Komputer for Alle 1998 #6/1998 CD 6 (Gul).iso/web/ffa/wwwenv~1.org/arrs/digest/news42~3.htm/text0007.txt

Internet Message Format | 1998-04-03 | 66.5 KB

From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (UG) Uganda Cattle-Rustlers Kill 76
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

animal exploitaion = human exploitation
from AP Wire page:
-----------------------------------
 06/02/1997 06:07 EST

 Uganda Cattle-Rustlers Kill 76

 KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) -- Cattle-rustlers killed 76 people from a rival
 tribe, including 50 children, in remote northeastern Uganda, a state
 newspaper reported today.

 Warriors from the Karamojong tribe attacked rival settlements near Amudat
 on Wednesday, killing people and stealing 366 head of cattle, the New
 Vision daily said. Amudat is on the border of Kenya, 190 miles northeast
 of Kampala.

 Among the dead were 50 children -- 36 of them girls, the newspaper said.

 No further details on the attack were available. Ugandan police spokesman
 Eric Naigambi said an investigation was underway.

 ``The raiders resorted to killing any soul in sight,'' the daily quoted
 the local chief, Michael Chosey, as saying. Chosey said the dead included
 two blind men and 50 children between the ages of 2 and 15.

 Cattle-rustling among the Karamojong, and between the Karamojong and
 Turkana in neighboring Kenya, has been a way of life for decades in the
 arid east.

 But in the past, few were killed because only spears and bows and arrows
 were used. The easy availability of automatic weapons from war zones in
 Sudan and Somalia has changed the nature of cattle theft.

 On Feb. 25, 59 people were killed during a cattle raid in the region.

 The government has tried without success to disarm the Karamojong, who
 have terrorized neighboring tribes for years.

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 17:00:01 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (HK) Pledge on illegal animal trade
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>South China Morning Post
Wednesday  June 4  1997
     Pledge on illegal animal trade
     FIONA HOLLAND

     Controls to stop trade in endangered species will be strengthened after
the handover.

     Officials from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department met
counterparts from China's Ministry of Forestry in Beijing last month and
discussed how to fight the illicit business.

     After the handover, the border between Hong Kong and China will cease
to be international and therefore global agreements regulating trade in
endangered species  will no longer apply.

     Conservationists have warned that a flood of endangered species and
their parts could     be moved over the border as a result and with no legal
recourse.

     Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Frank Lau Sin-pang
said Hong     Kong and China had discussed their concerns about trade in
endangered species  informally at international forums.

     Last month's meeting in Beijing was an official discussion which agreed
to step up     controls.

     "Hong Kong will maintain its own Customs identity and our own
legislation will be in place," he said.

     "We will continue what we do and also enhance our links with them so
cross-border     enforcement will be enhanced."

     The Animals and Plants Protection of Endangered Species Ordinance would
also     undergo a major review, he said.


Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 17:00:41 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Elephant needs urgent eye surgery
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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>Bangkok Post
4 June 97
Jumbo needs urgent eye surgery
              Somsak Sooksai
              Lampang


              An elephant being treated in the North will lose its sight
unless it
              receives specialist attention urgently.

              Kham Puan, a three-year-old bull who is blind in one eye, needs
              an operation by the middle of this month, said Soraida Salwala,
              secretary-general of the Friends of the Asian Elephant
              Foundation.

              The operation at the Elephant Hospital is expected to be difficult
              because it will be a world first and because veterinarians lack
              medical equipment.

              The hospital will send Krisda Langka, a volunteer veterinarian, to
              study eye surgery on elephants at Chulalongkorn University, she
              said.

              "There is no specialist in this field in Thailand, so the
operation is
              considered high-risk," Ms Soraida said.

              Preecha Puangkhamphaet, a volunteer veterinarian at the
              hospital, said it was very difficult to find an X- ray machine
large
              enough for the job.

              Kham Puan is one of three partially-sighted elephants admitted
              to the hospital three months ago. Kham Puan, Boonsri and
              Thaengthong, who lost their sight to an eye socket infection, risk
              permanent blindness without operations.

              Kha Chan, a female patient, had an operation in which a metal
              plate and a splint were attached to her broken front leg to allow
              her to move and to reduce the risk of further injury and
infection.

              The hospital, in Hang Chat district, is short of money, medicine
              and food for its patients. It costs at least 200,000 baht to treat
              each elephant a month.


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

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 17:00:53 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TW-JP) Taiwan hopes to resume pork exports to Japan
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>CNA Daily English News Wire
TAIWAN HOPES TO RESUME PORK EXPORTS TO JAPAN


Taipei, June 3 (CNA) Taiwan is expected to pork exports to Japan in the near
future, an official of the Bureau of Commodity Inspection & Quarantine said
Tuesday.

According to the official, Japanese officials will soon arrive to inspect
local slaughterhouses and pork processing facilities.

All pork exports were banned after the government announced an outbreak of
foot-and-mouth disease March 20. Last year Taiwan exported US$1.55 billion
worth of pork, 99 percent of which went to Japan.

The loss of Japan as an export market for Taiwan pork prompted some local
economists to make downward revisions to economic growth projections for
this year.  Bureau officials said that after three months of efforts, which
involved the extermination of FMD-affected pigs and a mass vaccination
program, the disease is now under control.

Japan, which experienced a sharp rise in pork prices after imports from
Taiwan were cut off, has been postive about the improvements, according to
bureau officials.

They said that if Japanese inspectors approve local pork processing
facilities, a new verification system will be worked out to allow Taiwan
pork exports to Japan.

Officials are optimistic that pork exports will resume in about one month.
(By Lilian Wu)

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 17:00:58 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (ID) Rare mammal found in Irian Jaya
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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>CNA Daily English News Wire
RARE MAMMAL FOUND IN IRIAN JAYA

Jakarta, June 3 (CNA) A researcher has found a large number of a rare mammal
in Indonesia's easternmost province of Irian Jaya.

The mammal, only known by its scientific name "neophascolage lorentzii," is
indigenous to Irian Jaya and found nowhere else, the Antara news agency
quoted researcher Ronald Petocz as saying Sunday in his report.

