1) Baldwin for Congress by Liz <lgrayson@earthlink.net> 2) Hog Factories Target Wisconsin by Steve Barney <AnimalLib@vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu> 3) Feeding an industry-where did all the puppies/kittens come from ? by Liz <lgrayson@earthlink.net> 4) (KP) Tiger slaughter by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 5) (KP) Bardot not a racist by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 6) (KP) Regulations to Be Enacted on Genetic Experiments by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 7) (SG) Of Ubin tiger tales and higher boat fares by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 8) (US) Investigation into tobacco industry by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 9) [UK] Drought devastates vulnerable birds by David J Knowles <dknowles@dowco.com> 10) Asia magazine letters column by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 11) COK Activists Need Your Help NOW!!! by Paul Shapiro <shapiro5@CapAccess.org> 12) Fwd: Environmentalists Decry State Deals by LMANHEIM@aol.com 13) Utah prisoner denied vegan food! by ARAishere@aol.com 14) Subscription Options (admin note) by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 15) Wal-Mart Drops Animal Exhibit by Debbie Leahy <DLEAHY@delphi.com> 16) URGENT: Dolphin Death Bill Vote This Week! by "Christine M. Wolf" <chrisw@fund.org> 17) (US) List of Protected Wildlife Habitats by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 18) (US) Mainers Aim To Preserve Migration by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 19) (US) List of Animal, Plant Invaders by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 20) Elk to be Killed in Wyoming by SMatthes@aol.com 21) LA Times: Coyote Trapping (US) by Marisul@aol.com
Date: Sun, 04 May 1997 00:25:37 +0000
>From: Liz <lgrayson@earthlink.net>
To: ar-news <ar-news@envirolink.org>
Subject: Baldwin for Congress
Message-ID: <336BD777.6BB0@earthlink.net>
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Watching CNN today I saw Alec standing at a podium - the voice over
said he was considering running for Congress,
Liz
Date: Sat, 03 May 1997 23:32:25 -0500 (CDT)
>From: Steve Barney <AnimalLib@vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu>
To: AnimalLib-List@list.acs.uwosh.edu, WISPUB@magoo.uwsuper.edu, ar-news@envirolink.org, wisc-eco@igc.apc.org
2 May 97 : In My View (Readers' Forum); Tiger in Tales
By Alain Burrese
Korea has a rich heritage, full of folk tales, proverbs and maxims. Many of these tales and sayings focus on one of the most majestic animals to live on our planet: the tiger. The oldest and most often cited legend of the origin of the Korean people is about Tan-gun, and although the tiger in this tale lacks the perseverance to remain in the cave with the bear for 100 days, he is still a major character in the story.
Sadly, this distinguished feline could soon very well only remain in the legends and lore of yesterday. If you watch the STAR channel for English television shows here in Korea, you are probably familiar with the disturbing commercial that shows the various ways tigers are being killed and used around the world, especially here in Asia. The commercial ends with the statement that, if we do not do something, the tiger could be extinct in the wild in five years.
Currently the worldwide tiger population has slumped to an all-time low. Only 5,000 tigers exist in the wild. According to the Zoological Society of London, there has been a drop of 10,000 tigers in the past 30 years. The decline has accelerated during the past decade, despite concerted efforts from conservationists to save the species. Part of this decline is due to habitat destruction, but more significantly, it can be blamed on the recent growth in demand for tiger body parts for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Even though it is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the trade of tiger body parts constitutes a large part of the global wildlife trade. Tiger bones and parts are used in a variety of ways; from herbal medicines to the so called delicacy _ tiger penis soup. It not only saddens me, but infuriates me that people will exterminate a species of animal over nothing more than magical potions to increase their libido.
According to Sarah Christie, the Zoological Society of London's tiger co-ordinator, some tiger parts have anti-inflammatory and other properties, but they are still not as good as an aspirin. The increase in the Far East per capita incomes has meant that more people can afford traditional herbal medicines, treated as luxuries, and they are buying them to show off their wealth. Again, anger and anguish arise as I think of these beautiful denizens of the jungle being slaughtered for nothing other than people's vanity.
At least 1,900 kilos of tiger bone were exported to Japan from Taiwan in 1990, according to Richard Burge, the society's director general. ``That's the equivalent of 400-500 tigers. The increase in the use of tiger parts in herbal medicine is outweighing any increases in the number of tigers we might hope for,'' he said. Tiger bones and parts are also some of the most commonly found animal products smuggled in to Britain.
My particular favorite sub-species is the white tiger, which hasn't existed in the wild for years. Because of the drastically low numbers of these tigers, in-breeding has heightened the rate of cub mortality and genetic defects. Now as populations of their orange cousins decline, the risks associated with in-breeding are appearing elsewhere. Some sub-species are more at risk than others. The South China tiger is currently closest to extinction, with just 20 specimens recorded in the wild.
