News
The number of news found: 29.
03/31/2012 DONALD TRUMP'S SONS INVESTIGATED FOR AFRICAN HUNTING TRIP
Donald Trump's sons are still making headlines for their African hunting trip where they killed precious animals and posed with the dead creatures in photographs. Now, they are reportedly under investigation for their killing spree. According to TMZ, Donald Jr. and his brother Eric are currently being scrutinized in Zimbabwe to determine if they were hunting illegally. The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force is now making allegations that during their 2011 trip they used a non-registered South African safari firm. Many people have been appalled at Don Jr. and Eric's actions, in addition to the photos that have gone viral. From posing with a chopped off elephant's tail to laying next to a dead buffalo to holding a leopard in their arms, for some it’s hard to justify their outing. Even their father had choice words for his sons.
03/30/2012 BOB BARKER PAYS $880,000 FOR PRIVATE ELEPHANT FLIGHT
Bob Barker is a hero. He's picked his cause and given not only cash and time, but heart - serious heart - something that is as noble and it is inspirational. The former "Price is Right" host has reportedly agreed to pay a staggering $880,000 for a private plane capable of flying three elephants from the Toronto Zoo to the Performing Animals Welfare Society elephant sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif. The original plan was to transport the elephants via truck - but after Barker learned that one of the animals would be unable to withstand the long trip, he decided air would be better. According to reports, the elephants will travel in crates aboard a massive Russian cargo plane. Actions such as these - whether for the betterment of mankind, the lives of animals, or in conservation of the planet - are worth pausing to admire.
03/29/2012 JOAN JETT SLAMS NOEL GALLAGHER OVER COW CRUELTY COMMENTS
Joan Jett, the rock icon and longtime vegetarian, is taking on former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher after recent comments he made concerning cruelty to cows. Remembering the summers he spent in County Mayo, Ireland as a child, Gallagher fondly recalled that he would "run around throwing stuff at cows." He went on to state that he looked forward to passing the dubious tradition down to his sons "so they can throw stuff at cows as well." His comments have angered PETA, who argue that Gallagher needs "empathy counseling." Regarding Gallagher's comments, Jett told WENN "This guy is a putz (idiot)! I am embarrassed he is Irish and from (the) same county as my grandparents on my father's side. Maybe if this bully wants to throw things, he should try throwing something at somebody who can fight back, like me."
03/27/2012 THE BIG WINNERS AT THE 26TH GENESIS AWARDS REVEALED
Each year the Humane Society of the United States takes an evening to honor news and entertainment media for their hard work to educate the public about important animal issues. This year might have been their most star packed event to date. Some of the big winners of the evening included "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and "Born to Be Wild" in the film category, "The Colbert Report", "The Ellen Degeneres Show", "Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait" and "Animal Planet Investigates: Captive Hunting Exposed" on TV, as well as the annual Wyler award which went to actor and activist Ian Somerhalder. Carrie Ann Inaba, who debuted her new web series featuring cats who need homes, was the host of the evening. Celebrity presenters included Kaley Cuoco, Bill Maher, Colbie Caillat, Ke$ha, Sophia Bush, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Rose McGowan, Wendie Malick, Moby, Cloris Leachman, Michael Vartan, Wilmer Valderrama, and Uggie to name a few.
03/26/2012 WORLD'S SMALLEST DOLPHIN ON VERGE OF EXTINCTION
The Maui's dolphin is the world's rarest and smallest known subspecies of dolphin. Found only off the west coast of the central and upper North Island of New Zealand, these five-and-a-half-foot long dolphins are thought to have numbers of less than 55. The main culprit is fishing nets; in particular gillnets - vertical panels of netting that are amazingly effective in snagging anything that tragically swims their way. "To have just 55 of these wonderful creatures left is beyond even our worst estimates," Zoologist Dr Barbara Maas told the Daily Mail. "Their extinction is really imminent now, within a few years. New Zealand is a civilised country, which markets itself as an unspoilt paradise. They must act before it is too late."
03/24/2012 400 POUND GORILLA TRANQUILIZED AFTER ESCAPE FROM BUFFALO ZOO
In a scene that would conjure up images of frustrated primates in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," a 24-year-old gorilla named Koga found momentary freedom from his cage at the Buffalo Zoo. West Lowland gorillas are emotionally complex animals who, in the wild, would spend their days roaming anywhere between 3 to 18 miles. No matter how nice the enclosure at the zoo, it can't quite compare to their natural habitat. Unfortunately, he ran into one of the zoo keepers and bit her hand and calf. The keeper was able to escape from further harm by entering a female's habitat. While Koga never got so far as the public areas of the zoo and he had no history of aggression before the incident, a creature his size on the loose was taken seriously by authorities. A SWAT team was sent in while a veterinarian sedated him using a hand held blow pipe.
