An exotic wildlife preserve owner who gained notoriety on the popular Netflix series “Tiger King” pled guilty on Monday to animal trafficking and money laundering, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
Bhagavan “Doc” Antle oversaw the sale or purchase of Cheetah cubs, Lion cubs, Tigers and a juvenile Chimpanzee that were all protected as endangered species, according to a Justice Department release. Officials said the 63-year-old man featured in a documentary mini-series about the Tiger trade tried to hide animal payments as “donations” to his nonprofit organization.
“The defendant held himself out as a conservationist, yet repeatedly violated laws protecting endangered animals and then tried to cover up those violations,” Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said in a statement.
Antle On The Tonight Show Credit: Paul Drinkwater
Antle faces a maximum of five years’ imprisonment, fines up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release for each count. He is also the owner and operator of the Myrtle Beach Safari, which is also known as The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species, or T.I.G.E.R.S., prosecutors said. The safari is a 50-acre nature preserve that offers tours and the chance for private encounters with wildlife, prosecutors said.
Antle faces a maximum of five years’ imprisonment, fines up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release for each count.
Investigators found evidence that Antle and a coconspirator had also used cash acquired through the transportation and harboring of immigrants who illegally entered the country.
It’s the latest fallout for the subjects of “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.” Joe Exotic, the show’s star, is serving a 21-year prison sentence for trying to hire two different men to kill animal welfare activist Carol Baskin. The ongoing feud between Joe Exotic — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — and Baskin featured prominently in the show. Maldonado-Passage had one year shaved off his penalty last year as he began treatment for early-stage cancer.
“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”
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It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
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Kerry and Libby Krottinger in their ‘Wall Of Death’ room
Kerry Krottinger, a wealthy Texas hunter and businessman, has slaughtered so much African wildlife over the years that he amassed a veritable “wall of death” in his Dallas home. The National Geographic portrait depicts him sitting with his wife among the taxidermied bodies of Lions, Rhinos, Cheetah, Giraffes and enough Elephant tusks to open a traditional Chinese hospital.
The British-based charity LionAID, which uploaded the photo to their Facebook page, took a markedly dim view. “This is just one Texas trophy hunter with a ‘love’ of Africa,” they write. “Is it any wonder that Africa’s wildlife is disappearing? Just have a count of the various species displayed. Three Lions? So many Elephant tusks? A Giraffe? A Rhino? Kerry must be one of the leading CONservation hunters on the planet!”
Little is known about Krottinger’s personal life. Aside from being an energy millionaire with multiple companies to his name, he and his wife Libby operate a Gypsy horse farm called Ndugu Ranch. A website about the property had been taken offline, but a cache copy can be viewed here. A Facebook page also associated with the ranch was also taken down. Next to a smiling photo of the pair, Krottinger wrote he named the ranch after the Swahili word for “brother” or “family member,” and that the couple has “a great love for Africa.”
Krottinger’s kingly haul of animal carcasses was acquired through what’s known as “conservation hunting,” a practice that is supposedly designed to protect species by allowing people to hunt animals for a high fee that’s then to be used for other conservation efforts.
Far from poachers, conservations hunters — and the websites that promote them — see themselves as environmentalists. LionAID’s director Pieter Kat said the whole premise was nonsense.
“Conservation hunting is a complete myth,” he told Mic. “If conservation hunting had been effective, Cecil the Lion would not have to have been poached out of a national park, because conservation hunting would have maintained a viable and sustainable Lion population within their own trophy hunting concession.” According to Kat, steep fees like the more than $50,000 Palmer paid to kill Cecil typically end up in the pockets of tour operators. “Sustainable hunting does not sustain anything,” he said.
PETA president Ingrid Newkirk was blunter still. “The idea of killing animals to ‘protect’ their species is like having 5-year-olds build a child-labor museum,” she said in a statement to Mic. “True conservationists are the people who pay to keep animals alive through highly lucrative eco-tourism, not the power-hungry people who pay for the cheap thrill of taking magnificent animals’ lives and putting their heads on a wall.”
On Twitter, the response was one of almost universal disgust, with the photo generating near Cecil-levels of rage.
