Author: Kristin Stone

The National System of Conservation Areas, or SINAC, has established a working alliance with Humane Society International/Latin America through the signing cooperation agreement for wildlife management and conservation programs in Costa Rica.

Andrea Borel, executive director for HSI/Latin America, said: “This partnership marks an important animal welfare milestone. By establishing a working relationship with SINAC, we will strengthen the protection of wildlife in Costa Rica.”
 
The conservation and management of wild fauna is a global matter with growing importance in developing countries, where the government institutions and non-governmental organizations play an important role to establish improvements on wildlife issues. With this alliance, HSI/Latin America and SINAC will look to strengthen wildlife legislation and combat illegal wildlife trafficking. This agreement also includes support for outreach and awareness campaigns on wildlife conservation in Costa Rica and the provision of technical assistance for specific wildlife issues, like the development of standards for dealing with wildlife in urban settings, among others.

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“It is very important to strengthen the wildlife management and conservation that is the heritage of all Costa Rican citizens. The signature for the first time of this agreement with Humane Society International to endorse and promote the work performed by SINAC will guarantee the protection and welfare of wildlife in the country”, says M.Sc. Mario Coto, executive director of SINAC.

Media contact: Raúl Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, +1-301-721-6440

Humane Society International/Canada and Chiots Nordiques have just completed their 10th mass spay/neuter clinic together in the Atikamekw community of Wemotaci, Quebec. The groups set up a temporary clinic to sterilize 113 animals, with a total of 188 animals receiving essential veterinary care such as vaccinations.

Ewa Demianowicz, campaign manager for HSI/Canada, said: “Wemotaci was the first community HSI/Canada visited with Chiots Nordiques, in 2013, when we joined forces to bring essential veterinary services to remote locations in Quebec. It was heartwarming to be back, and to see the extraordinary improvements in the welfare of the animals and people of Wemotaci. The dedication of this community to humane methods of dog management and their commitment to animal welfare is inspiring.” 

Support the efforts of HSI/Canada to prevent cruelty and save lives.

Éric Coïa, president of Chiots Nordiques, added: “We were thrilled to be back in Wemotaci, a community that loves their animals, but one which unfortunately doesn’t have access to veterinary services. We’ve travelled six hours to this location, with a team of 20 volunteers, to set up a three-day temporary clinic. The community was extremely grateful for our presence and we were happy to be able to help them humanely manage their dog overpopulation.”

Dogs hold an important place in First Nations communities, but the lack of access to veterinary services in these areas has led to overpopulation of stray dogs and neglect. Mass sterilization is an efficient and humane method to control the dog overpopulation crisis these communities face. These clinics not only help animals in need; they also contribute to these communities by reducing the incidence of dog bite injuries and zoonotic diseases.

The tragic death of a Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba, woman underlines the urgency of managing canine populations to ensure harmonious interactions between people and dogs. Please read our statement here.

Media Contact: Christopher Paré, 514 395-2914 x 206, cpare@hsi.org

NEW DELHI—In a historic move for animals across the country, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified four rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 to regulate dog breeding and marketing, livestock market, case property animals and fish tank and aquarium. The MoEFCC notified the rules in the wake of a series of representations made by Humane Society International/India and People for Animals in addition to directions from the judiciary for establishment of some of the rules.

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Dog Breeding & Marketing Rules are to regulate the breeding industry where tens of thousands of dogs are bred in deplorable conditions without proper medical care. Most often than not unweaned puppies less than 2 months of age are sold to unassuming customers without any registration or records. Whelping mothers are impregnated continuously that impacts their own health and the wellbeing of the puppies born.

Livestock market rules will regulate all of India’s live animal markets. Some of the largest cattle markets are hosted by Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh every year. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of animals including cows, bulls, buffaloes, horses, goats, sheep, donkeys, camels and birds are transported in deplorable conditions with no access to food, water or rest to be traded at live markets The cruel and illegal cattle trafficking taking place at these markets led HSI Government Affairs Lliaison Gauri Maulekhi to seek the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s intervention. After the court directed the Government of India to regulate these markets, the Animal Welfare Board of India drafted a recommendation of rules to the MoEFCC.

