News Archive - Page 116 of 147

Young mother in mourning, orca J35 Tahlequah had been carrying her baby for more than a week

Young mother in mourning, orca J35 Tahlequah had been carrying her baby for more than a week.
31.07.2018
Canada
Young mother in mourning, orca J35 Tahlequah had been carrying her baby for more than a week.
Wildlife

The orca J-35, named Tahlequah, lost her baby on July 24th, born for only half an hour, and now cannot bring herself to let her go. She has been swimming, gently pushing the body for more than seven days, swallowed up in her grief. This drama brings to light the unwavering love that binds orca mothers to their calves and their degree of evolution. This indirectly brings us to a double realisation: humans are entirely responsible for their disappearance, and are quite able to remedy to this. Let’s rally together and fight!

Edit:It’s only 17 days after the calf’s death,
than Tahlequah and her pod have eventually been seen without the little body.
A mourning so long had never been observed before.

The breeze is blowing gently, cool, the young bald eagles learn to fly clumsily, they have not yet mastered their large wings. The feathers on their heads are brown, they will soon turn white. Their father, perched on high, screeches out as he defends the nest, and watches his surroundings. Some young harbour seals born this year are warming themselves on the rock at the edge of the water with their parents. Above them, cormorants and guillemots rest between dives. The sun rises gently on San Juan Island, the western border between the United States and Canada. All is calm, there are no waves, boats have not yet begun their daily commute. Kelp sways along in the water, like indolent hair. A sea lion passes in front of the seals, lifts his head out of the water, and goes off again, where he crosses a Minke whale.

In this area of the Pacific, the orca whales of Pod J, are preparing to celebrate a happy event. Tahlequah is 20 years old, and will give birth to her second baby, the labour has begun. The orcas of her family group (pod), are ready to become the godmothers of this eagerly-awaited little one. With the two neighbouring pods, K and L, also managed by the matriarchs, their super pod has only 75 individuals left¹, sharing the same dialect and the same territory. 50 years ago, humans attacked their grandparents and aunts, ripping apart families, capturing 45 calves, and brutally killing 13 other orcas in the process, taking them away from the Pacific and their native waters to find themselves in the tiny pools of the dolphinariums. Part of the Endangered Species listed since 2001 in Canada and 2005 in the United States, each birth is a renewal of optimism amonst them (and amongst their supporters)!

Despite this protection, Tahlequah and her family are constantly hungry. Chinook salmon, which they eat almost exclusively, is increasingly difficult to find, disappearing also because of human activities. The body of these large magnificent cetaceans has lately been transformed, feeling the effects of this famine.

For twenty years, only one pregnancy in four proves viable in the Salish Sea … Worse, Scarlet, the last born is already three years old! No birth has yet resulted in a baby surviving. These seventeen months of pregnancy had raised all hopes. It’s the baby of the future, the one that will allow this resident group to perpetuate here. Dreams can come true, she will love this little one, like her mother, Princess Angeline J-17, whom she is so close to, and the same as she loves Notch, J-47, her eight-year-old son.

This black and white baby is so beautiful when she comes to the world! Tahlequah’s heart fills with love, she feels infinite joy. She then becomes this little being totally dependent on her, breathing the air she breathes, swimming at her own pace, looking at what she sees, and rediscovering the world through her eyes, fully maternal. Yet now the unthinkable happens. The little female dies before her eyes, barely half an hour after being born. Tahlequah’s heart breaks … The six females look at the future of the pod, lying in front of them, inanimate. How can one accept that such a drama is possible? Once again…

Then Tahlequah, gently, as in a death march, supports her baby’s head, and pushes it in front of her, delicately so as not to leave marks on her little body. The other orcas surround her. For seven days she has been unable to let her go. Day and night, constantly, this young mother carries the body of her baby, orphan of her. Her family shared a fish, only one, but has she even fed yet?

The impossible mourning of Tahlequah puts us in front of our responsibilities. Amazed but worried about their future, we had met Tahlequah and her pod just two days before the tragedy.

We are determined to take action!

In San Juan Island, we met Ken Balcomb, who has dedicated 43 years of his life to defend these resident orcas. And we also met Lodie Budwill, who together with Ken run the Centre for Whale Research, of which One Voice is a member. They explained to us the drama occurring in this community of cetaceans, the extreme cause being the absence of Chinook salmon – also disappearing – because of dams positioned upstream of the Canadian and American rivers, which prevent the salmon from reproducing by blocking access to their birthplace, the only possible place of spawning for these oh so special fish.

We need you to request the reopening of the dams, including Snake River. Talk to politicians via social media by attaching #FreeTheSnake to your message!

On Twitter: @GovInslee @SenatorCantwell @PattyMurray

On Facebook: @WaStateGov @senatorcantwell @pattymurray
Or write directly to them: Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Maria Cantwell and Senator Patty Murray

¹Estimate from the Center for Whale Research on 1st July 2018

Picture by Michael Weiss, Center for Whale Research

Wallonia, in the leading pack of animal welfare

Wallonia, in the leading pack of animal welfare
26.07.2018
Wallonie
Wallonia, in the leading pack of animal welfare
Other campaign or multi-campaigns of One Voice

In 12 chapters and 109 articles, the animal welfare code adopted in Wallonia on Thursday 17th July is the most complete and progressive in Europe. All subjects are discussed, the advances are effective in all areas and for all animals … First, it states that any animal is « a being endowed with sensations, emotions and a certain level of consciousness « .

