Animal

China becomes largest pork importer in history (MEATPOULTRY.com, February 03, 2009) by MEAT&POULTRY Staff DENVER – In 2008, imports of pork and pork products to China represented the highest volume to any single country, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation. China's overseas purchases and imports of pork and pork products in calendar year 2008 were unprecedented, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation calculations from just-released Chinese trade data. Based on import totals from both China and Hong Kong, China imported 1.925 million metric tons (4.2 billion lbs.) of pork and pork products last year, including 1.161 million tons (nearly 2.6 billion lbs.) of pork variety meats and 764,000 tons (1.7 billion lbs.) of pork cuts. China's imports exceeded the previous single-year record of 1.022 million tons (2.2 billion lbs.) of pork imported by Japan in 2005. "The volume demonstrates the huge influence China can have on global markets when supply and demand become imbalanced," said Joel Haggard, senior vice president of U.S.M.E.F.'s Asia Pacific region. "The import volume, though huge, represents less than 5% of China’s consumption." Total U.S. pork and pork product exports to China and Hong Kong are estimated by U.S.M.E.F. to have reached 386,000 tons (851 million lbs.) valued at nearly $700 million in 2008. The E.U. and Brazil were the other major pork suppliers to the region. It is unlikely that China's pork imports this year will match last year's record, Mr. Haggard said. Increased industry profitability last spring, coupled with a range of hog raising subsidies, has resulted in a substantial expansion of China's herd, and lower hog and pork prices. Although the post lunar new year early spring period usually marks the annual low point in demand, U.S.M.E.F. has heard reports of serious respiratory disease outbreaks that could be adding a bearish tone to the market. It expects imported variety meat demand to hold through 2009, although U.S. muscle cuts face stiffer competition from domestic supplies. China’s National Development and Reform Commission, in concert with key ministries including the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture, AQSIQ and the Ministry of Finance, announced Jan. 12 a new temporary pork price stabilization program designed to smooth out the country's volatile hog cycle. The program establishes an early-warning system for low live-hog and pork prices based upon the ratio of live hog to grain prices. http://www.meatpoultry.com

Ces deux petits chiots, frère et soeur, ont eu la vie sauve, grâce à une passante. Une bande de jeunes adolescents s'apprêtaient à faire cuire les chiots sur un feu de bois ... ----------------------------------------------------------- Gang of children - some as young as TEN - caught slowly roasting puppies over bonfire By Jaya Narain Last updated at 8:42 PM on 04th February 2009 Shocked and huddled together for safety, these puppies are lucky to be alive after being saved from an act of almost unbelievable barbarity. A gang of youths had seized the seven-week-old brother and sister and were slowly roasting them over a bonfire on a canal bank. Yelping in panic and distress as their fur began to burn, the pair struggled desperately to escape the children's clutches. The commotion attracted a walker who ran over to the bonfire and ordered the gang to release them immediately. Melanie Johnson, 32, said: 'I just could not believe the cruelty being shown by these kids. If I hadn't turned up, I think they would have burned the dogs alive.' Miss Johnson, from Rochdale, added: 'Most of the kids were aged 12, 13 or older. But some were as young as ten. I was ripping mad and still am to think that anyone - least of all children - could do this.' She took the two puppies from the bank and carried them to the safety of her home before wrapping them in a towel and taking them to an RSPCA shelter. The cross-bred pups were examined by a vet after the incident in Newbold, Rochdale on Friday and were found to be in generally good health. Jean Spencer, the RSPCA shelter manager, said: 'The puppies are only seven weeks old and still smelled of smoke from the bonfire when they arrived. 'The fur on one of them was singed and the other has a small hernia. Fortunately, they are going to be fine.' She added: 'To think that children could be so cruel is really disgusting. The puppies are absolutely gorgeous. Everyone here has fallen in love with them.' The male puppy has been named Guy and his sister Cinders. They will now go to a shelter in Halifax to be re-homed. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident VOIR UNE VIDÉO DE CES PETITS CHIOTS... http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1138292711/bctid10210494001

