Born Free USA In The News
"We Indians too should follow suit ..."
... Born Free USA united with API has urged a detailed federal examination of animal welfare and public safety conditions at all American zoos. They have made arrangements with their governments urging for an in-depth examination of current oversight of their zoos, with the ultimate goal of determining what specific immediate and long-term steps need to be taken to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and to prevent another harmful human/animal interaction from ever occurring again. We Indians too should follow suit. ...
Animals in captivity
Rituparna Goswami Pandey
Assam Times (Assam, India)
The private ownership of dangerous reptiles presents a real danger
... "The private ownership of dangerous reptiles such as pythons obviously presents a real danger," Nicole Paquette, Born Free USA senior vice president and general counsel said last week. "We're hoping that this incident spurs the Legislature to hold an immediate public hearing to discuss the serious public safety concerns surrounding the keeping of dangerous reptiles in private hands. There is absolutely no reason for the general public to be keeping such animals as pets. In terms of public safety it's an accident waiting to happen." ... She added: "The question is, how many accidents have to happen before legislators act to protect the public rather than the interests of a small group of individuals?"
Editorial: Ban these lethal 'pets'
The Gainesville Sun (Gainesville, FL)
Protesting the transfer
... In a joint statement, In Defense of Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and Born Free USA also wrote that they were concerned Kallie and Bette might breed. Both elephants are nearly 30 years old, an age when the risks of breeding become high, Roy said. ...
Phila. says farewell to beloved elephant pair
Zoe Tillman
The Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
Joining forces to oppose a pending move of elephants
... Zoo administrators have said for some time that they planned to move two female elephants, Kallie and Bette, from the Philadelphia Zoo to the Somerset County center. But that initiative now is attracting controversy. On Tuesday, three organizations — PETA, Born Free USA and In Defense of Animals — said they are “joining forces to oppose the pending move.” ...
Pachyderm protest: Groups oppose breeding plan at Fairhope-area facility
Mike Faher
The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, PA)
Urging a ban on owning dangerous reptiles
Investigators continued looking for answers the day after a Sumter County toddler was strangled to death by a python. ... The tragic case has sparked outrage from residents in the community as well as animal protection organizations. National wildlife advocacy group, Born Free USA, has called on Florida legislators to immediately ban the ownership of dangerous reptiles.
Investigation continues after snake strangles child
Larry Ell
The Daily Commercial (Leesburg, FL)
The Lucky Children's Book Continues Its Flight
In Indonesia’s Maluku Islands it is not unusual to find wild parrots or cockatoos chained to perches outside local shops or in the homes of the wealthy. Lucky, a rainbow lorikeet, was one such bird. Trapped from the nearby forest and chained to a two-foot wooden stick, he lived outside his owner’s restaurant for more than a year before he was discovered by representatives from the Indonesian Parrot Project. Monica Engebretson, senior program associate for Born Free USA united with the Animal Protection Institute, was a member of the 2003 Indonesian Parrot Project ecotour and remembers Lucky’s story ...
Ecotourism Helps Birds and Communities Take Flight
Bonnie Zimmermann
Dinas Kebudayaan & Pariwisata Provinsi Maluku
Anything but an Elephant's Natural Environment
In the circus, you see gentle giants donning funny outfits and performing tricks on tiny tubs. It's anything but an elephant's natural environment. "Should the elephants get out there and perform these tricks every day for the public so you (Ringling Bros.) can make pocket money? Or should it be that the elephants don't have to do this anymore?" asks Tom Rider, a former Ringling employee and plaintiff in the federal lawsuit against the circus.
See more on Born Free USA's lawsuit.
Lawsuit accuses Ringling Bros. of abusing elephants
Las Vegas KTNV
Keep dolphins out of the desert
14 dolphins have died in the 19 years since Steve Wynn opened the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. Now, an animal rights group wants to stop the casino from bringing more dolphins to the desert.
Born Free USA's Senior Program Associate Monica Engebretson contributes to this video report via phone.
Dolphins in the Desert, seg. 3
Dana Gentry
Las Vegas Sun
