As a Vegan Englishman; I am glad we got away from all this EU junk at the beginning of this year. I find it a little odd that vegetarians are not allowed to use words like ‘milk’, but as part of this meat eating drive by the EU, people who eat Beef can be called ‘Beefatarians’. Are we soon going to see new EU legislation that says you cannot call someone who undertakes a plant based diet a ‘Vegetarian’ – as this infringes on the name ‘Beefatarian’ which now seems to be the ‘thing’ for beef eaters ! No doubt the EU will attack the plant eaters in every way they can; whilst supporting ‘he men’ who look the part by having a steak for lunch. And an additional beef eating thought – the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the strongest evidence for an association with eating red meat is for colorectal cancer. However, there is also evidence of links with pancreatic and prostate cancer.
Nuff said
Regards Mark
The EU has financed m
EU Backs Campaign Encouraging Public To Become ‘Beefatarians’
The EU has financed more than €3.5 million to help the Proud of European Beef initiative to run for three years
Acampaign encouraging the public to become a ‘beefatarian’ has been backed by the EU.
The Proud of European Beef initiative is spearheaded by corporations Provacuno and APAQ-W. It is a three-year-long campaign that aims to makes consumers ‘confident’ about their decision to eat red meat.
The campaign is set to cost €4.5 million (approximately $5.39 million) – with ads running across countries such as France, Belgium and Spain. It will receive 80 percent (€3.6 million) of its funding from the European Commission.
‘A refusal to eat meat’
“The scope of the project is not only to highlighting the benefits of the product but to make the consumer feel identified and supported in its choice regarding it,” the campaign’s site states.
“Consumer behavior may lead to a refusal to eat meat due to the multiple types of information presented nowadays.
“But even so, those consumers who choose to eat red meat should feel at ease should they wish to reaffirm their choice for this product.”
And from the NON animal eating side; there is this video:
Should the EU promote red meat?
Despite the campaign, The World Health Organization classifies red meat as a Group 2A carcinogen.
This means products such as pork, beef, and lamb ‘probably cause cancer’.
Moreover, the WHO says the strongest evidence for an association with eating red meat is for colorectal cancer. However, there is also evidence of links with pancreatic and prostate cancer.
FROM THE LONELIEST TO THE LUCKIEST ELEPHANT: KAAVAN TAKES OFF FOR CAMBODIA
30 November 2020
For the first time FOUR PAWS moves an elephant by air
A Russian cargo plane, a four-tonne transport crate able to hold 200 litres of urine and a negatie Covid-19 test for a wild animal: these are just some of the things global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS had to organise for the departure of the world’s loneliest elephant.
After months of preparation and more than 35 years of captivity, elephant Kaavan has started his journey from Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap on 30th November.
There Kaavan will live a species-appropriate life with other elephants. The historic wildlife transfer is implemented by FOUR PAWS in cooperation with the Pakistani authorities, American businessman Eric S. Margolis and the NGO Free The Wild, co-funded by Cher. Kaavan, together with the FOUR PAWS team, is expected to land in Siem Reap in the afternoon of 30th November.
The release to his new enclosure is planned for 1st December.
Kaavan, the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ packs his trunk as he leaves Pakistan horror zoo for a new life at Cambodian sanctuary
Overweight Kaavan the bull elephant has languished at Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, for 35 years
Animal-lovers threw a going-away party before he leaves on Sunday after years of campaigning by activists
Pakistan’s only Asian elephant is set to be flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on the weekend
The world’s loneliest elephant kept in a tiny enclosure in a Pakistan horror zoo is finally leaving for a new life at a Cambodian sanctuary.
With music, treats and balloons, friends of Pakistan’s only Asian elephant threw a farewell party for the creature ahead of his relocation from Islamabad after years of campaigning by animal rights activists.
The plight of Kaavan, an overweight, 35-year-old bull elephant, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the woeful state of Marghazar Zoo.
Conditions are so bad at the zoo that a judge in May ordered all the animals to be moved.
