Zoo kills healthy lion and then dissects it in front of crowd?!

Posted October 16, 2015 by Kim Johnson

It was like a nightmare brought to life. Children covered their mouths and turned away as a lion cub’s body was cut open and her intestines were laid out on a table before them. No, this wasn’t a Halloween movie—just business as usual at the Odense Zoo in central Denmark.

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/denmark-zoo-dissects-lion-cub/#ixzz3on7Wg7YE

Reportedly, the Odense Zoo killed the female lion cub nine months ago after zoo officials decided that she was “surplus” and no other zoos would take her. According to its website, the zoo kills animals to prevent inbreeding and acknowledges that zoo employees have been dissecting animals in front of crowds for 20 years. A spokesperson from the zoo told the BBC’s Newsbeat that this is a “normal process,” and while killing young animals may be normal for the zoos, it certainly isn’t normal for the lions. In the wild, the lion population and breeding would be controlled naturally, without human intervention.

This isn’t the first time that a Danish zoo has come under fire for killing a healthy animal and cutting him or her up in public. Last year, a giraffe named Marius was dissected in front of a crowd at the Copenhagen Zoo and fed to the lions after the zoo killed him with a bolt gunshot to the head. The zoo’s spokesperson said he was actually “proud” that the zoo dissected Marius.

Zoos teach people that it’s OK to interfere with animals’ lives and keep them locked up in captivity so we can gawk at them. And dissection doesn’t teach children ANYTHING. Instead, studies show that it actually fosters callousness toward animals and nature. In the wild, this lion cub would have been free to roam with her family, rather than being made the subject of a gruesome science “lesson.”

What You Can Do

If you are interested in animals, it’s only natural that you would want to be close to them—but animals shouldn’t have to live in misery because of our curiosity! Animals don’t belong to us, and they’re not ours to imprison in zoos or to kill and cut up for dissection. Say no to dissection and never visit any zoo. 

Learn more about how dissection kills and how we can help you say no!

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/denmark-zoo-dissects-lion-cub/#ixzz3on7qAzkU

If Tilly the Orca Had Twitter

Posted August 3, 2015 by Casey Redd

Meet Tilikum, aka “Tilly.” He was stolen from his family when he was just 2 years old, and he has been trapped at SeaWorld and other marine parks for more than 30 years. As a result of his constant stress, frustration, and confinement, Tilly has killed three trainers.

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

You might have heard that SeaWorld trains its employees to “sexually stimulate” male orcas, including Tilly, in order to impregnate the female orcas, who are often forced to breed at a much younger age than they would in the wild. But do you know what Tilly would tweet if he had Twitter? Well, we might have an idea about that:

© 2011 Google

Dawn Brancheau-Riders on the Storm | Ed Schipul | CC by-SA 2.0

Spread the word for Tilly and never go to SeaWorld or any other marine park.

No chains. No cages. No tanks. 

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/tilly-tweets/#ixzz3hn6mrabj

Zero Joy for Zebras in the Circus

Posted July 1, 2015 by Hannah Healy

After years of being hauled around the country and forced to perform for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a 12-year-old zebra named Lima broke free from his trainers, squeezed through a fence, and ran through the streets of Atlanta for 40 minutes, pursued by police and his trainers.

After police blocked off lanes of the interstate on which Lima was running, he was eventually captured. A Ringling Bros. spokesperson said that Lima would likely perform as usual—but the injuries to his hooves were so severe that he had to be euthanized.

Just like the lions, tigers, and elephants circuses exploit, zebras are wild animals. They tend to be high-strung and unpredictable, which puts both the animals and the public at risk. For example, three zebras, including Lima, escaped from Ringling while the circus was performing in Baltimore and dashed into traffic. In another incident, a Ringling veterinary technician informed California authorities that zebras had jumped out of a pen during a show. And when Ringling was performing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, four zebras and three horses who were being walked into an arena got spooked. All seven animals reportedly ran loose near a busy interstate.

Zebras are meant to roam large areas, and being kept inside cramped pens is bad for their health. There’s no vaccine data available for zebras, and they can contract diseases from horses and pass illnesses on to them. Yet Ringling travels with both horses and zebras.

According to a study by three veterinarians, two of whom worked for Ringling, zebras require heavy sedation (“ultrapotent narcotics”) for even minor procedures, so any injury puts them at risk.

Zebras are natural prey animals. Placing them in the middle of large crowds—not to mention in close proximity to lions and tigers—is extremely frightening to them. Because of their tendency to be easily spooked, this is dangerous for them and everyone around them. Zebras also have distinct social structures, but in the circus, they’re forced to live in incompatible groups. Less aggressive individuals can be bullied and hurt.

In the wild, zebras spend their days grazing together and grooming one another. They’re social animals who thrive in the company of other zebras. If one is threatened or attacked, the herd will often circle the wounded zebra, defending him or her from the attacker.

