Zoo News Digest 26th February - 2nd March 2012 (Zoo News 808)
Dear Colleague,
Sorry I messed up about Dubai Zoo last week (see Here). Mind you only the one person called me up on it so perhaps it is because this is a different Dubai Zoo, a new Dubai Zoo which only recently opened and is not yet common knowledge. I plan to visit as soon as I can find the time.
At long last I have had some correspondence related to the illegally held baby Orangutan and Silvery Gibbon held at the Abu Dhabi Kids Park Zoo. One queried their illegality. Well if their export was not legal then wherever they turn up they are illegal in my eyes. I recall all the fuss that was made over 'The Taiping Four' but with these two tiny creatures there is scarcely a whisper. Why I wonder? Right now you can be sure that as a result of my going on about these little animals that everyone who should know about them does know about them. It still remains to be seen if they are going to do anything about it.
Thank you for the few donations recieved last month. They really are greatly appreciated and help towards my internet bills. Staying on personal issues:
The other day a friend of mine sent me a thirteen question quiz which was developed by an insurance company. It queries your lifestyle and gives you options to answer. As you answer a little box on the top right hand side of the screen clocks up the age you are likely to die. I am sixty three now. At the end of the quiz my expected death age is supposedly sixty four. So is this information going to cause me to change my wild and somewhat crazy life? You bet it is! If I have just a year to go then I am going to have to fit in a lot more wildness and craziness. I am going to Die Happy!
The Bill Prohibiting Private Possession of Big Cats in the US looks interesting. I wonder how far it will get? Personally I don't think it goes far enough. I think it should include Dysfunctional Zoos as well. It should be used also to stop the breeding of hybrids, mutations and generics. Only when this is done can we seriously make an honest approach to conservation.
So Yancheng Safari Park has bred some Tigons. Why? I really do wonder why? Xu Tianci the manager of the park said tigons have a low survival rate and that the cubs have gene defects. So why do it? Money! It really is the root of all evil.
'Another Animal Dies in Indonesia Surabaya Zoo'. It is all very sad. Animals do die just as people die. In Surabaya's case however every single death seems to hit the press. This is all part of a vile and corrupt plan to get the zoo closed down so big business can develop the zoos land and to close the zoo as a competitor to the nearby Taman Safari Park. A case of commercialism and exploitation of animals winning twice over. It's got to be wrong. So why doesn't the press latch on to this and investigate and do an expose? Simply because it is a vile and corrupt plan and corruption has a way of running into both likely and unlikely places. Perhaps somebody will be brave enough one day. You don't need to be a war zone reporter to come under attack.
I don't know exactly what the problems are in Las Vegas Zoo but it is getting stick from people who obviously know nothing about zoos or animals. Why do I say this. Simple Animal welfare advocate Linda Faso said "At any moment, one of those apes could grab somebody, bite them. That's the unknown," . And that article goes on about Ape this and Ape that. What is this, a Tarzan novel? Those who work in zoos and know the animals there may refer to the ape family but would never use in the context of the species they are working with.
I am all for banning shark fishing and especially where it involves finning for Shark Fin Soup. I do get puzzled though when I see stories about 'Vegetarian Shark Fin Soup'...I mean, how can it be? It's rather like beef ham and turkey bacon. All a bit weird.
I see Ric O'Barry is getting hot under the collar about Dolphins to India. I have included once again two videos which you really should watch. If you saw The Cove then you should watch this to balance out your views.
The story about it being permissable to hunt the extinct Indian Cheetah quite amusing. It is almost as bad as claiming the Cheetah became extinct in a country 38 years ago when it had never ever occurred there. Turns out that in India it was all a bit of confusion over cats which had spots. Such mix ups are not unusual. I recall back in the late 70's when the UAE gave blanket protection to all species apart from the Wryneck. I really could not puzzle it. Why? Was it because they were seen on dead or dying trees and they were somehow being attributed as responsible? It was some years later I discovered the whole thing was as a result of mistranslation and it was the Cormorant which was not protected....almost as bad....and another really good reason to use Scientific instead of common names, especially in legal issues.
Sorry I messed up about Dubai Zoo last week (see Here). Mind you only the one person called me up on it so perhaps it is because this is a different Dubai Zoo, a new Dubai Zoo which only recently opened and is not yet common knowledge. I plan to visit as soon as I can find the time.
