There is no mercy for beautiful animals. The more beautiful they are the biggest danger they are in.
[ENGLISH BELOW]300.000 lisów zostanie zabitych tej jesieni w Polsce, by zaspokoić popyt przemysłu modowego na futra....
Posted by Otwarte Klatki on Sunday, 22 November 2015
Meet the 3 Inspiring Women Who Changed Our Perception of Primates Forever
Until the 1970s, little was known about primates. We didn’t know, for instance, thatchimpanzees and gorillas use tools to perform tasks like catching food in the wild or thatorangutans have a strong maternal instinct. Not to mention, we had no clue how similar primates are to us humans. If it weren’t for the renowned anthropologist Louis Leakey and his belief that understanding primate behavior was vital to understanding the origins of humans, maybe we still wouldn’t today.
Convinced that humans had evolved from the apes, Leakey wanted primates to be studied in the wild – something that had never been done before. According to records from the Leakey Foundation, he was responsible for initiating Jane Goodall’s long-term field study of chimpanzees in the wild, and he helped obtain and coordinate funding for similar projects such as Dian Fossey’s work with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and Birute Galdikas-Brindamour’s work with orangutans in the Sarawak region of Indonesia.
None of these three women had much scientific experience or knowledge and that is precisely what Leakey wanted: minds uncluttered and unbiased by science. Interestingly, some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in science would be made by this trio; Leakey’s Angels, as they came to be known.
Jane Goodall: Gombe, Binoculars, and David Graybeard
Jane Goodall Institute
Jane Goodall first began studying chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania in 1960. She came with no degrees, no experience, just patience, and passion. Every morning, she’d hike through the forests, with binoculars on hand, waiting to catch a glimpse of a chimpanzee in the wild. And, instead of numbering the chimpanzees she saw, she chose to unconventionally, give them names. David Greybeard was the first chimpanzee to accept her, the pale stranger in the forest, and this paved the way to a great deal of phenomenal research.
Among her incredible discoveries was that chimpanzees could make and use tools to perform basic tasks in the wild, like catching termites with stalks of grass or twigs from trees. She also learned that contrary to popular belief, chimpanzees were not vegetarians. Another interesting discovery was that chimpanzees possess great emotional depth, much like human beings and are capable of kindness, playfulness, grief, aggression and tenderness. They also share many of the same actions as humans, like hugging, kissing and tickling. These initial discoveries have shaped our modern understanding of chimpanzees and continue to evolve.
Although we are most familiar with chimpanzees, this species is listed as endangered due to the bushmeat and exotic pet trades. With a population teetering around 100,000, we stand to lose this species forever if action to combat these trades is not taken.
Dian Fossey: Rwanda and it’s Gentle Giants
In 1967, Dian Fossey entered the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda to set up camp and prepare for the study of mountain gorillas. Until this time, gorillas were generally considered an aggressive species, but Fossey soon debunked that myth, observing that while they are tough, they’re also incredibly gentle. Generally, they’re peaceful animals and only show bouts of anger when protecting their young.
Just like Goodall with chimpanzees, Dian Fossey saw gorillas as dignified animals with individual personalities, which is why she too named each gorilla with whom she was acquainted rather than merely numbering them. For nearly 20 years, Fossey lived among the mountain gorillas and soon grew attached to a male gorilla called Digit, who was later tragically decapitated by poachers.
In keeping with her research, Fossey found gorillas to possess a wide range of emotions and could construct tools. Instead of simply sitting there and observing, Fossey started imitating their feeding and grooming habits and vocalization in order to gain their trust and “fit in.”It was this deep empathy for gorillas that made her so effective as an ethologist.
Birute Galdikas: The Deep Emotions of Indonesia’s Orangutans
The third member of Leakey’s angels is Birute Galdikas and unlike the others, she was the one who approached Louis Leakey, proposing a research project into the lives of orangutans. Her studies began in 1971 in the jungles of Borneo.
Before Galdikas’s work, people thought orangutans were solitary creatures, but her research proved otherwise. In fact, the social and familial relationships of these primates closely mirror those of human beings. Orangutans maintain incredibly close relationships with their mothers for the first ten years of their life, they literally cling on to their mothers until they’ve reached at least seven. Like humans, orangutan mothers devote a lot of time and energy into raising their young. According to Galdikas’s research of their migration patterns, some populations will remain in their original home area while others will be more nomadic and venture off to other areas.