Kat was unapologetic about the Krottinger-shaming on LionAID’s Facebook page. “What we were trying to do there is to alert people to the fact that trophy hunters have this sort of enjoyment of their activity, and what we would like to expose to people is these sorts of people belong in the 19th century,” he said.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
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The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
Chris Packham outside the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London
Press release from Leigh Day (6 November 2023)
Chris Packham settles defamation claim with Fieldsports Channel after it admits death threat claims were untrue.
Environmental campaigner and naturalist Chris Packham CBE has settled a defamation claim against the website Fieldsports Channel after it falsely accused him of writing a fake death threat letter to himself.
The online shooting and hunting channel has agreed to pay Mr Packham substantial damages and contribute to his legal costs as well as provide an undertaking never to repeat the allegation.
In June 2022, Fieldsports Channel and one of its journalists, Ben O’Rourke, published an online video and article alleging the TV presenter had written a fake death threat letter to himself and lied about it being sent by an anonymous third party. The serious allegation was not put to Mr Packham directly to offer him right of reply.
Chris Packham with his legal team. Credit: Ruth Tingay.
In bringing the claim against Fieldsports Channel Ltd and Mr O’Rourke, Mr Packham’s lawyers argued the allegations were plainly baseless and had caused him enormous reputational damage and distress. They pointed out that the only possible basis for the allegation was handwriting analysis of the letter which has since been comprehensively discredited.
Of particular concern to Mr Packham was the implication he had lied to his family about the death threat, knowing it would cause them considerable anxiety. Also, that he had lied to, and knowingly wasted the time of, Hampshire Police, who investigated the letter and on whom he relies for his and his family’s safety.
Mr Packham’s distress was later compounded by Fieldsports Channel’s derisive response to his claim, in particular mounting caricatures of his head on a “trophy wall” at the British Shooting Show in February 2023. Mr Packham has been the victim of arson attacks and has received numerous death threats, and he considers its actions to have been utterly reckless and irresponsible in that context.
As well as paying Mr Packham substantial damages and contributing to his legal costs, Fieldsports Channel and Mr O’Rourke have agreed never to repeat the allegation and will publish a legal statement, which is also to be read in the High Court on 6 November 2023, explaining the matter on its platforms.
Mr Packham was represented by Mr Jonathan Price and Ms Claire Overman of Doughty Street Chambers, who are instructed by partner Tessa Gregory and solicitor Carol Day of law firm Leigh Day.
Chris Packham, naturalist, television presenter, writer, photographer, conservationist, campaigner and filmmaker.
Chris Packham said:
“Fieldsports TV displayed a complete contempt of even the basic codes of real journalism. They allowed a vicious vendetta to drive a targeted catalogue of lies in an attempt to destroy my credibility, integrity and reputation. Further, even when involved in this litigation they recklessly posted images of myself contrived to fuel hatred amongst fire-arms owners when they knew I was already the victim of targeted attacks from members of this community. They also failed to show any respect for the legal process. As a consequence, Fieldsports TV have now issued a full apology and agreed to pay substantial costs and damages. My message is clear – if anyone publishes or perpetuates lies about me or my conduct I will challenge them and I will win.”
Carol Day, solicitor at law firm Leigh Day said:
“Our client Mr Packham was the subject of an egregious slur against his reputation based on the flimsiest of evidence that failed to stand up to even the most basic form of scrutiny. To be accused of writing a fake death threat to himself, with all the consequences that brings for his family and the authorities, was a highly damaging attack on Mr Packham’s integrity. The fact he was then mocked publicly for objecting tothese defamatory remarks shows how little regard the defendants had for the reputation of others. Our client can only hope that lessons have been learned from this sorry episode and it brings an end to these gratuitous attacks on Mr Packham’s character by people who simply disagree with his views.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
A young, six-year-old boy named Caleb was traveling with his parents and siblings when a negligent driver swerved into their lane, colliding with their car. The young driver, who was just a kid himself, unintentionally took the lives of Caleb’s mother and both of her children, but six-year-old Caleb miraculously survived. His injuries were nevertheless severe enough to be life threatening.
Although he was the only surviving member, Caleb had sustained serious injuries. While his fractured bones would mend, his traumatic brain injury might result in death, paralysis, and brain damage, which went on for a long time. To assist him, Caleb’s father and grandmother did whatever it took; however, each day was a struggle.
Nobody knew what the result of these two approaches would be. The doctors suggested a non-traditional therapy by using a canine. To see if having a dog by Caleb’s side might stimulate activity and, in turn, healing, the medical team wanted to try basic interaction. While he was hesitant, Caleb’s father agreed.
