top
US
US
Indybay
Indybay
Indybay
Regions
Indybay Regions North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area California United States International Americas Haiti Iraq Palestine Afghanistan
Topics
Newswire
Features
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature

In Defense of Animals (IDA) News

by Mat Thomas
Tips for winter health followed by several news items and things you can do for each:
As we enter the coldest months of winter, with flus and virusesthreatening to knock us out of commission, it is important thatwe take good care of ourselves. With so much that needs to bedone to help animals, it is essential that we stay healthy so wecan work hard on their behalf. Paying attention to your physicaland emotional needs will not only improve your outlook andquality of life, but make you better able to help animals. Hereare some tips to remember:

- EAT HEALTHY FOODS: Winter is a great season to spend time inthe kitchen. Want to warm up your belly? Why not make somehomemade vegetable soup for yourself and your family? There areplenty of great vegan cookbooks out there, as well as websitesthat list recipes online. The Compassionate Cooks DVD is alsonow available for purchase athttp://www.idausa.org/marketplace/dvd_video.html for your viewingpleasure. Try cooking with seasonal root vegetables (likecarrots, beets and potatoes) and hearty winter greens (such askale, cabbage and collard greens). These anti-oxidant-rich foodsare at their peak in this season, and eating them will actuallyhelp keep your body warm!

- STAY ACTIVE: Make sure you get plenty of exercise, even ifit's absolutely freezing outside. Exercise improves yourcirculation, and will help keep you warm all winter long. If youdon't want to brave the cold winds on your cross-country skiisor in your jogging shoes, then try working out at the gym.Wherever you go, don your Team IDA duds to educate others aboutanimal rights!

- GET SOME SUN: It's important to get at least 15 minutes ofsunshine a day, if possible. Sunlight is a natural form ofvitamin D, and lack of sunlight in winter can cause seasonaldepression, which is not something you want when you're tryingto make the world safer for animals.

Seeing how animals are treated and working for their liberationcan lead to burnout, so it is important to take time out forrelaxation. Of course, cold weather is a great excuse to enjoyhours of indoor fun and recreation. Here are some ideas toconsider:

- Spend time with friends and loved ones, including your animalcompanions. Go to a vegan potluck or organize one, and show yourfriends how delicious a compassionate diet can be!

- In a literary mood? Write letters to the editors of magazinesand newspapers about animal issues. E-mail Kristie [at] idausa.org tojoin our volunteer writing group and receive alerts that let youwork in concert with others in the most timely fashion. Or curlup in front of the fire with a good book. Check IDA'srecommended reading list at http://www.idausa.org/rec_reading.html forsome suggestions.

Remember, it is essential that you stay strong in body, mind andspirit to advocate effectively for animals. Take good care ofyourself this winter, and you'll be able to take care of theanimals!

***********************************
***********************************

Table of Contents

1. Another Elephant Dies at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo
2. Man Gets Prison Sentence for Stomping Bird to Death
3. USDA Red Tape Keeps Hawthorn Corporation Elephants from Sanctuary
4. Register Now for the Animal Rights 2005 National Conference
5. Grassroots Animal Rights Conference Coming to NYC
6. (Re)Design the IDA-AFRICA Logo Contest

***********************************

1. Another Elephant Dies at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo

When three African elephants were relocated from San Diego tochilly Chicago less than two years ago, IDA and other animaladvocates protested the move. We predicted that these elephantswouldn't last long in such a cold climate, being forced to spendall winter long indoors in cramped concrete stalls. Tragically,our projections were accurate. Despite Tatima's untimely deathfrom a bacterial infection in October of last year and theintense objections of elephant experts and the public, zooofficials refused to consider moving the remaining two elephantsto a sanctuary for their own health. Now Peaches is dead,euthanized at the age of 55, when she might have lived anotherten to fifteen years in the wide-open spaces and naturalisticsurroundings of a sanctuary.

Meanwhile, instead of trying to find ways to make life betterfor animals in zoos, American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA)Directors are attending a conference in sunny Florida this weekto determine how to attract larger crowds. Even after thislatest fatality - the sixth elephant death to occur at a U.S.zoo in the past year - the industry trade group refuses to admitthat zoos' inability to provide for elephants' physical andsocial needs is resulting in the prolonged suffering andpremature death of elephants.

Wankie remains the only survivor of the three elephants the SanDiego Zoo exiled to cold Chicago in April 2002 to make way foryounger elephants abducted from the wild in Africa. She, too, issuffering from the debilitating results of spending bitterMidwestern winters in a tiny concrete stall, and is sure tosuccumb before her time as her lifelong companions did. We musttake action together to save her from this disastrous fate. Wemust urge the Lincoln Park Zoo to surrender Wankie to theElephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, which has already agreed totake her, before it is too late.

