Strange Discovery: Hamsters on Viagra Recover From Jet Lag Quicker

The 2008 Ig Nobel Awards have been announced.

Winning this year in the category of Aviation are Patricia V. Agostino, Santiago A. Plano and Diego A. Golombek for their research on hamsters, Viagra and jet lag. Apparently they get over the effects of jet lag quicker when given the drug.

I don't see a lot of people gobbling that down in airports any time soon...

DMX Animal Cruelty Police Report Released

The police report on DMX involving allegations of animal cruelty have been released. The TMZ article has a story and a link to the actual report.

Here is a summary:

On 8/3/07, the Maricopa Co. Sheriff's office received an anonymous complaint about dogs not being cared for properly at the home of Earl Simmons (DMX).

On 8/7, officers arrived to find 7 dogs tied in various locations in 110 degree heat with no food or water. Nobody answered the door. They smelled decaying flesh and found areas that looked freshly dug. They took photographs, gave the animals water, and left a notice on the door.

On 8/8 officers received a message from Earl Simmons' attorney Scott Mason. They were able to contact him at 10am on 8/10, and were told that Mr. Simmons had heard about the notice from his caretaker, and was concerned about the animals. The officer told the attorney that the animals had been left out in 110 degree heat without food or water. The attorney told them that Mr. Simmons had problems hiring caretakers, but would have his current caretaker correct the problem.

The officer showed up at 5pm that day to check on the animals. None had food or water. He again gave them water.

On 8/15, the officer again went to the house and saw Mr. Bradley Blackwell giving the dogs water. Mr. Blackwell said their were also 4 dogs in kennels in the house. He also said that he was not given enough money to care for the dogs, and had to pay for dog food out of his own pocket. He stated that there were dogs buried in the yard, which might have either died from valley fever or from the heat.

On 8/21, the office checked again on the animals and found they had no water available. He gave them water, took photographs, and left.

On 8/22 he arrived again with another officer. 2 dogs in a kennel on the south side of the house had no water. 2 other dogs were tied to an awning with no shelter from the sun.

On 8/24, all the dogs were seized.

Animal Trophies Gaining Popularity in Wales

Looks like some are decorating their homes with stuffed animals to get that "vintage" look.

FORGET minimalism – the new trend for our homes will be antique furniture, ostentatious wallpaper and even stuffed animals, an interior designer claimed last night.

The lost art of taxidermy is coming back from the dead as homeowners tire of the minimalist look in their houses, according to auctioneers who have reported a surge in sales of such items to fuel a demand for decor with a more vintage look.

In Victorian times stuffed animals were so popular that every town had a taxidermist.

But the rise of the animal rights movement and vegetarianism made taxidermy as unpopular as fur coats, and thousands of stuffed birds and mammals were discarded.

Photo by Equality

A Chimp Shot Dead

Is shooting a chimpanzee moral when they try to escape?

Johnny was shot dead on Saturday, in the green meadows of Whipsnade. Here, north of London, he lived with his friend Koko, and five other companions. Johnny, in his 40s, was "a bit of a thug", according to some. Was this a reason to kill him? He wasn't attacking anyone, and had no gun. Surely whoever pulled the trigger was arrested, and the shooting investigated?

Not so. For Johnny was a chimpanzee, not a human. He was not a member of the privileged club that enjoys basic moral rights. In fact, he was an object, an item of property under the law. That's why he could be deprived so lightly of his life. That's why he had been for decades deprived of his freedom. The wildlife park was his prison; and when he did what any of us would have done in his place - escaped - he was shot dead.

Photo by Arkansas Lad

ProAnimal Coalition: They Like Animals...With Peas and Carrots

This is an article in the Tribune Chronicle (in Ohio) about the efforts of farming groups trying to "get their message out", so to speak.

Joe Cornely from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation led the discussion about the seriousness of the problem and possible approaches to telling the facts about animal agriculture.

As he pointed out, farmers must tell their own story, with help from their various groups. Farmers do have credibility and must get organized, stand up and speak out, he said.

Cornely further pointed out that animal rights groups don’t play by the ordinary, respected rules. Truth means nothing to them. They try to make people feel like ‘‘victims,’’ claiming farmers abuse their animals, and that animal products are not healthy.

Goals of the Humane Society of the United States, a well-funded group, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, are the same — to destroy animal agriculture, take all animal products off our tables, stop all hunting and fishing, close all zoos and stop all human research using animals.

UPDATE: Eric at An Animal Friendly Life wrote a rebuttal of this article here.

Photo by weardale one

Canadian Animal Rights Activists Target Foie Gras Farm

Activists in Quebec have targeted Aux Champs d'Elisee, and are attempting a boycott.

Quebec animal rights activists are calling on restaurants and grocery stores to stop selling foie gras products after releasing controversial video footage and alleging abuse at a local producer.

In their latest attack on the controversial industry, activists targeted another Quebec foie gras company, Aux Champs d'Elisee and its farm east of Montreal.