At long last I have had some correspondence related to the illegally held baby Orangutan and Silvery Gibbon held at the Abu Dhabi Kids Park Zoo. One queried their illegality. Well if their export was not legal then wherever they turn up they are illegal in my eyes. I recall all the fuss that was made over 'The Taiping Four' but with these two tiny creatures there is scarcely a whisper. Why I wonder? Right now you can be sure that as a result of my going on about these little animals that everyone who should know about them does know about them. It still remains to be seen if they are going to do anything about it.
Thank you for the few donations recieved last month. They really are greatly appreciated and help towards my internet bills. Staying on personal issues:
The other day a friend of mine sent me a thirteen question quiz which was developed by an insurance company. It queries your lifestyle and gives you options to answer. As you answer a little box on the top right hand side of the screen clocks up the age you are likely to die. I am sixty three now. At the end of the quiz my expected death age is supposedly sixty four. So is this information going to cause me to change my wild and somewhat crazy life? You bet it is! If I have just a year to go then I am going to have to fit in a lot more wildness and craziness. I am going to Die Happy!
The Bill Prohibiting Private Possession of Big Cats in the US looks interesting. I wonder how far it will get? Personally I don't think it goes far enough. I think it should include Dysfunctional Zoos as well. It should be used also to stop the breeding of hybrids, mutations and generics. Only when this is done can we seriously make an honest approach to conservation.
So Yancheng Safari Park has bred some Tigons. Why? I really do wonder why? Xu Tianci the manager of the park said tigons have a low survival rate and that the cubs have gene defects. So why do it? Money! It really is the root of all evil.
'Another Animal Dies in Indonesia Surabaya Zoo'. It is all very sad. Animals do die just as people die. In Surabaya's case however every single death seems to hit the press. This is all part of a vile and corrupt plan to get the zoo closed down so big business can develop the zoos land and to close the zoo as a competitor to the nearby Taman Safari Park. A case of commercialism and exploitation of animals winning twice over. It's got to be wrong. So why doesn't the press latch on to this and investigate and do an expose? Simply because it is a vile and corrupt plan and corruption has a way of running into both likely and unlikely places. Perhaps somebody will be brave enough one day. You don't need to be a war zone reporter to come under attack.
I don't know exactly what the problems are in Las Vegas Zoo but it is getting stick from people who obviously know nothing about zoos or animals. Why do I say this. Simple Animal welfare advocate Linda Faso said "At any moment, one of those apes could grab somebody, bite them. That's the unknown," . And that article goes on about Ape this and Ape that. What is this, a Tarzan novel? Those who work in zoos and know the animals there may refer to the ape family but would never use in the context of the species they are working with.
I am all for banning shark fishing and especially where it involves finning for Shark Fin Soup. I do get puzzled though when I see stories about 'Vegetarian Shark Fin Soup'...I mean, how can it be? It's rather like beef ham and turkey bacon. All a bit weird.
I see Ric O'Barry is getting hot under the collar about Dolphins to India. I have included once again two videos which you really should watch. If you saw The Cove then you should watch this to balance out your views.
The story about it being permissable to hunt the extinct Indian Cheetah quite amusing. It is almost as bad as claiming the Cheetah became extinct in a country 38 years ago when it had never ever occurred there. Turns out that in India it was all a bit of confusion over cats which had spots. Such mix ups are not unusual. I recall back in the late 70's when the UAE gave blanket protection to all species apart from the Wryneck. I really could not puzzle it. Why? Was it because they were seen on dead or dying trees and they were somehow being attributed as responsible? It was some years later I discovered the whole thing was as a result of mistranslation and it was the Cormorant which was not protected....almost as bad....and another really good reason to use Scientific instead of common names, especially in legal issues.
****
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This blog has readers from 153+ countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eire, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lapland, Lao, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia.
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Darwin zoo volunteer mauled by lion
A man has been attacked by a lion at a Darwin animal park after he reportedly reached his arm into the cage.
Nine News has been told the lion grabbed volunteer Peter Davidson, 42, on the arm at Crocodylus Park as he was being shown weeds that needed to be sprayed.
The NT News reported that muscle was torn from the bone of Mr Davidson's arm and will undergo surgery.
Keepers applied a tourniquet to his arm to stop the blood from flowing. It is understood he is able to move his fingers and is currently in a stable condition.
