IDA eNews: 1/23/08

Cruel Experiments on Monkeys and Cats Exposed in Israel
Urge Wachovia Bank to Buck the Rodeo
Sea Shepherd Hostages Released from Japanese Whaling Ship


Cruel Experiments on Monkeys and Cats Exposed in Israel
Take Action to urge Weizmann Institute to stop killing monkeys and cats

It is a sad reality that researchers all over the world continue to torture animals in the name of science. As one illustration, a recent undercover investigation in Israel by the advocacy organization Let the Animals Live revealed shocking cruelty being perpetrated on monkeys and cats at the Weizmann Institute of Science. These experiments studying brain function involve:

- Drilling holes in animals' skulls, then attaching chambers and silicone disks, and inserting electrodes directly into their brains

- Forcibly prying animals' eyes open for hours at a time so that they cannot avoid watching patterns displayed on screens

- Regularly depriving animals of water as part of the experimental procedure

- Killing some of the monkeys and all of the cats after the experiment, and removing their brains for study

Scientists don't need to torture and kill animals to learn about the human brain, as today there are numerous modern technological methods (such as non-invasive neuroimaging and microelectrode implants) that provide more reliable and applicable data. In fact, the results from vivisection cannot be reliably applied to human physiology, and only serve to divert precious resources and focus away from research on human subjects that would lead to much greater life-saving discoveries.

The monkeys and cats being used in the inhumane experiments at the Weizmann Institute are victims of an antiquated scientific orthodoxy that is not only inhumane, but, ultimately, a hindrance to medical progress. In the name of reason and compassion, we must speak out against these horrible experiments.

What You Can Do:

The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) is charged with securing funds for the Weizmann Institute. Please Take Action ( %takeaction-weizmann% ) to urge committee members to stop raising money for cruel animal experiments, and to only pursue funding for humane and effective research that does not involve animals.


Urge Wachovia Bank to Buck the Rodeo
Take Action to tell company to stop sponsoring cruel bloodsport

Advocacy Campaign

In rodeos ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/sport/rodeo/rodeo.html ), docile animals are deliberately abused to make them seem aggressive for people's amusement. Tight bucking straps and spurs on riders' boots dig into the animals' flesh, causing them severe discomfort and pain that makes them behave violently, and animals commonly suffer injuries such as torn ligaments, broken bones, fractured horns, internal bleeding, and even severed spinal cords or tracheas. When animals become too battered and bruised to continue in the rodeo, they end their lives at the slaughterhouse.

Rodeos are inherent animal cruelty -- pure and simple. Yet customers who contact Wachovia about their sponsorship of rodeos are simply referred to the "livestock welfare" section of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) website for information on how well animals in rodeos are supposedly treated. However, ongoing undercover investigations of the rodeo industry provide overwhelming evidence that PRCA's humane rules are nothing more than a public relations ploy, especially because enforcement of them is virtually nonexistent.

Wachovia Bank has been presented with documented proof that animals are routinely and persistently abused, both legally and illegally, in rodeos, but they continue to deny that the activity they sponsor is inherently cruel to animals. Wachovia may be the fourth largest bank holding company in the U.S., but their size and assets do not give them the right to ignore the concerns their customers have for animals. The commercial rodeo circuit could not survive financially without corporate sponsorship, so it is up to animal advocates to make Wachovia and other companies pull their support from this bloodsport.

What You Can Do:

Please Take Action ( %takeaction-wachoviarodeo% ) and urge Wachovia Bank executives to immediately end their sponsorship of rodeos.


Sea Shepherd Hostages Released from Japanese Whaling Ship
Ask Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. to oppose illegal whaling in Antarctic sanctuary

After two days of being held hostage aboard a Japanese whaling vessel, two volunteer crew members of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society were released to Australian authorities late last week. Acting legally in accordance with the United Nations World Charter for Nature and the laws of Australia, unpaid Sea Shepherd volunteers Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts boarded the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 2 on Tuesday, January 15th to inform them that they were illegally killing whales in the Southern Whale Sanctuary of the Australian Antarctic Territorial Economic Exclusion Zone. Ignoring their message, the whaling crew took Potts and Lane hostage, and lashed them to the radar mast.

While the men remained hostage, Valerie Sicignano, IDA's East Coast Director, rushed a letter urging their immediate release to Ambassador Ryozo Kato at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and hand-delivered a similar letter to Japanese Ambassador and Consul General Motoatsu Sakurai at the Consulate General of Japan in New York City. She also requested an emergency meeting with Ambassador Sakurai to discuss a swift resolution of the crisis and cessation of Japan’s illegal whale hunting. The hostages were freed later that day before the meeting could take place.

However, the Japanese harpooners continue to hunt in the Southern Whale Sanctuary off Australia’s coast -- though, notably, no whales have been poached in the last eight days. "The American people are outraged and dismayed that this Japanese whaling vessel continues to break national and international laws by hunting whales," said Sicignano. "We demand an immediate and permanent end to this illegal activity that threatens the survival of endangered marine mammals."

What You Can Do:

Contact Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. and respectfully ask him to urge his government to enforce the law by putting an end to illegal whaling by Japanese ships.

Ryozo Kato
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the U.S.
2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 238-6700
Fax: (202) 328-2187

Also contact officials at the Japanese Consulate General nearest you ( http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulat.htm ).


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Need a great gift for a friend that will help animals too? What better gift for the animal lover in your life than a membership to In Defense of Animals? For a donation of $25 or more, your gift will sign your friend or family member up to receive our Guardians magazine as well as our Updates newsletter. We will send a beautiful, hand-written card to your IDA membership recipient thanking them for their compassion for animals and welcoming them to IDA. They will certainly be pleased to hear about all the great things IDA is able to accomplish for the animals thanks to your generosity, plus your donation of $25 or more will allow us to produce more flyers, brochures, and literature, hold more demonstrations, as well as help care for the animals around the world who IDA supports. Visit here ( https://secure.ga0.org/02/idadonations_in_honor ).


Visit IDA's YouTube page!

YouTube is the largest online video community in the world, and an effective tool for spreading our message of compassion for animals. On the In Defense of Animals YouTube page ( http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=InDefenseofAnimals ), you will find over 65 videos including footage of chimpanzees playing at the IDA Africa sanctuary in Cameroon, undercover footage of animal abuse, and all of our Public Service Announcements. IDA's videos on YouTube have been viewed over 100,000 times and have introduced numerous people to the work we do and the world of Animal Rights. Take a look for yourself ( http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=InDefenseofAnimals )!


Last Chance to Buy IDA-Africa 2008 Calendar

IDA-Africa is now offering its beautiful 2008 Calendar at a special discounted rate. The calendar, with striking color photographs that capture the spirit and character of the chimpanzees at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, is 8.5" x 11" closed and makes a lovely gift.

New discounted price is $9 for domestic orders and $11 for international orders. Shipping costs are included. Order your IDA-Africa 2008 Calendar online at http://www.ida-africa.org , or by calling 503.643.8302. Checks can be mailed to IDA-Africa, 700 SW 126th Avenue, Beaverton Oregon 97005.

For more information, email andrea [at] ida-africa.org .


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