A circus elephant becomes a victim on Spanish roads

A circus elephant becomes a victim on Spanish roads
03.04.2018
Espagne
A circus elephant becomes a victim on Spanish roads
Exploitation for shows

They are the friends of Vicky, saved by One Voice in 2006. In a road accident in Spain, on Easter Monday, one of them lost her life. The place of an elephant is not in a truck! One Voice is angry and asks Nicolas Hulot to urgently ban their captivity in circuses!

We know these elephants. Since Vicky’s complicated rescue in 2006, we have continued to monitor them. They had gone to France, trapped inside trailers, for many miles. They were 5, now they are only 4. The car accident that cost the life of one of them yesterday on April the 2nd is another issue that raises the urgency for the ban on elephants in circuses. The current revision of the decree concerning the keeping of wild animals must take this into account!

In retrospect a scandal

In January 2005, a trainer is sentenced in Germany for acts of cruelty on his four elephants: Vicky, Diana, Pira and Belinda. The night before the seizure, and their placement in a sanctuary, they disappeared. Alerted by our German partners, we begin a long chase. It is in France where we will eventually find them several months later, with another trainer, Mr. G. This man already owns two elephants Indra and also Sabine, who caused the death of a man in Sweden. He does not hold CITES papers for these new elephants, which are essential for their custody. We immediately asked the Ministry of Ecology to intervene. In the meanwhile, Vicky disappears. The investigators of One Voice will eventually find her locked in a trailer … Her health situation is dramatic; her trunk is paralyzed because of the blows she has received from her trainer! We managed to save her and transfer her to a sanctuary (Vicky’s rescue in details and pictures). But for her three friends, including Diana her close friend, the Ministry decided against all odds to regularize the papers. It makes the choice to regularize an infringement supporting a protected species, violate the commitment of France and confirming the lack of importance that the State attaches to the objectives of protecting endangered animals and to the individuals themselves.

An ever-present situation

Mr. G. does not hesitate in filing a complaint against us, claiming 80000 euros in damages. He will not succeed, but now avoids performing in France. It must still pass through our country to arrive where legislation is (still) more lax, especially in North Africa… He separated Sabine, who again caused the death of a man in the South of France….the accident was ignored because the victim was a Circassian… Then in 2017, he temporarily exploited Sabbah, after the death of her companion, Delhi, at the circus Pinder. Last December, we asked the Marseille prefecture on which these two elephants depend, to give us the information about them. Without response, we then challenged the authorities.

Who is dead?

Who lost their life Monday in Spain? Diana? Pira? Belinda? One of the two newly arrived elephants? Which one is hurt? We do not know this as yet. What we are certain of, however, is that since 2006, Vicky has lived a sweet and happy life. Twelve years, during which time her friends should have also tasted a sweet and happy life. They too should have lived a life as an elephant, free from roads and trucks. The scandalous decision of the then Ministry allowed the trainer to continue exploiting these old elephants. The current revision of the Wildlife Detention Order must absolutely prevent this from happening again. It is necessary that Nicolas Hulot prohibits the use of elephants in circuses! Their place is not in trucks and on the roads.

We are angry and more determined than ever. Freedom and respect for elephants!

Picture : Vicky, Diana, Pira, Belinda, Sabine and Indra in 2006.

The cat as a watchdog for the human populations

The cat as a watchdog for the human populations
29.03.2018
France
The cat as a watchdog for the human populations
Animal testing

In order to anticipate the problems caused to humans by bisphenol A, which is an endocrine disruptor, a dozen cats had to suffer multiple intravenous injections in 2016, which can cause among other serious consequences, major pathologies of the thyroid.

Once again, the scientific protocol shows flaws, which are at the limit of scientific fraud, according to Dr. Ménache: cats do not have the same metabolism as humans, and yet this is what is put forward to justify their use as a point of comparison with humans. Another delusion, while humans are exposed to this endocrine disruptor in their environment and their food, scientists have injected bisphenol A intravenously into cats. They thereby have to endure numerous stressful injections and then repeated blood tests.

Nothing in these experiments mentions any consideration about the suffering of these cats, even their mode of accommodation was kept silent during the months of the tests. It’s a safe bet that nothing was done to help them; otherwise it would probably have been put forward.