Kaavan is set to be flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Saleem Shaikh, a spokesman for Pakistan’s ministry of climate change.
EU and US block plans to protect world’s fastest shark
The population of shortfin mako, mainly caught as bycatch but also prized by sports fishermen, is facing an alarming decline
The mako shark population could take five decades to recover even if fishing were to stop immediately. Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy
Conservationists accused the EU and the US at negotiations of Atlantic fishing nations this week of blocking urgently needed plans to protect the world’s fastest shark species.
The strength and speed of the shortfin mako, which can swim up to 43mph, makes it a target for sports fishermen, particularly in the US, while its highly prized meat and fins have led to the shark being overfished globally – and dangerously so in the north Atlantic.
The population could take five decades to recover even if fishing were to stop immediately, according to scientists at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), a fisheries management organisation.
Last year, international governments voted to regulate trade in the endangered species, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, after the EU co-sponsored a proposal.
But there was no outright ban, and this week Britain – in its first official act as an independent member of ICCAT – backed a proposal by Canada for such a ban. The UK said it was extremely disappointed that no agreement had been reached in 2019.
The EU and the US, however, refused to back the ban, saying it would not in itself stop mako mortality as bycatch. Each suggested separate proposals that would allow boats to continue to land mako in certain circumstances. Given the lack of consensus, the ICCAT committee chairman said he had no choice but to postpone any decision on mako catches until 2021.
“North Atlantic mako depletion remains among the world’s most pressing shark conservation crises, yet the EU and US put short-term fishing interests above all else and ruined a golden opportunity for agreeing a clear and simple remedy,” said Ali Hood, director of conservation for the Shark Trust.
Grantly Galland, an officer for the Pew Charitable Trusts’ fisheries team, said the delay in adopting a ban would speed the decline of a species already at dangerously low population levels.
“The only real advice from scientists to ICCAT is to have a no-retention policy. Another year of catching at the current level will leave the population in the north Atlantic in even worse shape,” Galland said.
Scientists warned last year that the important predator was declining faster than previously thought. They recommended annual landings of mako in the north Atlantic be reduced from 3,000 tonnes to 300, to allow the population to recover.
Ian Campbell, associate director of policy for Project Aware, a non-profit working with sports divers in ocean protection, said: “It has been heartbreaking to watch the US devolve from a global shark conservation leader to a primary obstacle to international, science-based protections for endangered makos.” He urged the incoming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration to “restore US commitment to science and the precautionary approach”, particularly for vulnerable marine life.
Help End the Sadistic ‘Fire Bull’ Festival in Soria
In Medinaceli, a picturesque town in the province of Soria, a “tradition” called Toro Júbilo brings shame upon Spain.
It’s the silver lining for animals amid Spain’s latest COVID-19 restrictions: Toro Júbilo, the sadistic “Fire Bull” festival, has been cancelled this year.
Normally – On the second weekend in November, balls of pitch (a sticky, black substance made from coal tar or petroleum) are stuck onto the horns of a bull and set on fire.
The bull is then released onto the streets and can do nothing but run around in pain, often smashing into walls in an attempt to douse the fire. The agony he must endure is unimaginable.
These fiery balls can remain alight for hours, burning his horns, eyes, and body and causing him tremendous stress – all while spectators cheer and run around him.
This sadistic ritual is called Toro de Fuego (literally “bull of fire”).
This distressing video from PACMA (Spain’s animal protection party) shows the full horror:
This year’s edition of the barbaric festival has been cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions. Let’s take action to make sure it never takes place again.
Take action for the bulls – click on the following link:
This is the letter you can add your name to via the above link:
To Whom It May Concern:
I was relieved to hear that Toro Júbilo is not taking place this year in Medinaceli. I urge you to seize this moment to ensure no more bulls suffer during this cruel event by replacing the Toro de Fuego with a new form of celebration that does not involve animals.
While different cultures might not understand each other’s customs, all rational humans comprehend cruelty. Attaching balls of burning pitch to a live animal is barbaric by any decent person’s standards. It is time for Spain to put these violent festivities, which are a stain on its reputation around the world, behind it.