Crocodylus Park specialises mostly in reptiles like crocodiles, but also features big cats like lions and tigers.
It is the first lion attack at the park in 15 years.
The park's management say they are happy with their procedures and
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8428904/darwin-volunteer-mauled-by-lion
Fitz: Critics of zoo’s handling of elephants packed and shipped
Reid Park zoo officials announced that today they had packed two PETA activists and 3-concerned citizens into crates and loaded them on to trucks.
“We’re shipping them to Bob Barker’s compound in Burbank where they can live out their lives with other animal rights activists. They’ll be fed wheat grass smoothies and Oprah will visit them.”
En route to southern California the activists passed Connie and Shaba who were driving a Mini-van packed with beach towels and peanuts, bound for San Diego.
Connie said, ”Shaba’s been ready
http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/fitz-blog/fitz-critics-of-zoo-s-handling-of-elephants-packed-and/article_77d2e590-63c1-11e1-ad73-001871e3ce6c.html
Dolphin water park project: State on the defensive against NGOs
Despite directives from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to “not entertain” the proposal for the construction of a dolphin park in Sindhudurg district, the State government is still strongly defending the Rs 510 crore project. Experts in Pune’s Science and Technology Park, a Central Government institute, have been asked to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to justify the State government’s plan.
Opposition to the project meant to promote the State’s coastline, and to be constructed on the lines of Seaworld in Orlando, USA, has been coming from animal activists and environmentalists alike. Last week, Ric O'Barry, director of Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Project urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to “take immediate action to stop the Sindhudurg proposal before it proceeds”. Writing on behalf of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), he stated that “dolphins do not cope well in cramped, artificial environments” and that “keeping them in captivity is morally and ethically indefensible.”
However, Dr Sarang Kulkarni, a marine biologist with the Science and Technology Park, who is in-charge of preparing the DPR rubbished the fears. “The opposition is based on half knowledge. There are lots of misunderstandings,” he told The Hindu on Thursday. The project had received an in- principal approval in October last year, based on the interim technical feasibility report prepared by the same institute.
The hostility from Mr O’Barry and similar organisations has put the government on the defensive. Recently, Maharashtra Tourism minister Chagan Bhujbal reportedly said, “Anything and everything is facing opposition from NGOs. This is not good for the state's development as a tourist hub,” reacting to Mr O’Barry’s letter to the Chief Minister.
But it is not just the activists who have opposed the project. The MoEF had received several petitions from activists, which prompted it to write to the Maharashtra government in December last year, its letter said. The ministry had stated that the project violates several sections of the Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972.
Adding to that, the ministry also quoted the Central Zoo Authority which stated, “The objective of the said water park does not conform to the objective of its operation, i.e., conservation of wildlife, as laid down under Rule 10 (1) of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.” It further said, “the operation of the Water Park for extracting performance out of the animals shall also be violation of Rules 10 (11) (2) of Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.”
The Central Zoo Authority also observed that “from the similar proposal received in the past and those who acquired Dolphins/ other live marine animals lead to the death of the animals because of ill-preparedness on the part of management of the organization and inadequate care of the animals that are so difficult to maintain in captivity.”
It was based on these observations that the MoEF then told the Maharashtra government, “You are requested not to entertain the proposal for construction of Dolphnarium/Water Parks' at Sindhudurg.” Added to that, the State government had proposed to undertake the project in Public-private partnership (PPP) model, which is meant for commercial purpose, and not permitted under Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972, the MoEF noted.
Dr Kulkarni maintained that the project will take care of conservation and will be within the Indian legal framework. “We are committed to conservation and we are following a pro active approach to sustainable development,” he stated.
Sources in the Tourism Ministry stated that the DPR will help the State government to “deal with the MoEF.” Assuring
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2950830.ece
Dolphin Show = Dolphin Kill? An Investigation of The Cove Part 1
http://youtu.be/2tbwUEQo4Yo
Dolphin Show = Dolphin Kill? An Investigation of The Cove Part 2
http://youtu.be/KllJxpznagY
Another Animal Dies in Indonesia Surabaya Zoo
After previously found unconscious and resuscitated, the Surabaya Zoo’s (KBS) giraffe finally passed away.
Kliwon, the 25-year old giraffe, was listed as the only African giraffe male (giraffa camelopardalis) in KBS.