Gauri Maulekhi, trustee at PFA and government affairs liaison for HSI/India said, “This is a huge step forward for animals. We commend the Ministry for their vision and their efforts to protect the most vulnerable animals, be it animals that are used as reproductive machines in the breeding industry or animals that are cruelly transported to be sold off at unregulated markets. The battle is only half won though. The real change will come when these rules are strictly followed and implemented and we will work with the law enforcement agencies through capacity building to ensure they are.”

Some of the key features of these four rules are as follows:

Dog Breeding & Marketing Rules

1. The rules mandate the obtaining of a certificate of the registration from the Animal Welfare Board of India for breeding activity, owning or housing dogs for breeding, for sale for dogs and pups. Such a certificate shall be valid for a period of 1 year, nontransferable and shall be subject to reviewing.

2. Application for registration to be made to the State Board with a non-refundable fee of 5000 INR. A separate application shall be made for every establishment intended to be used for breeding or housing dogs for breeding.

3. On receipt of application the establishment sought to be registered shall be inspected by an authorized team and on being satisfied that the applicant and the establishment comply with requirements under these rules, the State Board shall recommend the application for registration to the board. The Board may issue the certificate of registration based on such recommendation. Where recommendation is not made for certification, the State Board shall provide reasons in writing to the applicant. An applicant may prefer an appeal to the Central Government if agreed by the decision of the Board.

4. Rule 8 confers certain responsibilities on every breeder to ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of the dogs used for breeding and the ones that are sold.

5. The rules require the breeder to maintain records of all the animals housed in the establishment including the dogs being used for breeding and the dogs for sale. The breeder shall also maintain records of each individual dog.

6. Every registered breeder is required to submit an annual report to the Board detailing total number of animals traded (sold or exchanged or rehomed), boarded or exhibited during the previous year.

7. No establishment being used or intended to be used for breeding or housing dogs for breeding shall be granted any license by the local authority unless the breeder (owner of such establishment) holds a certificate of registration as under these rules.

Regulation of Livestock Market Rules

1. Animal market monitoring committees at state and district levels will implement the rules and supervise livestock markets. They will also identify and register existing animal markets. Proposed new markets must also submit blueprints to the District Committee prior to being established.

2. These committees shall ensure that markets provide housing, sufficient food and water, feed storage areas, water troughs, ramps, enclosures for sick animals, veterinary care, lighting, bedding, toilets, proper drainage and other facilities.

3. No animal market shall be allowed in a place that is situated within 30 kilometres from any state border or that is situated within 100 kilometres from any international border.

4. State animal welfare boards will issue directions for compliance of these rules, authorize inspections of animal markets and seize animals from non-complying markets.

5. Every market is to have an adequate veterinary facility, supervision of animals being loaded and unloaded, verification of the transport document, and a system of monitoring the handling of animals at the market. The veterinary inspector shall maintain records of all animals inspected and treated as well as the number of transport permits issued, the number of animals found unfit for transport, and action initiated when an animal found unfit for transport is transported.

6. Unfit animals, pregnant animals, animals who have not been vaccinated and animals under six months of age cannot be displayed or sold at the market. Persons in charge of the animals are liable for their well-being.

7. These rules prescribe methods of handling, controlling and penning or caging of animals in a manner that prevents unnecessary pain or suffering.

8. Unfit animals are required to have separate accommodation. For identification purposes, a veterinary assistant may mark an animal with convenient methods such as ear tags.

9. A District Magistrate or Collector will enforce these rules. If either the District Magistrate or Collector finds that a market is in breach of these rules, he or she may direct closure of such market.

Care & Maintenance of Case Property Animals Rules

1. Pending Litigation Magistrate may direct animals to be housed at the SPCA, AWOs, Pinjrapole, Gaushalas. The cost of their maintenance shall be affixed by State Animal Welfare Board and the same be revised on April 1st of every year. These rates shall be the minimum prescribed rates and must be adhered to. If cost is not provided for a certain animal, it shall be fixed by the local authority based on inputs from the SPCA.

