Tails from a Compassionate Planet

Japan Dolphin Day and 6 Things You Can Do to Help Dolphins

Our thoughts continue to be with the people and animals affected by Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. Sept. 1 is Japan Dolphin Day and the perfect opportunity to celebrate the triumphant spirit of this nation and its animals.

In light of recent films like The Cove and A Fall from Freedom, we wanted to share some easy, positive and powerful ways that you can all help dolphins around the world:

• Learn more about dolphins and why they should not be kept in captivity;

• Vow to never buy another ticket to a dolphin show or a “swim with the dolphins” facility;

• Sign petitions and support campaigns like Saddest Dolphins, which aims to free 25 wild-caught dolphins that will be used at Resorts World’s spa in Singapore;

• Spread the word: tell your friends and family about the plight of captive dolphins and encourage them to support humane wildlife-watching tours rather than captive dolphin programs;

• Write to travel companies, tourism boards and governments in countries with captive dolphins: explain why they should not keep dolphins and vow never to visit these facilities;

• Join an event in your city to celebrate Japan Dolphin Day or consider organizing an event (for more information on how to do this, check out Ric O’Barry’s blog post on SaveJapanDolphins.org).

A Whale of a Problem in the Faroe Islands

A new documentary, The Whale, executively produced by Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson, is premiering in the capital of the Faroe Islands tomorrow in an attempt to raise awareness about the cruel pilot whale hunts that take place in the islands every year.

During these hunts, people herd pods of dolphins (also called pilot whales) into shore using noises and  splashes to scare the whales toward the land. By the hundreds, whales are then “secured” using steel hooks  and - often while still fully conscious - hauled ashore. After being pulled through bloody waters, among dead and dying members of their social groups, they are killed with sharp knives.

Traditionally, these whale hunts in the Faroe Islands met a subsistence need – this is not the case anymore.

There is no reason to continue these inhumane, horrific dolphin hunts. Please consider writing to the Faroese Government, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Faroese Tourist Board today to explain your concerns about the hunts and why they need to stop.

Contact details:

Prime Minister's Office
Løgmansskrivstovan
Tinganes
P.O.Box 64
FO- 110 Tórshavn
Faroe Island
Tel: +298 306000
Fax: +298 306015
E-mail: [email protected]

Faroe Islands Tourist Board
(Undir Bryggjubakka)
17 - Box 118
FO-110
Tórshavn
Faroe Islands
Tel: +298 355 800
Fax: +298 355 801
E-mail: [email protected]
web: http://www.visitfaroeislands.com/

Ms Lene Espersen
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
2, Asiatisk Plads
DK-1448 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Tel. +45 33 92 00 00
Fax +45 32 54 05 33
E-mail: [email protected]

Thank you for helping to save these pilot whales!

 

Save the Dolphins: Keep St. Maarten Captivity-Free

It’s no wonder that the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten is a popular tourist destination and a frequent port of call for cruise ships – its white, sandy beaches and pristine ocean water make it a haven for vacationers around the world. Unfortunately, plans for a new dolphin aquarium (also known as a "dolphinarium") could soon turn the tropical island into a nightmare for some dolphins.

Dolphins who are forced to live in captivity at dolphin aquariums and “Swim with the Dolphins” facilities often develop stress-related conditions such as ulcers, display stereotypical behaviors such as pacing or self-mutilation, and suffer premature deaths. Yet, these facilities continue to thrive due to high tourist demand – allowing profit to take precedence over the welfare of animals.   

Earlier this month, rumors circulated about the establishment of a new “Swim with the Dolphins” facility on St. Maarten. In immediate response to the proposed idea, the dolphin protection group Dolphin Defenders St. Maarten (DDSM) launched an anti-captivity campaign – rallying support from locals and tourists, collecting petition signatures and conducting various education efforts.

WSPA has endorsed DDSM’s campaign and we will keep you posted on the progress, including DDSM’s outreach efforts at this week’s world-famous St. Maarten Regatta event.