While in 2015, during the revision of the Civil Code, the French legislation stated that animals were sentient beings, in fact, absolutely nothing has changed in France: animals remain property. Wallonia sees them differently.

This global text – supported by the Regional Minister for Wallonia, Carlo Di Antonio – lays down in law new regulatory bases on welfare and respect for animals. Therein it has talked about their detention, their trade and transportation, their death, the experiments they are subjected to, and so on.

Animals are no longer things

The pony rides are one of the pernicious activities of human entertainment, where, as at the circus or the dolphinarium, our young children are conditioned to look upon living ponies like wooden horses, in other words not to distinguish between an object and a being endowed with sensitivity. It will not be the case with our neighbours to the North.

Delphinariums and circuses with forbidden animals

Major advances include the total ban on circuses and dolphinariums holding and exploiting wild animals for human entertainment in French-speaking Belgium.

In France, on the other hand, the so-called « dolphinariums » decree issued in 2017 by the Ministry of Ecology, was cancelled for a technical detail by the State Council, and the current ministry has sided with the captivity industry.

We are very worried that the next decree will be made of « trivial measures » that block progress for the next 30 years, for dolphins and orcas. The decree initially prohibited the reproduction and exchange of cetaceans between water parks. It did not go to an immediate closure, as is now the case in Wallonia.

Circuses with wild animals are banned from the Walloon country. In August 2017, on the other side of the border, just named, Nicolas Hulot had taken a clear stand against the captivity of wild animals, whose place is not in circuses. Since, nothing has happened! It’s like frozen.

Worse, in March 2018 we attacked the decree of 2011 called « circuses » before the State Council but the ministry replied in writing taking the side of circuses with animals! It is a shock to see a minister of Ecology, who is a former activist, behaving in that manner.

Towards the end of animal experiments

When we are fighting right now, in the spirit of European regulations, to close the biggest Beagle and Golden Retriever dog breeding farm in France, which is destined for animal experimentation and wants to double its capacity, Wallonia greatly restricts the cases where it is allowed, including in research! By 2020, no more dogs, cats or primates will suffer on laboratory benches, and in 2025, the ban will affect all animals in education. It is an immense progress!

Measures on animal experimentation:

authorization only if there is no alternative,
with the authorization of a local ethics commission,
and only for basic research, protection of the natural environment, human or animal health or welfare, research for the conservation of species, higher education or training.

Strays and cruelty on pets

While we fight alongside our associative partners, against stray pets, and our Cell Zoe organizes rescues and takes legal action to combat cruelty, it is the Belgian political world itself that takes its responsibilities on the other side of the border.

The article on animal rights « to move freely » will have immediate consequences for the life of the poor dogs, which are kept alive for the rest of their lives, at the end of a two-meter-long chain, in a makeshift shelter. It is inhuman but still quite legal in France.

Measures of animal welfare code on strays and cruelty:

introduction of a pet license issued at the age of 18, which can be withdrawn from anyone who is known to be involved in animal abuse.
registration of this person in a database in case of proven abuse.
abandonment, neglect and abuse of an animal will have far greater legal consequences than before (fines up to EUR 100,000 and increased prison sentences, up to 15 years).
management of sales and exchanges against impulse acquisitions,
obligation to identify and sterilize dogs and cats

Other concrete measures will be real progress, such as:

the drastic control of animal trafficking (through the control of the introduction or transit through the territory of certain species)
improved and better supervised transportation conditions
the end of battery farming for laying hens
the obligation to perform anaesthesia or stunning before any animal killing, and only by an accredited person
the obligation of video surveillance in all slaughterhouses (a promise from Emmanuel Macron’s unfulfilled campaign, if we still remember it?)
banning animal and animal fighting (strong signal sent to bullfighting aficionados)
the restriction of the cases of authorizations of shooting at animals (hunting)

This is a strong signal for all European neighbours. So … what are we waiting for?

Scandal around the death of the dolphin Aïcko!

Scandal around the death of the dolphin Aïcko!
24.07.2018
Port Saint Père
Scandal around the death of the dolphin Aïcko!
Exploitation for shows

We now know more about the death of Aïcko. The poor little dolphin was drowned, asphyxiated, his larynx dislocated. The mental images of this abominable agony are with us. They inspire us to shed more light onto this drama that we will not accept as just a consequence of an unfortunate accident…

On November 6^th2016, we learned of the death of a young dolphin Aïcko, which occurred while we had filed a complaint for him and his brother Galéo. Since then, we have continued with our efforts. So, we had an expert evaluation done, at our expense. Because what had happened to him had to be known! It will have taken a year… If the suffering of Aïcko remains incontestable, some conclusions from the expert leave us completely perplexed.

The terrible death of Aïcko

We cannot put into words on how to describe the suffering of Aïcko in his last minutes of life.

He had just been force-fed, with whole fish, when he should, as he was weak, been fed from a tube with minced food. He was vomiting through the blowhole when he was put back in the water – against all logic! – and began to drown, then he threw himself against a wall.

