Komputer for Alle 1998 #6/1998 CD 6 (Gul).iso/web/ffa/wwwenv~1.org/arrs/digest/news39~3.htm/text0000.txt

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Bird-protection law ducked by U.S. agencies

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (May 7, 1997 3:55 p.m. EDT) -- A new administration policy on
protecting birds is ruffling the feathers of environmentalists.

Bird lovers are grousing about a government directive exempting federal
agencies from an 80-year-old law -- and four international treaties --
that protect more than 800 species of migratory birds. Many are
considered in serious decline.

Passed by Congress in 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is one of the
country's oldest wildlife protection laws and forbids the indiscriminate
killing of migratory birds. In some cases the law allows exceptions, but
a permit has to be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
which closely monitors the activity.

But, according to the new administration view, federal agencies such as
the Forest Service, Federal Aviation Administration, the Marine
Fisheries Service or Defense Department, need no longer worry about the
law.

At the behest of the Justice Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service told its field offices recently that they should consider
federal agencies exempt from the law that Congress passed to implement a
1917 bird protection treaty with Canada.

"This represents a sweeping reversal ... overturning a policy that has
been the cornerstone of the government's management of migratory birds
for 80 years," complained John Ficker, president of the National Audubon
Society.

Ficker, in a letter this week to Vice President Al Gore, called the
administration's position "a disservice to all those concerned" about
protecting migratory birds and urged the new policy be overturned.

"It makes a mockery of the government's duty to protect migratory
birds," added William H. Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society.
"It reads like something from 'Saturday Night Live."'

Officials at the Fish and Wildlife Service acknowledged that for years
it had been taken for granted that federal agencies were subject to the
law. It has given permits, for example, to the FAA and the Defense
Department, to kill birds near airports and at military training sites,
to avoid violating the law.

Conservationists said these procedures have allowed for closer
monitoring of incidental killing of birds.

Paul Schmidt, chief of the Fish and Wildlife's migratory bird office,
issued the new guidance with clear reluctance. "I have stalled this as
long as I could," he wrote in the March 19 memo to field offices,
lamenting about "the potential for this government position to harm
migratory bird populations."

In an interview, Schmidt said the memo was written "at a point of
frustration" and that he now believes that migratory birds will continue
to be protected by federal agencies. "I feel it's going to be positive
in the end. ... They (the agencies) are going to do the right thing,"
said Schmidt.

But conservationists' anger over the policy change is not aimed as much
at Schmidt's office as it is at the Justice Department and the Forest
Service, which started the whole thing in response to a lawsuit filed
more than a year ago.

In what appeared to be a major victory for environmentalists, a federal
judge in Georgia last spring ordered the Forest Service to halt a timber
sale in the Chattahoochee National Forest, agreeing with a suit brought
by seven environmental groups that logging in the spring would kill
9,000 nesting songbirds.

"The Forest Service had ... a nervous breakdown," says Kathleen Rogers,
a migratory bird specialist at the Audubon Society. Other government and
private sources said the Forest Service was concerned the Georgia ruling
would lead to severe constraints on government's entire logging program.

Reversing decades of government policy, the Justice Department, at the
request of the Forest Service, appealed the court ruling, arguing
formally for the first time that the bird law never was intended to
apply to government agencies. That left Fish and Wildlife Service
officials in a quandary for months -- until the March guidance memo.

"It should be an embarrassment to them," says Rogers. "It sends a
terrible message."

Last week, a federal appeals court in Atlanta agreed that the law does
not apply to federal agencies, siding with the Justice Department
argument. Environmentalists say they're awaiting the outcome of two
other cases and eventually may take the issue to the Supreme Court.

By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer
Date: Wed, 07 May 1997 21:21:18 -0700
>From: Andrew Gach <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Rejecting the anti-rejection drugs
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Liver recepients successfully reject anti-rejection drugs

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (May 7, 1997 3:37 p.m. EDT) -- An experiment inspired by
rebellious organ transplant patients who discarded their vital
anti-rejection medicine suggests some can be weaned off the drugs, which
are prescribed for life but often cause debilitating side
effects. The drugs, lauded when introduced a decade ago because they
made previously risky transplants commonplace, nevertheless leave
patients open to infection and cancer. Yet all recipients of donated
organs have been required to take drugs the rest of their lives to keep
their own immune systems from fighting the foreign tissue.

Over time, a few patients balked at the side effects and threw away
their pills. Some fell ill and had to resume medication. But some
thrived without it.

Now, researchers have weaned 25 children with transplanted livers off
anti-rejection drugs for as long as 7 1/2 years. Six other children in
the carefully selected group went back on their pills.

"None of them have died, and none of them have required a retransplant,"
said Dr. Jorge Reyes, director of liver transplantation at Children's
Hospital in Pittsburgh, who heads the study.

Reyes plans to present his findings next week at a meeting in Chicago of
the American Society of Transplant Physicians. The Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minn., is conducting a similar study, he said.

Most transplant patients take either cyclosporin or FK506, also called
tacrolimus, to suppress their immune systems. With their natural
infection fighters hobbled, patients develop cancer so commonly that
their form of it has a name: post-transplant
lymphoproliferative disorder.

"Every year I get a child who comes in with it," Reyes said.

Cyclosporin can also cause high blood pressure, thickened gums, arrested
growth, extra facial and body hair and a reddened, puffy face.

Some patients battling organ rejection also take steroids, which can
weaken bones and cause severe acne, blindness and mood swings.

More than 24,000 liver transplants have been performed since 1988, but
Reyes estimated fewer than 10 percent of the recipients would be good
candidates to give up drugs.

He said additional studies focusing on other transplanted organs would
be needed before researchers could speculate on a drug-free existence
for non-liver recipients. "We believe in principle that everybody could
eventually come off," he said.

Reyes firmly cautioned that no transplant patient should cease
anti-rejection medicine without a doctor's consent.

Dr. Alan Langnas, a liver-transplant surgeon at the University of
Nebraska, said he, too, learned that some of his patients do well after
halting their drugs while others do very badly.

"There's a high price to be paid if you choose the wrong patient,"
Langnas warned.

Reyes said liver patients were the only group appropriate for the study
because doctors can monitor the liver's function and restore the
medicine at the first sign of rejection.

A researcher would not suggest heart recipients, for example, give up
drugs because the first sign of rejection could be a fatal heart attack.
Some kidney recipients have given up drugs, but the risks are too strong
for researchers to recommend it, Reyes said.

At the study's onset, all 31 children had had their new livers for at
least five years and had gone at least two years without a rejection
episode, Reyes said.

Eighteen were taken off drugs abruptly because they had developed cancer
or an infection.  The 13 others were taken off gradually as researchers
tested their liver function, at first every week then tapering off to
10-week intervals.

The patients who tapered off had fewer rejection episodes than the
patients who were withdrawn abruptly, and the cancers and infections
that afflicted the latter group disappeared when their immune systems
were restored.

One boy in the study, Kevin Wilkens, 16, of Oak Harbor, Ohio, was 5 when
he got a new liver at Children's. He took cyclosporin and prednisone, a
steroid, but was taken off prednisone because of stomach cramps. Over
the last few years, his dose of cyclosporin
has been reduced to nothing.

He's taken no transplant medicine the last two months and says he feels
fine.

"It sort of surprises me, too," said Kevin, who pumps gas part-time and
plays second base on his high school baseball team. "I'm just like any
other 16-year-old around, other than I got some scars on me."

Dr. Thomas Starzl, who pioneered liver transplants in 1967 at the
University of Colorado and joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center in 1981, has a theory why some patients can discontinue
anti-rejection drugs.

In all organ recipients who survive a long time, doctors find cells from
the grafted organ settled into the host body's skin, lymph nodes, heart
and bone marrow, and cells from the host body in the new organ. Starzl
and Reyes believe the exchange of cells promotes harmony.

"We haven't proved it yet, and we don't know," Reyes said.

Other researchers believe the determining factor in host-graft harmony
is how well tissues match. Body tissue has a type, just as blood does.

Reyes said researchers might never have tried the experiment if not for
those willful patients who threw their drugs away -- and lived.

"We come upon these things almost by accident," Reyes said.

One of the rebellious patients was Betty Baird, a Uniontown woman who
received a new liver in 1980, flushed her pills down the toilet three
years later and has been fine without them. The drugs had warped her
emotional stability; one morning she "came to" just as she was placing a
pillow over her wailing baby's face.

"I didn't even keep a few just in case," Ms. Baird said.

By CLAUDIA COATES Associated Press Writer
Date: Wed, 07 May 1997 21:34:34 -0700
>From: Andrew Gach <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Missing the point
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Inner-city asthma may be result of cockroaches

Reuter Information Service

BOSTON (May 7, 1997 5:43 p.m. EDT) - The lowly cockroach may contribute
to the high level of asthma among many U.S. inner-city children, a new
study has concluded.

Researchers gave allergy tests to 476 asthmatic children in eight U.S.
inner cities and tested their bedrooms for cat hair, dust mites and
cockroach remains.

They found that 37 percent of the youngsters were allergic to cockroach
allergen, compared to 35 percent who had a reaction to dust mites and 23
percent who were hypersensitive to cat dander.

The researchers, led by Dr. David Rosenstreich of the Albert Einstein
College of Medicine in New York City, also found that 85 percent of the
bedrooms had cockroach protein particles vs. 63 percent with cat dander
and 49 percent with dust mites.

"Our data confirm earlier reports showing that cockroaches are an
important urban source" of particles that spark an allergic asthmatic
attack, the Rosenstreich team said in Thursday's New England Journal of
Medicine.

When they cross-checked their data, the researchers discovered that the
rate of hospitalization for asthma was unusually high among children who
were sensitive to cockroach remains and who had the high levels of
cockroach proteins in their bedrooms.

The hospitalization rate was more than three times higher than for
youngsters with allergies to cats or dust mites.

The children allergic to cockroach proteins also logged 78 percent more
trips to the doctor for asthma, had more days of wheezing, missed more
days of school, and kept their parents awake more nights due to their
asthma.

The results, the researchers wrote, "suggest that reducing exposure to
cockroach protein particles should be an important component of plans
for the management of asthma."

Getting rid of cockroaches in the inner city by using safe insecticides
and nontoxic traps "should be evaluated as a method of reducing
morbidity due to asthma in this population," they said.

In an editorial, Drs. Thomas Platts-Mills of the University of Virginia
and Melody Carter of Emory University said keeping food and water away
from the insects, routine cleaning and using insecticides can reduce the
number of cockroaches.

But with asthma rates rising in different countries and environments,
they said, "it seems unlikely that reducing exposure to cockroaches,
dust mites or animal dander alone will effectively control the increase
in this disease."

The children tested in the Rosenstreich study came from St. Louis,
Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and the Bronx
and East Harlem in New York City.

By Gene Emery Reuter

==================================================================

One thing not addressed by this research asthma rates is the steadily
increasing asthma rates.  According to an article in the Environmental
Health Perspectives (Jan. 1996), there has been a 42% increase of people
with asthma during the last decade.  Asthma mortality has increase by 58
since 1982.

Cockroaches have been around for ages and so have been cats and dust
mites.  There's no indication of a corresponding increase of the
cockroach, cat and dust mite population.  So there must be
something else involved - as, for instance, the weakening of the body's
defensive mechanism due to worsening air pollution.

This typical blind spot illustrates the limitation of the prevailing
reductionist approach to research: looking for a lost key under the
street lamp just because there's more light there...

Andy
Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 00:58:14 -0700
>From: IGHA/HorseAid Volunteer <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Calumet Trophies
Message-ID: <v03010d00af972d9f8f70@[206.149.207.129]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

     SHAME on the "Save the Calumet Farm Trophies" campaign!


In which The International Museum of the Horse is trying to raise 1.2
million U.S. dollars (they have already raised half) by various
solicitation methods (through use of a 501 c 3 IRS classification) to
permanently keep the trophies (which are currently on loan to them) won by
Calumet Farms over the past 50 years as a tribute to the "heritage" of
horse racing and the "glory" of Calumet Farms.

Nowhere do we see the horses of Calumet Farms mentioned as the real reason
leading to all this "glory" and "heritage". We wish to remind everyone
(including The International Museum of the Horse) that it was the horses of
Calumet Farms that won these trophies! While we applaud the International
Museum of the Horse for most of their endeavors, they have clearly missed
the boat on this one.