They decided to give it a try and crossed their fingers that this miracle would save their child.
CALEB’S STORY CREDIT: INTERNATIONAL THERAPY ANIMALS
The therapy session began and a dog Colonel walked in. How could an animal sort the whole situation out?! The dog was brought in and the doctors made him lie and sit down next to the injured boy.
Colonel, a golden retriever, served as an inventive and non-invasive way for Caleb to obtain “medicine.” The dog sat beside him quietly with his trainer Susan. They waited for Caleb to react in some manner, but it did not take long at all.
CALEB RELAXING WITH COLONEL CREDIT: BEN HOWARD
Even when Colonel lay on Caleb’s hospital bed, wiggling his way almost onto Caleb’s tiny body to keep him company, and even attempting to mount him while asleep, Caleb reacted. His heart rate increased, and his respiratory function improved. Something wonderful was happening, and it was all thanks to the only modification in Caleb’s routine: Colonel.
The boy glowed whenever Colonel came to see him. The medical team was shocked. Caleb quickly became more awake, wanting to sit up and interact with the adorable dog. Colonel influenced Caleb in an inexplicable manner both physically and emotionally.
BEST FRIENDS CREDIT: BEN HOWARD
Caleb was playing catch with Colonel. And giggling! Sure, it took time and patience– as well as a team of doctors to family– but it was Caleb who truly connected to him on another level that itself encouraged healing.
FOLLOW UP TO CALEB’S STORY CREDIT: INTERNATIONAL THERAPY ANIMALS
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
Henry, a dog that twice cheated death in Ukraine after being rescued from floods and surviving a Russian bombing has found a new furever home.
Henry The Dog Of War Credit: Save The Dogs
Heartbreaking footage captured the crossbreed, named Henry, clinging for life in the rubble of a building after the Kakhovka dam in Kherson was destroyed.
The sound of missiles dropping can be heard in the background as rescuers made their way through flood water to rescue the stricken pooch in June.
To avoid drowning, brave Henry managed to doggy-paddle to the remains of a bombed-out building poking out of the flood waters.
To avoid drowning, brave Henry managed to doggy-paddle to the remains of a bombed-out building poking out of the flood waters. Credit: Save The Dogs
He was taken to a clinic in Odesa for round the clock treatment after being found alone, scared and covered in toxic sludge which burned his skin.
But his ordeal didn’t end as shortly after his rescue, the animal clinic caring for him was bombed by the Russians.
Despite the bombardment, Henry and the other animals escaped unharmed and he was moved to another clinic where he continued to receive treatment.
Just four months on and he is in a loving new home thanks to Save the Dogs (STD).
Gregg Tully, Country Director for Save The Dogs, revealed how Henry was originally found “collapsed, exhausted and barely conscious”.
He said: “After the dam in Kherson exploded, [Henry] was one of the dogs that was pulled out of the flood waters.
“He was covered in oil and sludge. There was a lot of toxic material at the bottom of the reservoir that washed out with the flood.”
Henry was covered in oil and sludge Credit: Save The Dogs
The thick coat of toxic oil coating his fur also caused painful chemical burns to his skin.
Gregg added: “We thought he was a black dog – we thought this dog was all black.
“And then he was cleaned up and taken to a vet clinic, and actually, he’s more white than black.
“He’s still very underweight and he still has some skin problems, but he obviously loves people and is a really happy dog.
“It’s been really inspiring after seeing the videos of him getting pulled out of the flood waters, and now he’s a happy, loving dog in a loving new home.
Henry looking VERY happy in his furever home.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP RESCUE ANIMALS
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping rescue animals in need.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
‘Animals that use wheels and prosthetics can live as good a quality of life as fully able-bodied animals and this is what we want to show people’ ~ Victoria Bryceson, founder of Miracle’s Mission.
We do not receive financial support from the government or other institutions. We rely solely on donations from generous animal lovers.
Animal rescues cost a lot of money to run. While we get donations and funding through events like charity runs etc, the costs are EXTREMELY high. We need to pay for food, heating and other bills, as well as any staff costs and expenses like petrol for home visits.
The average cost to feed a dog for one month typically costs somewhere from £16 to £50, depending on the breed. Microchipping costs about £10 to £15. The average cost of essential vaccinations is £64. A routine vet appointment costs between £40-£60, surgery can cost anywhere over £1000. Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy – the average cost is £50 for a 30-minute session. Prosthetics and dog wheels etc can cost up to £500.