Finding unity and bringing people with diverse opinions togetheris the need of the hour in our politically complicated world. But for most everyone reading this newsletter, we all share a sense of oneness. Animals keep bringing us together. Whether or not we’re vegan; whether we voted for this one or that one; whatever our colour, country or culture; we each love animals and hate to imagine any of them suffering. No single one of us has made Animal Aid the sparkling fountain of rescues it has grown to be. We’ve done it together, and from all corners of the world, speaking dozens of different languages, wearing sarees, sarongs, or skirts; wearing blue jeans or suits, we’re pooling our resources to help the beautiful beings all around us, flying a common flag.
Hiding, delirious and desperately wounded, watch the rescue of KC (the King of Cuteness).
We never know what to expect when a wounded dog is hiding in a sewer drain, but when they do that it’s never a good sign. Desperately wounded animals seek relief in the dark hidden places, but with wounds as serious as KC’s, the pain won’t go away.
KC’s wound was filled with maggots. He threw his head around wildly, almost delirious with pain.When our rescue team arrived, he tried to get away, but, exhausted, he could only take a few steps. Once we removed the maggots, cleaned and snuggly bandaged his head, we found KC to be absolutely kingly in his cuteness, so loving that even before he took his first bite of food after the sedation wore off, he gave us one of those big-nose camera kisses.
So that’s what KC stands for. King of Cuteness, and you’ll see why here.
Your love can reach deep and lift high. Please donate.
Adopt fabulous, fun-loving Foxy!
Beautiful Foxy is the biggest sweetie-pie you could meet! Playful and petite, she captures the hearts of all who meet her with her gentle nature and enthusiasm for life.
Foxy has a rare disorder that has fused her jaws closed. She can open her jaw just enough to eat semi liquid food that must be specially prepared for her, and biting is not possible for her. A young dog, Foxy sadly had a difficult start on the streets, struggling to find food she could eat and unable to defend herself. She has some scarring on her back which makes us think she might have been mistreated – in spite of this,she is incredibly trusting and loves to snuggle up to people.
Foxy is currently being fostered with another dog who she’s great friends with, and together they love to play and go on walks, where she will lay in any puddle she can find! Due to her difficult past, Foxy gets very attached to her humans and can become anxious if she is left alone, so she needs a home where someone is around most of the day. And that person will be as lucky as Foxy, who spreads cheer and love all day long.
Suffering silently, little Chauncy needed urgent help.
Getting worse at a very fast rate, this poor little donkey’s wound, filled with maggots, would soon kill him. During monsoon season, many donkeys are let loose by their owners to forage for grass, but their owners may not see them for weeks at a time. Luckily, a passing driver saw the gaping wound and called us to the rescue. We found a very deep hole filled with maggots – but we also found one of the most modest, sweet and loveable Beings we’ve ever met. We called him Chauncy, because it sounded formal and adorable, like him.
Someone suffering in silence can heal with a song in their heart. Please donate.
Above – After the Rescues – Cutting the Chains for a new life of Freedom – see below.
From Mark; WAV;
This post is advanced information on an issue which we would like you to help with.
We are setting up a donation link with ARKA at the moment; and hope this will be ready in the next few days. An amended version of this post will be produced when the donation link is ready. In the meantime you can see what this involves;
Regards Mark and Venus (WAV founders).
Current Information:
We (WAV and SAV) are currently trying to help out some old friends back in Serbia who we have known (via SAV – https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/ ) for many years. They are dedicated ‘animal people’ as you can see and run the association named ‘ARKA’ which is based in Novi Sad in Serbia.
ARKA are currently taking care of 50 stray dogs, 25 stray cats and 3 brown bears, which were rescued dancing bears; and which ARKA have a problem in being able to provide adequate food for them. They are not starving and going without, but more support is needed.
The dogs and cats are rescued from the streets and the bears were confiscated from illegal owners who often used them for dancing bear performances. You can see the conditions in which they lived in a couple of the photographs below.
