Animal Defender USA, Winter 2010

Anim l Winter 2010

DEFENDER VICTORY: Bolivia bans animal circuses.

Now help us save the animals.

● On tour with Ringlings! ● Animal rescue news ● Help save Krissy and Boo ● Elephant abuse exposed ● NASA’s Monkey tests ● Research without animals

Editorial

ANIMAL DEFENDER ISSN: 2041-3653 published by Animal Defenders International, Inc.

See the latest on the Davenport and Swain circus elephants Boo/Queenie and Krissy/Chris (p13). We’ve laid new evidence on the USDA – help us put pressure on the USDA to take action.

US: 953 Mission Street, Suite 200 San Francisco, CA 94103, U.S.A. Phone: (415) 543 - 2344 Toll-free: 1-800-978-ADII(2344) Fax: (415) 543 - 2343 e-mail: usa@ad-international.org web: www.ad-international.org

We’ve launched a legal action in Mexico to rescue Benny, another elephant previously owned by Bill Swain and Hermanos Vasquez Circus. Benny was seized by the Mexican government over improper documentation and remains in a government zoo for seized animals. Help us save Benny – see p9.

Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP, U.K. Tel: +44 20 7630 3340 Fax: +44 20 7828 2179 e-mail: info@ad-international.org web: www.ad-international.org

South America: Apartado Postal 359888 BOGOTÁ, Colombia. e-mail: info@ad-international.org web: www.ad-international.org Editors: Creamer/Phillips Design: Creamer/Phillips/Elson Cartoons: Paul Taylor Contributors: Jan Creamer; Tim Phillips; Helder Constantino; Alexandra Cardenas; Christina Dodkin; Jessamy Korotoga; Lisa Mitchinson; Juan Pablos Olmos; Corey Evans. ©2009 ADI. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced for commercial purposes by any means whatsoever without the written permission of ADI. ANIMAL DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL: MISSION Founded 1990. To educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of all forms of cruelty to animals; wherever possible, to alleviate suffering, and to conserve and protect animals and their environment.

If you knew animals were being abused, could you rest in peace?

Sadly, throughout their lives, the last thing many animals experience is peace. Toto the chimpanzee, for example, was imprisoned in a circus for 25 years and forced to perform tricks and smoke cigarettes for people’s entertainment. He was one of the lucky ones because he was rescued by Animal Defenders International and returned home to Africa where he now lives with his own kind.

Please help us to help other animals like Toto to live in peace by making a bequest today to Animal Defenders International. Thank you.

Animal Defenders International, Inc 953 Mission St., Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103

email us at usa@ad-international.org Tel: 001 415 543 2344 or visit www.ad-international.org

The Animal Defender Winter 2010

Check out the latest news on the rescue of the Bolivian circus lions and baboon.

After our investigation of animal circuses in Bolivia exposed the suffering, we followed up with a huge lobbying campaign and the Bolivian government banned all animals from travelling circuses. Now we are looking forward to bringing the first animals to a safe haven in the USA – see p6.

The perfe Please check out how you can take action to help animals with ADI – order our leaflets, posters, action packs to spread the word, and send a donation to help our investigations, campaigns and rescues. Now is the time to take action. Today is the day.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful, happy Christmas and New Year holiday season and most of all, let’s use the break to gather our strength to protect all animals in 2010, wherever they are. We are the defenders and we can make a difference.

How the Bolivian ban on a In June President Morales signed Law 4040 banning wild and domestic animals in travelling circuses throughout Bolivia. This is the first national circus ban in South America and the world’s first ban on all animal acts.

Here, we look back over ADI’s four year operation leading to this historic move. A campaign that began with our field officers investigating the country’s circuses, saw publicity events, reports, city bans, various drafts of legislation, had us fighting off the attempts of a US show to bring in animal acts and saw campaigners lobbying shoulder to shoulder right to the end. A perfect storm of activity that led to this important victory.

Key events on the way to the ban

2005 & 2006 ADI field officers active in Bolivia investigating animal circuses, capturing footage and images of animal abuse including that of a trainer at the Abuhabda Circus, scolding a muzzled bear as it cowers at the entrance of its cage (right).

ADI

© Animal Defenders International

UK: Millbank Tower,

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Welcome to ADI’s Winter 2010 magazine!

Left: ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer, presents the Bolivian Ambassador, Beatriz Souviron, with the first Toto Award for the Bolivian circus ban.

Victory: Bolivia bans animal circuses

Far left: Three of the five lions we are working to save.

Left: ADI and supporters at the Plenary of the Senate.

© Animal Defenders International

ect storm Help us save them: Find out about our mission to take the animals to freedom as the Bolivian circuses close - p6.

all animal circuses was won Collecting the evidence

In 2005, ADI’s senior field officer for the region stepped wearily off a flight in La Paz on his arrival in Bolivia.

What was becoming a remarkable investigation spanning two years, had covered Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia (and was to be followed by Brazil). The man hauling his video cameras down the aircraft steps had been attacked twice, but had infiltrated deep into the heart of the South American circus industry where we filmed a cruel trainer beating his dogs, and poor Indiano the elderly lion being beaten and kicked. Some cameras were now

held together with duct tape, but, thankfully, were still working and within days we were recording life inside Bolivia’s animal circuses.

What made these countries important was the movement of animals across their borders. When we filmed three brown bears in Circo Abuhabda we had already encountered them in Peru. The wretched, disturbed bears were living in a beastwagon in metal compartments of just 2.5 by 3 metres. The only exercise these magnificent, intelligent, inquisitive

creatures would get was the walk to and from the ring where they rode a bicycle and were forced to dance and play dead.

And so the evidence was gathered: Monkeys in tiny little crates and cages, a lion cub that never once left his small cage, lions living on the backs of lorries, pregnant lionesses forced to keep performing and even jump through rings of fire. These are the things that will be no more in Bolivia.

Back in London we began processing the evidence, writing the reports, preparing leaflets and posters, and editing the video.

Our South America team was meeting with local campaigners, drawing together the Stop Circus Suffering campaign partner organizations for the launch of the investigation.

Stop Circus Suffering Bolivia By early 2007, our undercover team were still wrapping up loose ends in Colombia, working inside the circuses – it was here that we filmed the shocking abuse of Karla the chimpanzee, which horrified the whole continent.

In March and April we staged a series of back to back launches in one country after another – Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. We were desperately short of funds for the project and were grateful to the Persula Foundation who enabled us to extend our reach and whose commitment to this campaign has been vital.

Animal Defenders International

ADI launches Stop Circus Suffering in Bolivia with EBA and ADDA. Bans secured in Cochabamba and El Alto. New “Stop Circus Suffering South America” Report published (right). Bolivian Campaigners and volunteers lobby and give media interviews (far right).

Animal Defenders International

2007

secured in Santa Cruz and La Paz. A year after our launch, bans were secured in El Alto, and Cochabamba.

In May 2008, these bans faced a major test when a Las Vegas based magic show featuring big cats, The Fercos Brothers, were booked to appear in the main cities in Bolivia – all of which now had animal circus bans. ADI and local animal protection groups worked together to uphold the bans with a blizzard of letters and distribution of information to the authorities and Bolivian entrepreneur Marco Montenegro, one of the organizers of the show.

The bans were upheld and no animals featured in the shows.

Animal Defenders International

Push for national legislation

Circo Bochincheros, Bolivia.

Campaigners, individuals and campaign groups all over Bolivia joined in and everyone played a part in lobbying for the passage of the ban as leaflets and information poured out. Information was distributed to the relevant authorities and prominent figures in various cities. In Cochabamba, ADI turned up the heat, lobbying and staging demonstrations outside the Mayor’s office.

The circus industry fought back, lobbying intensely in the media. Circo Abuhabda attempted to collect signatures supporting the circus. They failed.

The Bolivian public were horrified by the conditions the animals were forced to endure, as bans were

2008

© Animal Defenders International

Attempt by Fercos Brothers from Las Vegas to perform with big cats (right) in Bolivia is blocked Congresswoman Ximena Flores tables legislation to ban all animal circuses.

Bolivian government discusses a Presidential decree on biodiversity and ADI lobbies to get a ban on wild animals in circuses in the text.

ADI Releases “La Ciencia del Sufrimiento” in Spanish (right).

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Soon after the local bans were enacted, ADI saw an opportunity and drafted a proposal to ban wild animals under a Presidential Decree on biodiversity.

Despite almost a year of negotiations the proposal failed to materialize. We picked ourselves up and started again.

In August 2008, ADI started working with Congresswoman Ximena Flores, representative of the Department of Potosi, to table an ambitious bill banning ALL animals from circuses. Bill No.1143/2008-2009 was laid down in the Bolivian Congress.

For the Bill to become a law it had to pass through both Houses; the Chamber of Deputies (upper house) and the Senate (lower house). Two readings were held in each; the first in the Commission of Sustainable Development and the second in the Plenary. Therefore, the Bill had to be read, debated and voted favorably four times.

After several unsuccessful attempts, on January 14th our team in Bolivia and Congresswoman Flores got the Bill on the agenda of the Commission of Sustainable Development in the Chamber of Deputies.

However, the annual recess was upon us!

This meant that our team had to race against the clock to get the Bill approved in the Commission and in the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies on the same day.

The Bill was approved in the Commission with minor amendments. Even Deputies who initially expressed concerns, voted favorably.

However, the real challenge would be in the Plenary; the mission was to ensure that the Bill was included on the agenda by getting at least seven Deputies to support it and ensure the attendance of the minimum 124 Deputies. We succeeded. The Bill was approved unanimously.

Getting legislation is a marathon, not a sprint, and it was now onto the Senate.

After the Chamber of Deputies, ADI led an intense lobby and publicity campaign with a new range of campaigns materials – a new brochure summarizing the key

The Animal Defender Winter 2010

© Animal Defenders International

ADI planned and staged press conferences with our campaign partners, including Educación y Bienestar Animal (EBA); our Stop Circus Suffering DVD was screened in the Department of Environment in the Bolivian cities of Cochabamba and in Santa Cruz.

