Justice for Cersei

Justice for Cersei
04.11.2019
Bouches-du-Rhône Justice for Cersei
Wildlife

An animal obviously trafficked, Cersei was taken from her mother in her early weeks of life. This little lioness was found in great distress by customs officials, on the premises of a Marseille garage, a year ago. Taken care of quickly, she was able to be saved. How many wild beasts, often born in circuses, are still regularly victims of this trade? The culprits must be condemned! For Cersei, we will be present at the hearing November 4th.

Cersei was in a deplorable state when seized by the customs services in October 2018. Locked in the premises of a Marseille car garage, the little lioness – only a few weeks old and therefore not weaned – showed multiple signs of abuse. Her almost hairless body revealed scarlet skin, the result of acute inflammation. With a very swollen belly and eyes with corneal ulcers, this poor little girl was sweating in fear and pain. Thanks to the intervention of the authorities, she was first entrusted to the Marseille SPA, then transferred by the gendarmes to the Tonga Terre d’Accueil association, where it received care for a year. Recently, she was taken by plane that was organized by the Born Free Foundation to a sanctuary in South Africa. Cersei is now out of danger!

The tragic fate of lion cubs

This happy outcome should not obscure the tragedy of the case. What was Cersei doing in the hands of an individual? Torn from her mother, certainly the captive of a circus where births are not followed up by the authorities. We immediately lodged a complaint on her behalf in October 2018. Her jailer is a well-known individual with the police force and has a very rich record. He was notably condemned for acts of robbery with a weapon and the kidnapping of his own daughter, which earned him a stay in prison! And there is no lack of assurance here. During the hearings, the garage owner embarked on explanations that were full of words but vague, even going so far as to consider himself as the savior of Cersei!

Protect the big cats from traffic

We have brought a civil action against this man for the acts of detention of a protected species without authorization, as well as for the detention of specimens classified as wild species threatened with extinction. The hearing will take place this Monday, November 4^th 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Marseille. We hope that light will be shed on the origins of Cersei who is a sanctuary, unlike his mother…

Help for captive wildlife!

On October 8^th 2018, a new decree had officially attempted to specify the conditions for keeping non-domestic animals. But the rules were still far too vague! They did not close the door on the worst trafficking of all because they only supervised the detention of « adult » individuals.

Thus, young animals who have not yet reached reproductive age were not protected by the law and their « owners » could do things that were uncontrolled! Anyone wishing to acquire a baby elephant or furnish their living room with a baby hippopotamus did not need to burden themselves with prior authorization and a certificate of competence or even a simple declaration.

We therefore petitioned a civil action for excess of power against this order in December 2018, followed by an interim measure in suspension. The summary judge of the Council of the State heard us on January 23rd and it is a magnificent victory!

The last belugas in a whale prison

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.

Chatipi: One Voice’s program for homeless cats!

Because the suffering of homeless cats has no boundaries and because their numbers continue to grow One Voice created Chatipi. A simple, solid and effective response.

A court hearing against the Prefect of the Drôme to release Jumbo!

A court hearing against the Prefect of the Drôme to release Jumbo!
22.10.2019
Drôme
A court hearing against the Prefect of the Drôme to release Jumbo!
Exploitation for shows

A new hearing at the Administrative Court of Grenoble for Jumbo. It will be held on October 29th as part of our appeal against the Prefecture of Drôme. Rather than facing up to the reality of a hippopotamus being mistreated the Prefecture prefers to hide his face.

It is with the upmost patience that we continue our fight for Jumbo. On October 29^th, we will be at the Administrative Court of Grenoble to denounce once again the living conditions of this hippopotamus, sequestered by the Muller circus and the unacceptable sit back and do-nothing attitude of the administrative authorities vis-à-vis its torturers.

A new appeal against the prefecture of Drôme

Already two years have passed while we have waited for this hearing… they now intervene following our appeal, going back to 2017, an affair which has opposed us from the beginning, the Prefecture of the Drôme being the biggest hindrance. For the record, we filed a law suit against this institution for « excess of authority » after it refused to place Jumbo into a sanctuary, despite flagrant evidence of abuse that we have presented. Our proof is damning… It shows that the most basic needs of this hippopotamus, sequestered for 30 years now, are not respected and that his life, one that is deprived of water, is a living hell.