“He died last night, precisely at 9 PM. We will conduct autopsy later. It’s to confirm the cause of death,” said Surabaya Zoo spokesperson, Anthan Warsito, Friday, March 2.
The autopsy will take place in the Surabaya Zoo. A number of people from the medical team will examine all its organs.
Warsito said that the zoo
http://us.en.vivanews.com/news/read/292824-another-animal-dies-in-indonesia-surabaya-zoo
Name mess: MP allowed cheetah ‘hunting’ even after extinction
The admission of guilt may have come a little late in the day, yet it’s worth taking note of. For 18 long years after the cheetah was officially declared extinct in the country, Madhya Pradesh continued to issue notifications allowing its hunting.
All because the fastest land animal was known in common parlance as the panther, and the gazetteers carried the confusion to the record books.
The embarrassing revelation was made in the Assembly by the government, which admitted that limited hunting of the cheetah was officially allowed in MP till 1970.
The last cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in India was killed in 1947 and it was officially declared extinct in 1952.
Forest Minister Sartaj Singh told the Assembly in a written reply that the cheetah in the gazettes was actually the panther (Panthera pardus). The panther, the cheetah and the Hindi term “tendua” were used as synonyms. He claimed the then officials were aware that the carnivore had been declared extinct.
The question was asked by BJP MLA Premnarayan Thakur, who wanted to know what steps, if any, the government had taken to arrest the decline in numbers.
He was told that “over hunting” and lack of prey base coupled with growth of agriculture in its habitat were the reasons behind the animal getting extinct.
Fittingly enough, two sites in MP, the Kuno-Palpur and Nauradehi wildlife sanctuaries, have been chosen for re-introduction of the animal. The third possible site is
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Name-mess--MP-allowed-cheetah--hunting--even-after-extinction/916780/
Tigon debuts in E China wildlife park
A newborn tigon was thrust into the spotlight in a wildlife park in eastern Jiangsu province Tuesday.
A pair of twin tigons and a lion cub, the offspring of a male tiger and a female lion, were born in Yancheng Safari Park of Changzhou city on December 26, 2011. But the female tigon cub died soon after its birth, said a park official.
"The two-month-old male tigon cub is very healthy and the wildlife park is considering providing strictly nutritious foods and a 24-hour nursery for it," said Xu Tianci, manager of the park.
Tigons have features of both tigers and lions, and their head usually resembles the mother, while their body resembles the father.
The rare tigons have a low survival rate, close to 1 in 500,000. The tigon is much rarer than the liger, a hybrid of a male lion and a tigress, said Tian Xiuhua, director of China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Tian said that the survival rate of tigons is much lower because it's more dangerous for a lioness to give birth than it is for a tigress, and the cubs have gene defects.
In China, tigons can also be seen in Haikou, Hainan province, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Xiamen, Fujian province.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-02/29/content_14722546.htm
Bipartisan Bill Prohibiting Private Possession of Big Cats introduced in House, with Senate Bill to Follow
Today, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives that would prohibit breeding and private possession of captive big cats. The "Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act," introduced by Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, (D-CA), would ensure that lions, tigers and other dangerous big cats—which are kept as pets in the U.S. in alarming numbers—do not threaten public safety, diminish global big cat conservation efforts, or end up living in deplorable conditions where they can be subject to mistreatment and cruelty. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) is expected to introduce a companion bill in the Senate within the next few weeks.
"No matter how many times people try to do it, wildcats such as lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs are impossible to domesticate for personal possession and require much higher living standards compared to a domestic house cat," said Rep. McKeon. "When accidents happen and these wild cats are released into our neighborhoods, it causes panic, puts a strain on our local public safety responders and is extremely dangerous. This bill is a step forward in protecting the public and ensuring that wildcats reside in proper living conditions."
It is estimated that there are 10,000 to 20,000 big cats currently held in private ownership in the U.S., although the exact number remains a mystery. In the past 21 years, U.S. incidents involving captive big cats—tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and lion/tiger hybrids—have resulted in the deaths of 21 humans, 246 maulings, 254 escapes, 143 big cats deaths and 131 confiscations.
"It's a little hard to believe that there's a crazy patchwork of regulations governing people who try to keep wild cats as pets. I know it sounds like something you just read about when there's a tragic news story, but it's all too real for first responders who respond to a 911 call and are surprised to come face to face with a Bengal tiger," said Sen. Kerry. "This bill will ensure that these endangered creatures are kept in secure, professional facilities like wildlife sanctuaries rather than in small cages in someone's backyard or apartment building."
