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Exposing How Elephants Have Their Spirits Systematically Crushed in Captivity
http://www.care2.com/causes/exposing-how-elephants-have-their-spirits-systematically-crushed-in-captivity.html
- by Jessica Ramos
- February 10, 2015
- 6:00 am
Would interacting with a captive elephant still bring you joy if you knew the animal suffered extreme abuse and manipulation? If you have interacted with a captive elephant, chances are that the massive animal has gone through the tortuous process of Phajaan, or having her spirit broken, in order to make her more docile and open to human interaction.
How to Break an Elephant’s Spirit
One Green Planet explains Phajaan, as it’s known in Asia (or “crushing” in the United States), and how it makes elephant rides in the Asian tourism industry possible.
Phajaan begins when elephants are the most vulnerable. Baby elephants are forced into crates similar to gestation crates that we abhor seeing pigs in. While the baby elephant is being starved, he is also:
- Tied from his feet with rope that will graduate to chains
- Forced to have his limbs stretched
- Beaten with sharp objects
- Verbally abused and constantly yelled at
- Mutilated through bull hooks that are used to “stab the head, slash the skin and tug the ears.”
Phajaan is relentless for many weeks until the elephant finally breaks. Heart of Ganesh explains that baby elephants are also denied medical attention during the crushing, and many will die during the process.
In case you’re wondering, circuses employ almost identical crushing methods. Paws for the News reports how elephant crushing is rampant in more captivity situations: elephants “begging in the streets, the ones in trekking camps, breeding camps, tourist camps, and zoos. At least more than half of them have gone through the Phajaan.”
Mahout Manipulation
Phajaan has a secret weapon to seal the deal, and he’s known as a mahout. The use of an elephant handler, or mahout, is arguably the most effective part of Phajaan.
The mahout sweeps in to “save” the elephant; they are not active participants in the Phajaan torture. They are the first person to bring the tortured and starved animal food and water. Mahouts also release elephants from the original gestation-like crates. A mahout will work and bond with only one elephant for his entire career. When a mahout retires, his relative will take over his mahout duties. Elephants are emotionally and mentally intelligent animals that thrive on social bonds, and mahouts are the only bonds that come close in the captive Asian tourism industry.
The Consequences of Exploiting Elephants
But wild spirits can never truly be broken. We keep seeing captive elephants in circuses and in the tourism industry retaliate:
- In 1992, People reports how a usually calm circus elephant named Kelly became “frighteningly enraged” while she was giving five children and a mother a ride.
- The Seattle Times reports how in 1994, a zoo elephant named Kenya “picked him [a zoo patron] up and smashed him to the ground, then tried to gore him with her tusks.”
- In late 2014, The Independent reports how an elephant in Thailand ran off with a mother and her 9-year-old daughter from Russia on his back after he trampled his handler to death.
There’s also a major health concern that should limit our interactions with captive elephants, and it’s the spread of tuberculosis. In 2013, Maine took the extreme measure of banning elephants from entering the state because of the health threat.
Help End Elephant Exploitation
Despite the obvious evidence that elephants and captivity do not mix, many are determined to ride it out as long as possible. For example, an action plan is being drawn out to curb elephant attacks during festivals in an Indian state, says Manorama Online.
We don’t need an action plan to stop captive elephant attacks; we need an action plan to end elephant captivity. Money talks, and industries that exploit elephants listen, so don’t fund elephant exploitation. Heart of Ganesh offers more ideas on how you can help end elephant exploitation.
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Speaking of animals in captivity, see: http://news.discovery.com/animals/ice-cream-shop-bear-150210.htm ,and hear what they would say if they could talk:
End the Iditarod
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20150209.html
Action Alert from All-Creatures.org
FROM
SledDogma.org
February 2015
ACTION
Iditarod season is upon us again – March 7, 2015
Go here and Write to Iditarod sponsors and supporters
INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS
Sled Dogma: Reality Bites believes that a tethering ban on a federal level is necessary to significantly improve conditions for the sled dogs associated with commercial mushing. Currently commercial sled dog operations are exempt from federal regulations under a “working dog” exclusion.
Please watch Dream an Iditarod Dream (with links to other videos). This video shows the living conditions of the Iditarod “participants” when they’re not “racing”.
See for yourself the conditions in which commercial sled dogs in Alaska are forced to live. These animals are located on a property deep in the woods with no residence on site — they are left alone to fend for themselves without any human supervision besides a daily distribution of food and water.