The 230-mm long animal has brown fur on its body and a mixture of red and
brown fur on its head and tail, he said.

He added that he found the mammals in a mossy area in the Meren Valley, some
3,750 meters above sea level.
Petocz also reported that certain freshwater crocodiles found in the Roffaer
River in Irian Jaya could be considered as being on the brink of extinction.

The researcher said the species known as "crocodylus novaeguinea" had been
listed in the red book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature
as endangered and needs to be protected.

Illegal hunting is blamed for the species' rapid depletion, he said.

The crocodiles have high economic value and are often hunted by local people
in the hope of trading the reptile's leather, Petocz said.

The best way to protect the species from extinction would be to turn the
area of the river into a national park, he said. (By Wu Pin-chiang)

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 18:02:10 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (MY) Girls getting high on pig-breeding pills
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>The Star Online
4 Jun 97
Girls getting high on pig-breeding pills

     BANTING (Selangor) -- Pig-breeding pills used by farmers are now
popular among young girls for boosting their stamina on the dance floor.

     They believed that the pills would enable them to dance non-stop for
hours, Selangor    State Executive Councillor Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar
said on Monday.

     Berita Harian Malaysia quoted him as saying that accompanied by up-beat
music, the     girls slipped into a trance-like state and would strip.

     Such displays of nudity were an attraction to patrons and some of the
girls were even     led into dark rooms for sex.
He disclosed the use of such drugs at a Kuala Langat Wanita Umno division
meeting in     Dewan Jugra.

     Utusan Malaysia also quoted him as saying that those who consumed such
pills     hallucinated in night clubs and engaged in sex with other customers.

     He said that each pill could cost up to M$100 (S$57) and demand was
said to have     risen, especially in Klang Valley.

     The pills were believed to have been smuggled into the country by
syndicates.

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 07:49:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: CITES coverage
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

In addition to what is being posted to Ar-News by WSPA, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is providing coverage of the 10th Conference of the Parties
to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (COP 10 of
CITES) on the internet, from June 8 to June 20.  Go to
http://www.fws.gov/~r9dia/index.html, where there will be instructions posted
on how to get COP 10 coverage, or so I'm told.

Barry Kent MacKay
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 97 07:08:20 UTC
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Not Enough Letters/Phone Calls to Stop Live Bird Drop
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

(Excerpt from Tulsa World, Tulsa, OK, USA): A national poultry watchdog
association is screaming fowl over a Texas Panhandle town's plan to drop
live guineas from an airplane as a promotion for a community festival.

The Quitaque, TX Chamber of Commerce plans to drop two live guineas
from an airplane on Saturday during the town's National Trails Day
celebration.

Roy Pigg, chamber president, said he's received a few letters and phone
calls protesting the event, but not enough to dissuade the town from
going on with the dropping of the birds.


-- Sherrill
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 97 07:31:09 UTC
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Update on Dog Stabbing/Dragging Case
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

Tahlequah, OK, USA: A Hulbert, OK man who allegedly stabbed his dog to
death and then dragged the animal behind his pickup for about 5 miles, was
charged in Cherokee County District Court on Tuesday.

Michael Cooper, 37, who is free on $30,000 bond, faces one count of
cruelty to animals and unlawful possession of a controlled and dangerous
substance.

Cooper's scheduled court appearance Tuesday was postponed until next
Tuesday at 1 p.m. said Jerry Moore, assistant district attorney. A
preliminary hearing will be set at Cooper's next court appearance, he said.

When arrested, Cooper, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs,
told authorities that "the dog was killing chickens and was an egg sucker,"
Moore said.

-- Sherrill
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 97 07:44:28 UTC
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: OK Hog Bill
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

Oklahoma City, OK USA: Gov. Frank Keating will sign the "hog bill" in a
ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday.

More formally known as the Confined Animal Feeding Operation Act,
the legislation is intended to protect ground and surface water
by placing certain restrictions on animal feeding operations,
including setbacks for waste lagoons.

Major hog producers and their lobbyists battled western Oklahoma
residents over the legislation for most of the legislative
session that ended last week. Residents complained the feeding
operations create unbearable odor and are polluting water sources
in western Oklahoma.

Eastern Oklahoma communities and residents became interested in the
legislation because the growing number of chicken raising operations
are creating similar problems here.

Following the bill signing, the Governor's Animal Waste and
Water Quality Protection Task Force will hold its first meeting.
Keating created the task force by executive order last month and
ordered it to survey problems caused by confined animal feeding
operations. The task force will report its findings by Dec. 1.

"It is imperative that we protect the  quality of Oklahoma's
water supply for our children and our children's children,"
Keating said.

Not everyone was satisfied with the legislation passed this year.
Western Oklahomans  wanted greater setbacks and tighter restrictions.

Eastern Oklahoma senators were angered because the setbacks in the
eastern part of the state are less than they are in western Oklahoma.

-- Sherrill
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 09:25:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Fur Trade lying: Show Us the Bodies!
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 1997







'Show Us, World The Dead Bodies!'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Anti-Fur Activists Challenge Furriers;
Charge Industry Lying About Mink Deaths
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   --PORTLAND, OR -- Animal rights advocates Tuesday said the fur industry is
lying -- and the news media is spreading that lie around the world in
unsubstantiated claims -- when it says that thousands of mink freed from an
Oregon fur farm last weekend have died of exposure or by being run over.

     "If thousands of mink have been killed by cars, or have died, where are all
the bodies?" asked JP Goodwin, exec. director of Coalition to Abolish the
Fur Trade, a national anti-fur organization based in Dallas that has come
out in support of the break-in at a Mt. Angel, OR fur farm that resulted in
an estimated 10,000 mink being freed.

     "Numerous news reporters, including those from wire services and National
Public Radio, have told me that the industry refuses to produce a single
dead body...they can't for the obvious reason that there are no bodies,"
said Goodwin.

     "Our challenge to the propagandists of the bloody fur lobby is to show us,
the news media and the world proof of the dead mink. My guess is they won't
be able to do it." Goodwin said that he, and the media, should not be
satisfied with seeing only a few dead mink. "They claim most of the mink
have died...let's see thousands of bodies."