03/23/2012 ALEC BALDWIN CALLS FOR CIRCUS BOYCOTT
Alec Baldwin has joined a growing list of celebrities calling for a boycott of Ringling Bros. circus. Kesha and Ashley Judd have both asked the public to drop their support of Ringling, which paid a record $270,000 settlement in November for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Baldwin is asked for a boycott of Ringling along with other circuses that use animals in their shows. According to Contactmusic, the actor recorded a video for PETA about animal cruelty under the big top. "Having worked with actors for many years, it's hard to believe that anyone would have to be dragged kicking and screaming into show business. But for the elephants for Ringling Bros. and other circuses, that's exactly what happens," said Baldwin.
03/23/2012 ALEC BALDWIN CALLS FOR CIRCUS BOYCOTT
Alec Baldwin has joined a growing list of celebrities calling for a boycott of Ringling Bros. circus. Kesha and Ashley Judd have both asked the public to drop their support of Ringling, which paid a record $270,000 settlement in November for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Baldwin is asked for a boycott of Ringling along with other circuses that use animals in their shows. According to Contactmusic, the actor recorded a video for PETA about animal cruelty under the big top. "Having worked with actors for many years, it's hard to believe that anyone would have to be dragged kicking and screaming into show business. But for the elephants for Ringling Bros. and other circuses, that's exactly what happens," said Baldwin.
03/22/2012 CYNDI LAUPER URGES FANS TO ADOPT SHELTER DOGS
Cyndi Lauper, the pop icon, known for her philanthropic work with the MAC Viva Glam Campaign and her own True Colors Fund, has signed up to be a spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League America's companion animals adoption Tour For Life campaign. The Tour For Life campaign will utilize three mobile rescue and adoption units and tour the U.S. throughout March and April, promoting companion animals adoption. Lauper encourages animal lovers to adopt shelter animals, saying "There are so many beautiful and healthy animals in shelters, making the responsible choice an easy one – animal lovers can show their true colours by adopting a pet and saving a life."
03/22/2012 CYNDI LAUPER URGES FANS TO ADOPT SHELTER DOGS
Cyndi Lauper, the pop icon, known for her philanthropic work with the MAC Viva Glam Campaign and her own True Colors Fund, has signed up to be a spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League America's companion animals adoption Tour For Life campaign. The Tour For Life campaign will utilize three mobile rescue and adoption units and tour the U.S. throughout March and April, promoting companion animals adoption. Lauper encourages animal lovers to adopt shelter animals, saying "There are so many beautiful and healthy animals in shelters, making the responsible choice an easy one – animal lovers can show their true colours by adopting a pet and saving a life."
03/21/2012 RICKY GERVAIS LAUNCHES CRUELTY FREE INTERNATIONAL
Ricky Gervais, the 50-year-old comedian and animal activist, is helping to launch a new global campaign against the practice in partnership with a new organization called Cruelty Free International. Created by the long-standing animal rights organization BUAV, Cruelty Free International will work with governments, regulators, companies and other orgs to push for a worldwide ban on animal testing for cosmetics; something 80% of the global community still allows.
03/20/2012 PANAMA BANS BULLFIGHTS
On March 15, the Congress of Panama approved a law that bans bullfights and dogfights. The law establishes fines up to $1.000. The law excludes cockfighing and races with animals.
03/19/2012 POLITICAL PARTY FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS FORMED IN TURKEY
Turkey's first animal rights political party, the Animal Party, was established last week in an effort to bring the issue of the protection of animal's rights and welfare to the political table. The aim of the party was not just to promote love for animals but to remind those who view the world solely in terms of humans that we live together with animals and that they have rights, too. The Animal Party's first meeting is to take place in the form of a conference on dogs on March 24. The conference will be addressing a number of topics, including dogs in urban environments, the place of dogs in history and dogs in Islam. The conference will take place at ªehir University and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
03/17/2012 HBO CANCELS "LUCK" AFTER THREE HORSES DIE
HBO's series "Luck" has only been around for one season, but has already been surrounded by outrage from animal advocates. Last month, two horses suffered severe injures on the set of the horse racing show and were euthanized. PETA, which protested the series prior to production, launched an investigation. March 14 brought news of the death of a third horse, who fell backwards and suffered a broken neck. The American Humane Association demanded that all filming with the horses be stopped until their investigation into the third death was completed, but HBO has now announced the end of the series. According to the Los Angeles Times, the network has decided to cancel "Luck." The show starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte had already been picked up for another season, and yesterday's filming was going to be part of season 2. HBO says that the remaining episodes of the first season will air as planned, but all further production has stopped.