In the fall in Alaska, Iditarod “training” begins:
“Trainer” in ATV…
One way to transport dogs to “race” venues
For more information, images and videos, visit I Hurt A Dog.com and SledDogma.org
Return to Action Alerts
Dog Rules
‘Prince William HAS to stop being a hypocrite – especially when it comes to animal cruelty’
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-william-stop-being-hypocrite-4796300
Prince William has attacked the Chinese for their animal cruelty, but has he got any right to criticise, asks Mirror columnist Brian Reade ….
Speaking at the World Bank on Monday, Prince William attacked them for their role in wildlife crime, accusing them of being major players in “one of the most insidious forms of corruption in the world” which is done to satisfy man’s “craving for trinkets.”
Words that leave the future monarch wide open to accusations of hypocrisy (and I’m not merely talking about having a dad who parades more trinkets on his chest than the worst tin-pot dictator.)
Because this is someone who, in February, went with his brother to the Duke of Westminster’s 37,000-acre hunting estate in Spain to shoot wild boar and stag.
On a previous visit to his godfather’s Spanish killing fields, the princes were said to have bagged 740 partridge in a day.
His defenders argue William was speaking for endangered species, not the plentiful ones.
But is he so thick he can’t grasp that species tend to become endangered after man has killed so many few are left?
I’ll answer that for you. Yes he is thick. He also comes from a family of animal-slayers.
In 2004 his brother was photographed grinning widely, in Argentina, over the body of a one-tonne water buffalo moments after he’d killed it.
Harry loves big game hunting, just like grandfather Philip, who, despite being a former World Wildlife Fund president, has been known to shoot tigers and crocodiles in India/
And closer to home, in a couple of weeks, the whole clan will walk off their sprouts around the Sandringham estate, blowing birds out of the sky, for no other reason than they can.
If I were the China Daily cartoonist, after I’d finished with the CIA, I’d have sketched a chinless wonder pointing a smoking gun at a wild boar with blood running from its guts spelling out the words “Do as I say not as I do…”
If I were a photo-journalist on that paper I’d be asking my editor to send me to Sandringham to film the hypocrites in all their blood-lusting glory, and then ask: “Is it OK to sadistically kill wild beasts if it’s on one’s own land, or one’s rich friend’s land? And if it’s for fun?”
I know the Royals are led to believe they rule us by divine decree, but who toldthem they also have the right to decide which creatures get to exist and which ones don’t.
As an endangered species themselves, you think they’d be more careful.
Charges OK’d against hunters accused of videotaping dogs mauling a coyote, hitting another with a truck
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/charges_approved_against_hunte.html
Hunter orders hounds to attack wounded coyoteWARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT – Hunter in Gogebic County records video of hound dogs attacking a wounded coyote. The original six minute video that was posted on YouTube has since been taken down.This video was edited for time consideration.
By MLive.com
on January 15, 2015 at 6:31 AM, updated January 15, 2015 at 9:05 AM
on January 15, 2015 at 6:31 AM, updated January 15, 2015 at 9:05 AM
Criminal charges have been authorized against two Upper Peninsula hunters accused of urging hunting dogs to attack a wounded coyote and videotaping the squealing animal, court records show.
The hunters also were investigated after both allegedly videotaped a wounded coyote deliberately hit by one of the hunters’ truck, an MLive.com Freedom of Information Act request found.
Both incidents were witnessed by one of the men’s 12-year-old son, according to records.
The two men, both from Ironwood, face felony and misdemeanor charges.
Two men face felony charges for allegedly ordering hunting dogs to attack a wounded coyote. Video of the attack was uploaded to YouTube. One hunter, 45, faces one count of killing/torturing animals, a four-year felony. The hunter also faces four misdemeanor counts: general violation of wildlife conservation, two counts of abandonment/cruelty to an animal, and taking game from a vehicle. Penalties range from 90 to 93 days in jail.
The second hunter, 34, also faces one felony count of killing/torturing animals and one misdemeanor count of abandonment/cruelty to an animal.
The hunters have been under investigation for videotaping three hunting dogs mauling a coyote one had shot. They also were being investigated for running down a coyote with a truck, then videotaping the injured animal before killing it.
The allegations are detailed in court records MLive.com obtained in August. The documents detail videotapes that had been uploaded to YouTube by one of the men. They have since been taken down, though copies exist.
In one video uploaded Feb. 20 and titled “Hounds Fight Wounded Yote,” hunting dogs Doc, Duke, and Cooter bound through snow toward the mature coyote. Already shot and wounded, according to the video narrator, the coyote lies nearly motionless in the thigh-high drifts. Its eyes blink.
“This is going to be some live action,” the man says as he aims the video camera. “There he his. There he is. Get him, Doc. Get him. … We’re going to get Cooter in here. He’s a machine.”
High-pitched wails punctuate the wooded silence. The coyote is near death at the end.