What You Can Do

1. If you live in or around Chicago or will be visiting the citythis weekend, attend the demonstration at the Lincoln Park Zoo,2001 N. Clark Street, scheduled for Friday, January 21 from11:30am to 1:00pm. The demonstration will take place directly infront of the elephant exhibit (located at the north end of thepark adjacent to the Lincoln Park Conservancy off of Stockton).For more information and to RSVP, contact NicoleM [at] peta.org.

2. Write or call the Director of the Lincoln Park Zoo and theMayor of Chicago urging them to do what is best for Wankie.Click here (http://www.ga0.org/campaign/LPZ) to send a letter online,or send your own directly to:

Kevin Bell, Director
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614-4757
Fax: (312) 742-2336
E-mail: kbell [at] lpzoo.org

The Honorable Richard M. Daley
Mayor of Chicago
Office of the Mayor
121 N. LaSalle, Rm. 507
Chicago, IL 60602
Tel.: (312) 744-3300
Fax: (312) 744-8045

***********************************
2. Man Gets Prison Sentence for Stomping Bird to Death

Last August, when police in Bartlesville, Oklahoma responded toa report of a man wrecking his apartment, they found him notonly destroying material possessions but living beings. Officerstestified in court that upon arriving at the scene, they saw asmall yellow cockatiel lying in the grass struggling to move.When they informed 28-year-old Clarence Eugene Billingsley ofthis, he stomped on the animal and ground his foot on the body,killing the helpless bird. When police asked Billingsley why hedid that, he responded that he had purchased the cockatiel forhis girlfriend, so he "could do whatever he wanted with it."

After Billingsley pled guilty to a charge of animal cruelty,Associate District judge Curtis DeLapp handed down a five-yearsentence this week, 18 months of which the offender must servein state prison. While no amount of jail time can bring thisbird back, it is some comfort to know that Billingsley'spunishment for taking his frustrations out on a defenselesscreature may help to deter others from such malicious disregardfor life.

This incident is just a single example of "pet ownership" takento its logical (and deadly) extreme. People's attitude thatanimals are disposable "possessions" has many tragicconsequences and causes millions of animal companions to sufferand die each year. Stiffer penalties for animal abuse are onesign that society's attitudes are changing. IDA's GuardianCampaign is on the forefront of these changes, and represents apositive, proactive way of getting out the message that animalsare not inanimate objects but living beings who need care andconsideration. By promoting respect and compassion through theGuardian Campaign, IDA hopes to prevent crimes against animalsbefore they happen.

What You Can Do

If you live in a community that doesn't yet legally recognizepeople as animal "guardians," you can make a huge difference byspearheading an effort to amend the wording of your city'sby-laws. Please see http://www.guardiancampaign.com for resources thatcan help you succeed, and contact valerie [at] idausa.org for moreinformation about how you can get involved.

***********************************

3. USDA Red Tape Keeps Hawthorn Corporation Elephants from Sanctuary

It's bad enough that the Hawthorn Corporation actually "rents"elephants and tigers to circuses, but they also have a long andwell-documented history of animal abuse and mismanagement. InMarch 2004, the Hawthorn Corporation pled guilty to 19violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act uncovered by a U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) report. The company was fined$200,000 and ordered to surrender all 16 of "their" elephantsto qualified caretakers by August 15. However, even though theElephant Sanctuary in Tennessee said they could take the entireherd, only three elephants have gone there so far - thoseremaining are still "working" for Hawthorn more than five monthslater. Tragically, one elephant has already died at Hawthorn'sfacility in that time.

How can this be? Hawthorn has managed to tie the case up in aUSDA bureaucratic tangle over whether to revoke Hawthorn'slicense to exhibit animals. The USDA claims to ensure adequatecare of the herd by conducting surprise inspections of theHawthorn facility, but the agency needs to do more: they need toenforce federal animal protection regulations and send theseelephants to a safe home.

What You Can Do

We can free these elephants from Hawthorn by telling the USDA tosend them to the Elephant Sanctuary immediately. Please sendpolite letters, faxes, and emails to the following USDAofficials (or, if you feel like chatting, give them a nice,friendly phone call).

The Honorable Ann M. Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Rm. 200-A
Washington, DC 20250
Tel.: (202) 720-3631
Fax: (202) 720-6314
E-mail: Ann.Veneman [at] usda.gov

Ron DeHaven
APHIS Administrator
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Rm. 200-A
Washington, DC 20250
Tel.: (202) 720-5193
Fax: (202) 690-4171
E-mail: Ron.DeHaven [at] usda.gov

***********************************

4. Register Now for the Animal Rights 2005 National Conference

We are pleased to announce the opening of early registration forthe Animal Rights 2005 National Conference taking place fromJuly 7-11 at the Westin LAX Hotel in Los Angeles. Please visithttp://www.AR2005.org to take advantage of the current discountedregistration rate!