Inspections and illusions

But the Prefecture has preferred to hide behind inspection reports not mentioning any particular problems. It must be said that the visits by veterinarians are usually announced or even made at the request of the circus when it suits them! An inspector told Le Point magazine in 2017 that she had not performed a clinical examination of Jumbo, that she had not carried out a clinical examination of Jumbo, that she had not even touched him at the time when the hippos « owners » had urged her to establish a health status of the animal! She also acknowledged that she could not know if the “conditions were satisfactory” she had observed where the circus had parked up in the cities where the touring show was performing… We suspect that in honouring the planned visits of the veterinarian, the Muller circus had for once observed decorum and deployed all its resources to persuade the outcome of the inspection…

On the side of reality

On our side, we followed Jumbo tracing every movement of the circus. And we know the realities of his ordeal. Our investigations, the reports from our experts, attest to his immense distress. As for his torturers, we have had many opportunities to have witnessed first-hand their violence, both verbal and physical, from those who do not think as us: our teams have largely paid the price. Witness the screenshots on their Facebook page, included in the article of the newspaper Le Point, where we see their high degree of reflection and argumentation… It is of upmost urgency that Jumbo be removed from their clutches; his survival is at stake. In the wake of our appeal against the Prefecture of October 29^th to the administrative court of Grenoble, the lawsuit we filed against the circus Muller for ill-treatment – the first of its kind in France – will be held a month later in Valencia.

Please continue to support our action for Jumbo by signing our petition !

Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT): Hell exists

Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT): Hell exists
15.10.2019
European Union
Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT): Hell exists
Animal testing

The German NGO Soko Tierschutz lifts the veil behind the scenes at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT). An appalling return to an investigation into animal experiments which are performed out of sight, in defiance of the law and of all humanity. With Cruelty Free International, we call for the closure of this establishment and the abolition of cruel, unnecessary and outdated tests!

Image: SOKO Tierschutz/Cruelty Free International

Translucent pipettes, white coats, bluish protective masks, examination gloves and matching turquoise eyes… The internet showcase of the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) in Germany, shines with cleanliness and for good reason. This organization, which claims excellence in the field of toxicological research, works for pharmaceutical, industrial and agrochemical companies around the world in order to meet the requirements of governments and regulatory authorities. So, it is better not to have dirty hands.

Please note, the images are particularly shocking.

The lab of horrors

But this sanitized atmosphere actually turns out to be a smoke screen. Which camouflages abominable atrocities. The NGO Soko Tierschutz and our partner Cruelty Free International managed to infiltrate the laboratory. The images they bring back are unbearable. Goodbye immaculate walls and mattresses, here blood is spurting from all sides. That of the monkeys, cats, dogs and rabbits who are massacred with the soul aim to provide statistics to the researchers. Toxicity tests involve poisoning animals, this is how scientists hope to determine how much a chemical or drug can cause serious harm, and what the « safe » dosage for humans would be. Subject to injections, forced to eat or inhale increasing amounts of harmful substances, guinea pigs are victims of vomiting, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, fever, weight loss, lethargy, skin problems or organic insufficiency before dying. No aesthetic, no pain relief is provided. It is in terror, the screams and appalling suffering that they agonize and/or die, alone, deep in their dungeons.

Tormented for nothing

As in December 2014, we are relaying this survey from our partners, in order to once again denounce what is happening in the laboratories in this country, in violation of European and German laws. We also issue an emergency appeal to the international community to end animal testing, as vile as it is useless. These tests are unreliable predictors for humans, as each species often reacts differently to the same substance. They therefore do not guarantee safe and effective drugs. On the other hand, they demonstrate to what extent the border between « good » and « evil » has very vague outlines in the minds of some… For us, it is clear: barbarism has no place in a society that claims to be civilized.

