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Cuteness Kills Endangered Monkeys
Illegal Wildlife Trade - Too Cute for Their Own Good
Cotton-top tamarins are smaller than spider monkeys, but they are equally charming, with outsize feet and shocks of wild white hair. They, too, are losing habitat at an alarming rate.
According to Anne Savage, Senior Conservation Biologist for Disney's Animal Programs, cotton-tops can survive in degraded forest but not isolated forest, island, that are disconnected from other kinds of habitat. Once, Savage recalls, she received a phone call from field staff saying that worker were cutting down trees [at the same time] as they were trying to count monkeys.
Between 30 and 70 percent of original habitat [has] disappeared she continues, due to deforestation for agricultural purposes, clearing land for cattle grazing or using trees for building materials and firewood.
Cotton-tops have also been taken for the biomedical trade. And as pets. They shoot the mother with a slingshot and take the young off her back when she falls to the ground says Savage.
Being cute is prized among humans, but for primates such as the variegated spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) and the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), the trait can be costly.
Alba Lucia Morales, of CI-partner Fundac in Biodiversa Colombia, admits to thinking the spider monkeys are the most wonderful in the forest. They are big and noisy the pregnant females are beautiful and the babies are gray and very cute.
But beauty in these animals is both blessing and curse. Deforestation and illegal wildlife trade threaten many animals, and these monkeys have an added challenge. No one is entirely sure exactly how many are taken each year for the illegal pet trade.
More Info:
http://www.conservation.org/FMG/Articles/Pages/colombia... Illegal Wildlife Trade - Too Cute for Their Own Good ... more -
115 million animals used in laboratory experiments worldwide
A new study claims the number of animals used worldwide in laboratory experiments is close to 115 million. The annual figure is based on official statistics from 37 countries, but includes estimates for nations where data is unavailable and has therefore been contested by pro-experiment groups.
The global estimate is the result of a joint venture between the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection and the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research.
The research included animals that are used to maintain stocks, and also included animals deemed surplus and humanely killed. In previous estimates, neither of these categories were included in national statistics.
"It is troubling that there are so many countries that appear not to record the lives of those animals suffering in their laboratories," said Wendy Higgins of the Trust. "Knowing the number of animals used gives real ammunition for the general public to put pressure on their governments to play their part in the global reduction and replacement of animals in experiments."
The results of the study estimate that the US and Japan use the greatest number of animals (17 million and 11 million, respectively), followed by Canada, France and Australia (all about 2.3 million).
In Britain, the number of animals used in laboratory experiments declined from a peak in 1970s, but since 1997 has shown a steady increased. A new study claims the number of animals used worldwide in laboratory experiments is close to 115 million. The annual figure is based ... more -
Unidentified Beast Washes Ashore in Jersey
This is an actual monster, some sort of rodent-like creature with a dinosaur beak. A tipster says that there is "a government animal testing facility very close by in Long Island," but unless the government is trying to design horrible Montauk monsters that will eat IEDs and fart fire at bad Iraqis, we're not sure why they would create such an unthinkable beast. Our guess is that it's viral marketing for something. Ali Lohan's new album perhaps.
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Anybody have any guesses as to what in this thing is? This is an actual monster, some sort of rodent-like creature with a dinosaur beak. A tipster says that there is "a government ani... more -
Animal research experiments on the rise
Animals were used in a little more than 3.2 million medical experiments in Britain in 2007, a six percent rise from the previous year, the government said on Monday. The increase was the sixth consecutive annual rise, according to figures released by Britain's Home Office.
Most of the animals used in the experiments were mice, rats and other rodents. Less than one percent included dogs, cats, horses or non-human primates, the government said.
The rise was due mainly to breeding genetically modified animals -- mostly mice and fish. By turning off or inserting genes in animals scientists hope to improve understanding of human diseases and to develop new treatments. Drug companies say animals are a vital part of the research and development of new medicines and vaccines.
Animal rights groups who have fought a campaign against the experiments say the figures mark a 16-year high.
(Reuters) Animals were used in a little more than 3.2 million medical experiments in Britain in 2007, a six percent rise from the previous year,... more -
Animal Testing 1, 2, 3
PETA presents Animal Testing 1, 2, 3. Please sacrifice three minutes and sixteen seconds of your time to become educated about today's animal testing. PETA presents Animal Testing 1, 2, 3. Please sacrifice three minutes and sixteen seconds of your time to become educated about today&#... more
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In U.S., Few Alternatives To Testing On Animals
Each year, American doctors inject more than 3 million doses of Botox to temporarily smooth their patients' wrinkles and frown lines. But before each batch is shipped, the manufacturer puts it through one of the oldest and most controversial animal tests available.
Several U.S. government officials now consider the system broken. As a result, critics say, hundreds of thousands of mice, rabbits, hamsters and dogs continue to suffer and die unnecessarily in tests for pesticides, household cleaners, sunscreens and other products. Each year, American doctors inject more than 3 million doses of Botox to temporarily smooth their patients' wrinkles and frown li... more -
A New Science, at First Blush
GRASSE, France The delicate hybrids thriving in the balmy climes of Provence, southern Frances traditional perfume region, include sweet jasmine, May roses and fresh layers of artificial human skin.
Scientists here are working feverishly to develop new technologies to test cosmetics before a European Union ban on animal testing begins in March 2009.
These advanced materials including reconstructed eye tissue and tiny circles of skin developed from donor cells harvested from cosmetic operations are a vital part of the industrys future as it faces rapidly tightening European regulations, rules that apply to any company wishing to sell in the 27-nation European Union. GRASSE, France The delicate hybrids thriving in the balmy climes of Provence, southern Frances traditional perfume region, include ... more -
Animal Rights Group Floods Professor's Home
An animal rights group strikes again! The Animal Liberation Front broke a window and flooded UCLA Professor Edythe London's home. It's not the first time UCLA researchers have been targeted for testing on animals. An animal rights group strikes again! The Animal Liberation Front broke a window and flooded UCLA Professor Edythe London's home... more
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Addiction center of the brain discovered
Rats on meth, injections into the brain, results could change the lives of millions
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