Please help keep St. Maarten captivity-free by signing DDSM’s online petition.

Help to End Captive Dolphin Program on the Las Vegas Strip

When you think of Las Vegas, you probably think of bright lights, loud casinos and Cirque du Soleil shows - not captive dolphins and dismal animal care.

Yet, since the opening of Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Casino-Hotel in 1990, 12 out of 18 dolphins have died under the establishment's care - an estimated 70% mortality rate! What's more - living in captivity is a very unnatural and stressful environment for any dolphin.

In captivity, dolphins aren't able to feed, explore, mate or socialize as they would in their natural habitat, the ocean.  Because of this, they often develop stress-related conditions such as ulcers and display stereotypical behaviors such as pacing and self-mutilation.  The animal welfare issues go on and on.

Change.org advocates are currently petitioning for the rehabilitation and release of all the dolphins that are being held at the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, and asking The Mirage to discontinue its dolphin program.  So far, more than 60,000 people have taken action to end this senseless cruelty to dolphins - will you join these advocates and WSPA in signing the petition, too?

The Battle to End Bear Farming

Bear farming and the use of bear bile have been prohibited by law in Vietnam since 1994 - however, a new report released last week showed that 22.5% of people surveyed in Hanoi (Vietnam's capital) have used bear bile in the last two years. The report, released by WSPA member society Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV), also revealed that:

• 53% of all ex-bear bile users stopped using the product because they found it ineffective; others stopped due to the price (18%), illegality (7%) or concern for the bears (6%)
• In southern and central cities in Vietnam, where the use of herbal alternatives are more prevalent, there were far lower incidences of bear bile use
• Nearly 75% of those surveyed were unaware of or unclear about Vietnam's ban on bear bile use

The good news is that use of herbal alternatives is on the rise and - step by step - we are making strides against the cruel practice of bear bile farming in Asia.

However, it's clear that there is still much work to be done. Click here for more information on the global effort to end bear farming and sign up for our e-newsletter at the top of the page to stay updated on our work to end bear cruelty.

Thank You to Voters in Missouri and Arizona!!

For the past two weeks, we have urged voters to support animal welfare ballot initatives at this week's elections... and now, we're thrilled to celebrate the fact that voters in Missouri and Arizona have achieved huge victories for animals!!

Currently, tens of thousands of dogs in Missouri’s 3,000 puppy mills receive almost no medical care, live in filthy conditions in tiny wire cages and are bred constantly. But yesterday, voters in Missouri approved Prop. B, which will establish humane care standards and regulate large-scale breeding facilities. Not only will this victory significantly improve the lives of dogs in Missouri, but it also sets a great precedent for other states that want to save dogs from suffering in puppy mills. Way to go, Missouri!

In another area of the country, voters in Arizona rejected Prop. 109, which would have given politicians exclusive authority over wildlife issues, such as hunting and fishing regulations, even though they have little to no training and expertise in wildlife management. The proposition would have limited the role of Arizona’s voters in supporting wildlife protection policies and weakened Arizona’s ability to prevent wildlife crime. Thank you to voters in Arizona for protecting wildlife!

We also want to thank everyone out there who helped spread the word about these issues - your support has helped make a huge difference for animals!!!

 

 

A First Step toward Ending Japan's Dolphin Hunts?

According to an AFP story today, the mayor and local fisheries union in Taiji, Japan, will hold a discussion next week with environmental and animal welfare activists - including Ric O'Barry (from "The Cove") and representatives from Sea Shepherd, the Whaleman Foundation and the World Ocean Fund - about the town's annual dolphin hunts.

WSPA has long condemned these dolphin hunts as cruel and unnecessary - from the exhausting drive from the open ocean that can separate dolphin groups, to the confinement in a netted cove where the dolphins are brutally slaughtered. In fact, earlier this month during World Animal Week, we protested these hunts in front of the Japanese Consulate in Boston, Mass.

We hope that next week's meeting is the first step toward making the historic decision to end Japan's dolphin hunts and we'll certainly continue to follow the news closely.

