tagged w/ Exotic Animals
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Officers catch men chopping up wild animals in Thai slaughterhouse after following shopper with blood on his hands
It isn't every day that a man with bloody hands emerges from a convenience store and returns home to continue chopping up tigers, zebras and wild buffalo in an underground slaughterhouse.
So Thai police officers on a routine street patrol in north-east Bangkok had a lucky break when, by chance, they crossed paths with a member of a wild animal meat gang who had nipped out to buy some butchering supplies.
On following the man, Thai police discovered four other men chopping up a large male tiger. Zebra, crocodile, wild buffalo and elephant carcasses, along with 400kg of tiger meat, were also found in the building, ready to be sold as exotic meat and trophies.
"We found one tiger in an ice box, where it was being preserved with formaldehyde, and a lot of bones. On the floor, there were fresh cuts of white tiger, elephant and lion skins," the Thai nature crime police commander, Colonel Norasak Hemnithi, said. "The suspects later told us that they had gone out looking for ice to store the fresh meats."
Police have since arrested eight people, including the alleged mastermind, in what they and local wildlife organisations believe is a smuggling operation fronted by Bangkok zoos.
The case has shed light on Thailand's place at the heart of an estimated $10bn global trade in endangered species that is driving many plants and animals to extinction, according to wildlife groups. It highlights a worrying trend in which the meat of endangered animals is sold in resort restaurants in southern Thailand.
Demand for trophy items and exotic meats across Asia, but particularly in China, has driven up the trade in elephants, big cats, reptiles and birds.
The anti-wildlife trafficking group Freeland, which is working with police on the investigation, suspects the animals came from, or were sold through, private zoos in Thailand. "It's hard for police to go after zoos because there's a legal loophole [here] that can easily be used to front a breeding operation. Zoos have a permit to own tigers, so they can breed the tigers and sell the offspring," said a Freeland spokesman, Roy Schlieben, adding that an adult tiger could fetch more than $10,000.
Raids in Thailand, which heads the 10-country Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network in south-east Asia, have risen nearly tenfold in five years, Freeland said.
The director general of the Thai wildlife agency said last month that poachers had slaughtered two wild elephants for their meat in a national park. Damrong Phidet told the Associated Press that trunks and sexual organs had been ordered by restaurants in Phuket. Some of the meat was to be consumed without cooking, like "elephant sashimi", he said.
But critics claim police are only touching the tip of the iceberg. "A lot of catches are lucky catches," Edwin Wiek, of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, said. "In Saturday's case, the criminal was only caught because he went to 7-Eleven and had blood on his hands. These criminals are making a lot of money and have nothing to fear – the penalties are very low and hardly any jail sentences are given to these people."
The men arrested this month could face four years in prison and fines of 40,000 baht (£820) for illegally processing wild and protected animals, but Wiek and Schlieben said prison terms were unlikely and called for harsher penalties.
Tiger skins are often sold as trophy items to wealthy buyers in China, Thailand and Vietnam, with animal parts such as tiger bones being used in traditional Chinese medicine, Schlieben said, adding: "Then you've got mounted tigers, considered status symbols, and wild meat being consumed because it's 'more healthy' than domesticated animals."
Despite the increased number of wildlife criminal arrests in the past few years, Thai police have admitted they are still far from cracking the organised smuggling of animals through Thailand and abroad.
"We see about 100 [wildlife] cases per year," Norasak said. "We're [usually] able to catch the criminal but not the [mastermind] behind him. But we work consistently to investigate further and process cases."
The raid was the latest in a string of high-profile cases. A United Arab Emirates citizen was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok, last May. He had live infant leopards, panthers, monkeys and an Asiatic black bear stuffed in his luggage.Officers catch men chopping up wild animals in Thai slaughterhouse after following... more
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NBC Southern California...
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12 Charged in Sales of Endangered Species
A dozen people are charged in connection with selling rare fish, birds and bear and tiger pelts over the Internet
By Jason Kandel
| Friday, Jan 6, 2012 | Updated 2:51 PM PST
12 Charged in Sales of Endangered Species
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Twelve people were charged in connection with selling rare fish, birds and other endangered species over the Internet.
A dozen people have been charged in connection with illegally selling rare fish, birds and exotic animal pelts over the Internet, authorities said on Friday.
The case, dubbed Operation Cyberwild, was announced following the arrest of a Las Vegas man who was charged with selling boots made out of threatened sea turtles.