Each trophy in the collection represents the pain and suffering a living
horse had to endure "for the greater glory" of Calumet Farms. Worse, for
every "champion" there were probably a hundred horses that fell by the
wayside ending up as dog food. These trophies represent nothing but shame
to every horse and animal lover caring about the welfare and well-being of
all living things. We see nothing glorious about the collection or its
meaning. All we see are all the fallen champions that were raced too young,
or one race too many, or even meeting controversial ends while heavily
insured.

How many horses can be saved with that 1.2 million?

How much veterinary research could be accomplished with that 1.2 million
dealing with the physical stresses competition horses have to endure, why
they so often break down, and how to avoid (or at least minimize) both.

How many programs could be started to help retrain race horses for off
track use with that 1.2 million?

Surely The International Museum of the Horse can find a better use for the
money they are raising than saving a vanity exhibit.

               These trophies represent greed not glory.

Every year, more than 80,000 thoroughbred racehorses are sold to the
slaughter houses to get ready for the newcomers. Of these 80,000, over 75%
are easily retrainable, 95% are good enough for brood or stud (taking into
consideration their bloodlines and/or temperament and conformation), and
out of this, only an average of about 5% are too dangerous to keep around.
The majority of these fine horses go to the meat market. There, they are
then slaughtered and dispersed to foreign and national meat sellers. Most
of these horses have their life ending at about the age of four; not even
one-seventh their total life span.

These horse's lives depend on their speed. A thoroughbred who travels at a
rate of twelve seconds a furlong (1/8th of a mile) is considered the best,
the absolute fastest there has ever been, and there is only one
Derby-winning horse that has beat this record at Churchill Downs
(Secretariat, 1970). A horse who travels at a rate of thirteen seconds a
furlong, a whole 8% slower, is virtually useless. For one moment, just
imagine this: Your life depends on your agility, the rate at which your
legs can take you. Not your thinking, your natural dancing (dressage), or
jumping (hunter/jumper) skills, not anything except your speed and stamina,
how well you can hold under weight. You do not decide your fate, choose
your life, have anything to do with the decision to keep your life or put
you to your death. You just try your hardest, and when you fail, you loose
your life.

Please help HorseAid to convince Bill Cooke, Director, International Museum
of the Horse to save horses and NOT the Calumet Trophies with the money so
far collected!

Please call (toll free) or write:


      The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation
      4089 Iron Works Pike
      Lexington, KY 40511
      1-888 8TROPHIES

      (and)

      Bill Cooke, Director
      International Museum of the Horse
      Kentucky Horse Park
      4089 Iron Works Pike
      Lexington, KY 40511
      [phone] ext. 231
      E-mail address: [e-mail]
      Web site: http://www.imh.org/imh/calumet.html



Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 05:53:38 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Debbie Leahy <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Large Exotic Animal Show
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII



YOUTH FESTIVAL FEATURES EXOTIC ANIMAL DISPLAY

The Aurora Sports Festival, an activity for area youth, has
invited Land 'O Lorin to bring a "large exotic animal show."

Land 'O Lorin was shut down by the USDA for month last year
and fined $20,000 for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
It's a dilapidated road side zoo with about 100 animals that
tries to pass itself off as a sanctuary. They breed, buy, and
sell animals.  Most of the animals are kept isolated in small
cages on concrete slabs.  Even his primate has no
companionship.  He's featured "ligers" and "zonkeys" from
cross-species breeding.  We witnessed a giant pit filled with
maggots and an incredible stench where he keeps road kill for
the big cats.

Owner Lorin Womack was charged with filing a false police
report recently.  He claimed he was assaulted when he stopped
to help a stranded female motorist.  Police sent a helicopter
up in search of assailants and later discovered he invented
the story to impress a girlfriend.

PLEASE CALL THE ORGANIZER ASAP, Cory Micelli, 630/264-8267 and
demand the pitiful exotic animal show be canceled.  Let him
know no reputable sanctuary would ever breed, buy or sell
animals, or subject them to the stress of hauling them around
for public display.


Illinois Animal Action
P.O. Box 507
Warrenville, IL  60555
630/393-2935


Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 07:39:50 -0400 (EDT)
>From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Tiger in Circus Kills Trainer
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

c The Associated Press   5/8/97
CARROLLTOWN, Pa. (AP) - As a circus audience of 200 children and their
families watched in horror, a 400-pound Bengal tiger pounced on its trainer,
killing the man and dragging him around the ring by the neck.
The tiger, one of three in the ring, attacked 50-year-old Wayne Franzen a few
seconds after Wednesday night's performance began, authorities said. The
animal attacked when Franzen, the owner of Franzen Bros. Circus, turned his
back. ``They said this animal grabbed him by the neck and just dragged him
all around,'' said the Rev. Blane Resko of St. Benedict Catholic School,
which was holding the circus fund raiser.
``They tried to beat him off, but they couldn't get him off until he was
dead,'' said Resko. ``The little girl that was the announcer was very
disturbed, she was in the ambulance crying.'' The tiger was under quarantine.
No decision has been made on what to do with the animal, Cambria County
Coroner Dennis Kwiatkowski said.
Art Deckard said his children were at the circus when the tiger attacked.
``They're pretty shook up,'' he said. ``They understand what happened, but
not why it happened.''
Last month, a leopard that escaped from its cage at an animal sanctuary near
Oklahoma City and killed a woman. It was shot to death a few hours later.


Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 08:17:21 -0400
>From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (UK) Adopt-a-Store on-line
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from McSpotlight e-mail list...this item is UK only:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ADOPT A McDONALD'S STORE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN COMPUTER

Adopt-a-Store is a modest little plan to simultaneously leaflet every
McDonald's store in the UK the Saturday after the verdict in the McLibel
Trial. The point being to prove that McDonald's efforts to stop the
dissemination of the information have failed, regardless of the Judge's,
er, judgement.

'Adopters' agree to coordinate the leafleting of their local store, as
part of the national network organised by Veggies
([e-mail]).

Now you can sign up to take part directly from McSpotlight: find your
nearest store, check it's adoption status, decide whether you want to
take it on, fill in the adoption papers and away you go.

About half the UK's 700-odd stores have been taken so far, so hurry
hurry hurry. This offer is only available while stocks last.

(Oh yeah, there's an FAQ as well with all the legal details in case
you're nervous that you might end up a Helen or Dave.)

Happy leafleting.

McSpotlight,
Adoption Department.
www.mcspotlight.org/campaigns/current/adopt/


Date: Thu, 8 May 97 07:26:18 UTC
>From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Dog Dies Despite Woman's Efforts to Save Animal
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

(Tulsa World, OK,USA) A Tulsa woman tried to save a dog from drowning
in the Arkansas River on Wednesday morning after he had been tranquilized
by Animal Control officers.

But, despite her efforts, the dog, a male schnauzer-mix, died several hours
later at the Animal Shelter after its lung ruptured because it had water in
it, Officer Roy Smoot said.

Barbara Hooley was biking with a friend about 11:45am when they saw two
dogs dart across Riverside Drive and into a ravine near 45th street.

Animal Control soon arrived to capture the canines, but the dogs kept
running away. The officers decided they would have to shoot the dogs with
tranquilizer guns, Hooley said.

One of the dogs, a female German Shepherd, ran north along the bike
path after she was shot, but collapsed after a short distance.

The schnauzer-mix ran onto a beaver dam, which extended from the bank
into a deep part of the river, she said. There, the animal fell asleep,
its head bobbing precariously in the water.

Despite protests from the officers, Hooley climbed onto the rickety dam
to save the dog.

"It was a dangerous situation," Smoot said. "We called for fire trucks.
We didn't want her to go out there, but she was determined to save the dog."

Hooley was able to reach the dog's paw and pull it to safety.

"We tranquilized the dogs, so they became our responsibility," she said.

Hooley said she got involved in the situation because she's always cared
about rescuing animals. She is a receptionist at Woodland Animal Medical
Center, the wife of a veterinarian, and the co-founder of the Animal Rescue
Foundation.

The dogs seemed to know each other by the way they were walking together
and by the way they were concerned for each other's safety, Hooley said.
Neither wore a collar.

Smooth said Animal Shelter officials will try for four days to find the
owner of the German Shepherd, and if that is unsuccessful, they may put
her up for adoption.

_________________________________________________________________
Barbara is a good friend of mine, and she is ALWAYS there to help in
any rescue situation. If you'd like to, please send her a little note
of appreciation for her heroic efforts to save these dogs. Thanks!!

Her name & address:  Barbara Hooley, 6505 E. 47th, Tulsa, OK 74145

-- Sherrill
Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 08:31:53 -0400
>From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (US) House Rejects Species Act Roll Back
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from AP Wire page:
------------------------------
 05/07/1997 22:46 EST

 House Rejects Species Act Roll Back

 By H. JOSEF HEBERT
 Associated Press Writer

 WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats and moderate Republicans joined
 Wednesday to defeat legislation that would have exempted beach erosion and
 existing flood control projects from the Endangered Species Act.

 Sponsors of the bill pulled it from the floor after lawmakers voted
227-196 for an
 amendment that effectively would have disallowed most of the exemptions.

 The vote was a defeat for longtime critics of the Endangered Species Act and
 property rights advocates, who had argued that restrictions under the law
contributed
 to the widespread flooding this past winter in California.

 Opponents of the bill said blaming the law that protects plants and
animals from
 extinction for California's flood damage was a ruse to gut the
controversial law.

 ``Do we want to solve a problem or do we want to beat up on the Endangered
 Species Act,'' asked Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., who had offered what he
 called an ``environmentally friendly substitute'' to deal with flood
protection.

 Fifty-four Republicans joined 172 Democrats and the one Independent in
supporting
 Boehlert's amendment. Immediately supporters of the original bill pulled the
 legislation from the floor.

 Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., sponsor of the more sweeping bill, said
Boehlert's
 proposal would have little impact because it would provide relief from the
 Endangered Species Act only if there were an ``imminent'' threat to health
and safety.

 Pombo had argued that species protection contributed to the widespread flood
 damage in his district. He maintained that levees were weakened because
repairs
 and maintenance were delayed or prevented by the law.

 Pombo's bill would have exempted from the requirements of the species law any
 repairs, maintenance or rebuilding of existing flood control facilities
including dams
 and levees. It also would insulate from the law the operation of a variety
of water
 management activities including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' beach
erosion
 activities.

 Environmentalists had said the bill would inhibit species protection
across the
 country -- from protecting salmon in the Pacific northwest to managing the
Florida
 Everglades -- because many endangered animals and plants are linked to the
 nation's waterways.

 Opponents characterized the legislation as a scheme to use concern about
flood
 damage to effectively repeal much of the law. They argued there is no
evidence that
 species protection contributed to the extensive flood damage in California
that last
 winter left more than 300,000 acres under water and displaced 120,000
people from
 their homes.

 Rep. Bruce Vento, D-Minn., accused the bill's sponsors of ``exploiting
these human
 tragedies'' by using the floods to engineer ``a wholesale retreat from the
 Endangered Species Act.''

 ``You don't have to blow a hole in the Endangered Species Act to take care
of this
 (flood damage) problem,'' declared Rep. George Miller, D-Calif.

 But supporters said it was a choice of protecting people instead of bugs.

 ``Are we going to spend all kinds of resources to protect the beetle,''
asked Rep.
 Helen Chenowith, R-Idaho, who has been among the sharpest critics in Congress
 of the federal species protection law.
Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 08:34:06 -0400
>From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (US) House Endangered Species Roll Call
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from AP Wire page:
------------------------------
05/08/1997 03:50 EST

 House Endangered Species Roll Call

 By The Associated Press

 The 227-196 roll call Wednesday by which the House amended a bill that would
 have exempted beach erosion and existing flood control projects from the
 Endangered Species Act. The amendment would have disallowed most of the
 exemptions. After the vote, sponsors of the bill withdrew it, effectively
killing the
 legislation.

 A ``yes'' vote is a vote to for the substitute amendment.

 Voting yes were 172 Democrats, 54 Republicans and 1 Independent.

 Voting no were 27 Democrats and 169 Republicans.

 X denotes those not voting.

 There is 1 vacancy in the 435-member House.

 ALABAMA

 Republicans -- Aderholt, N; Bachus, N; Callahan, N; Everett, N; Riley, N.

 Democrats -- Cramer, N; Hilliard, Y.

 ALASKA

 Republicans -- Young, N.

 ARIZONA

 Republicans -- Hayworth, N; Kolbe, N; Salmon, N; Shadegg, N; Stump, N.

 Democrats -- Pastor, Y.

 ARKANSAS

 Republicans -- Dickey, N; Hutchinson, N.

 Democrats -- Berry, N; Snyder, Y.