The society predicts a continuation of the decline, so they are coordinating existing tiger sperm and egg banks around the world as part of the fight to save the tiger. We all need to join this fight to help eliminate the illegal use and trade of tiger bones and parts. If there were no demand, those killing the tigers wouldn't make a profit, and the tiger might have a fighting chance to continue living in the jungles and forests of our shrinking planet.
There's an old Korean saying, ``Horangi tambae makul chok,'' which is ``When tigers smoked long pipes.'' This is equivalent to the English, ``Once-upon-a-time.'' Wouldn't it be terribly sad if our future generations were to say, ``When tigers smoked long pipes, there were tigers.''
The writer is a resident of Kangnung City, Kangwon Province.
Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 15:25:44 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg>
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
23 Apr 97 : Letters to the Editor; Animal Rights Activist
To the Editor
I have a few comments regarding an article about the French star, Brigitte Bardot which appeared in The Korea Herald on Friday, April 18, 1997, on page eleven. The article was entitled, ``Defiant Bardot attacks sheep slaughter ritual.''
As a brown woman, and as a lifelong vegetarian and supporter of animal rights, I certainly do not consider Ms. Bardot to be a racist. She is merely speaking the truth. After all, how can a person who defends non-human animals be racist towards other humans? The anti-racist organizations harrassing Ms. Bardot should reflect upon the violence they are supporting. They should stop attacking her and spend their time more productively, fighting racism where it really exists.
Ms. Bardot is a beautiful woman of great ethics and compassion. She realizes that oppression of animals permeates virtually every facet of society. Examples include the meat industry, trapping of fur bearing animals, whaling. hunting/fishing, zoos, torture in labs in the name of science, and in religious rituals. Ms. Bardot has been active in the struggle against the Canadian seal hunt, and the fur trade.
Currently, she is protesting the killing of sheep in the name of religion. This is common practice amongst certain religions such as Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is ironic that in the name of God, or Allah, the All-merciful, His innocent creatures are violently killed by having their throats slit, while priests recite a prayer. Common sense would seem to indicate that God be worshipped by protecting his creatures. But of course, almost all religions are known for their lack of common sense. They rigidly adhere to dogma.
Violence towards non-human animals is linked to violence towards humans. For example Algerian Muslims try to advance their political cause by murdering women and children in the same way they kill sheep _ by slitting their throats. French nationals have been murdered in this way. It is only natural for Ms. Bardot to be concerned about the Islamization of her beloved France. Violent diets and violent rituals beget violence towards people.
The converse is also true. One of the most successful leaders of the twentieth century, Mahatma Gandhi, was a peaceloving, animal loving vegetarian. In fact, the problems that plague France also exist in India, which has one of the world's largest concentrations of Muslims. Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus are vegetarian whereas Muslims ritually kill and eat animals. This issue creates a great deal of tension in India, just as in France as your article pointed out.
In fairness, Ms. Bardot should remember that it is not just Muslims who violate animal rights. The French are known for foie gras which is the result of extreme cruelty to ducks. As well, as reported in The Korea Herald recently, some Paris restaurants serve monkey meat. This is stepping dangerously close to cannibalism. In Korea, the practice of eating man's best friend, the dog, is deeply disturbing to many people. Pity the poor animals, Nowhere are they safe or free.
To reiterate, as a lifelong vegetarian, supporter of animal rights, and as a brown woman, I fully agree with Brigitte Bardot. She is not a racist; she is speaking the truth, no matter how bitter it may be to some people. In the words of the great master Leonardo da Vinci, may the day soon come when human beings ``look upon the murder of animals, as they now look upon the murder of men.'' Prabhnoor Kaur Rangi
Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 15:25:51 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg>
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (KP) Regulations to Be Enacted on Genetic Experiments
22 Apr 97 : Regulations to Be Enacted on Genetic Experiments
A set of regulations to prevent potential mishaps which can arise in the process of genetic manipulation and other genetics- related experiments will be implemented beginning in July, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said yesterday.
The occasion marks the first time that the government has taken charge in regulating genetics-related research and development. Under the regulations, which have been formulated in accordance with standards used in advanced countries, research institutions will be required to follow strict rules regarding sealing methods and guidelines for mutational organisms that are produced during experiments.
Institutions will also be required to adhere to experimental guidelines to ensure human and laboratory security while establishing a safety committee. Further, institutions will be banned from conducting experiments that tamper in any way with the sacredness of human beings.
According to ministry officials, the regulations have been set amidst the nation's increasingly brisk experimental activities employing bioengineering in such diverse areas as medicine, agriculture, manufacturing and environment. The enforcement of such regulations also became a pressing matter as Korea joined the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the officials said.
As of yet, there has been no known mishap done to humans or the rest of the ecosystem as a result of genetic experiments in the nation. Worldwide, 106 biosafety regulations or guidelines have been in effect since 1994, most of which have been formulated in the late '80s.
Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 15:25:59 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg>
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (SG) Of Ubin tiger tales and higher boat fares