Every mink in Britain 'to be exterminated' Published Date: 03 February 2009 By Jenny Haworth Environment Correspondent MINK could be completely eradicated from the UK in an unprecedented attempt to remove one of the country's most destructive alien invaders, The Scotsman can reveal. Plans are in place to apply for millions of pounds of EU funding to carry out a mass eradication in hot spots across Britain. This would be the first time the war on an invasive species was carried out on a national scale. American mink, which were brought to the UK for fur farms in the 1950s, have destroyed huge numbers of native animals in the UK, particularly water voles and seabirds. If the EU funding bid is successful, the money would be spent on trial trapping projects in areas across the UK where mink are abundant, such as Cairngorms National Park, East Yorkshire and Somerset. The nationwide cull is being examined by a consortium including government agencies and universities, led by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). Jonathan Reynolds, head of predation control at GWCT, said the funding bid was still at a very early stage, but could be lodged by the end of the year. He said it was too early to know whether it would one day be possible to entirely wipe mink out from across the country. "I wouldn't rule it out, but I don't know whether it could ever work because we haven't ever tackled a sufficiently large scale," he said. "I think everything we are doing at the moment is a stepping stone. It would be fantastic if we could eradicate them." Local extermination projects are already taking place across the UK and are showing considerable signs of success. Experts believe the effectiveness of these schemes could pave the way for full-scale mainland eradication The biggest mink extermination programme in the world is being carried out in the Western Isles, known as the Hebridean Mink Project, and is well on the way to achieving its aim of ridding Lewis and Harris of all the alien invaders. A team of trappers has already killed more than 800 of the islands' estimated 1,500 animals. Iain Macleod, mink eradication expert at Scottish Natural Heritage, who is leading the project, thinks a nation-wide eradication attempt would be a good idea, and he believes it would be feasible to wipe out mink from the mainland. "It would be difficult in the extreme and it may take 40 or 50 years but you could, in my opinion, get the numbers of mink in the UK down to such low levels that you could conceivably eradicate them," he said. The Hebridean Mink Project alone will cost £5 million, and Mr Macleod believes to wipe out mink from the whole of Scotland could cost at least £20 million. He thinks any attempt to carry out a full-scale project to eradicate mink might depend on the success of smaller-scale efforts such as the Hebridean Mink Project. EU countries are legally obliged to examine ways to try to control invasive species, which present one of the greatest threats to wildlife across the world. Other invasive species in Scotland include crayfish, Japanese knotweed and rhododendron. However, Libby Anderson, the political director for Advocates for Animals, said she would oppose any national mink eradication project. The charity opposes the culling of any animal, preferring relocation. FACTS MINK come from the same family as weasels and otters. They are found in northern Europe, North America and most of Russia west of the Ural Mountains. They can live up to three years in the wild and ten-12 years in captivity. They have on average four-five kits per litter once a year. The European mink is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. These highly aggressive predators live a solitary nocturnal lifestyle and prey on a wide variety of animals. The larger males kill rabbits, while the smaller females go after mice and songbirds. Both sexes eat fish and frogs. They inhabit all types of wetlands, but prefer swamps and marshy lakes. The ruthless predator hard-wired to kill, kill and kill again THE birds on Lewis and Harris look more relaxed nowadays. Once they had lived in fear of attack from hordes of vicious predators that killed until they had had their fill, then killed and killed some more. But that was before the trappers arrived with their enticing oils and their guns. Some said it couldn't be done. Some said the mink that had escaped into the wilds of the Western Isles many years ago to wreak havoc among the local wildlife could never be brought to heel. But day after day, since their arrival on the islands two years ago, the 12 trappers have set out into the wilderness in a relentless war against the alien invaders. Their aim is to destroy an estimated 1,500 mink that have bred and spread across the islands, having escaped or been released from mink farms since the 1960s. Already the trappers have surpassed expectations by killing more than 800 mink. "It sounds crazy, but when I first came here all the bird life was nervous. It was living on its nerves," said Iain Macleod, who is leading the Hebridean Mink Project. "Now when you walk along the shoreline you see the waders and they all look relaxed. I know it sounds utterly mad, but it's true. They are just more laid-back and they know they are safer." Mink – ferret-like creatures with glossy fur and a devastating instinct to kill – attack vast quantities of native animals and have destroyed populations of rare birds. In the past two years the trappers have covered every area of ground likely to be inhabited by a mink, including the edge of every single loch, river and even trickle of water. In a strategy almost military in its precision and scale, the whole of Lewis and Harris has been covered in a network of 7,500 traps, meaning at any spot on the island one of the metal gadgets is never further than 500m away. In their cycle of checking the traps, the trappers have already covered a staggering distance – the equivalent to walking twice around the world. The animals are enticed using an oil the mink sprays from an anal gland to attract a mate or ward off attack. Mr Macleod, who has gained the nickname Iain the Mink on the island, extracted this himself by hand from dead animals. However, after six months the team discovered that it could be bought from America online, and the unpleasant practice could end. Once the mink are caught, they are shot while still in the trap by the trappers using an airgun. Instead of killing just enough to eat, the mink attack everything. This is not, according to Mr Macleod, due to a morbid instinct to kill, but because in their native Canada they can kill large quantities of prey and then store it in the frozen ground to eat later. "People think it's because the mink are evil. It's not that. They are simply following their instincts, which is to kill as many as they can. "They really are hard-wired to kill and eat. Killing, eating and breeding are really all they think about." http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Every-mink-in-Britain-39to.4938859.jp