ADI’s shocking footage was screened on most major television channels and shown in bars and restaurants, as well as newspapers and radio.

© Animal Defenders International

Right: The Plenary of the Senate debates.

Victory: Bolivia bans animal circuses

ADI

Victory: Bolivia bans animal circuses

January: Commission of Sustainable Development approves with minor amendments.

Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies approves unanimously.

April: Commission of Sustainable Development of the Senate approves unanimously.

ADI

This remarkable achievement now sees new legislation under consideration in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. This could herald a seismic change for animals.

Come on U.S.A., let’s see some action!

May: Plenary of Senate approves by majority with minor amendments. Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies approves the amendments unanimously.

Bolivian campaigners and volunteers lobby and attend Plenary sessions (right).

June 17: President Evo Morales signs & publishes the new law.

The Animal Defender

Left: ADI’s Juan Pablo Olmos presents the ADI Award to Congresswoman Ximena Flores.

Animal Defenders International

Abuhabda Circus, Bolivia.

© Animal Defenders International

2009

Animanaturalis-Bolivia, Gaia Pacha, EbaBolivia, Animales SOS (La Paz and Santa Cruz) amongst others.

And above all else, thanks to our individual supporters who enabled us to put field officers into the circuses in Bolivia, to make DVDs, to publish the reports, produce campaign materials and send people to lobby politicians.

You make us strong, thank you. Your donations mean that there will be no more bears living in cages on the backs of lorries in Bolivia.

© Animal Defenders International

arguments and text of the Bill, postcards, key rings and door hangers. A new Science on Suffering (La Cienca del Sufrimiento) South America report was hand delivered to Senators at face to face meetings; campaigners wrote letters to their Senators.

The Bill was approved unanimously in committee – the Senate’s Commission of Sustainable Development. Now we had to see it through the Plenary; this was tough, with the Bill deferred for four consecutive weeks.

However, this was no time for campaign fatigue, but to dig deep and step up the pressure. A team of twenty volunteer lobbyists headed to Congress and personally invited Senators to vote.

On May 14th, the Senate’s public gallery was full of supporters wearing ADI T-shirts and holding banners as the Bill was debated and approved, with some minor amendments, including allowing one year for implementation (by comparison with other new laws, a very rapid phase out).

On May 20th the amendments made by the Senate were approved unanimously in the Chamber of Deputies. The new law was then sent to President Morales for the

presidential assent and Law 4040 was signed on June 17th.

This is a strong and courageous piece of legislation and it was important to commend the Bolivian Government. ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer, presented the Bolivian Ambassador in the UK, Beatriz Souviron, with the first Toto Award for services to animal protection, which acknowledges President Morales and the Bolivian Government’s progressive stand.

ADI’s Juan Pablo Olmos also gave an ADI Award to Congresswoman Ximena Flores commending her initiative and hard work to secure the new Law. ADI Ambassador, CSI actress Jorja Fox, wrote a letter to congratulate President Evo Morales for the new legislation, saying, “The fact that Bolivia will be the first South American country with a national ban on animal circuses, including both wild and domesticated species, is a tremendous credit to the compassion and progressive thinking of yourself and your nation.”

During the following weeks the ban was reported extensively in South America and worldwide.

ADI continues working with Congresswoman Flores; now drafting regulations to implement the law and with the national environment authority on a census of circus animals and relocation strategies.

Already, five lions and a baboon have been handed over to ADI for rehoming – see p 6.

The ADI field officers who began this remarkable campaign must remain anonymous, but our grateful thanks go to those who campaigned at our side: Focomade, Vida Silvestre, Biosfera, Codac, Zooprama,

Winter 2010

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Inset pics: Tilin the huge Hamadrayas baboon and Maize one of the lionesses.

We’ve secured a ban on ALL animal circuses in Bolivia, now help us save the animals as the circuses go animal-free.

Following the ban, the first Bolivian circus has gone animal free and the animals have been handed to ADI. Five lions, three males and two females and a Hamadryas baboon from Circo Abuhadba are on their way to freedom.

President Morales gave the circuses one year to go animal free in order to adjust to the new legislation, and in doing so ADI have risen to the challenge of rescuing and relocating those in need.

Some of these animals were filmed during our undercover investigation of circuses in Bolivia five years ago, which led to this ban. We also believe we filmed tragic Tilin the baboon two years before that, during an investigation of circuses in Chile.

After lengthy negotiations the circus agreed to hand the animals to ADI. We have now moved the animals to a secure location and are building a holding unit where they will be cared for whilst we arrange to move them to a permanent home. In November, the ADI team including vet, Dr. Mel Richardson gave the animals a thorough health exam and gave them the vaccinations required for the

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

journey that will change their lives forever.

Although their ages vary, the lions and baboon are in relatively good health. The animals will go to the wonderful Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Sanctuary in California (see p15), where we are funding construction of a new enclosure and will support the animals for the rest of their lives.

These animals have led a terrible life – now let’s give them the future they deserve.

It is also important to show Bolivia and other governments that when we campaign for a ban, ADI will follow through and help with any animals that need rehoming.

We currently have legislation or measures to ban animal circuses under consideration in Brazil, Colombia, Peru,

© Animal Defenders International

ADI vet Mel Richardson gives Simba, the largest of the lions, a vaccination ready for the trip to freedom in California.

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

Help ADI save the Bolivian Circus Animals

the UK, Portugal and Greece – it’s vital we show our commitment to help ensure such measures are effectively implemented.

A rescue like this is extremely complex and costly. It could be months before all of the permits are in place to move the animals although we are working to do this as quickly as possible. Are team in Bolivia are feeding and caring for the animals, but we need to ensure veterinary visits and we are having to construct a temporary pen.

Please help us save these wonderful animals and bring them to a new life in California. We urgently need funds: To feed and care for the animals, for veterinary care, for the new holding facility in Bolivia, and for the journey to the US and the permanent enclosure where they will run free in California for the remainder of their lives. PLEASE SEND A DONATION TODAY.

ADI

© Animal Defenders International

NASA irradiates squirrel monkeys

Monkeys are to be irradiated in a study paid for by NASA. The Scientific American website reports that 18 to 28 squirrel monkeys will be used in the research1. NASA announced on their website that “NASA’s Space Radiation Program has selected individual investigator awards for Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology”. The recipient of the grant, Jack Bergman of the McLean Hospital in Boston, heads the project entitled “Long term effects of space radiation in nonhuman primates” 2.

NASA states that “The research to be supported by these grants will seek to reduce the uncertainties in risk predictions for cancer radiation risks, to provide the necessary data and knowledge to develop risk projection models for central nervous system (CNS) and other degenerative tissue risks, and significantly advance the understanding of the mechanisms of biological damage that underlies radiation health risks” 2.

According to Discovery News, “The radiation exposures will take place at NASA’s Space Radiation Laboratory at the Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York”. The article also states that the animals will not be killed at the end of the study, in order that researchers may assess the animals “at different time points after exposure” 3. According to NASA the Brookhaven lab conducts research wherein “radiobiologists and medical scientists irradiate a variety of biological specimens, tissues and cells, as well as DNA. Specifically, they are investigating radiation-induced damage to chromosomes, as well as to organs such as the skin, eye and brain” 4.

Jack Bergman is the director of “The Behavioral Pharmacology Program” at the McLean Hospital. On their website they state that they use “operant behavioral procedures to analyze the abuse-related effects of a wide range of commonly abused drugs and prescription medications” 5.

A NASA spokeswoman said that she understood opposition to the research but that NASA follows “rigorous standards and procedures before we do any kind of research on primates.” She then went on to explain how the animals, all males, would be subjected to radiation, via a particle beam which would “give them the same amount that an astronaut would get over a three-year Mars mission.” She added that “It is going to cause some cellular damage...it’s not enough to kill these monkeys. They are going to live out their natural life” 6.

Action call: Please write a polite letter for the attention of the NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. Please request that he reconsider financing such horrific experiments. Public Communications Office, NASA Headquarters, Suite 5K39, Washington, DC 20546-0001 E-mail ; public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov References: 1. http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=nasa-funded-monkey-radiation-experi-2009-11-06.

2. http://spaceradiation.usra.edu/newsletter/archive/2009/fall/index.shtml 3. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/10/29/space-radiation-monkeys.html 4. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/support/researching/radiation/brochure2/ 5. http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/research/adarc/bsl.php 6. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091106/NEWS02/911060332/Critics+call+NASA+tests+on+monkeys++nonsense+

ADI

Campaign News Kick animal testing out of the house Information regarding the number of animals used for testing household products in the USA is scarce. Statistical reporting, by the USDA, is provided in a general yearly report regarding the Animal Welfare Act. The latest report reveals that 1,027,450 animals were used, but this omits the use of “birds and laboratory rats and mice, as well as farm animals used exclusively in agricultural research” for which authorization is not required1. The total of animals used is therefore about 20 times this. The FDA states, in reference to cosmetics, that “Animal testing by manufacturers seeking to market new products may be used to establish product safety” 2 but doesn not publish the data. A 2001 report merely noted: “In the USA the use of animals in biomedical research, testing of household products and cosmetics contributes to an annual total of between 17 and 22 million animals” 3.

However, progress in Europe shows that we can win; testing finished cosmetics products on animals has been prohibited in the EU since 2004 and testing ingredients is now banned. It is imperative that the USA now ends these tests. Our ‘Kick Animal Testing Out of the House’ campaign is calling for action.

1. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_welfare/content/printable_version/ 2007_AC_Report.pdf 2. http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductTesting/ ucm072268.htm 3. Moore, A (2001) Of mice and Mendle, European Molecular Biology Organisation, Vol. 2, No. 7, pp: 554 – 558., showing a lack of precision.