After official confiscation of the bears which was done in cooperation with the relevant authorities, and which took place in the year 1999, the court decided to hand over (at that time) 7 bears to our ARKA; to care for them as sanctuary. It was originally planned that bears should be with ARKA for only one or two years whilst another sanctuary was to be built in one of the national parks.
But then everything changed ! – the bombarding of Serbia and the Balkans wars arrived and the bears were never found their national park home.
Today, some 21 years later, 3 ex dancing bears named Marija, Uske and Bozana are still surviving and with ARKA (see the video above). For the last 10 years the relevant Serbian government Ministry has helped ARKA with about 20% of the total costs for their food. The bears have a good, healthy diet and are being fed with fruits, vegetables and meat; a much better diet than when they were dancing bears – see the photos of their situation then..
Now we need your help and support to aid ARKA in purchasing food for the dogs, cats and bears they have at their facility.
Above – Before Rescue
Below – After Rescue
Here is the link to the ARKA donations:
CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS – maybe a few days more.
You can make donation via this link.
As we have said, long before WAV was started; we had some links for (Pavel and Branka) at ARKA and the bears on our ‘Serbian Animals Voice’ (SAV) site. Here is one of the links from the past which show the bears many years ago:
Well this is the best news ever to start the weekend. As many of you will know, we have been very critical of the South Korean government for not taking action on this issue several years ago – it was one electoral issue that the government campaign was won on – read more:
Regardless, now people power is getting the changes; with or without the help of governments. They should take note; especially with the issue in the USA on 3/11/20.
We at WAV have also tried to play our part and support our wonderful friends at ‘Korean Animal Rights’ (KARA) https://m.facebook.com/karakoreaanimalrights/ – ‘Korean Dogs’ and the ‘Humane Society International’ (HIS) https://www.hsi.org/ in getting these hell holes closed down. It now looks as if, with your support and actions; a much changing (pro animal welfare) stance by younger Koreans, and the fate of the suffering dogs being given world attention; South Korea is now on the way to closing down all of its dog meat farms – and that is the word from a dog farmer himself (Mr Kim), who declares that “There is no future in dog meat at all, it’s already dying and will fall apart completely,”.
So; people sometimes ask us the big question if signing a petition or sending the odd e mail; to authorities does really make a difference. Here is your proof it does, that with constant tenacity by animal welfare organisations to continue the fight; un questionable evidence showing the cruelty involved; supported by realistic video footage; be in no doubt; your actions do make a huge difference, so keep it up.
The closure of Yuliin is the next big target on the dog meat issue.
Check out some of our campaign work on Yulin by clicking on the following:
Before we go; please spare a thought for all the dogs of the meat trade who are not with us any more. They were cold, they were fed the worst scraps ever; and their end was the most despicable ever. All for the want of some human beings. Now we move on and will turn corners to stop this obscene abuse.
Regards Mark
WAV.
From ‘The Independent’ (UK national newspaper) – London;
South Korea starts to close dog meat farms as attitudes change
‘There is no future in dog meat at all, it’s already dying and will fall apart completely,’ says former dog meat farmer
A charity has closed its 17th dog meat farm in South Korea as more people in the country support a ban on dog meat consumption.
Washington-based animal rights group, Humane Society International, announced it closed a farm that had nearly 200 dogs, which were bred and raised for slaughter in the dog meat trade.
The dogs, mainly Korean jinxes and mastiffs, were rescued and taken to the US to be adopted.
The farm was operated by a farmer named Kim Il-hwan, who had been in the industry for around 40 years. In exchange for closing the farm, he was given financial compensation and career assistance from HSI.
Mr Kim said the industry was shrinking and business had been difficult for the past decade.
“There is no future in dog meat at all, it’s already dying and will fall apart completely,” he said of the industry. “And dog farming is physically hard and I’m getting old, so I want to get out. 40 years ago it was different, but now it’s over for dog farming.”