Je suis admirative devant le courage du capitaine Watson et de son équipage !

63%1 - Sí

ça me fait penser à ceux qui défendent la chasse au phoque et qui disent que les phoques ne souffrent pas (cas ils ont beaucoup de gras) quand ils sont crochetés vivants et traînés sur la glace... !! C'est tellement facile de faire de telles affirmations quand on n'a pas subi ces traitements soi-même !

Au Québec aussi on a des «savants» qui torturent des animaux: de nombreux «biologistes» sont trappeurs ou chasseurs ou les deux ....

C'est certain Cath ! En fait, les animaleries pourraient même s'occuper de trouver des familles aux animaux abandonnés des SPCA. Ça serait sûrement plus utile. Bravo pour ton implication !

Allo Catou, Papa me disait qu'elle avait perdu un peu de poids ces derniers mois, mais elle ne semblait pas malade: elle avait toujours bon appétit, n'avait pas de problème pour faire ses «petits besoins», etc. etc. Le matin de sa mort, elle avait mangé et bu comme d'habitude. Et pendant l'après-midi, papa a vu qu'elle avait des spasmes. Ils ont duré une dizaine de minutes et elle a crié quelques instants avant de mourir Donc, oui, elle a sûrement souffert la pauvre. Papa dit que son petit coeur battait très très vite: Il était à genoux à côté d'elle et la caressait et lui parlait doucement Il l'a fait incinérer. D'ici quelques jours, il aura une petite urne en pierre sur laquelle sera gravée le nom de Sophie. Au printemps, lorsque la terre sera dégelée, il ira l'enterrer là où elle a été trouvée lorsqu'elle était toute petite...

Publié le 04 février 2009 à 12h21 | Mis à jour à 12h26 Le maire de Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes, Jean-Claude Milot (à l'avant), et Claude Bellerive, organisateurs et commanditaires, en compagnie du préfet de la MRC des Chenaux, Gérard Bruneau, lors de la présentation du programme de la troisième course Défi Mauricie. (On dirait plutôt des chiens de chasse que des chiens de traîneau- Il me semble qu'ils doivent avoir froid avec leurs poils ras quand il fait dans les moins 30 degrés celcius non?...) Photo: Stéphane Lessard Louise Plante Le Nouvelliste (Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes) Les meilleurs mushers et bien sûr, les meilleurs chiens de traîneau, sont attendus les samedi et dimanche (7 et 8 février), à Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes pour la troisième course Défi Mauricie. ... http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-nouvelliste/mauricie/200902/04/01-824116-de-grands-mushers-attendus-a-saint-luc-de-vincennes.php

Publié le 04 février 2009 à 13h13 | Mis à jour à 13h18 «Give peas a chance», dit PETA à Gaza Photothèque La Presse Associated Press Jérusalem Le chemin de la paix commence dans l'assiette, selon l'association américaine de protection des animaux PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals). Elle a demandé à Israël la permission d'installer des pancartes faisant la promotion du régime végétarien des deux côtés de la frontière avec la bande de Gaza et la Cisjordanie. Les affiches sont en hébreu et en anglais. Elles montrent des Israéliens et des Palestiniens assis autour d'un repas sans viande, avec ces slogans: «donnez une chance aux pois» (give peas a chance), jeu de mots avec le slogan «give peace a chance», (donnez une chance à la paix») ou encore «la non violence commence dans nos assiettes: soyez végétariens».«Chaque fois que nous mangeons, nous pouvons choisir de ne pas participer à la violence», a écrit dans une lettre la présidente de la PETA, Ingrid Newkirk. «Même si choisir un sandwich aux falafels (boulettes de pois chiches) à la place d'un kebab à l'agneau ne crée pas un instant de paix, cela réduit la somme totale de violence et de souffrance dans le monde», a-t-elle argumenté. http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/insolite/200902/04/01-824139-give-peas-a-chance-dit-peta-a-gaza.php