     Goodwin also said it was "absurd" to believe that liberators would risk
their lives, their own freedom and the animals lives to break out the
animals, and then let them die.

     "The truth is that mink, even young mink, can survive in the wild...they
are not domesticated, they live in sheds outside, not inside, and if freed
they will not freeze in temperate Oregon," explained Goodwin, an expert on
fur-bearing animals and the fur trade.

     Finally, Goodwin said the news media is missing a major point: "If the mink
were left in those cages, they faced sure death...all, except for few used
for breeding, are killed within 7 months of being born."
--30-
Contact: CAFT [phone]


Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 09:41:20 EST5EDT
From: "Elaine Kaufmann" <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Humane veterinary schools
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

At the Pace Animal Law conference in Aprl, Dr.Sheri Speede mentioned
that there are veterinary programs that do not require vivisection --does anyone know
where I can go to find information about humane pre-vet and
veterinary programs?

Thank you.

Elaine
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 09:04:11 -0700
From: ckelly <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Admin Note: Militant P.E.T.A
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Good Morning Allen:

Thank you for catching the harassing xmissions from MyPetsPal. If you read
the message sent 2 June at approximately 13:23 (EDT), subject Fwd:
BRAVO!!!GOOD FOR YOU!!!, you will see that a Tana McHale
([e-mail]) is obviously part of Putting People First and
continuing to lurk on our list. Thank you so much - I think these two have
already gotten more of our time than they deserve.  :)

Chris



At 10:47 PM 6/3/97 -0400, you wrote:
>[e-mail] will no longer be able to post to the list.
>
>Please do not post commentary or personal opinions to AR-News.  Such posts
>are not appropriate to AR-News.  Appropriate postings to AR-News include:
>posting a news item, requesting information on some event, or responding to
>a request for information.  Discussions on AR-News will NOT be allowed and
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>
>Continued postings of inappropriate material may result in suspension of
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>
>Here is subscription info for AR-Views:
>
>Send e-mail to:  [e-mail]
>
>In text/body of e-mail:  subscribe ar-views firstname lastname
>
>Also...here are some websites with info on internet resources for Veg and
>AR interests:
>
>The Global Directory (IVU)
>http://www.veg.org/veg/Orgs/IVU/Internet/netguid1.html
>
>World Guide to Vegetarianism--Internet
>http://www.veg.org/veg/Guide/Internet/index.html
>
>allen
>********
>"We are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Walk your talk
>and no one will be in doubt of where you stand."
>  -- Howard F. Lyman
>

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 10:09:39 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (US) U.S. to Oppose Ivory Trade Renewal
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

The article fails to clarify a vital point:  will the U.S. object to "limited
trade" in meat and hides, as has also been proposed?  Such trade,
while obviously not directly involving ivory, will cause ivory to be
further stockpiled, leading to increasing demands for its controlled
trade on the grounds that money is needed for conservation, and
any legal trade opens the door to poaching and smuggling.

Barry Kent MacKay


In a message dated 97-06-04 03:20:18 EDT, you write:

 << Subj:(US) U.S. to Oppose Ivory Trade Renewal
  Date:97-06-04 03:20:18 EDT
  From:[e-mail] (allen schubert)
  Sender:[e-mail]
  Reply-to:[e-mail]
  To:[e-mail]

 from AP Wire page:
 ------------------------------------
  06/03/1997 18:32 EST

  U.S. to Oppose Ivory Trade Renewal

  By H. JOSEF HEBERT
  Associated Press Writer

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States will strongly oppose any attempt by
  African nations to resume trade in rare African elephant parts, Clinton
  administration officials said Tuesday.

  Some environmental groups have raised concerns over a call by Zimbabwe
  and two of its neighbors, Namibia and Botswana, to resume limited
  commercial trade in elephant ivory.

  Protection of the African elephant is expected to be the most contentious
  issue facing the 136 delegates meeting next week in Zimbabwe at the
  Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species. The group, known
  as CITES, imposed a trade ban on African elephant parts in 1989.

  Deputy Interior Secretary Don Barry, who will head the U.S. delegation,
  said Tuesday the United States will oppose any changes that would allow
  even limited resumption of trading in African ivory.

  ``These proposals would pose unacceptable risks to elephant
  populations,'' the Interior Department said in a statement.

  Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, arguing that their elephant herds are now
  thriving, have said they will ask the conference to allow a controlled
  resumption of ivory exports to Japan. Any change in the 1989 ban would
  require a two-thirds vote by conference delegates.

  Environmental groups contend that easing the restrictions would send the
  wrong signal to poachers and lead to the killing of thousands of
  elephants throughout Africa. They blame even talk of an ease for the
  recent slaughter of 200 elephants in the Congo.

  While acknowledging that Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana have healthy
  elephant herds, Barry said in an interview Tuesday ``there still is too
  much risk ... to other populations elsewhere in Africa.''

  The U.S. delegation, he said, will argue that there are inadequate
  safeguards to prevent illegal shipments of ivory and that any easing of
  trade restrictions would undermine efforts against poachers throughout
  Africa.

  The American position is expected to influence other nations, especially
  Europeans and some African countries that have voiced concern about
  easing of trade restrictions.

  ``I think it seals the fate of these proposals (to ease sanctions),''
  said Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States. He noted
  that it will take on 46 votes to block the three African nations who want
  to resume trade.

  Barry is not as certain. ``They will clearly press the issue,'' he said.

  Demand for ivory led to killing hundreds of thousands of African
  elephants in the 1980s. Their population dropped from 1.3 million in 1979
  to about 600,000 in 1989 when the species was put under CITES protection.
  There are now believed to be between 300,000 and 550,000 elephants,
  although the health of the populations vary from country to country.



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Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 10:09:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (ID) Rare mammal found in Irian Jaya....What it is:
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

For those of you who are interested, Neophascogale lorentzi, mentioned in the
article below,  is a unique type of marsupial "mouse"...that is to say a very
small type of opossum...found only in a restricted range in the Western part
of New Guinea, as indicated.  So far as I know it is the only member of its
genus (ie., a monotypic genus).