Co-operation on alternatives An agreement has been signed by ICCVAM (the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods) and its equivalent bodies in Europe, Japan, and Canada to enhance international co-operation and coordination for the scientific validation and evaluation of in-vitro toxicity testing methods. http://ecvam.jrc.it/

The Animal Defender

Winter 2010

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Order our leaflet to distribute

* Member of the European Parliament

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

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industries, being shunted from place to place with nobody to protect them.

Benny is also an example of the USDA’s inability to monitor and enforce the regulations that fall under its jurisdiction.

Benny’s seizure by the Mexican government was based on Circus Vasquez’s failure to have the proper CITES permit. ADI has recently sent a number of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests to the USDA, but so far the USDA has indicated that they have no records regarding Benny’s seizure in Mexico, or Circus Vasquez’s failure to have a CITES permit.

Benny’s family is spread all over the circus industry. His father, Vance, sired the circus elephants Mickey, Benny, Bo and Luke. Mickey is with Carson & Barnes Circus, Luke is with circus trainer Patti Zerbini, Bo is with the George Carden Circus, Ned is now dead (having been seized by the USDA last year but was too sick to survive) and Benny is in Mexico.

All of these bulls were born at Busch Gardens in Florida and owned by circus trainer Roman Schmidt.

Benny was separated from his mother when he was a few months old and trained to perform when he was still a baby. He was sold to Trunks & Humps, of Texas, who then sold him to a Vasquez circus, apparently illegally. He was transported to Mexico to perform, and then seized by the Mexican government. The only reason

that Benny is not in the circus now, is that the Mexican government were diligent about their duties – unlike the US Fish & Wildlife and USDA, who allowed this illegal export to take place.

ADI and PAWS are determined to help Benny. Please help us.

DO SOMETHING FOR BENNY TODAY

© Performing Animal Welfare Society

© Performing Animal Welfare Society

ADI was alerted to the case of Benny, an elephant previously with Circus Vasquez, by the office of renowned TV presenter Bob Barker, a great friend of ADI. Benny has been languishing in a Mexican government facility, Zacango Zoo in Toluca, near Mexico City, after being seized when Vasquez crossed the border from the US into Mexico without valid paperwork. Zacango is part of Mexico’s protected area for captive wildlife.

ADI immediately contacted the Mexican authorities and employed a Mexican lawyer to establish Benny’s legal status, and start applying pressure and open negotiations. We arranged for ADI local representatives and Ed Stewart of PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Sanctuary), California, to visit Benny and make an assessment of his position. They reported that Benny is currently in reasonably good physical shape, but he is in a temporary facility and needs proper space. ADI and PAWS have committed to doing everything possible to bring Benny to the PAWS sanctuary in the US. Benny is in the middle of a legal and administrative tangle, so in order to prevent the circus from trying to take him back, ADI has launched a legal action to freeze any moves by the Mexican authorities to hand him back to the circus.

Poor Benny is another example of the large numbers of almost invisible animals lost in the US circus and entertainment

Circus elephant Benny stuck in Mexico

Campaign News

1. Write letters to your federal legislators and ask that Congress conduct hearings on the lack of enforcement by federal agencies which allows circuses to play the shell game with endangered animals.

2. Write, call, or email the Minister of Tourism in Mexico and ask that Benny be returned to the United States, but not returned to the circus industry. He should not be living in a tiny space as an attraction for tourists.

Rodolfo Elizondo Torres Minister of Tourism Av. Presidente Masaryk #172 Chapultepec Morales 11587 Mexico City, Mexico Tel. +52(55)30.02.63.00 Email: atencion@sectur.gob.mx Contact Mexico tourism offices in the United States: Mexico Tourism Board 21 East 63rd Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10021 Telephone: 1-800-44MEXICO Email: newyork@visitmexico.com Mexico Government Tourist Office 4507 San Jacinto, Suite 308 Houston, TX 77004 Telephone: 1-713-772-2581 Email: houston@visitmexico.com 3. If you plan travel to Mexico, voice your disapproval of Benny's situation. Try to get support from Mexican citizens and animal welfare organizations.

4. Make a donation to ADI to help the campaign and help cover the legal moves to stop him from going back to the circus.

The Animal Defender

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© Animal Defenders International

Far left: Tim Phillips and Jan Creamer with the Rebecca Award.

Award for Leadership

The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), has presented ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer, and Campaigns Director, Tim Phillips, with The Rebecca Award “For their courage, commitment, and international leadership in exposing cruel training and travel practices of circuses through their documentation of the science of animal suffering.”

The special award is named after Rebecca, a 48 year old Asian elephant who toured with Circus World and the Blue Unit of Ringling Bros throughout the USA. In September 2001, Rebecca was brought to PAWS where she joined the Asian elephants Tammy and Annie at the wonderful facility in California.

Jan said: “We especially appreciate receiving such a prestigious award from PAWS for whom we have so much respect and admiration. The award acknowledges the huge impact that the team we have led at ADI for 20 years, has had on this cruel industry.”

Monkeys saved from Israeli horror tests

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

Princess Elizabeth de Croy We were saddened by the death of a great friend of ADI, Princess Elizabeth de Croy, in May. Princess Elizabeth left a life of wealth and privilege to dedicate herself to animals, and in particular her sanctuary – the Refuge de Thiernay in Nevers, France. She was a longstanding supporter of our work, even assisting with undercover investigations in France. Together, we famously took a French circus to court to rescue a hippo; we won the case but sadly the circus was given an amnesty.

Shortly before her death, she said to a friend “such a nuisance to die when there is so much to do for animals.” ADI Campaign Director Tim Phillips recently wrote a section for her forthcoming autobiography, and he spoke at a memorial service at Peterborough Cathedral as part of a celebration of Elizabeth’s long and active life.

Lionesses escape

© ADI

In April, two lionesses escaped from a circus in Colombia during the night. They killed a dog, destroyed a motorcycle, and then climbed onto a roof that collapsed with a lioness falling into an occupied house. It took the police over three hours to capture the animals. The circus had no CITES documentation, nor any paperwork with them. ADI offered the Colombian Minister of Environment to relocate the lionesses.

Monkey farm in Puerto Rico © Let Animals Live

Left: Monkey undergoing a procedure in an horrific experiment filmed at the Weizmann Institute.

In our last magazine, we reported how we have been assisting with evidence for the legal action which followed an undercover investigation that exposed macaque monkey experiments at the Wiezmann Institute, Israel. The monkeys suffered having holes cut in their skulls and plastic placed over their brains in order to monitor their brain activity.

These appalling experiments involved the primates being restrained for up to 9 hours a day and deprived of water as an incentive to complete the tasks required.

We are thrilled to report that four monkeys have now been released and will live out the rest of their lives free from suffering. It is hoped that the freedom of three more will be secured.

Critically, in order to stop other animals suffering such a fate, the legal challenge regarding the experiments is still before Israeli lawyers.

© Refuge de Thiernay

Campaign News

The construction of a lab monkey supply facility is underway in Puerto Rico. The proposed breeding centre in Guayama City will initially be stocked with macaques from Mauritius. http://www.puertoriconetnews.com/local.php?news_id=488&start=0& category_id=1

ADI

© Animal Defenders International

1. http://ori.dhhs.gov/misconduct/cases/Contreras_Juan_Luis.shtml 2. http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55823/

Vote for seals In April, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to ban the trade in seal products in the EU, ending Europe’s support for the Canadian slaughter of around 300,000 seals a year. Canada is threatening to take the EU to the WTO. References: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/05/eu-bans-sealproducts

Wildlife farms cause harm An investigation by the Wildlife Conservation Society of wildlife farms in Vietnam has revealed that 42% take breeding stock from the wild. Farms can also be used to launder body parts used in traditional medicine. Animals include snakes, turtles, crocodiles and monkeys.

New Scientist, Issue 2710, 30th May 2009

Mongol Rally The sixth Festival of Slow, Mongolia Rally took place in 2009 with 400 teams launching simultaneously from England, Spain and Italy for the finish line in Mongolian capital Ulaan Baatar. English participants Steven Manship and Daniel Nielsen nominated ADI as a chosen charity.

Their remarkable 10,000 mile journey took them through Europe, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia to Mongolia and raised funds for our campaigns. Well done Steven and Daniel.

ADI

© AnimaNaturalis

Two researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, falsified data in 15 publications and two grant progress reports. The research concerned experiments to test immune suppressing drugs. The researchers reported that they had performed double kidney removal in rhesus macaques. In fact one kidney was left intact in at least 32 animals1. This overstated the effectiveness of the drug, which could have led to further wasted research by others. Both researchers resigned2.

© Free Clip Art Now

Tom Rider and Alexandra Cardenas of ADI meet the Spanish press.

Experiments faked

How ADI greeted the Ringlings’ European tour

When Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus announced that they would be doing their first European tour it was no surprise that ADI would be there to meet them. However, we didn’t want to just send a heap of posters and leaflets to Italy, Spain and Germany (not least because they speak different languages!) we want to do something a little more sophisticated.

We used the tour as a platform for a new circus whistleblower campaign package and stormed a high profile media trail across Europe. With videos, leaflets and posters in Italian, Spanish and English and events as Ringlings arrived in town.

Initially, our field officers went to New York to check out the Ringlings’ “Boom a Ring” Show just before it headed to Italy. We then confirmed that animals would be rented from Italian circuses instead – which rather undermines the Ringlings’ claim that there is something special about their animal acts.

Next Tom Rider, an ex circus employee who had witnessed abuse and confinement during his time working at

Ringlings was called in to make a special appeal for circus workers to report cruelty.

Tom hit the headlines in the USA as a lead witness in the recent case against Ringlings under the US Endangered Species Act in 2009. However, ADI and Tom go way back; when in 2000, Tom became so sickened with what he had seen in the circus, it was ADI he turned to.

The new video is a plea from the heart to people who witness cruelty “Don’t look the other way, speak out against circus suffering.”