The Ministry of Ecology authorizes “silencers” for the hunters, we attack him for abuse of power

The Ministry of Ecology authorizes « silencers” for the hunters, we attack him for abuse of power

The Ministry of Ecology authorizes “silencers” for the hunters, we attack him for abuse of power
27.03.2018
The Ministry of Ecology authorizes “silencers” for the hunters, we attack him for abuse of power
Wildlife

In early 2018, the Ministry of Ecological and Supportive Transition issued an order on various hunting procedures, without any mention of the ban on the use of silencers on rifles. As no public consultation has been made, and without any apparent motive for this amendment of the original text, or impact study on the matter, we consider that this decree is illegal. We file an appeal to the Council of State for abuse of power.

The hunt kills wild animals. This human practice replaces natural predators: wolves, bears, foxes… that the human seeks out – or as of now has already succeeded – to cause their disappearance because they have competed against them in relation with the animals that they have raised for their flesh.

Hunting in France is not an activity necessary for the survival of the country’s population. The number of non-human animal victims is exorbitant, but human animals are not left out either. There are about 15 people killed and 200 wounded each year; the hunters themselves, the people in their families who sometimes accompany them, walkers, nature lovers, as well as the local residents, living simply on the edge of the forest. Residents regularly suffer stray bullets or errors of judgment on the part of these human predators dressed in their khaki outfits.

For several hundred years the sound of firing has not only given the animals a chance to flee the danger, but for hunting parties to move away from each other and to also alert the simple rural hikers of their presence and to move away from these shooting areas.

Inevitably and a little annoying the hunters became deaf over time from the firing. But for this, they recommended among themselves the wearing of helmets and individual hearing protectors deemed very effective by the hunters themselves.

They argue that the silencers don’t really suppress the sound on current rifles. But this decree would allow new weapons to appear in the hands of hunters. It also gives poachers more chance to act in the shadows, and in silence, at least more discreetly than before.

The problem is even wider: by improving hunting conditions, the ministry endorses and encourages this practice, which is detrimental to the balance of the environment and is contrary to sustainable development.

Biodiversity and nature are not based on or in balance with hunting. Humans must stop adopting a domineering attitude towards the ecosystems and the animal species that surround us. We are not the kings of the Earth; we must learn to leave a place for all sentient beings living in our territories, and to integrate ourselves into this balance without disfiguring it forever.

Without public consultation, and without valid justification, the ministry issued an order permitting the use of « sound suppressors » or « silencers » on hunters’ firearms. We therefore file an appeal for the abuse of power. We believe that the ministerial decree published on January 2nd 2018 does not meet any need. We go even further: for us it poses the very question of its legality; moreover, it jeopardizes the balance of the environment.

The example of Ajaccio and Bastia for circus animals

The example of Ajaccio and Bastia for circus animals
24.03.2018
Corse
The example of Ajaccio and Bastia for circus animals
Exploitation for shows

On March the 19th and the 20th, we were invited by the activists of « La Corse dit stop aux cirques avec animaux » (Corsicans say stop to circuses with animals), to meet with the town halls of Bastia and Ajaccio, to discuss the most effective way of reinforcing these measures that they have put in place to prohibit the installation of circuses with animals on their territory.

Bastia was the first stop on our working trip to Corsica on Saint Joseph’s Day, one of the most important days for the city. The town hall was closed to honour the procession of the patron saint of Bastia, and Pierre Savelli, the mayor, still spared a moment to greet us. His chief of staff, Jean-Yves Bonifay, opened the town hall especially for our interview.

We were able to bring to him many elements of legal order, an expertise on the decree taken by the city in 2017. In fact, the family circus syndicate systematically assaulted the decisions of the town halls to ban circuses with animals, seeking to exploit any potential flaws. It must be said that to circulate these ideas on the internet, unfortunately for the town halls, are far from reliable.

And in any case, what we have learned is that in Corsica also, the Circus people do not hesitate to break the law by settling without authorization, even to threaten campaigners with handguns.

The last one to have obtained authorization to settle, has done on the express condition that none of the animals are on show, Mr Bonifay adds: « There will be birds and cats. Pets, we will be keeping an eye open”. Because the decree of the mayor of Bastia specifies that the ban is valid for wild animals but also domestic, and affects not only elephants and big cats but also llamas, dogs etc…

For the mayor of Bastia and his chief of staff, the debate is strong within society, and which requires a strong response from the representatives of the people.

The next day in Ajaccio, the same warm welcome from Laurent Marcangeli is reserved for us. The mayor of this imperial city receives us in his office, under a portrait of Josephine, the wife of Napoleon.

