News Archive - Page 101 of 145

No to the slaughter of stray dogs in Frontenaud!

No to the slaughter of stray dogs in Frontenaud!
05.04.2019
Frontenaud
No to the slaughter of stray dogs in Frontenaud!
Domestic animals

Thursday March 21st Frontenaud in Saone-et-Loire, the gendarmerie discovered the dead bodies of a man and his dog. Both had traces of bite marks. But nothing indicates that the bites were caused before their death or worse, were the cause. However, the Prefecture then decides to publish an order authorizing the slaughter of stray dogs. An open door towards a massive slaughter of homeless dogs … We file an appeal to the Administrative Court of Dijon and ask for the suspension of this order!

Editorial 18th April 2019

Victory! We were heard: the decree that we had confronted has been repealed by the Prefect! The hearing should have been held this Friday April 19th in Dijon. Stray animals must be protected, rescued and not hunted.

Considering that this tragedy was the result of a stray dog in the area, the Saône-et-Loire Prefecture publishes a radical decree authorizing the shooting of any homeless dogs that are « potentially dangerous »
All dogs left on their own, abandoned, without family, suffering from hunger, cold, are likely to be shot. What is the crime of these individuals? Are they not already vulnerable enough, struggling alone for their survival without the comforting warmth of a home?
Abandonment is already a profound trauma for them. The anguish, every day, to find the strength necessary to live until the next day! Why not rescue them rather than shoot them? Will killing be for a long time to come a privileged solution enjoyed by the authorities?

Moreover, the Rural Code provides that capture is mandatory for dogs without families. Killing a stray individual should only be a solution by default, considered only after trying everything to save him or out of necessity as one might have to defend oneself … Today, if they have become fearful, it is possible to socialize these dogs little by little with the help of committed professionals.

Undercover and stalking a single animal – which is already a scandalous act – the Prefecture simply authorizes the mass slaughter of all abandoned dogs in the street! A cruel (and ineffective) vision of managing strays that is reminiscent of other scandals in another French department or elsewhere in the world.

One Voice lodges an appeal for the use of excess power against the decree of the Prefecture of Saone-et-Loire and an interim suspension. Support us by signing the petition for a better legal status for our dog and cat companion’s, who are classed as full members of our family.

Let’s give a life to Inouk

Let’s give a life to Inouk
04.04.2019
Antibes
Let’s give a life to Inouk
Exploitation for shows

Following the observation of Inouk, we commissioned a report by the biologist and specialist, Ingrid Visser. This report, co-written by three scientists, is clear: Inouk is in great suffering and gnaws at the walls of the pool where he is detained. One Voice launches a campaign for Inouk, and lodges a complaint against Marineland of Antibes for acts of cruelty. We ask that Inouk be transferred in a marine sanctuary.

Stereotypical: First visible signs of ill-being

Inouk was born in captivity on 23^rdFebruary 1999 to parents who were caught as babies in Iceland’s far north. Orphaned since childhood, it’s been twenty years now that he turns in circles and floats, inert, in the pool. These repetitive movements are, like a hundred paces for felines or swaying for elephants, another expression of the same evil: the madness due to the stress of confinement, typical of captive animals in a grave situation… stereotypical pathological movements.

This big young male is recognizable by his dorsal fin which has totally collapsed over to the right side. Ingrid Visser notes that to see this in orcas who are in the wild is rare, and « associated with poor health and trauma ». In captivity, however …

Self-injury: captivity in question

There is nothing in the pools of Antibes. Neither to do nor to see. No escape. Nothing but extreme boredom. For him who is a member of such an intelligent species with self-awareness, a very complex language, elaborate social links … this tiny pool, compared to the ocean, is his prison!

Between his constant turning around inside tiny pool, Inouk is in such a state of suffering and frustration that he is eating away at the concrete walls. Many publications document this phenomenon. In captivity, the majority of orcas eat away at the walls of these pools. But Ingrid Visser, who observed it in situ, is categorical: along with her colleagues they have never seen an orca’s jaw in such bad shape. Inouk has ended up using all his teeth, gnawing them down to the pulp. Oral pain is the same for orcas as it is for humans. He has developed gum ulcers and regurgitation problems. Stomach acid only makes the situation worse.