Humans causing more grizzly deaths in Alberta SHANNON MONTGOMERY The Canadian Press February 3, 2009 CALGARY -- A person may not be much of a match for a grizzly one on one, but over all the bear population in Alberta is being battered by humans at an increasing rate, a coalition of environmentalists warns. Action Grizzly Bear says upward of 5 per cent of the province's grizzly bears were probably killed by humans last year - the highest level of mortality since the government suspended hunting the animals in 2006. The official tally for 2008 was 19 human-caused deaths. The causes ranged from vehicle collisions and hunters mistaking grizzlies for brown bears to self-defence and nuisance kills. But considering that many deaths are unreported and relocated bears are more likely to die, the number is probably upward of 30, Carl Morrison of Action Grizzly Bear said yesterday. That's significant when the bear population is estimated to be less than 500 in the entire province. Print Edition - Section Front Pumped up: Why gasoline engines are here to stay "It's pretty substantial. Humans are responsible for over 90 per cent of grizzly bear mortalities in the province," Mr. Morrison said. "We are the leading cause of decline for grizzly bear numbers ... and things need to happen so that's not the case."Mr. Morrison said the latest figures show the Alberta government's plan to stem the decline of the bears isn't working. More money needs to be spent on teaching hunters and hikers how to recognize and avoid bears, and on showing those who use their territory to keep food and garbage properly sealed, he suggested. "There needs to be a general increase of awareness of co-existing with grizzly bears, and that's certainly achievable, it's just going to take some time and effort, and some resources." Roads also need to be restricted or moved altogether to keep humans out of the land the bears rely on to survive, he said. The government isn't sure why the number of human-caused grizzly deaths is higher this year, but will look carefully at what can be done to stop the trend, said Darcy Whiteside, spokesman for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. "Any time that a grizzly bear is removed from the landscape, it's a concern," he said. "So every year we're concerned with the numbers and looking to reduce them." The government spent $1.7-million on protecting the bears last year and has a number of community-based initiatives to help people understand how to co-exist with the animals, Mr. Whiteside said. A program is also being started that will try to keep bears out of places where humans live by placing road kill near the animals' dens. The government money also helped pay for a DNA-based count that has been under way for four years. It is trying to pin down exactly how many bears currently live in the province. Biologists have found about 230 grizzlies in the areas they've already looked at, but are still waiting for the numbers on one region, Mr. Whiteside said. There will be no move to list the species as threatened until that figure comes in, he said. When that finally happens it could be too little, too late, said Mr. Morrison, who pointed out a government group suggested the bears be listed as threatened in 2002 when their numbers dipped below 1,000. "The estimate is fewer than 500, including national parks. So it's one thing to say we need to wait, but we also need to take action to make sure we aren't continuing to lose bears while these decisions are being made." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090203.GRIZZLIES03/TPStory/En\ vironment

après la mort de ces 41 raies, une autre vient de mourir de parasites cette fois dans ce même zoo de Calgary! ... Je me demande si ces raies sont capturées en mer - Parasite claims stingray at Calgary Zoo Last Updated: Sunday, February 1, 2009 CBC News The zoo reopened its stingray exhibit seven months after the unexplained deaths of 41 rays. (Courtesy www.lifeincalgary.ca) A new stingray at the Calgary Zoo has died of a parasite, less than a year after the unexplained death of 41 rays. Ten new stingrays delivered to the zoo in December came with a parasite that causes skin discolouration, said zoo spokeswoman Laurie Herron. "Most people that have aquariums know that occasionally you have to treat for parasites," she told CBC News on Sunday. "There's a number of different, common ones and it's probably not unlike deworming your dog or cat. They pick up these parasites and you have to try to get rid of them." The ray that died a few days ago was in particularly bad shape when it arrived, Herron said. "Because of its weakened state, it ended up not being able to cope with the parasite, but as far as I know ,the treatments are working and they're treating the other rays daily, and everybody else seems to be doing OK." The zoo reopened the stingray exhibit last month after the sudden deaths of 41 of 43 stingrays in May. Despite an investigation, zoo officials could not find a conclusive cause of death. The original display was designed for visitors to touch the rays, but that was abandoned when the exhibit reopened. Earlier this month, a two-year-old male Turkmenian markhor, a type of wild goat, died in an accident at the zoo when the animal became entangled in a toy. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/02/01/cgy-calgary-zoo-stingray-d ies-parasite.html