The marsupial mice are marsupials (as are kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian
devils, wombats, bandicoots and, here in North America Virginia opossums) who
have evolved to fill ecological niches which, in other regions of the world,
would usually be occupied by small rodents.  The family is found only in the
region of New Guinea and Australia.

The other species mentioned is, of course, the New Guinea crocodile.

Cheers,

Barry

In a message dated 97-06-04 07:45:10 EDT, you write:

 << Subj:(ID) Rare mammal found in Irian Jaya
  Date:97-06-04 07:45:10 EDT
  From:[e-mail] (Vadivu Govind)
  Sender:[e-mail]
  Reply-to:[e-mail]
  To:[e-mail]



 >CNA Daily English News Wire
 RARE MAMMAL FOUND IN IRIAN JAYA

 Jakarta, June 3 (CNA) A researcher has found a large number of a rare mammal
 in Indonesia's easternmost province of Irian Jaya.

 The mammal, only known by its scientific name "neophascolage lorentzii," is
 indigenous to Irian Jaya and found nowhere else, the Antara news agency
 quoted researcher Ronald Petocz as saying Sunday in his report.

 The 230-mm long animal has brown fur on its body and a mixture of red and
 brown fur on its head and tail, he said.

 He added that he found the mammals in a mossy area in the Meren Valley, some
 3,750 meters above sea level.
 Petocz also reported that certain freshwater crocodiles found in the Roffaer
 River in Irian Jaya could be considered as being on the brink of extinction.


 The researcher said the species known as "crocodylus novaeguinea" had been
 listed in the red book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature
 as endangered and needs to be protected.

 Illegal hunting is blamed for the species' rapid depletion, he said.

 The crocodiles have high economic value and are often hunted by local people
 in the hope of trading the reptile's leather, Petocz said.

 The best way to protect the species from extinction would be to turn the
 area of the river into a national park, he said. (By Wu Pin-chiang)



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Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 07:20:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mike Markarian <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail]
Subject: Good News in CT!!!
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The CT bill to prohibit nuisance wildlife control trappers from using cruel
methods of killing (such as drowning, conibear traps, and injections of
paint thinner), and to mandate humane education and prevention training for
nuisance control operators, passed the CT State Senate late last night. The
bill has now passed both chambers of the Legislature, and will go to the
Governor's desk. Thanks to all the CT residents who wrote and called their
State Representatives and State Senators. This bill will set a great
precedent nationwide!

Mike Markarian
The Fund for Animals

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 08:34:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Friends of Animals <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: U.S. Opposes Elephant Downlisting
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Washington, DC --Friends of Animals (FoA)  applauds
the announcement  by the Department of the Interior,
that the U.S. will oppose efforts by the African countries
of Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana to strip legal
protection for African elephants at the June 9 meeting
of CITES, the international treaty on trade in endangered
species.  FoA is the organization which  researched,
drafted and championed the proposal that CITES used in
1989 to impose a worldwide ban on trade in elephant ivory.

Friends of Animals has been pushing the Interior Department
to announce the U.S. position regarding efforts to reopen
the trade in ivory.    The organization took out an ad in
The Hill newspaper today, urging Secretary Babbitt to
 Namibia and Botswana to downlist their elephant populations.
FoA supporters also rallied on Monday, June 2nd in front of
the office of Vice-President Al Gore, sending the message that
"Elephants and voters never forget."

According to FoA President Priscilla Feral, who will
attend the debate in Zimbabwe,  "The removal of the
protection which CITES Appendix 1 listing affords would
stimulate elephant poaching all around Africa. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service  is correct in asserting that
]'These proposals would pose unacceptable risks to
elephant populations.'    With the 138 countries who will
attend the CITES meeting, we are proud to have the U.S.
reflect the will of most Americans, as well as Africans
and African governments."


The ivory trade literally decimated African elephant
populations, which plunged from 1.3 million in 1981
]to 300,000 in 1989.     Through most of Africa, elephant
populations are shattered and many herds have not had
enough time to recover.  When the downlisting proposals
were announced, poaching increased across Africa, including
the mass slaughter of more than 250 elephants in Congo.

Friends of Animals is an international animal protection
organization with more than 200,000 members and supporters,
with headquarters in Darien, Connecticut.

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 09:05:32 -0700
From: ScottVanValkenburg <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Humane Vet Schools
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

Elaine asked:"where I can go to find information about humane pre-vet and
veterinary programs?"
The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights has a web site at:
www.envirolink.org/arrs/avar/avar_www.htm  Lots of good info there. To contact
them:
Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
       P.O. Box 208
       Davis, California 95617-0208, U.S.A.

       Voice phone: [phone]
       Facsimile: 916.759.8116
Good luck!
scott
-------
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 12:13:38 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: UK New CJD Case
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

In a message dated 97-06-04 11:07:06 EDT, you write:

<< The first new case in three months of the variant form of
Creutzfeldt-Jakob
 Disease has been reported by the Department of Health,  >>


The June 7 issue of TV Guide (pg 8) reports that Joanie Weston (roller derby
queen in the 50s) "died May 10 of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease at the age of
62."  She lived in Hayward, California.
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 12:13:36 -0400
From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Admin Note...subscription info
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

a routine posting...........

Here are some items of general information (found in the "welcome letter"
sent when people subscribe--but often lose!)...included:  how to post and
how to change your subscription status (useful if you are going on
vacation--either by "unsubscribe" or "postpone").
---------------------------------------------------------------

To post messages to the list, send mail to [e-mail]
POSTING

To post a *news-related item* (no discussions), send your message to:

     [e-mail]

Appropriate postings to AR-News include: posting a news item, requesting
information on some event, or responding to a request for information.
Discussions on AR-News will NOT be allowed and we ask that any
commentary either be taken to AR-Views or to private E-mail.
------------------------------------------

***General Subscription Information***
ALL THE FOLLOWING SHOULD NOT be sent to ar-news !!!
(send them to [e-mail])
For all commands, use a blank Subject line.
---------------------------------------------------

To request a digest version, send mail to [e-mail]
with the following single line:

     set ar-news mail digest

To switch back to immediate mail, and to get copies of *your* postings
also, send the following command:

     set ar-news mail ack

or the following to not get your own postings:

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To see how you are set up ***(and to see if you are still subscribed!)***, use

     set ar-news

To temporarily stop mailings, use:

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To re-enable it, use ack, noack, or digest as above.