2. The Magistrate shall direct the accused and the owner to execute a bond of a determined value with sureties within 3 days. Execution of additional bond with sureties may be called for. If vehicle is involved in an offence, it shall be held as surety.

3. In case owner and accused are unable to undertake the cost, magistrate shall direct local authority to furnish cost recover the same as revenue arrears.

4. The Magistrate shall also direct local authority to undertake cost where offence is made out but the accused/owner is unidentified. It shall be deemed that the owner has relinquished the ownership of the animal. The relinquishment of ownership, even when voluntary shall have no effect on any criminal charges against the unknown offender and/or the owner.

5. Upon conviction, Magistrate shall deprive that person from the ownership of animal and the animal shall be given to the entity already having custody for adoption or other disposition. If accused is found not guilty, the animal may be returned only if the accused /owner can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court that sufficient care will be provided to the animal. Unused portion of the bond executed shall be returned but used portion cannot be recovered.

6. Persons charged under the act or under any state cattle preservation acts shall be prohibited from adopting animals from any such entities which undertake custody of case property animals.

Aquarium and Fish Tank Animals Shop Rules

1. No aquarium or fish shop shall source fish tank animals caught by destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling, cyanide fishing, use of explosives or dynamite to kill or stun fish, those trapped from coral reefs or from any protected areas.

2. The rules require every aquarium to acquire recognition and fish shop to acquire registration from Animal Welfare Board of India.

3. Rules prohibit aquariums & fish shops from keeping, housing, displaying and trade of cetaceans, penguins, otters, manatees or sea or marine turtles, artificially coloured fish, species protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, species listed under Appendix I in CITES and over 150 species listed in Scheduled II of the rules

4. No aquariums will be allowed in public areas such as airports, pubic offices, railway stations or schools nor in markets or exhibitions where permanent facilities are not available.

5. Prerequisite for recognition is submitting application to the state board along with the blue print and collection plan. Certification for obtaining recognition an aquarium is required to submit a master plan (blue print and collection plan) to the state animal welfare board. The recognition from AWBI is subject to approval of the state board as well as itself. Recognition to be renewed every 2 years.

6. The rules prescribe, for aquariums, standards for a veterinary and infrastructure facilities. They mandate maintenance of inventory (record of births, acquisitions, deaths), feed register and health register; fish shops in addition to aforementioned records shall maintain an inventory of animals traded (sold, bought exchanged) during the previous year.

7. Rules prohibit physical handling or performances by fish tank animals as educational activity.

8. Noncompliance of the rules by aquarium will result in de-recognition and consequently sealing of aquarium by the local authority. Animals confiscated from such aquarium are required to be handed over to a recognized aquarium or be released into their natural habitat. Noncompliance of the rules or failure to apply for the registration within stipulated time will result in the sealing of the fish shop by the local authority upon recommendation of the State Board. Animals confiscated from such shops shall be handed over to a recognized aquarium.

9. Certain common provisions for aquariums and fish shops with regard to housing and display prohibits display of fish tank animals in bowls or in tanks of the capacity of 60 litres or less. These provisions prescribe conditions for maintenance of fish tanks, enrichment to be provided in fish tanks and standards for upkeep and healthcare of fish tank animals.

Media Contact: Alokparna Sengupta, email: asengupta@hsi.org mobile: +919849094113

The tragic dog attack that took the life of Donnelly Eaglestick in the First Nation community of Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba underlines the urgency of managing canine populations actively and properly over time. To prevent dog overpopulation, Humane Society International/Canada advocates for humane and effective methods, such as sterilization and vaccination clinics. Spay/neutering is a long-term and humane solution to stray dog overpopulation that has proven effective all over the world.