Mina and Kamala, still struggling within the circus

Mina and Kamala, still struggling within the circus
10.10.2019
Mina and Kamala, still struggling within the circus

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.

Criticized for its actions with wildlife, the Medrano circus has released their big game this summer. With a great deal of communication, he opened the doors of his business to the public to prove how happy « his » animals were. Many visitors were seduced by his polished speech. And the austere place of detention of the elephants Mina and Kamala has emerged as an idyllic vacation spot for some.

Some clarification required here.

It
is well known: « The bigger it is, the more it makes ».
Propagandists of all kinds have understood this for a long time.
Circassians exploiting wild animals in the worst conditions are no
exception to the rule. Some do not hesitate to proclaim their love
for their four-legged « teammates », their will to act for
the protection of species and respect for other living beings! …
Cirque Medrano is one of them. Behind this false façade are the
charming smiles and beautiful speeches, he prides himself on being
very caring for his « residents » and contributing to a
better world.

In the paradise of the Camargue « jungle »

Thus,
last summer, during its traditional annual break, the troop decided
to open the doors of its business – located in Aimargues (30) – to
the public and the media. « We had the idea of organizing
some guided tours so that people would enjoy approaching the animals,
but also that they would find that they were healthy and happy, »
said the director of the establishment at one of the visits. And hey,
it works! From May to September, young and old were able to access
this « Jungle Park » and its « Ark » to admire
llamas, dromedaries, yaks, cows or ponies « in near freedom »
according to the referent of the site, quoted by Midi Libre. For an
hour this was skilfully orchestrated, tourists also had the
opportunity to be moved by the hugs of a tamer towards her “big
babies” the tigers and to attend one of the “five daily showers”
of elephants Mina and Kamala, the former co-detainees of
Lechmee… The latter, also captured as a child within her free
family in Asia, is finally retired after 40 years of slavery, thanks to the pressure that we exerted on this circus. But the establishment
affirms today, without blushing, to have decided by itself to give
respite to the old lady … Because at Medrano, « we love
animals! »

Mina and Kamala are in danger

Unfortunately,
Mina and Kamala are still subjected to forced labour and ridiculous
acrobatics obtained by the use of pikes. Both in their 50s, they have
sacrificed their lives enough to the whims of their captors. When
will they taste a life of peace and tranquillity? For the moment, it
is enough to observe them, to measure their immense distress. When
they are at rest, not summoned to parade through the streets or hoist
their bruised bodies upon stools, they sink into lethargy. Their
muddy baths only show a slight change to an uninformed public. Their
daily reality is quite different. In a paddock devoid of enrichment,
without the slightest place to take refuge and privacy, watered with
a garden hose that they suck like a rescue straw, they are exposed to
the eyes, their own eyes empty of hope. Like metronomes they swing
their trunks backwards and forwards to every second, they have
nothing to do but follow the tempo of their continual boredom.

Outlaw Circus

By
opening its menagerie to onlookers, the Medrano circus says it wants
to be transparent, but in fact only sprinkles glitter on its
business. Worse, it acts illegally and puts both humans and animals
in danger. As we immediately informed the Prefecture of Gard, the
operator has neither the necessary authorization nor the criteria
required to meet the regulatory obligations of the facilities of
zoological establishments presenting wild individuals to the public.
Regarding Mina and Kamala, they are kept away from children by a
simple low intensity electrical tape! What will happen if one or the
other decides to escape one day?

Following
our alerts, the Prefecture of Gard ended up revoking its circus
permit to open before the start of the summer season. Alas, at the
start of this fall, the itinerant spectacle resumed the road towards
Brittany with, this time, the approval of the Prefect of the
Côtes-d’Armor. We have just ordered him to report the operator’s
offenses again. Will our call be followed up by an answer? If not, we
will take them to court! Whatever happens, we will continue to fight
so that Mina and Kamala get out of this hell hole as quickly as
possible!