Cownose rays died because of oxygen level ctvcalgary.ca The Calgary Zoo admits they knew months ago what caused the death of 41 cownose rays. Dr. Clement Lanthier, the president and CEO of the Zoo, says human error and faulty equipment is to blame. "There were four pumps, including the life-support system, and occasionally one was failing and in the past that happened for many weeks," says Lanthier. Lanthier says he knew as early as November that oxygen levels were too low for the animals to survive. "We believe the dissolved oxygen was too low. The life-support system was not designed to provide enough dissolved oxygen," said Lanthier. Up to this point, officials with the Zoo said there were a number of potential causes for the death. "Several possibilities remain including unknown toxins or possible deficiency of dissolved oxyben in the water but a conclusive cause may never be known," the Zoo stated in a December press release. Lanthier also admitted on Tuesday that the Zoo's lack of expertise in dealing with aquatic animals was also an issue. The Zoo's admission of error is fueling criticism from animal advocates. "They put these animal's lives at risk. They played Russian roulette with the welfare of these animals and unfortunately they all died," says RJ Dailout, a spokesperson for Zoocheck Canada. A new ray exhibit is already open and the tank's life-support system has been upgraded.

les baleines ne sont pas en danger, les ours polaires ne sont pas en danger, les phoques ne sont pas en danger, les caribous des bois ne sont pas en danger, les chevaux sauvages ne sont pas en danger, les loups non plus.... etc. etc. etc., Bref, bientôt il ne restera plus d'animaux, incluant l'être le plus nuisible de la planète=l'humain. Le problème sera alors résolu ! -------------------------------------------------------- The Newfoundland and Labrador government is challenging the Innu Nation's claim that a hunt this week will have no impact on an endangered caribou herd. Innu hunters headed Thursday into an area east of Churchill Falls to kill caribou. Hunting is restricted in the zone to protect the Red Wine caribou herd, which is estimated to have just 85 animals in it. The Innu Nation insists the Red Wine caribou are not in the area, while Environment and Conservation Minister Charlene Johnson said they are. "We know that the Red Wine herd are intermingling with the George River herd," Johnson said Thursday. Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale, meanwhile, said conservation officers were monitoring Thursday's hunt. "We're watching it very carefully," she said, adding that the Innu Nation hunt had created "a very volatile situation." "These 85 animals are mixed in the general herd and, unless you identify them by collar, there's no [real] way of distinguishing the two animals," Dunderdale said. "But I'm not prepared to put my conservation officers in a situation where their life might be at risk or they're in some danger in this situation." Peter Penashue, deputy grand chief of the Innu Nation, disputes that the animals are hard to distinguish. He said data from radio collars show the Red Wine herd is separated from other caribou. "We're making a point that this zone is not required for the health ... of the Red Wine [herd]," he said. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/01/30/innu-caribou.htm\

