Monday, August 11, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
EXCLUSIVE: HOW IVORY FROM 11,000 ELEPHANTS HAS DISAPPEARED INTO CHINA'S BLACK MARKET.
As the country this week seeks legal elephant ivory trade status, EIA has revealed how 110 tonnes of ivory - equivalent to the tusks of 11,000 elephants – has gone missing from its government controlled ivory stockpiles.
Ivory & furs on sale in full view of law enforcement patrol in Linxia, China. © EIA - click to zoom image
Ivory & furs on sale in full view of law enforcement patrol in Linxia, China. © EIA
The ivory's embarrassing disappearance is revealed in a confidential, unpublished Chinese government document, obtained EIA.
EIA is releasing details of the document today on the eve of China's attempt to win approval to resume international ivory trade from the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. (CITES)
In a publication entitled; "China, Ivory Trade and the Future of Africa's elephants" EIA quotes from the secret document, written by a senior Chinese government official, which states that:
• "We have not been able to account for the [ivory] shortfall through the sale of legal ivory by the selected selling sites in the country. This suggests a large amount of illegal sale of the ivory stockpile has taken place".
• *Some of the commercial sales units never kept any records of their ivory stockpile.”
• “The markets in numerous cities that deal with ivory have for years been dealing commercially with ivory products that did not come from approved/registered sources”.
• “The relevant [Government] department instigated an investigation” into the missing ivory.
"China’s secret document on the missing 110 tonnes of ivory confirms the extent of its massive illegal ivory trade and underlines why it must not be allowed to legally trade ivory. It is already the world’s largest importer of illegal ivory which is already fueling poaching across Africa, wiping out elephant populations. Chinese nationals have been implicated in illegal ivory trade in 23 African nations.” said Allan Thornton, Chairman of the Environmental Investigation Agency.
EIA will argue at the Geneva CITES meeting starting Monday that the missing ivory confirms China's lack of control over its ivory trade, providing clear grounds to refuse the country's request to trade legally in ivory for the first time since the 1989 international ivory ban was passed. EIA will argue to CITES member nations voting on China's request that allowing China to import ivory legally will further stimulate elephant poaching, ivory smuggling and illegal trade.
For further information, contact:
Allan Thornton (44) 207 354 7960 during office hours
Mobile +1 202 361 6941
Ivory & furs on sale in full view of law enforcement patrol in Linxia, China. © EIA - click to zoom image
Ivory & furs on sale in full view of law enforcement patrol in Linxia, China. © EIA
The ivory's embarrassing disappearance is revealed in a confidential, unpublished Chinese government document, obtained EIA.
EIA is releasing details of the document today on the eve of China's attempt to win approval to resume international ivory trade from the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. (CITES)
In a publication entitled; "China, Ivory Trade and the Future of Africa's elephants" EIA quotes from the secret document, written by a senior Chinese government official, which states that:
• "We have not been able to account for the [ivory] shortfall through the sale of legal ivory by the selected selling sites in the country. This suggests a large amount of illegal sale of the ivory stockpile has taken place".
• *Some of the commercial sales units never kept any records of their ivory stockpile.”
• “The markets in numerous cities that deal with ivory have for years been dealing commercially with ivory products that did not come from approved/registered sources”.
• “The relevant [Government] department instigated an investigation” into the missing ivory.
"China’s secret document on the missing 110 tonnes of ivory confirms the extent of its massive illegal ivory trade and underlines why it must not be allowed to legally trade ivory. It is already the world’s largest importer of illegal ivory which is already fueling poaching across Africa, wiping out elephant populations. Chinese nationals have been implicated in illegal ivory trade in 23 African nations.” said Allan Thornton, Chairman of the Environmental Investigation Agency.
EIA will argue at the Geneva CITES meeting starting Monday that the missing ivory confirms China's lack of control over its ivory trade, providing clear grounds to refuse the country's request to trade legally in ivory for the first time since the 1989 international ivory ban was passed. EIA will argue to CITES member nations voting on China's request that allowing China to import ivory legally will further stimulate elephant poaching, ivory smuggling and illegal trade.
For further information, contact:
Allan Thornton (44) 207 354 7960 during office hours
Mobile +1 202 361 6941
Six bears killed in Florence area
FLORENCE, Ore. (AP) - Six problem bears have been killed in the Florence and Yachats area in one of the worst years for bear damage on the Oregon coast.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says four bears were public safety risks, partly because people fed them. That causes bears to lose their fear of humans.
A poor berry crop also is a factor.
One hungry bear broke through a kitchen window, and two were killed when they tried to break into a pen where a goat was killed last week.