Animal rights group Global Action Network alleged on Monday that a volunteer for the group who went undercover at the farm this summer witnessed several acts caught on hidden video that could be construed as cruelty towards animals.

Quebec provincial police have opened an investigation into the allegations.

Global Action Network spokesman Andrew Plumbly said it's a product restaurants and grocery stores don't need to sell.

Here is a link to Global Action Network with the video.

Photo by Jason Hutchens

PETA Begs K-Fed: Take Britney's Dogs

TMZ has the story

Dear Mr. Federline:

We know that this is a particularly difficult time for you and your children. We are writing to you today to urge you to amend your filing with the court to also seek consideration for your children's bond with the companion animals they have come to know and to request that the judge also grant you custody of these animals.

Is is no secret that Ms. Spears' impetuous "pet" purchases and lack of caretaking skills have been a serious concern of ours, in addition to being a source of public criticism. In 2006, Ms. Spears was the "overwhelming choice" for worst celebrity dog owner in a poll conducted by the New York Dog and the Hollywood Dog magazines. This past summer, Ms. Spears bought a Yorkshire terrier puppy from a pet store on impulse, only to casually tote the pup--London--around like an accessory. In recent weeks, the Los Angeles SPCA has investigated reports of Ms. Spears' failure to provide adequate veterinary care for the tiny dog after he apparently suffered a fractured leg after being stepped on.

As a father, your main concern is the comfort and stability of your children. London and the other animals whom the boys consider to be a part of the family have provided that comfort and stability. The companionship of beloved companion animals can make a world of difference for the boys during this difficult time, and being separated from the animal friends whom they share a bond with is undoubtedly traumatic for them.

For the sake of your children and the animals who are at risk while in Ms. Spears' custody, we hope that you will do the right and best thing for all involved and pursue a custody order for the animals so that your sons can continue to have the company of the animals they've grown to adore. If you have any other thoughts, we stand ready to assist you in placing the animals in a loving environment.

Sincerely,

Ingrid Newkirk
President.

I can't tell what's worse, the faux concern for the kids or the run-on sentences.

A loving home. Maybe they can place them with this guy.

Ah celebrity publicity. Like a moth to a porchlight...

Animal Rights Activists Tamper With Medication in Spain

The company targeted is Novaritus, which makes an anti-inflammatory called Voltaren. This is, I believe, the second time this company has been targeted. According to the "communique":

"During the morning of Saturday the 29th of September several groups of activists acted in 6 cities against the multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis. This company is directly tied to the animal experimentation laboratory Huntingdon Life Sciences, in which premises it has been recorded with hidden camera how vivisectors cut open still conscious monkeys without anesthesia and punched puppies in the face.

Novartis knows perfectly what is happening there but refuses to cut its ties. For that reason we have been forced to try new methods. 41 tubes of Voltaren have been contaminated with acid. We have gone to 6 different cities, bought in chemists shops Voltaren tubes and after leaving the shops we returned saying that we didnt need them, but this time giving them the polluted tubes. There's no difference between the contaminated ones from the original ones so if we were Novartis we would change every tube of Voltarem.

Here is what Voltaren is.

Makah Tribal Members Face Federal Indictment

A federal grand jury has handed down 3 counts against the members of the Makah tribe accused of illegal whaling. The charges are, however, misdemeanors and not felonies.

Five Makah tribal members who went on a rogue whale hunt last month have been indicted on federal charges and face up to a year in jail, prosecutors said Thursday.

The whalers face three counts each of conspiracy, unlawful taking of a marine mammal and unauthorized whaling -- all misdemeanors.

According to the grand jury indictment handed down Thursday, the gray whale killed by the men was struck by at least four harpoons and 16 bullets fired by a high-powered rifle.

The crew was captained by Wayne Johnson, who has told reporters he wasn't sorry for what he and the others did. The other four have been identified as Theron Parker, Andy Noel, Billy Secor and Frank Gonzales Jr.

Photo by Minette.

PETA Lends Vick a Helping Hand

Can anyone explain to me why PETA is allowing Vick to take a one day class of theirs on being kind to animals? He hasn't even been sentenced in the federal case, or tried in the state case brought against him.

Do they really think this is going to change him? If a person is involved in electrocuting, beating or hanging dogs to death, they will need a little more than a couple slide shows of bunny rabbits and puppies to change his attitude about animals. How about let's start with some jail time. Then maybe he can start sensitivity training..

What do you think his lawyers are going to talk about at his sentencing? Oh, he's changed. He's working with PETA now. He's so sorry. He's suffered enough.

But, it's a nice PR stunt for the both of them. Vick can use it to mitigate his horrible crimes in front of the judge, and PETA gets maximum attention to raise money.

One Ugandan's View of the Mountain Gorilla

This is an opinion piece by Ugandan journalist and advocate Moses Sserwanga regarding the recent killing of three female mountain gorillas and one male silverback gorilla in the Virunga National Park along the Uganda-DR Congo border. He is highly critical of the Ugandan government and its lack of effort to protect these animals. It is very frustrating to read the following....