The decision – unanimously – from the Municipal Council, prohibiting circuses with animals to settle in the municipality is attacked by the Circus people, with the support of the Prefecture. Beyond all considerations essential for the well-being of the citizens of Ajaccio, such as the safety of the public during events, Laurent Marcangeli is extremely committed to supporting the animal cause, and listening to his citizens. « From the beginning of this matter, I am acting with conviction, I know that it is a strong, very strong and legitimate debate today, which agitates the public debate, and that many municipalities have the same position as me. »

« I do not want to deprive the children of Ajaccio of shows, but I do not want to take my children to see some of these shows, it’s not a natural environment, it does not educate the child the realities of these beings.”

This elected man has already many years of experiences behind him and multiplies projects in favour of animals. He has already opposed in his city the installation of a traveling aquarium, which contains a shark. He plans to set up a refuge for cats and to fight against strays in a sustainable way, and to support the local community networks in difficulties on combating this theme. He tackles issues related to urban lifestyles that encompass animals. During our exchange, no animal has been forgotten.

These two Corsican politicians are attached to the exceptional natural heritage of their island, and work – as pioneers- to put municipal actions in place in accordance with their convictions for the defence of animals, in the general interest, and the popular demand. For the Sate of France a lesson in democracy is to be learnt here.

Create obese dogs to help humans lose weight

Create obese dogs to help humans lose weight
23.03.2018
France
Create obese dogs to help humans lose weight
Animal testing

Obesity in humans is a major public health problem, largely caused by their lifestyle. But rather than rethinking our way of life, in 2016 researchers targeted the dog. For Dr. André Ménache, this method is absurd.

Science is supposed to vary only one element at a time to test a hypothesis … To test a medical method on the loss of human weight, the researchers have nevertheless considered that twenty dogs, carnivores, with a digestive system that is simpler and shorter than that of humans, and whose teeth do not allow for chewing, rather that of tearing the food, were comparable to humans omnivorous of 15 kg.

These dogs have had to bear the direct, often painful consequences of heavy weight gain on their digestive organs but also on the cardiovascular system and their joints, etc. then to be moved onto the operating table. There, the researchers make a deep incision into their abdomen to implant a medical device that could lead to serious complications! These include gastric perforation, liver or spleen wounds, which would lead to additional surgery or even death and in excruciating pain. Remember that basically these dogs are puppies in perfect health, and that there is no indication that the transfer of this information to humans works.

Four fallow deer spread panic in the Prefecture of Ardeche

Four fallow deer spread panic in the Prefecture of Ardeche
22.03.2018
Ardèche
Four fallow deer spread panic in the Prefecture of Ardeche
Wildlife

In Ardèche, four fallow deer came out of a private property in December 2017, and walked into an adjoining wood. The hunters wanted to kill them, but without permission, impossible. Never mind, they made the request to the Prefect, who granted their wish.

When questions arise regarding wild animals in our countryside, killing them is often the answer to which the authorities resort systematically. The federations of hunters, very small in the population, seem to have all the power, while it should be the opposite … Yet alternative solutions, expected by the population does exist, and there are many.

For the Prefecture of the Ardèche, the four fallow deer should not remain free in the wild as they would represent « a danger for the safety of everyone and to crops, by their movements and their need to feed ». The Prefect therefore ordered their slaughter by accredited specialist hunters, by issuing an order on February 27th 2018 to « destroy » them to avoid their « proliferation ».

But how do these four sentient beings cause problems? Are they dangerous? Sick? Did they attack anyone? No. Their existence itself would be a problem because they walk, eat and are free. That’s all.

However, these fallow deer are protected by their status as captive and tamed wild animals, and the Prefect must provide evidence of what he declares about the damage that fallow deer could cause.

Because in France, no legislation protects free wild animals that only aspire to live in peace with us. They can therefore be subject to « destruction » orders. But those kept captive and exploited by and for humans are entitled to a semblance of protection, and this was the case for these fallow deer.

We had filed an appeal to suspend urgently and cancel this order. The hearing took place on March 16th; the judge decided to maintain this order.

At the same time, we wrote to the Prefect proposing to take charge of the transfer of these animals to the Association for the Protection of Wildlife (APFS) in Sedan, a sanctuary partner who agreed to receive them permanently in his 14 hectare park.

Our era saw the sixth mass extinction of animals on the planet, our country is urbanizing more and more, and some animals that are still wild living in our territories are becoming increasingly threatened. That’s enough! Solutions other than the annihilation of all animals must be able to be heard and implemented.