Bunny lovers freeing rabbits from traps By Ron Seymour Tuesday, February 3, 2009 Trapped rabbits are being freed from their cages by people opposed to the city's eradication campaign, council heard on Monday. And some property owners are refusing to let the traps be set up on their land. Such people are "interfering" with the efforts of a city-hired contractor to reduce the number of wild rabbits, pest control supervisor Ian Wilson told council. Nevertheless, the program is achieving results, with only an estimated 100-150 rabbits remaining from a peak population count last fall of more than 1,000. Virtually all of the rabbits have been killed, though a few dozen have been placed with animal protection groups opposed to the cull. EBB Environmental Consulting Ltd., which won a $54,000 contract to deal with the rabbits last year, only has enough money remaining in its budget to keep up the trapping-and-killing for a few more weeks. To round up and dispatch the rest of the rabbits might cost another $17,000, according to estimates provided to the city by EBB. Some animal-rights groups have offered to accept more of the trapped rabbits, if the city provides money for their care and feeding. Council took no action on Monday, deciding to let the contract with EBB run its course and then revisit the issue in a few weeks. Coun. Graeme James introduced a motion allowing EBB to once again begin shooting the rabbits where they are found. That was the method originally used, but the city put a halt to it after an EBB employee was observed last fall stomping a rabbit to death after a pellet gun didn't kill it. Since then, the rabbits have been trapped, usually at night, then moved to a second location, where most of them are shot. James said shooting on-site is arguably more inhumane to the rabbits, since it probably "scared the bejeezus" out of the animals to be trapped, relocated and then killed. But James' motion to allow EBB to begin shooting the rabbits where they are found was defeated by council. "Give it another three weeks of live trapping with the goal being relocation, and then see where we're at," said Coun. Charlie Hodge. "I'm not ruling out any options once the contract is up," said Coun. Robert Hobson. http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-44793-1-.htm#44793 ---------------- Rabbits subject of 'hate mail' by Wayne Moore - Story: 44793 Feb 3, 2009 / 7:00 am Kelowna citizens for and against the capture of feral rabbits in the City are being encouraged to 'chill out.' Councillor Charlie Hodge asked that threatening calls and emails stop during a debate on how to proceed after the current contract with EBB Environmental Consulting runs out. "I have some real concerns with the response by some of the public. I've received some phone calls and some emails," says Hodge. "I would ask the public to be cognizant when they are making these intimidating phone calls, especially to our staff that the people here are doing their best to solve this problem. I wouldn't say its militant groups as much as it is individuals that are perhaps going way over the edge in terms of threats and insults." City Forestry Supervisor, Ian Wilson, says EBB has also been receiving threats after the company requested using air rifles again, saying it was more effective and less costly than trapping. "In recent discussions with them, and I know they had suggested that two weeks ago, they have gotten a lot of hate mail to put it nicely," says Wilson. "They are a little more reluctant to go back to that." In a detailed update for Council, Wilson says 654 rabbits have been trapped and relocated or killed to date. He says about 67 of those were trapped during the past two weeks. "Most of those were euthanized because we were unable to find immediate homes for them, however, I asked EBB to keep some of the animals alive in cages and well fed in hopes we may be able to find homes for them in the very near future." Wilson says EBB has enough money left on its contract with the city for about three more weeks. While he says it is reasonable they could trap another 60 rabbits, he estimates there are about 100 to 150 rabbits remaining. He says those are conservative estimates and does acknowledge some new pockets have recently been discovered. Wilson did receive an estimate from EBB on costs beyond the conclusion of the contract. Figures he presented to council include: a.. Trapping 50 rabbits - $5,780 b.. Trapping 100 rabbits - $11,560 c.. Trapping 150 rabbits - $17,341 With a short time remaining, Councillors showed concern over what could happen if the rabbit population were allowed to replenish itself. Councillor Graeme James urged returning to the more effective air rifle as originally proposed by EBB, however, that option was discounted by the rest of council. "Like I said before, I have spoken with the agricultural community and they are concerned. We now have rabbits on Glenmore Road in the Kane Road area and I can attest that if you see 150 rabbits there are a lot more in the bushes," says James. "I just can't see wasting taxpayers money on more trapping." Councillor Robert Hobson wanted the process to play out before making any further decisions. "I feel we have agreed to this course of action, and it's coming to an end in the next few weeks. We are seeing considerable progress, so let's see where we go," says Hobson. "I'm not ruling out any option once the contract is up as far as I'm concerned." Wilson told council he would return once the contract is up with further updates. At that time, Council will likely set the next course of action. http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=162231

Merci hop et Cé ! Oui mon pauvre papa est très très triste ! Il m'a dit qu'il avait perdu sa meilleure amie