«In summary, Inouk suffered, and likely continues to suffer, from tooth loss, tooth fracturing and from teeth with exposed pulp. Inouk likely suffers from acute and chronic stressors associated with unnatural confinement. In effect, he has a reduced quality of life due to captivity.»Ingrid Visser, John Jett, Jeffrey Ventre

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Inouk is in constant pain, during every moment of every day and every night

Blind to its own responsibilities, the park stated in 2010: « Inouk is often sick, because of the attacks from other orcas and this has caused dental problems which has in turn lead to infections in the throat and candidiasis problems of the tongue. This has also caused very low levels of energy and he also suffers if his fish is still frozen.”

How can Inouk eat without being in pain, since any fish given to the orca in the dolphinarium are kept in ice? From his distress has arisen serious physical problems. The report is without appeal, the captivity of orcas dramatically reduces their immune defences, leading to a chain reaction of diseases and often causing their death.

In answer to these problems, Inouk has been given medication. Finally, now his collapsed dorsal fin shows signs of biting, the park is responsible for other orcas, who are also victims of this industry. What cynicism, is it not already bad enough to have imposed such misery into their lives.

An inadequate response from the State

This untenable situation has already gone on far too long. What is the Minister of Ecology waiting for? We confronted him at the Council of State because he still has not taken on a new decree « dolphinariums » prohibiting the exchange and reproduction of captive cetaceans.

Let’s give a life to Inouk

We filed a complaint against Marineland for acts of cruelty towards Inouk! His place is in a marine sanctuary.

Inouk is held in a pool of chlorinated water and Jumbo in a truck away from the river, they have the same ancestors: whales. We will only stop fighting the day they find a real life.

Please sign the petition to get #UneViePourInouk! (#ALifeForInouk!)

Source: Visser, Ingrid N.; Jett, John; Ventre, Jeff (2019). INOUK – Captive 20-year-old male orca, with chronic and extensive tooth damage.
Report prepared for One Voice (www.one-voice.fr), March 2019. P.25

Jesko is now definitely out of the woods!

Jesko is now definitely out of the woods!
03.04.2019
Créteil
Jesko is now definitely out of the woods!
Domestic animals

One Voice leads a nonviolent fight to defend animal rights and respect all life forms. The organization operates independently and is thus free to speak and act freely.

Wednesday, March 13th the Creteil High Court was the scene of the trial of the security guard who kept had kept Jesko locked in the boot of his car. A day that had started under heavy rains and winds then ended bathed in sunlight. As for the life of Jesko, who at that moment, had a definite positive turn.

The
security guard approaches the bench. He argues by snapping at words,
having a daily life that is worse than that of his dog … But it is
his actions that have almost cost the life of Jesko. A man who is a
reoffender, a man whom the judge had been lenient with. Coming out of
the trial, in the evening, we once again have the impression that
even if the facts are proven and taken into account, the cases in
which animals are the victims are relegated to the background …

« There is abuse and abuse »

From
the beginning of the hearing, we feel that the case will not be
judged severely enough. The judge says that there is « abuse and
abuse » and that « the dog is not branded by this abuse »,
even if it is « nevertheless undernourished. » So many
incriminating things against this man, who immediately hides behind a
smokescreen of misery to justify his actions and denies the suffering
inflicted upon Jesko. The judge is still not fooled when the accused
says he is homeless and sleeping in the car with Jesko, the judge
suddenly blazes: « No, we cannot allow that to be said, you have
never been seen with the dog in the car during the investigation! »

« He had lost ten pounds, if he had continued to lose weight, he would now be dead »

Between
September and January, Jesko lost no less than ten kilos! Two
veterinarians conferred that if this had continued, he would be dead.
Our investigation shows that there were long hours without being fed
and especially without water and without being able to go out! The
man used the dog for his job as a security guard. It was a tool to
him, stored, treated as such, in a totally insufficient space. In
less than a month thanks to our care, Jesko took back seven
kilograms.
The
two aggravating circumstances were not, in our view, taken into
account at their proper levels. The man is customary: in 2002 while
still a firefighter, he was accused of acts of cruelty, for a dog
found in his car! And as a security officer, he could not have
ignored the regulations.

