Wednesday 7 December 2011

Fukushima 20km Zone

@CountrySmileNL very kindly added captions and edited the images I used on my blog about the mistreatment of animals used in circuses. I thought I would share them on here as they are so much more effective than those in my previous post.



Thank you very much! :)

On the subject of powerful images, why not get involved with the campaign to save the animals in the Fukushima 20km Zone. In March this year Japan was struck by a 9-magnitude earthquake and a devastating tsunami. Together these disasters resulted in a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in the north east coast of the country. Tens of thousands of people and animals lost their lives and many more people were forced to evacuate their homes. The majority of those that evacuated left their pets and farm animals, believing they would return in a couple of days. This was not the case.

On the 22nd of April, the government enforced a strict 20 km exclusion zone around the nuclear plant, putting an end to the ongoing rescue efforts and condemning pets and farm animals to starvation. Before the tsunami, it is estimated that over 10,000 cats and dogs, over 675,000 farm animals as well as horses, ostriches and other “exotic” animals lived in the area.

As a result of this decision to abandon the animals in the 20km zone, small groups of Japanese and foreign volunteers have, since the start of May, been entering the exclusion zone to rescue and feed the abandoned animals - putting themselves at risk from radiation poisoning and from being arrested by patrolling police officers. These courageous people work endlessly to rescue animals and try to reunite some with their families or have some adopted by new owners. If they cannot get the animals out of the zone at that time they leave food and water until an evacuation is allowed and suitable shelters found to house them.  Each rescued animal is checked and treated by a vet and frustratingly decontamination is not usually required - these animals are not a threat if they are removed from the 20km zone. Unfortunately, despite their tireless efforts and dedication, hundreds of animals have already starved to death or succumbed to injuries and neglect.

The Japanese government are still refusing to rescue the trapped animals, despite thousands of local and international petitions and emails expressing outrage and disbelief. In order to raise awareness and put pressure on the Japanese government, the Hachiko Coalition is asking all of us, citizens of the world, to take a photo of our pets and add a message asking that the Fukushima animals be saved. Citizens of Japan, France and the US have enthusiastically sent their photos and they are now being joined by countries such as Brazil, Belarus, Australia, Italy, the UK and others. Every day, Nancy Gothard, of Hachiko Coalition, sends the photos by email, courier, fax and Twitter to eleven Ministries, the National Diet, the Emperor of Japan and Fukushima Prefectural officials.

Please, take part in the campaign and send your photos (jpeg format) with your name, city and country to nancy@hachiko-coalition.org 

These animals have survived an earthquake, a tsunami and radiation threats, but food and water is running dangerously low as the brave volunteers' attempts at rescue are being thwarted by more police patrols and the harsh weather conditions that winter brings.


This is my dog Cody. He's happy at home, thousands of miles away from the suffering in Fukushima 20km Zone, but I'd like to think that his cute little face, and expressive eyes will help sway the government into reconsidering their decision to abandon the animals. Please get involved. 

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Ringling Bros. Juggling a $270,000 Fine for the Mistreatment of Animals

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus (The Greatest Show on Earth) is an American based circus company which was founded over a century ago. The circus uses 'animal performers' as part of its show and many of these animals include the beautiful and intelligent Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, zebra, lions, alpacas, llamas and goats. Ringling Bros. claims to be the 'Greatest Show on Earth', but at what expense to its animals? Often referred to as the 'Saddest Show on Earth' by animal rights groups, this title would appear far more accurate. In 2009, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) went undercover and collected substantial evidence to prove that the animals involved in the travelling circus were being abused and mistreated. These animals aren't made to perform for a few years and allowed to retire in peace (despite what Ringling suggest on their official website), they are exploited for decades in the case of the elephants. Tonka, is a 25 year old elephant Ringling has used since 1989. She has suffered through a life of confined spaces, shackles and bullhooks. She has been humilated infront of thousands wearing flamboyant head dress and paraded like some showgirl on some cheap game show. Most of the 11 elephants at Ringling were ripped from the wild, separated from their family. Babies are forced to train, torn from their mothers' sides.

"Ringling acknowledged that the images were taken at its facility but stated that the training methods depicted acceptable methods of professional elephant-training."
Feet pulled from under them, bound by ropes. These animals are tortured, not trained.

As I mentioned before, elephants are trained through the use of bullhooks. These are metal-tipped prods that are whipped across the elephants head, ears, trunk and legs. I watched a video posted by PETA that was recorded throughout their undercover investigation and honestly could not believe what I was seeing. The elephants are constantly attacked by their handlers. Even while the elephants are standing still, trapped in some sick game of musical statues, these barbarians strike them over and over. They strike them whilst having conversations with each other, like the way you would beat a pen off a desk while talking to your friend at school.
 




This is a bullhook and quite honestly it would be at home in a museum cabinet of medieval torture equipment.






I was under the impression humans had become a little more civilised since then. Obviously I was wrong.

The evidence collected by PETA and the numerous complaints against Ringling for its treatment of animals has brought about the largest civil penalty against an animal exhibitor under the Animal Welfare Act according to The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has agreed to pay a record $270,000 fine to settle charges that it violated federal animal welfare laws and promises to improve the conditions for animals. Reports of abuse and mistreatment dated back some number of years included elephants being forced to perform despite pain from sand colic; wheelbarrows used to transport meat to tigers were also used to haul away their faeces; zebras escaping from their enclosures in two major incidences; splintered floors and rusted cages used to contain big cats and poor medical record-keeping. PETA has said that the fine is a good step, but it called on the government to confiscate the elephants. The charity has even offered to to purchase an animatronic elephant for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus if the circus retires all of its live performing elephants.

The fact is that even though more egregious instances of animal abuse have been reported in the circus industry historically, the aforementioned violations made by Ringling Bros. highlight the problem of using animals for entertainment purposes. Ethical treatment of animals takes a backseat to the profit circuses rake in from the crowds attracted to idea of seeing elephants and tigers. This has to stop. Animals are not here for our entertainment and are certainly not here to be subjected to a life of sorrow and pain for a quick buck.

CAPS (Captive Animals' Protection Society) s a UK-based charity leading the campaign to end the use of animals in entertainment. They really do amazing work and any way in which you can get involved or support this charity would make a huge difference to circus animals everywhere. Please click here to find out more.

We see this........

But what we really should see is this........


STOP ANIMAL CIRCUSES!