The debate over private ownership of big cats garnered national attention last October when the owner of a backyard menagerie in Zanesville, Ohio, opened the cages of his tigers, leopards, lions, wolves, bears and monkeys before committing suicide. Local police, who were neither trained nor properly equipped to deal with a situation of that magnitude, were forced to shoot and kill nearly 50 animals—38 of them big cats—before they could enter populated areas.
"The events in Ohio last year showed the tragedy that can occur when exotic animals are privately owned by individuals, with little to no oversight," said Rep. Loretta Sanchez. "Wild animals are dangerous and we clearly need better laws limiting their ownership. Exotic species should be regulated to high quality facilities with the ability to properly care for them."
The bill would make it illegal to possess any big cat except at adequate facilities like accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries where they can properly cared for and sheltered, and would only allow breeding at accredited zoos, along with some research or educational institutions. Violators of the law could have their animals confiscated along with any vehicles or equipment used to aid in their activity, and could face stiff penalties including fines up to $20,000 and up to five years in jail.
In addition, any persons who currently possess big cats would be required to register those animals with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the new bill. Presently, very little information is kept by the US Department of Agriculture, state agencies or local authorities regarding how many big cats are being kept in private hands, under what conditions and where.
The proposed legislation is being supported by a number of animal welfare and wildlife conservation groups including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Born Free USA, Big Cat Rescue, the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF), Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the ROAR Foundation and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
"We applaud Reps. McKeon and Loretta Sanchez [and Sen. Kerry] for their foresight in bringing this important issue before Congress," said Paul Todd, Campaigns Manager, IFAW. "Big cats are not meant to be pets, and this legislation will help to protect the public from danger while protecting these beautiful creatures from improper and inhumane care."
In 2003, Congress passed the "Captive Wildlife Safety Act," which prohibits interstate trade of big cats, but the ban only applies to big cats for use as pets. Licensed exhibitors, which make up the majority of private owners of big cats, are exempt, even though many USDA licensees are just pet owners. Currently, two states have absolutely no regulations or permits regarding private ownership of exotic animals including big cats. Seven other states have little to no regulations of private ownership of exotic animals including big cats. Another
http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/29/3909584/bipartisan-bill-prohibiting-private.html
Report: Employees, animals in danger at Las Vegas Zoo
The Las Vegas Zoo is in trouble again and it's not just about the animals.
Contact 13 has been exposing concerns about animal welfare at the zoo for more than two and a half years. Now, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is involved for the first time since the zoo opened more than 30 years ago.
Back in August, OSHA inspected the zoo for the first time after employees wrote formal complaints. That resulted in OSHA citing the zoo for multiple serious violation that put employees and the visiting public in danger.
When the OSHA inspector showed up to investigate employee complaints, zoo director Pat Dingle denied him entry, much like he did to Action News. He slammed his office door on Action News without a word.
OSHA's report says he turned them away because "he could" and stated he was a "retired police officer and knew how tough it would be to get a search warrant to conduct the inspection."
Animal welfare advocate Linda Faso says she's not surprised OSHA wrote the place up for serious violations after they finally got access. OSHA found the zoo not following industry standard by sending employees into the ape cage with no equipment to protect against scratches, cuts and disease.
"At any moment, one of those apes could grab somebody, bite them. That's the unknown," Faso said.
In the OSHA complaint, an employee quit after being injured by an ape wrote "I was put in extreme danger by Pat Dingle and fear for future zookeepers and the general public."
OSHA is also requiring him to upgrade his zookeeper house, which has been described
http://www.ktnv.com/news/local/140973843.html
State senator says other businesses share zoo's OSHA problem
State Sen. John Lee read this week's column on the Las Vegas Zoo's battle with OSHA officials and experienced a sense of deja vu.
He had heard before the story of inspectors from Nevada's Occupational Safety and Health Administration office placing burdensome fines on small businesses. Proposing a $13,200 penalty on the diminutive zoo, a nonprofit run on a slender budget, was another example of bureaucrats gone wild.
Zoo Director Pat Dingle says the fines could shut down the facility after 31 years.
"Nevada OSHA seems to be pushing (businesses) out of the state as fast as we can bring them in," Lee says.