Another fascinating discovery made by Galdikas was that orangutans have the longest birth interval of all mammals. A female will reproduce at around 15 or 16 years old but will not have another baby until at least another eight years. The reason for this is because a young orangutan will remain with its mother for a long period of time, in order to learn how to survive in the rain forest. Wisely, they focus on one orangutan at a time to ensure they know how to find and prepare food. While this knowledge is amazing, it sadly also accounts for why the orangutan population is in such dire straits in modern times. Unfortunately, deforestation of the orangutan’s natural habitat has left this magnificent species without a home or means to find food.
Following Their Lead
These three trailblazing women have – thanks to their years of research – helped us learn a huge deal about primates and begin to understand how similar we are to these species. From our close family bonds to our complex emotions, there is much we have in common with primates, and there is much, much more we have yet to learn about them. Sadly, all three of the primate species studied by these women are currently in danger of extinction, largely due to habitat loss and poaching. It is up to all of us to pick up where Leakey’s Angels left off and continue to raise awareness for these animals by educating others about our primate siblings. The good news is you don’t have to travel to a far off jungle to do this but can start by simply sharing this post. Today we have the amazing power of the internet to bring attention to the plight of species, something Leakey’s Angels could only dream of. In honor of these three women, share this post and inspire others to learn more about these primates and the various threats facing their populations. They say people protect what they love, and it all starts with one spark of knowledge.
Finally: Denmark passed legislation making it illegal for humans to have sexual intercourse with animals
Great News from Denmark, they have finally joined the rest of northern Europe and banned bestiality, a victory for animal rights activists everywhere.
This amendment to the Animal Welfare Act is very late, but it’s better late than never!. Every other northern European country had already banned bestiality. It seemed that – in the recent years- Denmark has been turning into a hub for animal-sex tourism. There has been an increasing number of foreigners that visit the country for one specific and horrible reason: To visit brothels that sexually exploit animals.
Denmark outlaws animal brothels
A report by the ministry of Justice revealed shocking results of a survey conducted on Veterinarians: 17% of the veterinarians suspected that at least one animals they treated had had a sexual intercourse with a human.
The British had already connected with the Danish Government earlier this year, and -according to the DailyMail- received a reply from the Ministry of Foods, Agriculture and Fisheries saying the following:
The Danish government has decided that a ban on sexual relations between humans and animals shall be implemented in the Danish legislation.
Animals must be treated with respect and care and have the right to a high level of protection. When it comes to sexual relations between humans and animals there is a special concern to be taken into account, as the animals cannot consent to enter into a sexual relation with a human being. Another concern is that it can be difficult to identify and document possible physical or mental damage to the animal as a result of the sexual relation with a human being.
Two days ago, the law was finally amended as they promised. Finally bringing the country into line with other European countries and putting a stop to the growing and horrible animal-sex industry.
It has been tough on Denmark for the last few years with growing number of cases of Severe animal abuse- mostly dogs- going viral and causing waves of rage, we hope that this ban will help putting an end to the cruelty and savagery.
This is a victory for animal rights activists everywhere, I would like to think it’s a victory for us humans more than it is for the animals. Humans should not abuse animals in any way, especially when they are our best friends, and this step was important in the fight for animals’ welfare.
The Chinese New Year is a day spent with family and friends. Five amazing women decided, instead, to spend the holiday with their family of 1,300 dogs, like they have every day for the past five years.
In 2009, Wang Yanfang established a shelter for stray dogs and has spent every day since caring for these, otherwise unwanted, animals. After seeing numerous dogs being taken to pounds in Weinan, Shaanxi Province, China, she decided she wanted to do something about it.
Around the time Wang opened the shelter, China introduced a “one dog rule.” This rule only permits families to keep one small dog and they must have the proper documentation to do so. As a result of this rule, the influx of animals to the shelter grew drastically.
As numbers continued to increase at her donation-run shelter, Wang enlisted the help of four other volunteers, all women in their 60s and 70s. These amazing women have been voluntarily taking care of the dogs every day, getting up at 4am to prepare the 400 kilograms of dog food needed to feed such a large pack of animals. They also spend time with the dogs and groom them whenever possible.
Caring for so many animals is not without its risks though. Wang and her volunteers have all been bitten by some of the less-friendly residents. But Wang and her loyal group of volunteers feel that their work is worth it. They are all animal lovers and are happy to save these dogs from a much worse fate. For example, in a city nearby authorities euthanized about 37,000 dogs after a rabies outbreak. Wang’s pups are all safe from that kind of cruelty.
“They’re like your children, you can’t bear to be apart from them, or to lose them,” Wang said to Tencent News.
Nigerians Are Building Fireproof, Bulletproof, And Eco-Friendly Homes With Plastic Bottles And Mud
Amanda Froelich, True Activist
These colorful homes are bulletproof, fireproof, and can withstand earthquakes. They also maintain a comfortable temperature, produce zero carbon emissions, and are powered by solar and methane gas from recycled waste.
