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Belize it or not: The shark petting zoo {Gadling}
Jul 14th 2008 9:00AM While similiar to invasive swim with the dolphins programs, “swimming” with sharks can have a negative impact on already depleted shark populations. Most fish and marine mammals rely on sound for communication, navigation, or detection of predators and prey. Loud noise like boat motors travels very efficiently underwater and can affect large areas. The effects of noise on sharks can range from changes in behavior to physiological damage (hearing loss). Sharks are also negatively impacted by boat traffic and the debris and pollution left behind—all leading to serious ramifications for shark populations.
CBS News did an in-depth report in June 2006 about swim with sharks programs. It detailed the problem of sharks growing increasingly accustomed to the presence of humans and learning to associate people and chum (food). As a result, local human populations may be put at risk while simply trying to surf or swim. As one South African local said, “Putting chum or bait in the water is domesticating a wild animal. It’s common knowledge: Don’t feed wild animals. Why is this the only wild animal you are allowed to feed in Africa, is a great white shark? It’s bizarre.” Indeed, shark attacks used to be virtually unheard of in the region. But there have been six in the past two years, and three people have died—two of them swallowed whole. As is often the case, many people blame the sharks for these incidents, and countless sharks have been slaughtered in “retaliation.”
People who care about animals and nature should shun any swim with program or touch tank display.
PETA goes after Chrysler Group for Iditarod connection {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2007 1:03PM I must respond to the posts going up about this article, mostly because my boss--PETA's president--is the biggest car nut on the planet. (In her free time, she runs a site called www.NameThatDriver.com and gives away bumper stickers reading "Free the Daytona 500" and "Support the 25 Hour Le Mans - because there are never enough hours in a day." I think that will make more sense to some of you than to me.)
Folks, you've all heard the expression "going straight to the top." PETA is aware that the actual presenting sponsor of the Iditarod is Anchorage Chrysler Dodge, a local dealership. We also know that Chrysler headquarters has the power to mandate and/or pressure the local dealership to stop sponsoring the event. And they should.
In the Iditarod, dogs are forced to run more than 100 miles per day, with few, and brief, intervals of rest. They are subjected to freezing winds, snowstorms, sub-zero temperatures, and falls through ice into frigid water. Their feet become bruised, bloodied, cut by ice, and just plain worn out because of the vast distances they cover. Many dogs pull muscles, incur stress fractures, or become sick with diarrhea, dehydration, intestinal viruses, or bleeding stomach ulcers. Dogs have been strangled by tow lines, trampled by moose, and hit by snowmobiles and sleds.
PETA's Tactics:
PETA is an activist organization working to educate the public about the horrors of animal suffering through totally peaceful means; we do not engage in activities in which anyone, human or other-than-human, is injured. For more information about our work, please visit http://www.PETA.org/about
Our work in North Carolina:
We regret that the two PETA staff members were convicted of littering for disposing of animal bodies in a Dumpster. PETA's policy requires that euthanized animals be cremated, not disposed of in this way.
The two PETA staff members were cleared of all other charges, including cruelty to animals. Since these charges were first made in June 2005, PETA has maintained that they were politically motivated by anti-animal groups with connections to local dogfighting, dog-breeding, animal agriculture, and hunting interests. Among these is an organization described in The New York Times as a "front-group" for wealthy industries that are threatened by PETA's success in bringing about animal welfare reform. Please learn more about this group at the following Web sites:
http://www.ConsumerDeception.com
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=20200
Iditarod Race Start Package {Luxist}
Jan 9th 2006 1:38PM I agree wholeheartedly with Margary Glickman's comments. The Iditarod is a cruel event whose time is long gone. There are innovative and fun alternatives. Lowell, Mass., for instance, hosts the National Human Dogsled Championships in February as part of its annual WinterFest, in which dozens of teams of humans dress up in crazy costumes and race for the finish line. In New York City, the Idiotarod features some 500 human racers pushing shopping carts from over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. Everyone willing participant has a blast and no one gets hurt.
Ringling Bros. changes circus to cater to 'frenzied' moms, its core audience {ParentDish}
Jan 4th 2006 9:50AM Many animals used by Ringling have died as a result of egregious neglect or outright abuse. An 8-month old elephant named Riccardo was killed by Ringling after he fractured both hind legs when he fell off a circus pedestal. Benjamin, a 4-year-old baby elephant, drowned in a pond as he tried to move away from a trainer who was threatening him with a bullhook. Ringling paid federal authorities $20,000 to settle charges of failing to provide veterinary care to a dying baby elephant named Kenny. Other animal deaths include a caged tiger who was shot to death, a lion who died of apparent heatstroke, a horse who was used despite a chronic medical condition who died during a Ringling animal march, and a wild-caught sea lion who was found dead in her transport cage. The USDA currently has three open investigations into Ringling. Anyone who cares about animals will avoid Ringling Bros. Circus and any other circus that still uses and exploit animals.