Jesko saved but a slight sentence has been given

Hypocrisy
or real repentance, the accused recognizes his wrongdoing even if he
adds that he personally admits he does not have a great life. How can
humans, in a position of power over these sentient beings, put
themselves on the same level?
The
judge will decide to reduce the sentence in relation to the
indictment of the prosecution: « Sir, you are found guilty of the
facts you are charged with. You are sentenced to 2 months of a
suspended sentence. This is a warning. Now for the hub of this
matter: we can confirm the confiscation of the animal, and its final
surrender to the association One Voice Finally, you have a ban to be
able to own an animal for 5 years, which is the maximum.

Jesko will find peace, it’s
obvious. Our Cell Zoé is now actively seeking a loving family. To
give us more weight behind these types cases where dogs are used and
treated as tools, please sign the petition against violence towards
pets and for the legislative tightening of sentences.

La Redoute intensifies its efforts against the use of fur!

La Redoute intensifies its efforts against the use of fur!
02.04.2019
France
La Redoute intensifies its efforts against the use of fur!
Fashion

Affiliated with our Fur Free Retailer program, La Redoute is committed to no longer selling animal fur since 2017. This commitment applies both to its own brand and to the products of other brands that appear in its catalogue. Following feedback from customers pointing out items made from fur on the marketplace * which is part of their website, La Redoute has been very attentive. To ensure that this situation does not happen again, it has taken action.

Engaged with us for two years now in the program Fur Free Retailer, La Redoute categorically refuses to sell fur products. However, because of automated systems used by sellers or just simply human error, products containing fur were put on sale on their website. La
Redoute, alerted by One Voice, immediately doubled its efforts! In addition to setting up an email address to be altered about fur products, a new feature has been added in the seller’s product search. Keywords such as « fur » are now « blacklisted » unless they are accompanied by words such as « imitation » or « false », the software now recognizes this. The sellers proposing to sell fake fur are now invited to specify this so as to be able to publish their products. Others sellers are reminded of the ban on selling these products on the La Redoute website. A commitment that should be hailed a loud and clear!

Today, more than 900 brands are available on our dedicated website that have obtained the Fur Free Retailer label. It is thanks to your mobilization and your vigilance that this change has taken place. By joining forces, we can create a better, humane tomorrow for all those innocent individuals !

Every year, forty-five million animals are raised and killed in terrible conditions for their fur. Forty-five million sentient beings, crammed into tiny cages, alone or in groups. Mink, in the wild, like to live peacefully at the edge of watercourses, find themselves deprived of their freedom. Foxes can no longer raise their young in the forest, rabbits no longer dig burrows, nor play in the tall grass. On these farms, there is no river, no blade of grass, only a foul odour and cages piled up on top of one another. It’s barely possible for these individuals to move.

Soon, many of them will develop stereotypical behaviours and sometimes will go as far as self-harming, or they will fight with those who share the same cage, because of the promiscuity and stress generated by these conditions of detention. Their death will be as terrible as their lives: electrocution, gassing, poisoning are the methods commonly used in this industry, to avoid any blood stains on the pelt.

*A « marketplace » that connects independent sellers and customers. A classic merchandize website that therefore provides sellers a sales area.

One Voice in Rouen against the hunting of red foxes in l’Eure, hearing scheduled for the 3rd April

One Voice in Rouen against the hunting of red foxes in l’Eure, hearing scheduled for the 3rd April
01.04.2019
Eure
One Voice in Rouen against the hunting of red foxes in l’Eure, hearing scheduled for the 3rd April
Wildlife Edit on 04/04/2019 at 11:30am:

The decision of theadministrative court of Rouen has just failed. We have won, the decree n ° 2019-013 of February 8^th,2019 has been SUSPENDED !