4 porcheries brûlent et le nombre de victimes (cochons) n'est même pas indiqué ! Quand on sait que des centaines, peut-être même des milliers de cochons sont entassés dans ces porcheries, on peut présumer que plusieurs milliers sont morts brûlés Animals die in pig-barn fire Last Updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 CBC News An aerial view shows Ontario company Hypor's Bon Accord Barns near Ituna, Sask. The facility burned down late Tuesday night. (Courtesy of Hypor) A blaze that swept through four large hog barns in east-central Saskatchewan killed all the animals inside, fire officials reported Wednesday. Dave Elash, deputy fire chief for the town of Ituna, said the fire broke out at a livestock operation near the small community of Jasmin, about 100 kilometres northeast of Regina. The barns are owned by an Ontario-based company, Hypor. Hypor specializes in producing breeding stock for other barns that raise hogs for meat. While no number of dead pigs was provided, each barn can house hundreds of animals. RCMP reported that the fire started some time late on Tuesday night. The Ituna Fire Department, from the town about 15 kilometres away, was dispatched at 11:10 p.m. CT. Additional crews from Kelliher and Melville also worked on controlling the blaze. Their efforts were successful in saving a number of outbuildings, a residence and feed hoppers. The operation employed 18 people. When the facility was constructed in 1999, it was valued at $8 million. The cause of the accident was under investigation by the Saskatchewan Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Melville-Ituna detachment of the RCMP. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/01/28/barn-fire.html

4 porcheries brûlent et le nombre de victimes (cochons) n'est même pas indiqué ! Animals die in pig-barn fire Last Updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 CBC News An aerial view shows Ontario company Hypor's Bon Accord Barns near Ituna, Sask. The facility burned down late Tuesday night. (Courtesy of Hypor) A blaze that swept through four large hog barns in east-central Saskatchewan killed all the animals inside, fire officials reported Wednesday. Dave Elash, deputy fire chief for the town of Ituna, said the fire broke out at a livestock operation near the small community of Jasmin, about 100 kilometres northeast of Regina. The barns are owned by an Ontario-based company, Hypor. Hypor specializes in producing breeding stock for other barns that raise hogs for meat. While no number of dead pigs was provided, each barn can house hundreds of animals. RCMP reported that the fire started some time late on Tuesday night. The Ituna Fire Department, from the town about 15 kilometres away, was dispatched at 11:10 p.m. CT. Additional crews from Kelliher and Melville also worked on controlling the blaze. Their efforts were successful in saving a number of outbuildings, a residence and feed hoppers. The operation employed 18 people. When the facility was constructed in 1999, it was valued at $8 million. The cause of the accident was under investigation by the Saskatchewan Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Melville-Ituna detachment of the RCMP. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/01/28/barn-fire.html

En guerre contre les oies canadiennes! Marie-Jöelle Parent 03/02/2009 23h03 Les oies canadiennes ou bernaches ne sont pas les bienvenues aux É.-U. par les temps qui courent. Les ARCHIVES « Hey, geese, get the flock out! », « Geese, be gone », « It’s time to kill the geese »... Les médias new-yorkais sont partis en guerre contre l’oie canadienne, la principale suspecte dans l’écrasement du vol 1549 dans la rivière Hudson. ... «Menace sérieuse» « L’oie canadienne est une menace sérieuse à la vie humaine (…) On sait tous que le coupable est l’oie canadienne, écrit le Post. Il est temps de les tuer avant qu’elles ne fassent tomber d’autres avions, c’est devenu hors de contrôle. » Le quotidien précise que l’oiseau est la principale menace pour les avions et a causé, de 1990 à 2007, 47,4 M$ US en dommages. Le Post cite même un biologiste qui suggère de lancer des roches, secouer les embryons et frapper les oies avec des bâtons pour tenter d’éradiquer le problème. De quoi horrifier les organismes de défense des oiseaux qui dénoncent l’accusation alors que l’oiseau en cause n’est pas encore identifié. http://lejournaldequebec.canoe.ca/journaldequebec/actualites/international/archives/2009/02/20090203-230350.html