It is not enough to persuade people to use less, plastic needs to be repurposed and reused to be kept out of landfills. Despite informative infographics, emotional statistics, and recycling programs, many nations – especially the United States – continue to toss plastics into landfills without much care.
As phys.org reports, the housing crisis has become so bad in Nigeria, nearly 16 million units are required to address the shortage. Because crafting traditional homes would be far too expensive for most, locals adopted the idea put forth by two NGOs and are now building plastic bottle homes.
Founded by Kaduna-based NGO Development Association for Renewable Energies (DARE), with help from London-based NGO Africa Community Trust, the project is solving two problems at once by addressing the homelessness issue and helping the environment. Not only will there be less plastic in landfills, the house is designed to produce zero carbon emissions.
In addition, it is completely powered by solar panels and methane gas from recycled human and animal waste.
To create a two-bedroom bottle house, workers fill plastic bottles with sand and then hold them together using mud and cement. This forms a solid wall that is stronger than cinder blocks.
That’s not all: These colorful homes are bulletproof, fireproof and can withstand earthquakes. They can also hold a comfortable temperature year round.
The buildings can be built to three stories, but no higher, due to the weight of the sand-filled bottles. And, of course, the magnificent diversity of recycled bottles give each house a unique and bright look.
A two-bedroom house requires 14,000 bottles to complete. To put this into perspective, Nigeria throws away three million bottles every day. Clearly, there are plenty of bottles which can be repurposed to build every individual in their own abode.
At least Nigeria isn’t as wasteful as the United States, which discards 130 million bottlesper day. That’s 47 billion bottles every year – nearly 80% of which end up in the landfill.
If the United States were to save these bottles and repurpose them into houses like folks in Nigeria are doing, 9,257 houses could be builtper day. That is nearly 3.4 million houses a year, reports Off Grid World. With 3.5 million people living on the streets in the U.S., is this the solution needed to remedy the homelessness crisis?
Whether or not Einstein equated bee extinction to human extinction has been challenged and perhaps debunked. He may have never said anything close to that. After all, he was a physicist, not a biologist. But no matter. The diversity of our crops is highly dependent on pollinators, predominantly by honey bees and somewhat further by butterflies.
In 1976, retired apiculturist S.E. McGregor, from the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ASR), wrote a paper in 1976 entitled “Economics of Plant Pollination”. After mentioning that some plants are wind or self pollinated, McGregor stated, “… it appears that perhaps one-third of our total diet is dependent, directly or indirectly, upon insect-pollinated plants.”
In his 1976 paper, McGregor also points out, “Another value of pollination lies in its effect on quality and efficiency of crop production. Inadequate pollination can result not only in reduced yields but also in delayed yield and a high percentage of culls or inferior fruits. In this connection, Gates (1917) warned the grower that, … ‘without his pollinating agents, chief among which are the honey bees, to transfer the pollen from the stamens to the pistil of the blooms, his crop may fail.’”
Now We Have Colony Collapse Disorder
It’s well known to those who care about our future food supply that bee populations are dying off dramatically, and certain pollinating butterfly species, especially Monarchs, are becoming endangered.
Sometimes the bees simply get confused and don’t return to their hives, and sometimes they simply die in their hives. It’s known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), and it has been rampant in North America. Neonicotinoids are the most widely used pesticides in the world and are extremely toxic to bees and other pollinators.
European scientists have discovered that bee populations are experiencing a resurgence after three neonicotinoid insecticides, clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam were banned by the European Commission in 2013. Unfortunately, all three are still used heavily in the USA.
The European Academies Science Advisory Council, an independent body composed of representatives from the national science academies of European Union member states, has a growing body of evidence that shows the widespread use of the pesticides “has severe effects on a range of organisms that provide ecosystem services like pollination and natural pest control, as well as on biodiversity.”
The European ban is up for review this year, and the council’s report, based on the examination of more than 100 peer-reviewed papers that were published since the food safety agency’s finding, was prepared to provide officials with recommendations on how to proceed. Hopefully science will prevail over political influence from agrochemical industries.
Predatory insects like parasitic wasps and ladybugs provide billions of dollars’ worth of insect control, they noted, and organisms like earthworms contribute billions more through improved soil productivity. All are harmed by the pesticides and herbicides as well. Using pesticides is like trying to put out a fire by shooting at firemen as they arrive at the scene.
You can include glyphosate herbicides as well. Dr. Donald Huber, 55 year government plant pathologist and Purdue University professor emeritus suggests strongly that glyphosate herbicides contribute to pollinating bees’ confusion, causing them to not be able to return to their hives. That’s one part of CCD, the other part is when whole hive colonies die in or near their hives.
