PLUS: Final year to trek to see bears in Romania

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DONKEYS AND HORSES IN ISRAEL NEED YOUR HELP

Stopping sea turtle farming

Spring 2013 | Issue 15World Society for the Protection of Animals

Big Bear Rescue: more bears saved

Appeals update

Welcome to the Spring 2013 issue of WSPA News, the magazine that lets you know how you are helping animals in need through your support for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

We’ve just launched our latest appeal to help rescue sick and injured donkeys and horses in Israel. Zvika Tamuz is the man who saves these hardworking animals from appalling neglect and abuse, often saving their lives. Turn to

page 8 to see how you could help WSPA and Zvika rescue donkeys and horses in desperate need of help.

Record-breaking support for bears In 2012, WSPA supporters gave generously to our Big Bear Rescue appeal and we have already been able to rescue a number of bears from illegal captivity in Romania. Read more about these recently rescued bears on page 12.

Speaking out for sea turtlesIt’s been a busy start to 2013 as our Stop Sea Turtle Farming campaign gathers strength. At the time of going to print, over 177,500 people around the world have taken action with WSPA demanding an end to the cruel farming of sea turtles in the Cayman Islands. Read about the campaign’s progress on page 4.

Taking on the illegal wildlife tradeThe growing illegal trade in wild animals threatens the welfare and even survival of so many species. In the UK, WSPA’s partnership with London Metropolitan

Your support helps protect more and more animals

WSPA’s Big Bear Rescue

With the final expansion to the sanctuary in

Romania complete, WSPA and our local partner

were keen to get on and rescue bears from cruel

and illegal captivity and our Big Bear Rescue

Christmas 2012 appeal asked WSPA supporters

for their help. Turn to page 12 to read about

three bears, Luca, Koda and Tariku, rescued

and living life at the sanctuary – all thanks to you.

We hope to share news of many more rescued

bears with you throughout 2013.

Help rescue sick and injured

donkeys and horsesLife is hard for working donkeys and

horses in Israel. Many suffer terrible

abuse and neglect. Zvika Tamuz

who runs Pegasus, our partner in

Israel, works day and night to rescue

donkeys and horses in desperate need

of life-saving care – but he needs your

help. Read more on page 8.

Collect to help animals

Many people volunteer their time to

raise funds for WSPA – like Charlotte

Layham, who has collected change at

a number of train stations around the

UK, raising an impressive £500 to help

animals in need. For more information

on how you could help, please contact

Madge at fundraising@wspa.org.uk

or call 0800 316 9722.

Police’s specialist Wildlife Crime Unit is at the forefront of tackling illegal wildlife trade in our capital. Find out more on page 3.

Triple-award-winning Animal Protector network I am delighted to let you know that our Animal Protector network for people who make a regular gift to WSPA won three awards last year and is two years old this spring. Turn to page 6 to find out about this amazing network of over 70,000 animal lovers in the UK.

Many animals need our protection and you make it possible for WSPA to help them, whether by campaigning to stop cruelty or rescuing them from harm. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

Suzi Morris Director, WSPA UK

Contents 03 Tackling the illegal wildlife trade 04 Stopping sea turtle farming 06 Two years of Animal Protector 07 Four bears rescued by you 08 URGENT APPEAL: Help rescue

donkeys from suffering 10 Day in the life of Alistair Findlay 11 Thousands of dogs’ lives saved 12 Three bears saved by you 14 Protecting whales and dolphins 16 Get fit and help animals

Contact WSPA We would love to hear what you think of WSPA News. Please contact us at: WSPA, 222 Grays Inn Road London, WC1X 8HB Telephone: 020 7239 0500 Fax: 020 7239 0654 Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk www.wspa.org.uk

Editor: Sarah Hemingway Designer: jkharveydesign.co.uk Printer: Splash Printing Ltd

Unless otherwise stated, all images are the copyright of WSPA.

WSPA News is published by the UK office (registered charity 1081849) of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

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Editorial

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As an animal lover, you will be all too aware that people are at the heart of the cruelty, neglect and suffering inflicted on animals around the world. Wild animals don’t escape this abuse – the illegal trade in wildlife is a lucrative business with no concern for the daily trauma, injury and death it causes to many thousands of wild animals. Every day, wild animals such as bears, turtles, tigers, snakes and rhinos to name but a few, are snatched from their natural habitat or bred in captivity as part of this brutal, illegal trade. Sold alive as status ‘pets’ or mutilated and killed for their body parts – skin, bile, teeth, horns – a substantial profit is made out of their trauma by people who know the price of everything but the value of nothing. These animals are just another commodity to the organised, internationally-connected criminal gangs that make millions from the illegal trade in wild animals, earning them nearly as much as dealing in drugs, counterfeit goods and the dark world of human trafficking.