"No one wants employees or animals to get hurt," he adds, but overzealous inspectors can easily apply undue pressure.
And that makes him question whether state OSHA has the right mission. It should work to increase
http://www.lvrj.com/news/state-senator-says-other-businesses-share-zoo-s-osha-problem-141156433.html
Hong Kong Airline Bans Dolphin Cargo: Activists
A Hong Kong airline has promised to stop transporting live dolphins after coming under heavy criticism from animal welfare activists, conservationists said on Wednesday.
More than 6,500 people have signed an online petition urging Hong Kong Airlines to stop the business, revealed when an internal memo about a recent delivery from Japan to Vietnam was leaked to Chinese media.
“Hong Kong Airlines wishes to convey that it is a responsible member of the transport industry caring for the future and environment,” the airline said in a letter to animal welfare groups dated Wednesday.
“Since it is believed that transportation of this nature can result in endangering wildlife elsewhere, Hong Kong Airlines will immediately ban shipments of this kind,” the letter stated.
A copy of the letter was posted on US-based conservation group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Web site. Representatives from the group have written to the airline denouncing the dolphin shipment.
Hong Kong Airlines declined to comment.
“This action should send a message to all airlines that the consequences of transporting dolphins will result in such global negative publicity as to affect a loss of business that will far outweigh any short-term financial gain from the transfers,” Sea Shepherd Hong Kong coordinator Gary
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/nvironment/hong-kong-airline-bans-dolphin-cargo-activists/501766
Zoo Celebrates 100,000th Panda Visitor
Today, Edinburgh Zoo’s giant panda pair, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, geared up to welcome a very special visitor…their 100,000th no less!This famous Zoological couple touched down in Scotland on Sunday 4th December 2011, and after a short time to settle in, went on show to the public on Friday 16th December 2011 at their new home, Edinburgh Zoo.
Since their arrival, visitors and panda fans alike have flocked from Scotland, the rest of the UK and from much further afield to catch a glimpse of this well-loved duo. Now, the pandas have reached the milestone of the 100,000th visitor to cross over the pagoda threshold into the panda enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo.
The lucky 100,000th visitor to see the pandas at their home, here in the Scottish capital, will receive a yearly membership to Edinburgh Zoo to mark the massive number of visitors since the pandas went on view to the public in mid-December. The annual membership means that they can return to Edinburgh Zoo as many times as they want, free of charge.
Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Zoo, said:
“Edinburgh Zoo is delighted to have received 100,000 visitors to our panda enclosure. A fantastic milestone in just two and a half months, this really attests to the pandas’ popularity in Scotland, the UK and beyond. It is fantastic that so many people are as pleased as we are to have this very special animal at Edinburgh Zoo for the next ten years. Pandas truly are a delight, and Edinburgh Zoo is so pleased to have been able to bring this opportunity to Scotland.
“We are pleased to be able to mark this special occasion by giving our 100,000th visitor a membership to Edinburgh Zoo, meaning they can come time and time again to the Zoo free of charge, as well as enjoy a whole host of other membership benefits – after all, it’s not every day you’re a 100,000th visitor!”
Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin pen shut for maintenance
EDINBURGH Zoo’s iconic penguin enclosure is to close for months as urgent maintenance is carried out to fix the animals’ leaking pool.
The work will mean that the penguin colony is split up today. The relocation process will take up to two weeks, with a third of the penguins remaining at Edinburgh Zoo and others sent to zoos in Belfast, Gloucestershire, and Odense, Denmark. Some will never return.
Zoo officials said the first stage of repairs would involve allowing the outdoor penguin pool to drain naturally, which will take around five weeks, followed by an assessment by a team of engineers. The enclosure is expected to reopen in the summer.
Hugh Roberts, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity which owns and manages Edinburgh Zoo, said: “The existing pool has served our large colony of kings, gentoos and rockhoppers extremely well for 20 years, and to ensure it continues to
http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/edinburgh_zoo_s_penguin_pen_shut_for_maintenance_1_2148282
International Bear News
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=h4yu9tcab&v=0014Ey5FNw0bDKToscyfv7zIjOebu93nJxdt-2REXX6IlkOIHBaFXEseVd_VIwqrzwWTvYU3jsyyb0mvfQ_GxwrzQG3FiRhJ-wgcGzqykwhaEaCtITAKiQfN4lkJdQESVuBGokuwJ6vvBg=
Zoo man Damian Goodall fined over frog in Sri Lanka
A MELBOURNE Zoo keeper has been fined for allegedly illegally holding amphibians and reptiles in Sri Lanka.