In the accompanying leaflets and posters we also show how ADI field officers working inside animal circuses around the world have caught horrific scenes of violence on film. It’s time for the silent witnesses to come forward.

Tom’s story is particularly relevant. He worked with more than one circus, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Carson and Barnes, and Circus Barelli. In 2000 he travelled by boat from the US with a Chipperfield Enterprises elephant act from Ringlings on its way to Spain, then went on the road to Holland, Germany and France.

We were able to use ADI footage from all of these circuses and suppliers and were also grateful to Humanity Through Education who supplied additional footage of the abuse of animals at Ringlings.

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Winter 2010

Above: Our Spanish campaign leaflet.

Below: The Italian campaign poster.

Bottom of page: Protesting outside the the Ringlings’ performance in Seville.

Three elephants with the Ringling’s “Boom a ring” show in New York earlier this year.

© AnimaNaturalis

In October, as Ringlings swept into town, the campaign was unveiled in Milan, at a special press conference organized by ADI campaign partners AgireOra. The conference was addressed by Marina Berati of Agire Ora, ADI Head of Parliamentary Affairs Helder Constantino, and Tom. With simultaneous translation, Tom gave shocking eye witness testimony of his time working in animal circuses with particular reference to his time with Ringlings.

Tom explained how he had seen elephants being beaten, horses being punched, and tigers being whipped and jabbed with sticks. He recalled that the elephants were kept in chains for nearly the entire day, around 22 hours, and tigers were confined to small metal cages with little room to move.

There was a huge turnout for the press conference which secured national TV and print coverage. Then in the evening our leaflets were pouring out to circus visitors and our posters were highly visible at a demonstration outside the circus.

Since the launch, ADI and AgireOra have committed to taking the campaign throughout Italy focussing on all circuses.

Maria Rojo, from the Seville Green Party, local group Colectivo Andaluz contra el Maltrato animal (CACMA), and, of course, Tom. With each of the European media events we needed a translator with Tom, but that extra commitment paid off, and again the event was packed with journalists and the national news broadcast footage of the conference throughout the day.

In the evening, ADI and AnimaNaturalis organized a successful demonstration in front of Ringlings circus, with local campaigners holding posters and handing out hundreds of leaflets to passers-by.

From then, our Spanish PR team ensured Tom and the campaign were in front of the media whenever the circus moved to a new location and with the tour clearly starting to crumble, Ringlings cancelled the shows in Valencia – Spain’s second biggest city.

In Spain’s capital, they were greeted by a media event in the Madrid City Council press room hosted by Councillor Raquel Lopez from the United Left Party. The prestigious location was selected as part of a drive to secure a Madrid city-wide ban on animal circuses.

Spain

By the time Ringlings reached Spain they had cancelled the German leg of their tour. We greeted them on the first date in Seville with a press conference hosted by the Seville Green Party and addressed by ADI Animals in Entertainment Campaigner Alexandra Cardenas (a Spanish speaker), Jonathan Torralba from Spanish campaign group AnimaNaturalis,

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Winter 2010

We achieved huge coverage – once again the event was screened all day on national television – and followed this with an ADI/AnimaNaturalis demonstration outside Ringlings.

USA next!

© Animal Defenders International

Councillor Raquel Lopez at the Madrid press conference.

Italy

© Animal Defenders International

The Seville press confernece with Tom Rider and Alexandra Cardenas of ADI, Jonathan Torralba of AnimaNaturalis, and Maria Rojo of the Green Party.

All the new materials were translated into Spanish and Italian, and the new completed video was dubbed into both languages. We were ready to go.

© Animal Defenders International

ADI’s Tom Rider and Alexandra Cardenas surrounded by press in Seville.

© Animal Defenders International

Photos (from top left clockwise): Marina Berati of AgireOra, Massimo Tettamanti (scientist who opposes circuses) and Tom Rider and Helder Constantino of ADI at the Milan press conference;

In December, as the tour concluded we were still securing television coverage, with Tom appearing on various talk shows.

This is a huge achievement in a country where animal welfare is renowned for being rather low on the agenda. The success was down to a successful campaign package and execution – going that extra yard when we needed to.

Our special thanks Aida Gascón, Raquel López, Adrian Elliot, Eduardo Fuentes, María Teresa Rojo, Carlos Sosa, Isabel Bermejo and our colleagues at AgireOra, AnimaNaturalis, and Humanity Through Education for their help on this important campaign.

We are bringing the whistleblower campaign to the USA in 2010. If you would like to be involved or would like to help sponsor the campaign then please get in touch.

International © Animal Defenders

Beaten, chained, passed from one owner to the next....

The sad lives of Boo and Krissy – the elephants the USDA left behind....

International © Animal Defenders

International © Animal Defenders

International © Animal Defenders

O O B D N A Y S S I R K E V A S P L E H On August 22, 2009 we were delighted as circus elephants Tina and Jewel were confiscated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Leggett, Texas. They were taken to San Diego Zoo. The elephants were owned by the notorious Wil (Wilbur) Davenport.

Tragically the elephant Boo (also known as Queenie) who ADI met during our investigation of US circuses was left behind – chained to a tree. Davenport surrendered his USDA exhibitor’s license. And just a few miles away Boo’s one time companion, Krissy, remained with the Swain family.

On October 26, 2009, The USDA filed formal charges against Wilbur Davenport for multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The charges state that "the gravity of the violations alleged...is great" and that Davenport has "not shown good faith" in his repeated unwillingness to comply with AWA regulations. The charges include: • Defying federal officials. Three counts of abusing and harassing USDA/APHIS officials, including refusal to give federal officers access to animals and facilities.

• Seven counts of failure to provide minimal veterinary care to the elephants between

ADI

March 2008 and August 2009, including failures to provide appropriate tests, vaccinations and to keep records of lifethreatening weight loss that was documented, chronic and visible.

• Failing to handle elephants safely and humanely: Four counts, including an incident in Indianapolis when all three elephants were used to give rides and one elephant (Boo) and 13 people, many of them children, were injured.

• Failing to abide by welfare standards: Five counts of violating the minimum standards of the AWA including failure to protect the elephants from extreme temperatures and failure to provide food of sufficient quantity and nutritive value.

Under the AWA penalties of up to $2500 for each day of each violation can be assessed against Davenport, and consideration is to be given to the gravity of these violations and to his failure to show compliance – good faith. Interfering with the duties of

federal officials, as Davenport is alleged to have done, can result in up to three years of imprisonment.

The Background

An ADI field officer first met Asian elephant Boo (who has also been known as Baby Ruth and Queenie) and African elephant Krissy/Chris (both names are used) in 2004; Boo was then 35 years old and Krissy about 20 years old.

At that time, Mike Swain (who does business as Progressive Pachyderms) claimed that he owned Boo. He told our field officer that Krissy was owned by his father, Bill Swain, who does business as Trunks and Humps.

Mike Swain was touring that year with Bailey Brothers Circus, and our field officer worked alongside him for two months filming and recording how the elephants lived. During the day, the elephants lived in a small electric fenced enclosure and at night (from about 9.30pm) were chained

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Winter 2010

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Top: Krissy still chained in 2009, waiting to give elephant rides.

Below (L to R): Krissy and Boo together at Bailey Brothers Circus.

Mike Swain beats and drags Krissy to her knees then kicks her in the face.

Swain hits Krissy in the leg.

Stop Circus Suffering

inside the trailer. Typically, they were unshackled and let out of their semi/trailer about mid-morning, after spending the night for about 13 hours chained with no water. Mid-afternoon they would be prepared for elephant rides and then the show. The elephants were

Justice? Bill Swain (with a bull hook in his hand) leads Krissy.

His son was filmed savagely beating her but it seems to be business as usual for the Swain family.

chained at least 54% of the time.

Whenever Mike Swain left the site or was inside his trailer (usually every day for two to four hours), Krissy would be chained to the semi by a leg due to her repeated attempts to escape. This chain was only 2½ feet long, severely restricting her movements.

When the circus moved on, the elephants spent excessive periods of time stuck in the trailer. They would be moved out at about 6am (still in the semi from the previous night); they remained chained in the trailer for the duration of the journey; then on arrival they waited in the trailer a further 2-3 hours while the site was set up.

On one occasion, they spent the whole day inside the trailer traveling to a Hindu festival to give rides. A couple of days later, they traveled from Austin to Kansas and did not leave the trailer for the entire day. They had been out of the trailer for only six of the previous 72 hours, and that had been to give rides at the festival. The next day, the elephants were driven to Butler, Missouri and were not let out of their trailer until noon. Krissy was immediately chained up outside and was unchained only for the afternoon show.

When the trailer door was not secured properly during the day she would bang on it with her trunk. Krissy often threw objects (hay,

stones, feces, dirt, rubber dishes) at people, both circus workers and members of the public. She would often eat rubbish found in her enclosure, such as plastic and paper bags. When fed by the public she would snatch the plastic/paper bag containing the food and eat everything. Krissy frequently tried to escape, even dismantling the electric fence on several occasions (Swain thought she was becoming accustomed to the electric shock). She threw hay, grass and stones at people and had a reputation for aggression, cornering and pushing circus workers.

Elephants are designed to travel long distances each day, browse a variety of plants, and have a highly developed social structure. Keeping such large, powerful animals in temporary accommodations has a severe impact on their welfare, because they are constantly chained. In such confined and deprived conditions they literally go out of their minds. We call it circus madness.

ADI caught Mike Swain on video cruelly beating Krissy with a bullhook, dragging her to the ground with the hook, and then kicking her in the face as he screamed at her. Boo cowers next to her. Swain was also filmed hittting the elephants with a golf club and giving them electric shocks.

USDA Complaint

ADI presented our evidence to the USDA, but we were told in April 2009 that they would not be taking further action because Swain had told them that he did not currently own any elephants, nor was he currently handling any.

We therefore continued to track these two elephants. This year Krissy was back with Mike Swain’s father Bill doing elephant rides and Boo was performing for the Davenport family. And who had been running Bailey Brothers Circus where we filmed the savage abuse of the elephants?