Federal agents and state game wardens recovered live endangered fish, protected migratory birds, an elephant foot, and pelts from a tiger, a polar bear, a leopard and a bear.
During the investigation, which began in July 2011, agents and game wardens targeted Internet ads placed by sellers in Southern California and southern Nevada.
“We hope that this operation will send a message to individuals selling – or even considering selling – protected wildlife that we are watching and that we take these offenses seriously,” said Erin Dean, resident agent in charge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Torrance.
The 12 defendants charged in federal and state court each allegedly offered for sale animals or animal parts. The defendants are variously charged with violating the federal Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Lacey Act and various state wildlife laws.
United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. said the sale of endangered animals on the Internet has reached an alarming level, with as much as two-thirds of such sales taking place in the United States. He said that Internet sales of wildlife fuel poaching and make the killing of protected animals more profitable.
“Unfortunately, this delicate system continues to face serious threats, including poaching, the introduction of non-native species and the illegal sale of endangered species,” he said.
Paul Todd, the program manager for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, applauded the effort.
"We hope 'Operation Cyberwild' serves as a wake up call to Internet-based marketplaces," he said in a statement. "The Internet wildlife trade must be addressed if we are to save these animals from extinction at the hands of poachers and their worldwide criminal trade networks."
The defendants charged in the case are:
George Lovell, 49, of Las Vegas;
Lisa Naumu, 49, of San Diego;
Victor Northrop, 48, of Henderson, Nevada;
Karla Trejo, 42, of Sherman Oaks;
Dan Tram “Majkah” Huynh, 30, of San Diego;
Henry Dao, 41, of Garden Grove;
Alex Madar, 27, of San Diego;
Kamipeli Piuleini, 35, of Torrance
Tyler Homesley, 24, of Ramona;
Alfredo Vazquez, 50, of Montebello
James I. Colburn, 66, of Leona Valley;
Blake William Diekman, 27, of South Pasadena.
.NBC Southern California...
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12 Charged in Sales of Endangered Species
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NewsNet5...
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Animal rights group calling for all exotic animal auctions banned
Ohio SPCA has taken its case to Governor Kasich
Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/money/consumer/troubleshooter/animal-rights-group-calling-for-all-exotic-animal-auctions-banned#ixzz1crfh0pn8
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Posted: 11/04/2011
Last Updated: 18 hours and 9 minutes ago
By: Joe Pagonakis, newsnet5.com By: Joe Pagonakis, newsnet5.com
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MT. HOPE, Ohio - The Ohio SPCA is now demanding a ban on the sale of all exotic animals, following the terrible incidents at the Zanesville farm of Terry Thompson.
The animal rights group focused its attention on the Mt. Hope Alternative Animal and Bird Auction held Friday in Holmes County.
5 On Your Side cameras were not, allowed inside the auction, but hundreds packed the sale to bid on exotic birds, waterfowl, wallabies, reptiles, hogs and sheep.
The Mt. Hope Auction is not selling lions, bears and other potentially hazardous animals found running loose on Terry Thompson's farm.
The Mt. Hope Auction is being monitored by the USDA, and is in full compliance with Ohio law. Still, the SPCA wants sales of this type stopped.
"It's cruel to the animals, they are totally out of their environment and habitat," said SPCA Coordinator Lisa Bell. "We feel this should not be allowed."
The SPCA plans to take its case to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, asking for a ban or tougher restrictions on the sale of non-hazardous exotic animals.
Organizers of the Mt. Hope Auction would not comment on Friday's sale.
Some visitors to Mt. Hope believe the situation in Zanesville has caused to some to overreact.
"There's a big difference between Lions and Bear, and Wallabies and Pheasants," said Rob Weber. "They're a little exotic, I don't know how dangerous they are."
The SPCA claimed exotic animal auctions of any kind can perpetuate animal abuse.
"Ohio's lax laws, and the failure to enforce current laws, allows animals to suffer and die at the hands of abusers," said Ohio SPCA Spokeswoman Teresa Landon.
Police said Terry Thompson released dozens of wild animals at his Zanesville farm back on October 18, just moments before taking his own life.
Police were forced to track down and kill 48 lions, bears, and tigers to restore neighborhood safety.
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Scripps Media IncNewsNet5...