 CALIFORNIA

 Republicans -- Bilbray, N; Bono, N; Calvert, N; Campbell, N; Cox, N;
Cunningham, N;
 Doolittle, N; Dreier, N; Gallegly, N; Herger, N; Horn, Y; Hunter, N; Kim,
N; Lewis, N;
 McKeon, N; Packard, N; Pombo, N; Radanovich, N; Riggs, N; Rogan, N;
 Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N; Thomas, N.

 Democrats -- Becerra, X; Berman, Y; Brown, Y; Capps, Y; Condit, N;
Dellums, Y;
 Dixon, Y; Dooley, N; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Fazio, Y; Filner, X; Harman, Y;
Lantos, Y;
 Lofgren, Y; Martinez, Y; Matsui, Y; Millender-McDonald, Y; Miller, Y;
Pelosi, Y;
 Roybal-Allard, Y; Sanchez, Y; Sherman, Y; Stark, Y; Tauscher, Y; Torres,
Y; Waters, Y;
 Waxman, Y; Woolsey, Y.

 COLORADO

 Republicans -- Hefley, N; McInnis, N; Schaefer, Dan, N; Schaffer, Bob, N.

 Democrats -- DeGette, Y; Skaggs, Y.

 CONNECTICUT

 Republicans -- Johnson, Y; Shays, Y.

 Democrats -- DeLauro, Y; Gejdenson, Y; Kennelly, Y; Maloney, Y.

 DELAWARE

 Republicans -- Castle, Y.

 FLORIDA

 Republicans -- Bilirakis, N; Canady, N; Diaz-Balart, Y; Foley, X; Fowler,
N; Goss, Y;
 McCollum, N; Mica, N; Miller, N; Ros-Lehtinen, Y; Scarborough, N; Shaw, N;
Stearns,
 N; Weldon, N; Young, N.

 Democrats -- Boyd, N; Brown, Y; Davis, Y; Deutsch, Y; Hastings, Y; Meek, Y;
 Thurman, Y; Wexler, Y.

 GEORGIA

 Republicans -- Barr, N; Chambliss, N; Collins, N; Deal, N; Gingrich, X
(the speaker
 by tradition often does not vote); Kingston, Y; Linder, N; Norwood, N.

 Democrats -- Bishop, N; Lewis, Y; McKinney, X.

 HAWAII

 Democrats -- Abercrombie, Y; Mink, Y.

 IDAHO

 Republicans -- Chenoweth, N; Crapo, N.

 ILLINOIS

 Republicans -- Crane, N; Ewing, N; Fawell, Y; Hastert, N; Hyde, N; LaHood, Y;
 Manzullo, N; Porter, Y; Shimkus, N; Weller, Y.

 Democrats -- Blagojevich, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, Y; Evans, Y; Gutierrez,
Y; Jackson, Y;
 Lipinski, Y; Poshard, Y; Rush, Y; Yates, Y.

 INDIANA

 Republicans -- Burton, N; Buyer, N; Hostettler, N; McIntosh, N; Pease, N;
Souder, N.

 Democrats -- Carson, Y; Hamilton, Y; Roemer, Y; Visclosky, Y.

 IOWA

 Republicans -- Ganske, N; Latham, N; Leach, Y; Nussle, N.

 Democrats -- Boswell, N.

 KANSAS

 Republicans -- Moran, N; Ryun, N; Snowbarger, N; Tiahrt, N.

 KENTUCKY

 Republicans -- Bunning, N; Lewis, N; Northup, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N.

 Democrats -- Baesler, N.

 LOUISIANA

 Republicans -- Baker, N; Cooksey, N; Livingston, N; McCrery, N; Tauzin, N.

 Democrats -- Jefferson, N; John, N.

 MAINE

 Democrats -- Allen, Y; Baldacci, Y.

 MARYLAND

 Republicans -- Bartlett, N; Ehrlich, N; Gilchrest, Y; Morella, Y.

 Democrats -- Cardin, Y; Cummings, Y; Hoyer, Y; Wynn, Y.

 MASSACHUSETTS

 Democrats -- Delahunt, X; Frank, Y; Kennedy, Y; Markey, Y; McGovern, Y;
Meehan, Y;
 Moakley, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, Y; Tierney, Y.

 MICHIGAN

 Republicans -- Camp, N; Ehlers, Y; Hoekstra, N; Knollenberg, N; Smith, Y;
Upton, Y.

 Democrats -- Barcia, Y; Bonior, Y; Conyers, Y; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y;
Kilpatrick, Y;
 Levin, Y; Rivers, Y; Stabenow, Y; Stupak, Y.

 MINNESOTA

 Republicans -- Gutknecht, N; Ramstad, Y.

 Democrats -- Luther, Y; Minge, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Sabo, Y;
Vento, Y.

 MISSISSIPPI

 Republicans -- Parker, N; Pickering, N; Wicker, N.

 Democrats -- Taylor, N; Thompson, Y.

 MISSOURI

 Republicans -- Blunt, N; Emerson, N; Hulshof, N; Talent, N.

 Democrats -- Clay, X; Danner, N; Gephardt, Y; McCarthy, Y; Skelton, N.

 MONTANA

 Republicans -- Hill, N.

 NEBRASKA

 Republicans -- Barrett, N; Bereuter, N; Christensen, N.

 NEVADA

 Republicans -- Ensign, N; Gibbons, N.

 NEW HAMPSHIRE

 Republicans -- Bass, Y; Sununu, Y.

 NEW JERSEY

 Republicans -- Franks, Y; Frelinghuysen, Y; LoBiondo, Y; Pappas, Y;
Roukema, Y;
 Saxton, Y; Smith, Y.

 Democrats -- Andrews, X; Menendez, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y;
Rothman,
 Y.

 NEW MEXICO

 Republicans -- Schiff, X; Skeen, N.

 NEW YORK

 Republicans -- Boehlert, Y; Forbes, Y; Gilman, Y; Houghton, Y; Kelly, Y;
King, N;
 Lazio, Y; McHugh, N; Molinari, N; Paxon, N; Quinn, Y; Solomon, N; Walsh, Y.

 Democrats -- Ackerman, Y; Engel, Y; Flake, Y; Hinchey, Y; LaFalce, Y;
Lowey, Y;
 Maloney, Y; Manton, Y; McCarthy, Y; McNulty, Y; Nadler, Y; Owens, Y;
Rangel, Y;
 Schumer, Y; Serrano, Y; Slaughter, Y; Towns, Y; Velazquez, Y.

 NORTH CAROLINA

 Republicans -- Ballenger, N; Burr, N; Coble, N; Jones, N; Myrick, N;
Taylor, N.

 Democrats -- Clayton, Y; Etheridge, Y; Hefner, Y; McIntyre, Y; Price, Y;
Watt, Y.

 NORTH DAKOTA

 Democrats -- Pomeroy, N.

 OHIO

 Republicans -- Boehner, N; Chabot, N; Gillmor, Y; Hobson, Y; Kasich, N;
LaTourette,
 Y; Ney, N; Oxley, N; Portman, N; Pryce, N; Regula, N.

 Democrats -- Brown, Y; Hall, Y; Kaptur, Y; Kucinich, Y; Sawyer, Y; Stokes, Y;
 Strickland, Y; Traficant, N.

 OKLAHOMA

 Republicans -- Coburn, N; Istook, N; Largent, N; Lucas, N; Watkins, N;
Watts, N.

 OREGON

 Republicans -- Smith, N.

 Democrats -- Blumenauer, Y; DeFazio, Y; Furse, Y; Hooley, Y.

 PENNSYLVANIA

 Republicans -- English, Y; Fox, Y; Gekas, N; Goodling, N; Greenwood, Y;
McDade, Y;
 Peterson, N; Pitts, N; Shuster, N; Weldon, Y.

 Democrats -- Borski, Y; Coyne, Y; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Foglietta, Y;
Holden, N;
 Kanjorski, Y; Klink, Y; Mascara, Y; McHale, Y; Murtha, Y.

 RHODE ISLAND

 Democrats -- Kennedy, Y; Weygand, Y.

 SOUTH CAROLINA

 Republicans -- Graham, N; Inglis, N; Sanford, Y; Spence, N.

 Democrats -- Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.

 SOUTH DAKOTA

 Republicans -- Thune, N.

 TENNESSEE

 Republicans -- Bryant, N; Duncan, N; Hilleary, N; Jenkins, N; Wamp, N.

 Democrats -- Clement, Y; Ford, Y; Gordon, Y; Tanner, Y.

 TEXAS

 Republicans -- Archer, N; Armey, N; Barton, X; Bonilla, N; Brady, N;
Combest, N;
 DeLay, N; Granger, N; Johnson, Sam, N; Paul, N; Sessions, N; Smith, N;
Thornberry,
 N.

 Democrats -- Bentsen, Y; Doggett, Y; Edwards, N; Frost, Y; Gonzalez, Y;
Green, Y;
 Hall, N; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson-Lee, Y; Johnson, E. B., Y; Lampson, Y;
Ortiz, N; Reyes,
 X; Rodriguez, N; Sandlin, N; Stenholm, N; Turner, N.

 UTAH

 Republicans -- Cannon, N; Cook, N; Hansen, N.

 VERMONT

 Others -- Sanders, Y.

 VIRGINIA

 Republicans -- Bateman, N; Bliley, N; Davis, Y; Goodlatte, N; Wolf, Y.

 Democrats -- Boucher, Y; Goode, N; Moran, Y; Pickett, N; Scott, Y;
Sisisky, N.

 WASHINGTON

 Republicans -- Dunn, N; Hastings, N; Metcalf, Y; Nethercutt, N; Smith,
Linda, Y;
 White, Y.

 Democrats -- Dicks, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith, Adam, Y.

 WEST VIRGINIA

 Democrats -- Mollohan, Y; Rahall, Y; Wise, Y.

 WISCONSIN

 Republicans -- Klug, Y; Neumann, Y; Petri, Y; Sensenbrenner, Y.

 Democrats -- Barrett, Y; Johnson, Y; Kind, Y; Kleczka, Y; Obey, Y.

 WYOMING

 Republicans -- Cubin, N.
Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 07:46:35 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Mike Markarian <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail]
Subject: Lawsuit to Stop Hegins Pigeon Shoot
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 8, 1997

CONTACT: Heidi Prescott, [phone]
         Katherine Meyer, [phone]

ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFICER FILES LAWSUIT TO STOP HEGINS PIGEON SHOOT

Today, a Pennsylvania humane officer filed a lawsuit against the organizers
of the Hegins Labor Day Pigeon Shoot in the Court of Common Pleas of
Schuylkill County. The plaintiff alleges that the annual pigeon shoot is
illegal under Pennsylvania's Cruelty to Animals law.

"We intend to prove that the pigeon shoot violates the Cruelty to Animals
law year after year," declares Katherine Meyer, attorney for the plaintiff.
"Ripping the heads from crippled birds, or leaving them in pain without
food, water, or veterinary care, is a clear violation of state law."

The plaintiff in the case is Officer Clayton Hulsizer of the Pennsylvania
S.P.C.A. He alleges that the defendant has violated Pennsylvania's Cruelty
to Animals law by (1) annually organizing a live pigeon contest shoot in
which thousands of birds are wounded for entertainment, (2) killing wounded
birds by tearing off their heads or by banging the birds against barrels or
other objects, and (3) leaving wounded birds unattended without food, drink,
shelter, or veterinary treatment.

At the 1996 Hegins Labor Day Pigeon Shoot, investigators from The Fund for
Animals monitored 4,124 pigeons released that day. Investigators documented
that 566 pigeons (14 percent) were killed immediately; 2,642 pigeons (64
percent) were wounded and retrieved by "trapper boys"; 532 pigeons (13
percent) were wounded but never collected; 384 pigeons (9 percent) escaped
gunfire unharmed; and 3 birds were already dead when the traps opened.

At the 1996 Hegins Labor Day Pigeon Shoot, Officer Hulsizer cited a man who
stomped a live bird to death with his foot, and Hegins Township Police cited
another man who bit the head off a live bird. Both men were found guilty in
District Court of violating the Cruelty to Animals law.

"If ripping a bird's head off with your mouth is a violation of the law,
then ripping a bird's head off with your hand is also a violation," says
Heidi Prescott, national director of The Fund for Animals. "It is up to the
Courts to halt this organized cruelty to thousands of animals."

The Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County previously dismissed a case
against the Hegins Labor Day Pigeon Shoot, but on appeal the Superior Court
ruled that the trial court should have made "a factual determination of
whether the wounded birds are cruelly treated, or whether all reasonable
efforts are employed to dispose of injured pigeons in a non-abusive way."