The Davenport family.

© Animal Defenders International

H o w y o u c a n h e l p S t o p C i r c u s S u f fe r i n g U S A

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

Help our campaign to end the use of animals in US circuses– ● Alert us when an animal circus is coming to your town ● Get our action pack – get involved ● Order our flyers and posters ● Write to your local representatives – ask for an animal circus ban in your area ● Donate – for more investigations & campaigns For copies of U.S. campaign leaflets, posters and reports call (415)543-2344, or email usa@ad-international.org.

How to help Boo/Queenie and Krissy

Write to the USDA today Thank them for protecting Tina and Jewel: Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20250; and APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea: Phone: 202-720-3861. Email: Kevin.A.Shea@usda.gov

Urge them to return to Leggett, Texas, and confiscate Boo/Queenie who is now living in isolation.

Ask them to extend the USDA’s investigations to Bill Swain of Conroe and Mike Swain of Cut and Shoot, Texas, who regularly work with Davenport.

Urge them to seize Krissy/Chris, Jean, Nanda, and Spanky.

Remind them of the video of horrific abuse and deprivation Krissy and Boo/Queenie endured at the hands of Mike Swain in a circus run by the Davenports.

ADI

Summit for Elephants

© Animal Defenders International

In 2007 and 2008, Boo/Queenie appeared with Tina and Jewel for the Davenports at Circus Vasquez (named Queenie for one year, Boo the next). In the 2009 season, she performed at Will Davenport’s Hamid (Midian Shrine) Circus. Will Davenport claims that Bill Swain, who sold her to Gopher (John) Davenport (aka John Lewis), previously owned Boo. Krissy has continued to perform for the Swain family. In April, as the USDA told us he was no longer handling elephants, Mike Swain posed for a picture with Krissy – on her knees, a front leg raised in the air, with Mike Swain next to her holding a stick or bullhook and grinning at the camera.

We tracked the Swains this year and found Krissy giving elephant rides with two other elephants, Jean and another African elephant believed to be Nanda – all three of these poor animals were taken from the wild. When she wasn’t giving rides, she was chained up. And guess who is reported to have previously owned Krissy?

John (Gopher) Davenport.

There is also evidence that Mike Swain has owned a 35-year old female African elephant called Spanky since 1996; the USDA needs to follow this up.

ADI has submitted a new dossier to the USDA on the Swains and the Davenports and their elephants, and we are insisting that a new investigation is launched.

In April, the leading elephant experts and campaigners assembled for the Summit for Elephants – with special emphasis on circus elephants.

Appropriately, the setting for the three day conference was the Ark 2000 sanctuary of the Performing Animal Welfare Society, (PAWS). As delegates inside one of the elephant barns discussed how to set elephants free, the lucky elephants at PAWS browsed outside in the sunshine.

The Summit opened with PAWS founders, Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, outlining why it may be possible to fix zoos, but because of the temporary nature, close control, and constant travelling you could not fix circuses.

Eminent field biologist and elephant expert Dr. Joyce Poole – who previously spoke at the launch of our Stop Circus Suffering Norway campaign in Oslo – presented research on elephant communication with examples of acoustic, visual, chemical, tactile and seismic communication. She presented the voice, behavior and gesture database and the Elephant Charter which provides guiding principles for scientific and ethical management of elephants.

PAWS Vets, Dr. Mel Richardson and Dr. Dan Famini and CAHFS Dr. Francisco Uzal provided an expert insight on captive elephant health and diseases such as TB, pancreatitis, joint disease and foot health.

USDA officer, Dr. Denise Sofranko, highlighted the problem of zoonotic diseases such as the risk of TB transmission to humans.

A workshop on protected contact by Gaile Laule, illustrated the success of the method with rescued elephant Nicholas.

Presentations were also given by Dr. Joel Parrott and Colleen Kinzley of Oakland Zoo, Nicole Pacquette of Born Free Foundation USA and Margaret Whittaker of Active Environments.

Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips of ADI were due to give a series of presentations but at the last minute were unable to attend. It

was a shame for Jan and Tim who were presented with an award – see p15. Their presentations were made by Alexandra ADI’s Cardenas, Lisa Mitchinson and ADI Legal & Political Advisor Corey Evans.

Our first presentation, Legislation and Advocacy, focused on national and local measures to end the use of animals in circuses and the strategies to achieve these. We provided examples from all over the world where ADI had begun at ground level securing evidence behind the scenes of circuses and used this to drive awareness campaigns, publicity, secure local bans and then have national legislation tabled. We outlined the measures and text that can be achieved.

As we spoke, Bolivia was on the brink of the final vote to ban animal circuses. We concluded by screening of our Stop Circus Suffering USA DVD with a special introduction by actress Jorja Fox. Our second presentation, Moving elephants out of circuses highlighted the impacts of our campaigns with case studies from the UK, Greece, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia and the different approaches each necessitated. As an example of ensuring materials spoke directly to the audience, we screened a DVD about the Bill made specifically for the Peruvian Congress campaign which featured text in both Spanish and in an Andean people’s language.

The Summit showed that the evidence and expertise are here and we concluded that the time is right for progress in the USA.

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Above: Outside the elephants played, whilst inside delegates discussed how to protect all elephants.

Main Picture: A huge elephant enclosure at the ARK 2000 Sanctuary.

The UK Government is again considering banning wild animals in circuses following an ADI undercover investigation of the Great British Circus. A hidden camera caught on film elephants being hooked, beaten and tail twisted. The footage revealed how the circus, which claimed it did not chain the elephants, actually left them chained for ten hours every day.

Award for outstanding elephant sanctuary © Animal Defenders International

Inset: Pat Derby and Ed Stewart with their award, with ADI Supporter Relations Director Lisa Mitchinson and ADI Legal & Political Advisor Corey Evans.

Stop Circus Suffering

Suffering behind

We have presented the Lord Houghton Award for services to Animal Welfare to Pat Derby and Ed Stewart for their remarkable work to protect performing animals and the outstanding standard of care set by their Ark 2000 sanctuary (PAWS) in California, where rescued elephants and tigers are provided with love and protection.

Responsibility to make the Lord Houghton Award is rotated between four of the UK’s oldest animal protection groups. Each organization gets to nominate a recipient every four years, making this perhaps the most prestigious UK animal protection award.

Pat and Ed have been pioneers in the work to end the abuse of animals in circuses, taking up this issue and raising awareness long The tragic Sujey. Sujey was before others. They a female elephant touring marry caring for Colombia with Circo de Mexico. rescued animals with A local organization ADAN a genuine drive for noted that Sujey was displaying lasting change, to stereotypic behavior and looked expose the suffering ill. The Environmental Police and to ensure that inspected and Sujey was one day, the scenes of temporarily seized, albeit elephants in chains remaining with the circus. ADI being beaten with made a written submission and bullhooks in travelling offered to relocate her to the circuses are no more.

PAWS ARK 2000 sanctuary in ADI and PAWS have California. Tragically, Sujey has been kindred spirits in died, before the inquiry could this campaign. A be completed. decade ago we

16

The Animal Defender Winter 2010

staged our first joint press conference with PAWS at their sanctuary in Galt to highlight the abuse of circus animals.

Afterwards, Ed looked at the elephant enclosure and remarked something along the lines that “We do what we can, but it is still an enclosure with bars.” The sentiment was reflective of a burning desire to do more for animals, especially those in their care. A decade later and one can see the fruits of that drive, in the wonderful ARK 2000 sanctuary for elephants.

Pat and Ed’s work caring for rescued animals and in particular elephants is innovative, exciting and above all else puts the animals’ welfare and happiness first and foremost.

We believe that Pat and Ed have reached for the stars in their work, creating a gold standard of care for their elephants.

Whereas they might have considered resting on their laurels, they have gone on to raise the bar even higher.

They are an inspiration for those who campaign for animals and those who care for animals. Well done, Pat and Ed.

Three years after the UK Government promised Parliament to end the use of “non-domesticated species” (wild animals) in UK circuses, we are still waiting.

Despite that officials have been presented with a wealth of scientific evidence of the effects of captivity and confinement on animals; the recent publication of a scientific study supporting the case that non-domesticated species should not be allowed to travel with circuses and huge amounts of evidence in film and photographs, these animals are still allowed to be hauled around the UK for entertainment.

Yet over 200 towns and cities in the UK have seen the evidence and have already banned either all animals in circuses, or use of wild animals, from their area.

The delays at national government level prompted The Great British Circus to test the water with the import of three elephants from Germany for its 2009 tour.

It is also challenging many of the local town and city bans, and ADI is fighting each challenge.

Daily Express, August 19, 2009.

© Animal Defenders International

d the scenes in British circus Four months into the tour ADI secured footage from a camera in the elephant tent which recorded horrific casual violence and critical welfare issues. The investigation revealed that the elephants are chained daily for up to eleven hours and spend excessive numbers of hours in their transporter on even short journeys.

This supports the conclusions of previous studies of animal husbandry in travelling circuses.

In August the story broke with huge media coverage and the public were once again shown the reality of life behind the scenes for circus animals.

During the 2009 tour, the Great British Circus boasted of its high standards of welfare and showcased the elephants in a (relatively barren) outdoor pen.

However, our footage revealed that the elephants spent most of their time in a small pen in a tent and every night the animals were chained by a front and a back leg – barely able to take one step back and forward. Night vision filming showed the elephants barely able to shuffle a pace forwards, stand or lie down.

Our film shows these chains being removed in the morning and taken away.

We also caught on film a staggering level of casual violence. Elephants were brutally hit in the face with a metal elephant hook, a broom and a pitchfork; a worker cruelly twisted an elephant’s tail. The frightened animals backed away and cried out when they were hit, or hooked.