Despite Huber’s strong background and integrity, he has been ignored and vilified for his attempts at warning the corrupt creeps in the USDA and academia. They are all on the GMO industry’s payroll, directly or indirectly.
Perhaps Big Ag mono-crop farmers are too ignorant of older methods of agroecology insect control or perhaps their farms are too big or they’re too lazy and greedy. Or perhaps they’re simply victims of a failed system known as Big Ag with its handful of large worldwide distributors and a commodity speculative trading system that influences food pricing.
The solution to a sustainable food supply has been determined by several international studies from agricultural experts not attached to specific Big Ag or biotech industries; the largest was assigned to international experts by the United Nations. Their proposed solution to world hunger is small organic agroecological farms that supply food within their regions.
These studies received little or no mainstream media publicity. And the practices they advocate receive no government subsidies. Instead, the loudest and most quoted voices for solving world hunger are from GMO shills.
Paul Fassais a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. His pet peeves are the Medical Mafia’s control over health and the food industry and government regulatory agencies’ corruption. Paul’s contributions to the health movement and global paradigm shift are well received by truth seekers. Visit his blog by following this link and follow him on Twitter here
This Fake Ad Just Might Have the Power to Inspire Millennials to Ditch Single Use Plastics for Good (VIDEO)
If you look closely at advertisements aimed at Millennials – people who came of age after the year 2000 – certain trends quickly become apparent. They tend to focus on the glories of youth and freedom: partying, dancing, chilling out, and stress-free times. The assumption seems to be that Millennials live for the moment and never think about what their actions might lead to in the future.
It is exactly this devil-may-care attitude that reusable bottle brand Bobble has lampooned in their new fake bottled water commercial, Once. The video is aimed at encouraging Millennials to think more carefully about their plastic consumption habits. Though the “commercial” seems, at first glance, to be light-hearted and fun, it makes a very serious point: “‘Once’ never thinks twice … That’s why we drink tomorrow, today. No consequences, no regrets. Someone else can clean up our mess while we live for ‘Once’.” The video ends with the message: “Time to end single-use plastics.”
Bobble’s message could not be more urgent or timely, as our planet is currently being engulfed by a steadily-growing plastic crisis. Americans consume around 10 billion gallons of bottled water per year – and every single bottle takes thousands of years to decompose. Even when it does disintegrate, it never truly “disappears,” but simply pulls apart into millions of minuscule fragments. It is believed that 270,000 tons of plastic debris are currently held in the world’s oceans, threatening an estimated 700 marine species with extinction.
There’s really no excuse for single use because all that “once” lasts a lifetime – and beyond.
To find out how you can reduce your consumption of plastic, read some of the articles below:
10 Simple Actions That Just Might Save Our World’s Oceans From Plastic
5 Simple Go-To Tips to Shrink Your Plastic Footprint
10 Life Hacks to Help You Cut Plastic Out of the Picture
How to Ditch Single-Use Items and Reduce Your Impact on the Planet
5 Innovative Ways to Use Unavoidable Plastics in Your Life
Ancient Greek wise man Hippocrates, father of medicine, said it. :)
And we are indeed a big family of many species, earthlings all of us, cells of the Earth's body. Just human is the naughty one who risks all lives, even his own.
The soul of all creatures is the same...
Let's celebrate! The whales return to the waters of Australia! Does this mean that the oceans still have hope for life to return also? Is humpback whales a sign that nature CAN reverse somehow the human damage? I hope this is a lesson of respect and these wonderful creatures will keep on swimming free and proud.
Some four months following the murder of Cecil the Lion, while
protests and petitions remain, nations have been slow to take decisive
action. Joining a small though hopefully growing list of countries,
France has banned the import of lion heads, paws, skins, and other
so-called hunting ‘trophies.’
Permits will no longer be issued for lion trophies, and there may be
stricter enforcement on other animal trophies looming as well, wrote
France’s environmental minister Ségolène Royal in a letter.
“Concerning other species trophies,” she wrote, “I am in favour of a
much stronger control for hunting trophies and this issue will be
discussed with all the countries concerned and with the EU.”
France is the first state in the European Union to act as such,
though the entire EU was called upon by conservationists this past
summer to ban lion trophies. International outrage was sparked after a
dentist from Minnesota slaughtered Cecil, a beloved and protected figure
in Zimbabwe’s National Park.
In four years from 2010 to 2013, more than 100 lion trophies were
imported to France. The ban should have a symbolic effect as well, with
France leading the E.U. In March, Australia banned lion trophy imports,
while Botswana followed suit after Cecil’s death.