The big business that’s a big problemWorryingly, this illegal wildlife trade is growing. An estimated £320 million pounds’ worth of illegal animal products is thought to be being moved around the world, in planes, boats or in people’s luggage every single day. From fashion items to food, medicines to meerkats – ivory, fur, rhino horn, bushmeat and exotic pets are all available at a price. And it’s the defenceless animals entangled in this cruel trade that always pay the highest price – with their freedom and often with their lives.

WSPA and WCU partnership ahead of its timeThe criminal exploitation of wild animals must be fought, head on, by an effective force and the culprits brought to justice. So when WSPA heard that spending cuts were threatening the existence of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU), we stepped in to secure its survival and lobby for its proper funding. In 2011, this very important partnership between WSPA and the WCU was born, made possible thanks to the help of WSPA supporters. The unit now has more officers and much-needed investigative equipment to help track and stop criminal activity more effectively.

Making tackling wildlife crime a priorityBut we’ve not stopped there. WSPA has brought the problem of wildlife crime and its connection to organised crime to the attention of the Deputy Mayor of London. As a result, WSPA has been asked to help the London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) develop a co-ordinated plan to tackle the illegal trade in animals in London that will gather intelligence from various authorities, making it more likely that the criminals will be brought to justice.

London is a major hub for the trade in illegal wildlife and so tackling it here could have an impact on the rest of the world. WSPA is mapping out how to protect as many wild animals as possible – and help keep them where they belong, in the wild; not on our mantelpieces, in our medicines or worn on our backs. These animals need your protection and we know you’ll be there to help us take on this heartless, organised crime.

Extinction: Not the End of the World?WSPA and the Metropolitan Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) have assisted the world-famous Natural History Museum on an exhibition exploring the modern-day extinction of the planet’s wild animals.

Entitled Extinction: Not the End of the World?, the exhibition assesses the future for today’s endangered species and looks back at what can be learned from extinctions past and recent.

Amongst the exhibits are four items seized by the WCU in London over the last ten years – a Green turtle shell, a stuffed tiger cub, a tiger skin coat and shawl made from the fur of a Tibetan antelope.

Extinction: Not the End of the World? runs from Friday 8 February until Sunday 8 September at the Natural History Museum in London. See www.nhm.ac.uk for details and ticket prices (adult ticket £9).

Tackling the illegal wildlife trade

Killed for decoration: Poached from the wild, this newborn tiger cub was confiscated from a dealer in Islington

Protection: WSPA is mapping out how to

protect as many wild animals as possible

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WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 15 3

Animals in the wild

Stop this suffering: this sea turtle is one of thousands living in cramped, filthy tanks at the Cayman Turtle Farm

Fighting for space in filthy water, crammed into small concrete tanks, fed an unnatural diet – this is the cruel life that endangered sea turtles are still forced to endure at the Cayman Turtle Farm – the last place on earth to commercially farm sea turtles for turtle meat.But thanks to the help of WSPA supporters, WSPA News received some promising news amid the battle to stop this heart-breaking cruelty…

“STOP!” to sea turtle farming Last year, WSPA’s undercover investigation into the Cayman Turtle Farm revealed shocking evidence of sea turtles’ suffering at the Farm. Thousands of sea turtles were crammed into dirty tanks, handled by tourists, afflicted by injuries, deformities and slaughtered for meat. So in October 2012, WSPA launched our Stop Sea Turtle Farming campaign to push for this cruelty and neglect to end.

Turning anger into action Many thousands of you were as outraged as we were and turned your anger into action for sea turtles by signing our petition, emailing the Cayman Turtle Farm directly and writing on their Facebook and Twitter pages to ask them to stop the cruel farming of sea turtles. Thank you.

144,000 names delivered In January this year, WSPA staff, together with Caymanian free diving world champion Tanya Streeter, (pictured above with WSPA’s Wildlife Campaign Leader Dr Neil D’Cruze) whose parents were initially involved in establishing the original farm as a conservation centre, delivered the 144,000-strong petition of names to the Caymanian Government and the Cayman Turtle Farm’s bosses, calling for an end to sea turtle farming. And now, the campaign is still growing, with 178,000 people signed up at the time of going to print.

Progress down to your voices The enormous pressure of your combined voice is working. Just three months after launching the campaign, the Cayman Turtle Farm has since stopped selling sea turtle meat in its restaurant and decided to carry out what they claim was an ‘independent assessment’ of their farm.

Farm admits sea turtles have health problemsWhen WSPA was in the Cayman Islands handing in the petition, at the same time, the Cayman Turtle Farm and Caymanian Government published the findings from the Farm’s ‘independent report’.

The Farm’s bosses appear to have accepted that the sea turtles in their care do have health problems. The report was particularly concerned about the sea turtles’ open wounds, the fact that many are underweight and that too many are dying prematurely at the Farm.