To unsubscribe, use:

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or:

     signoff ar-news

If you have to subscribe again, use:

     subscribe ar-news first_name last_name   (use false name if you want!)

If you have problems, please contact:

     Allen Schubert
     [e-mail]


Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 12:59:10 -0400
From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (US) FDA Acts Against Mad Cow Feed
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from AP Wire page:
------------------------------------
 06/04/1997 04:39 EST

 FDA Acts Against Mad Cow Feed

 WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government has banned the use of virtually all
 slaughtered-animal parts in U.S. livestock feed because of links to ``mad
 cow disease.''

 That disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, caused public panic when
 the British government announced last year that a new version of a fatal
 human brain illness might have been caused by eating infected beef. At
 least 10 Britons died of this new type of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

 The U.S. government insists it has found no signs of mad cow disease in
 American cattle.

 But animals can get the brain disease by eating the tissue of other
 infected animals -- so the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued
 the long-expected ban to ensure that U.S. livestock remain disease-free.

 If a BSE case ever were discovered here, the ban would prevent the
 disease from spreading through feed, the FDA declared.

Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 12:33:43 -0700
From: ckelly <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Humane Vet Schools
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Regarding above subject, I had a member (perhaps officer) of AVAR help me
about 6 years ago regarding suffering of birds when they die as a result of
massive uremic poisoning as caused by a substance (drc-1339, Purina, I
believe). That vet was a wonderful man willing to go on record (local vets
encouraged me but were afraid to go on record) and have his statement
carried over national media to include AP and CNN. He gave a poignant
statement of the suffering and psychological message that could be sent to
children who see this kind of suffering and mass cruelty. His name and
address are (were) as follows:

        Dr. Neal Wolfe
        Blue Cross Animal Hospital
        530 E. Putnam Ave
        Grenwich, CT 06830
        tel: [phone] (a.c. may be different now)
                ans serv: [phone]

Elaine, info is old, but hope it helps.

Chris

----------------------------------------


At 09:05 AM 6/4/97 -0700, you wrote:
>Elaine asked:"where I can go to find information about humane pre-vet and
>veterinary programs?"
>The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights has a web site at:
>www.envirolink.org/arrs/avar/avar_www.htm  Lots of good info there. To contact
>them:
>Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
>       P.O. Box 208
>       Davis, California 95617-0208, U.S.A.
>
>       Voice phone: [phone]
>       Facsimile: 916.759.8116
>Good luck!
>scott
>-------
>

Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 15:03:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: National Trappers Association Credit Card
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

Last week we posted a toll free number to call and complain about a promotion
designed to raise money for the National Trappers Association.  MBNA America
and MasterCard are offering a NTA credit card to trappers.  Anytime the card
is used part of the profits go to the NTA to use in their promotion of fur
trapping.

One activist was told by MBNA that they could not refuse the NTA these cards.
 However, it appears this is a lie.  PETA tried to get a credit card with one
of those companies, and was turned down because they are "controversial".

The maiming and mutilating of animals is what is controversial and MBNA needs
to hear it.  Here is an address to write letters to, as well as another toll
free number to call.

MBNA America
Customer Advocates Office
400 Christiana Rd
Newark, DE 19713

1-800-421-2110

Please make a call and help us stop this promotion.

Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade
PO Box 822411
Dallas, TX 75382
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 15:35:29 -0400
From: allen schubert <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (US) Congressmen Aim to Save Elephants
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from AP Wire page:
------------------------------------------
 06/04/1997 14:26 EST

 Congressmen Aim to Save Elephants

 WASHINGTON (AP) -- As an elephant named Asia danced close by, a trio of
 congressmen unveiled plans Wednesday to get the United States involved in
 programs to save the Indian elephant.

 Legislation being introduced this week would create a special elephant
 fund in the Treasury Department and authorize $5 million annually over
 the next five fiscal years to be spent on elephant conservation.

 Indian elephants, also known as Asian elephants and found mostly in south
 and southeast Asia, numbered more than 75,000 two decades ago. Capture,
 loss of habitat, poaching and other threats have reduced the population
 to fewer than 50,000, officials said.

 ``It's on the ropes. There aren't many left,'' said Mary Pearl, executive
 director of the Wildlife Preservation Trust International Inc. ``This
 isn't a hopeless cause. It's an urgent case.''

 The mammal also is on U.S. and international lists of endangered species.

 Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., said the goal of the bill is to help stop
 habitat destruction threatening the elephants and to increase their
 numbers as well.

 The bill sets up a mechanism for providing U.S. money for approved Indian
 elephant conservation projects.

Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 19:50:15 -0400
From: Animal Alliance of Canada <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (CA) Canada goose cull threat in Mississauga
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="iso-8859-1"


<x-rich>The City of Mississauga, west of Toronto, wants to implement
recommendations proposed by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust to kill a
large number of Canada Geese in order to redress the 'nuisance' problem
they allegedly create. (The no.1 problem the report identifies is the
fouling of lawns!) The carcasses are then to be donated to local food
banks for food stock.  This strategy raises the obvious social concerns
with respect to feeding highly intoxicated (from lead shot and other
contaminants) meat to vulnerable members of the human population in order
to make the idea of a cull more palatable to the public at large and to
abide by certain legal requirements. This strategy is also estimated to
cost between $26-30/bird and would total almost twice as much as the cost
of relocating the geese.


The Trust's report claims that an effective management strategy requires
3 integrated measures: culling, habitat modification, and public
education.  The cull is said to be necessary because all other options
have been exhausted.  Indeed, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) will
only issue the requisite permits for a cull once a municipality has
proven they have tried every other option.