# # #

Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 11:25:53 -0400
>From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: AR-News <[e-mail]>
Subject: (US) Dog Killings in Minnesota
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

posted for [e-mail] :
---------------------------------------------------------
Taken from the Veg-teen List:

        In Isanti county in Minnesota, someone or some people are
murdering
dogs.  16 dogs have been found beaten and shot in various places along
dirt
roads and in the woods.  Somebody's four dogs were stolen from their
property and skinned and then returned to their lawn.  The man who's dogs
were skinned told the police "..I'm telling you, if I find the
son-of-a-bitch who did this before you do, I'm going to do to him what he
did to my dogs.."
        All of the dogs killed have been pure-bred.  This has been
happening in Minneapolis suburbs this year also.  People are killing dogs
and returning them to their owners doorstep.



Student Abolitionist League: a networking and resource organization for
student and youth animal rights groups. Email us for more information

Check out the new No Compromise Web Page at
http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/nocompromise/


Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 09:04:42 -0700 (PDT)
>From: [e-mail] (pawsinfo)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Former Sponsors Say "NO" to Animal Circuses (WA)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The following letter was received from Jimbo's Family Restaurant and Wight's
Nursery and Garden Center (same ownership).

April 28, 1997

Lisa Wathne
Progressive Animal Welfare Society
P.O. Box 1037
Lynnwood, WA 98046

Dear Lisa;

Thank you for your recent letter regarding Jimbo's Family Restaurant's
sponsorship of the Gatti circus  benefiting the Shriners in Seattle.  Your
letter was one of the many that we received on this topic.  I have to admit
that until people took the time to share with us their concerns and
information animal treatment and conditions in circuses, we had viewed this
as simply a charitable donation.

Jimbo's does support the charitable work of the Shrine Children's Hospitals,
and we are aware based on first hand experience of the hours of charitable
work performed by the Shriners and of the incredible medical miracles that
have been performed at their facilities.  However, based on our new
awareness regarding animal welfare, you may be assured that in the future
our contributions will be in the nature of direct cash contributions to the
hospitals and not involve animals.

I would also like to thank you for the courteous approach you took in
bringing this to our attention .  Unfortunately, this was not the case in
all of the letters.  Perhaps if you have the opportunity, you could
emphasize to your fellow supporters that business owners are "human"
animals, and we appreciate kindness too.  It's much more effective than
hostility and statements that "they and their families will never patronize
us again" without even giving us an opportunity to be educated and to respond.

Again, thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.  I wish you well
in your animal protection endeavors.  It is a benefit to us all.

Sincerely,

Cindi Benoit, Manager Jimbo's
Jimbo's Family Restaurant
19626 Highway 99
Lynnwood, WA 98036
[phone]

Karen A. Block, Manager Wight's
Wight's Nursery & Garden Center
5026 196th SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036
[phone],
FAX [phone]

Bob Chorush  Web Administrator, Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
15305 44th Ave West (P.O. Box 1037)Lynnwood, WA 98046 [phone] ext
862, [phone] fax
email [e-mail]      http://www.paws.org

Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 13:01:14 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Timothy J Mallow <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Injured bobcat update
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.93.970508125225.9430B-100000@pegasus>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

A 14 month old juvenile male wild Florida bobcat recently broke his leg in
the wild. Fortunately, his injuries were treated successfully and he will
be released into the wild soon. A recent radiograph of the break, which
was of the right femur above the knee revealed that the fixation is
holding, the bone is perfectly aligned and fusing. The fixation included
the placement of a plate, 3 pins, and wire wrap. In order to cover the
costs of the veterinarian care, donations are being accepted. Those
donating $5.00 or more will receive a photograph of his release into the
wild. Those donating $25.00 or more will also receive a video of the
release. Checks may be made out to Coryi Foundation, Inc. and sent to Tim
Mallow, 3715 Felda Street, Cocoa, Florida 32926.

Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 14:09:29 -0400
>From: Shirley McGreal <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Mountain Gorilla talk May 12 in New York
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

     New York Academy of Sciences
     Section of Anthropology
     Public Lecture
     -------------------------------------------------------
     WILL THE MOUNTAIN GORILLA SURVIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

     Speaker:    Dr. H. Dieter Steklis
                 Rutgers University
                 Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund

     Discussant: Dr. Clifford Jolly
                 New York University
     --------------------------------------------------------

     Date:       Monday, May 12, 1997
     Time:       7:30 PM
     Location:   2 East 63rd Street, New York
     --------------------------------------------------------
     About the Topic:

     Recent political upheaval in the Virunga region of Central East Africa
     poses new threats to the survival of the small population (about 300)
     of mountain gorillas.  The devastation of civil war and mass movements
     of refugees have brought gorillas and people into confrontation at an
     unprecedented and alarming rate.  Disease, poachers' snare traps, and
     habitat destruction are among the most potent problems faced by
     conservationists.  Thirty years of continuous scientific study of
     mountain gorilla behavior and ecology at the Karisoke Research Center
     in Rwanda make this species one of the best and longest-studied
     primates in the world.  This lecture will highlight recent analyses of
     life history, demography, and satellite remote sensing data as these
     relate to short- and long-term conservation and management strategies.

Free and open to the public



Dr. Shirley McGreal, Chairwoman
International Primate Protection League, POB 766 Summerville SC 29484 USA
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Web page (revised January 1997): http://www.sims.net/organizations/ippl/
April IPPL News is now out featuring news of Limbe Wildlife Sanctuary in
Cameroon
NOTE; THE OLD E-MAIL ADDRESS AT SC.NET WILL NOT BE IN USE AFTER 15 JUNE,
PLEASE DIRECT ALL E-MAIL TO [e-mail]

Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:07 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Cancer cases to double
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>The Straits Times
     MAY 6 1997
Cancer cases to double in 25 years: WHO


     GENEVA -- Cancer cases are expected to at least
     double globally during the next 25 years, with the
     most worrying trend being the number of women
     developing lung and breast cancer, the World Health
     Organisation (WHO) said yesterday. Circulatory diseases,
     including heart attacks and strokes, would also continue to rise,
     especially as people in developing countries adopt such unhealthy
     habits as smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, it added.

     "Dramatic increases in life expectancy, combined with profound
     changes in lifestyles, will lead to global epidemics of cancer
     and other chronic diseases in the next two decades," the UN
     agency said in its annual report, based on feedback from its 191
     members.

     Yet, The World Health Report 1997: Conquering Suffering,
     Enriching Humanity said millions of premature deaths and
     disabilities were largely preventable. WHO called for a campaign
     to encourage healthy lifestyles and improve disease detection.

     The report's focus is non-infectious diseases -- cancer,
     circulatory diseases, mental disorders including Alzheimer's,
     respiratory conditions, diabetes and disabling diseases including
     arthritis.

     Such chronic diseases kill more than 24 million a year, almost
     half of all deaths worldwide. Most of the rest is due to
     infectious diseases, which claimed 17.3 million lives.

     Coronary heart disease is the leading killer, causing 7.2 million
     deaths a year. The world's highest rates are now found in eastern
     and central Europe, said WHO.

     Cancers, which kill 6.3 million, and cerebrovascular diseases
     including strokes, behind 4.6 million deaths, follow.

     The cancers which account for 60 per cent of all such cases and
     deaths, are those of the lung, stomach, breast, colon-rectum,
     mouth, liver, cervix and oesophagus.

     "The most ominous trends are in lung and breast cancer ... As
     tobacco consumption increases in many developing countries, lung
     cancer seems certain to continue and grow.

     "It is not only the biggest killer and the most common of cancers
     -- almost a million deaths a year and over 1.3 million cases --
     it is also preventable," WHO said.

     "There will be a 33 per cent rise in lung cancers in women and a
     40 per cent increase in prostate cancers in men in European Union
     countries alone by 2005," it added.

     Globally, 85 per cent of lung cancer cases in men and 46 per cent
     in women are due to smoking, according to WHO. Two thirds of
     stomach cancer cases are in developing countries, with a drop
     elsewhere during the last 30 years, because of better nutrition.
     China accounts for 55 per cent of all liver cancer, also a major
     problem in poor countries.

     Breast cancer is on the rise, particularly in regions which had
     low rates previously.

     "Studies show that the incidence in women who migrate from low to
     high-risk regions slowly rises over two or three generations to
     the rates of the host country," WHO said.

     Chronic diseases can stem from a genetic predisposition, but
     lifestyle factors increase the risks -- including smoking, heavy
     alcohol consumption, poor diet and inadequate physical activity.

     Prevention of high blood pressure is vital in avoiding deaths
     from coronary heart disease, while high blood cholesterol levels
     tend to be related to a diet rich in animal fats. -- Reuter.

Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:20 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Bull fighting the Thai way
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>Hong Kong Standard
It's bull against bull in Thailand
07/05/1997


A gambler makes hand signals to offer his bet as the crowd surrounds a
muddy bullring in the village of Trang in southern Thailand. Similar to
cockfighting, the sport is the Thai region's most popular gambling event.
Picture: Reuter

THE crowd surrounding the muddy bullring yells with excitement as the
fading drum beats signal the start of the bullfight.

But it's a far cry from the roar of ``Toro! Toro!'' heard in the rings of
Madrid or Pamplona. In Thailand, bullfighting aficionados are more likely
to yell ``two to one'' or ``10 to one for 10,000''. They come for the
gambling, not the sport.

In fact, bullfighting in Thailand bears little resemblance to Spain's
version where man is pitted against beast.

In this southern province, the home of Thai bullfighting, matadors do not
even exist. It's bull against bull.

Hundreds of gambling fans at the ringside cheer wildly and make frantic
hand signals to offer their bets, which range from thousands to millions of
baht, according to bookies.

Deals are made once the gamblers touch each other's hands and bookies say
honesty prevails.

``Bullfighting gamblers always honour our deals,'' one bookie says.

Wicharn Damrongsak, the owner of the Trang bullfighting arena who organises
the weekly fight, says bullfighting is the most popular sport for gamblers,
overtaking other gambling favourites in the nation like boxing and
cockfighting.

``The gamblers favour bullfighting more than boxing because in human
sports, one can fix the winner for money but no one can fix the animal,''
Mr Wicharn says.

``I would estimate at least 10 million baht (HK$2.97 million) changes hands
in each day of fighting.

``In some matches the stakes are really high _ up to 14 million baht.''

After one recent match, the owner of a winning bull who rushed to kiss the
animal on its forehead after its victory, said he pocketed big money from
the fight.

``My family and I won more than 300,000 baht from this match,'' said
Pongthatwat Petprasit, 37, the owner of Daeng Kaoyod, the three-year-old
bull which won and was named best fighter of the day.

Mr Wicharn, a civil servant, says although he thinks bullfighting is cruel
to the animal, the sport is so entrenched in southern Thailand that he will
continue with the game.

``Yes, I agree (it) is cruel but since it is one of the major sports for
southerners, I don't (think) we can quit the habit,'' he says.

A police officer who is a heavy gambler disagrees.

``I don't think (it) is cruel because a bull can run away when it has had
enough. In my experience with this game I have never seen a bull dying from
the fighting,'' he says.

``It is not the same as Spanish-style bullfighting where a man fights
against the beast and stabs it to death. Beast fighting against beast is
normal for animals.'' In Thai bullfighting, the bulls attack each other
until one of the animals backs down and runs away. Their battles can last
anywhere from several minutes to half an hour.

The sport, widely said to be the most popular gambling sport in southern
Thailand _ the nation's richest region _ has about 20 arenas dedicated to
it in the area. Bullfighting has existed in the southern region for more
than 100 years. In the early days of the sport, bullfighting took place
after the harvest season but it later developed into a weekly event and is
also held during festivals.

There are no official statistics on the scale of bullfighting, but one bull
expert estimates about 4,000 fighter bulls are bred and rotated throughout
the region.

``The bulls are well bred and very well taken care of by their owners,''
said bull owner Mr Pongthawat.

He said most of the fighting bulls slept under mosquito nets and ate a diet
including bananas, eggs and vitamins.

``These are valuable animals in the south,'' he said.

Since fighting bulls are bred by specific breeders and are earmarked
especially for the sport, their prices are much higher than non-fighting
bulls.