The autopsy showed that his larynx was dislocated … An obvious consequence of forced feeding, according to Dr Peter Gallego, cetacean veterinarian and consultant for One Voice. Not for the expert though! who agrees with both theories, that the asphyxiation can be linked to swallowing the wrong way but also suggests that the dislocation of the larynx could have occurred after the death! One certainty remains, Aïcko drowned and the autopsy report has many imperfections, on this, everyone agrees. But difficult to do otherwise, after the opinion given at our request by two specialists in this field of work! It should be noted, however, that performing an imperfect autopsy is to avoid conclusions that could confirm errors in the management of Aïcko’s illness…

Preceded by months of suffering

Not only did Aïcko lose weight, but he had to deal with multiple aggression from other dolphins. The expert noted about once a week! But we had already recorded this. Dr Naomi Rose, a famous marine mammal specialist, whom we had brought to seeAïckojust before his death, testified to multiple characteristic wounds, in the form of « raking »… According to Dr Gallego, this weakened him to the point of becoming ill. And nothing to do with what happens in nature, as the expert would have liked to believe: Aïcko had no other choice, he was locked up with his attackers and could not dodge them or flee from them! The ultimate irony, the expert even considers that captivity helps to avoid the stresses of foraging for food in the wild! Which is a very personal concept of their well-being.

A very rough follow-up

Aïcko’s medical follow-up, whilst wasting away, is shocking. Since his arrival at the dolphinarium, his blood tests indicated that he was dehydrated, anaemic, and was suffering from an inflammation, but nothing concrete had been done to remedy it! This is what Dr Gallego points out, recent references in support, when the expert denies it based on obsolete data… Even when he began to lose weight, nobody cared. It took five months, one could have taken care of him and he lost 25% of his initial weight, when he should have been putting on weight and growing up, less than a month or so before his death…

One Voice is angry

We are deeply shocked by the confusing conclusions from the evaluation that was conducted. For One Voice, which works with internationally renowned cetaceans specialists, a second opinion is needed.

We are challenging this report and we will go to the judge again. In memory of Aïcko, and for all the victims of the dolphinariums, we will win the case. Support our campaign and sign and share our petition for the closure of dolphinariums.

Freedom for dolphins and orcas!

Revelations about the death of Aïcko, the dolphin of Planète Sauvage – One Voice calls into question the official version and the neutrality of the experts report.

Revelations about the death of Aïcko, the dolphin of Planète Sauvage – One Voice calls into question the official version and the neutrality of the experts report.
24.07.2018
Port Saint Père
Revelations about the death of Aïcko, the dolphin of Planète Sauvage – One Voice calls into question the official version and the neutrality of the experts report.
Exploitation for shows

Aïcko died on November 6th 2016 in Planète Sauvage, before reaching the age of seven and just when One Voice was alerting the public of his alarming state of health. According to the dolphinarium, the young dolphin was suffering from an unidentified illness and would have flung himself against a wall. The » impartial » expert’s report ordered by the summary judge at the request of One Voice and at its expense is strangely lenient towards the park. One Voice contests the dolphinarium’s version and the experts report and will challenge the judges again.

One Voice had requested the services of Dr. Pierre Gallego, a specialist in cetaceans. He analysed the park’s veterinary documents and Aïcko’s autopsy report. His report is damning of the dolphinarium. Comparisons:

Months of poor veterinary care:

Although incomplete and deficient, the veterinary documents still make it possible to trace the state of health and the causes of the death of Aïcko, the young dolphin of Planète Sauvage. The medical follow-up and Aïcko’s autopsy report revealed a loss of weight of the young dolphin for many weeks, which obviously did not alert anyone, even though Aïcko should have been in full growth because of his age. May 4^th2016, Aïcko weighed 179kg, October 31th 2016 it had dropped to 105kg, it would represent a loss of 30kg for a human adolescent of 75kg, in a little less than 6 months! For Dr. Gallego:

«This initial weight loss had not caused any concern to the veterinary team, whereas it is one of the first signs of cetacean disease.»

The blood tests prove that he was dehydrated, chronically anaemic, and weakened by many otherdiseases. The expert judged the analyses to be consistent, referring to a 30-year-old bibliography…

Dangerous living conditions in captivity:

The daily reports from the park show that Aïcko suffered daily aggression from the older dolphins, without obviously being able to escape from them, since they all lived in the same pool, the other two pools being at the time assigned for maternity purposes. Aïcko became their whipping boy, captivity leads to this kind of behaviour. Four days before he died, in solitary confinement, he suffered and called out for help by tapping the water with his tail, between pain and despair. But stress causes a collapse in the immune system in dolphins, which makes them vulnerable to infection.

The expert, however, only admits to « discomfort » in Aïcko, but refuses to admit that he was sufficiently stressed to fall ill, which is contrary to our specialist:

«Aïcko was viciously and frequently assaulted by the other dolphins, which has probably caused a lot of chronic stress, which can reduce the immune system and render the animal more susceptible to possible infectious diseases.
»
Dr. Gallego The supreme irony, the expert considers that dolphins in captivity avoid the stresses of foraging! It is true that the life of a prisoner, when one is locked up with his aggressor, far from the protection of his parents cannot be a source of joy and fulfilment…

Revelations about the death of Aïcko, a blunder bordering on amateurism:

For Planète Sauvage, Aïcko would have deliberately thrown himself against a wall of the pool following his illness, on the odd occasion « forced-feeding » was applied but this has no link to this…

Reading the autopsy report reveals that Aïcko had his jaw broken and his larynx was dislocated, other documents show that he was forcibly fed. Whole fish were pushed into the back of the throat (instead of administering ground fish by gastric tube), he was then returned to the water as he regurgitated through his air hole! One thing is certain his airways were blocked, and he drowned.