Not enough to stop the sufferingHowever, the Cayman Turtle Farm’s report doesn’t go far enough for WSPA – it recommends ways to treat the symptoms of the

Thank you: Stopping the horror of sea turtle farming

WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 154

Injury: this sea turtle had its flipper bitten by other sea turtles

that had become aggressive due to overcrowded tanks

Turtles feel pain and distress: this sea turtle at the Cayman Turtle Farm suffers from a skin condition and is fed an unnatural diet

problems rather than tackling the root cause. As such, sea turtles there are still suffering in terrible conditions and still being farmed for their meat. With your continued help, WSPA will not rest until the Farm realises that there is no humane way to farm sea turtles.

Serious health risksWSPA has demanded to know why the Cayman Turtle Farm allows visitors to the Farm to pick up these wild animals. Like any wild animal, sea turtles are not used to being held and it causes them huge distress and panic.

Handling the Farm’s captive sea turtles also poses serious health risks for people at the Farm too. WSPA found high levels of dangerous bacteria (including E.Coli and Salmonella) in the tanks that the sea turtles are housed in – evidence that’s backed by new research published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. The Cayman Turtle Farm’s report claimed that the water in the tanks in the public area ‘appears very clear’. Astonishingly, this suggests that the investigators had simply looked at the water rather than testing a sample. We know from our scientific test that the water in the tanks contains bacteria.

Turtles gasping for airRachel Alcock, who has played a key role in running WSPA’s Stop Sea Turtle Farming campaign, witnessed sea turtles’ suffering first-hand at the Cayman Turtle Farm: “Turtles with obvious injuries were on display to the public and the water in the tanks reeked. As well as seeing Green sea turtles, I also saw some loggerhead turtles in a small concrete tank with barely enough water in it. Lack of water and no shade means

they have nowhere to hide from the strong Caribbean sun, which could cause them to overheat. Worst of all, I could hear an awful sound of the sea turtles gasping for air and slapping their flippers in anguish. I saw sea turtles with open wounds on their necks and younger sea turtles with damaged flippers being handled by members of the public.”

Problems are deeper than health alone Rachel says the problems that the sea turtles face go deeper than just poor health. “Turtles are wild animals, so putting them in small concrete tanks where they can neither dive nor swim great distances as they do in the ocean and allowing them to be continuously handled by the public will always mean that they cannot act in a natural way – this must change.” And importantly, the Cayman Turtle Farm must look at the evidence and realise what is crystal clear to WSPA: there is no humane way to farm sea turtles.”

Farm showing signs of promiseThe Farm’s bosses have in fact promised to begin to make positive changes, such as finding ways to reduce the number of injuries that the turtles endure. However, Rachel said, “WSPA continues to believe that minor improvements will not and cannot address the long-term root cause of this suffering: Green sea turtles are wild solitary animals that simply cannot adapt to life crammed into a farm with 9,500 others. Now is the moment where we expect the Cayman Turtle Farm to start demonstrating a real and serious commitment to change. WSPA, along with over 178,000 people around the world, insist that sea turtle farming stops.”

Fight goes onIt’s because of you that these defenceless, endangered sea turtles have been given a voice, but we mustn’t give up yet. With your help, we will continue to fight on to end the cruelty of sea turtle farming forever and to help transform the Cayman Turtle Farm into a rescue and rehabilitation centre where sea turtles’ wellbeing is the top priority.

Freedom: This wild sea turtle is watched by free diver Tanya Streeter who is supporting WSPA’s campaign

Speak out against sea turtle farming at: stopseaturtlefarm.org

WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 15 5

Animals in the wild

Being an Animal Protector Visit animalprotector.org.uk to set up a monthly direct debit gift – or to access your personalised site if you already give in this way

Call 0800 197 0700 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

It’s been two years since WSPA launched Animal Protector, WSPA’s lively network for supporters who make a committed, regular gift to help WSPA protect animals from cruelty and suffering. Over 70,000 of you are now Animal Protectors, with an online community of over 12,000 making the most of your personalised website, where every week you can read stories, watch videos and see photos of the animals you are helping to protect through your regular gift.

Staggering achievementAnd it’s these regular gifts – most made by monthly direct debit – that are helping WSPA achieve so much for animals. In the past two years, you’ve raised over £10million, boosted by a further £2.5million in Gift Aid – a truly wonderful achievement. The generosity and commitment of Animal Protectors has meant that WSPA have been able to fund numerous projects and rescues, helping animals in need all over the world. Monthly gifts are the most important source of funds for WSPA – because we know we can rely on that help and so plan ahead to help animals.

Protecting dogs against rabiesWith a five year goal to save the lives of five million animals, being able to invest in life-saving vaccination projects is crucial to WSPA’s Collars not Cruelty campaign. With hundreds of thousands of dogs already saved and a commitment to save half a million dogs in China, as well as vaccination programmes in Indonesia and the Philippines, Animal Protectors really are the difference between life and death for so many dogs.