A fighting bull costs up to 300,000 baht while normal bulls cost about
10,000 baht a head. - Reuter


Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:30 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Prevention more effective than cure
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"




                                  May 8, 1997

                               [BANGKOK POST]
                 [Next] [ News ]  [ Business ] [Previous]

                                   HEALTH

             Experts say awareness about physical
             conditioning crucial

             Prevention more effective than cure

             Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
             Chiang Mai

             There is an urgent need to reform the nation's
             health promotion campaign because it is believed
             to be the most effective tool in preventing
             diseases, experts meeting in this northern
             province agreed.

             In the past, emphasis has mainly been on curing
             diseases and not much has been said to make the
             public understand the importance of good health.

             "Even doctors have been taught to only
             concentrate on curing patients and not
             encouraging them to always be in good physical
             shape. Physicians and other professionals have
             all had the impression that promoting good
             health is a secondary matter," said Dr Vivat
             Rojanaphitayakorn of the Communicable Diseases
             Control Department.

             He was speaking at a seminar on "Reform of
             health education for the development of Thai
             society" organised jointly by Mahidol
             University, the Public Health Ministry and the
             Association of Health Educators. It attracted
             some 600 teachers, academics and medical
             practitioners.

             Dr Vivat also urged the authorities concerned to
             preach the importance of preventing diseases
             rather than only focussing on "what the
             administrators are interested in."

             He said the ministry's immunization programmes
             against polio, rabies and diptheria will not be
             successful despite the availability of vaccines
             if the public does not lend its full
             cooperation.

             "Vaccines will not be of any use if parents do
             not understand their importance and refuse to
             have their children vaccinated," said Dr Vivat.

             "Health promotion is not just face-to-face
             information, but needs public participation,"
             emphasised Dr Sanguan Nitayarumphong, Public
             Health Assistant Permanant Secretary.

             Dr Sanguan, also a director of the Health
             Security Office said health promotion should not
             be considered as just "another subject" but
             should be taken seriously.

             "Like environmentalists who have managed to
             create an environmental awareness in society
             with the coordination of the public and
             non-government organizations, health educators
             should also help create health awareness among
             the public," he said.

             Former permanant secretary of health Amorn
             Nonthasut said an effective health promotion
             programme should be able to influence the
             behaviour of the public.

             He said it is important for public organizations
             to compete with commercials of consumer products
             in promoting good health because over 70 percent
             of health problems were associated with the
             consumption of such products.

             "Talk of fast-food, soft drinks, alcoholic
             drinks and cigarettes and they all have some
             sort of an impact on our health but we still
             continue to consume them because of convincing
             advertisements about them," said Dr Amorn, who
             highlighted the importance of health promotion
             in the ministry some 10 years ago.

             Instead of emphasising cure alone, private
             hospitals will soon begin to pay attention to
             promoting a healthy lifestyle, said Dr Boon
             Vanasin of Thonburi Hospital.

             Dr Boon said Thailand had reached a critical
             stage because of deteriorating environmental
             conditions.

             "The total health expenditure of the nation is
             around 200,000 million baht a year and not just
             140,000 million baht as quoted by the Health
             Ministry," he said.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net




Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:36 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Saving the wild water buffalo
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>Bangkok Post


                                 May 7, 1997


            Buffalo blues

            Wild water buffalo were thought to have vanished
            from the forests of Thailand altogether, but since
            conservationist Theerapat Prayurasiddhi captured
            them on film in 1987, efforts have been stepped up
            to save them

                                  [Photo]
                  ---------------------------------------
                  Theerapat attaches a radio transmitter
                  to a sedated banteng for the purpose
                  of tracking its movements.
                  ---------------------------------------

                  Chanyaporn Chanjaraen

                  Having an animal named after you is a
                  real insult to most Thai people,
                  particularly if that animal is a water
                  buffalo which is thought to be stupid.
                  But for environmentalist Theerapat
                  Prayurasiddhi, it's an honour.

                  Since 1996, a subspecies of wild water
                  buffalo in Thailand has been known
                  internationally as Bubalus arnee
                  theerapati. Australian taxonomist Dr
                  C.P. Groves named the endangered
                  animal after Theerapat who was the
                  first to capture the animals on film
                  at Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
                  in 1987. Before that, wild buffalo had
                  not been seen alive in Thailand for
                  decades.

                                                 --------
                                                 Wildlife
                  conservationist and researcher
                  Theerapat Prayurasiddhi. - Chanyaporn
                  Chanjaraen
                  ---------------------------------------
                  "The name (theerapati) honours Mr
                  Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, whose
                  continuing fieldwork in Huay Kha
                  Khaeng has added notably to our
                  understanding of the ecology of guar,
                  banteng, and the 50-100 remaining wild
                  buffalo, laying a sound basis for
                  their conservation," wrote Groves in
                  his article on "The Taxonomy of the
                  Asian Wild Buffalo" published in the
                  German-based International Journal of
                  Mammalian Biology.

                  "My friends started calling me
                  'Theerapati,"' jokes Theerapat, a
                  former wildlife research centre chief
                  at Huay Kha Kaeng wildlife sanctuary
                  and now a Ph.D. student finishing up
                  his doctoral dissertation in
                  conservation biology at the University
                  of Minnesota, USA.

                  Theerapat recalled the day he saw the
                  rare animals about 10 years ago: "I
                  saw a herd of wild buffalo in Huay Kha
                  Khaeng while patrolling in a
                  helicopter. There were about six or
                  eight. I managed to take a distant
                  shot of the herd.

                  "Before that I had seen only photos of
                  dead ones," he said.

                  Although wild water buffalo has been
                  on the list of preserved animals in
                  Thailand since 1960, the last wild
                  buffalo was reported shot dead in
                  Phetchaboon much earlier in 1908, as
                  recorded by the late conservationist
                  Dr Boonsong Lekagul in Niyomprai
                  magazine in 1958.

                  A soft-spoken man, Theerapat proves
                  determined and committed in whatever
                  he does. After that first encounter
                  with the wild buffalo, Theerapat began
                  his research on the animal.

                  He met animal classification scientist
                  Dr Groves in 1995 when the latter came
                  to Asia to study the subspecies of
                  Asian wild buffalo. Like many other
                  large endangered wildlife in Thailand,
                  buffalo have not been studied much.
                  The only evidence left for Dr Groves
                  to study were some scalps collected by
                  the late Dr Boonsong Lekagul, a photo,
                  and some basic information from
                  Theerapat, who estimates that there
                  are not more than a hundred left in
                  Thailand. The biggest group ever
                  spotted comprised 12 beasts.

                  According to Theerapat, wild water
                  buffalo, or mahingsa, were common in
                  the central region of Thailand in the
                  past and were mentioned often in Thai
                  literature. They are much bigger and
                  stronger than their domesticated
                  cousins, despite the fact that they
                  are of the same origin.

                  Since the wild buffalo's habitat is
                  along the rivers and swamps of the
                  plains, and not in the dense jungles,
                  they have been greatly disturbed by
                  human beings who like to settle in the
                  same areas.

                  "Huay Kha Khaeng is the last sanctuary
                  of the wild water buffaloes," said
                  Theerapat. "The Sakaekrang river which
                  runs through the wildlife sanctuary is
                  a tributary of the Chao Phraya river.
                  The abundance of food in the area,
                  together with its well-protected
                  condition, makes Huay Kha Khaeng a
                  home not only to the buffalo, but also
                  to many other endangered and rare
                  wildlife."

                  The Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group
                  declared Huay Kha Khaeng an ideal
                  sanctuary for wild cattle in 1995.
                  Theerapat estimates that there are now
                  about 1,000 guars and bentengs in
                  Thailand, 600 of which are in Huay Kha
                  Khaeng.

                  His colleague, Seub Nakasathien,
                  committed suicide in 1990 as an
                  attempt to call for action to preserve
                  Huay Kha Khaeng, which was eventually
                  named a World Heritage site.

                  The tragic incident brought Theerapat
                  to the realisation that wildlife and
                  forest protection in Thailand is a
                  very slow process because the country
                  lacks commitment to wildlife research.

                  "What I study in the US does not focus
                  on wildlife conservation only. It is
                  more like an interdisciplinary
                  programme covering biology, economics
                  and other subjects relevant to
                  wildlife management," he explained.

                  -----------------------------
                  A comparison of the skulls
                  of guars, wild water buffalo, and
                  banteng respectively from left to
                  right. - Theerapat Prayusariddhi
                  ---------------------------------------
                  During his research in the US,
                  Theerapat also investigated the use of
                  technology in the study of wildlife.
                  For his dissertation, Theerapat
                  installed radio transmitters on
                  animals for the purpose of monitoring
                  their behaviour. The technology is
                  still costly and, therefore, not
                  widely used in Thailand.

                  Apart from the World Wildlife Fund,
                  many other organisations financially
                  support Theerapat's studies in the US
                  and his field research in Thailand.
                  They includes World Wide Fund for
                  Nature, Earth Watch, the Conservation
                  Biology Programme at the University of
                  Minnesota, Muang Thai Life Assurance,
                  Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, the
                  Royal Forestry Department, and the
                  Programme for Biodiversity Research
                  and Training, Thailand.

                  "I also want to adapt some forest
                  management ideas to use in our
                  country. Adapt not adopt, for the
                  situations in the US and in Thailand
                  are not the same," said Theerapat.

                  "What I like most in the US though, is
                  the practice of local participation.
                  The government listens to the problems
                  of local people and takes them into
                  consideration.

                  "I believe that natural resources
                  serve the fundamental needs of people.
                  If we take good care of them, this
                  will positively affect the other
                  aspects of society. Also, we should
                  not forget that the forest does not
                  belong to humans only, but also to all
                  other living things."

                  Theerapat expects to complete his
                  Ph.D. some time before the end of this
                  year. But he is not sure where he will
                  end up after that. It could be in the
                  forest he loves, or at the Forestry
                  Department's central office where he
                  may have a chance to grapple with
                  forest policy issues. This depends
                  very much on the Forestry Department,
                  he says.

                  "Thailand's forest and wildlife policy
                  has emphasised the protection side.
                  Now I think it's time we invested more
                  into research, both for small and
                  large animals. I know the large ones
                  have not been the subject of many
                  studies because of all the
                  difficulties, dangers and diseases in
                  the wild.

                  "Still, I enjoy this kind of life. And
                  I'm sure there is much more we can
                  learn," said Theerapat.
                    [Mr. Theerapat Prayusariddhi]

                                                [Photo]

                    Locking horns: Wild vs tame

                    Wild water buffalo generally
                    resemble domestic ones - in fact,
                    they are of the same species - but
                    are much larger in all proportions,
                    quicker-moving, and considerably
                    more aggressive. They also have a
                    wider spread of horns.

                    Water buffalo belong to genus
                    Bubalus. They differ from the
                    African buffalo, Syncerus caffer, in
                    having the bases of the horns far
                    apart rather than almost meeting on
                    the forehead. Wild water buffalo,
                    unlike their domesticated relatives,
                    are confined to only a few isolated
                    areas in India, Nepal and Thailand
                    (Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary,
                    Uthai Thani province).

                    Visitors to the southeastern part of
                    Khao Yai National Park or some other
                    reserved forests may also see herds
                    of water buffalo in the wild. They
                    are not real wild ones though, but
                    belong to farmers around the park.
                    The buffalo are let loose to graze
                    in the forest when they are not
                    needed for farmwork. It is feared
                    that these cattle may spread
                    diseases to the wildlife.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net



Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:45 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Saving the goral
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>Bangkok Post

                                   May 6, 1997

                                  WE CARE

            On the trail of the goral

            Human encroachment into mountain forests and
            uncontrolled hunting are killing off the goral and
            adding it's name to the growing list of endangered
            species in Thailand

                                [The goral]
                  ---------------------------------------
                  With human encroachment and
                  deforestation in many northern
                  forests, the goral or kwang pha is now
                  on the verge of extinction.

                  Pictures by Smith Sutibut and Pongpet
                  Mekloy
                  ---------------------------------------

                  Chompoo Trakullertsathien

                  Trekking up steep mountains all day
                  long in the hot sun. Surveying the
                  dense jungle on foot. Sleeping
                  outdoors on chilly nights in the
                  forest. Spending many months patiently
                  following the tracks of wild animals.
                  Perhaps even risking one's life in a
                  close encounter with sharp claws and
                  teeth.

                  For many, such activities may mean
                  nothing but a gruelling ordeal. But
                  for Ratanawat Chaiyaratana, a masters
                  degree student at Kasetsart
                  University's Faculty of Forestry, such
                  strenuous exertions are all part of
                  his chosen career path.

                  His aim is not just to appreciate the
                  natural beauty of the forest, but to
                  save the life of an endangered animal.
                  The goral (Naemorhaedus goral), or
                  kwang pha in Thai, is a goat-antelope
                  native to mountainous areas of
                  Thailand that is now on the verge of
                  extinction.