Our veterinary surgeon adds:

«The fact that Aïcko had his larynx dislodged during a capture and that he vomited through his air vent, and was then returned to the water without remedial action is a serious professional misconduct […]. That was the cause of Aïcko’s death.»
Dr. Gallego

For the expert, the disruption of the larynx could have occurred post mortem, but he does not exclude asphyxia due to swallowing the wrong way…

Differing conclusions from our veterinarian specialist and the forensic expert:

Dr. Gallego is unequivocal:

«In summary, the medical management of the dolphin Aïcko’s is very questionable because despite clear signs of pathological processes in progress, nothing has been implemented until October 2016. There is in addition, a flagrant medical error with Aïcko being returned to the water with a serious respiratory problem, Aïcko died as a result of his handling during his last capture, and not because of any illness. Moreover, nothing was done to solve the problem of the attacks to which Aïcko was constantly exposed.»

For his part,the expert noted shortcomings in the realization of the autopsy. But did he have a choice? We had already produced the opinions of two luminaries in the middle of all this, Doctors Mazzariol and Cassart who concluded in this direction! Let us note, all the same, vis-à-vis the dolphinarium that performed an imperfect autopsy is to preserve findings that could confirm errors in the treatment of Aïcko disease…

This expert report with its confusing conclusions, has not yet been able to deny the evidence: the aggressions, the stress, the sloppy autopsy … The one who conducted this report is visibly attached to captivity and with his own conception of animal wellbeing. Preferring obsolete decrees, he did not worry about judging Aïcko’s living conditions using the most recent methods of analysis or the applicable regulations as requested by the President of the Tribunal!

One Voice will not stop there, we will continue to collect the opinions of recognized experts until a counter expert report is carried out!

Annexes

To go further:

At the time of the facts

We had visited Aïcko a few days before his death, accompanied by veterinary Doctor Naomi Rose, and filmed him. His condition shocked us. His wounded skin showed how he was the whipping boy of adult dolphins, with no chance of escaping, as he could have done. We also noticed his thinness. We then launched a petition to stop dolphinariums and then started legal proceedings against it.

Legal aspects surrounding Aïcko

We already had a complaint of abuse against Planète Sauvage (June 7th 2016). Following this visit, we filed an additional complaint for Aïcko. On his death, we launched a referral for an expert review on the conditions of this demise, which allowed us to obtain a copy of the medical records on the follow-up of Aïcko, and his autopsy report, which we were then able to have appraised.

One Voice finally obtained an injunction order ordering the expert report on January 26th 2017. The judge reiterated one of the arguments put forward by the association, in particular that it reserved the right to continue the proceedings before the courts for violation of human rights and the dignity of animals.

What was the expert’s mission?

Go to the dolphinarium,
Visit them in the presence of all interested parties and gather their claims;
Determine the cause of death of the dolphin Aïcko;
Give an opinion on the conditions of the rearing of Aïcko the dolphin in the dolphinarium facilities, in particular with regard to the applicable regulations;
Proceed to the hearing with all available knowledge;
Examine all the documents that the parties thought they should communicate to them and have them issue any documents they considered useful for the performance of their duties

This expert evaluation step was extended at the request of the expert twice with two requests for additional information from the expert. He reported on May 18th 2018.

Other cetaceans defended by One Voice

Femke the dolphin kept in Parc Asterix, which has been dying since her son Ekinox was torn away from her in July 2016, Galeo …
Inouk, one of the five French captive orcas whose flipper was torn at the beginning of the summer, but also Wikie, Moana, Keijo and Shouka.

An appointment at the Ministry for a new decree

An appointment at the Ministry of Nicolas Hulot is set for July 26th 2018 to discuss the rewriting of the decree taken by Ségolène Royal, and cancelled in 2017 for a technical detail by the State Council.

Share on

One Voice at the heart of Superpod 6

One Voice at the heart of Superpod 6
21.07.2018
San Juan Island
One Voice at the heart of Superpod 6
Natural habitat

One Voice was at the global meeting of cetacean specialists, Superpod, in San Juan Island on the peaceful border between the United States and Canada.

One Voice was at the global meeting of cetacean specialists, Superpod, in San Juan Island, on the peaceful border between the United States and Canada. Muriel Arnal presented our fight for orcas and captive dolphins in France.

Superpod

In 2011, a small group of enthusiasts and cetacean experts came together to reflect and coordinate their actions for the defence of marine mammals. Superpod (the name given to the meeting of several pods of cetaceans) is the cradle of the Blackfish effect. This is where the idea of the documentary film came from, released in 2013, retracing tragically the birth and life of the famous orca Tilikum. This is where this big movement started that finally changed things, at the origins of the abandonment of the Seaworld breeding program of orcas. Since then, the event has brought together scientists, experts, former trainers, journalists and NGO leaders from around the world, working towards an end to the exploitation and hunting of cetaceans.

One Voice at Superpod 6

Thursday July 19^thMuriel Arnal made a presentation during the 6^thedition of Superpod, the fight of One Voice for dolphins and captive orcas in France: Femke, the broken hearted mother of dolphins that we filmed just floating motionless in her pool last May. But also, the orcas Wikie, Inouk, Keijo and Shouka that we still follow closely. With great emotion, Muriel recounted the tragic fate of Orca Valentin at Marineland and that of the little dolphin Aïcko to an audience of internationally renowned experts, such as: Naomi Rose, Ingrid Visser, Lori Marino, Ken Balcomb. All were touched by the story of these broken lives, which motivates our fight for a new dolphinarium decree to be passed and finally these captive cetaceans can be released.