Dr. Jean-Jacques Kona-Boun, a licensed Quebec veterinarian, stated: “Many remote communities in Canada face a canine overpopulation crisis, and providing desperately needed veterinary services helps these communities effectively address the issue. Free spay and neuter clinics have a lasting, positive impact. They reduce the overall stray and roaming dog population. Moreover, data collected from all over the world indicates that sterilized dogs are far less likely to bite. For example, a street dog sterilization program in Jaipur, India has reduced the incidence of dog bites by 70 percent over a 20-year period.”

Ewa Demianowicz, campaign manager for HSI/Canada, stated: “Lethal dog control methods, such as dog shoots are ineffective over the long-term, and frequently inhumane. Dogs, like many canids, will compensate for the removal of adult dogs by having larger litters and higher puppy survival rates. Preventing dog problems in communities requires changing human behaviors and we find that sterilization programs appear to do just that, leading to better human-dog interactions over time. Culling is a brutal method that does not prevent future problems, and is traumatic for many of the people of these communities who have strong bonds with their animals.

“We encourage communities across the country to adopt a proactive and effective dog management approach by implementing spay/neuter programs for dogs within their territories,” added Demianowicz.

Support the efforts of HSI/Canada to prevent cruelty and save lives.

Facts:

• HSI/Canada works with local group Chiots Nordiques in remote communities in Quebec and organizes mass sterilization and vaccination clinics for stray dogs. Since 2013, the groups have sterilized, vaccinated and dewormed close to 1,000 dogs in First Nation communities. They are heading to Wemotaci, Qc for their 10th clinic together at the end of May.
• Humane Society International has developed a high-volume sterilization program and is working with governments in many countries (including Panama, Bhutan, Philippines, India and Mauritius) to address street dog populations. HSI has sterilized hundreds of thousands of dogs across the world.
• The World Health Organization states, “There is no evidence that removal of dogs alone has ever had a significant impact on dog population densities or the spread of rabies.”

Media Contact: Christopher Paré, 514 395-2914 x 206, cpare@hsi.org

The European Commission today announced that it would end the export of old raw ivory by 1st July 2017 following the adoption of a new EU guidance on ivory trade. From this date onwards, EU Member States will no longer be able to issue export documents for raw ivory, unless it is for scientific or educational purposes. Humane Society International/Europe’s executive director Joanna Swabe issued the following statement:

“We welcome the European Commission’s decision to halt exports of raw ivory. Legal export of significant numbers of ivory tusks and other ivory products from the EU to Asia created a serious risk of illegal ivory being laundered into the legal trade. EU should not be a facilitator of ivory trafficking and perpetuating ivory consumption. Global demand for ivory has led to a poaching epidemic and the severe decimation of elephant populations. Profits made from this cruel trade have also been used to fund organised crime and terrorism. While we applaud the European Commission for introducing this new guidance on ivory trade, Humane Society International/Europe believes that the EU must go much further and take action to end the trade in all ivory and worked ivory products irrespective of its age. With the imminent closure of China’s ivory market by the end of this year and steps taken recently to restrict ivory sales in the U.S., it is incumbent upon the remaining significant ivory markets, such as the EU, to step up to the plate and do their part. It is only with these stringent measures that the EU can help to put an end to ivory trafficking and secure the future survival of the elephant in the wild.”

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Facts:

• Under the present EU ivory trade rules, ivory trade is banned, except for items acquired before 1990, when all African elephants obtained the maximum protection under CITES.
• The EU is the world’s largest exporter of pre-convention ivory—ivory acquired before the entry into force of CITES in 1975.
• Between 2011 and 2014, member states reported seizures of around 4,500 ivory items reported as specimens and an additional 780 kg as reported by weight. Between 2003 and 2014, 92 percent of EU exports of pre-convention tusks went to China or Hong Kong.
• From 2010 to 2012, 100,000 elephants were killed for their ivory. In Central Africa, between 2002 and 2013, 65 percent of the forest elephants were killed. According to the Great Elephant Census, poachers killed half of Mozambique’s elephants in five years while Tanzania lost a catastrophic 60 percent of its elephants during the same period.
• The majority of ivory trafficking is destined for China or Southeast Asia. However, once smuggled ivory leaves Africa, their trafficking routes could go through Europe or the Middle East to reach Asia. Numerous airports, including those in Germany, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, have seized or intercepted smuggled ivory from Africa to Asia.