03/16/2012 TWENTY BEACHED DOLPHINS SAVED BY GOOD SAMARITANS IN BRAZIL
Sometimes when you read the news, it's hard to believe that humanity hasn't totally destroyed the earth already. But then, you see a video like this one and your faith in the goodness of humans is restored. A man with a camera filmed the stranding of 20 or so dolphins in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil. Locals hanging out at the beach barely even stopped to think before they were hauling the cetaceans back into the water. It started with one or two kindhearted people and then snowballed. While being pulled by the tail doesn't look like the most comfortable way to be moved back into the water, it's got to be better than dying on the sand.
03/15/2012 NIGHTMARE ZOO IN INDONESIA SHAKEN BY GIRAFFE DEATH
The tigers are emaciated and the 180 pelicans packed so tightly they cannot unfurl their wings without hitting a neighbor. Last week, a giraffe died with a beachball-sized wad of plastic food wrappers in its belly. That death has focused new attention on the scandalous conditions at Indonesia's largest zoo. Set up nearly a century ago in one the most biologically diverse corners of the planet, it once boasted the most impressive collection in Southeast Asia. But today the Surabaya Zoo is a nightmare, plagued by uncontrolled breeding, a lack of funding for general animal welfare and even persistent suspicions that members of its own staff are involved in illegal wildlife trafficking.
03/14/2012 DEMOS FOR SEALS AROUND THE WORLD
Demonstrations are being organized in the US and around the world to draw attention to seal massacres in Canada and Namibia. There are now demonstrations planned for Boston, Brussels, Cape Town, Durban, Halifax, L.A., Minneapolis, San Diego, and Toronto; and demonstrations have already taken place in many cities, including New York and London. Eight grey seals have been killed by sealers in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence for the local market in Nova Scotia. To find out whether more seals will be killed this year, please check Harpseals.org for updates.
03/13/2012 STEVE O WANTS CONGRESS TO BAN CHIMP EXPERIMENTS
Stephen Glover, otherwise known as Steve O, is best known for purposely hurting himself for comedic benefit on the television show "Jackass" and subsequent movies. He made headlines last year by announcing he had adopted a vegan diet. He continues to support animal rights, most recently by writing a letter urging Democratic California Congresswoman Barbara Boxer to help pass legislation, the Great Ape Protection and Savings Act, banning the use of chimpanzees in scientific experiments. In his letter, Steve O notes that "nearly 1,000 chimpanzees" have been confined in US laboratories and have no choice as to whether or not they will "undergo painful, invasive procedures and be infected with deadly diseases." Steve O is joined in his efforts by other compassionate celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Ellen DeGeneres, and James Franco.
03/12/2012 SEA SHEPHERD VICTORY: THE WHALERS GO HOME!
Sea Shepherd announced that their long Antarctic campaign, Operation Divine Wind, is over as the whaling fleet heads back toward Japan. Sea Shepherd reported that the whalers had been shut down when the Bob Barker began tailing the factory ship, Nisshin Maru. With the Bob Barker following the slipway, the fleet would be unable to take in any more whales, according to Captain Paul Watson and Captain Peter Hammarstedt. Now, Sea Shepherd confirms that the whalers' season is officially over as the fleet has turned and headed home.
03/10/2012 TED TURNER MAKES RECORD BREAKING DONATION TO SAVE GORILLAS
Ted Turner certainly made the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's day when he donated $1 million dollars to help save eastern lowland gorillas. Being the largest donation the organization has ever received, that money will go a long way. According to the Scientific American, the funds will help build field stations so that rangers can protect the primates from those warring over natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Fossey Fund will also hire local Congolese people to collect data and keep an eye on the gorillas. Estimates put the population of eastern lowland gorillas at between 4,000 and 27,000.
03/09/2012 KE$HA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SEAL CLUBBING
Ke$ha is once again speaking up for baby seals, and this time she's working with Humane Society International. In the heartbreaking PSA, which depicts a club-wielding fisherman advancing on a baby seal, she says, "Every year, thousands of baby seals are clubbed to death by Canadian fishermen. You can help by pledging to boycott Canadian seafood." As the first global ambassador for Humane Society International, Ke$ha is extremely committed to the cause. To join Ke$ha and Humane Society in the fight for baby seals, go to the website to sign the pledge and take action.
03/08/2012 JADA PINKETT SMITH ASKS BALTIMORE TO PROTECT CIRCUS ELEPHANTS
Jada Pinkett Smith is the latest in a list of celebrities to speak out for Ringling Bros. elephants. Ashley Judd recently called for a boycott of the circus that paid a record $270,000 settlement in November 2011 for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Now Pinkett Smith, originally from Baltimore, MD, has written to the mayor asking her to protect Ringling elephants while the circus is in town. According to WHNT News, the actress wrote to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake "as a mother and proud Baltimore native," and reminded the mayor that Baltimore has banned the use of bullhooks on performing animals. In the letter written for PETA, Pinkett Smith also pointed out that many of Ringling’s elephants have painful arthritis and yet are forced to continue performing.