Together for cetaceans

Other speakers spoke of the fate of Keiko, Morgan and Lolita; one of the goals of Superpod 6 is to share information and to work together. The dramatic situation of the local resident orcas, Lolita’s family, was also at the heart of the debates. Their population has been decimated by their hunting to supply the dolphinariums in America and Europe, and today they are dying from hunger because of human activities. The only population of orcas to die in the world, a sanctuary that would feed them is now reflecting. Another big problem is dozens of dolphinariums under construction in Russia and China. How many dolphins, belugas, sea lions and other marine mammals are going to be torn from their families or perish because of these hunts needed to fill these newly built pools? More than ever, we must stand together to face this industry, wherever it develops. Together we are stronger.

In France, One Voice continues its fight for the closure of dolphinariums and the placement of captive cetaceans into marine sanctuaries. On July 26^th, we will be meeting at the Ministry of Ecology, as French representatives of the Dolphinarium Free Europe coalition, alongside our partners Sea Shepherd of France, and Cetacean Networks. Please sign and share the petition for the adoption of a new decree and the closing of dolphinariums!

We owe Lechmee a well-deserved respite!

We owe Lechmee a well-deserved respite!
19.07.2018
France
We owe Lechmee a well-deserved respite!
Exploitation for shows

We are determined to liberate Lechmee from her chains. Enough is enough! She should be retired given her condition, but on the pretext that she needs to live with Mina and Kamala, the circus does not release her. It would be a noble act to leave her … No … to let the three of them finally live other experiences than the ankus, the truck, the noisy parades and the circus ring.

According to what is written in the « circus » decree of 18^thMarch 2011, Lechmee should have been for a long time now staying in a permanent place, with her companions, with access to quality care, and a relaxing daily life! Nothing has been done for her other that the life imposed by the circus. The incessant journeys, the noise, belts from the ankus, the chains…

Yet she is still on the road, despite her advanced age, her disabled leg and blindness. It’s a scandal, nothing has been done to give her a respite! The circus shows no sign of clemency, as for the ministry and the authorities, they seem deaf to her obvious suffering.

After the death of Diana on the roads of Spain in early April 2018, we wrote to the Minister of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition, when we discovered that the three old elephants were forced to parade in the streets, and therefore still on tour. No response from him since then.

On the justice side, our complaint of ill-treatment was filed several months ago, and we are expanding our case by launching an expert summary procedure before the judicial court, directed against the circus. Previously, we had launched unpublished procedures, which had been rejected.

In May, two videos shocked us. Mina was hit in the face by one of her keepers, and Kamala received an electric shock from another keeper. We immediately alerted the public and launched a specific petition for them.

At the beginning of June, we saw Lechmee in a tiny enclosure, barely 20 m² in a quaint city square. We alerted the mayor of the city, and the newspapers were able to denounce with us the cynicism of the circus. The latter made « looking into » the next day by a bailiff, the size of the enclosure after having moved the barriers, to justify suitably the minimum regulatory surface, with a pen of 380 square meters. But their ploy fooled no one! MP Loïc Dombreval was moved by this scandalous manipulation, and made contact with Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, to reinforce our request to refuse henceforth the circuses with animals in his community.

While waiting for our complaint to be investigated and for the new appeals that we are currently preparing, please continue to sign and share our petition along with the story of Lechmee. The mobilization of all is vital for this old lady elephant and her friends, also martyrs of this industry.

Shouka, the forgotten one

Shouka, the forgotten one
12.07.2018
Antibes
Shouka, the forgotten one
Exploitation for shows

Shouka is the first orca to be born captive and to have survived in France. She was a friend and a big loving sister. Then, at the end of many trips to dolphinariums around the world and missed reunions with a male with whom she could have had children, she then suffered 10 years of isolation without other cetaceans of her kind! While waiting to finish her days without even having founded her own clan, she now socialises with the oldest of captive orcas.

Shouka is a 24-year-old female orca. She was the first orca to be born and to remain alive in France. Her mother was Sharkane and her father Kim 2.

She is forgotten to often, but she is one of five French captive orcas.

At the time of innocence, Shouka was raised by Sharkane who was still very much friends with Freya. When she was three years old, Freya gave birth to Valentin and the two children became extremely close by playing together. Her own mother gave her two more playmates, Inouk in 1999 and Wikie in 2001, whom she cared for lovingly as a big sister of orcas do.

With all the knowledge acquired from two females born at sea, Shouka would probably have made an excellent mother. Marineland’s plans for her were different.

In 2002, after an endless flight, Shouka was first taken to Six Flags in Ohio, USA. She had to meet a « fiancé » named Kshamenk captured in Argentina, but he never arrived. In 2004, she was moved to California’s Six Flags, where she had to stay alone for ten long years.

Ten years of isolation! Even American law forbids leaving a cetacean alone without someone of its own kind. Shouka received companion dolphins and had no more contact than with them and the trainers until the end of 2011. After the first attack, she was separated from the dolphin Merlin, then it was Cupid, another great dolphin assigned to keep her company which then also had to be removed from the pool following the rage of this poor orca. After a brief failed attempt to send her to Marineland Canada, it was decided that she would end her days at SeaWorld in California. She arrived there on August 20^th2012 almost in emergency: solitude had made her violent and turned her insane to the point of attacking her trainer several times.