Zebras want to live in herds in the wild, not traveling in cramped boxcars or performing stupid tricks for humans’ “amusement.” They are NOT OURS to use for entertainment. Never go to any circus that uses animals, and urge your friends and family to stay away, too.

No chains. No cages. No Tanks. 

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/circus-ringling-zebras/#ixzz3hPcqnDEi

Baby giraffe dies at Dallas Zoo in accident

This is seriously why you should not support zoos in any way. Captivity kills, and this is a really good example.

Baby giraffe dies at Dallas Zoo in accident

Posted: 07/28/2015 11:55 PM

DALLAS (AP) - A baby giraffe whose birth at the Dallas Zoo was viewed live on the Internet worldwide has died in an accident.

A Dallas Zoo statement says Kipenzi (kih-PEHN'-zee), the 3-month-old giraffe, died about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when she ran into a perimeter edge of the barn that's part of the giraffe herd's habitat. According to the statement, zoo keepers were routinely shifting the herd into their night barn when the calf began to scamper about the feeding yard. Zoo officials say she died immediately from three broken neck vertebrae.

Kipenzi's mother, Katie, was allowed to visit the calf's body before veterinarians and zoo keepers removed it.

Kipenzi's birth April 10 was live-streamed on the Animal Planet website. Kipenzi is Swahili for "loved one."Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. . 

How Swimming With Dolphins Is Actually Killing Them

Posted July 7, 2015 by Lily Trahan

“Swim with dolphins” programs profit from tourists’ curiosity and desire to be close to the animals they love. Although people may have good intentions in wanting to interact with their favorite marine mammals, they’re actually supporting an industry that condemns these individuals to a lifetime of loneliness. Have you ever wondered where these dolphins came from in the first place? Well, here’s the deal:

Sometimes, dolphins are torn away from their families in the wild and sold to marine parks around the world. Even babies, who typically stay with their mothers for three to six years, are taken. Can you imagine how you’d feel if you were stolen from your parents as a kid?

Many of the dolphins who are considered less “attractive”—and, therefore, less profitable—are actually slaughtered during this capture process and sold as meat to consumers. Can we say “WTF?!”

©Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Others are bred in captivity and suffer for their entire lives in miserable pens or concrete pools.

Swimming With Dolphins | Britt Reints | CC BY 2.0

Not only are the dolphins used in these tourist attractions forced to live in barren pools, they also have to endure the trauma and stress of being repeatedly transported. One dolphin named Sasha was captured from her home in the Gulf of Mexico in 1987 and has since been transported to different facilities 21 times! She is now being held captive at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas, one of the most popular “swim with” facilities.

Atlantis Dolphin Cay Shallow Water Interaction | Austin Kirk | CC BY 2.0

In the wild, dolphins swim up to 60 miles each day, but in captivity, they’re confined to cramped sea pens and often chemically treated concrete pools. This is especially traumatic for them since they communicate through echolocation.

Captive dolphins are often housed in incompatible groups, and because of the cramped conditions, they’re unable to escape conflicts.

Many dolphins develop painful ailments, such as stomach ulcers, and some die prematurely from the stressful conditions of captivity.

Some other illnesses—including viral, fungal, and bacterial infections—can be passed from dolphins to human visitors. People have also been bitten and sustained broken bones during their swimming sessions or while “interacting” with dolphins at marine parks. Umm … no, thanks!

Now that you know about the true cost that dolphins pay for our amusement, what will you do? Never visit marine parks or participate in “swim with” programs—and urge your friends and family to avoid them, too. Dolphins are NOT OURS to use for entertainment.

No Chains. No Cages. No Tanks.

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/swim-with-dolphins-programs/#ixzz3hD1CsCly

Mutilating Dogs for "Beauty"

Posted February 18, 2015 by Kim Johnson

Humans can choose whether or not to have cosmetic surgery, but dogs aren’t so lucky. People choose for them, and they’re often forced to undergo painful and unnecessary procedures such as ear-cropping and tail-docking. Some veterinarians still perform these painful surgeries at the owner’s request, just to make dogs look more menacing or to give certain breeds more “desirable” physical traits, such as stubby tails or pointy ears.

Sugar’s ears were likely cropped at home by untrained individuals without anesthetics. Some people have their dogs’ ears cropped in an effort to make them look more menacing.

Dogs use their ears and tails to express themselves, to communicate with us, and, some say, even to communicate with other animals. For example, dogs put their tails between their legs when they’re scared and wag their tails to show happiness or other feelings. By cutting off part of dogs’ ears and tails, we’re not only changing their appearance but also limiting their ability to express their emotions.