The scenes are on our YouTube site at: http://www.youtube.com/animaldefenders When the story broke, the circus claimed they had already sacked the man for abusing the animals when they discovered what he was doing. Yet in our film, the trainer is present and the tent flaps are open with people walking past. When the elephants cried out, no one came to see what was wrong. Even worse, we caught the trainer himself beating the elephants – yet he continued to tour with the animals.

We have frequently highlighted how circus animals are kept in transporters for extended periods for even short journeys.

This is because the circus loads the animals before dismantling the site and rebuilding it at its next location.

In late July, the Great British Circus moved from Watford to Bushey, in Hertfordshire – just five miles. We filmed as the elephants were loaded and trailed them to the next

Pu b li c i mag e

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

P r i v a t e h el l

site. The elephants remained in their transporter for seven and a half hours, for a journey of just five miles.

We analysed the footage of the elephants in the tent, revealing very high levels of disturbed, abnormal behaviours. These repetitive and pointless behaviours, called ‘stereotypic’ by animal behaviourists are an indication that the animal is not coping with its environment. They are psycholigically damaged and these behaviours can stay with the animal for the rest of its life.

Poor Sonja, the African elephant, exhibited repetitive, pointless movements for 40% of the time. These sad animals are being driven out of their minds – in the name of entertainment.

The investigation hit the headlines. UK TV and newspapers ran our video and the story swept around the world.

The investigation put the issue back on the political agenda and the UK Government is now conducting a public consultation with a view to making recommendations on a national ban in early 2010.

The ADI London office will be ensuring the pressure is maintained for a ban.

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Above: ADI undercover footage shows the suffering. Slow motion footage also revealed how a concealed hook was being secrety used on the elephants during performances.

Hitting the TV news – L to R: Campaigns Director Tim Phillips; Chief Executive Jan Creamer; Head of Parliamentary Affairs Helder Constantino.

Stop Circus Suffering: Global round-up

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, Newry and Mourne District Council filed an injunction against Alexander Scholl’s Super Circus Sydney show, after a lack of compliance in the licence application process denied a proper consultation on the event, including addressing public safety. This petition was backed by the High Court in Belfast and temporarily stopped the circus setting up in Warrenport.

Norway

ADI and NOAH, partners in Stop Circus Suffering Norway, have kept pressure on the Government to act on animals in circuses.

I r e lan d

Portugal

We have called for an inquiry following the collapse of an elephant (pictured, below) with Circo Victor Hugo in Tavira. This is the same circus where we filmed an elephant being jabbed in the face 20 times during a performance by owner Victor Hugo Cardinalli.

Meanwhile, the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal is discussing three bills on animal circuses. The Green/Ecological Party’s Bill includes a ban on wild animals in circuses and a five year phase out of domestic animals.

The Department of Agriculture of Ireland invited ADI to give a presentation on animals in circuses as part of the consultation for the Animal Health and Welfare Bill. Our team joined Ireland’s Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) for an event outside the meeting with our inflatable elephant (pictured), then presented the Ministry with evidence of animal suffering and legislative proposals. The Bill is expected to be introduced in spring 2010.

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

© Alice Tromm

Thanks to the ADI investigation, an impact assessment on the prohibition of wild animals in circuses is being carried out in the UK, see p 16.

There is now a proposal to ban the use of certain species including zebras, kangaroos, sea lions and other exotic animals in circuses. The use of elephants is being discussed. As a result of the pressure, Cirkus Agoras announced that they were now animal free and introduced a new trapeze act from Norway. This leaves just two animal circuses in the country.

The Left Block’s proposal would ban the use of wild animals. The Portuguese Communist Party’s Bill bans the use of great apes in circuses and has measures to prevent circuses from adding new wild animals to their acts. ADI will press for the strongest legislation.

Greece

In May, a circus elephant was filmed being repeatedly hit in the head and face and hooked with a bullhook, in Circo Massimo in Florina.

ADI and our Stop Circus Suffering Greece partner, the Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF), responded with letters to the Minister of Agriculture and Foods emphasizing that according to Greek Law (1197/1981), the Minister of Agriculture and the Police are responsible for preventing and taking action against any kind of animal abuse. We have continued to press for a ban on the use of animals in circuses.

Once again we supplied Big Cat Rescue and Toto Goes Home DVDs to GAWF’s annual Greek schools writing competiton which this year attracted over 5,500 entries.

© Greek Animal Welfare Fund

UK

ADI

The screening of ADI's undercover investigation in Sao Paulo with representatives of ADI, AILA and GAP.

Stop Circus Suffering: Global round-up

Br az i l

Shocking new footage of violence in Brazilian circuses was revealed to journalists and the public at the launch of the Stop Circus Suffering Brazil campaign in Sao Paulo in October 2008.

Having already uncovered abuse, confinement and deprivation behind the scenes in circuses throughout South America, Europe and the USA, in 2008 an ADI Field Officer secured footage undercover at Circo Estoril and Circo Stankowich in Brazil. The exposé and campaign has driven forward legislation to ban animal circuses in Brazil.

Our latest footage includes camels being punched, hit with a stick and a tent pole or having their lips twisted to inflict pain; solitary elephants chained barely able to move in a stadium with deafening noise; a solitary bear forced to live in a cage on the back of a truck; a llama having its ear twisted. The ADI footage was presented in association with Brazilian NGOs, including AILA, GAP, ANAMI and with the sponsorship of cruelty-free cosmetics company Surya.

The new DVD was narrated by popular young actress Daniela Adler Piepszyk, who also spoke at the launch in Sao Paulo. Our footage was shown on the

ADI

© Animal Defenders International

New ADI undercover investigation launched and legislation before Parliament

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

A circus worker brutalising a camel with a metal bar inside Circo Estoril, Brazil.

most popular television programme in Brazil, “Fantastico”, and viewed by millions. Within days, a judge prohibited Circo Estoril from displaying its animals.

The ADI team then flew to the capital Brasilia to lobby for a new Bill banning animal circuses, scheduled for discussion by the Commission for Education and Culture of the Chamber of Deputies of the Brazilian Parliament. ADI strongly supports the initiative of the sponsor of the Bill, Congressman Antonio Carlos Biffi, and distributed a new report – in Portuguese – detailing the abuses suffered by animals in circuses.

In Brazil, prohibitions are already in place in over thirty cities in the states of Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, amongst others – many of these secured using evidence from the original ADI ‘Ugliest Show on Earth’ investigation and campaign. A poll launched by TV Channel ‘O Globo’ showed that more than 95% of Brazilians want to ban all animals in circuses.

We distributed our report and DVD door-to-door to all members of the Commission for Education to press them to do whatever it takes to move the legislation forward. We received a lot of help for our campaign in Brazil from local volunteers and partner groups, especially ProAnima, who organized a demonstration in front of the Parliament which received wide media coverage.

As the law was discussed in the Commission of Education and

Culture of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, ADI Head of Parliamentary Affairs, Helder Constantino, joined ADI Brazil representative Antoniana Ottoni to lobby. Our inflatable elephant stood outside the Commission meetings and we distributed a new political briefing in Portuguese to all members of the Commission. We were delighted when Bill No. 7291, presented by Congressman Antonio Carlos Biffi, was passed, following intense debate.

In August the Bill entered the Commission for the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. Representative Ricardo Tripoli, who has championed the Bill argued that circuses are cruel to animals and that the use of animals is contrary to the Constitution. In November the Bill was approved in this Commission and the Brazilian ban on animals in traveling circuses took another step forward.

The next stage is the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies. A ban in Brazil would have massive impact and would be the biggest ever loss of territory to the animal circus industry.

Below: Brazilian TV Channel 'O Globo' at the launch of the campaign film Juan Pablo Olmos from ADI. Bottom: Young actress Daniela Adler Piepszyk, who narrated Stop Circus Suffering Brazil sitting between Helder Constantino and Juan Pablo Olmos from ADI.

© Animal Defenders International

Stop Circus Suffering: Global round-up

ADI’s Juan Pablo Olmos addresses the Animal Protection Summit in Bogota.

© Animal Defenders International © Animal Defenders International

ADI´s Eduardo Peña discussing the Science on Suffering report with Senator Armando Benedetti.

Colombia

© Animal Defenders International

The ADI / AnimaNaturalis demonstration outside the Colombian Congress.

Senators Jairo Clopatofsky, Elsa Gladys Cifuentes and Hector Eli Rojas have tabled a bill on animal welfare which includes the prohibition of the use of all animals in circuses, the bill will be discussed in the 5th Commission of the Senate.

In July, ADI’s South American Campaigns Coordinator, Juan Pablo Olmos, gave a presentation at the First Animal Protection Summit in Bogotá.

In August, to herald the tabling of the Bill, ADI and AnimaNaturalis held a demonstration in front of the Colombian Congress in the Plaza de Bolivar.

Campaigners painted as animals were locked in cages to highlight the plight of circus animals. The event was attended by the authors of the Bill and key congressmen. Stop Circus Suffering Colombia leaflets, the Science on Suffering Report and DVDs were distributed.

ADI continues to press for the release of ex-circus chimpanzees Karla and Panchito. Following a meeting with the Director of the Department of Ecosystems of the Ministry of Environment we have been requested to resubmit information, evidence and home offers on both cases.

Peru

Following the acceptance in the Agrarian Commission of the Peruvian Congress, the Bill banning the animals in circuses was debated in the Andean Peoples Commission and approved by majority. ADI lobbied and distributed new materials including postcards, briefings, key rings and door hangers (pictured, right).

After approval, ADI met with the leaders of the different groups, requesting the Bill be debated in the Plenary.

When Congress returned our team was ready to meet them, and our inflatable elephant was on its way from Brazil to appear at another Congress!

Chile

Last year, ADI and Chilean group JUVAN, screened the DVD Stop Circus Suffering South America in Concepción attended by over 150 people with widespread attention in the media and the Congress.