One Voice and its partners, ASPAS and Groupe Mammalogique Normand, seek to suspend the l’Eure decree allowing night shooting by specialist hunters of the Louvreie on foxes throughout the department. This interim suspension is part of the appeal for the annulment of this prefectural order dated 8^thFebruary 2019 for excess of power. The hearing will take place at 9:30 am on April 3^rd2019 at the administrative court of Rouen.

Muriel Arnal, president and founder of One Voice, says:

«Foxes suffer from a bad reputation built up by hunters. How do they try to place the blame? Trying to exist? To try to survive in their natural environment, the few remaining natural areas that exist? They have their place in Nature that is not a playground for a handful gun- toting fans !»

False pretexts for the development of a bloody past time

To be justified, these derogations must be exceptional and punctual. In addition, the Prefect must prove that damage done is attributable only to foxes. But in this eleven-month decree (so not punctual) that allows to shoot foxes to kill them at night, there is not even a limit to the number of individuals killed (therefore not exceptional) ! Moreover, the fallacious arguments of the Prefecture are once again being augmented by the associations of hunters who do everything to develop their leisure time. Yet, no proven agricultural damage, no evidence of fox involvement.

One Voice will defend the red foxes again and again. The association regrets that once again the services of the State are instrumental in this destruction. Under the pretext of « regulation », where here only private interests are protected.

Foxes help us

In truth, the existence of red foxes on the land is a great asset for farmers and for the entire population, because their diet allows both
to avoid the spread of pesticides in the fields and to limit the progression of Lyme disease (for more details, refer to the 2017 report).

But hunters can already hunt them throughout the year. Is there really a need to add more? There are more than half a million of them being slaughtered each year. They are nevertheless an asset to the biodiversity and have their place in the ecosystems. Mankind cannot permanently consider all those who live in the same territory as us as pests to simply just annihilate them !

One Voice and the defence of red foxes

In recent months, the association One Voice has had the Prefectural decrees of Meurthe-et-Moselle and Moselle annulled, allowing to save hundreds of foxes. A first. In previous cases though, the orders were cancelled only once the foxes had been already dead.

One Voice calls for foxes to be removed from the list of species likely to cause damage (e.g., “harmful”). Concerning the suspension and annulment of the l’Eure decree, the hearing is scheduled at the administrative court of Rouen on 3^rdApril at 9.30 am. The One Voice lawyer will be representing the three associations against the Prefecture.

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Join the Arches network of Nature!

Join the Arches network of Nature!
28.03.2019
France
Join the Arches network of Nature !
Wildlife

In order to fight against the disappearance of animals, One Voice organizes the creation of a vast network of sanctuary gardens, the « Arches of Nature », which will allow the reconquest of our environment by a rich and varied biodiversity.

The catastrophic disappearance of insects, our biodiversity in danger

This is no longer a warning shot: insects could well disappear within a century! Already 80% of them have succumbed, immediately causing the rarefaction of birds (-30%!) And in the short term the trivialization of our flora.

It would then be more than an immense catastrophe: it would be a cataclysm that would call into question all-natural balances. A major ecological crisis.

In recent years, there is no need to be scientist or naturalist to realize that bees or fireflies are becoming increasingly rare. That we can now in summer travel hundreds of kilometres by car without having to wash our windshield. The catastrophe announced by Rachel Carson in her book Silent Spring (1962) has unfortunately arrived. Never have we seen or heard as few birds as during the spring and summer. And for good reason: how warblers, robins or flycatchers can survive without the presence of insects?

Let’s all become actors in the protection of animals and nature

We cannot just alert and ask the public authorities for action: we know only too well what it is all about. The recent retreat of Emmanuel Macron on the subject of glyphosates is here to remind us. Also, the recurrent positions of the Minister of Agriculture (pro-GMO,
pro-glyphosate, pro-FNSEA …). We must act! You can act!