Ear-cropping is typically performed when dogs are between 6 and 12 weeks old, and the sole purpose is to make floppy ears stand up straight. The procedure involves cutting off parts of the ears with a blade or scissors in order to change their shape. The ears are then often put into an upright position and held in place with bandages and tape until they stand up straight on their own. The trauma of this painful procedure can have a negative psychological impact on a maturing pup, and the process of taping and retaping the ears to force them to stand up can be agonizing to the dog.

Because dogs have not been shown to derive self-esteem or pride in appearance from having their tails docked (common reasons for performing cosmetic procedures on people), there is no obvious benefit to our patients in performing this procedure.

—The American Veterinary Medical Association

The idea that dogs are fashion accessories is promoted by the American Kennel Club’s dog shows, and breeders, who believe that “their” breed will be ruined if animals don’t maintain the image handed down by breed clubs decades ago. The AVMA, however, opposes ear-cropping and tail-docking when they’re done for cosmetic purposes and encourages the elimination of both from breed standards. These procedures are so inhumane that they’ve been banned in many European countries. For example, British kennel clubs outlawed ear-cropping a century ago, and in 1993, the U.K. put a stop to cosmetic tail-docking. Many vets in the U.S. also refuse to perform these procedures.

IMG_7000.JPG | John M. | CC BY-SA 2.0

Ear-cropping is so inhumane that it has been banned in several countries.

What You Can Do

• Support legislation that aims to outlaw these cruel practices.
• Love dogs for who they are! Don’t try to alter their appearance to fit in with a trend or to meet an arbitrary “breed standard.”
• Share this info with your friends and family. Spread the word that tail-docking and ear-cropping are painful and that cosmetic surgery on dogs is cruel.
• Like tail-docking and ear-cropping, declawing cats is also painful and unnecessary. Learn how declawing hurts cats and never declaw an animal.

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/dog-ear-cropping-tail-docking/#ixzz3fVmZ33SI

Why YOU Should NOT Support Zoos

Posted June 24, 2015 by Hannah Healy

Here at peta2, we get a lot of questions about animals in zoos. Most people understand that confining a beautiful wild animal to a cage a mere fraction of the size of their natural habitat is wrong. And many were furious after watching the eye-opening documentary Blackfish, which detailed the suffering that marine animals endure in captivity. However, there are many common misconceptions about zoos that make some people question why PETA doesn’t support them. We’re here to answer those questions.

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/zoo-cruelty-questions/#ixzz3fSRWeDOD

Why does PETA say that animals don’t belong in zoos?

Zoos generally regard the animals they keep as mere commodities. They’re regularly bought, sold, borrowed, and traded with little regard for their established relationships. Think about this: One member of a loving family herd could be shipped off to another zoo! Removing animals from established social groups and forcing them to adjust repeatedly to new routines, different caretakers, and unfamiliar cage-mates is disruptive and traumatic for them.

A major reason that zoos choose to breed animals is because people LOVE seeing babies. A new baby can draw in zoo visitors and boost revenue. However, the animals’ fate is often bleak once they outgrow their “cuteness.” Zoos often become crowded, and older animals may be kept in warehouses behind the scenes or shuffled off to shabby roadside zoos, animal dealers, or auctions.

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

Even large, well-known, and popular zoos engage in unethical practices, such as dumping unwanted  animals or acquiring them from the wild. The San Diego Zoo and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo imported a combined 11 African elephants from Swaziland. And accredited zoos in Denver; Houston; Litchfield Park, Arizona; San Antonio; San Diego; and Tampa, Florida, imported a combined 33 monkeys who had been illegally trafficked by poachers in Africa!

Aren’t there laws to protect animals in zoos?

Some countries have no laws whatsoever to protect captive animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues licenses to animal exhibitors in the U.S. The agency is supposed to enforce the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), but licenses are issued to nearly ANYONE who fills out an application and sends in a fee.

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In addition, the AWA only addresses basic issues. It states that animals must be fed, given water, and provided with shelter. However, cages are allowed to have concrete floors, and there’s NO specific requirement for grass, greenery, or other natural vegetation. Cage space regulations are liberally interpreted and require only that the animals be provided with enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and move around a bit. Basically, this means that if YOU were only protected by the AWA, you could legally be locked inside a concrete closet.

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

Some animals, including reptiles, fish, and other cold-blooded animals, are specifically EXCLUDED from the AWA. Shockingly, even though Congress amended the act in 2002 to include birds used for exhibition as regulated (protected) animals, the USDA has yet to cite ANYONE for neglecting them—even though many birds are obviously suffering and some have died as a result of apparent AWA violations.

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

While local authorities do typically have the legal power to enforce state and local cruelty laws for animals suffering in zoos, the vast majority simply refuse to take action, often passing the buck to the USDA. Even though the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) PROHIBITS harming or harassing protected species held in captivity, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (the agency tasked with enforcing the ESA) ALSO typically defers to the USDA’s inadequate enforcement of the AWA.