Please help Miracle’s Mission continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome
MANY MORE sick, injured and disabled animals by kindly donating ANY amount, large or small, today. Thank you.
A LONELY orca has been filmed swimming by itself in captivity – barely able to move in a tiny pool.
Kshamenk has lived in captivity at Mundo Marino since 1992 Credit: UrgentSeas, Phil Demers
The 35-year-old whale, known as Kshamenk, has lived in captivity at Mundo Marino since 1992 when he was caught in the wild. He had a mate, known as Belen, but she died in 2000, leaving the lonely orca alone. Now a new video shared online shows the orca in a tiny pool at the marine site.
The devastating video shared to social media has gone viral 20 years after the heartbroken orca’s partner died.
Kshamenk has lived in captivity at Mundo Marino since 1992 Credit: UrgentSeas, Phil Demers
He appears very still, floating in the middle of the pool, as a Dolphin swims around him. In the wild, Kshamenk would swim anywhere up to 140 miles in a single day as they swim huge distances over the course of a year.
Animal activist and co-founder of UrgentSeas, Phil Demers, visited the park where he filmed the footage to share knowledge of the lonely Orca’s troubling existence. Phil from Canada, said: “Kshamenk was captured from the wild and brought to the park to accompany another Orca, Belen Sadly, Belen died in 2000 after pregnancy complications, leaving Kshamenk to live with only two Dolphins.
“His sperm has been sold several times to SeaWorld to impregnate orcas. The Argentina government refuses to release Kshamenk or export him out of the country. He appears to be losing weight and is more lethargic in recent videos causing growing concerns for his well-being. Unless Kshamenk is rescued soon, he too will die tragically and senselessly. We must fight for Kshamenk!”
Phil put the video up on his Instagram page. The post has had more than 13,135 likes, as well as 1,290 comments from shocked users.
One said: “This is horrifying. No animal should live like this.”
As another commented: “Imagine being locked in a white padded room for 50 years since you were a baby.
“No education. This is a jail. Solitary confinement.”
Other posts called the treatment “so awful”, as he can’t even move around while some called it “so sad and heartbreaking”.
A final man went on a passionate cry for help on behalf of nit only Kshamenk but all orcas trapped in captivity.
The man known as Mickey said: “Immoral to the highest degree. #FreeKshamenk and GLOBAL BAN these damn parks, already.
“There are literally thousands on thousands of other things to do than spend ticket money on these hell holes.”
Many agreed with Mickey and labelled it as “complete torture”.
A woman said: “These animals are meant to live in the ocean, not in that damn tank.”
Phil added: “A campaign to outlaw his current captivity is gaining momentum in Argentina by local activists, so bringing awareness and sharing his story surely supports their efforts. It breaks my heart to see Kshamenk’s conditions. He needs to be rescued.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
BALOO THE BEAR HAS BEEN LOCKED UP IN A CAGE FOR 23 YEARS CREDIT: JASPER DOEST
Baloo the Bear has been locked up in a cage at a ski resort in Romania under horrific conditions for 23 years. But together with our supporters around the world, we are working to rescue Baloo from this nightmare.
Baloo was found injured as a cub in the Romanian wilderness and was taken in by park rangers for medical care. However, instead of being released back into the wild, Baloo ended up as private property of a ski resort. Despite a 2005 ban by the Romanian government on private individuals keeping Bears, enforcement of the law has been lax, resulting in the bear’s ongoing confinement.
Baloo has been living on display in a tiny cage next to a ski lift and is poorly cared for. He is fed cornflakes and lemonade, sometimes even alcohol to drink, and children frequently poke him through the bars of the cage with sticks. This is no life for a bear.
HELL ON EARTH! CREDIT: JASPER DOEST
23 years ago, Baloo was found wounded in the mountains and he was taken to a hospital by the mountain rescuers from Straja. When he recovered, he came into the care of the businessman Emil Părău, who turned him into the resort’s mascot and has refused to give him up under any circumstances. Although it is obvious that it would be better for him to live among the old oaks of the Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești.
Two other Bears, Puppy and Pamy, would have tasted the same cake of frustration if they hadn’t been confiscated and released in the sanctuary at Zarnesti. They grew big and handsome, while poor Baloo remains to serve his punishment.