All the bears were repeatedly seen in the daytime and did not show wariness of people.
Wildlife biologists say attacks are rare, but they urge coastal visitors and residents to avoid feeding bears because those bears are the most likely to attack.
©2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cruel act prompts dog fears
A West Dubbo man fears for the safety of his pregnant dog following a sadistic attack on his neighbour’s blue heeler.
The man requested anonymity fearing reprisals from the unknown person responsible for harming 13-year-old ‘Patch’.
“I’ve known Patch and her owner Heidi Dodds for 10 years,’’ he said.
“It is incomprehensible that anyone could commit such a monstrous act on an animal.’’
Patch was due to give birth to a litter of puppies this week. Instead she was euthanased when emergency surgery at a Dubbo veterinary clinic revealed a 21cm toothbrush holder had been forced through her cervix, rupturing her uterus and killing her puppies.
Police and the RSPCA have launched an investigation into the attack, described as one of the most shocking animal cruelty cases ever reported in the western region.
The West Dubbo man hopes the perpetrator is caught soon and fears for the safety of animals and
children in his neighbourhood.
“My dog, ‘Shilo’, is the daughter of Patch and Heidi’s other dog ‘Bruiser’ is her father,” he said.
“I picked her out of the litter because she had such a pretty face. Shilo is about to have her own puppies and I am keeping a very watchful eye. I have genuine fears about another attack.
“The perpetrator needs to be caught and jailed for a long time.’’
The man requested anonymity fearing reprisals from the unknown person responsible for harming 13-year-old ‘Patch’.
“I’ve known Patch and her owner Heidi Dodds for 10 years,’’ he said.
“It is incomprehensible that anyone could commit such a monstrous act on an animal.’’
Patch was due to give birth to a litter of puppies this week. Instead she was euthanased when emergency surgery at a Dubbo veterinary clinic revealed a 21cm toothbrush holder had been forced through her cervix, rupturing her uterus and killing her puppies.
Police and the RSPCA have launched an investigation into the attack, described as one of the most shocking animal cruelty cases ever reported in the western region.
The West Dubbo man hopes the perpetrator is caught soon and fears for the safety of animals and
children in his neighbourhood.
“My dog, ‘Shilo’, is the daughter of Patch and Heidi’s other dog ‘Bruiser’ is her father,” he said.
“I picked her out of the litter because she had such a pretty face. Shilo is about to have her own puppies and I am keeping a very watchful eye. I have genuine fears about another attack.
“The perpetrator needs to be caught and jailed for a long time.’’
Group Holds Drill For People, Pet Rescue-Drill To Prepare Volunteers In Disaster Emergency
Reported By Tom Randles
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A major aid organization is working in Tennessee to make sure pets are safe when disaster strikes.
As if taking a cue from the dog, Kerri Burns barked instructions during a drill to volunteers. The drill, staged by American Humane, is to prepare volunteers for any natural or man-made chaos that leaves people and pets vulnerable.
"Water's important. It's hot outside. Work from the ground up. Take care of the animals and the people," Burns said to the volunteers.
"Please, take your pet with you. Take their medication, a crate, leash, water, food -- just like you'd prepare your family to leave for at least 72 hours," Burns said.
Animals welfare volunteers from across the state learned during the drill to think fast, improvise and deal with all sorts of challenges.
Getting pet supplies to those in need is only part of what they do. A giant truck has everything needed to help people and animals in the worst conditions.
"It has a washer and drier, a kitchen, and they can actually perform surgeries. They have a complete surgical unit," Burns said.
American Humane was founded in 1877 and has been helping protect children and animals ever since.
During the recent floods in Iowa, the nonprofit group rescued almost 70 pigs. The organization has saved thousands of other animals in other disasters.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A major aid organization is working in Tennessee to make sure pets are safe when disaster strikes.
As if taking a cue from the dog, Kerri Burns barked instructions during a drill to volunteers. The drill, staged by American Humane, is to prepare volunteers for any natural or man-made chaos that leaves people and pets vulnerable.
"Water's important. It's hot outside. Work from the ground up. Take care of the animals and the people," Burns said to the volunteers.
"Please, take your pet with you. Take their medication, a crate, leash, water, food -- just like you'd prepare your family to leave for at least 72 hours," Burns said.
Animals welfare volunteers from across the state learned during the drill to think fast, improvise and deal with all sorts of challenges.
Getting pet supplies to those in need is only part of what they do. A giant truck has everything needed to help people and animals in the worst conditions.
