A wave of laws that target animal welfare activists who take undercover videos at factory farms has been criticized for chilling free speech and allowing cruelty to continue in secret. But it’s not only animal well-being at issue. So is public health. Some food safety experts say these so-called ag-gag laws will cloak disease-spreading industry practices, such as processing … [Read more...]
The kind farmer gets his due
Angus McIntosh, biodynamic farmer at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, received a Good Earth Keeper Award for his humane treatment of farmed animals at a glittering Green Tie fund-raising dinner/dance/auction last month at the Coleyn Estate in Klein Constantia, Cape Town. The function was organised by Soil for Life in co-operation with Compassion in World Farming, with … [Read more...]
New hope for Ukraine’s brown bears
Four Paws International Animal Welfare Organization has successfully rescued a 5 year old brown bear named Rosa, after two days of careful negotiations with her owner, to release her from captive employment as a roadside entertainer in the Ukraine. Rosa was transported by FOUR PAWS last month to the bear Rehabilitation Centre at the National Nature Park Synevyr, officially … [Read more...]
Protest against Namibian seal clubbings
'The quota this year has been set for 85 000 baby seals that are still nursing from their mothers' teats. These are beaten to death with pick handles so that their fur pelts may be sold for US $7.00 A further 6 000 adult bull seals will be shot at point blank range so that their penises can be used to make an ineffective aphrodisiac,' said Pat Dickens, co-ordinator of Sea … [Read more...]
SA Whale Wars star helps stop the killing
There is a war going on in Antarctica, and South Africa's Rosie Kunneke is one of the soldiers fighting the good fight. She recently returned to the country after 94 days at sea, participating in the world famous reality television series Whale Wars. This popular Animal Planet production follows captain Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, as he and … [Read more...]
Worldwide boycott of Namibia for culling
Several international groups have joined forces and are calling for a consumer boycott of all Namibian produce, sport and tourism, which includes de Beers diamonds, The Rugby World Cup, Heineken and Guinness. The boycott has the backing of a number of South African celebrities, including Miss South Africa. As of 2010, the Namibian seal cull became the largest slaughter of … [Read more...]
Sow Stalls to be phased out in SA
Mr Simon Streicher, CEO of the South African Pork Producers Organisation (SAPPO) refused to confirm to Compassion in World Farming today that sow stalls are to be phased out in South Africa. However, in an email to Beeld newspaper last week, Mr Streicher stated that South Africa was embarking upon 'the gradual phasing out of sow crates (stalls)' and that 'SAPPO supports the … [Read more...]
Animal Rights and Welfare
As guardians of our domesticated pet, we have a responsibility to protect them from harm and assure them of basic humane rights. That said, it should be our honor and privilege to harbor this companion in our home. A being so loyal, committed, loving and affectionate, you will not find anywhere. Yet, world-wide and in South Africa, animal abuse is prevalent and often … [Read more...]
Human barbarism
This scene of barbarism greeted the police and conservationists on Sunday morning on the road between Riversdale and Vermaaklikheid, Western Cape, South Africa. The culture that drives such actions is reprehensible and inconceivable. The caracal had been caught in a gin trap (even though these traps cannot be used without permits in the Western Cape and no permit was issued … [Read more...]