Media Contact: Raúl Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, +1 240-620-3263

For other inquiries: call 866-614-4371 or fill out our contact form

#BeCrueltyFree Australia welcomed the Coalition’s Federal Budget commitment to provide AU$2.1 million over two years from 2017-18 to implement its 2016 election commitment to ban the testing of cosmetic ingredients on animals in Australia and the sale of cosmetic products and ingredients that have been newly tested on animals outside of Australia. However, the campaign warned that major loopholes are currently under discussion in the Government consultation that would make the proposed ban ineffective and risk gutting the Coalition’s commitment to ending cosmetics cruelty.

Hannah Stuart, for the #BeCrueltyFree Australia campaign said, “Using live animals to cruelly test new ingredients for cosmetics such as hair dyes and skin cream is ethically unjustified, so we are pleased to see the Government providing funding for their 2016 election commitment to ban cosmetics cruelty. But if the loopholes are not addressed by Government, the majority of cosmetic products entering the Australian market could still contain newly animal-tested ingredients, thereby undermining the ban. These exceptions would not be consistent with the Coalition’s policy announcement to implement a ban on cosmetics animal testing and the sale of animal tested cosmetics in Australia.”

The first loophole would limit the ban to ingredients used exclusively for cosmetics. However, only a small minority of substances are used exclusively as cosmetic ingredients. The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) requires chemical introducers to specify the intended use of a substance and undergo separate introductions for different uses. Therefore, a ban on the use of new animal test data to support the introduction of a chemical for cosmetic use, regardless of other uses, would not impact other regulated industries. This loophole would undermine the spirit of the ban and have little practical impact on preventing new cosmetic animal testing.

The second loophole would allow the use of new animal test data created for another use to be used to register cosmetics products and ingredients, despite the ban. Allowing the use of new animal test data, used initially for a different purpose, to be subsequently used for a cosmetic product, would create a loophole so large as to render a ban all but meaningless.

Such exceptions would mean that cosmetic products containing newly animal tested ingredients would still be allowed to be sold in Australia – going against the Coalition’s policy commitment.

“#BeCrueltyFree Australia has made a detailed submission to Government outlining why these loopholes are unnecessary and inconsistent with both the Coalition’s commitment to a ban and global precedent for cosmetics animal testing bans,” Stuart added. “We will continue to work with Government to ensure that meaningful legislation is introduced which enacts a real ban on both cosmetics animal testing within Australia and the sale of cosmetics products or ingredients newly tested on animals abroad.”

Australians can support #BeCrueltyFree Australia by visiting BeCrueltyFree.org.au, and voicing their support for a national ban on animal testing for cosmetics and the sale of cosmetics that have been newly animal-tested abroad.

#BeCrueltyFree Australia – run by Humane Research Australia and Humane Society International (Global) – is part of the largest campaign in the world to end cosmetics animal testing. Globally there are #BeCrueltyFree campaigns in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and the United States.

Facts:

• Rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats are the most common animals used to test cosmetics, subjected to having cosmetic chemicals dripped in their eyes, spread on their shaved skin, or force fed to them orally in massive, even lethal doses.
• A May 2013 poll by Nexus Research on behalf of Humane Research Australia found an overwhelming majority of Australians (85 percent) oppose using animals in the development of cosmetics with a large majority (81 percent) supporting a national ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals – that’s four out of five Australians who support a national ban.
• More than 500 beauty brands are certified cruelty-free globally, including popular Australian brands such as LUSH, Natures Organics, MooGoo, Australis, and many others such as those listed on the Choose Cruelty Free List.
• These cruelty-free companies have sworn off animal testing, yet still produce new, safe and fabulous beauty products. They do so by using long-established ingredients combined with state-of-the-art non-animal tests that can produce faster, cheaper and more relevant test results.
• The global #BeCrueltyFree campaign was launched in 2012, and cosmetics animal testing and/or trade bans are now in place throughout the European Union, Israel, Norway, India, New Zealand and Turkey, with similar legislative measures under development in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Taiwan, Argentina and Russia, and removal of some animal testing in South Korea and China.

