July 2010

BEAUTY WITHOUT CRUELTY
Defending Animal Rights

RHINO

South African wildlife experts are calling for urgent action against poachers after the last female rhinoceros in a popular game reserve near Johannesburg bled to death after having her horn hacked off.

During the course of 2009 129 rhinos were killed for their horns in South Africa and the total thus far in 2010 is 136 deaths

It seems the sophisticated poachers used tranquilliser guns and a helicopter to kill the nine-year-old rhino cow. Her calf , left untouched, has been moved to a nearby estate where he was introduced to two other orphaned white rhinos.

Wanda Mkutshulwa, a spokeswoman for South African National Parks, said investigations into the growing number of incidents had been shifted to the country’s organised crime unit. “We are dealing with very focused criminals. Police need to help game reserves because they are not at all equipped to handle crime on such an organised level,” she said.

Rhino horn , mostly keratin fibre, similar to hair is basic ingredient in Asian medicine. Of course you could chew your nails and get the same benefitsFive men were arrested in the Kruger Park in one week of July alone, four of whom were caught with two bloodied rhino horns, AK-47 assault rifles, bolt-action rifles and an axe.

Krugersdorp game reserve attracts at least 200,000 visitors every year. It is also close to a private airport, which may have been used by the poachers.

The horns are sawn off with a hacksaw and Rhino dies either from an overdose of tranquilliser or bleeds to death.

The committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) warned last year that rhino poaching had reached an all-time high. The Cites conference in Geneva in July 2009 heard that Asia’s economic expansion had fuelled the market in rhino horns. The horns are also used in the Middle East to make handles for ornamental daggers. Cites said demand for them had begun to soar in recent years. In the five years up to 2005, an average of only 36 rhinos had been killed each year. Conservationists estimate that there are only 18,000 black and white rhinos in Africa, down from 65,000 in the 1970s. Conservationists are at a loss over how to respond. “We are facing an entirely new type of threat,” Cathy Dean, of Save the Rhino International, said. “Where we once had to deal with poachers wearing flip-flops and using a home-made snare, we are now faced with criminal gangs deploying GPS devices, night-vision equipment and foot soldiers to track rhinos for days. Highly-trained operatives, possibly ex-soldiers, are then being flown into parks by helicopter, and armed with specialised veterinary drugs and darting guns, chainsaws and automatic weapons. Who is possibly resourced to deal with that?”

If the rate of poaching continues unchecked, the number of animals being poached will exceed the rate of natural population growth within two years. Although there is a clear international ban, more than 1,500 rhino horns have been traded in the past three years, the demand is from the Middle East and the Far East.and with increasingly strong links between Africa and the Far East, the supply route has become easier and less risky. The demand from Vietnam – where a cabinet minister recently claimed his cancer had been cured by a potion containing ground rhino horn – is particularly fierce. Hanoi-based kingpins, allegedly with highly-paid contacts at the very highest levels of South African ministries and conservation groups, dominate the illicit trade.

In 2009, a South African national broadcaster filmed a Vietnamese diplomat illegally buying rhino horn in front of the Pretoria embassy building, who was recalled to Hanoi without prosecution.

More than 90 % of Africa’s rhinos live in South Africa, where conservation methods have achieved great success since the 1970s. Ironically it seems this success has now put the species under threat. At least one game park is now running a project for “eco-tourists”, charging them to help dart the animals and carve off horns, thus making them valueless to poachers. It remains to be seen if this is a viable option.

BABOONS

Front page headlines highlight the plight of baboons yet again.

One of the biggest problems with the human-baboon interface is that baboons have learned that humans often carry food, so baboons now associate humans with an easy meal. Every time a baboon is successful at getting food from a human, it just exacerbates the problem.

We need to keep our personal space baboon unfriendly by ensuring food is out of sight as well as out of reach.

When confronted by a baboon, lower your eyes and look at the ground in front of you. This will be less threatening to the baboon than staring directly at him.