Bees die disoriented after being poisoned by pesticides, there are no longer enough earthworms underground, slugs are poisoned in the vegetable gardens along with caterpillars, so no butterflies. Birds have no place to land, they are hungry, trapped, hunted. Frogs disappear from wetlands, there are fewer and fewer fish … All animals are affected. Looking at the root of the problem, protect natural habitats for animals! It starts with us.

For this, we decided to create a network of harbours for nature and animals that will start with this link, oh so essential to the animal and plant kingdoms and that of insects. Their presence is a necessity in itself, for themselves, and also for their essential role in the ecosystem. Pollinators are at once essential for the reproduction of most flowering plants but also for the food of birds and bats. These nurseries of nature must also be protected from hunting and fishing.

The « Arches of Nature », sanctuaries for nature, for all animals, in our homes

Do you have a garden, meadow with animals, crops, woods, moors or marshes? Integrate them with our network of « Arches of Nature »! We will regularly send you information so that your parcels of land, which perhaps measure only a few tens of square meters or are several vast hectares, become even more of a haven of peace, enriched with essential biodiversity.

Download and sign the « Arches of Nature » charter, then send it by post (One Voice, 7 place de la République, CS 20263, 56007 Vannes Cedex) or by e-mail toinfo@one-voice.fr

Together, square metre by square metre, we will protect territories, to give them back to the animals, to nature and to the humans who love them !

At last! The hunting season that never seems to end is over

At last! The hunting season that never seems to end is over
26.03.2019
At last! The hunting season that never seems to end is over
Wildlife

The hunt that is carried out for 6 and a half months finally ends. 18,000 hunts are organized to kill individuals of 6 species: deer, roe deer, wild boar, foxes, hares and rabbits. One Voice has long been calling for the ban on this cruel hunt, as do more than 8 out of 10 French people.

Like it happens every year, it was not until March 31 that the endless hunting season finally came to an end. For 6 and a half months, no less than 10 000 hunters with dogs, horses and hunting horns have upset the tranquillity of the woods and the countryside. And as if that were not enough, nearly 100,000 followers, such as serfs of the Ancient Regime, attended the sinister spectacle of an animal pursued by a pack of dogs and riders. Cars, mountain bikes roam the forest roads in the hope of seeing a frightened deer or venison.

The entire forest lives in terror

Nearly 900 deer die every year after a long hunt. But also 1200 roe deer and 600 wild boars. It is not only these large animals that excite the cruelty of the huntsmen: more than 200 hunt teams, out of 387 registered, are specialized in hunting foxes (which are tracked all year round, day and night, on land or in their burrows), hares and rabbits!

The hunting society estimates some 18,000 hunts a year. Of course, in many cases the hunted animal manages to escape the pack and its procession of hunters and followers, but many die of stress within hours of stalking.

In addition to the animals killed, this hunt is particularly disturbing for all wild animals. And especially in winter when they need to save their energy reserves, and in the spring when many of them are in the breeding season.

Our leaders are completely offset from public opinion

More than 80% of French people are hostile to this mode of hunting. Yet, despite the many blunders that it generates, hunting is protected by the government and our rulers. France is part of the very closed circle of the 7 countries where it is still authorized. This year, the Ministry of Ecological and Joint Transition even pushed the irony to issue a decree simply preventing the huntsmen from approaching homes, and limiting the packs to 60 dogs … A cosmetic measure, when we call for its abolition pure and simple.

Sign One Voice’s and its partner’ petition to reform the hunt in depth, and prohibit hunting with hounds !

An ecological disaster concerning the liberation of the minks of Montarlot

An ecological disaster concerning the liberation of the minks of Montarlot
25.03.2019
Montarlot
An ecological disaster concerning the liberation of the minks of Montarlot
Fashion

On the night of March 21^stto 22^nd2019, the mink farm located in Montarlot-lès-Rioz was the scene of a disaster for French biodiversity and for these animals themselves. The opening of the cages was in fact orhcristrated by people who had not taken into account the wrong they were doing. These cruel and polluting farms must closed indefinitely, it is also the biodiversity that is at stake here.