The conference will feature workshops, rap sessions, videos,exhibits, live music, and an awards banquet. Many key figures inthe animal rights movement - including IDA's founder andPresident Dr. Elliot Katz, Howard Lyman, Lorri Bauston, AlexHershaft, and Paul Watson - are already scheduled to speak. Morethan a thousand people representing 80 animal protection groupsare expected to attend.

As the animal rights movement faces new challenges, activistsmust become more dynamic and coordinated in their efforts tosave animals. With billions of lives hanging in the balance, weall need to work on changing the world. Please come to AR 2005for the animals, and bring a friend!

***********************************

5. Grassroots Animal Rights Conference Coming to NYC

Liberation movements throughout history have relied on the energy, passion, and creativity of grassroots activists. Next month, grassroots animal rights activists from all across North America will join together at the first annual Grassroots Animal Rights Conference (GARC) in New York City. GARC will feature prominent speakers (including IDA Northeast Coordinator Lawrence Carter-Long), skill-building workshops, networking sessions, and demonstrations. The four-day conference is happening February 18-21 in New York City. Visit http://www.grassrootsAR.org for more information and to register.

GARC was created based on feedback from hundreds of animal rights activists: it is an event designed by grassroots animal rights activists for grassroots animal rights activists. As such, GARC addresses the specific needs of activists at different levels of experience, and also welcomes those who want to become active for animals. GARC's talks and workshops bridge theory and practice while exploring critical contemporary issues, such as the link between animal abuse and other forms of oppression and ethnic/cultural diversity within the animal rights movement.

Come learn, organize, mobilize and meet with other animal rights activists in New York City this February. Hope to see you there!

***********************************

6. (Re)Design the IDA-AFRICA Logo Contest

IDA-Africa's logo has an impact. Unfortunately, it seems to impact some people the wrong way. While some of our supporters like our logo, others say they really don't like it. So we're considering a change, and we want YOUR help!

We are seeking graphic artists to submit ideas for a new or improved logo design: something that says IDA-Africa or In Defense of Animals-Africa, and visually reflects our work to save the chimpanzees and gorillas.

Please send us your ideas. If we decide to change our look and go with your submission, IDA will acknowledge your creative genius in our newsletter and website.

Mail submissions to IDA-Africa, 700 SW 126th Ave., Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA, or e-mail to info [at] ida-africa.org. Please call us at (503) 643-8302 if you have any questions.

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

The Cat Therapist Shares Her Wisdom

Please take a moment to read the latest advice from the Cat Therapist. Click
here for her new column:
http://www.idausa.org/cat_therapist/index.html .

***********************************

Help Make a Difference for the Animals! Donate to IDA!

Your support is vital to IDA's efforts to protect the rights, welfare, and habitats of animals. Your donation will strengthen our work to end the exploitation and abuse of animals - whether they are in the jungles of Africa, the dog markets of South Korea, the countryside of rural America, or at the hands of the vivisection, puppy mill, or fur industries.

You can give a tax-deductible donation directly to IDA via your MasterCard or Visa using our secure donation website by clicking here:
secure.ga3.org/02/idadonations

Or, if you prefer, you may send your contribution via mail to:
In Defense of Animals
131 Camino Alto
Mill Valley, CA 94941

You can also make a gift over the phone with your MasterCard or Visa by calling (415) 388-9641. If you'd like to find our more about supporting IDA please visit: http://www.idausa.org/supportf.html .

With your help we can truly make a difference for the animals!

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

Team IDA encourages teammates to take part in local athletic events to raise awareness of animal issues and much-needed funds to rescue and protect animals from cruelty and abuse. You don't have to be an avid runner or a serious athlete to sign up. Just by cheering and wearing your Team IDA apparel you can show your pro-animal attitude.

Wear your Team IDA t-shirt whenevsite, please let us know!

You can also make Team IDA even more successful by spreading the word: a great way to do this is by distributing Team IDA brochures at races and placing them in athletic stores and clubs. Team IDA brochures are always available free of charge by (415) 388-9641.

We are always interested in learning more about your experiences and hearing your ideas regarding Team IDA. Please send an email to teamida [at] idausa.org and tell us your story. Visit http://www.teamida.org for more information. Join Team IDA today!

http://ga0.org/join-forward.html?domain=indefenseofanimals

You can sign up for In Defense of Animals Action Center at:

http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/join.html

***********************************
Add Your Comments
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

Donate

$230.00 donated
in the past month

Get Involved

If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.

Publish

Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.

IMC Network