Some people like dangling food from car windows as they might do for a dog, teasing behaviour which is both stupid and dangerous.

Baboons will readily climb into cars to search for food, so keep your car doors locked whether in the car or not.

The baboon diet differs widely, depending on the habitat they live in and what is available to them. They are also very flexible behaviorally, with different types of social organization and social behavior depending on environmental conditions, therefore baboons easily adapt to this new situation and start incorporating human-derived foods into their diet and this has resulted in conflicts that result in frequent harm to the baboons, infrequent harm to people, and sometimes financial loss. We are experiencing this with baboons, but at some time we are going to be having similar experiences with other animals as the human population continues to grow at explosive rates and our demand for land continues to increase.

We either choose to amend our own behaviour and dramatically decrease the rate at which we destroy our natural heritage, or we accept that at some time in the not too distant future we will be one of the very few large species that roam this planet. As it is many species have quietly slipped into extinction without any fuss or fanfare. We are all connected – the planet is one giant eco-system that we seem determined to ignore, and the disappearance of other species can, will and probably, has impacted on our lives.

Contact Baboon Matters if you need help. They will give guidance that benefits both humans and baboons.

Tel: 021 785 7493
Email: baboonmatters@cybersmart.co.za
Website: www.baboonmatters.org.za

PIGS

Pigs lead complex social lives, once believed to be true only of primates. Mother pigs sing to their piglets while they are nursing. Pigs dream. Pigs have a good sense of direction, and can find their way home from long distances. They learn from watching one another. Pigs outsmart each other.

They do not smell and are in fact incredibly clean when not confined by humans. But to compensate for the lack of a natural way to bring their body temperature down, pigs seek out water or mud. Pigs rolling in mud may look ‘dirty’ but mud keeps them cool, keeps biting pests at bay and prevents sunburn.

How is intelligence measured, as people can be intelligent or extraordinary in many ways, where some excel at math, and some are gifted linguists and yet others fail in the academic arena but shine as artists. One way to measure intelligence is based on the ability to solve problems. Pigs excel at video games that would be hard for a young child, and sometimes better than primates.

Now it seems there are as many as 185 different uses to which the bodily remains of Pigs bodies are subjected: Although not all sweets contain pork gelatine, many do, as well as in some fruit juices, beers and wine, where Pig gelatine is used to remove the cloudiness from the drink, working as a clarifying agent by reacting with the tannins in the liquid and absorbing the cloudiness. Certain ice creams, whipped creams, yoghurts and certain butters also contain gelatine, as do certain pet foods. Certain medicines also contain Pig gelatine, from painkillers to multivitamins. Hygiene and beauty products also often contain the remains of Pig. Fatty acids are extracted from the bone fat of pigs, to be used in shampoos and conditioners to give them their shiny, pearl-like appearance. These acids can also be found in a number of body lotions, foundations and anti-wrinkle creams. Glycerine made from pork fat is also an ingredient in many types of toothpaste.

There is no legal obligation for manufacturers to specify whether the gelatine they use is from a pig or another animal, and may be confusingly referred to as Suilline gelatine. Some of the products that can include Pig remains include photographic film, which uses collagen from pig bones; shoes that use bone glue from Pigs to improve the quality of the leather; and certain paints that use bone fat to enhance their glossy properties. Here’s an excellent reason to give up smoking: some makers of cigarettes use haemoglobin from pig's blood in their filters! This works as a sort of 'artificial lung' in the cigarette so that harmful reactions take place before the chemicals reach the user.

Shopping for something as standard as bread also label reading, as some include an ingredient called L-cysteine, which is a protein made from Pig or other animal hair, used to soften the dough. Pig bone gelatine was used to help transport the gunpowder or cordite into the bullet. The Pig ears are sometimes used for chemical weapon testing due to their similarity to human tissue (although this test does not include the use of live animals for chemical and weapons testing) Tattoo artists may use Pig skin on which to practice, due to the similarity to human skin, while it is occasionally used with burns patients for the same reason. Pigs are also used for Insulin, the blood-thinning drug Heparin and Pig heart valves.