Muriel Arnal, president and founder of One Voice says:

«For our ecosystems, the arrival of animals from a species called « invasive » (that is to say, those who will take the place of those who live there), such as mink, it is the signature of a death sentence for European mink already in great danger of extinction. It is absolutely catastrophic for the animals, particularly in the wetlands who are at risk here… and for the American mink that will be hunted without mercy.»

Double punishment for « released » mink

Mink that had been « released », those unable to move, were quickly recovered by the breeder. Dozens are still in the nature, in the surrounding areas. Many may starve in the next few days, or be trapped.
This persecution that they will be subjected to is a double punishment for them.

Lastly, the most resistant will settle in the surroundings. The American mink, larger than the European mink, will nibble away at their territory little by little, as is already the case in France. Throughout our continent, European mink are disappearing, their population is constantly decreasing, precisely because of America mink who have escaped from the farms and who have colonized the habitat around the rivers. We have filmed some, proof that the presence of these farms is a danger to nature.

One Voice against the breeding of mink in Montarlot, a long story

One Voice is familiar with the breeding of American mink in Montarlot. And for good reason, the association has campaigned against its opening in 2012 and has repeatedly brought the owner of this business to court. At the end of 2017, One Voice opposed to their expansion.

In One voice’s survey of six French farms, including this one – and in the corresponding report – they thus denounced the living conditions of these mink, who are subjected to permanent stress, crammed into cages, without water for swimming, and killed by gassing (which is far from being painless), but also the pollution that emanates from it. Indeed, the excrement of the mink is very harmful for the environment, which poses serious problems for streams, the ground and the water tables around these farms.

One Voice calls for the closure of all fur farms in France

French representatives of the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition against fur, One Voice has been calling for the closure of these farms for captive animals, wild animals and wildlife for 20 years. In France, the Ministry of Ecological Transition affirms its commitment to the biodiversity, but refuses to close these farms, unlike Japan and Spain who have decided to close them precisely because of the dangers they pose to the biodiversity.

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Breeding dogs for animal experiments: an appalling decision from the Court of Appeal

Breeding dogs for animal experiments: an appalling decision from the Court of Appeal
21.03.2019
Mézilles
Breeding dogs for animal experiments: an appalling decision from the Court of Appeal
Animal testing

March 21st 2019, the Paris Court of Appeal condemns One Voice to pay damages and interest in favour of a breeder and also to pay his legal fees. The court forbids us to use the information collected by the bailiff, proving the suffering of these dogs.

The Paris Court of Appeal has just delivered its verdict, and it’s incomprehensible. It forbids us to use the report of the bailiff, yet obtained on request from the judge of Auxerre who knows the case. All the evidence of mistreatment of the dogs in the breeding farm, the size of the crates, the absence of carers at night to assist the bitches giving birth, all of this information to be shelved! We will not be able to talk about it anymore, nor to bring it to justice. In addition, One Voice is forced to pay 1000 € in respect of the provisional damages to be paid to the Centre du Domaine des Souches and 4000 € of their legal fees.

An aberrant decision, because even if the court seeks to give reason to the breeding, this verdict does not correspond to anything: it is the judge of Auxerre which should – in all logic – be held responsible for the authorization granted to mandate a bailiff to visit the breeder. A justice system that is completely upside down.

What could have led to this unfair decision?

Would it be an attachment to procedures, namely the driver behind their « motivation » (in other words the justification) from the judge of Auxerre who had given his authorization to mandate a bailiff, or would it be in support of the companies who perform animal experimentation…?

In any case, the judges knew that our procedure had brought to light, thanks to this report from the bailiff, numerous elements proving that the breeding – beyond the sufferings inflicted on the dogs because of its activity – was in fact an offense.

The prefecture of the Yonne on regularizing the expansion outside the framework of the regulations, that is to say outlaw our case, this is
the other scandal.