Lorez oi zeio rez r ze r oize rioze oir zioer oie rio zeior ioze rioze roi zeoir ioze ro zeior oiez roiz eior oize roi zeoir ioze rioz eir ie rieireiirii

In battle for Boulie, the “circus” hippopotamus

In battle for Boulie, the « circus » hippopotamus

In battle for Boulie, the “circus” hippopotamus
08.10.2019
France
In battle for Boulie, the “circus” hippopotamus
Exploitation for shows

Boulie is along with Jumbo the other hippo who is currently being used by a French circus. If it benefits from a more sophisticated communication than that of the Muller circus, its existence is of course of the same order: solitary slavery. We file a complaint for Boulie.

We can’t deny that: William Kerwich, director of the Royal Kerwich circus, the general delegate of the Circus Collective, has understood how much our fight has been for the liberation of Jumbo, held by the Muller circus. More over for circuses in general to be without animals. So, he deploys “communication” as a smoke-screen around “his” hippo Boulie…

« What happiness! »

The images posted on his circus Facebook page should not be misleading: Boulie is shown there in a temperary pool and also in a muddy water hole at the edge of the field which must be her winter quarters. In fact, many Internet users congratulate the circus on the good care given to animals, one even going so far as to conclude: « Adorable! Animals love to play and show off! Reality! What happiness. » Objective achieved, finally with those who believe in it, and who want to believe in it at all costs.

Because the place of a hippopotamus will and must never be in the cages of an itinerant circus or under the crushing sun of the Côte d’Azur and where none of them should exist. Even when out of water and if watered from time to time, this fundamentally gregarious animal is found here, in the presence that is Boulie, the only representative of its species. Alone and kept captive in an environment that has nothing to do with her essential needs: swimming freely, which relieves her joints, free fodder, the calm of the nights in the thickets bordering the river, and a permanent communication, in and out of the water, with its congeners…

Abusive messages

So do not confuse good « communication » with reality, because between the two the gap is large. Boulie is thus present on certain recent posters of a circus with a totally misleading dialogue. One of them entitled: « Closer to the animals », and even boasts an intuitive educational and cultural show: « with animals from a breeding and preservation program for species monitored by state veterinarians », a program we would love to know all about! It sounds like social work, a humanitarian action, when it comes to a wild species which is over exhibited and lugged around from pillar to post. A true work of wildlife conservation, without a doubt! It goes without saying that the circus obviously does not have a permit to be a zoological park, any more than for it to be a « day care centre« . Furthermore, the newly opened winter quarters which are open to the public do not comply with the regulations of a zoological park.

In an article about this “really” Royal circus, we see a photo showing a trainer feeding Boulie and which is captioned: “Rodolphe Kerwich (eighth generation artist) and Boulie. They are both 21 years old and grew up together.” One would almost cry in front of so much love, but the first character here, the trainer, is free and the second, the hippo, is held and exhibited to the public, before and during a show, without any particular artistic interest what so ever (to climb upon a platform, oh such a beautiful affair!). The impact of such shows is totally counterproductive in terms of teaching, especially for children who should never be led to believe that an animal, wild by nature, can ever be happy in a circus.

A prisoner, that’s all she is, strolling along the roads then to be thrown into a pasture full of noisy and hilarious audiences, over and over again.

Boulie, Jumbo: the same fight

The fight for Jumbo will soon arrive on the judicial front: indeed, the trial for ill-treatment will finally take place. We are not fooled by the reality which is that of Boulie and we file a complaint for ill-treatment, ill-treatment committed by a professional. Placement or maintenance of a captive wild animal in a habitat, environment or installation that may be the cause of suffering and exploitation. Improper holding of non-domestic animals, violation of the conservation of non-domestic animal species… We hope that the judges will hear the argument that the life offered to such an animal, protected, can only be suffering , even in disguise… and of which we cannot laugh either, when Boulie escaped the circus in 2018 to go for a walk in the vegetable patch of a local person living near the marquees as in our video of this summer 2019. An unusual variety of facts revealing in fine detail all the lack of seriousness with which one considers the life of a living being and the way in which in reality only shows suffering and loneliness of this hippo.