It is Animal Alliance of Canada's position that although habitat
modification has been on the agenda since the early 1980s as a necessary
means of controlling the population, it has not been seriously
undertaken.  Rather, most municipalities have engaged in harassment
and/or relocation strategies.  This mismanagement, along with the City's
insistence on environmentally hazardous horticultural habits (extensively
manicured and fertilized turf grass provide prime goose feed), as well as
current hunting and development practices, all contribute to the
densification of Canada Geese in urban and suburban areas.


Animal Alliance of Canada has devised an alternative strategy which
emphasizes: 1. habitat modification including both renaturalization and
alternative recreation measures; 2.  public education in the form of
setting up, through the Toronto Wildlife Centre, a "goose hot-line" to
advise complainants on how to alleviate their conflicts and which
attempts to dispel myths correlating geese feces to potential health
risks and water quality issues. The public education strategy also speaks
to the issue of stewardship. Furthermore, we have asked that instead of
initiating a cull, the City of Mississauga relocate the birds.  This is
not a solution, rather it buys time in order to implement other aspects
of the strategy.  The Canada Wildlife Service, however, will not issue
the necessary relocation permits even though we have a municipality which
desperately wants the geese.  In essence, then, the problem as it now
stands is with the CWS.


We have therefore submitted a legal factum to the CWS arguing that the
nature of the goose/human conflict is not severe enough ("seriously
injurious", the Migratory Bird Act specifies) to support the issuance of
cull permits.  In the meantime, we have assurances from Bruce Carr, City
of Mississauga Park and Recreation, that we can work together to
implement other aspects of the strategy upon which we agree.


The City of Mississauga has called for a media conference tomorrow
(Thursday, June 5) at 11 a.m.  We expect them to announce their planned
goose cull.  Anyone living in Mississauga is encouraged to phone Mayor
Hazel McCallion, [phone] and Councillor Carmen Corbasson, (905)
896-5100 (who says she never hears from people who like geese, only
people with complaints against them) and ask them not to go ahead with
the cull.  Please ask them <bold>politely</bold> to relocate the geese
that are the immediate concern and implement the additional, humane
measures that we have outlined above.  People may also want to call John
Sullivan of the Canadian Wildlife Service, [phone], and ask him
why the CWS is refusing to issue transfer permits to relocate the geese
to the properties we have identified that welcome them.  Remind him that
municipal "permission" to relocate geese to private property has never
been required before and has no bearing on the issue now.   Anyone
interested in direct action should call the Mississauga Wildlife Society
at [phone].


Further enquiries can be directed to Debbie Doncaster or Liz White at
Animal Alliance of Canada, [phone], email [e-mail].





Animal Alliance of Canada

221 Broadview Ave.  Suite 101

Toronto, Ontario  M4M 2G3


Phone: [phone]

Fax:   [phone]


E-mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.inforamp.net/~aac
</x-rich>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 17:23:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [CA] Bears are a business and won't get protection
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>From The Vancouver Sun - Wednesday, June 3rd, 1997

By Nicholas Read (Posted with permission of the Author)

Next week in Zimbabwe, member countries of the Convention on the
International Trade in Endangered Species  will be asked to decide whether
international protection for the Russian brown bear should be increased.

They will be asked to place the bear, ursus arctos horribilus, on a CITES
Apppendix 1 list. If the motion is approved, it will mean that an individual
living in a CITES member country and wishing to import any part of a Russian
brown bear, must first obtain two permits: 1) an export permit from the
bear's country of origin; and 2) animport permit from his own government.

It is the strongest protection CITES can provide a species. Tigers, rhino,
elephants and all other Asiatic bears are listed on Appendix 1.

Finland, Bulgaria and Jordan will propose the idea as a way of combatting
the increasingly destructive worldwide trade in bear parts. It is aimed
specifically at countries such as the Republic of Korea, which as a long
history of using bear parts, and particularly galls, in traditional
medicine. This, coupled with habitat destruction, is thought to be the
principle reason for the endangerment of bears throughout Southeast Asia.

Now the shocker. Korea will vote in favor of adding the bear to Appendix 1,
says Young Cho, councillor in charge of culture and information at the
Korean embassy in Ottawa. But Canada will vote against it.

This shouldn't come as a too much of a surprise to students of Candian
environmental policy since when it comes to protecting animals, Canada is
among the most backward of nations on earth. Its last act before withdrawing
from the International Whaling Commission, the body that regulates whaling
worldwide, was to vote in favor of continuing a commercial hunt of blue whales.

The annual hunt for harp seals off the coast of Newfoundland is the largest
slaughter of marine mammals in the world. It has no endagered species act
and, while 60 countries have banned the leghold trap, the Canadian trade and
environment ministries continue to be its most vociferous champions.

Candian environment ministry representative Roger White says Canada will
vote against upgrading the Russian bear to Appensix 1 because it is not
officially endangered. There are still about 150,000 such bears so there is
no need to increase its protection.

Opponents argue that it is important to protect the bear while its numbers
are still large. Otherwise, like the extremely rare Asiatic sun bear, it,
too, will fall victim to rampant poaching.

Candian officials don't know whether how many Candian bear galls are taken
out of Canada annually to supply Asian demand. B.C.'s wildlife branch
estimates that as many as 1.000 black and grizzly bears are killed illegally
in this province alone.

The problem is that in Quebec, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories, it
is still legal to possess and sell bear galls. So galls obtained elsewhere
can be laundered through Quebec for sale to Asia.

A solution would be for the federal goverment to impose a nationwide ban on
the trading of bear parts, but during the election campaign none of the
major parties would commit.

That's because what's probably at issue here, although government officials
won't admit it, is a percieved threat to government-sanctioned hunting of
Canadian bears. the North American grizzly is a subspecies of ursus arctos
horribilis so even though the Zimbabwe proposal refers strictly to the
Russian bear, it would look hypocritical for Canada to vote to increase
protection for the Russian bear at the same time that it denies protection
for the grizzly.

Candian grizzlies are endangered, but Canadian governments allow foreign
hunters to kill them and take parts away as trophies. If the grizzly were on
Appendix 1, removing grizzly parts across the border would be far more
difficult, and that would threaten a profitable Candian business.