« Lessons are taught in faraway countries on how to protect their elephants, and we are not able to protect our own fallow deer in our own country. »
– Muriel Arnal

We make an appeal; we will do everything so that these four fallow deer can live!

Timothy, the little monkey traveller

Timothy, the little monkey traveller
19.03.2018
Timothy, the little monkey traveller
Domestic animals

Timothy, a vervet monkey discovered in the island of Reunion was rescued at the end of 2016. The monkey arrived on the island in unknown circumstances, the little African primate was in danger in this new environment. Alerted to his case, the One Voice association mobilized to find him a satisfactory home and repatriated him to the Metropolis where he is now safe.

I’m fine! After long months of traveling, wandering and uncertainty, Timothy, a small vervet monkey discovered in the island of Reunion at the end of 2016, is now running about happily in the Zoological Park of Saint-Martin-La-Plaine (42), one of the only zoos in France hosting animals in distress.

A true saga for a little monkey

By what mystery did this African primate end up on the island of Reunion? Did he travel by himself on board a merchant ship? Was he captured in his home country by boatmen or merchants, then abandoned while growing up as he became too cumbersome? He alone knows this. The only certainty: it is in November 2016 that this young adult male, a priori aged 2 to 4 years, is seen for the first time in the maritime city of the Port. A little later, a farmer observes it again on the sector of Saint-Paul, then manages to capture the small vervet monkey in March 2017. Unfortunately, the man is not able to keep Timothy in good conditions. Alerted by the situation, One Voice’s Cell Zoé informed the local Veterinary Services Department to place the animal in a suitable reception area. The authorities then transferred him to Croc Parc, giving time to find a final solution.

Find a suitable home

On the Island of the Reunion, it proved difficult to identify a structure that could meet Timothy’s needs under satisfactory conditions. One Voice had set out to find a place to stay in France, with the necessary authorizations. The Zoological Park of San Marino-La-Plaine offered an excellent perspective, especially since this included a small female, a vervet as well, languishing alone. Suffice to say that Timothy was waiting with open arms!

From then on, One Voice took care of the transfer of Timothy into better conditions. Our association has carried out the necessary and obligatory analyses to check his state of health. One Voice also started manufacturing the transport crate and organized the flight.

On the way to the metropolis

On June 27^th, the small vervet monkey was able to take off from the island of the Reunion at 22:30 local time and to land safely at Orly, the next day late in the morning. A specialized carrier then ensured his transfer by road to the Park.

Today, the monkey traveller is doing well. He has adapted perfectly to his new environment and seems to get along particularly well with his pretty lady … We wish them a good life together!

The heart-breaking agony of the lion Cecil

The heart-breaking agony of the lion Cecil
17.03.2018
The heart-breaking agony of the lion Cecil
Wildlife

The lion Cecil would have endured terrible suffering for at least ten hours before succumbing to an eventual death. This is revealed in a recent survey. The atrocious death of this great charismatic beast, cowardly assassinated by Walter Palmer in 2015, makes us take into account the horror and sadistic pleasure of trophy hunting. One Voice denounces the cruelty of this practice.

More is now known about the murder of Cecil by the dentist Walter Palmer. Andrew Loveridge, the zoologist who had been studying this lion with his black-mane for eight years, had conducted a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances of this tragedy in July 2015 in Zimbabwe. In his book Lion Hearted (Regan Arts, April 2018), which National Geographic has just published extracts, he reports on the established facts and testimonials that help unravel the truth from the false.

The truth about the events

At the time of the event, it had been reported in the media that Cecil had probably suffered for almost 40 hours. For Andrew Loveridge, this statement cannot be possible, because the thoracic injury caused by the first arrow was so severe that it would not have permitted this poor male lion to have survived for too long. In contrast, the specialist is conclusive: his friend this great wild beast had experienced a real ordeal, during that fateful night where a wealthy American took pleasure in massacring him.

An endless torture

The GPS data from Cecil’s collar, as well as the confession of Cornelius, one of the main protagonists in this tragedy, make it possible to assert that the animal suffered between ten and twelve hours after the firing of the initial arrow that evening. Failing to reach his vital organs, the tip of the arrow had mortally touched and disabled him. Unable to move more than 350 meters, the panting lion tried to fight against choking and struggled to breathe until morning. It was only at around 9 am that his assassins would have resolved to administer the coup de grace. Why did Palmer not finish it earlier? Obviously because this individual seems devoid of any sensitivity. And then, as among all trophy hunters, they like the corpses to be « clean ». The less arrows (or bullets) are fired the better, the less the skin is damaged … It has always been more chic when displayed in the living room and to boast of their « great achievement ».