Aren’t zoos critical to conservation efforts?

The first thing people need to know is that most animals kept in zoos are NOT endangered. Those who are endangered may have their plight made worse by zoos’ focus on crowd appeal.

The second thing you need to know is that animals kept in zoos are almost NEVER being prepared for release back into their natural habitats. It’s nearly impossible to release captive-bred animals into the wild safely. Think about this: How are we going to help save animals from extinction if we’re displaying them in tiny cages and never releasing them to replenish the species? Animals who are reared in zoos live in unnatural environments and can’t learn survival skills—and often, they have little or no natural habitat left to return to because of human encroachment.

Many zoos are holding endangered species primarily as spectacles for tourists. Basically, most endangered animals in captivity are being exploited for the profit of zoos.

Won’t children be deprived if they can’t see animals in zoos?

Sociologists in the U.K. gathered data from children between the ages of 7 and 15, both before and after they visited the London Zoo. The researchers found that 59 percent of children who took an educator-guided tour of the zoo had no positive educational outcomes. That number jumps to 66 percent when the children went on an unguided visit. In many cases, the trip to the zoo even had a negative impact on children’s understanding of animals and their habitats.

Taking kids to the zoo may actually HURT conservation efforts, too! In fact, numerous studies have shown that exhibiting animals in unnatural settings may undermine conservation by causing visitors to believe that the species must not be in jeopardy. This is especially the case for displays in which humans are allowed direct contact with animals. 

What CAN we do to save endangered animals?

Ultimately, we’ll only be able to save endangered species if we save their habitats and stop animals from being hunted and killed—not by breeding them in captivity. Zoos regularly squander millions of dollars erecting statues and amusement rides and building gift shops and concession stands. This money would do far more to help animals if it were spent on habitat-preservation projects.

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/zoo-cruelty-questions/#ixzz3fSS4HIip

If you love animals, it’s only natural that you want to be close to them, but animals shouldn’t have to live in misery because of our curiosity! They don’t belong to us and they’re NOT OURS to confine in zoos. Pledge never to support zoos, and urge your friends and family to stay away, too.

No chains. No cages. No tanks. 

Longview animal hospital fire 'just devastating'

This hit close to home and this was just devastating to me. This happened a few weeks ago, but many people are still grieving from the loss of their beloved pets. May we all light a candle for the 38 out of 40 animals that died in this horrific fire. Rest In Peace..

 

"Only two animals survived a fire late Tuesday that engulfed Kimbrough Animal Hospital. Officials deemed the Longview veterinary clinic a total loss.

Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said 40 animals were at the clinic at the time the fire started; 38 animals died.

The veterinarian personally took the two surviving pets to East Texas Animal Hospital, a 24-hour emergency animal clinic on Gilmer Road, for treatment, Zackary said.

The fire department responded about 10:15 p.m. to the fire at the animal clinic, where flames could be seen shooting out of the roof when they arrived. The building collapsed during the blaze, but firefighters worked throughout the night to remove the animals.

"The fire started in the office, the cause has been narrowed down to electrical components in the office," Zackary said.

A crowd that included many of Kimbrough’s longtime clients had gathered out front, watching as the blaze destroyed the building and looking to see what they could do to help.

Christi Lee of Longview said she has been a client of the clinic for the past 20 years.

“I just picked up our dog yesterday,” she said while standing across Judson Road watching the blaze. “I was supposed to drop off two kittens tomorrow. Kenny (Kimbrough) was going to remove the stitches.”

Lee said Kimbrough was great with the animals and with people.

“Kenny Kimbrough is a great man, as well as a great doctor. His staff is so compassionate,” she said. “This is so heartbreaking.”

“It’s just devastating. He is so gentle and kind. Any of his clients would want to help in any way they can,” said Maley, who often boards her two dogs with Kimbrough.

“The thought of the owners hearing this news is just devastating,” she said. “This must be affecting Dr. Kimbrough horribly. I can’t imagine him having to call those families. Dr. Kimbrough is just a part of our family.”

"Everybody's in shock right now. I talked to Dr. Kimbrough. He is just numb right now and in shock," said Hart, who worked as a receptionist at the clinic from 2008 to 2011.

Hart said when she pulled up and saw the flames, her first thought was of the animals.

"All of those animals were precious. We love them like family. Everybody is asking right now what they can do to help. There's really not anything that you can do," she said. "It's heartbreaking. The animals depend on us to take care of them and to protect them. I can't imagine what was going through their minds."

The deceased animals were taken just after midnight to a building next door to the animal clinic for their owners to come and ID them. The animals have been wrapped up, but their heads are shown for the owners to easily identify them and take them home.

  Article By: Bridget Ortigo