In spite of all her hardships, Shouka gradually managed to socialise again, thanks to the loving help of the oldest captive orcas in the world, Corky who is 50 years old.

On the other hand, the one who should have had two or three children at sea will remain alone forever. This is what parks call « conservation of an endangered species ». Reproduction is now banned at SeaWorld, and that’s good. Orcas should live free, in groups they have chosen!

Photo JerryFrausto – CC BY 2.0 – The photo has been modified to fit the format of the site.

Maya finally released after a tireless fight!

Maya finally released after a tireless fight!
06.07.2018
Italy
Maya finally released after a tireless fight!
Exploitation for shows

Maya will now live in a park in Italy, far from the spikes of the ankuses and the dark interior of the transportation trucks. Now, back to how we fought for her.

What a magnificent victory! Thank you! Maya has just been released from the circus that ran its business from city to city for more than 40 years! This victory and this great relief for the elephant, were obtained thanks to all of you who believed in us! After a long campaign, enriched by a long-term investigation, expert evaluations, and several lawsuits for her, Maya will now live in a park in Italy, far from the spikes of the ankuses and the dark interior of the transportation trucks. Now, back to how we fought for her.

First milestones: investigation and judicial proceedings

As of September 2016, we are setting up an investigation on elephants held in circuses. Very quickly, the case of Maya, an elephant of 49 years, captured as an infant in Asia, challenges us. The evidence gathered during this investigation, available in our July 2017 report, leads to the conclusion that the decree regulating circuses had not been respected. The conditions of the detention of Maya do not meet the basic needs of her species. No security is put in place during the shows for the public and for her. Despite her advanced age, Maya must comply with the trainer’s orders by adopting painful postures which are far from natural for her.

In the spring of 2017, Maya’s state of health is worrying: we ask to have access to the reports from the veterinary inspectors who were mandated by the Prefect. We put in place extraordinary procedures that we were unfortunately denied. And in May, Maya is nowhere to be found! Our investigators then return to the field and actively search for her.

An expert evaluation that hits the mark and a reserved place in a sanctuary

In September 2017, our investigators find Maya and follow the circus that exploits her. Film footage that was gathered confirms that she is in great distress: John Knight, veterinarian and international wildlife specialist, consultant for One Voice, says her physical condition is so appalling that he raises the issue of euthanasia. Dr. Joyce Poole, Co-Director of « ElephantVoices » and Lucy Anne Bates, Ethologist at the University of Sussex, related to the « Non-Human Rights Project » are unanimous on herdeteriorating state of health.

We then register a complaint with the prosecutor of Agen for « acts of cruelty » to an animal held in captivity and ask the court in Bordeaux that the Prefect of Lot-et-Garonne removes Maya from the circus. A press conference is organized at the « Elephant Haven » sanctuary which is under construction, to which One Voice donated € 50,000 in 2016: we are preparing Maya’s highly anticipated release from the circus, reserving her place so that she can finally take a well-deserved retirement.

Institutions are committed, the first gatherings and a popular movement

The announcement is historic! We receive letters from two institutions of reference for veterinarians in France, the National Veterinary Order and the Federation of French Veterinary Trade Unions (FSVF), both of which condemn wild animal shows in itinerant circuses and thus legitimize our fight for the liberation of Maya. Our hopes increase as the trial approaches!

October 17th, we are in Bordeaux: the objective is to convince the judge to lean on the Prefect, guarantor of the protection of animals, on our behalf! The decision fails: the judge believes that Maya is fine … He relied on the reports produced by the opposing party.

We immediately launch a petition with the #JusticePourMaya, signed by famous personalities such as Corine Pelluchon, Jacques-Antoine Granjon, Christine Bravo or Laurence Parisot and supported by other associations. In just a few hours, several tens of thousands of signatures are registered, claiming along with us the release of Maya!

We meet in Paris on October 28th at a silent gathering in Place du Québec, near the Ministry of Ecology to make heard the plight of Maya. There are more than 200 of you who joined us, with the support of associations like Vegan Impact and the CCE²A. We continue the fight for her, by setting up other gatherings (in Cannes on November 4th in front of the circus, and on November 16th in front of the Lot-et-Garonne Prefecture in Agen).

The Prefecture sensitive to the expert reports, and to the weight of support

True moment of emotion: November 24th, the image of Maya appears on the facade of the building of Jacques-Antoine Granjon, founder and CEO of the group vente-privee. During 48 hours, no less than 350,000 motorists see Maya, accompanied by #JusticePourMaya. « For my part, I support all the fighting of One Voice, and especially that for circuses without animals, » says the entrepreneur. He then co-signs with the association a letter addressed to Nicolas Hulot, the Minister of Ecology, to put an end to the ordeal of these animals.

At the beginning of December 2017, at the reading of our new health report compiling the expert evaluations from six internationally recognized specialists, the Prefect of Lot-et-Garonne finally made the decision for an independent inspection. As far as the support of activists and supporters is concerned, it does not weaken, 100,000 signatures on the petition has been reached!