Following the passage of the Bolivian law, a Bill banning the use of animals in circuses was tabled in August. This emphasizes the importance of the circus as a form of entertainment, recreation and culture but also addressees the issues of conservation and animal welfare and a lack of educational value for children of using animals. The Bill has received cross party support and has been signed by several Deputies.

Bolivia

Following passage of the animal circus ban, ADI continues working with Congresswoman Flores on regulations to implement the law and with the national environment authority on the relocation of animals – see p2 & p6.

ADI

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

To expose the capture of wild monkeys for experiments, our Field Officers infiltrated a South American gang of trappers. We filmed owl monkeys being torn from the trees and followed them to a laboratory in Colombia where they were used in malaria experiments.

Save the Primates

Screaming owl monkeys are torn from the rainforest, forced into sacks, and then taken up the Amazon to laboratories for experimentation/

On the trail of the monkey trappers It can be a lonely and risky business for our Field Officers as they gather the evidence so vital for our campaigns.

Sitting in a canoe, in pitch darkness, quietly slipping up the Amazon in the dead of night with a group of monkey trappers is probably as isolated as it gets.

The trappers are local people. Typically, they are poor and not recruited for their welfare, environmental or conservation knowledge. They qualify by being able to find and catch monkeys, cheap.

The trappers go where they can get access to monkeys – there is no evidence that they consider sustainability or the stability and health of the wild populations as apologists might claim.

The trappers are in search of owl monkeys which are nocturnal.

Our Field Officer switches on the nightvision camera. The trapper in front of them has a huge machette to hack through the undergrowth and is tapping the trees to force the little monkeys to stir.

There have been a number of reports of considerable damage to the forest with

trees being chopped down to get to families of owl monkeys.

Later, we filmed the monkeys being captured. The trapper scaled a tree and placed a net over the hollowed trunk where the owl monkeys were sleeping, leaving no escape. The monkeys are then grasped and carried to the ground. The terror is evident in their faces as they are pushed, screaming, into sacks. From here they are taken to a dock, put in holding crates and taken up river to the Colombian Immunology Foundation laboratory (FIDIC) in Leticia run by Manual Elkin Patarroyo. Readers will be familiar with our campaign in Colombia to end these cruel experiments.

Inside the laboratory, the monkeys’ forest is replaced by the barren factory-type

cages. Some are isolated, which is torture for a monkey. We also filmed the poor monkeys being experimented on.

The IUCN has announced that 48% of all primate species are either endangered, or critically endangered. As governments in the home range states of primates make desperate efforts to prevent the poor and hungry eating some species to oblivion, the western research community demands the right to take them for unreliable experiments, when alternatives are available.

Please back the ADI campaign to end the capture of wild monkeys for experiments and for laboratory monkey factory farms – send a donation today.

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

Below and inset: ADI’s South America Co-ordinator Juan Pablo Olmos presents our findings to the Colombian Congress.

ADI

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Tim Phillips speaks to the media outside the voting chamber as MEPs vote; MEPs are leafleted by the ADI team inside the European Parliament as they go to vote.

Opposite page, far side: The campaign required ADI to take a multi-lingual approach at every stage when engaging the public and politicians.

© Animal Defenders International

T h e Eu r op ea n U n i on ( EU ) i s c los e to fi n a li z i n g n e w ru l es f or a n i ma l ex p er i me n ts for a ll i t s M em b er Sta te s. T h i s i s a n i n t er n a t i o n a l i n d u st ry so fo r b et t er o r w o r se , t he n ew ru l es w i ll h a ve a n i m pa c t w o rl d w i d e , i n cl u d i ng h e r e i n t he U S. H e re w e report o n the mos t complex campaign ADI has ever undertaken.

The EU represents almost 500 million citizens and generates an estimated 30% share (US$18.4 trillion) of the nominal gross world product. It has a huge pharmaceutical and experimental research base and uses about 10 million lab animals every year.

There are 27 different countries in the EU, speaking 23 languages. Laws are passed when there is agreement between three core branches – the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. In some European countries animal protection is a high priority, in others it is almost negligible.

European Directives are the legislation that Member States adopt, and then pass into their individual national laws. The law that is being changed is EC Directive 86/609, which is over twenty years old, having been passed in 1986. The process started eight years ago, when a revision was proposed.

ADI began work attempting to shape the proposed new Directive.

We were not the only ones paying attention.

The animal experimentation community set

their sights on stripping away all the protection in the 1986 legislation – not just by twenty years, but back a hundred years.

The vivisection industry geared itself up to the biggest lobbying campaign it had ever undertaken.

The European Commission was in charge of drafting the new Directive. It started the process by consulting experts, including ADI, and we set the agenda for: stronger restrictions on animal use; a ban on the use of primates; requirements for introduction of advanced non-animal methods; a more transparent and accountable authorization process and a mechanism for public challenges to animal use.

Our Save the Primates campaign has ensured that the use of primates in research is probably the defining issue of this recent debate on animal experiments.

In 2007, a landmark ADI campaign saw the European Parliament adopt a Written Declaration on primate experiments: This instructed the European Commission to use the revision of Directive 86/609 to end the use of great apes and wild caught

© Animal Defenders International

ADI Campaigns Director Tim Phillips, Jens Holm MEP, ADI President Jan Creamer, and Carl Schlyter MEP address a meeting inside the European Pariament;

monkeys, and to establish a timetable to phase out the use of all primates in research.

A year later the Commission presented its draft proposals for the new Directive and much of the ADI manifesto was included.

While it did not meet all of our demands, it included some of our key issues.

On primates the Commission proposed restrictions on the type of experiments and bans on the use of great apes and wild caught monkeys. Significantly the proposal requred that "...only animals of second or older generations be used, subject to transitional periods, to avoid taking animals from the wild and exhausting wild populations".

Almost all monkeys imported to Europe and the USA for experimentation are known as F1 – animals born of wild caught parents.

This means that dealers in Asia and South America are continually topping up their breeding farms from the wild. So this commitment from the Commission was a major victory for ADI. In January 2009, the European Parliament began discussing the proposals and the vivisection community unleashed a huge lobbying campaign. The pharmaceutical industry’s army of lobbyists descended on the Parliament to defend animal experiments and animal researchers poured into the Parliament to frighten MEPs with outlandish claims of threats to human health as they opposed even the mildest regulation. Our work rapidly became a rearguard action to preserve what animal protection there was in the draft Directive.

During 2009, ADI led the campaign in Europe fighting to secure the best possible deal for lab animals; we left no stone unturned. We launched undercover investigations of the wild capture of monkeys; exposed use of monkeys at the notorious Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS); of dealers supplying Europe.

We published scientific reports on the use of animals and replacement methods available. We introduced MEPs to nonanimal medical researchers. We staged meetings and held information stands and events. We produced thousands of pages

© Animal Defenders International

Photos (L to R): We exposed conditions inside Europe’s largest monkey testing laboratory;

The animal experim 22

The Animal Defender Winter 2010

ADI

Animal Experiments

of technical and economic briefings to support our case – ADI was the only animal protection group presenting MEPs with an analysis of every amendment as it went before either Committee or full plenary sessions.

The Save the Primates video was launched at the European Parliament in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Polish. Each briefing on amendments or votes was in ten or more languages.

Throughout we also involved the public with a series of postcard campaigns and we briefed animal protection groups on how to involve their supporters.

The proposed law was hotly debated through three key European Parliament committees.

In May 2009, as the European Parliament voted on the proposals, a team of eight ADI people speaking English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Greek, Finnish, and Swedish were lobbying to the last, with just two or three other anti-vivisection lobbyists active in the Parliament. At midnight before the final vote the ADI team put a hanger on every door urging MEPs to vote for animals. We were back in the Parliament within hours with a table near the entrance to the voting chamber providing up to the minute information on amendments.

The European Parliament significantly weakened several of the Commission proposals but we had held the line in several areas and prevented a complete meltdown of laboratory animal protection in Europe. We also secured strong support for ADI proposals on thematic review (a mechanism for a formal, public review of animal use and introduction of replacements), as well as a European centre for development of replacements.

We dusted ourselves down and prepared for the next phase: the Council of Ministers. Over the summer we visited every representative on the Council of Ministers. We met with officials in countries all over Europe and launched Save the Primates campaigns in the UK, Spain, Ireland, France, Belgium and Italy.

We were now restricted to what was left after the Parliament debates, but we continued to press for: ● A ban on the use of great apes and wildcaught primates; ● Limits ●A

on primate experiments;

phase-out of the use of monkeys born of wild-caught parents; ● Prohibition of severe and prolonged suffering for animals in experiments; ● Authorization of all experiments by national governments before they take

place, using an authorisation process that is transparent, independent and accountable; ● A comprehensive authorization and licensing system for suppliers of laboratory animals, user establishments, and individuals who use animals, together with a strict training regime; ● Permission to use animals only to be given if advanced techniques to replace animals have been considered first; ● Every two years, a review (thematic review) to take place of the use of specific species, or types of experiment, and targets should be set to replace animals in particular tests (this review to include all stakeholders, such as ADI); ● Establish an EU centre for replacement of animal experiments; ● EU standards for husbandry and care that meet the ethological needs of the animals.

As we go to press, the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers are debating the final text of the new Directive.

There will doubtless be more compromise, but we have regained some ground on issues such as phasing out wild caught monkeys and restriction on primate use.

There is unlikely to be the resounding victory on animal experiments that we achieved in Bolivia on circuses, for example, due to the power of the vivisection industry. However, we will have made some gains and prevented controls on animal experiments regulation in Europe being overturned.

It is not over yet and we will continue to battle for every inch we can secure for animals before the final vote.

The biggest battles for animal protection are not necessarily in the media, but ADI pledges to be where the animals need us.

This new law will affect millions of animals all over the world.

ments battleground ADI

The Animal Defender

Winter 2010

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Research Without Animals

The Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research

Founded in 1973, the Lord Dowding Fund is our research funding wing and aims to finance, promote and assist the development of scientific and medical research techniques which replace the use of animals. LDF funds research based on the principle that animal research is harmful or unnecessary to humanity.