Support the fight for Boulie by sending a message to the Prefect of Var:

via Twitter @ Prefet83

via the contact form on the Prefecture website

via postal mail, taking inspiration for example from the letter download it here, at: Préfecture du Var boulevard du 112ème Régiment d´Infanterie, 83070 Toulon, France

Please continue to sign and share our petition for #CirquesSansAnimaux.

From primary forests to the urban jungle: Manu clothing label

From primary forests to the urban jungle: Manu clothing label
07.10.2019
World
From primary forests to the urban jungle: Manu clothing label
Fashion

The last brand labelled FFR by One Voice from Lacoste does not get overlooked! On the contrary, it is adorned with its finest attire and parades on the podiums. Currently in a showroom, the Manu collection by Manu Ithier is the launching pad for this line of streetwear with Southern accents and feline eyes. Guaranteed fur-free sneakers and sweatshirts: the high-end of tomorrow’s urban fashion… sorry: today’s!

The young 32-year-old designer has just formalized the commitment of his brand, both contemporary and with ethnic accents, not to use fur at all, and to go even further in the years to come with the use of vegetable leather.

Double commitment for animals!

Our partnership allows part of the benefits of the fall-winter range of the « Manu » collection (on sale soon on his website), currently in a showroom at Milan Fashion Week, to go directly to animals and the wild universe which Manu Ithier was inspired for the next season. Because he wants to assert loudly his commitment to the planet and to animals. Foxes, minks, chinchillas … all these poor beings must stop being held in cages and then killed in excruciating pain for the vanity of the few.

Youth and know-how

To dress the feet and to clothe his contemporaries flows through the veins of Manu Ithier. Born into the world of fashion within a family that often travelled, he made this travels the foundation of his inspiration.

The modernity of its line seems to come out of the most modern Asian conceptions, this is no wonder for someone who visits Hong Kong on regular basis. His sneakers are high, designed as futuristic objects and of absolute comfort, as we imagine that can be lynx or puma pads. After growing up in France, Brazil and Spain, we also find Manu’s Latin origins in his name, as well as in his materials, many of which come from Italy (including know-how), where he currently stays for part of the year.

A partnership with One Voice, it’s obvious…

Manu Ithier is an urban designer, who incorporates leopard spots and cats’ eyes in his prints. All this could only be in accordance with the philosophy of One Voice, whose logo is a tiger and which is so open to the world!

What could be better to counterbalance the start of the school year, when the stores are going to fill up again with pieces tainted with cruelty, than labelling the Fur Free Retailer program with a young and urban collection like « Manu »? Quality streetwear, the « jungle » against the use of fur? We can only applaud this and we advise you to run and do the same!

A lion cub on the dancefloor

A lion cub on the dancefloor
02.10.2019
Calvados
A lion cub on the dancefloor
Exploitation for shows

Getting close to a lion cub in a disco… For those who dreamed of it, the Deauville « Le Chic » nightclub has done it. We are filing a complaint against the Prefecture of Calvados who has overlooked this scandalous act when it is up to them to enforce the law!

Having fun with a wild baby lion in a nightclub is so chic, isn’t it? For those who lack original ideas, the disco “Le Chic” in Deauville turns a corner (Since November 2018, the management of the disco has thankfully changed. The new owners have contacted us: their work and investment does not involve animals). On March 24th 2018, the previous owners proposed to their nightclubbers to come dance and sip cocktails with a lion cub. Named as the star of the evening against its will, the little feline was “fittingly” welcomed: delirious fans crowd around it, multi-coloured spot lights full of plums, loud music in its ears… There is no doubt that a small lion sets the atmosphere for sure!

Obvious abuse

The problem is that a baby lion has nothing to do with a night club whatsoever… Is it necessary to remember that its place is near its mother and that being exposed to unknown hands, deafening din and blinding neon lights represent so many extremely traumatic sources of stress? Well yes. Once again, we had to mobilize to remind them that to exhibit a lion in such a place constituted an act of mistreatment affecting, moreover, the conservation of its endangered species. Furthermore, the « Le Chic* » nightclub did not hold any authorization for the presentation of wild animals to the public. It was a circus that was in the region, they were the holders for the lion cub and who had « illegally » obtained it for club.