Some other items that include Pig byproducts: Fabric softener, paint brushes, shampoo, candles, bread, washing powder, paper, paint, Heparin, soap, corks, Insulin, Yohurt, cigarettes, photographic film, moisturizer, crayons, shoes (glue), toothpaste, train brakes, face masks, energy bars, cream cheese, wine gums, liquorice, chewing gum, body lotions, moisturizers, bullets and tambourines, foundations, anti-wrinkle creams, yoghurt.

For anybody wishing to avoid animal, and particularly Pig products, this is not good news, as the global food and processing industry have ensured that it is almost impossible to avoid pig altogether.

For household cleaners and personal body products including toothpastes, visit www.bwcsa.co.za and see the list of animal free or vegetarian products that Beauty Without Cruelty endorses, that are also made using non-animal methods of testing.

DID YOU KNOW

Let's celebrate the fabulous avocado! There are significant health benefits associated with eating avocados, enjoy these recipes!

Anti-Aging Avocados are loaded with glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that damage cells and hasten the aging process. The vitamin E in avocados can help to maintain healthy skin.

Blood Pressure Adequate intake of potassium helps guard against circulatory diseases like high blood pressure. Avocados contain 60 percent more potassium than bananas, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. And of course using Himalayan salt with your avocado increases the benefits!

Breast The monounsaturated fats in avocados, particularly oleic acid, have been shown to offer significant protection against breast cancer. Avocados are also an excellent source of carotenoids such as lutein and vitamin E, an anti-oxidant.

Diabetes Avocados are rich in fiber, particularly soluble fiber, which helps regulate the body’s use of sugars and lowers blood cholesterol levels. All of which are important for individuals with diabetes.

Eyes Avocados contain a high level of lutein and studies indicate a higher intake of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which often appear together, is related to a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related eye conditions.

Heart Avocados contain monounsaturated fat which lowers blood cholesterol. Avocados are also rich in Vitamin E, antioxidants and folate, which can help reduce the risk heart disease dramatically.

Oral Cancer Avocados contain antioxidant compounds shown to kill both and cancerous and pre-cancerous oral cells without harming normal cells.

Prostate Lutein and zeaxanthin are credited with inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Stroke Avocados contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and guards against high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Sexual Health Because avocados are rich in vitamin E, potassium and Vit B6, they are believed to promote the production of sex hormones that support mood, attraction and desire.

SOY TO THE WORLD

Many people have avoided soy-based foods, including tofu, tempeh, edamame, (fresh/frozen delicious green soy beans) veggie burgers, and soy milk due to all the adverse publicity which have blamed everything from "man-boobs" and cancer to deforestation.

There is a recent article which urges the public to ignore all the horror stories and eat more soy.

It would seem that most anti-soy stories can be traced back to Weston A Price Foundation (WAPF), a group claiming that saturated animal fat is essential for good health, animal fat intake and high cholesterol levels aren't connected to heart disease or cancer, vegetarians have lower life expectancy than meat-eaters, and other pro-meat propaganda that contradicts both leading health experts, as well as basic common sense. One of WAPF's more ardent supporters, Dr. Stephen Byrnes, openly boasted about his high animal fat diet and robust health, and then died of a stroke at 42.

Much of what the WAPF says is anecdotal, untrue, or based on scientifically flawed animal experiments, points out Dr. Justine Butler, a health campaigner for the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation. There is no scientific evidence showing that soy is harmful to humans.

A great many people who forward the soy dangers are the same people who love junk food. Soy, unlike meat, eggs, and dairy products, cholesterol-free, low in saturated fat, and has cardiovascular benefits.