Stop this relentlessness

And what an achievement! In the case of Cecil’s murder, it was proved that this handsome male lion, accustomed to humans, and therefore not shy, was deliberately lured by poachers out of the national park with an elephant carcass. To trap him in this way, by disregarding the regulations, and while he was feeding without suspicion, thus increasing their bravery …

They are unfortunately not the only ones to see such methods like this as the pinnacle of heroism. The « Walter Palmer’s » are widespread. As the emblem of Zimbabwe’s Hwange Park, Cecil was world famous. His death thus made headlines and would be denounced everywhere. But many of his fellow congeners, less famous, suffer the same fate each year and go out in silence. For a few bundles of dollars, wealthy lovers of blood and suffering arrange with quotas and laws to transform into morbid objects the last representatives of a declining people. Because yes, remember, now the fallen monarchs of the African savannah, the lions are on the verge of extinction. More than ever, One Voice is working with them. With us, say no to cruelty!

Caesarean sections and induced abortions to describe the pancreas of foetuses

Caesarean sections and induced abortions to describe the pancreas of foetuses
16.03.2018
France
Caesarean sections and induced abortions to describe the pancreas of foetuses
Animal testing

In an experiment during 2017 five pregnant female beagles had their young torn from their insides prematurely, to sacrifice the foetuses for the sole purpose of dissecting their pancreases and to observe their level of development in utero.

For Dr. André Ménache, these analyses could just as easily have been performed on foetuses born from spontaneous abortions. Instead, female beagles, so sensitive and soft by nature, but even more so given their condition, had theirs bellies cut open! Caesareans were given without any health reasons for them or their young. What’s more, any significant incision of the abdomen can lead to discomfort and pain, not to mention the possible depression following the removal of their foetuses! Their youngsters were killed when they could have become perfect companions in life, happy and loving, in good health.

The scientists for their part do not intend to stop there, considering that it would be necessary to determine when a pancreas begins to function in life…

Source: Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2017 Aug;300(8):1429-1438. doi: 10.1002/ar.23595. Epub 2017 Mar 27. Development of the Endocrine Pancreas in the Beagle Dog: From Fetal to Adult Life. Bricout-Neveu E, Pechberty S, Reynaud K, Maenhoudt C, José Lecomte M, Ravassard P, Czernichow P.

P’tit Père escaped a drowning attempt after being trapped!

P’tit Père escaped a drowning attempt after being trapped!
15.03.2018
Loire Atlantique
P’tit Père escaped a drowning attempt after being trapped!
Domestic animals

P’tit Père saw death in the face. A terrifying experience. His human could not even save him from this slow and painful death, which was premeditated, both are recovering from shock. We will represent them in court.

P’tit Père walked around careless and loved, in the garden of his family. He did not bother anyone.

But on March 12^th, he was lured into a cage-trap, containing food. The neighbour immersed the cage inside a rubbish bin filled with water, without any state of mind for the delicate feline who fought for his life. He closed the garbage bin with a clamp, and to make sure that Little Father did not survive and to hide his misdeed, he then weighed down the lid with that of a planter.

Then the poor cat therefore deploys all his ingenuity and vital force to get out of the trap, even to hurt himself deeply on both sides of the skull. He managed to get his head out of the cage completely under water, and floated in the darkness of the closed rubbish bin for a few minutes, which quickly turned into hours … It was a fight in anguish for hours and hours, not to fall back into the water, and not run out of oxygen, in the dark.

Monday, March 12^th, the human companion of P’tit Père comes back from work and calls him. Without a response from him, and no sign of life, at the end of the day, he starts to look for him around their home, and finally recognizes his meowing, but somewhat smothered, weak, in the nearby yard.

P’tit Père, traumatized, escaped as soon as his human rescued him, immediately tried to flee this place where he almost died, and without success, prostrated himself – soaked and apathetic – in a corner of the court. Being in shock it took several hours for his human companion to succeed in reassuring the cat and being able to comfort him, to give him some care and finally to make a complaint for him.

We complain in our name and that of the SPA 44, for all acts of cruelty suffered by P’tit Père. We will represent him and his family in the lawsuit against the neighbour.