Damian Goodall was arrested on Saturday in the northwestern town of Puttalam, while on a tour led by amphibian and reptile product retailer Exo Terre.
What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, a prize won by Mr Goodall for his photography of animals, turned into a nightmare when Sri Lankan authorities searched group members as they prepared to leave their resort villas.
The Belgian leader of the group, Emmanuel Van Heygen, told a US internet radio station Mr Goodall had rescued a frog in the resort's saltwater swimming pool and put it in a bucket of fresh water in his room to rehydrate, which had constituted his charge of illegally holding an amphibian.
He was fined and is returning home.
"This guy is like the nicest guy ever," Mr Van Heygen said. "We have never done anything wrong. All we are doing is getting pictures."
Mr Goodall, 34, was one of six
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/news/zoo-man-fined-over-frog/story-e6frg8ro-1226286838680
Flushing eatery cooks unreal shark fin soup
State legislation that could ban the sale of shark fins used in traditional Chinese soup is either bad for business, good for the environment or just not a big deal depending on who you talk to, but one Flushing restaurant has a recipe to serve the dish legally even if it is outlawed.
Happy Buddha, near the corner of 37th Avenue and Main Street, serves up vegetarian shark fin soup that lovers of the meal — considered auspicious in Chinese culture — would be hard-pressed to distinguish from the real deal, except by its price.
Shark fin is a highly expensive, mostly tasteless flap of cartilage that comes from the top dorsal fin of sharks around the world.
But it is most often eaten at wedding banquets, according to Peter How, president of the Asian American Restaurant Association, where a bowl for 10 people could run between $150 and $500. The price tag often translates to elegance, he said, which is why brides and grooms spare no expense to ensure
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2012/9/sharkfinsoup_ft_2012_03_01_q.html
Journal of Threatened Taxa
February 2012 | Vol. 4 | No. 2 | Pages 2333–2408
The 39th issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa is online at www.threatenedtaxa.org We thank all the subject editors, reviewers, language editors and authors for their contributions in producing this issue.
Wanted alive: Endangered ibis escapes from Tokyo zoo
A female northern bald ibis has fled Tokyo's Tama Zoo and remains on the loose, the zoo's operator revealed on March 1.
The zoo in the capital's Hino district was alerted to the escape when it received a call from a nearby university saying that a rare bird had been spotted in front of the school's entrance.
When zoo officials counted their birds, they discovered that one of their 26 northern bald ibises -- a critically endangered species -- was missing from its cage.
The runaway ibis, according to zoo officials, is 40 to 50 centimeters tall with a black body and red beak and legs. It has blue identification rings on both of its legs.
Zoo staff believe the mesh on the upper part of the cage may have been loosened by accumulated snow, opening the escape route.
The zoo -- operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Construction -- is requesting
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120302p2a00m0na004000c.html
How did it get THERE? Tree lobster thought to be extinct for 80 years found alive clinging 500ft up on remote Pacific rock taller than Empire State Building
A narrow and forbidding rock that stands higher than the Empire State Building, it does not look like the most welcoming place to set up home.
But that did not stop an insect which was thought to be extinct for 80 years from building its last known colony on the 1,844ft high Ball’s Pyramid.
Scientists have discovered 24 of the creatures living 500ft above the South Pacific Ocean around the single plant that had survived on the rock.
The ‘tree lobster’ insect, which is as large as a human hand, had somehow made its camp despite the lack of food and the harsh conditions.
Nobody could say how they got there in the first place - but four have now been taken off and have bred thousands more to ensure their species survives.
The astonishing discovery was made on Ball’s Pyramid which emerged from the sea seven million years ago off the coast of Australia near Lord Howe Island.
It is the equivalent of 11 Nelson’s Columns stuck one on top of the other. The Empire State building is only two thirds as tall at 1,250ft.
On all sides the rock face drops off vertically making it almost impossible for anything to survive - but the insects somehow did.
The six legged ‘tree lobster’ or, Dryococelus australis, was actually presumed extinct since none had been seen on Lord Howe Island since 1920.
They are 12cm long
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2108736/Extinct-tree-lobster-alive-clinging-Pacific-rock-taller-Empire-State-Building.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
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