The B.C. government earns $675 for each grizzly permit it grants, and
guide-outfitters can earn thousands from just one foreign hunter eager to
bag a big bear. So governments are reluctant to put a halt to that kind of
money, regardless of what it costs nature.

Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 21:16:31 -0400
From: "H. Morris" <[e-mail]>
To: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Subject: VSCP Endorsements Near 6000,00 Individuals
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="us-ascii"

<x-rich>The number of organizations endorsing Vegan Standards and Certification Project  has
reached 60 local and national groups, representing nearly 600,000 individual members.


VSCP is a non-profit group which certfies vegan products through a Certified Vegan Seal. We
hope to make life easier for vegans, and encourage others to give compassion a try.


Our web site is http://www.veganstandards.org

To see a list of endorsing organizations, go to http://www.veganstandards.org/endorsers.html


Hillary Morris

Vegan Standards and Certification Project, Inc.

91 Joralemon Street

Suite 4

Brooklyn, NY 11201

email: [e-mail]

www.veganstandards.org

718-246-0014

fax: [phone]
</x-rich>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 1997 21:52:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: TALK:Fwd: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Lookout for Wildlife Death Traps
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

In a message dated 97-06-04 11:57:16 EDT, AOL News writes:

 << Subj:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Lookout for Wildlife Death
Traps
  Date:97-06-04 11:57:16 EDT
  From:AOL News
 BCC:LMANHEIM

     FORT SNELLING, Minn., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- From the air, they appear
to
 be just what many birds are looking for -- open expanses of water in
 which to safely rest or feed.  But in reality, they are lethal traps, luring
 birds and other wildlife to a tortuous death.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
 Service reports that oil pits, ponds, and lagoons often found near oil
 production facilities entrap and kill untold numbers of birds and other
 animals each year.
           Special Agent Paul E. Beiriger, a Service law enforcement agent
stationed
 in Rosemont, Ill., is on the frontline in the fight to make these sites less
 deadly to wildlife.  Beiriger takes to the air over Illinois each spring
with
 Service agent/pilot Gerald Sommers, on the lookout for potential trouble
 spots: open tanks,  uncovered sludge pits, or lagoons containing a lethal
soup
 of oil floating atop poisonous saltwater brine. These pits and ponds, as
well
 as pools of spilled oil, if left uncovered, act as magnets for birds, bats,
 small mammals, and other wildlife.
           Oil pits are indiscriminate killers of wildlife, but their most
common
 victims are birds.  They take songbirds, doves, waterfowl, even large wading
 birds like great blue herons and raptors such as red-tailed hawks and owls.
 In 1996, Beiriger recorded more than 100 bird deaths among at least
 37 species.  Most of these birds are Federally protected under the Migratory
 Bird Treaty Act which regulates hunting of game birds and prohibits illegal
 killing of all species covered under the Act.
           But birds aren't the only victims.  Remains of small mammals are
often
 found, including bats, which skim over uncovered ponds and pits in pursuit
of
 insects.  Beiriger often collects carcasses of red bats and hoary bats, and
he
 fears these sites also may be killing imperiled species, such as the rare
 Indiana bat, protected under the Endangered Species Act.
           One of the biggest problems is that oil pits and ponds hide most
of their
 victims.  "At just one site in Illinois, I found 38 dead birds of 12
different
 species, and that was probably just the tip of the iceberg," Beiriger said.
 "We're afraid that we never see most of the birds and animals that get into
 these pits because they just sink to the bottom or disintegrate."
           Beiriger's arsenal in combating oil pit deaths includes
sophisticated
 satellite geographical positioning equipment that allows him to locate
 precisely on the ground what he sees from the air.  He follows up with a
 personal investigation of each site, checking for dead or injured birds in
 pits and ponds, and looking for oil spills as well.
           Much of his work is done during hot summer months, and Beiriger
has the
 unpleasant task of sorting through steamy pools of oil sludge, looking for
 remains of wildlife.  Nearby wells give off toxic fumes such as hydrogen
 sulfide gas.  When Beiriger finds carcasses floating on top of pools, he
must
 rake or scoop them out.  Some birds escape the deadly pits, only to die
 nearby, so Beiriger also must scout around the perimeter of ponds and tanks.
 Carcasses he finds are sent to the Service's Wildlife Forensics Laboratory
in
 Ashland, Oregon, where positive identification is made.
           The results of Beiriger's investigations are disturbing.  In his
flyovers
 of Illinois during 1996, he spotted nearly 250 sites with uncovered pits,
open
 tanks, or open pools.  His on-the-ground searches of approximately 100 of
 those locations turned up dead wildlife at 32 sites.  One notable facility
was
 15 acres in size, a third of it covered with exposed oil.
           Beiriger's next step is to inform operators that, pending
identification
 of wildlife remains, they may be in violation of Federal wildlife laws, such
 as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  He sends a letter outlining the situation
 and asking the operator to clean up, cover, or net the open pits and ponds.
 And, encouragingly, Beiriger has found a high rate of cooperation.
           Of 32 operators notified of possible violations last year, 28
cleaned up
 or covered their ponds within 30 days of receiving his notice, he reports.
 The remaining four facilities were abandoned and due to be cleaned up by the
 State of Illinois, which has its own laws regulating operation of oil pits
and
 ponds.
           For Beiriger, such quick compliance is the ultimate reward for his
hard,
 sometimes unpleasant work.  "It is extremely gratifying to know these
efforts
 have an almost instantaneous benefit to wildlife," Beiriger said.  "Each
time
 one of these problems is corrected, we are literally saving the resource."
           So far, merely notifying operators of the potential violation of
Federal
 wildlife laws has done the trick.  But just in case, the Migratory Bird
Treaty
 Act carries fines up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for
organizations,
 plus possible prison penalties, for each violation.
           There are tens of thousands of wells in Illinois, with tanks and
pits
 associated with all active and many abandoned oil fields.  Most operators
run
 clean facilities, according to Beiriger, and he is hopeful that those who
 don't will voluntarily correct their problem sites.  But if not, Beiriger
 says, he'll be keeping a watchful eye out on behalf of wildlife.
       CO:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
       ST:  Minnesota, Illinois
       IN:  ENV >>