                  "The present situation of the kwang
                  pha is critical. With heavy hunting by
                  humans, their numbers have reduced
                  sharply and they have become an
                  endangered species. Immediate action
                  is needed to prevent this species from
                  disappearing," said Ratanawat.

                  According to the 1992 Wild Animals
                  Reservation and Protection Act, the
                  kwang pha is designated as one of the
                  country's 15 reserved species. "Kwang
                  pha is an important species. It needs
                  both national and international
                  protection," added Ratanawat.

                  But it is not enough to only talk
                  about conservation without seeking to
                  understand more about what we want to
                  conserve, says Petch Manopawitr,
                  coordinator of the Sueb Nakhasathien
                  Foundation's research project which is
                  helping to fund Ratanawat's research.

                  "We have long been talking about
                  conservation. But it seems that we
                  don't understand the concept of it. We
                  must go directly to the point. What
                  will we conserve? And most
                  importantly, we need to find out more
                  about it," Petch said.

                  "We need to collect information about
                  wild animals that will give us
                  important clues to find effective
                  measures to save the threatened
                  wildlife."

                  With financial support from the Sueb
                  Nakhasathien's Wildlife Fund,
                  Ratanawat is researching the ecology
                  of the goral in Om Koi Wildlife
                  Sanctuary, Chiang Mai province.

                  "The study of the goral in Thailand is
                  something rarely done. International
                  studies on this topic are also
                  scarce," he noted.

                  "It is necessary to promptly start
                  studying its habitat, source of food,
                  eating habits, structure of
                  population, and other factors that are
                  important for the survival of the
                  animal. This information will be used
                  to plan the conservation work and to
                  breed more of this species," explained
                  Ratanawat.

                  The scenic Om Koi Wildlife Sanctuary
                  provides a safe refuge for many wild
                  animals, including the kwang pha, so
                  it was a good place for Ratanawat to
                  start when he began his research last
                  year. However, with limited funds, he
                  expects his study to finish at the end
                  of this year.

                  "This sanctuary is the most
                  interesting place to study the kwang
                  pha. There are many reports of
                  frequent sightings here," said
                  Ratanawat.

                  The kwang pha is found scattered in
                  only a few forests across the country
                  - Um Phang district in Tak province,
                  Doi Mon Jong in Om Koi Wildlife
                  Sanctuary, Doi Por Luang in Mae Tuen
                  Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak province,
                  Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong
                  Son province, and Doi Chiang Dao
                  Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai
                  province.

                  Ratanawat explained that the ecology
                  of the kwang pha is different to that
                  of other wild animals.

                  "Kwang pha live along rugged
                  mountains, hilly regions covered with
                  grass, or rocky areas near forest.
                  With these kinds of inaccessible
                  habitats, it is quite difficult to
                  have a chance to see it," he said.

                  Ratanawat began his search for the
                  elusive creatures by approaching
                  Forestry Department officials for
                  information on the location of the
                  animals. For more details, he then
                  surveyed the sites thought to be its
                  habitat.

                  "My study starts when I see the
                  animal. The traces they leave are also
                  a source of knowledge that helps fill
                  the gap of the missing information,"
                  he explained.

                  To get accurate data, Ratanawat scours
                  the habitat of the animal and
                  documents his findings. Through
                  observation, aided by a telescope,
                  Ratanawat can get a clearer picture of
                  the animal's behaviour.

                  "The kwang pha starts feeding early in
                  the morning. Later it will head to the
                  river or the pond to drink water. In
                  the daytime, the kwang pha spends its
                  time resting in areas that have dense
                  tree cover or overhanging rocks," he
                  explained.

                  "It looks for food again in the
                  evening. Sometimes it will graze until
                  dark. During the cold season, it will
                  spend more time in open areas," he
                  added.

                                   ----------------------
                                   Rocky cliffs high up
                  in the mountains and hilly areas
                  covered in grass are the favourite
                  habitats of the kwang pha.
                  ---------------------------------------
                  Cliffs on the sides of mountains, a
                  favourite grazing place for the kwang
                  pha, have few species of trees
                  compared to other habitats. Here it
                  feeds on twigs, low shrubs or grass.
                  It occasionally supplements its diet
                  with a salt-lick from which it obtains
                  minerals such as calcium, sodium,
                  magnesium and phosphorus.

                  Ratanawat reasons that it is important
                  to know the kind of food the kwang pha
                  eats as well as their eating habits.

                  "If food is scarce, it will show in
                  the animals' state of health.
                  Information about their eating habits
                  will help us to plan an adequate
                  source of food each season," he
                  explained.

                  In the wild, the kwang pha often lives
                  in small groups of four to 12.
                  Sometimes, it lives alone or pairs up
                  during the mating season.

                  When pregnant, the female kwang pha
                  hides herself in a crevice or under an
                  overhanging rock during the gestation
                  period which lasts 170 to 218 days.

                  "The kwang pha hides her baby in a
                  safe shelter like a cave. She will
                  stay close to her young for about ten
                  days before taking it to sleep outside
                  the cave. During the daytime, the
                  mother will stay near her baby which
                  is often kept under a tree.

                  "The mother will protect her baby
                  aggressively. When she sees something
                  wrong, she will quickly return to her
                  baby. Sometimes she stamps her feet
                  and then walks or runs toward the
                  threat to scare it away," explained
                  Ratanawat.

                  The valiant efforts of the mother
                  kwang pha to safeguard her baby,
                  however, do not mean that their
                  numbers are guaranteed to increase.
                  There are many factors causing a
                  further drop in the population of this
                  endangered species.

                  Direct causes are uncontrolled
                  hunting, careless killing of young
                  wildlife, and natural disasters such
                  as fires and floods, explained
                  Ratanawat.

                  Indirect factors include human
                  encroachment into their habitat and
                  the consequent change in the natural
                  environment.

                  "These things have all affected the
                  lives of many wild animals. Though
                  some factors don't directly kill the
                  animals, they cause agony for them,
                  indirectly affecting the quantity of
                  wildlife," reasoned Ratanawat.

                  The activities of people living along
                  the Bhumiphol Dam in Tak province
                  prevent wild animals, including the
                  kwang pha, from drinking water from
                  the river during the daytime, the
                  researcher said.

                  To avoid humans, the kwang pha come to
                  the river at night when they are more
                  likely to be shot by hunters. Apart
                  from their meat, the animals are
                  prized for the oil obtained from their
                  skulls which many believe can heal
                  bone injuries.

                  "I see the remains of kwang pha for
                  sale in many markets in Tak province.
                  It's a tragic scene. What will we
                  leave for the next generation to
                  appreciate the natural beauty of the
                  world?" asked Ratanawat.

                  The problem of human encroachment into
                  animal territory is widespread and
                  urgent action is needed if the kwang
                  pha and other endangered species are
                  to be saved.

                  "It is necessary for the government to
                  demarcate some areas for wild animals
                  to live in and feed themselves without
                  disturbance from human activities
                  which can affect the activities of the
                  animals. This in turn effects the
                  animal population," he explained,
                  adding that his research will help the
                  authorities find a suitable area for
                  the kwang pha.

                  "Wildlife is a precious resource and
                  vital to the balance of the ecological
                  cycle. Some wild animals are already
                  extinct while many are on the brink of
                  extinction. Let's stop taking
                  advantage of the wildlife," said
                  Ratanawat.

                  To promote academic research into the
                  ecology of wildlife, the Sueb
                  Nakhasathien's Wildlife Fund was
                  established in 1990. The aim of the
                  fund is to conserve and protect
                  wildlife which is the country's
                  natural resource. Those who want to
                  donate money to the foundation or
                  specifically to Ratanawat's research
                  can contact the Seub Nakhasathien
                  Foundation on 561-2469-70 or fax to
                  561-2470.

                  [*] "We Care" is a weekly series
                  honouring people who believe in
                  giving. You can show you care by
                  supporting the projects featured here
                  each week. You can also let us know
                  about people who unselfishly help
                  others so we can honour them in these
                  pages. Fax "We Care" on 240-3666 or
                  call 240-3700 ext 3208 or 3212.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net




Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:54 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Locals dump corals back into the sea
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                                 May 6, 1997

                               [BANGKOK POST]

                                ENVIRONMENT

             Locals dump corals back into the sea

             Villagers take law into their own hands

             Chakrit Ridmontri
             Trang

             A group of villagers living close to Chao Mai
             national park took the law into their own hands,
             seizing 60 sackfuls of coral skeleton collected
             from the park after their complaints to the
             authorities went unheeded.

             The villagers confronted a shopkeeper on Chao
             Mai beach who was behind the illegal collection
             and urged her to turn over the corals to them.
             They later dumped the corals back into the sea.

             Yahead Hawa, a Chao Mai villager, said he smelt
             something fishy after his nephew told him that
             heavy sacks stored at a shop belonging to a
             60-year-old Chinese lady were being loaded onto
             a truck by a park employee.

             He rushed to the scene but the truck was gone,
             he said. He and some villagers decided to launch
             their own investigation. After a week they found
             the truck driver who told them that the sacks
             contained coral.

             The shopkeeper was said to hire villagers to
             collect the coral at Koh Mook under the park's
             jurisdiction at 60 baht a sack. These were
             delivered to a teacher at an agricultural
             collage, 60 kilometres away, who placed the
             order.

             "I notified the village headman and a senior
             park official about the trafficking, but they
             refused to take action, saying coral fragments
             were not important," Mr Yahead said.

             He decided to confront the shopkeeper, telling
             her to return the corals or he would notify the
             authorities to take legal action against her.
             The woman complied.

             "I really didn't want to threaten her with legal
             action because I don't want to have a conflict
             with her. I would rather have her join our
             conservation activities. She would be very
             helpful because her shop is located on the beach
             where she could ask tourists to refrain from
             littering the beach," said Mr Yahead, whom other
             villagers have praised for his
             conservation-mindedness.

             But Mr Yahead's hope to persuade the shopkeeper
             to help with his conservation efforts appeared
             to have been dashed after officials, some of
             whom ignored the villagers' earlier complaints
             about the illegal activity, decided to take
             legal action against her.

             "As law enforcers, we have to take legal action
             against her. The police will investigate whether
             she really violated the law," said Kantang
             district officer Winai Kuruwannaphat.

             Park chief Apai Yongsatar said one of his
             subordinates would lodge a complaint with
             Kantang police.

             "The shopkeeper would face a minor penalty
             because she might not have intended to break the
             law, but the mastermind should be further
             investigated," he said.

             Officials became active only after the
             provincial governor and president of the Trang
             Chamber of Commerce learned about the incident
             through local media.

             Villagers, meanwhile, say the officials'
             response is too late and too little.

             "Had the governor and chamber president not
             alerted them, they would have remained idle,"
             says Mr Yahead's wife, Miya.

             "Coral fragments may have little value. But
             because they are in the national park, they
             belong to society as a whole, and nobody should
             take this public property as their own," she
             said.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net


Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:42:59 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Sales of sea shells to visitors prohibited
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                                May 5, 1997

                               [BANGKOK POST]


                       SURIN ISLAND / MARINE ECOLOGY

             Sales of sea shells to visitors prohibited

             Sea gypsies forced to rely on donations

             Kanittha Inchukul
             Phangnga

             Park officials at the beautiful Surin group of
             islands have barred indigenous sea gypsies from
             selling sea shells to visitors, forcing them to
             rely on donations to survive.

             Officials imposed the ban early this year after
             tourists complained that the sea gypsies'
             activities have damaged marine ecology, causing
             a severe decline of sea shells.

             "Tourists snorkling for coral and marine
             creatures have found fewer shells because Morgan
             people have captured them for sale," said
             Morakot Chanthai, assistant chief of the Surin
             islands national park.

             Traditionally, the sea gypsies, locally called
             Morgans, roam the Andaman sea in their man-made
             boats. But a group of about 130 of them have
             settled on South Surin Island many years ago
             while most of the population, about 5,000,
             settled in Burmese territory.

             Most of them earned their living by fishing but
             turned to selling sea-shells after the tourism
             boom many years ago.

             One Morgan said he made 1,000 baht when a large
             group on a luxury cruise visited the islands
             some time ago.

             Narumon Hincheranant, who studied the tribe for
             her doctorate dissertation, said the ban on
             sea-shell selling by the Morgans is a good idea
             to conserve natural resources. However, she was
             concerned about its impact on the gypsies.