The second YouTube video was allegedly taped by one of the hunters after his truck was used to strike the animal in the road, authorities said.
The video, called “Yota kills a Yote,” was found during a search of the videographer’s home on May 12, and was taped in Ironwood Township, records state.
“The coyote was struck with a motor vehicle on purpose and left to lay alive in the road after it was videoed for minutes before killing it,” Conservation Officer Grant Emery wrote in the sworn affidavit.
Later, in a separate document, Emery wrote, “The coyote in the video that had been run over by (the hunter’s) vehicle was lying in the road, still alive, and it takes several minutes of talking and videoing before the animal is killed,” according to court documents.
Eventually, the videographer handed the camera to his friend, who began taping. The first man took the revolver “and dispatched the coyote,” Emery wrote.
The cases were investigated by the law enforcement division of the Department of Natural Resources.
Arraignment of the men could happen as soon as Monday in Gogebic County District Court.
— Email statewide projects coordinator John Barnes at jbarnes1@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.
Commission selects Unsworth as new director of WDFW
Let’s see, Unsworth is an avid hunter, has 4 kids, holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from the University of Idaho, a master’s degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University and a doctorate in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from the University of Idaho, yes, he should make a fine addition Washington’s wolf management team.
Too bad compassionate Washingtonians didn’t have a vote or voice in this decision…
NEWS RELEASE
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/
January 10, 2015
Contact: Commission Office, (360) 902-2267
Commission selects Unsworth as new director of WDFW
TUMWATER – Dr. Jim Unsworth), deputy director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, was chosen today as the new head of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to select Unsworth after interviewing eight candidates for the director’s position in December and narrowing the field to four finalists. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW, announced its decision at a public meeting Jan. 9-10 in Tumwater.
Unsworth, who will replace Phil Anderson, formally accepted the job today.
Commissioners said they sought a visionary leader with a strong conservation ethic, sound fiscal-management skills and the expertise to work collaboratively with the commission and the department’s constituents.
“After a thorough nationwide search, we’re confident Jim is the right person to guide the department through the many challenges that lie ahead,” said Miranda Wecker, chair of the commission. “His solid understanding of natural resource issues and strong leadership skills will be invaluable in the department’s effort to manage and protect the fish and wildlife resources that are so important to the people of this state.”
As director, Unsworth will report to the commission and manage a department with more than 1,600 employees, and a biennial operating budget of $376 million. His annual salary will be $146,500.
Unsworth, age 57, has spent more than 30 years in wildlife management with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and has served as deputy director for the agency since 2008. He previously held several management positions for the department, including wildlife bureau chief and state big game manager.
Unsworth holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from the University of Idaho, a master’s degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University and a doctorate in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from the University of Idaho.
“I’m thrilled at this opportunity,” Unsworth said. “I look forward to taking on the many exciting challenges that come with managing fish and wildlife in the state of Washington.”
Unsworth and his wife Michele have four adult children. He is an avid hunter and fisher.
Unsworth will replace Anderson, who announced in August he was resigning from his position at the end of 2014. At the commission’s request, he has since agreed to stay on as the head of the agency until a new director is in place.
“Phil’s enormous dedication to managing Washington’s fish and wildlife will truly be missed,” Wecker said. “As director, he was a tireless worker who successfully guided the department through one of the most difficult times in the history of this state. Under his leadership and with his support, the department made important progress in meeting some very challenging issues. We are extremely grateful for his service and all the contributions he made during his career at WDFW.”
Wecker said a statement of appreciation for Anderson will be posted in the next week on the commission’s webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/ .
Nearly 40 dead coyotes dumped near Las Cruces, NM
http://www.abqjournal.com/519815/news/dead-coyotes-dumped-near-las-cruces.html
By Lauren Villagran / Journal Staff Writer – Las Cruces Bureau
PUBLISHED: Thursday, January 1, 2015
LAS CRUCES [New Mexico] – Nearly 40 dead coyotes dumped in the desert outskirts of Las Cruces, some with wood blocks in their mouths marked with the date they were killed, are the latest sign of the excesses of coyote-killing contests, say advocates who want to see the derbies banned.
At least 10 environmental groups are hoping to push legislation this session outlawing the contests in New Mexico, much as California did last month. They say the contests, which reward participants for the largest number killed or biggest animal shot, serve no legitimate wildlife management purpose.
Supporters of the contests say coyotes are akin to varmints and identify in online forums as “predator callers,” a reference to their use of hand or electronic calling to attract coyotes.
But a co-founder of a local coyote hunting club said wholesale dumping of coyotes is “very much frowned upon.”