"It has a washer and drier, a kitchen, and they can actually perform surgeries. They have a complete surgical unit," Burns said.
American Humane was founded in 1877 and has been helping protect children and animals ever since.
During the recent floods in Iowa, the nonprofit group rescued almost 70 pigs. The organization has saved thousands of other animals in other disasters.
Take Action for Polar Bears and Lower Gas Prices
Oil speculators are driving up the price of gas and fueling calls for destructive drilling in wildlife habitat that polar bears and other animals need to survive.
Weak oversight and accountability in the oil markets allows wealthy investors from around the world to drive up the price we pay for gas, fueling calls for destructive drilling off our coasts and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Before the end of July, Congress is expected to consider bipartisan legislation to curb harmful speculative investment in the oil markets and provide needed relief to Americans hit by high gas prices.
Please fill out the form below to urge your Senators and Representative to pass legislation to address high gas prices and protect our polar bears and other wildlife from the oil speculators and Big Oil’s disastrous drilling plans.
Personalized messages are most effective. Please be sure to include:
* Why protecting America's coasts and wild places is important to you.
* Any personal education, experience or expertise that informs your opinion on protecting wildlife from harmful drilling
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Oil firm pitching in to help polar bears with day at the beach
By Patrick McNamee
Special Correspondent
Article Launched: 07/11/2008 01:00:00 AM EDT
WESTPORT - A Westport-based oil company is joining forces with a conservation group to save the polar bear and curb global warming.
The alliance, led by home heating oil provider Gault Inc., is hosting Polar Bear Empathy Day from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the town's Compo Beach. Visitors are encouraged to wear their winter jackets to understand the polar bears' plight.
Oil company President Sam Gault joined with Polar Bears International to raise awareness of the now threatened animal.
"Myself and some employees heard a story about a young girl who asked her parents to turn the thermostat down 1 degree to help preserve the polar bears' habitat, and it really struck a chord with everyone," said Gault, a Westport resident. "Once we saw they made the (threatened) list, we knew we wanted to get involved and started the day."
Polar bears were placed on the threatened list on May 15, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It estimates there are 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears worldwide.
Empathy Day is intended to raise awareness of what polar bears are going through because of temperature increases connected with global warming, Gault said.
In addition to visitors wearing jackets that will be donated to charity, there will be an ice sculptor on hand to create a polar bear and "chalk talk" educational sessions for kids. Polar Pete, the event mascot, also will be there.
Polar Bears International, which has scientists that look for conservation solutions
through research and education, was impressed with Gault Inc.'s stance on the subject.
"They're concerned not only for the community, but for the world," group President Robert Buchanan said. "We're looking to inspire, inform and empower people to make a difference and show individuals that they can make a difference by changing some basic things they do every day."
Buchanan, a resident of Soldotna, Alaska, said that what's going on in the Arctic is far more dramatic than anyone knows. Ice the size of California has already melted, even though it is not yet the melting season, he said.
Local officials said hosting the event was an easy decision.
"If you wait for someone else to begin, it's never going to happen," said Stuart McCarthy, director of Westport's Parks and Recreation Department. "We've already tackled issues like recycling and public spacing, which weren't easy, but we're going to take on the challenges."
The sessions with kids will focus on energy conservation, something Gault said he and his company are taking a greater interest in.
"What it comes down to is, less is more, if we can educate and have homeowners use less oil and electricity, it will be good for them and bring loyalty back to the company," he said. "We want to show how potentially efficient people can be from their windows to appliances and lack of insulation, we want to help with anything that relates to energy."
- Special Correspondent Patrick McNamee can be reached at patrick.mcnamee@scni.com or at 750-5345.
Special Correspondent
Article Launched: 07/11/2008 01:00:00 AM EDT
WESTPORT - A Westport-based oil company is joining forces with a conservation group to save the polar bear and curb global warming.
The alliance, led by home heating oil provider Gault Inc., is hosting Polar Bear Empathy Day from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the town's Compo Beach. Visitors are encouraged to wear their winter jackets to understand the polar bears' plight.
Oil company President Sam Gault joined with Polar Bears International to raise awareness of the now threatened animal.
"Myself and some employees heard a story about a young girl who asked her parents to turn the thermostat down 1 degree to help preserve the polar bears' habitat, and it really struck a chord with everyone," said Gault, a Westport resident. "Once we saw they made the (threatened) list, we knew we wanted to get involved and started the day."
Polar bears were placed on the threatened list on May 15, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It estimates there are 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears worldwide.
Empathy Day is intended to raise awareness of what polar bears are going through because of temperature increases connected with global warming, Gault said.