Vote to Help Animals on Nov. 2!!!

With less than two weeks until Election Day, political TV ads, protest signs and candidate flyers seem to be everywhere we turn. On top of that, trying to understand each state's ballot initiatives feels like a daunting, nearly-impossible task. However, it's important that every American know what's at stake in their respective states, come this November.

For those wanting to support animal welfare ballot initatives next month, please remember to:

• Vote "Yes! on Prop. B" (Missouri) - Currently, dogs in Missouri’s puppy mills receive little to no medical care, live in filthy conditions without exercise and socialization, are confined to tiny wire cages their entire lives and are bred constantly. If passed, Prop. B (also known as the “Puppy Mill Initiative") would end the inhumane treatment and needless suffering of tens of thousands of dogs in Missouri’s 3,000 puppy mills by establishing humane care standards and regulating inhumane, large-scale breeding facilities.
  
  To learn more about why you should vote "Yes! on Prop. B," click here.
  
  

• Vote "No on 109" (Arizona) - If passed, Prop. 109 will give politicians exclusive authority over wildlife issues, such as hunting and fishing regulations. Instead of the state’s wildlife agency, scientists and wildlife professionals who have training and expertise in wildlife management, Arizona’s politicians would have the power to make decisions on wildlife policy based on partisan politics. The proposition would limit the role of Arizona’s voters in supporting wildlife protection policies and weaken Arizona’s ability to prevent wildlife crime, which would be disastrous for all animals in the state.
  
  To learn more about why you should vote "No on 109," click here.

 

Even if you don't live in either of these states, please join WSPA in spreading the word about these ballot initiatives by linking to this blog on your Facebook page or personal blog, and by Tweeting to all of your followers.

Together, let's help make a difference for animals this election season!

World Animal Week: Day 5 – Saying "Animals Matter to Me!"

Welcome to Day 5 - the last day of World Animal Week! This week has flown by and we've had so much fun celebrating animals with you! Our last topic of the week is saying "Animals Matter to Me."

As we've discussed this week, millions of animals around the world are suffering from a number of factors, including natural disasters, inhumane culling, factory farming and more. Because of this, we need a unifying, global solution to protect animals from cruelty now and in the future.

Today, we encourage you to please sign the "Animals Matter to Me" declaration!

By doing so, you'll join the more than 2.4 million people (including celebs like Simon Cowell, Leona Lewis, Igor Olshansky, Tiffani Thiessen and John Tartaglia) who have declared to governments and other decision makers that animals - and their welfare - matter to them.

As an added bonus, when you sign the declaration before this Sunday, October 10 at 9pm ET, you will be entered to win an amazing prize from WSPA! Our goal is to gather 10,000 new signatures to the declaration before Sunday, so please forward this on to your friends and family.

Good luck and thank you for making noise for animals!

World Animal Week: Day 4 – Protecting Marine Mammals and Protesting Japan's Dolphin Hunts

It's the fourth day of World Animal Week and we're making some noise to Protect Marine Mammals!

Today, WSPA will participate in the 6th annual international protest of Japan's dolphin slaughter, alongside the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), Massachusetts Animal Rights Coalition (MARC) and Cetacean Society International (CSI).

During Japan's annual dolphin hunts, fishermen herd dolphins and whales toward the shore, where they are either trapped in nets and brutally killed, or kept alive and sold to marine parks/zoos around the world. Some of you may have seen the documentary The Cove, which has brought worldwide condemnation to these activities.

What can you do to help?

1. Join us today at noon ET in front of the Japanese Consulate at Federal Reserve Plaza, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston, Mass.
2. If you aren't in the Boston area, see if your city is holding a peaceful protest here.
3. We will also hold a discussion on our Facebook page this afternoon to recap the event and answer any questions you have about protecting dolphins and whales.

Also, don't forget to check back tomorrow for the fifth and final day of Making Noise for World Animal Week - we have a special surprise in store that you won't want to miss!