Media Contact:

Hannah Stuart, #BeCrueltyFree Australia Campaign Coordinator, 0407 193 526 (Australia), hannahstuart@humaneresearch.org.au

Online fashion emporium YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP has announced its new fur free policy for all of its multi-brand stores, including NET-A-PORTER.COM, YOOX.COM, THE OUTNET.COM and MR PORTER.COM. The fur-free policy, revealed in the company’s 2016 Sustainability Report, comes following a long-standing relationship with The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and Lega Anti Vivisezione.

This fur-free policy represents a major victory for compassion in fashion as the company joins some of the world’s leading fashion e-commerce heavyweights in ditching fur cruelty. YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP has also joined the international Fur Free Retailer Program supported by the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition of leading animal and environmental protection organizations worldwide.

PJ Smith, senior manager of fashion policy for The HSUS, says: “We applaud The YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP for demonstrating compassionate leadership in the luxury fashion industry. This move should encourage designers and other retailers to opt for stylish and functional alternatives to fur and to shed the cruelty associated with commercial trapping and fur farming.”

Claire Bass, executive director of HSI/UK, says: “For The YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP to go fur-free sends a truly powerful message across the fashion world and to luxury brands in particular, that fur is very firmly out of fashion. Designers and fashion retailers that continue to sell fur are peddling a product of immense animal suffering, so it is thrilling to see such influential brands embracing fur free policies.”

Simone Pavesi, manager for LAV says: “Today YNAP Group, with the renunciation to the trade in fur products and the commitment to further improve the corporate policy in an animal-free direction, reached an important step representing a milestone that the fashion world should refer to. It’s a tangible signal that the clothing industry can be more sustainable and ethical, without necessarily resorting to the use of animal products.”

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Media contacts:

The HSUS: Samantha Miller, smiller@humanesociety.org
HSI: Wendy Higgins, whiggins@hsi.org
LAV: Maria Falvo – Claudia Squadroni, ufficiostampa@lav.it, press@lav.it

Humane Society International/India is offering a reward of 50,000 INR for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the persons shown committing a violent act against a monitor lizard.

A video shared with HSI/India, showed two persons forcing a monitor lizard off a palm tree while yelling “catch it” in Tamil. The video shows them beat the animal off the tree. One man then proceeds to grab and twist the lizard, tying the tail around the creature’s neck. The manner in which the perpetrators handle the animal indicates that the lizard may have suffered severe injuries, such as limb and joint fractures.

The monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. As predators, they play a vital role in the ecosystem and their mass hunting across the south Indian states has an adverse effect on the food chain. These animals are hunted due to the popular misbelief that eating the meat of these lizards imparts super-human strength. It is also believed that drinking the blood of these lizards acts as an aphrodisiac- this claim too is not supported by scientific evidence. These lizards are hunted en-masse, especially across parts of Tamil Nadu and sold across the border into Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Local tribes, such as Hakki-Pikki, are largely engaged in this trade.

Sumanth Bindhumadhav, wildlife campaign manager of HSI/India said, “Monitor lizards are a Schedule I species, which means they are warranted the same level of protection that tigers and elephants receive. Unfortunately, due to the superstitions associated with the species, they are ruthlessly hunted and killed. Anyone with information that will lead us to the perpetrators of this violence is requested to call us. We are hoping that this reward will motivate anyone with information about this offence to talk to us.”

HSI/India has been working to mitigate human-animal conflict issues in the country through engagement with community, education and awareness and sensitization training of the Forest Department. In the past, HSI/India has been successful in identifying and facilitating the arrest of the culprits of Kerala dog bestiality and New Delhi Green Park Metro dog stabbing cases, the case of puppies burnt alive in Hyderabad and other criminals.