Who thinks of these beagles and golden retrievers, who are raised to be treated as experimental material, then killed, apart from us, the animal defenders? Who considers them, each as an individual in its own right? Who is moved by the fate of puppies who die unaccounted for?

The Court of Appeal of Paris, instead of judging on the legitimacy of both our request and that for the authorization to undertake as an observer, grants itself the right to judge this case on the merits, which is not within its jurisdiction! Where are we living? One Voice is determined not to let a court of law take sides on a subject that does not concern it. We will do what is necessary to go to trial to have this judgment annulled, inoperative, ill-timed, and which does not even correspond to what the opposing party demanded!

We are outraged by this justice that calls into question the impartiality of the judge who knows best the elements of the file. What should be done here, even if the laws in place are flouted and that the representatives of the state are on the side of the oppressors?

We have already other complaints against this form of breeding and we will gather together before the Prefecture of Auxerre on May 18^th.

Please continue signing and sharing the petition ! Rest assured we will never give up on these beagles and golden retrievers, to leave them to this sad fate that is reserved for them !

After attempts to seize the hippopotamus Jumbo, One Voice does not give up

After attempts to seize the hippopotamus Jumbo, One Voice does not give up
19.03.2019
After attempts to seize the hippopotamus Jumbo, One Voice does not give up

One Voice calls on the greatest number of people to mobilize together in support of Jumbo at the Place Igor Stravinsky, near the centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, on Saturday March 23 at 11:30am. On February 25 and 26, the association had planned its seizure of the circus who are exploiting the hippo Jumbo, in collaboration with the State. But this time it had to be cancelled. One Voice remains determined and relies on the justice system to reprogram the seizure of jumbo.

Muriel Arnal, Founding President of One Voice had this to say:

«Jumbo needs to spend his days in the water with his own kind. He has been suffering for more than thirty years in a circus, locked in the darkness of a truck. We will not stop until he has finally found his ancestral lands.»

Two attempted seizures of Jumbo made impossible by violent and offensive circus people

On Monday February 25th and on again Tuesday February 26th, two attempts were made to try to seize the Hippopotamus, which had been made possible by the association: investigations, close relations with the courts in the context of the two ongoing complaints, a temporary place in a partner association’s park for this operation, rental of trucks to tow the trailer, sanctuary … everything was ready.

After the decision of finding the circus responsible of certain offences on Monday morning, the go ahead for the seizure was confirmed but could not take place. Jumbo is found outside of his trailer and, being worried, charges one of the agents.

The seizure of Jumbo is reprogrammed for the next day. At 7:30 am, the agents stand around the trailer. Again, it is made impossible: the Muller family screams, hits, threatens, one of the men who tries to open the trailer to get Jumbo out, the same behaviour as the day before; another comes running a pitchfork in his hand; a third takes the wheel of a truck and drives dangerously at high speed to block access to the trailer.

To avoid injuries or worse on both sides, the authorities cancel the seizure.

The actions of One Voice

One Voice is shocked by the circus’s behaviour. While waiting for the programming of a new seizure of Jumbo, One Voice organizes a rally in Paris at the Place Igor Stravinski, near the Centre of Georges Pompidou, on Saturday March 23 at 11:30am.

One Voice’s fight for Jumbo

One Voice discovered Jumbo more than fifteen years ago. Since 2016, the association follows him with great attention, having repeatedly denounced the lack of free access to water and the fact that it is kept in the circus menagerie while it does not participate in show – in violation of the regulations.

One Voice launched had launched exceptional procedures, and then a judicial standoff against the circus in the summer of 2017. Two procedures are still underway for Jumbo. One against the circus, another in the administrative court.

Previous news articles and press releases

March
2019: (with video) Jumbo: a bailout rescue

February
2019: Jumbo needs us !

September
2018: (Video on our Facebook page) Our team attacked this morning

July
2017: (with video) Jumbo, a hippopotamus at the bottom of the abyss

May
2017: Unpublished procedures

Petition
(February 2019): Save Jumbo !

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