Who is incriminating?

But filing a complaint against the circus is not easy. In this case, as in so many others, formally identifying the person in charge involves painstaking investigations in the heart of the jungle of itinerant establishments and numerous approaches to the authorities supposed to supervise them. On March 28^th 2018, we sent a letter to the Calvados prefecture to ask them to take up the file and obtain the withdrawal of the certificate of competence from the « owner » of the lion cub and his mother. It was a wasted effort. While it was their duty and, in their power to intervene, the institution did not feel it was necessary and did not care to answer us… It is therefore against them that we are launching a legal proceeding today. Decidedly unconcerned by the animal cause, they have already declined their presence at the hearing that will be held at the administrative court of Caen on October 3^rd at 9:30 am. But of course, we will be there to defend the rights of this little cub!

Breeding for hunting, reasons to say stop

Breeding for hunting, reasons to say stop
28.09.2019
Hunting
Breeding for hunting, reasons to say stop
Other campaign or multi-campaigns of One Voice

It is estimated that in France over 50 years 1 billion animals have been raised and released for hunting. Each year, 30 million « game birds » are bred in France (1/3 are exported), including 14 million pheasants and 5 million partridges and 1 million mallards for French hunters. Added to this are deer, hares and rabbits, and hybridized boars…

An omerta (code of silence) on the business?

All of this is unfortunately thanks to public funds (subsidies paid to hunters for their « public services ») that this system continues, maintaining a sector exceeding 150 million euros annual C.A. But except for the thrill of some hunters, nothing justifies this suffering, organized on a chain of industrialized farms, who’s environmental and health impact remains hidden. Because in France there are as few administrative constraints and controls on the release of animals for hunting as studies conducted to verify the consequences. This weak supervision visibly questions the citizens concern over the use of their taxes more than the State itself.

Attacks on the biodiversity

The official discourse of the hunters, which evokes releasing for restocking, does not hold water: most of the released birds do not see the following spring. They are more often quickly killed, where they die before they have even crossed a gun, facing predators, diseases and feeding difficulties to which they have not been prepared for.

While these releases make population counts more complex, overall, wild bird numbers remain low or are even in decline, especially with the venerated pheasant. So, the infernal cycle continues in order to feed the hunting clubs, livestock birds are then released on mass in France: in fact, the same number as wild animals that actually exist throughout Europe!

They declare many animals as a nuisance because of the damage inflicted on the crops, and so for hunting, millions of birds are released like pheasants, who adore young plants, berries or seeds and who frequent mainly cultivated areas!

A sanitary nonsense

Practiced at a quasi-industrial level, this breeding includes a whole arsenal of chemicals (antioxidants, deworming, vaccines, virucides, fungicides, bactericides and antibiotics) distributed into the food and water. Diseases and parasites are nonetheless common in farms, and no scientific study has really studied the risk of contamination to wildlife.

The effect from these multiple releases has seen: genetic alterations of wild populations, a massive impact on natural prey (insects, snails) and therefore epidemic risks on already fragile populations (especially if the released animals are combined with the indigenous populations to densify their numbers). Rather than conducting these studies, the State prefers to be complacent with hunters by helping, through its specialized institutes, to genetically improve breeding lines to “produce” animals suitable for hunting: attractive, but not too mobile.

The images reported by One Voice of these farms, who are so discreet, are appalling. Life in such concentrated environments, crammed in together is totally incompatible with the biological needs of these animals. And would the suffering they endure be legitimate since, in any case, they were born to eventually die? Disgusting cynicism… The so-called well-being on these farms, it would be necessary to start with the worst ones first.

#LaChasseUnProblemeMortel: Please sign our petition, come and say “No” to hunting with us at the big anti-hunting event organized by One Voice and its partners in Paris on October 5^th.

Sources: National Wildlife and Hunting Agency, National Union of Game Game Producers (SNPGC), ASPAS Inquiry, “From the Cage to the Gore”, November 2018.