Media Contact: Alokparna Sengupta, asengupta@hsi.org

For the second consecutive year, a cruelty-free festival is taking the place of the Kots Kaal Pato – an annual Yucatan ritual of stringing up small animals like piñatas and beating them to death or cutting off their heads. Last April, Humane Society International/Mexico, along with local Catholic Church authorities and local animal protection organizations AFAD and Movimiento Consciencia signed an agreement with Izamal Mayor Warnel May Escobar to hold a cruelty-free fiesta as an alternative to Kots Kaal Pato.

With the cancelation of the cruel component of the fiesta, which would have taken place today, local authorities and HSI marked the celebration of Saint Bartolo with cruelty-free activities, including traditional sports and contests. A number of celebrities joined the festivity: Yucatan TV comedian Tina Tuyub offered a stand-up show and actress Sachi Tamashiro sent a video message to express her congratulations.

Felipe Marquez, HSI/Mexico animal protection expert, said: “Cruel festivities in which different kinds of animals are abused take place on a regular basis across Mexico. Consolidating the humane transformation of the Izamal fiesta is vital to prove that traditions can evolve as societies’ values become more considerate and compassionate.”

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Close to 74,000 people signed an online petition by Humane Society International/Mexico to support the Izamal mayor in the transformation of the Yucatan fiesta into a humane celebration. Earlier this year, HSI launched a humane education program in Izamal, providing lectures and education materials for nearly 500 students, spanning from kindergarten to junior high-school levels.

Media Contact: Raúl Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, 301-721-6440

For other inquiries: call 866-614-4371 or fill out our contact form

Animal advocates delivered more than 75,000 names from across the globe calling on the government of British Columbia to ban the trophy hunting of grizzly bears. The groups delivered the names to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations in 30 cube boxes containing 21,000 postcards collected in Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics shops since November 2016, and more than 350 pages of names added to online petitions hosted by Humane Society International/Canada and Pacific Wild.

Trophy hunting has become a provincial election issue with all three parties addressing the issue in their platforms and statements. Despite 91 percent of British Columbians polled in 2015 expressing an opposition to this practise, the province has continued to sanction the so-called sport. A January 2017 poll of five rural ridings in British Columbia also reported high percentages of residents calling for a ban – 74 percent of respondents opposed trophy hunting of grizzly bears.

Gabriel Wildgen, campaign manager of Humane Society International/Canada said, “Every year, the province of British Columbia permits trophy hunters to kill hundreds of grizzly bears, simply so that they can hang their body parts on their walls and brag about the slaughter on social media. The cruel and ecologically disrespectful nature of this hunt is detrimental to B.C.’s economy and reputation, and it needs to be stopped.”
“British Columbia now has the historical opportunity to turn the page on the senseless, brutal and cruel trophy hunt,” said Pacific Wild Executive Director Ian McAllister. “British Columbians and citizens around the world will applaud such a policy change.”

“Voices from around the world, our country and our province are calling on the B.C. government to finally take the right step and protect grizzly bears from this cruel, outdated and inherently wasteful practise,” says Tricia Stevens of Lush. “It’s simply been sanctioned by this government for too long.”

Facts:

• After hunters shoot them, grizzly bears often suffer for hours before they die, sometimes with multiple wounds.
• Bears are highly vulnerable to population decline, given that half of bear cubs die within the first year. Roads, railroads and land use developments also make it difficult for adult males to find and mate with female bears.
• A 2013 study published in the Public Library of Science found that trophy hunting may be causing declines in bear populations, and that hunters were exceeding government quotas in half of the populations studied.
• Further independent studies have found that government estimates of bear populations in B.C. are inaccurately high, and in reality, populations are too low to sustain current hunting levels.
• A 2012 study by Center for Responsible Travel and Stanford University found that bear-viewing businesses in B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest generated 12 times more visitor spending than bear hunting.

Media contacts:
HSI/Canada: Christopher Paré – office: 514 395-2914 / cell: 438 402-0643, email: cpare@hsi.org
Lush: Carleen Pickard, 415.400.9301