SYDNEY (nouvelle-Écosse)— The seal hunt officially opens Wednesday on the provincially protected Hay Island off Cape Breton's eastern shore but no blood is expected to be shed until this weekend. Captain Robert Courtney told The Chronicle Herald Tuesday his 20-man crew are getting ready to hit the sea but are being impacted by winter weather and a northerly gale expected over the next day or two. Federal regulations involving the use of guns to kill seals won't be a factor on the island because provincial regulations don't permit the use of guns because of the island's sensitive ecology and other wildlife species. Adult seals who migrate every winter there to bear their young aren't protected under the same laws. "The terrain don't allow for too much of that," Mr. Courtney said of gun-use on the small island located about two kilometers east of Main-a-Dieu and Louisbourg. His crew, like last year, will have to use wooden clubs to bash seal heads before they are cut open and then removed by vessel. Last year, the provincial Fisheries Department requested the cull to protect fish stocks around the ecologically sensitive island. "It's pretty much business as usual," he said of this week's opening hunt. "We're going to have the animal rights people there and whatever happens is going to happen. Hopefully we'll be able to go about our business and go ahead and have a productive harvest." Mr. Courtney is expecting to be closely monitored again this year by federal Fisheries as well as the provincial Natural Resources enforcement officers. Last year, the Cape Breton sealers managed to hunt only 1,200 of the 2,500 quota allowed. This year's quota has been cut to 2,200 seals and again inv olve seals that have shed their pretty white coats and are about eight weeks old. On average they weigh more than 100 pounds apiece and take two men to lift. "The only thing we can wish for is more support from the fishing industry when conducting our harvest," he added, noting fishermen are not saying enough to counter the animal rights activists who portray the hunt as inhumane. He said the hunt is conducted as permitted by regulations and although looking brutal is considered by scientists as humane and effective method to kill. "There's a few of us who are trying to do a job and we have all these people against us but all the people who are in support of us aren't showing their feelings or contacting politicians to let their feelings known and we need that," Mr. Courtney said. International and provincial activists confirm they are en route to witness events. Last year, following the hunt, they held a news conference depicting the blood bath that turned most of the island's snow red in days. Bridget Curran, spokeswoman of the Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition, will be among the activists who will return to document the hunt. She was there last year when the hunt first opened on the island and left horrified. "It was the most horrific event I've ever witnessed," she said noting moulted pups were killed and sliced open in front of their mothers. "We're appalled at the decision to allow another slaughter of grey seal pups in a protected wilderness area that's held in trust for the people of Nova Scotia," she said. "Clearly the Environment minister has ignored science and bowed to sealing industry to allow this illegal, ecologically irresponsible and inhumanely conducted slaughter." She believes the province has again violated its own rules to allow the hunt in a protected area given seals are regular inhabitants of the island too. She said people have to get involved to stop the annual hunt off Canada permanently by seeking out information including watching videos available on line from various anti-sealing groups. "Seals are notorious for being full of diseases and parasites," she said, noting the market is drying up. "Seals targeted yield very little recoverable meat." Federal Fisheries and Oceans are only allowing three observers to actually step foot on the island with hunters, and they must stay away by 10 meters. Mr. Courtney's license permits 20 hunters at a time. According to the federal government, an estimate 5.5 million seals are swimming in Canadian waters. Up to 6,000 Canadians derive their income from the hunt, most of whom are in Atlantic Canada or Quebec. In 2006, the landed value of the harp seal hunt was $33 million with the average price per pelt being $97, according to the federal government. "Comparatively, in 2007, the landed value was $12 million, with an average price per pelt received by sealers of approximately $55," its management plan for this year reads. "In 2008, the average price per pelt decreased further and was approximately $33 received by sealers." http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9010644.html RÉVOLTANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oui, tant mieux alors !

C'est simple comme bonjour !

allo les filles, En général, la toux chez les chats (ceux qui vivent la plupart du temps à l'intérieur) est provoquée par les boules de poils, et comme le mentionne hop, c'est souvent attribuable au chauffage. Il faut vérifier le taux d'humidité dans la maison quand on utilise le chauffage, car une maison trop sèche non seulement peut faire tousser les chats, mais c'est très mauvais pour leur peau, leurs coussinets etc. qui s'assèchent. Si la maison est trop sèche, on peut se procurer un petit humidificateur. Je crois qu'en hiver, l'humidité doit se situer entre 35-40 degrés (pas certaine à 100%). Et si effectivement, le chat tousse à cause des boules de poils, on peut se procurer une pommade qui leur fait évacuer ces boules de poils...On peut aussi leur donner régulìèrement de l'herbe à chats fraîche (on en vend chez Mondou) Si les chats vont régulièrement à l'extérieur et qu'ils toussent, il peut y avoir diverses causes, entre autres, ils peuvent avoir des vers ou le rhume ou des problèmes pulmonaires ... C,était mon petit grain de sel... XXXXXXXXXXX

et pendant ce temps, on continue de vendre des chiots, chatons, etc. dans les animaleries !