03/07/2012 THOUSANDS TELL AMAZON TO BAN SALES OF DOLPHIN AND WHALE MEAT
Recently, the news broke that a site owned by Amazon.com, Amazon.jp in Japan, was illegally selling whale meat. The massive public outrage in response caused Amazon to remove the items from their site. Many animal advocates and conservationists are telling Amazon that they haven't gotten far enough yet, though. A Change.org petition has been started demanding that the company establishes a policy permanently banning the sale of dolphin and whale meat. Melissa Sehgal is currently in Japan as a Cove Guardian documenting the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji as well as their capture for captivity. She started the petition that has gathered over 123,000 signatures from around the world. Amazon has yet to respond, but over 100,000 people and bad press around the globe are hard to ignore.
03/06/2012 MERYL STREEP NARRATES NEW ARCTIC DOCUMENTARY
A new documentary about the wonders of nature in the Arctic will have the voice of Meryl Streep narrating viewers through a land of enchantment that has been so-far untouched by man. "To The Arctic" follows a mother polar bear as she cares for her twin seven-month-old cubs. The film, which will be shown exclusively in IMAX theaters, is filled with extraordinary shots of the animal families that inhabit the top of the world. The documentary is almost guaranteed to be a hit with animal and nature enthusiasts. It may also become very popular with the environmentalists attempting to stop oil drilling in the Arctic.
03/05/2012 NO MORE FLYING DOLPHINS ON HONG KONG AIRLINES
Hong Kong Airlines has agreed to stop transporting live dolphins after more than 6,500 people signed an online petition demanding a ban. "Since it is believed that transportation of this nature can result in endangering wildlife elsewhere, Hong Kong Airlines will immediately ban shipments of this kind," the carrier announced in a statement. Hong Kong Airlines came under pressure from the public after an internal memo was leaked, stating the carrier had transported five live dolphins from Japan to Vietnam on January 16, earning the company HK$850,000 (US$110,000) in cargo revenue. An online petition was soon launched at change.org, pressuring Hong Kong Airlines to stop transporting live dolphins as cargo. About 5,000 people signed the petition within three days.
03/03/2012 TROMA ENTERTAINMENT TAKES ON FACTORY FARMS
Troma Entertainment is one of the longest running independent film studios in the U.S., cementing themselves as genre-defining game-changers of shock-and-awe cinema. From cult superhero classic The Toxic Avenger to the PETA-approved Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead, which satirizes something truly horrific - a fast-food fried chicken establishment - founder Lloyd Kaufman has no aversion to the bizarre and frightening. As the scene opens onto idyllic Sunny Acres Farms, the viewer can't help but think how lovely this "Old McDonald"-style farm must be for all the happy little animals inside fattening up for slaughter. Pan to the crowded cages of screaming, drooling, terrified bodies, and suddenly it's not such a wonderful world. Mothers scream as their young are ripped away from them. Animals are injected with antibiotics before having their throats slit. Of course, this is all done in accordance with "acceptable farming practices." Troma Entertainment invites you to take a tour of Sunny Acres Farms, written and produced by Nina Gielen, and see for yourself who's on your dinner plate.
03/03/2012 EU MEAT CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION FALLS
Both meat production and consumption in the EU are expected to decrease in 2012, according to a recent report by the European Commission. Overall meat production in the EU is expected to decrease by 1.1% in 2012 and remain stable with a further small decrease of 0.1% in 2013, while a decrease in total EU meat consumption is foreseen of 0.7% in 2012 and 0.4% in 2013, the EC's Short Term Outlook for February 2012 stated.
03/02/2012 GREEN MONDAY AT THE CROATIAN MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURE PROTECTION
Following the suggestion of Animal Friends, the Croatian Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection joined the campaign Green Monday. One day in a week the only choice for the employees of the Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection on the menu of their restaurant are meatless dishes. Among the main reasons for joining this campaign is the fact that a significant environmental impact comes from the livestock industry, which is one of the greatest generators of greenhouse gases that directly affect climate change. Animal Friends would like to thank Minister Mirela Holy and the Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection and invite other public authorities, institutions and companies to follow this commendable move.
03/01/2012 ORGANIC AND CHARITABLE ITEMS GIVEN AWAY IN 2012 OSCAR SWAG BAGS
For those nominees who went home without a golden statue on Sunday at the 84th Academy Awards, they technically didn't go home empty-handed. This year, nominees in the major categories walked away with the "Everybody Wins at the Oscars®" gift baskets that contained organic, vegan and charitable items worth $62,023.26.
The number of news found: 29.