Animal protection organisations have been trying for years to free Baloo with no success. But fortunately, a petition started by Dutch television host, Floortje Dessing, is drawing much needed global attention to his cause. Floortje’s show “Floortje gaat mee” (“Floortje Goes Along” in English), explores the complex relationships between humans and animals. In the episode, she shows first-hand the distressing conditions Baloo faces.
BALOO THE BEAR: AN UNWILLING MASCOT!
Join us in our efforts to liberate Baloo from a lifetime of misery by signing the petition now!
23 years in an undeserved prison!
23 years of stress, inappropriate food, even alcohol given to him through steel bars!
23 years of objects thrown at him, noise, and lack of hibernation!
A mascot in a European resort, for selfish “love”… This is how Baloo lives his life in Straja, Hunedoara county.
HELP FREE BALOO FROM HIS LIVING HELL! CREDIT: JASPER DOEST
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
Photographer Callum Perry said: ‘It brought tears to my eyes – seeing the Giraffes’ journey to their fallen friend was one of the most emotional scenes I have ever seen.
Incredible footage shows the moment a group of Giraffes come to pay their respects to one of their own who died during childbirth. Credit: Callum Perry.
This incredible footage shows the moment a group of Giraffes come to pay their respects to one of their own who died during childbirth.
The group of Giraffes were captured on camera walking towards the corpse in a gathering filled with human emotions as they mourned and said goodbye to a member of their audience.
Photographer Callum Perry, 28, from Britain, who is currently traveling in South Africa, captured the rare moment in the Marataba Contractual National Park.
“The giraffe’s funeral made me take a step back and look at the beauty I’ve seen in my life, and that even in life’s most difficult moments, there can be silver linings.
One by one the Giraffes pay their respects. Credit: Callum Perry.
‘I was really fascinated by the emotion of this whole scene; words can hardly do it justice. I feel honored to have been there as they all paid their respects.
“Most of the people I know in the safari industry had never seen this happen before, so they were amazed and a little jealous.”
Photos show a group of more than five Giraffes examining the dead body as it lay on the ground.
In the video, a Giraffe is seen walking towards the dead member of their pack before being followed by others.
Giraffes Mourn The Death Of One Of Their Own Credit: Callum Perry.
One by one, each Giraffe bowed to send its beloved friend away.
Giraffes are thought to mourn their dead, as Zoe Muller, a wildlife biologist from the University of Bristol who founded the Rothschild’s Giraffe Project in Kenya, recalled a moment she witnessed more than a decade ago.
Muller said she saw 17 female Giraffes looking sad and that the pack traveled to a part of the savannah they don’t normally visit.
It turned out that a calf had died and Muller witnessed the group of Giraffes gathering at its mother and staying with her for two days after death.
She interpreted the Giraffes’ behavior as sadness, but she was afraid to say this because some scientists believe the opposite.
She said, as quoted in The National Wildlife Federation: “My personal position has changed. I would now be much more open about acknowledging non-human grief. Giraffes, humans, we are all mammals.
‘Our emotion system is largely driven by hormones, and hormones have probably evolved in the same way in all mammals.’
He watched over a few days as a herd appeared to ‘mourn’ the loss of one of their number. A female died over complications with pregnancy and was quickly exploited by scavengers. But each day, the rest of the herd would stop and watch as the vultures squabbled and the hyaenas chewed on the remains. It’s anthropomorphism to suggest that it was mourning, but their curiosity certainly extended beyond simply observing something that caught their eye.
A herd of Thornicroft’s Giraffes mourn the loss of one of their number. Credit: Edward Selfe.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
A small, stray dog on a university campus in Chongqing was filmed being grabbed in a net by a dog catcher, prior to being killed. The “smiling” appearance of the dog has prompted a social media hashtag using the name it was given #XiaoHuang.
Officials in China have launched a crackdown on stray, unregistered, and “oversized” dogs.
But the move has been widely criticised after reports that dogs without owners are being rounded up and sometimes euthanised.
It comes after a vicious attack on a two-year-old girl by a Rottweiler last week that shocked the country.
The Rottweiler that attacked the child in Chongzhou, Sichuan Province, WAS NOT A STRAY. It was unleashed and approached the mother who was walking her child to preschool inside their housing compound.