Time seems to stretch, the results of the actions undertaken are delayed. In desperation, we propose to the circus to buy Maya, because a sponsor is ready to help us. We contact the circus directly and our lawyer contacts theirs. No answer…

A vain attempt from the circus to censor us

The circus then attacks us in the court of Strasbourg. These include the withdrawal of the petition, all articles about the elephant, tweets and Facebook publications. After casting a rumour that Maya was dead, yet hiding her and leaving our anxious correspondence unanswered, the circus confirms during the hearing that she is alive. His lawyer adds that she had an abscess treated, and that the veterinary inspection requested by the Prefect had taken place the day before …

On February 22nd, our freedom of expression is maintained, as it should, and we continue the fight! It is then necessary to find Maya, the circus does everything to hide her. We find her in Alès, locked in her trailer while the lawyer of the circus owner had said during the hearing that she was retired in the Lot-et-Garonne. We urgently write to the DDPP (Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations)!

We win the case, but nothing is certain yet

In March,the veterinarian reports on Maya’s state of health are mandated. He reaches the same conclusions as our specialists: her diet is not adapted to her needs, she suffers a lot from her feet and always has an untreated abscess. His record is clear: « Maya requires stable breeding conditions with longer and longer breaks between shorter trips. » The director of the DDPP added that circus activity is incompatible with Maya’s state of health. Direct consequence: The Prefect then asks the circus to communicate within a period of fifteen days, in which fixed place he now intends to allow Maya to live, where she will be placed on June 30th at the latest.

In April, we learn that Maya would go to Italy, to a wildlife park. We would have preferred a sanctuary, of course, but in this park, she will be free from her truck and travelling, and she will be able to get the care she so badly needs.

The delay of fifteen days is reached and from the side of the Prefecture, it is radio silence! In Bordeaux, the administrative court, which we summon again, considers that the Prefecture has not remained inactive, and that the state of Maya has not worsened since the first appeal in October. We denounce the immobility of the administrative court and the silence of the Prefect.

It is with great difficulty that we released at the end of April images of Maya, locked up in her trailer. Her stereotypical behaviour is strong. A courier leaves the same day to request an appointment with the Agen prosecutor as well as news of our complaint for « acts of cruelty ». A letter is also sent to the Prefect of Lot-et-Garonne, this time to ask her to transfer Maya to a sanctuary under our responsibility or it forces the circus to leave her at her winter quarters.

At the beginning of May, the philosopher Corine Pelluchon writes a tribune in the press, co-signed by leading figures in the defence of animals, such as Laurent Baheux, Thierry Bedossa, Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, Sophie Dol, Loïc Dombreval, Pascal Durand , Yolaine de La Bigne, Frédéric Lenoir, Laurence Parisot, Jacques Perrin and Franck Sorbier. The petition at the end of May has 150,000 signatures!

After all the rumours, comes the real light at the end of the tunnel

At the end of May, without news from the authorities, we raise the alert by going in action in front of the circus, located in Montredon-des-Corbières near Narbonne. On site, we can only see Nelly and Brigit. Maya is left inside the tent.

In parallel, we learn from our British partner, the Born Free Foundation, that an old elephant coming from France would be expected in Great Britain. The place is unsuitable. We are writing to the Minister of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition to support our request for a shelter that truly meets the needs of Maya.

On June 12th, the prosecutor of Agen receives us concerning our complaint for « acts of cruelty » which is still being investigated. We now know that Maya’s release is very close. It remains now to confirm the place of retirement. But even once Maya is liberated, there can be no allowance for impunity, we will make sure of this.

July 5th, 2018: Maya is finally out of the circus!

For Maya, the life of roaming around in a truck or living in car parks, is finished! She is now in Italy, in Milan, in a park where she enjoys space, a pool, and care. We went there to learn more about her living conditions. How happy she looks on this photograph taken in the moments following her arrival!

We are authorising our Italian partner association, LAV, so that they can regularly ensure the well-being of Maya.

The scandal of Dépakine (Thalidomide): Animal experiments prove again to be dangerous

The scandal of Dépakine (Thalidomide): Animal experiments prove again to be dangerous
05.07.2018
Monde
The scandal of Dépakine (Thalidomide): Animal experiments prove again to be dangerous
Animal testing

Tens of thousands of children have been born with early neurodevelopmental disorders, victims of the effects of Depakine, taken by their mothers during pregnancy. Depakine, such as Thalidomide and Distilbene have however been tested on animals before they were placed on the market, as required by current regulations. How many human and nonhuman people will still have to be victims of the obsolete, cruel and dangerous procedures of animal testing?

Tens of thousands of victims, human and animal

How many thousands of animals have been sacrificed? How many mothers of monkeys, rats and rabbits who have been injected with teratogen products, that is to say likely to alter ineluctably the development in utero of their young? How many babies, who as soon as they were born or snatched from the womb, were euthanized and underwent autopsies?

No, it is not a blessing in disguise, it is a frightful evil for another evil, which is just as bad.

After Thalidomide and Distilbène, Dépakine is the new health related outrage. Indeed, these three drugs have been tested on animals, including during pregnancy. Animals have been killed so that these substances can be sold. But this could not prevent the disasters related to their use by pregnant women.

The biggest scandal was that of Thalidomide in the early 1960s: 10,000 births with very serious malformations (absence of limbs, damaged organs) which caused some babies’ death. In the case of Distilbene (whose harmful effects were discovered in the early 1970s), children and even grandchildren of mothers who took this drug, were born with reproductive system pathologies, including cervical cancer.