The hunting of coyotes is unregulated in New Mexico, and the contests are legal. There are no limits to the number of animals that may be killed.
Wildlife advocates counted some 20 such contests around New Mexico in 2014 but say the number is understated because many are not publicized.
Advocates say they are in talks with two possible sponsors of a bill to ban the contests, one Democrat and one Republican. The legislation would mirror a House bill to ban the contests that failed in the 2013 legislative session by a 38-30 vote.
California is the first state to ban wildlife-killing contests, although some states such as Colorado place limits on the number of animals that can be taken.
“The animals are not being eaten or used in any way; they are just being killed, and they are being killed for sport,” said Kevin Bixby, executive director of the Southwest Environmental Center in Las Cruces. “It disrupts natural ecosystems and undermines the ability of coyotes to provide their ecological role in maintaining healthy systems, in regulating populations of prey animals like rodents and rabbits.”
Bixby recently counted 39 coyotes strewn around creosote, broken glass and tossed cardboard boxes used for target practice near the Las Cruces airport.
The mouths of the animals were stuffed open with wood or bullets inscribed with the date they were killed – Dec. 21 – a practice used in contests. A few had been skinned, but most were tossed to rot.
New Mexico Desert Dogs holds coyote-killing contests around Las Cruces and bills itself on a Facebook page as a “hunting club for those folks that have a passion, appreciation, fondness … for coyote hunting.”
A co-founder of the club who identified himself only as Ruben said the group was not behind the dumped carcasses. He defended coyote-killing contests as “a way for people to gather and share the same culture and love for the sport” and said such dumping – instead of burying the animals or donating pelts to apprentice taxidermists – is “a shame on the hunting community.”
“It is a sport,” he said in a telephone interview. “It takes precision and skill and timing and effort to go and harvest coyotes.”
The legislation the wildlife advocacy groups are backing would ban coyote-killing contests for material gain but would not prohibit killing coyotes that threaten property, such as livestock or pets.
“They are commercial events: killing animals for the purpose of entertainment, prizes and publicity,” said Guy Dicharry of the Los Lunas-based Wildlife Conservation and Advocacy Southwest. “You’re really out there trying to win. This is not focused on predator management. It’s random.”
Save the Wolves, Ban Coyote Hunting!
THIS NEEDS TO STOP: Echo, the beloved lone wolf who had traveled 500 miles from Wyoming to the Grand Canyon, has been shot and killed by a hunter who mistook her for a coyote. Echo’s sad ending shows why it’s critical that we keep fighting for stronger protections for wolves, grizzly bears, and other endangered wildlife [to say nothing of coyotes, who are shot on sight and hung from fences across the West].
Echo was a symbol of hope as conservationists celebrated the possible return of gray wolves to the Southwest after being wiped out for a century. Echo was probably looking for food or a mate when she was shot…
New Year’s Eve ‘Possum Drop’ Organizer Says Animal Will Be Killed Before Event
Facebook/StopThePossumDrop
Faced with a possible lawsuit from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, organizers of the controversial New Year’s Eve Possum Drop in Brasstown, North Carolina, have agreed to forgo using a live animal for one of the first times in decades.
But as it turns out, the alternative might be even more brutal.
Event organizer Clay Logan told The Dodo that the opossum will be killed ahead of time in order to avoid the use of a live animal during the event.
The Possum Drop typically involves hoisting a clear plastic container with a live, wild-caught opossum in front of thousands of New Year’s Eve spectators. During the countdown to midnight, the animal is lowered down by rope (akin to the ball drop in New York’s Time Square), after which he is released back into the wild.
Animal activists have called the event a “public display of the mistreatment of an animal, plain and simple,” noting that opossums are shy animals and that the rigors of public display could prove fatal.
In recent years, PETA has filed legal challenges to stop the event, with some short-term success. In 2012, a judge ruled in PETA’s favor, preventing Logan from obtaining the wildlife capture permit required. A few months later, though, lawmakers usurped that ruling by passing a new law allowing the event to continue in 2013.
So, as before, this year PETA filed a motion challenging the event, which Possum Drop organizers evidently caught wind of. Instead of contesting the motion, Logan preemptively agreed to not use a live opossum this year.
PETA called it a “victory” — likely not knowing what Logan had in mind as an alternative.
“I think we’re going to use the main ingredient in possum stew,” Logan told The Dodo by phone. He said that an animal would be hunted specifically for this purpose. “It’s not like you need to buy a can of it in the store.”
And, in a bitter twist of irony, he’d be well within his rights to kill as many opossums as he pleases: According to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, there’s no bag limit on the number of opossums that can be harvested during small game season.
Exposing the Big Game 