             Many people complained to her during her latest
             visit to Surin island that essential things
             given to the Morgans by park officials are not
             enough for them to live by and they have no
             money to buy things they need as before.

             But because the gypsies are submissive to
             authorities, they obey.

             "Most Morgans are dissatisfied with this policy
             because they have sold sea shells to people on
             the mainland in exchange for rice, gasoline and
             other stuff for a long time. The rule has been
             implemented in haste while officials have not
             created alternatives for them," Ms Narumon said.

             According to the park's assistant chief, the
             Morgans crossed the sea from their village to
             the park's head office to sell their products
             during the tourism season between November and
             April.

             They could earn 5-20 baht for each sea shell
             which they captured from the sea bed without the
             help of diving gear. Officials found that some
             1,800 shells were sold to tourists in a day.

             "Morgans can do nothing except fishing and
             capturing shells," Mr Morakot said. That was why
             officials started giving rice and other
             essentials to them every week after the ban came
             into effect three months ago.

             The donations cost about 4,000 baht each week,
             Morakot said.

             Park chief Sompong Chirararuensak has set up a
             Morgan fund with an account at Krung Thai Bank.
             The fund has so far received some 100,000 baht
             from visitors who agreed to the idea.

             To help generate income for the Morgans, park
             officials have helped arrange the "Morgan Show"
             for tourists' enjoyment. Morgan children perform
             the show by singing the tribe's traditional
             songs and dancing.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net


Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:43:05 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) National park has high potential for success
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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                                   May 5, 1997

                               [BANGKOK POST]

                         DOI INTHANON / ECO-TOURISM

             National park has high potential for success,
             says chief Anusit

             Only three waterfalls opened to tourists

             Uamdao Noikorn

             Doi Inthanon National Park has high potential
             for success in eco-tourism given its worldwide
             reputation and variety of tourist attractions,
             according to park chief Anusit Methawararak.

             "Of about ten waterfalls in the park, only three
             are opened to tourists because we fear
             Thailand's loose restrictions on park tourists
             will damage the other falls," Mr Anusit said.

             Eco-tourism, he said, is not about elephant
             trekking or canoeing or sleeping in tents under
             the stars as widely perceived. "It means doing
             everything with care while you're in the park."

             Dropping by a visitor centre before entering the
             park is the first step of eco-tourism practice.
             The centre, usually located in front of a
             natural trail or popular tourist spots, provides
             basic information about the place, the dos and
             don'ts and its role in ecological balance.

             "Those who visit the centre usually comply with
             the rules. But the majority don't care much.
             They come here just to be at the 'Roof of Siam'
             or have somtam and beer next to a waterfall,"
             lamented the chief.

             Park visitors worldwide are required to enter
             visitor centres before exploring the place. The
             rule is no exception here but lack of officials
             led to lax law enforcement.

             Mingsarn Kaosa-ard, vice president of Thailand
             Development Research Institute Foundation
             (TDRI), agreed. She added that not only do Thai
             tourists tend to be noisy especially after
             getting drunk, they also leave the park with
             piles of permanent souvenirs - plastic bags and
             beer and beverage cans and bottles.

             Currently the park has three incinerators which
             are "useless because they are out-of-date and
             ineffective," Mr Anusit said, adding that the
             new incinerator he just received was also of the
             same quality.

             About two tons of garbage are produced every
             day. All types of garbage are put together and
             burnt outdoors before being dumped at a dumping
             site in the park area.

             However, the problem turned unbearable during
             long holidays. But Dr Mingsarn said numerous
             seminars, workshops and meetings by research
             centres or government agencies pose a real
             threat all year round.

             "When there are four or five agencies here at a
             time, the water supply falls short and huge
             piles of garbage are left," said Dr Mingsarn.

             About 45 government agencies have their offices
             in the park. Despite legal prohibition against
             permanent construction in the area, visitors can
             spot several guesthouses and offices scattering.

             And so a master plan specially designated for
             Doi Inthanon followed. It is the Forestry
             Department's first serious measure to combat
             ecological destruction in four major national
             parks including Doi Suthep and Khao Yai National
             Parks.

             Budget for it is not yet allocated but Mr Anusit
             said it should be 300 million baht altogether,
             with the biggest share going to Khao Yai due to
             its bigger size.

             The master plan will cover issues ranging from
             management and finance to tourism and community
             development. The department has hired Dr
             Mingsarn to draft the tourism and community
             issues. The draft is expected to be finished by
             May.

             To curb destructive tourism is to limit the
             number of tourists, said Dr Mingsarn. She said
             the limit would not be at the entrance of the
             park but at the entrance of each tourist spot
             such as natural trails which are very sensitive
             to surrounding changes.

             "In the West, it's a common practice to allow a
             limited number of tourists inside a place at a
             time. You may not know that carbon dioxide from
             your breath can also harm the environment if
             released too much at a time."

             Other planned proposals and measures include:

             [*] Increasing the park fee from five to 20 baht
             as maintenance costs rise. Several TDRI studies
             show 50 percent of visitors are willing to pay a
             10-baht fee while 90 percent say they will pay
             17 baht.

             [*] Requiring all tourists to take back their
             garbage when they leave to lessen the burden of
             the park's garbage disposal.

             [*] Demanding the department allow the park to
             keep about 20-50 percent of revenue. Currently,
             the park has to turn in all the revenue to the
             department while its annual budget is small.

             [*] Urging the government to create more green
             areas in Bangkok and other big cities nationwide
             so there will be alternatives for small
             vacations.

             [*] Bringing hilltribe people to work in the
             tourism industry as local guides or guesthouse
             operators to ease the accommodation crisis
             during peak season.

             [*] Promoting ethnic culture and tradition in
             the forest to earn extra income.

             "We hope that by bringing them more work and
             extra income, these people will have a better
             education. So far those who have finished high
             school say they'd rather work in the city than
             do farming," Dr Mingsarn pointed out.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net




Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:43:11 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Groups in bid to raise park status
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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                                 May 5, 1997

                               [BANGKOK POST]
                 [Next] [ News ]  [ Business ] [Previous]

                                  ECOLOGY

             Groups in bid to raise park status

             Re-nomination sought

             Chakrit Ridmontri

             Conservation groups are to campaign for the
             re-nomination of Sam Roi Yot national park in
             Prachuap Khiri Khan as an international wetland
             conservation area under the Ramsar Convention.

             Upset with the decision last year by the Office
             of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) and
             the Forestry Department to drop the park from
             the list of natural sites for nomination, the
             groups called a meeting yesterday to urge
             officials to reconsider the decision.

             Sam Roi Yot is the country's unique and largest
             freshwater wetland coexisting with coastal
             ecosystems covering 61,300 rai. Scientists and
             environmentalists said it is the most highly
             diversified habitat and home to many globally
             threatened species.

             Because the park is facing extensive
             encroachment from shrimp farms and tourist
             resorts and road construction, the OEPP and
             Forestry Department decided to drop it as the
             nominee in favour of a well-known Talay Noi bird
             sanctuary in Phattalung.

             "The authorities should have the courage to face
             reality. Because Sam Roi Yot has many problems,
             they should exert special efforts to protect
             it," said Surapol Sudara, a marine science
             professor at Chulalongkorn University.

             Attending yesterday's meeting were
             representatives of Seub Nakhasatien Foundation,
             Wildlife Fund Thailand, Green World Foundation
             and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.

             Mr Surapol said the groups would jointly push
             for the agencies to add the park as another
             nominee.

             The convention agreed to attend a conference in
             the Iranian city of Ramsar aimed at promoting
             conservation of wetland sites, as they are
             important habitats of migratory birds.

             Under its provisions, countries wishing to
             ratify the convention must propose its prominent
             wetland sites to be listed as protected sites
             under the convention. Designated sites will be
             specially supported by member countries.
             Thailand has yet to ratify the convention.

             Rattaya Chantien, president of Seub Nakasatien
             Foundation, said the group would also
             collaborate with local people to campaign on the
             importance of the wetland and find ways to stop
             encroachment by seaside resorts and housing
             estates such as the Riviera Beach Resort of the
             Diamond Group.

             Philip Round, a bird expert at Mahidol
             University, said the beach where the resort is
             being built is nesting grounds for Malaysian
             Plover and Little Tem Sterna albifrons birds
             which are globally threatened species.

             He said Sam Roi Yot is home to at least 10
             species of birds identified as globally
             threatened and nine species of nationally
             threatened, saying unique marshland and
             undisturbed beaches in the park are the most
             important reason that attracts these birds.

             "Disappearance of a species of bird may not have
             any impact on human beings, but it is an
             indicator that the entire ecosystem is going to
             be ruined, which is due mainly to unwise
             management by various concerned agencies," he
             said.

Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net



Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:43:17 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: (HK) Activists urge revamp of information code
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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>Hong Kong Standard
Activists urge revamp of information code
06/05/1997
By Lucia Palpal-latoc


ENVIRONMENTAL activists are pushing for a review of the Code of Access to
Information to compel the government to release confidential data of great
public interest.

Director of Friends of the Earth Hong Kong Ng Fong Siu-mei made the appeal
after the Ombudsman supported a refusal by the Economic Services Branch to
release information on electricity demand and supply.

``Such information can be easily obtained if you request it from the US
government, why can't the Hong Kong government do the same thing?'' she
asked. ``The code is very colonial and I believe it should be upgraded so
that the public can get more information on important issues.''

Friends of the Earth Hong Kong and legislator Christine Loh Kung-wai, now
of the Citizens Party, filed separate complaints last year against the
Economic Services Branch with the Ombudsman's office.

Both complaints focused on the branch's refusal to release two consultancy
studies _ the Study of Demand for Electricity in Hong Kong from 1995 to
2005 and Ways of Meeting Demand; and Demand Side Management Programs _ both
completed last year.

The studies were commissioned by the branch in the light of the application
by power giants Hongkong Electric and China Light & Power for the
construction of new plants.

Ombudsman Andrew So Kwok-wing said the branch should not be faulted for not
releasing the reports because they contained commercially sensitive
information.

However, he was not satisfied with the branch's explanation for not
releasing the reports.

Mr So said it should have cited Section 2.17 of the code which states that
the government cannot release information prematurely or pending
negotiations with other parties.

Ms Ng said consumers had the right to know the result of the studies so
they could voice an opinion about the plans of the two power firms.

A previous study by Friends of the Earth Hong Kong shows that the existing
power supply exceeds demand by more than 40 per cent.

A spokesman for Ms Loh said she was disappointed by the results of the
Ombudsman's investigation.

``The Ombudsman disregarded the fact that the public have the right to be
informed about the general situation,'' he said.

The Economic Services Branch welcomed the result of the investigation.

The Ombudsman has received five complaints since the code was implemented
last year.

Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 17:25:02 -0400
>From: "CHICCHI, KIMBERLY" <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Tiger attacks...
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I was just watching the news & a Tiger in Cambria County, PA attacked &
killed his trainer @ circus.  Sorry, I don't have any more info on what will
happen to the Tiger.

Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 17:25:02 -0400
>From: "CHICCHI, KIMBERLY" <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Tiger attacks
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I was just watching the news & a Tiger in Cambria County, PA attacked &
killed his trainer @ circus.  Sorry, I don't have any more info on what will
happen to the Tiger.

Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 18:41:42 -0400 (EDT)
>From: "Bryan W. Pease" <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: 3 Cats, 12 Dogs Need Homes ASAP! (New England) (fwd)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 13:18:19 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Shay Mitchell <[e-mail]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[e-mail]>
Subject: 3 Cats, 12 Dogs Need Homes ASAP! (New England) (fwd)
>
> The Vet Tech program at Mt Ida is getting ready to close its doors for
>      the summer.  They have 3 cats (about 7 months old) and 12 beagles
>      ranging in age from 1 to 4 years old.  All animals have been
>      spayed/neutered and have all vaccinations.  They will be very
> healthy
>      when they are put to sleep this week.
>
>      If you want one or more of these free pets -- call Tracy Blais at
> 617
>      - 928-4545 very very soon.  They need homes by May 9th or they're
>      going to fur heaven.


On the MOVE,  Bryan

Check out the NO COMPROMISE web page!

