From ANIMAL PEOPLE, March 2007:
 
Animals harmed in making “The Aftermath”?

I have just watched the HBO/BBC joint
production of The Aftermath, a fictitious
account the Indian Ocean tsunami, filmed in
Phuket and Kao Lak.
There is at the end amongst the credits a
statement saying that “No animals were harmed in
the filming of this production.”
Not so. The scenes depicting the temple
north of Kao Lak were actually filmed over
several days at the Ban Don temple near Talang on
Phuket. Approximately 45 dogs and numerous cats
live at this temple, monitored by volunteers who
feed and treat them.
The film company built an enclosure for
the dogs into which they were all herded.
Normally these dogs have distinct territories in
different parts of the temple. The result was
repeated fighting. Some of the dogs suffered
open wounds. These required veterinary treatment
provided by the Soi Dog Foundation after the
filming was finished. We were not allowed near
the enclosure during the filming.
Nobody knows what happened to the cats, but many disappeared. Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, January/February 2007:

Alternatives to animal experiments

Animal experiments have long been the subject of controversy.
Although many claims have been made either way about their value,
until recently large-scale scientific studies of their efficacy in
advancing human health have been rare. Since 2004, however,
several such studies have been published in peer-reviewed scientific
journals, and presented at international scientific conferences, at
which some have received awards.
The results have been remarkably consistent: the stress that
laboratory animals experience is greater than commonly understood,
and experiments on them contribute far less to advancing human
medical progress than advocates often claim. The abstracts, and
usually complete texts of these studies, are freely downloadable
from <www.Animal-ExperimentFacts.info>, along with published reviews
of non-animal experimental models, and relevant government reports.
We have also just launched <www.HumaneLearning.info>. This
provides over 250 published studies describing humane teaching
methods, sorted by academic discipline, including a review of 28
studies conclusively demonstrating that students using well-designed
humane alternatives achieve learning outcomes at least as good as
those achieved via traditional harmful animal use; detailed
submissions describing the alternatives available in certain academic
disciplines, that have resulted in their introduction at some
universities; a large photo gallery of humane alternatives and
harmful animal use in education; links to free on-line alternatives;
links to alternatives databases; links to alternatives libraries;
links to humane education email lists; links to other humane
education web sites; and resources to guide and assist students who
wish to conscientiously object to harmful animal use in their
education.

Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, December 2006:

Elephant advocate leaves Zimbabwe

With disappointment, disillusionment, and regret, Sharon
Pincott has decided to leave Zimbabwe, and the Presidential
Elephants to whom she has dedicated (on a voluntary basis) the past
six years of her life.
Sharon fought tirelessly for the ongoing protection of
Zimbabwe’s flagship herd of elephants, for the land which used to be
their key home-range, and for their well-being and safety.
Sharon produced two successful books about her time amongst
the Presidential Elephants, and recently released important
information on the negative impact of gunfire on elephant conception
rates, reported in the October 2006 ANIMAL PEOPLE article “Gun-fire
no aphrodisiac for African elephants.”
Sharon spent years monitoring the elephants’ social structure
and population, and successfully raised awareness about the dreadful
snaring situation.
Sharon leaves her work incomplete. Proof, however, of her
dedication and tenacity is that she has stayed on full-time in the
Hwange bush for as long as she has, even in the face of past
threats, intimidation, and the ongoing apathy of some.
Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 2006:
 
As ANIMAL PEOPLE reported in your September edition, many
people and animals were killed in Ethiopia in severe summer floods.
A man who lives in the city of Diredawa gave witness to the Ethiopian
news agency that when flood waters swept over his house and took him
away, he shouted for his family, telling them that he was already
gone, but his dog immediately took action, tightly holding and
pulling him away from the flood. After 30 minutes of all this
struggle he managed to save the man’s life.
The person said sadly, “I am finally rescued and taken to
the refugee camp because I am a human being, but my dog whom I took
from the street and raised, who saved my life, is left alone.”

Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, October 2006:
 
Sanctuarians cross no-man’s-land to save asses

I hope that you will let me update your
readers on the work of the British charity Safe
Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, dedicated to
caring for working and abandoned donkeys in
Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Safe Haven was founded in 2000 by former
British Airways flight attendant and Jerusalem
SPCA volunteer Lucy Fensom, who saw first-hand
the cruelty and neglect inflicted on many of the
thousands of donkeys still used as beasts of
burden in the region.
Today, at the Safe Haven sanctuary near
the Israeli town of Netanya, 100 donkeys live
free from pain and overwork, and have the chance
to form herds and roam freely on the 4-acre site.
Safe Haven’s work does not stop at the
sanctuary gates. Aware that the donkeys living
there are just a tiny percentage of those
desperately needing help, Lucy has initiated
free veterinary clinics in the Palestinian
Territories. Each week Lucy and her team make
the sometimes risky border crossing with Safe
Haven’s well-equipped mobile clinic to visit a
different village and provide veterinary care,
farriery and tooth rasping for the animals, and
of course advice and support for the owners.
Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, September 2006:

Taiwan law

Even for the most serious cruelty, an animal abuser in
Taiwan can only be fined up to about $1,500 U.S. maximum.
We are asking for cruelty toward animals to be considered a
criminal offense, punishable by up to one year in prison, and a
fine up to $9,000 U.S.; for animal protection inspectors to have the
right to rescue animals from property where they are neglected or
abused; for more effective regulation of pet breeders and shops;
and for farm animal transporters and slaughterers to be licensed.
We hope that draft legislation will be published in October
and passed in early 2007.
Perhaps statements of support from other pro-animal
organizations would be helpful.

Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, July/August 2006:

Ocean “curtains of death” may return

In July 2006 the National Marine Fisheries Service announced
intent to issue an Exempted Fishing Permit as early as August 15 for
the cruel and destructive practice of drift net fishing in protected
areas along the U.S. Pacific coast. They may also again permit
longlining. This will result in sea turtles, marine mammals, birds
and other species becoming entangled and drowned.
Drift nets are often referred to as “curtains of death.”
This form of fishing was banned on the high seas by the United
Nations in 1991, and was closed in areas along the U.S Pacific coast
in 2001.
In west coast areas that were still open to drift gill
netting, the toll on marine species since 2002 has included at least
64 dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions.
Industrial longline fishing also kills marine species in huge
numbers. Fishing vessels can deploy thousands of baited hooks on
hundreds of lines that can total up to 60 miles long. This
non-selective technique is estimated to snare 40,000 sea turtles,
30,000 seabirds, and millions of sharks worldwide each year. Due to
the devastating impact of longline fishing, it was banned along the
entire U.S. West Coast in 2004.

Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, June 2006:

Corrections and more info about the Ghana SPCA

On behalf of the Ghana SPCA, thank you
very much for publishing an article in your May
2006 edition about the work we are doing in
Accra, Kumasi, and in some of the rural areas
of Ghana.
While we appreciate your interest in the
GSPCA, I am writing to correct a few errors in
the article.
Most importantly, Roland Azantilow and
David Nyoagbe are co-founders of the GSPCA; it
was very much a joint effort. While the article
focused on Azantilow, David Nyoagbe is chair of
the Ghana SPCA, and has been in that position
since the organization started. Azantilow is
vice chair. Nyoagbe oversees activities in the
Accra area; Azantilow oversees the Kumasi area.
Nyoagbe’s interest in animal welfare was
first sparked by the World Society for the
Protection of Animals Kindness Clubs. For over
20 years he was a leader in first a school
Kindness Club, and later in a community club.

Read more

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, May 2006:

A clergyman revisits Animals, Ethics, & Christianity

In response to the review by Chris Mercer and Bev Pervan of
Matthew Priebe’s book Animals, Ethics, & Christianity, published
in the January/February 2006 edition of ANIMAL PEOPLE, I share
Priebe’s conviction that God certainly is not only keenly interested
in all his creatures, but also lovingly cares for them, and expects
us to do the same.
However, a few critical remarks should be made re the way
Priebe reads scripture.
For example, on page 9 reference is made to the severe
restriction on the eating of blood made in Genesis 9:4, continued in
Leviticus, and affirmed as applicable also to Christians in Acts
15:28, 29. Priebe goes on to say, “Paul reaffirms this policy in
Acts 21:25.” It was not Paul, but the elders in Jerusalem,
probably including James, who reaffirmed the policy.

Read more