The toddler suffered a ruptured kidney, fractured ribs and lacerations across her body. She is reportedly stable.
The crackdown prompted by the mauling has however, been questioned on social media and by pet owners after several shocking stories came to light.
Community workers in Leshan broke into a house to hunt and kill pet dogs
In one case, security guards and a landlord entered an office without the permission of the tenant and killed both of their dogs.
In another case – which has drawn considerable attention online – a small, stray dog on a university campus in Chongqing was filmed being grabbed in a net by a dog catcher, prior to being killed. The “smiling” appearance of the dog has prompted a social media hashtag using the name it was given #XiaoHuang. University officials said the dog had chased a student.
A small, stray dog on a university campus in Chongqing was filmed being grabbed in a net by a dog catcher, prior to being killed. The “smiling” appearance of the dog prompted a social media hashtag using the name it was given #XiaoHuang.
Some users of Chinese microblogging site Weibo posted pictures claiming security personnel in their residential compounds had started killing strays and dumping their bodies in the trash. Their posts sparked an online outcry, with many calling for more humane measures, including adoption and neutering.
Chinese celebrities have also joined the social media discussion, saying the crackdown across the country was not warranted by the initial attack, terrible though it was.
Chinese actress Cya Liu Ya-se posted on Weibo on Friday, stating that “not all stray dogs are bad dogs” and called for “an end to the killing of animals.”
Celebrity Yang Di also posted a video on short video platform Douyin the same day, saying that people don’t have to all love dogs, but “please do not harm them.” Both accounts were banned shortly after the posts.
Xiao Feng calls for the killing of stray cats and dogs to stop.
However, the Rottweiler that attacked the child in Chongzhou, Sichuan Province, was not a stray. It was unleashed and approached the mother who was walking her child to preschool inside their housing compound.
Statements issued from officials in Shandong, Jiangxi and Hubei Provinces have said that captured stray dogs would be put down if an owner cannot be found for them.
In another instance, a security guard at a university in Liaoning Province was suspended after beating a beloved on-campus stray to death.
Chen Minjie, a staffer from the Cat and Dog Welfare Program with the Animals Asia Foundation, told the Global Times on Monday that the heated debate surrounding uncivilized incidents reflects the expanded pet ownership in the country and the varying quality of pet owners. Attention should be focused on addressing the behavior of uncivilized dog owners, rather than a widespread antagonism between dog owners and non-dog owners.
Internet users also called on the public to go to the State Council website and leave a message asking the government to stop abusing and killing stray animals, to reasonably disclose the way stray cats and dogs are handled, and to call on the state to legislate for the protection of animals.
Editor’s Note: Whilst it is agreed that attacks by dogs should be dealt with severely, in this case the dog(s) involved were not strays. They were pets that were not on leads. No stray dogs were anywhere in the vicinity of the awful attack. Why persecute strays for something they had nothing to do with?
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT
‘Animals that use wheels and prosthetics can live as good a quality of life as fully able-bodied animals and this is what we want to show people’ ~ Victoria Bryceson, founder of Miracle’s Mission.
We do not receive financial support from the government or other institutions. We rely solely on donations from generous animal lovers.
Animal rescues cost a lot of money to run. While we get donations and funding through events like charity runs etc, the costs are EXTREMELY high. We need to pay for food, heating and other bills, as well as any staff costs and expenses like petrol for home visits.
The average cost to feed a dog for one month typically costs somewhere from £16 to £50, depending on the breed. Microchipping costs about £10 to £15. The average cost of essential vaccinations is £64. A routine vet appointment costs between £40-£60, surgery can cost anywhere over £1000. Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy – the average cost is £50 for a 30-minute session. Prosthetics and dog wheels etc can cost up to £500.
Please help Miracle’s Mission continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome MANY MORE sick, injured and disabled animals by kindly donating ANY amount, large or small, today. Thank you.
Researchers from the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development retrieve dead dolphins from Tefe lake, which flows into the Solimoes river, that has been affected by the High temperatures and drought in Tefe, Amazonas state, Brazil, October 2, 2023. Credit: Bruno Kelly
Since September 23, as the drought has worsened and water temperatures have risen, 153 River Dolphins have been found dead in the region: 130 Pink River Dolphins and 23 Tucuxi. In one week, the loss was around 10% of the local river Dolphins population. On the 28th of September alone, when the water temperature exceeded 39ºC, 70 River Dolphin carcasses were recorded, in addition to hundreds of fish.