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Animal rights group calling for all exotic animal auctions banned... more
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A look at some of the exotic animals prohibited by the B.C. Wildlife Act. Exotic animals in B.C. will need permits starting this April.A look at some of the exotic animals prohibited by the B.C. Wildlife Act. Exotic... more
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This documentary explores the impact of illegal breeding and selling of exotic pets on not only the lives of the animals, but the lives of the people around them. We explore many causes of why these animals are abandoned and focus on Shirley Cannan owner and operator of Fallin' Pines Critter Rescue, a non-profit organization that takes in exotic animals which have been neglected or abandoned.This documentary explores the impact of illegal breeding and selling of exotic pets on... more
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Florida has long battled an invasive population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades. But a new species of invasive snake--the African rock python has recently been found on the loose as well.
At least five rock pythons, one that measured 14 ft long, have just been captured in Miami-Dade county. Now, experts' fears are mounting that the Burmese and African rock pythons will begin breeding--and give rise to a new, dangerous 'super snake.'
The African rock pythons were initially thought to be a few escaped pets that could be contained--but the recent spate of discoveries shows that they may indeed be a brand new breeding population in the Everglades. Which is bad news.
The LA Times reports:
state environmental officials worry that the rock python could breed with the Burmese python, which already has an established foothold in the Everglades. That could lead to a new "super snake," said George Horne, the water district's deputy executive director. In Africa, the rock python eats creatures as large as goats and crocodiles.
There have been cases of the snakes killing children.
According to local wildlife experts, the rock python is "bigger and meaner than the Burmese python." Which is precisely why fears are stirring that a hybrid python may be on the rise in the Everglades.
Thousands of Burmese pythons already thrive in the area, with no natural predators to keep them in check--now imagine if they were bigger, stronger, and nastier in disposition. It would indeed present a very real threat not only to Florida's ecosystem, but potentially to families with children in the area.
Burmese pythons have already been known to occasionally attack children--and scientists consider the rock python even more dangerous. LeRoy Rodgers, a water district scientist, is concerned about both of them: "These are animals that are hot predators, and now there are two species to worry about." And now, counting the possibility of a 'super snake', maybe there will be one more.
Visit linked page for photos, video ...
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/new-super-snake-python-hybrid-florida.php
STOP THE DESTRUCTIVE THREAT OF INVASIVE SPECIES!
PLEASE SAY 'NO!' TO THE WILDLIFE TRADE.
PLEASE END THE EXOTIC (& USUSALLY ILLEGAL) PET TRADE.
Poor gentle manatees. As if human beings (& their boats), pollution, warming oceans, climate change & habitat loss was not enough.Florida has long battled an invasive population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades.... more
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Overstock.com Inc. has stopped selling watchbands, shoes and luggage made from the skins of exotic animals. The Salt Lake City-based Internet retailer announced Monday that it pulled listings involving items with alligator, lizard, ostrich, stingray, eel, shark and kangaroo skin from its Web site.
The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals took credit for pushing Overstock to reverse course. PETA showed Overstock Chairman and CEO Patrick Byrne a video of lizards and snakes being skinned alive.
In a statement, Byrne thanked PETA for "informing us of these issues and presenting us with evidence that factored into our decision." The move follows Overstock's boycott of fur and ivory goods.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34694115/ns/business-retail/Overstock.com Inc. has stopped selling watchbands, shoes and luggage made from the... more
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jmsrmy
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2 years ago
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A man was caught by Norwegian customs carrying a tarantula in his bag, and a further 14 royal pythons and 10 albino leopard geckos taped to his body.A man was caught by Norwegian customs carrying a tarantula in his bag, and a further... more
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anything to brighten up your day, a website dedicated to exotic baby animal pictures
some are a bit freaky, but in a cute way, enjoy!anything to brighten up your day, a website dedicated to exotic baby animal pictures... more
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Jim Maddy, the CEO and president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the official zoo and aquarium accreditation organization in the United States, sent this letter to those who are fighting HR 669.Jim Maddy, the CEO and president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the... more
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Let's watch the legislative process in action, live audio or streaming video: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife Legislative Hearing on H.R. 669.Let's watch the legislative process in action, live audio or streaming video:... more
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Despite the fact that HR 669 proposes to prevent additional invasions by exotic species -- a reasonable and laudable objective -- a careful reading of this bill reveals that it will fail to achieve its stated goal. As written, HR 669 is misguided and will cause more harm than good.Despite the fact that HR 669 proposes to prevent additional invasions by exotic... more
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As a large corporation, you KNOW PetSmart has a flock of lawyers who are studying legislation such as this to make sure that laws are not enacted that would damage them or their clients. While PetSmart supports the primary aim of this bill -- to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive nonnative animal species into this country -- they point out that HR 669, as written, will damage the pet industry and harm pet owners ("pet parents") as well.As a large corporation, you KNOW PetSmart has a flock of lawyers who are studying... more
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This article is an assessment and opinion about HR 669, The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act. In short, HR 669 is an great idea -- in principle, but it is not the bill that this nation wants to enact to stem the tide of economic, environmental, habitat, species and human health damages caused by invasive exotic species.This article is an assessment and opinion about HR 669, The Nonnative Wildlife... more
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Exotic animals are trapped in the net of the Mexican drug trade. The global illegal trade in live species and animal parts is estimated to total $20 billion a year.Exotic animals are trapped in the net of the Mexican drug trade. The global illegal... more
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Exotic animals are trapped within a 65 ft enclosure in Grainger County, Tennessee, and being cruely hunted and killed for sport and profit, without hope of escape or a chance of survival. They live in this enclosed area for the reason of being shot at by people as 'sport'. There are even treestands inside the area. This is inhumane, and horrible, and should not be allowed to have ever been opened.