“Within the EU, France was a major importer of such trophies and we
expect that wild lions will now find themselves safer without the
presence of French trophy hunters,” said a spokeswoman for Lionaid, a
U.K.-based charity. “We trust that France’s decision will create a
domino effect within the EU and that we will soon hear about other
member states joining together to say no [to trophies].”
Courtney Jacobs acknowledges Roperti’s Turkey Farm is a Livonia icon, having done business in the city since 1967.
But
that didn’t stop Jacobs, the director of DetroitCowSave, from
organizing a protest outside the gates of the long-established turkey
farm Saturday in an effort to raise awareness of animal cruelty.
Jacobs
and about a dozen protesters spent an hour standing on 5 Mile Saturday,
holding signs objecting to the operation less than a week before
Thanksgiving.
“We just want to raise awareness there are other
ways to celebrate Thanksgiving,” said Jacobs, who holds a bachelor’s
degree in health services from Oakland University. “Sentient beings
don’t have to be killed just for tradition.”
It was the second
straight year DetroitCowSave picketed Roperti’s. A similar-sized group
spent an hour in the same spot a year ago.
Roperti’s owner
Christine Roperti was unfazed by the protest, shrugging it off as a
group on an ultimately unsuccessful effort to change people’s thinking.
“They’re
not going to change the world,” Roperti said. “If they want to be out
there for an hour ... whatever. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Roperti
questioned the tactics of the group, wondering if the group had
protested Huron Turkey Farm (on Merriman Road in Romulus) — Jacobs
acknowledged the group had not — or other similar businesses in the
area.
“I think they’re actually harassing me,” said Roperti.
Laurice
Bray founded DetroitCowSave, a grassroots organization dedicated to
raising awareness about the suffering of factory farmed animals. She
said the protest was not only about getting people to give up turkey for
Thanksgiving, but it’s also about the treatment of the turkeys.
“We’re
out here because we feel these turkeys are not unlike any other animal
... Turkeys are very intelligent,” said Bray, who grew up in Livonia and
now lives in Farmington Hills. “We know we’re not going to change a lot
of minds. Roperti’s is a Livonia institution. (But) People are going to
(eventually) embrace a kinder, gentler lifestyle that doesn’t include
killing animals.”
While Roperti dislikes the group’s methods — she
claims they’ve lied to state inspectors about Roperti’s, for instance —
she is unfazed by their presence and expects to sell some 4,500 turkeys
this holiday.
“I like it when (protesters) come,” Roperti admitted. “(Customers) come running through the door when they’re here.” bkadrich@hometownlife.com Twitter: @bkadrich
Norway: Hotel chain bans bacon and sausages from its plates. It's a great example of how things are getting to become. Slowly but steadily companies realize that vegeterianism and veganism sell and they get along with the new way. A clever businessman? A vegan or someone who has just observed what bacon really is?
A Norwegian hotel chain has risked
raising the ire of travellers by banning bacon and sausages from its
breakfast menu, it's been reported.
Comfort Hotels will replace
the traditional greasy breakfast items with plant-based foods to
encourage a more climate-friendly, healthy lifestyle, the Hegnar.no news website
reports. Guests will also see a reduction in the amount of cereals and
cheese on the menu, and the chain won't serve products containing palm
oil, which it says is environmentally destructive. The Comfort Hotels
chain is part of the Nordic Choice hotel group, which operates more than
170 establishments in Scandinavia and the Baltic.
The group's
owner, Petter Stordalen, tells Hegnar that "focusing on sustainability
is what we do", adding that he believes guests "will appreciate a good,
healthy start to the day", instead of a plateful of pork products. The
move comes in the wake of a World Health Organisation report which linked processed foods such as bacon with colon cancer.
It's a decision that hasn't gone down well with some customers, according to the Swedish Vasterbottens Kuriren
news website. While an employee at one of the chain's hotels in Sweden
says there have been "mixed reactions", another hotel worker is more
forthright, saying: "Personally, I think bacon and scrambled eggs should
be the standard in a hotel breakfast." That appears to be a view shared
by the paper's online readership, with 70% voting for "I need bacon for
breakfast!" in a straw poll on their website. The pork-free scheme is
still being trialled, and the chain says it is open to customer
feedback.
Jane Goodall Institute
Whether or not Einstein equated bee extinction to human extinction has been challenged and perhaps debunked. He may have never said anything close to that. After all, he was a physicist, not a biologist. But no matter. The diversity of our crops is highly dependent on pollinators, predominantly by honey bees and somewhat further by butterflies.