The Fund awards approximately $500,000 a year to researchers working on a wide range of fields historically covering microsurgery, breast and lung cancer and brain tumours, product safety testing, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, cot deaths, cataracts, kidney research, cell culture, computer-aided drug design, biotechnology, brain damage and computer teaching packages which replace the use of animals in education of students at school and university level.

Below: A piece of lens cultured in human serum. Cell growth can be seen in purple.

One of LDF’s key grants is supporting the annual running costs of the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging facility at the Aston Life Sciences Academy, Aston University, UK. This has enabled a large number of researchers to undertake groundbreaking studies on the brains of human volunteers. No monkeys suffer and die here.

A wide range of scientific papers continue to be published focusing on a variety of aspects of human neurology, including: pain, the neurological basis of parental behaviour which is potentially applicable identifying those at risk from postnatal depression, brain patterns in language tasks, which may prove vital for clinical assessment, prior to brain surgery and vision studies.

© Lord Dowding Fund

Right: The fMRI facility we fund at Aston Life Sciences Academy.

© Animal Defenders International

Neuroscience: The exciting world of fMRI

First lens replacement test in fully human system

© Lord Dowding Fund

Intra ocular lenses (IOL) are used to replace those removed during cataract operations. One problem which can occur post surgery, sometimes causing secondary blindness, is called Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO). IOL designs are an important line of investigation in preventing PCO and at present are largely tested on rabbits.

An LDF sponsored project at the University of East Anglia is using human “eye bags”, which come from human donors, to carry out such tests. The researcher recently established the optimum levels of human serum in which to place the lens to ensure that cell growth was maximized. This was done by counting cell growth in tissue culture at varying concentrations of serum.

Once this was established, the researcher went on to implant the first IOL into an eye

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

capsule, an eye bag without an IOL was used as a control. The observations, to monitor any sign of PCO (indicated by cell re-growth), were made using phasemicroscopy. Although the IOL slowed down the development of PCO it did not prevent it; cells still grew, covering the posterior of the capsule. Additionally, wrinkling of the posterior of the capsule also occurred, although not as severely. In the human patient this would have resulted in sight impairment.

The IOL testing described above used a round edged IOL. It is known that IOL designs with a square edge are better at preventing PCO. Therefore, the next lens to be tested is a square edged IOL which, if there is seen to be further retardation of cell growth, will provide further evidence for the use of the current model.

ADI

Research Without Animals

New tissue graft system

© Lord Dowding Fund

Relying upon donor grafts to alleviate orthopaedic problems is not an ideal solution.

Natural tissues, produced artificially with the use of a scaffold to support and guide regeneration, provide a suitable alternative.

The efficacy of this strategy for regenerating tissue can be greatly improved by regular treatment with therapeutic ultrasound. This non-invasive technique uses high frequency sound waves to accelerate bone repair, and may be of use in cartilage repair too.

Exciting progress has been made with this in vitro model which is being used to investigate ultrasound as a therapy for helping to heal cartilage tissue.

The findings from the work of researchers at UCL Eastman Dental Institute and the Open University will be presented at an international Biomaterials conference later this year.

The presentation will promote the use of HA/alginate as an animal-free scaffold for an in vitro model of cartilage. The best scaffold composition will be used in the next stage of the project of the ‘exposure’ work.

Modifications to the ultrasound exposure rig are in progress to expand the range of acoustic outputs available for the next ultrasound ‘exposure’ stage of the work.

This will enable exposure of pulsed ultrasound signals, rather than the continuous wave form, as used in the work to date. The exposure rig will be modified in order that the ultrasound signals can be amplified. This will allow varying intensities of ultrasound to be delivered to the hMSCalginate constructs.

During the next phase of the work, researchers aim to complete an ‘exposure’ study to investigate the biological responses of hMSCs, made to change into the relevant cell types, to both diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound exposure. The model will then be used to look for ultrasound-induced effects.

Progress in brain tumor research

ADI

BBB and are thought to regulate multiplication and differentiation of endothelial cells.

Recent preliminary results have shown that co-cultures of astrocytes and endothelial cells have shown better formation of ‘tight junctions’ (TJs) than endothelial cell mono-cultures. TJs make the BBB a highly effective biological barrier. Currently, the addition of pericytes to create a tri-culture has not further improved tight junction formation. However, this is possibly to be due to the pericytes blocking the endothelial cells, preventing them from producing a monolayer. The team intend to repeat the experiment, with the pericytes at the bottom of the Transwell® so that they are not in direct contact with the endothelial cells.

It is hoped the model will identify the pathways that malignant cells take across the BBB. Once fully developed the model could be used not only to study metastasis

but also as a tool for drug companies to discover if and how therapeutic agents can pass through the BBB to treat the brain directly.

© Lord Dowding Fund

With 25% of cancers found in the body spreading to the brain and worsening patient prognosis, it is vital to understand the mechanisms by which cancerous cells metastasize (move) into the brain, thereby spreading the cancer. To reach the brain, tumour cells must pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a layer which protects the brain. Most in vitro constructions generally use animal tissues to model the BBB, but these animal models do not reflect the situation in humans.

Exciting new progress has been made in the development of the all human tissue model of the BBB at Portsmouth University. Professor Pilkington and his team have been testing various permutations of cell cultures in the Transwell® model, using astrocytes (supporting cells), from two different areas of the brain, endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels, and pericytes. Pericytes are a less well known component of the

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Left: A technician working on the cartilage tissue construct project.

Left, inset: Dr. Jamie Harle, who works on the project with Dr. Vehid Salih.

Below: Equipment used to view cells of the BBB

Rescue News

Orlandito and his friends could soon be free

News from South America is that Orlandito, a brown capuchin monkey rescued from the pet trade, has just been issued the necessary permits which will enable him to go back into the Colombian forest.

A member of the ADI team inspects the proposed site for Orlandito’s release

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The Animal Defender Winter 2010

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

Caring for our big cats is a full time job and staff remain vigilant. One routine visit to the lions revealed that Caesar had an injury just behind his left shoulder – most likely caused by his playful companion Sarah.

Although he did not appear distressed, it was decided to take no chances and to anaesthetize the huge lion and treat the wound.

Caesar and Sarah were separated, and with the first shot, the vet darted Caesar in the thigh. As he succumbed to the tranquillizer, Sarah came to the fence to be with him – the pair have had a special bond since we rescued them together from a circus in Portugal.

The wound was infected, but was quickly cleaned and treated. After the anaesthetic antidote, Caesar was back on his feet in no time, with the only sign that anything had happened being the blue anti fly cream on his coat. He was soon back at play with Sarah.

Work can now finally commence on the ADI funded acclimation enclosure which will bring Orlandito and his friends a step closer to freedom.

Good luck Orlandito and chums!

© Animal Defenders International

© Animal Defenders International

Orlandito: One step closer to freedom!

ADI

6 n io age r l -p ou ue ut esc ko r ec on Ch abo db an

Rescue News

© Animal Defenders International

Toto continues to enjoy his freedom in the Zambian bush at Chimfunshi and now shares his enclosure with twelve other chimps. He’s come a long way since we saved him from isolation, living in a packing crate in Chile, but his 14 acres may still not be quite enough, as he recently led his family on a breakout!

Chimfunshi staff got quite a shock when they went to prepare breakfast for the chimps, and one by one the Toto family filed out of the foodstore into the courtyard, having helped themselves! A face-off between staff and chimps ensued with a flurry of excited hoots from the chimps. It was a tense moment for the humans, because even the smaller chimps are very powerful and Toto is a huge chimpanzee. However, gentle as ever, Toto calmed down the younger ones as the staff attempted to lure the chimps back into their enclosure.

For our gallant leader, Toto, the lure of peanuts and biscuits proved too good to resist – he followed the bucket of food back into the enclosure and with him went his band of escapees.

ADI

© Animal Defenders International

Toto and the great escape!

Kodak gets a friend

Kodak the capuchin monkey, who ADI supporters helped save from the pet trade, is adapting well to his wonderful new life at the Monkey Sanctuary Trust (MST), in Cornwall. Most importantly, after years alone, he is now enjoying the companionship of his own kind.

It was decided to introduce Kodak slowly to the other capuchins to ensure that he would be accepted. His first companion has been Joey, a gentle male with a lust for life. Joey endured a similar start in life to Kodak; torn from the wild then kept alone in a small cage in London. Due to poor diet, and a lack of natural light, Joey tragically developed a number of physical ailments including a curved spine, displaced hips and problems with his mouth. Yet, despite his suffering Joey retains a gentle and positive nature, and is an excellent first companion for Kodak.

From the outset, Kodak immediately took to his new companion with great excitement; initially he was even a little rough with his delicate friend. Nevertheless, the introduction was successful, and gave a glimpse of what is developing into a great friendship. At the next meeting, Joey quickly asserted himself and Kodak responded, with the two little monkeys going on to enjoy a playful rough and tumble, on Joey’s terms.

Subsequent meetings have all gone well, and it is hoped that over time Kodak and Joey will be introduced to the other capuchins. Eventually they can be integrated into a new family group, to enjoy a full and happy life for potentially, another 30 years or more.

It is hard to imagine just how much this means to these small monkeys whose lives have now been transformed.

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© Animal Defenders International

Help save them Please send a donation today With your help we can secure new homes for the Abuhabda Circus lions and baboon, and continue to expose the cruelty

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Animal Defenders International US: 953 Mission St., Suite 200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, USA. Toll-free: 1-800-978-ADII (2344) Local: +1 415 543-2344 e-mail: usa@ad-international.org UK: Millbank Tower, Millbank, LONDON, SW1P 4QP, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7630 3340 e-mail: info@ad-international.org South America: Apartado Postal 359888 BOGOTÁ, Colombia. info@ad-international.org www.ad-international.org • www.navs.org.uk • www.ldf.org.uk • www.savetheprimates.org