The crisis, however, goes far beyond the loss of River Dolphins. There is an increase in mortality of fish species in the region, which are essential for the food security and livelihoods of local communities. The drought is also impacted water supplies and transportation, isolating some communities. Overall, 500,000 people have already been impacted.
Researchers are still trying to confirm the cause of death, but they suspect the high water temperatures are to blame. Image Credit: Bruno Kelly
“What is happening at Lake Tefé is terrifying. The impact of the loss of these animals is enormous and affects the entire local ecosystem”, warns Mariana Paschoalini Frias, Conservation analyst at WWF-Brazil. “River Dolphins are considered ‘sentinels’. In other words: they are indicative of the health of the environment where they live. What happens to them is reflected in the other species that live around them, including humans.”
“In our studies on Amazonian Dolphins, we found that they suffer from several pressures, such as fishing, mercury contamination and the impact of hydropower plants. But these events in Tefé show that more research needs to be carried out on how they will be affected by worsening climate change,” she added.
The deaths highlight the urgent need to scale up efforts to conserve the world’s River Dolphins – and the importance of the Global Declaration for River Dolphins, which will be signed by South American and Asian range states in Colombia on October 24th.
The operation was divided into different fronts. One of them, called Alive Operation Sector, monitors groups of Pink and Tucuxi River Dolphins along Lake Tefé, an isolated environment that is home to a large population of these two endangered species. When the team finds an individual with signs of abnormality, they are able to rescue them and take them to the Rehabilitation Float. The Operation Dead Sector, in turn, aims to identify and search for carcasses in the region and perform necropsies to collect samples for laboratory analysis. And the Environmental Operation Sector works to monitor water, fish and phytoplankton, organisms composed of microalgae and photosynthetic bacteria.
Tucuxi Amazon river dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis). Image Credit: Projeto Boto
Of all the variables analysed so far by experts, the one that has shown discrepant changes is water temperature, reinforcing that River Dolphins mortality is related to climate change, the effects of El Niño and extreme drought. The water temperature of Lake Tefé reached close to 40°C, says oceanographer Miriam Marmontel, leader of the Amazon Aquatic Mammals research group at IDSM, when the maximum average over time has been 32 degrees, a fact that certainly generated thermal stress in animals.
Members of the environmental consultancy Aqua Viridi also identified in one of the lake’s points an unusual number of alga Euglena sanguinea, which produces a toxin that can cause mortality in fish. The assessment carried out on the river Dolphins, however, did not confirm that the animals have been affected by possible toxins produced by these organisms. Other analyses are underway to help understand the algae’s possible role in the current environmental and health emergency.
Since the beginning of the crisis, 104 River Dolphins have been necropsied and tissue and organ samples have been sent to specialised laboratories. Seventeen individuals have already been assessed and, to date, there is no evidence of an infectious agent as the primary cause of deaths. Molecular diagnostics of 18 individuals also tested negative for infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, associated with mass deaths.
In Lake Tefé, there is a stretch called Enseada do Papucu, which has been critical for animals due to the water temperature. Even so, many Dolphins continue to frequent the area due to the abundance of fish, their basic diet. To prevent further deaths, the area is being isolated with a physical barrier called “pari”, which is made of wooden stakes and is based on traditional riverside knowledge. Subsequently, the species will be moved to deeper, less hot areas.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as endangered and reports that its numbers are shrinking. The Dolphins are susceptible to numerous threats, ranging from industrial and agricultural pollution to drilling for oil and gas.
The Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), or boto, acquires its pink hue from repeated abrasion of the skin surface. Males are typically pinker than females because of more frequent trauma due to aggression. Image Credit: Sylvain Cordier
Pink River Dolphins are a source of tourism income for some local communities, which call them “boto” or “bufeo,” per the New York Times. They are part of Amazonian legends and stories, including one in which the Dolphins turn into handsome men to seduce young women. The animals’ well-being is thought to be an indicator of the health of the river ecosystem.
“The past month in Tefé has seemed like a science-fiction climate change scenario,” says Daniel Tregidgo, a British researcher who lives in the region, to the Guardian’s Jonathan Watts. “To know that one [Dolphin] has died is sad, but to see piles of carcasses, knowing that this drought has killed over 100, is a tragedy.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
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