Veteran activists are sunk in gloom –resigned to the back seat as our wildlife slides into absurdity. So what’s the cause of the wildlife crack-up? The obvious cause for this is the government’s flouting of the law and its failure to put in place a well articulated policy on environment conservation and wildlife protection. The government has both quietly and publicly encouraged or condoned illegal activity in the national protected areas like Mabira and Queen Elizabeth National Park where hundreds of herdsmen continue to occupy a wildlife sanctuary.

This ineptitude can perhaps explain why government kept silent while the rest of the world was mourning the brutal killing of three female mountain gorillas and one male silverback gorilla in the Virunga National Park along the Uganda-DR Congo border.

What is great thoughis that he makes the economic argument in favor of the mountain gorillas' protection. It would be great if people followed morals and ethics, but we live in a society where money speaks louder than any family tie or human value.

According to the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) – a coalition of the Fauna & Flora International, African Wildlife Foundation and the World Wide Fund for Nature- the annual revenue earned directly from gorilla tourism is estimated at $3 million.

When combined with the additional income received by, for example, hotels and restaurants, the total figure may exceed $20 million shared between Uganda , Rwanda, and DR Congo.

Therefore the long-term success of gorilla tourism hinges on the enthusiasm and commitment of government and the local communities around the parks to protect these animals.

Photo by Nailbender

Cool Facts about Grizzly Bears

Here's a moment of Bear Zen courtesy of the Summer 2007 issue of Conservation Northwest, a group that is working to bring the grizzly bear back to the North Cascades of the Pacific Northwest (among many other projects).

Keep these in mind next time you hear a news story about grizzlies. See if the media did its homework.

**Adult grizzly bears usually live to the age of 20 to 25 years.

**Females do not reproduce until they are five to six years old, giving birth to an average of two cubs per breeding period.

**Grizzly bear cubs remain with their mother for 2.5 to 3.5 years.

**Grizzly bears have eyesight as good as a person's and a better sense of smell than a dog.

**Grizzlies have an excellent memory, especially regarding food sources.

**Grizzlies are omnivores with a typical diet of less than 10 percent fish or meat. Grizzly bears on coastal areas are the natural exception due to the supply of fish.

**Grizzly bear claws are mainly for digging roots.

**Grizzlies are generally reclusive and are only aggressive towards humans in specific situations, usually when startled or threatened around cubs or food sources.

L'Oreal's Dark History

I was reading this article about the sale of the Body Shop to L'Oreal in 2006. Why Anita Roddick did this is hard to fathom. L'Oreal stands for so many things she campaigned against. I can only guess that either 1) she could no longer run a successful and profitable cosmetics company on ethical values such as banning animal testing or 2) they drove a truck-load of money to her door. Probably a little bit of A and a little bit of B.

However, if you really want to know the kind of guardian that Anita Roddick left her baby with, read this. It shows up towards the end of the article.

Although L'Oreal bombards the media with its corporate responsibility score cards — and I don't doubt the existence of plans to phase out testing products on animals — the company's dark history has just been exposed in a bestseller in France titled L'Oreal Took my Home, by Monica Waitzfelder.

The book details how L'Oreal, a notoriously anti-Semitic company historically, took over the Waitzfelder home in the German city of Karlsruhe (after the Nazis had engineered the removal of the family) to make it its German headquarters. Waitzfelder has run a life-long battle through the French courts to try to get compensation — the case is now to come before the European Court of Human Rights.

The richest woman in France, Lilliane Bettencourt, who controls L'Oreal, won't give an inch. Long after Swiss banks and Australian insurers have made substantial payouts to Holocaust survivors, Bettencourt is holding out — and that's who you're dealing with when you buy your Body Shop soap these days.

Here's a link to the book at Amazon in the US.

Nasty stuff.

Tarantulas: The Cactii of the Pet World

OK, they aren't cuddly. They eat bugs, and they don't really do much. But, you can leave them for a month if they've been well fed and watered. How's that for low maintenance?

Tarantulas are easy to care for, and their fearsome reputation is vastly exaggerated. "I hear it all the time: What are you doing with those around? What if it got out? It could kill somebody," says Mark Jones, who with his wife Beth runs Chaos and Critters exotic animal rescue in Mobile, Ala.

But in fact, these large spiders aren't as dangerous as that.

"They will not kill you," Jones says. "You'd have to have a severe allergy to insect venom. Some of them, the bites are no worse than a mosquito."

Here is a link to Chaos and Critters animal rescue in Mobile AL.

Photo courtesy of furryscaly.

Vick's Dogs May Get to Live

48 of 49 dogs appear to have some chance for placement based on behavior testing.

An examination of 49 dogs seized in the Michael Vick dogfighting case has found that only one canine is an immediate candidate for euthanasia.

Working under contract with the Department of Agriculture, a team of veterinarians assembled by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted "individualized behavior testing" last month to gauge each dog's behavior toward other animals and humans.

That's interesting. I hope they know what they are doing. It's great the dogs may live, but they have to be very careful that one isn't a ticking time bomb.

Photo courtesy littlerottenrobin.