An opinion poll commissioned by HSI suggests that Mr Kim is right – 84 per cent of those polled said they do not or will not eat dog and almost 60 per cent supported a legislative ban on the trade.
The poll, conducted by Neilsen, also found 57 per cent of South Koreans believe dog meat consumption reflects poorly on the country, an increase from 37 per cent in 2017.
Nara Kim, HSI’s dog meat campaigner in South Korea, said: “More people in South Korea are interested in animal welfare and the environment, and so when they see footage of our dog farm closures on the news showing the animals suffering and filthy conditions, or read about dog meat exposés by other Korean groups, they are really shocked and upset.
“The inevitable drop in sales is leading more dog farmers to help them start a new life. But we hope in time the Korean government will adopt this type of approach to phase out the dog meat industry for good.”
The dogs rescued from this farm will arrive in the US on Friday and will be housed in temporary shelters in Washington DC and Montreal, Canada.
According to Kitty Block, CEO of HSI, the dogs will then go to animal shelter partners in Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania after several weeks to be adopted out to the public.
“This is the 17th dog meat farm that HSI has helped close, part of a campaign to show dog meat farmers, the South Korean government and the South Korean people that there is a better path forward for us all, humans and animals, a path that celebrates the human-animal bond in the most special of ways,” she added.
Dog meat has long been a part of South Korean cuisine and around one million dogs are believed to be eaten every year. However, the popularity of the meat has declined and consuming dog meat has become taboo among the younger generation.
In 2018, a city court in Bucheon ruled the killing of dogs for meat is illegal. The ruling was hailed by activists who said it could pave the way for outlawing dog meat consumption entirely.
Islamabad High Court Holds that Animals Have Legal Rights
By Nicole Pallotta, Senior Policy Program Manager
Summary: The Islamabad High Court has held that animals have natural rights and are entitled to protection under the Pakistani constitution. The case before the court was threefold, involving an elephant held in solitary confinement at a zoo, a rescued bear who had been forced to “dance” and perform tricks, and the killing of stray dogs. Despite at times anthropocentric framing, the ruling unequivocally recognizes that animals have legal rights and is highly critical of humanity’s treatment of wild animals in particular.
“Do the animals have legal rights?
The answer to this question, without any hesitation, is in the affirmative…. Like humans, animals also have natural rights which ought to be recognized.
It is a right of each animal…to live in an environment that meets the latter’s behavioral, social and physiological needs.” – Justice Athar Minallah, Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (p. 59)
In a groundbreaking decision, the Islamabad High Court in Pakistan1has recognized that animals have legal rights and are entitled to protection under the nation’s constitution. In a 67-page ruling — dealing mainly with the treatment of an elephant at a zoo — Justice Athar Minallah asked whether animals have legal rights and found, “the answer to this question, without any hesitation, is in the affirmative.”
The ruling contains striking language about the rights of animals. In addition to their physiological needs, Justice Minallah repeatedly references animals’ social and behavioral needs and their right to an environment in which these needs can be met. He is highly critical of zoos that keep wild animals (whom he refers to as “inmates”) in captive conditions that are nothing like their natural habitats, and thus prevent them from engaging in normal behaviors.2
Although the decision — which draws on religious doctrine and quotes extensively from the Quran3 — repeatedly refers to humans as “superior beings,”4 and at times frames animals’ rights in the context of human survival,5 it unequivocally recognizes that animals have natural and legal rights.
In addition, despite its at times anthropocentric framing, the ruling is highly critical of humanity’s treatment of wild animals — e.g., destroying their natural habitat and consigning them to zoos — and refers to humans as an “invasive species.”6
The case before the court combined three separate petitions. The first involved an elephant named Kaavan,7 who was being kept in deplorable conditions at the Marghazar Zoo, and whom petitioners sought to relocate to a sanctuary. The second petition involved a rescued black bear who had been abused and forced to perform tricks.8
The third petition, discussed in least detail, regarded “the killing of stray dogs allegedly in a cruel manner.“
An Opportunity to Rethink our Relationship with Animals