---------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj:    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Lookout for Wildlife Death
Traps
Date:    97-06-04 11:57:16 EDT
From:    AOL News

    FORT SNELLING, Minn., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- From the air, they appear to
be just what many birds are looking for -- open expanses of water in
which to safely rest or feed.  But in reality, they are lethal traps, luring
birds and other wildlife to a tortuous death.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service reports that oil pits, ponds, and lagoons often found near oil
production facilities entrap and kill untold numbers of birds and other
animals each year.
          Special Agent Paul E. Beiriger, a Service law enforcement agent
stationed
in Rosemont, Ill., is on the frontline in the fight to make these sites less
deadly to wildlife.  Beiriger takes to the air over Illinois each spring with
Service agent/pilot Gerald Sommers, on the lookout for potential trouble
spots: open tanks,  uncovered sludge pits, or lagoons containing a lethal
soup
of oil floating atop poisonous saltwater brine. These pits and ponds, as well
as pools of spilled oil, if left uncovered, act as magnets for birds, bats,
small mammals, and other wildlife.
          Oil pits are indiscriminate killers of wildlife, but their most
common
victims are birds.  They take songbirds, doves, waterfowl, even large wading
birds like great blue herons and raptors such as red-tailed hawks and owls.
In 1996, Beiriger recorded more than 100 bird deaths among at least
37 species.  Most of these birds are Federally protected under the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act which regulates hunting of game birds and prohibits illegal
killing of all species covered under the Act.
          But birds aren't the only victims.  Remains of small mammals are
often
found, including bats, which skim over uncovered ponds and pits in pursuit of
insects.  Beiriger often collects carcasses of red bats and hoary bats, and
he
fears these sites also may be killing imperiled species, such as the rare
Indiana bat, protected under the Endangered Species Act.
          One of the biggest problems is that oil pits and ponds hide most of
their
victims.  "At just one site in Illinois, I found 38 dead birds of 12
different
species, and that was probably just the tip of the iceberg," Beiriger said.
"We're afraid that we never see most of the birds and animals that get into
these pits because they just sink to the bottom or disintegrate."
          Beiriger's arsenal in combating oil pit deaths includes
sophisticated
satellite geographical positioning equipment that allows him to locate
precisely on the ground what he sees from the air.  He follows up with a
personal investigation of each site, checking for dead or injured birds in
pits and ponds, and looking for oil spills as well.
          Much of his work is done during hot summer months, and Beiriger has
the
unpleasant task of sorting through steamy pools of oil sludge, looking for
remains of wildlife.  Nearby wells give off toxic fumes such as hydrogen
sulfide gas.  When Beiriger finds carcasses floating on top of pools, he must
rake or scoop them out.  Some birds escape the deadly pits, only to die
nearby, so Beiriger also must scout around the perimeter of ponds and tanks.
Carcasses he finds are sent to the Service's Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in
Ashland, Oregon, where positive identification is made.
          The results of Beiriger's investigations are disturbing.  In his
flyovers
of Illinois during 1996, he spotted nearly 250 sites with uncovered pits,
open
tanks, or open pools.  His on-the-ground searches of approximately 100 of
those locations turned up dead wildlife at 32 sites.  One notable facility
was
15 acres in size, a third of it covered with exposed oil.
          Beiriger's next step is to inform operators that, pending
identification
of wildlife remains, they may be in violation of Federal wildlife laws, such
as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  He sends a letter outlining the situation
and asking the operator to clean up, cover, or net the open pits and ponds.
And, encouragingly, Beiriger has found a high rate of cooperation.
          Of 32 operators notified of possible violations last year, 28
cleaned up
or covered their ponds within 30 days of receiving his notice, he reports.
The remaining four facilities were abandoned and due to be cleaned up by the
State of Illinois, which has its own laws regulating operation of oil pits
and
ponds.
          For Beiriger, such quick compliance is the ultimate reward for his
hard,
sometimes unpleasant work.  "It is extremely gratifying to know these efforts
have an almost instantaneous benefit to wildlife," Beiriger said.  "Each time
one of these problems is corrected, we are literally saving the resource."
          So far, merely notifying operators of the potential violation of
Federal
wildlife laws has done the trick.  But just in case, the Migratory Bird
Treaty
Act carries fines up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations,
plus possible prison penalties, for each violation.
          There are tens of thousands of wells in Illinois, with tanks and
pits
associated with all active and many abandoned oil fields.  Most operators run
clean facilities, according to Beiriger, and he is hopeful that those who
don't will voluntarily correct their problem sites.  But if not, Beiriger
says, he'll be keeping a watchful eye out on behalf of wildlife.
      CO:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
      ST:  Minnesota, Illinois
      IN:  ENV
      SU:

To edit your profile, go to keyword NewsProfiles.
For all of today's news, go to keyword News.
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 1997 11:41:06 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (CN) Frigid pandas find relief
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>South China Morning Post
Thursday  June 5  1997
     Frigid pandas find relief
     REUTER

     China yesterday claimed progress in the fight to persuade its famously
frigid female     pandas that sex is more fun than munching bamboo shoots.

     Scientists had found that hormone supplements could cause sexual
excitement in     pandas that normally look on males with little more than
contempt, a discovery that could help save the endangered species, Xinhua
(the New China News Agency) said.

"Most female giant pandas cannot enter into periods of sexual excitement
easily, or at     least not obviously so, during the mating season," it
quoted Professor Chen Dayuan of the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences as saying.

     Only 10 per cent can mate naturally and their lack of fecundity is the
main reason for     their endangered status.

     Scientists have found that gonadotropins, hormones that support the
growth of     reproductive cells, determine sexual excitement.

     "The research group has experimented with giving supplemental hormones
to the     females to stimulate them into a period of sexual excitement and
help them to produce eggs," it said.
"When the female giant panda produces a sufficient secretion of
gonadotropins, she will     attain a state of sexual excitement," it quoted
Professor Chen as saying.

     Supplemental hormones had helped pandas get pregnant and give birth as
long ago as     1989, it said.



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