-=[ http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/nocompromise/ ]=-

Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 16:42:22 -0700
>From: Persephone Moonshadow Howling Womyn <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (US) Rachel #545: Fish Sex Hormones
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970508164155.0079b480@206.86.0.11>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

=======================Electronic Edition========================
.                                                               .
.           RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY #545           .
.                       ---May 8, 1997---                       .
.                          HEADLINES:                           .
.                       FISH SEX HORMONES                       .
.                          ==========                           .
.               CELEBRATING BARRY COMMONER'S WORK               .
.                          ==========                           .
.               Environmental Research Foundation               .
.              P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD  21403              .
.      Fax [phone]; Internet: [e-mail]       .
.                          ==========                           .
.  Back issues available by E-mail; to get instructions, send   .
.   E-mail to [e-mail] with the single word HELP   .
.    in the message; back issues also available via ftp from    .
.    ftp.std.com/periodicals/rachel and from gopher.std.com     .
.            and from http://www.monitor.net/rachel/            .
. Subscribe: send E-mail to [e-mail] .
.  with the single word SUBSCRIBE in the message.  It's free.   .
=================================================================

FISH SEX HORMONES

In the early 1990s, British researchers at Brunel University in
Uxbridge noticed that male fish living downstream from a sewage
treatment plant near London had testes laden with eggs.  The male
fish had become hermaphrodites (also known as intersex --having
the sexual characteristics of both males and females).[1]

Subsequently, when caged trout were placed downstream from sewage
treatment plants in several British rivers, the males were
discovered to have elevated levels of a protein called
vitellogenin in their blood.[2]  Vitellogenin is the protein
responsible for making egg yolks in female fish.  Ordinarily,
little, if any, vitellogenin is found in the blood of male
fish.[3]  Male fish have a gene which, if triggered by estrogen
(female sex hormone) can produce vitellogenin, but male fish
ordinarily lack sufficient estrogen to trigger the
vitellogenin-making gene.

British researchers John Sumpter and Susan Jobling then reported
that male trout caged downstream from sewage treatment plants
throughout England showed the telltale vitellogenin in their
blood, indicating that something coming out of sewage treatment
plants was having an estrogenic effect on the fish.[3]  Every
sewage treatment plant in England caused the estrogenic effect.
It took only 2 to 3 weeks for the vitellogenin to begin to appear
in the blood of caged trout.

The British researchers tested a few common industrial chemicals
to see if they could stimulate the production of vitellogenin in
male trout under laboratory conditions.  They found that several
common industrial chemicals could do the trick, and could do it
in a dose-dependent way: the more chemical the male trout were
exposed to, the more vitellogenin they produced.

Chemicals found to induce vitellogenin in males included
octylphenol and nonylphenol (both alkyl phenols, which are
commonly used in detergents, toiletries, lubricants and
spermicides); bisphenol-A (the building block of polycarbonate
plastics); o,p'-DDT (the common pesticide, banned in the U.S. but
still widely used in some industrializing parts of the world);
and Arachlor 1221 (one of the 209 varieties of PCBs, or
polychlorinated biphenyls --common industrial chemicals now
banned in the U.S. but still widely found in the environment).[3]

These same researchers then tested mixtures of these chemicals.
They showed that mixtures were more powerful at producing
vitellogenin than any of the individual chemicals alone.  They
thus demonstrated conclusively under laboratory conditions that
these chemicals, at levels commonly found in British rivers,
could induce vitellogenin in male fish.[3]

They found that the chemicals tended to bioconcentrate in the
flesh of the fish; in other words, as time passed, the
concentration of the chemicals increased.  Thus even low
concentration of a weakly estrogenic chemical could eventually
build up to a level that induced vitellogenin production in male
fish.

Sumpter and Jobling then asked themselves whether the estrogen
effects of these chemicals would be limited to one species.
After reviewing available literature and conducting a limited
number of experiments themselves, they concluded that, "Most
evidence supports the idea that if a chemical is estrogenic in
one species, it will be in all others."

Sumpter and Jobling then asked themselves what are the
consequences for aquatic organisms (such as fish) living in a
"sea of estrogen."  The answer, they said, is easy: we do not
know.  The possible effects are "almost endless," they said,
because of the large number of roles played by natural estrogens.
They did pinpoint reproduction as the process mostly likely to be
disrupted and they said it is "probable that these changes
[production of vitellogenin in males] from the normal pattern
will adversely affect reproduction."

In late 1996, U.S. researchers published studies confirming that
up-to-date sewage treatment plants in the U.S. can cause the same
effects in fish living downstream.[4]  Scientists with U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Tulane University, the
University of Florida, and the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources examined male carp from five locations in the
Mississippi River downstream from the Minneapolis sewage
treatment plant, and from a tributary, the Minnesota River, which
receives heavy agricultural runoff.  For comparison, they
captured male carp from the St. Croix River, which is classified
as a National Wild and Scenic River and is not heavily
contaminated.

They found that carp living near the Minneapolis sewage treatment
plant showed "a pronounced estrogenic effect," namely the
production of vitellogenin and reduced levels of testosterone
(male sex hormone). Carp from the pesticide-contaminated
Minnesota River had sharply-reduced testosterone levels but
showed no vitellogenin effect. Carp from the St. Croix River were
normal.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported in April that
industrial contaminants in many U.S. rivers and lakes seem to be
affecting the levels of sex hormones in fish throughout the
U.S.[5]  "The finding of a correlation between hormone levels and
contaminant levels in fish from such diverse locations is both a
cause for concern and a call for further investigation," said Dr.
Gordon Eaton, director of USGS, releasing the study.

The study was conducted by USGS in collaboration with the
National Biological Service (now the Biological Resources
Division within USGS) and the University of Florida.

The study analyzed 647 carp collected from 25 streams (including
11 major rivers, such as the Mississippi, the Columbia, and the
Hudson) in 13 states and the District of Columbia.  The streams
were selected based on the kind of area they drain; the goal was
to select streams that represented environmental settings that
are typical of major regions of the nation.

The fish were tested for estrogen and testosterone (female and
male sex hormones) in their blood.  All fish have both estrogen
and testosterone in their blood; however, the ratio of the two
hormones varies between females and males.  The ratio is
important.  As Bette Hileman has said, "In the developing fetus
of both humans and animals, a specific ratio of estrogen to
androgens (male hormones [such as testosterone]) is necessary for
sexual differentiation [the process of developing into a male or
a female].  If the ratio is perturbed, the offspring may be born
with two sets of partially developed sexual organs (intersex) or
with a single set that is incomplete or improperly developed."[6]

In addition to testing for the estrogen/testosterone ratio, USGS
also tested carp for organochlorine pesticides and PCBs
[polychlorinated biphenyls] in their blood.  Organochlorine
pesticides (such as DDT, aldrin, and dieldrin) and PCBs are known
to affect hormone levels in wildlife.[4]

Furthermore, at sites where fish were captured, USGS took samples
of sediments and analyzed them for total phenols, phthalates, and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); all three of these
classes of chemicals are known to affect hormones in wildlife.
(Phenols, as we saw above, have many uses; phthalates are widely
used in plastics; PAHs are produced by combustion of gasoline,
oil, coal, garbage, medical and hazardous wastes, and by metal
smelters.)

USGS concluded that its most significant findings included these:

** At half the locations tested, one or more male carp were
producing vitellogenin at low levels.

** In both male and female carp, the estrogen/testosterone ratio
was most disturbed by dissolved pesticides in water.  The site
with the highest level of dissolved pesticides (the Platte River
at Louisville, Nebraska) had the lowest estrogen/testosterone
ratio.

** For both male and female carp, the presence of phenols was
associated with reduced levels of both estrogen and testosterone.

USGS researchers said their study was too crude to actually
determine that specific contaminants were causing specific
changes in the sex hormones of fish.  However, as noted above,
the agency said the findings were "cause for concern."

It is apparent that many waters of the U.S. contain substances
that can alter the sex hormones of fish.  The implications are
clear: whatever is altering the sex hormones of fish originates
on the land, and is caused by human activities.  Because estrogen
and testosterone perform many of the same functions in fish,
birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals (including humans),
mans), there is no reason to believe (or even hope) that humans
are exempt from the chemicals that are altering the fish.

One might think --based on common sense and simple prudence
--that it would be appropriate to begin controlling
hormone-disrupting chemicals. Unfortunately, U.S. EPA has adopted
the position of the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA),
which is this: merely altering the sex hormones of fish OR EVEN
HUMANS is not sufficient reason to initiate controls on known
hormone-disrupting chemicals.  It is up to us (the public) to
prove that altering our sex hormones is bad for us (causing
"adverse effects" is how EPA expresses it).[7]  It will take many
decades, perhaps centuries, to gather the necessary evidence to
convince the likes of the CMA (the permanent government[8]) that
an "adverse effect" has occurred.  Think of the history of
tobacco.  In the meantime, with EPA's blessing, the chemical
industry will continue to do its business in our water.
                                                --Peter Montague
                (National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981/AFL-CIO)

===============
[1] Jocelyn Kaiser, "Scientists Angle for Answers," SCIENCE Vol.
274 (December 13, 1996), pgs. 1837-1838.

[2] John P. Sumpter, "Feminized responses in fish to
environmental estrogens," TOXICOLOGY LETTERS Vol. 82-83 (Dec.,
1995), pgs. 737-742. See also: C. Purdom and others, "Estrogenic
Effects of Effluents From Sewage Treatment Works" CHEMISTRY AND
ECOLOGY Vol. 8 (1994), pgs. 275-285.  And see: S. Jobling and J.
Sumpter "Detergent components in sewage effluent are weakly
oestrogenic to fish: an IN VITRO study using rainbow trout
(ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS) hepatocytes" AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY Vol. 27
(1993), pgs. 361-372.

[3] John P. Sumpter and Susan Jobling, "Vitellogenesis as a
Biomarker for Estrogenic Contamination of the Aquatic
Environment," ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES Vol. 103,
Supplement 7 (October, 1995), pgs. 173-177.

[4] Leroy C. Folmar and others, "Vitellogenin Induction and
Reduced Serum Testosterone Concentrations in Feral Male Carp
(CYPRINUS CARPIO) Captured Near a Major Metropolitan Sewage
Treatment Plant," ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES Vol. 104, No.
10 (October 1996), pgs. 1096-1101.

[5] Steven L. Goodbred and others, RECONNAISSANCE OF
17BETA-ESTRADIOL, 11-KETOTESTOSTERONE, VITELLOGENIN, AND GONAD
HISTOPATHOLOGY IN COMMON CARP OF UNITED STATES STREAMS: POTENTIAL
FOR CONTAMINANT-INDUCED ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION [U.S. Geological
Survey Open-File Report 96-627] (Denver, Colorado: U.S.
Geological Survey, 1997). Available for $7.75 (prepaid) from:
U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Information Services, Box
25286, Denver federal center, Denver, CO  80225.  The report is
also available on the world wide web at: http://water.wr.usgs.gov.

[6] Bette Hileman, "Environmental Estrogens Linked to
Reproductive Abnormalities, Cancer," C&EN [CHEMICAL & ENGINEERING
NEWS] January 31, 1994, pgs. 19-23.

[7] EPA's position is clearly stated in Thomas M. Crisp and
others, SPECIAL REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION: AN
EFFECTS ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS [EPA/630/R-96/012] (Washington,
D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency, Risk Assessment Forum,
February, 1997).  Available via the internet:
http://www.epa.gov/ORD/webpubs/endocrine/ .

[8] See REHW #517.


CELEBRATING BARRY COMMONER'S WORK

To celebrate Barry Commoner's 80th birthday, a group of his
friends and colleagues have organized a day-long symposium in New
York City May 30th, titled "Barry Commoner's Contribution to the
Environmmental Movement: Science and Social Action." The purpose
is to draw lessons from the past and create momentum for a strong
future for the environmental movement. The public is invited. It
is free. Speakers will include Ralph Nader, Tony Mazzocchi, John
O'Connor, Peter Bahouth (invited), Judi Enck, Dan Kohl, Virginia
Brodine, Eric Goldstein, Vernice Miller, Taghi Farver, Giovanni
Berliguer, Chicco Testa. David Cleverly, Peter Montague, and
others. Barry himself will end the day with a talk titled, "What
Is Yet To Be Done." The symposium starts at 9 am May 30th in the
Great Hall at Cooper Union (7 East 7th Street between 3rd and 4th
Avenues). Contact: Sharon Clark Peyser, CBNS, Queens College,
Flushing, NY 11367; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].
Hope to see you there! --P.M.


Descriptor terms:  endocrine disruptors; fish; wildlife; trout;
carp; studies; usgs; epa; mississippi river; water pollution;
hudson river; columbia river; great britain; sexual development;
hermaphroditism; sewage treatment; vitellogenin; estrogen;
testosterone; androgens; alkyl phenols; nonylphenol; octylphenol;
ddt; bisphenol-a; pcbs; barry commoner;

################################################################
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