Researchers with the Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute have found evidence suggesting that eating soy can help ward off colon cancer, and soy is also known to prevent prostate and breast cancer. There is also evidence to suggest soy consumption can help prevent strokes, menopausal women who eat soy may have fewer hot flashes, and that soy consumption can protect against osteoporosis, and the antioxidants in soy may also benefit asthma sufferers.

The Amazonian rain forest is not being depleted due to the soy consumption of vegans and vegetarians, 80% of the world's soy is fed to animals so that people can eat meat and dairy products!

Soy is not only healthy and humane, it's versatile and delicious. As Dr. Butler concludes, both the rain forests and our health will benefit tremendously if more people switch from animal-based foods to a varied plant-based diet, including soy foods.

So, soy to the world!

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Hullo Toni, The BWC cookbook arrived in the post today - thank you. Fantastic book! I will definitely be ordering more very shortly!

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CIRCUS ANIMALS

The use of wild animals in the circus can never be justified, and the oft used argument that the animals have been saved a crueler fate, that they are loved, given medical care where required etc by those who imprison them is irrelevant. The fact is that circus animals live completely unnatural lives due to the whims of people.

We, the paying public, are the cause for there still being circuses with animal acts.

Every time we buy tickets for our children, employees or even perhaps ourselves we are saying that is okay to keep animals in tiny cages, on asphalt, tethered or on the road for weeks at a time, where they are either caged, practicing or performing.

We teach our children that animals are here for our amusement, at our behest, for whatever reason. We do our children and the animals a disservice. A child can never learn of the majesty, grace and special talents of an animal in such artificial and unhappy surroundings.

A bird in a gilded cage, however blingy, remains a prisoner. Only we can make the change. Please, do not support circuses with animals. Better yet, when they are in town, call or e-mail and tell them why you won't be supporting them. We can effect a change. For the animals, we must. A fence is to separate property, not for sitting on.

LIONS

The canned lion hunting industry is under threat as are the Lion breeders. Carel van Heerden of the SA Predator Breeders Ass says that people in the (trophy) hunting industry are in the game because they love animals. There is no way to respond to this without being blatantly rude, snide or sarcastic. His concern is that the lions who are bred to be slaughtered and skinned, so someone can brag about their ability to take life, will suffer if they are not hunted. The argument that ‘there will always be market for trophy lions’ and so someone has to do it is thin. There may always be porn, gang warfare and so on, but that does not mean we feel obliged to participate, using the same logic.

The notion that Lion bones are now being used in Asian medicine instead of Tiger bones is of concern. Tradition can be, and often is, a wonderful thing, but knowledge is greater, and one can exchange one harmful, abusive or cruel thing for another symbolic or beneficial thing, with the intent (and the subsequent result) being the same.

As we have no respect for animals other that their monetary worth, the trade in Lion bones is bound to happen. One way or another, the King of the Jungle will remain just a pawn in the game of man’s endless greed and mindless aggression for the foreseeable future.

RECIPES

Celebration of the Avocado
View Recipe

Cold weather demands soup!
Try this mixed vegetable soup for a change of pace...
View Recipe

SMOKED TOFU BY EARTH PRODUCTS

This delicious smoked tofu, fabulous sliced like cheese in a sandwich, cubed and dry fried and used like croutons in salads and soups, mashed with fried onions, chopped parsley, gherkin and mixed with egg free mayo to top rolls and crackers etc has until recently been made with honey. A letter to the manufacturers received this reply recently:

Dear toni!

synchronicity! just today, we are changing the recipe to have a pinch of raw sugar and no more honey! we were indeed thinking to accommodate all you committed vegans.. Thanks again for the support and encouragement! yours in health, Pritam

EDUCATION

Please contact Denis Fajans in Johannesburg (DenisF@joburg.org.za) or Heather Howe in Cape Town (heatherhowe@mweb.co.za if you would like them to present the Beauty Without Cruelty concept, at no cost, at your school. There are different presentations for high and junior school levels, which are roughly 45 minutes.