The toxic effects of depakine on the fetus

Depakine is an antiepileptic medicine marketed in France since 1967. It has been recognized as causing malformations and developmental delays in exposed children during pregnancy.

The first case of malformations suspected to have been caused by Depakine dates back to 1980. Yet it took twenty-six years for the Ministry of Health to advise against its use by pregnant women. By the end of 2017, the laboratory’s responsibility has been established. Last June, the number of children with neurological disorders (including autism and mental retardation), after being exposed to Depakine, was estimated between 16,600 and 30,400!

Animal experimentation is worse than unsuitable, it is dangerous!

According to our scientific team, animal testing does not make it possible to obtain the certainty of the safety of a drug, especially during pregnancy. Gestations between humans and animals are not comparable: the embryonic and foetal phases are organized differently over time. In the case of Depakine, the human embryo develops skeletal malformations at much lower doses than animals.

But if animal testing cannot confirm a safe dosage to avoid such obvious effects, how can one still believe that they can help identify more nuanced effects, such as autism and developmental delays?

Towards modern science

We are undoubtedly living in an age where scientific knowledge is the most advanced in the whole history of mankind. But paradoxically, we do not know how to apply them intelligently! How many health disasters must we endure to ensure that the reliability of animal testing is finally called into question? Persisting to resort in using species that are separate from us as a reference is a nonsense which must not be continued for both animals and for us.

The reoffending abusive breeder finally judged

The reoffending abusive breeder finally judged
03.07.2018
Bergerac
The reoffending abusive breeder finally judged
Domestic animals

Four years! It took four years of investigation to obtain a judgment of this abusive and repeat offender, who subjected along with an accomplice in her 60’s like her these poor and defenceless cats and dogs to the worst in the Dordogne. July 3rd will be the trial of Mrs. A. in the court of Bergerac.

Editorial:

At the end of the hearing on July 3^rd,the deliberation was fixed at August 21^st, 2018

Mrs. A was sentenced to a 1-year suspended sentence, 5-year ban from breeding and all animals confiscated and entrusted to One Voice. The veterinarian involved was sentenced to 2 months suspended sentence and a fine of 5000 euros.

We obviously maintain our surveillance in order to be able to intervene quickly in case of reoffending.

Between them, they had set up a smuggling ring of animals, medicines and microchips had been hidden, mistreated animals, in short, all done to circumvent the law and exploit these animal companions while making a profit out of their innocent lives, regardless of their well-being and health. Thanks to One Voice’s investigative work, the scale of their trafficking has been revealed, the animals have been saved, and these cold-hearted women are being sued.

While she was forbidden to raise animals, Mrs. A. continued her trade of living beings. While letting them perish in unhealthy conditions as their fate was only equal to her greed for the money that she could get out from them.

An historic rescue for the Zoe Cell

In 2014, our investigation and rescue centre thought to save twenty cats, it is an atrocious reality that eventually came out into the open: 181 animals were discovered, all in a deleterious state both mentally and physically.

More than 80 animals were found in June 2014, in an appalling stench. Puppies just a few days old, a kitten crawling in a litter on the ground looking for its mother, a cat in a rabbit cage… but that’s not counting the corpses of cats burnt in barrels. Air so bad it burns the lungs. Dozens of sick animals that had to be treated urgently!

Mrs A. was banned from raising animals for reasons of health and hygiene. In February 2015, the gendarmes discovered almost fifty dogs and cats that were hidden at her home and as many as this at the home of her accomplice. In addition to this, veterinary products obtained or given without authorization and without prescriptions. The traffic of electronic chips probably removed from dead cats, and re-implanted into other living cats…

Traumatized animals in need of love and their wounds dressing

At the time, the emerging Zoe Cell, with the help of our partner shelters, made sure to place all the animals with host families, which proved to be extremely loving and became real allies in the re-socialization of those sentient, gentle and intelligent beings so badly abused by these two shameless women.

Among them, Colombe a survivor of this breeding place from hell, was placed in foster care during the summer of 2015 pending the end of the investigation and the final verdict. Unfortunately, her elderly human companion has just died, and this little dog of 11 years had to change family.

In February this year, Colombe met Pascale, her new human companion and his own dog a Bichon Maltese. The agreement between the two white dogs is immediate, and Colombe then meets the whole family, and her new home, filled with the joy of life and animation. A home with several children and active adults. But she has lived many traumatic episodes, and remains fearful.

The contact with the Bichon who is almost the same age as she is a real facilitator. Cuddles, strolls, meals, everything is done in duo, him ahead, protective, her behind withdrawn. And the more she acclimatizes, the more she lowers her guard. Two months after arriving, she begins to wag her tail to express her joy at the time of going out, and to bark nicely at the return from work the father of family.

Pascale tells us: « We get to approach her more easily when our dog is sitting next to her and we caress her. At these moments, she accepts caresses, even on demand. She did not experience the affection of a family in her younger years, she was not used to being touched, caressed. »

Given her behavioural problems, to help Colombe, One Voice has taken on a session with Dr. Nathalie Simon, who will help her feel better again.

Long live Colombe, far from the trauma of her youth, and congratulations to those loving animals, human or not, who helped her and still help her to gain confidence in herself and others.

We will be at the hearing of the court of Bergerac July 3^rdto plead for an exemplary punishment for Mrs. A., having made life a nightmare for more than 180 sentient beings like Colombe and they are still struggling to recover today.