Please look at the animals on this website, and please forward and sign this petition:
http://www.clinchmountainhuntingadventures.net/SPECIES-INFO.html
Petition Link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/animals-being-brutally-killed-in-canned-hunts-in-clinch-mountain-tennessee-with-no-chance-of
To view news video of actual footage, and animals walking right up to the camera, along with neighbor's protest go here: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=61587&catid=2
News Release:
Along the quiet Dry Valley Road in Grainger County, a cow is about as exotic as you'll get.
That was before Robert Haun moved in and brought dozens of animals with him.
"You just can't go anywhere and get ONE," Haun said of the exotic animals. "Some people
have phobias of flying or not being able to afford the expense to go across sea and get ONE, so we're bringing IT to them."
"They're going TO HAVE TO go into the woods and sit down and hunt and walk and look and stalk for the animal that they choose, and it's not ALWAYS going to be a hundred percent success," Haun said.
He's responding to some criticism from some neighbors and animal rights supporters.
The Grainger County Humane Society opposes the hunting preserve, calling it a "canned hunt," but members make clear they do not oppose hunting.
"I was horrified," neighbor Betty Rich said. "I'm almost 80 years old, and I did not know that these facilities existed in this country."
Rich has written a letter to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, asking commissioners to consider changing their rules about the hunting preserves.
Right now, the preserves have to be a minimum of 20 acres. Rich says that's not nearly enough. She's pushing for 1,000 acres.
She and her daughter also are collecting signatures for a petition they plan to send to the state legislature.
"I'm against raising exotic animals domestically and putting them in a fence and shooting them for trophies. I'm against that. I think it's wrong," she said.
Meanwhile, Haun is defending his facility, saying the acreage and foliage make it MORE THAN A FAIR CHASE for the animals. Plus, he points out he will also CATER to young hunters and people whose DISABILITIES may prevent them from hunting elsewhere.
"They just don't understand, they don't understand," Haun said of his critics. "They think it's up here behind a big, high fence, the animals have NOWHERE to go. As you can see, there's PLENTY of places for animals to HIDE that we CANNOT access."
Clinch Mountain Hunting Adventures is set to open in September. The prices range between $600 and $10,000.
Exotic animals are trapped within a 65 ft enclosure in Grainger County, Tennessee, and... more
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An unusual clash between a 2 metre-long alligator and a 4 metre-long python has left the two lethal predators dead in Florida's swamps. The Burmese python tried to swallow its formidable rival whole but then exploded. The remains of the two giant reptiles were found by astonished rangers in the Everglades National Park. Burmese pythons - many of whom have been dumped by their owners - have thrived in the wet and hot climate of Florida's swamps over the past 20 years.
An unusual clash between a 2 metre-long alligator and a 4 metre-long python has left... more
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The Ashera Cat is the newest trend in designer exotic pets. It is priced at $22,000 and comes from two wild bloodlines, the African Serval and Asian
Leopard cat, crossed with an undisclosed domestic breed.The Ashera Cat is the newest trend in designer exotic pets. It is priced at $22,000... more
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Wild parrots are now living in the Bronx. Is this strange phenomena a rare bright side of Global Warming?Wild parrots are now living in the Bronx. Is this strange phenomena a rare bright side... more
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