In addition to visitors wearing jackets that will be donated to charity, there will be an ice sculptor on hand to create a polar bear and "chalk talk" educational sessions for kids. Polar Pete, the event mascot, also will be there.
Polar Bears International, which has scientists that look for conservation solutions
through research and education, was impressed with Gault Inc.'s stance on the subject.
"They're concerned not only for the community, but for the world," group President Robert Buchanan said. "We're looking to inspire, inform and empower people to make a difference and show individuals that they can make a difference by changing some basic things they do every day."
Buchanan, a resident of Soldotna, Alaska, said that what's going on in the Arctic is far more dramatic than anyone knows. Ice the size of California has already melted, even though it is not yet the melting season, he said.
Local officials said hosting the event was an easy decision.
"If you wait for someone else to begin, it's never going to happen," said Stuart McCarthy, director of Westport's Parks and Recreation Department. "We've already tackled issues like recycling and public spacing, which weren't easy, but we're going to take on the challenges."
The sessions with kids will focus on energy conservation, something Gault said he and his company are taking a greater interest in.
"What it comes down to is, less is more, if we can educate and have homeowners use less oil and electricity, it will be good for them and bring loyalty back to the company," he said. "We want to show how potentially efficient people can be from their windows to appliances and lack of insulation, we want to help with anything that relates to energy."
- Special Correspondent Patrick McNamee can be reached at patrick.mcnamee@scni.com or at 750-5345.
FBI Agent Indicted in Shooting Death of Neighbor’s Dog
Lovett Leslie Ledger indicted for shooting dead of neighbor's dog Sassy was just a 3 lb Chihuahua, walking on Estes Road near Lorena in TX when her life was cut short by an FBI sniper with a pellet gun. Jason Davis had the hard task of telling his 8 yr old daughter that her little dog would not becoming home.
Cyndi Mitchell, who lives across the street from FBI agent, Lovett Leslie Ledger, told authorities that she witnessed Ledger shoot the dog in front of her house with a pellet rifle on Feb. 29.
Mitchell has said that her dogs were barking and she went to the door and saw Sassy walking on Estes Road in front of her house.
The dog lurched to one side upon being shot, then rolled into a yard where she died, she has said.
“I’ve never heard a noise like that from an animal,” Mitchell said, describing it as “a screaming sound.”
As neighbors gathered around the fallen dog, Ledger took the pellet gun, turned and walked inside his house with one of his children.
Initially when confronted by authorities about the crime, Ledger lied but changed his story when witnesses came forward.
Yesterday a McLennan County grand jury indicted 39-year-old Lovett Leslie Ledger Jr. for cruelty to animals, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail and a $10,000 fine.
Ledger, a sniper and member of the FBI SWAT team, remains on active duty during criminal and FBI internal investigation.
“The FBI continues to cooperate with the ongoing judicial process involving Agent Ledger and the internal FBI review of Agent Ledger’s actions also is still ongoing,” Erik Vasys, an FBI spokesman in San Antonio, said, declining additional comment.
A police reports states that Ledger told witnesses that he shot the dog with a pump BB-pellet gun and must have pumped the gun too much.
There were no reasons given why Ledger shot the little dog but he did spend 25 minute testifying before the grand jury yesterday. Shortly thereafter the indictment was handed down. If convicted of felony animal cruelty, Ledgers’s career with the FBI would be at an end.
Cyndi Mitchell, who lives across the street from FBI agent, Lovett Leslie Ledger, told authorities that she witnessed Ledger shoot the dog in front of her house with a pellet rifle on Feb. 29.
Mitchell has said that her dogs were barking and she went to the door and saw Sassy walking on Estes Road in front of her house.
The dog lurched to one side upon being shot, then rolled into a yard where she died, she has said.
“I’ve never heard a noise like that from an animal,” Mitchell said, describing it as “a screaming sound.”
As neighbors gathered around the fallen dog, Ledger took the pellet gun, turned and walked inside his house with one of his children.
Initially when confronted by authorities about the crime, Ledger lied but changed his story when witnesses came forward.
Yesterday a McLennan County grand jury indicted 39-year-old Lovett Leslie Ledger Jr. for cruelty to animals, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail and a $10,000 fine.
Ledger, a sniper and member of the FBI SWAT team, remains on active duty during criminal and FBI internal investigation.
“The FBI continues to cooperate with the ongoing judicial process involving Agent Ledger and the internal FBI review of Agent Ledger’s actions also is still ongoing,” Erik Vasys, an FBI spokesman in San Antonio, said, declining additional comment.
