Green Options » In Defense of Animals

Dumbo Behind Bars: Elephant-Sized Controversy Arises Over Captive Elephants

Ruedigar Matthes — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:45:07 +0000

For years and years parents have taken their children to zoos to see exotic animals, animals that they don’t get to see everyday. They want to see lions and tigers and bears. Oh my! High on the the list of animals to be seen are elephants, nature’s gentle giants. These cute, (hardly) cuddly animals are the largest of the land mammals. But all of that could change. Elephants could be removed from zoos forever if In Defense of Animals (IDA) and a handful of scientists and activists get their way.

June 20 highlighted the International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos. In Defense of Animals (IDA) and activists in over 30 cities worldwide (including L.A., Washington D.C., and more) participated in a day of demonstration to inform the public about the travesty of keeping Dumbo locked up - even Salt Lake City had one demonstrator brave the torrential rain in order to bring justice to our big grey friends.

Elliot M. Katz, DVM, President of IDA said that ”Zoos can no longer ignore the mounting scientific evidence of the devastating effects of captivity on elephants.” Infanticide, Herpes and tuberculosis are just a few of the ailments prevalent in captive elephants, and zoo populations are not self sustaining, unlike populations in natural environments.

First Sea Lion Killed in Controversial Cull; Media Banned

Alex Felsinger — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:38:52 +0000

The first two sea lions were captured today in the joint Oregon and Washintgon sea lion killing program, with one being euthenized shortly after capture. The sea lions are being targeted because they eat salmon.

The animal was given a health exam when a veterenarian noticed a potentially contagious wound and decided to euthanize the it. Some captured animals may be placed in zoos or aquariums, but since very few such vacancies exist, many of the sea lions will be killed.

San Francisco Vegetarian Society celebrates “World Vegetarian Day”

Reenita Malhotra — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:46:46 +0000

The San Francisco Vegetarian Society (SFVS) is a non-profit organization that has been working in the Bay Area for over 25 years promoting a vegetarian diet as a healthful and humane way of life.

Run entirely by volunteers, the Society hosts events throughout the year such as vegetarian potlucks, picnics, dining out and lectures. The Society has been instrumental in popularizing the words vegetarian and vegan in the Bay Area. As a result of their work, professionals from many fields promote the benefits of a vegetarian diet, versus the old warnings of dire consequences.