abolition of the slave trade; which he achieved shortly before his death:
William Wilberforce – Wikipedia
This proves that animal welfare campaigners are also strong supporters of human welfare issues, as we show with our support for ‘Free Tibet’ who are based in London:
Search Results for “free tibet” – World Animals Voice
Read a lot more about the RSPCA history at:
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Wikipedia
Web site link: The Largest Animal Welfare Charity in the UK | RSPCA
Above are a few links to enable you to read and learn more about these wonderful animal advocate organisations;
Regards Mark.
Enjoy
Guns and Roses at London:
Shots from my garden yesterday (28/4) and today; one of many vulpines (foxes) who come round and chill; get some scoff, and then vanish.
I love foxes; some (Limited numbers) folk still hate them; considering them pests; but I welcome them with open arms and some snacks to enjoy. Why persecute them ? – is finding food and daily survival not difficult enough for them ? – if I can help with a few food snacks and ensuring they are mange free then I will.
Taken through the window so not brill quality.
Regards Mark.
Above – Chilling 29/4.
Below – Sun in England – wow ! – 28/4.
Great news to start Monday – together we have achieved the necessary 100,000 petition signatures required for the House of Commons (UK Parliament) to hold a debate on the issue of snares. When we have news on a date being set and necessary actions, you will be informed via this site.
Well done everyone – you did it !
Regards Mark
Dear Mark,
Snares petition – you did it!!!
A huge thank you to the 100,000 plus compassionate and dedicated people who signed our government petition to ban snares – and to everyone who helped spread the word about the petition. Absolutely amazing work!
Our heartfelt gratitude, too, to all the groups – right across the spectrum – who have supported and helped the campaign, as well as the high-profile public figures, like Chris Packham, Peter Egan and Deborah Meaden, who also called for a ban on snares.
Having secured 100,000 signatures, we are now awaiting confirmation from the government on the date for the debate on snares. Ahead of the debate, we now need to quickly turn our attention to gaining political support: we need as many MPs as possible to support the campaign before the end of this parliamentary session.
Please take two minutes to contact your MP.
Thank you so much – from me, and from all the team.
Fiona – Animal Aid; Kent England. (WAV Home County !)
Website – https://www.animalaid.org.uk/
Past WAV information on this:
WAV Comment:
This petition has now received over 100,000 signatures, which under UK Parliamentary rules, means that the issue is entitled to be considered for debate in the House of Commons by members of parliament (MP’s)..
We support the Committee’s letter asking for evidence to be published before any debate on this issue, so this can be discussed by MPs. Hopefully this will be by 21/4/22.
In a UK Government survey in 2012 it was found that three quarters of animals caught, killed or wounded in snares included animals such as badgers, hares, deer, otters and family cats and dogs i.e. not the intended targets.
Snares | League Against Cruel Sports
How many animals are caught in snares?
Like landmines, snares are indiscriminate, because these wire traps can’t tell the difference between a fox, your family pet or a protected species.
As a result, the amount and diversity of animals that fall victim to these snare traps is immense. Snares capture any animal that happens to step into them. In 2012 a UK government study found that only around a quarter of the animals caught in snares were the intended targets (normally foxes). The remaining three quarters of the animals caught, severely injured or killed in these vicious nooses included hares, badgers, family cats and dogs, deer and even otters.
Based on the government’s 2012 research, we estimate that snares may be trapping up to 1,700,000 animals every year.
Regards Mark
Dear Mark Johnson,
You recently signed the petition “Make the use of free-running snares illegal for trapping wildlife”:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/600593
The Petitions Committee has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask when the Government plans to launch its call for evidence on the use of snares, which was announced in the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
Read the Committee’s letter: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/9579/documents/162171/default/
The petition you signed, calling on the Government to make the use of free-running snares illegal for trapping wildlife, has passed the 100,000 signature to be considered for debate, and is currently waiting to be scheduled for a debate. The Chair of the Committee Catherine McKinnell MP, in her letter, states it would be preferable for the Government’s call for evidence to be published before any debate on this issue, so this can be discussed by MPs, and asks the Government to confirm when this will be published.
We will share the Government’s response with you when this is received, and will let you know as soon as a debate on the petition you signed is scheduled.
The Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare
The Government published its Action Plan for Animal Welfare in May 2021. This set out the Government’s plans, aims and ambitions across animal welfare, and included a commitment to launch a call for evidence on the use of snares. The Action Plan stated that “The government considers it timely to open this call for evidence to make sure it has the very latest understanding on this issue”.
Read the Action Plan for Animal Welfare: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/action-plan-for-animal-welfare/action-plan-for-animal-welfare
Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament
World Animals Voice 