A police reports states that Ledger told witnesses that he shot the dog with a pump BB-pellet gun and must have pumped the gun too much.
There were no reasons given why Ledger shot the little dog but he did spend 25 minute testifying before the grand jury yesterday. Shortly thereafter the indictment was handed down. If convicted of felony animal cruelty, Ledgers’s career with the FBI would be at an end.
Puppy Killer Gets Prison!
Michael Ray Howard, convicted of killing 13 puppies by tying them in a plastic bag and tossing them in a dumpster, among other crimes, has been sentenced to prison.
In December a bag containing 14 puppies was found in a dumpster outside a Salt Lake City, UT, Hancock Fabric store. Only one one of the puppies survived and has since been adopted by Rita Woodward, an employee of Hancock Fabrics and one of the women who found the puppies.
He was charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty and one third-degree felony. Initially, Howard pleaded not guilty even though he did admit he stuffed the tiny, 3-5 week old Jack Russell mix puppies, in a heavy trash bag to suffocate, left them outside overnight and the next day figuring he’d accomplished killing them all, threw the bag of puppies in a Riverdale dumpster. He changed his plea to guilty the following day.
Howard, also convicted of illegal possession of a controlled substance and an admitted methamphetamine user/addict was sentenced to serve to serve 13 years in prison for the class A misdemeanor counts of aggravated animal cruelty, six months in prison for a class B misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, and up to five years in prison for the drug charge. All sentence will run together which in reality means about a 5 year sentence and probably even less time will actually be served.
Prosecutors said the crime was committed with “extreme depravity” and noted it was a touchstone for the passage of Henry’s Law, which increased the penalty for extreme cases of animal cruelty to a felony. That bill was passed by the Legislature earlier this year.
It’s gratifying to see someone who acted with such wanton disregard for life to actually get a prison sentence for his heartless cruelty. I applaud Judge Roger Dutson for taking this crime seriously.
What dismays me is the comments from people that are with the news story about this. So many people whining and griping about the sentence being too harsh and the usual ‘it’s only puppies, not people’, stuff like that. When are people going to realize that when anyone acts with this wanton disregard for life, even animal life, it takes little to nothing for this to carry over to violence and abuse against people.
This is a proven fact!! It’s not a hypothesis. That’s just one of the reasons that people strive so hard to get animal abuse laws toughened for abusers. People who kill, main and abuse animals need to be taken very seriously and their crimes need to be punished harshly. Get real people! The nest time it could be your pet…. or child… when good old Michael Ray Howard gets hopped up on drugs. Think about that!
In December a bag containing 14 puppies was found in a dumpster outside a Salt Lake City, UT, Hancock Fabric store. Only one one of the puppies survived and has since been adopted by Rita Woodward, an employee of Hancock Fabrics and one of the women who found the puppies.
He was charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty and one third-degree felony. Initially, Howard pleaded not guilty even though he did admit he stuffed the tiny, 3-5 week old Jack Russell mix puppies, in a heavy trash bag to suffocate, left them outside overnight and the next day figuring he’d accomplished killing them all, threw the bag of puppies in a Riverdale dumpster. He changed his plea to guilty the following day.
Howard, also convicted of illegal possession of a controlled substance and an admitted methamphetamine user/addict was sentenced to serve to serve 13 years in prison for the class A misdemeanor counts of aggravated animal cruelty, six months in prison for a class B misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, and up to five years in prison for the drug charge. All sentence will run together which in reality means about a 5 year sentence and probably even less time will actually be served.
Prosecutors said the crime was committed with “extreme depravity” and noted it was a touchstone for the passage of Henry’s Law, which increased the penalty for extreme cases of animal cruelty to a felony. That bill was passed by the Legislature earlier this year.
It’s gratifying to see someone who acted with such wanton disregard for life to actually get a prison sentence for his heartless cruelty. I applaud Judge Roger Dutson for taking this crime seriously.
What dismays me is the comments from people that are with the news story about this. So many people whining and griping about the sentence being too harsh and the usual ‘it’s only puppies, not people’, stuff like that. When are people going to realize that when anyone acts with this wanton disregard for life, even animal life, it takes little to nothing for this to carry over to violence and abuse against people.
This is a proven fact!! It’s not a hypothesis. That’s just one of the reasons that people strive so hard to get animal abuse laws toughened for abusers. People who kill, main and abuse animals need to be taken very seriously and their crimes need to be punished harshly. Get real people! The nest time it could be your pet…. or child… when good old Michael Ray Howard gets hopped up on drugs. Think about that!
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