Rescuing bears from captivity and violenceWithout a doubt, the favourite posts read by Animal Protectors on the site animalprotector.org.uk, are those about bears rescued from cruelty and taken to a new life of peace and safety at a WSPA-funded sanctuary. Since the Animal Protector network was born two years ago, the sanctuary in Romania has been extended to make a new home for bears you’ve helped rescue from cruel captivity – and another 17 bears have been rescued from the bear baiting arenas of Pakistan.

What Animal Protectors say...Don’t just take our word for it; here are just a few comments from other Animal Protectors on animalprotector.org.uk

Three awards for Animal Protector! Loved by those who belong to it, the Animal Protector network has also impressed a few others, winning no fewer than three prestigious awards in 2012:

“WSPA is one charity that through thick

and thin has never left my direct debit list!”

Diane

“I am so happy to read this – you couldn’t be spending my money in a better way.” Sophie

“Fantastic news. I love being part of WSPA because of the visible results and

the difference it makes to animals’ lives.”

Kirsty

Most innovative fundraising campaign  Institute of Fundraising Awards

Best direct marketing campaign  Third Sector Excellence Awards

Best loyalty programme (Silver)  Direct Marketing Association Awards

Two years of Animal Protector “Wow, we feel privileged to have played a small part in this amazing story of this beautiful animal.” Marc and Joseph

When you log on you can: Claim your free gift when you first log on Watch videos, see photos and read posts to bring you that bit closer to the animals you help

Comment on posts and read other Animal Protectors’ comments.

LOG ON TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE GIFT

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WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 156

Get involved

In recent months, the compassion and generosity of WSPA supporters has revolutionised the lives of four bears in Pakistan, taking them from a life of violence, abuse and fear to one of peace, safety and full of care. To date, WSPA supporters have been behind the rescue of 20 bears who live at the WSPA-funded Balkasar sanctuary, each saved from a terrible life of bear baiting.

The latest bears to be rescued were all female Asiatic black bears and all had endured years as the victims of bear baiting, a cruel blood sport in which bears are tethered to the ground and trained fighting dogs are set upon them for the entertainment of cheering spectators.

Treatment and careEach bear was rescued from their hellish life by WSPA’s partner in Pakistan, the Bioresource Research Centre (BRC), run by the heroic Dr Fakhar-i-Abbas. Fakhar and his team took the rescued bears to the WSPA-funded sanctuary near Balkasar, in the Punjab region.

Yarrow and Robin: new lives and new names Yarrow and Robin were both rescued in November 2012 and needed treatment for their wounds and a spell in quarantine to recuperate. Both have recovered well and now roam the acres of sanctuary land, enjoying their new life of freedom.

The sanctuary staff pick meaningful names for each rescued bear as a way of marking the start of a brand new life. Robin means ‘love’ and Yarrow means ‘healing’. Yarrow will be known to some WSPA supporters as ‘Sammy’, the bear in desperate need of rescue when we featured her in an appeal for funds in September 2012.

A happier life for ShaadShaad, meaning ‘happy’, is six years old. Like most bears in the world of baiting, she had been tethered by a rope fed through a metal ring pierced through her muzzle. This ring needed careful removal before the wounds to her face and sensitive muzzle could be treated.

Gift of freedom for DoraDora, meaning ‘gift’, is around five years old. We believe she had endured the violence of the bear baiting arenas for most of her life. Dora has severe injuries to her face and her tongue had been pierced, which would have caused her a lot of pain. Dora’s wounds are still being treated and she is building up her strength in the calm quarantine area of the sanctuary, where she can be properly cared for.

20 bears now safe thanks to youYarrow, Robin, Shaad and Dora have joined the 16 previously rescued bears at the Balkasar sanctuary and can look forward to a life of freedom, without the daily violence, fear and abuse they suffered for so long. WSPA and BRC hope to rescue every bear still trapped in the cruel blood sport of baiting and give them the same, wonderful new life that Yarrow, Robin, Shaad, Dora and the others all enjoy today.

Rescued by you: Yarrow, Robin, Shaad and Dora

Dash to freedom: Yarrow runs out from the quarantine area as the gate is opened to her new home in the WSPA-funded sanctuary

Rescued by you: Shaad pictured before her release

Stepping into a new life: Robin slowly steps out to enjoy the grasses and shady trees in the WSPA-funded sanctuary

Saved thanks to you: Dora pictured before her release

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WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 15 7

Animals in the wild

After two days of constant care, the donkey started to perk up and got her appetite back, but she still could not stand up on her own. “I thought the kindest thing may be to put her to sleep – never an easy decision to make, but sometimes it is the least selfish thing to do,” said Zvika. We prepared ourselves for Roni the vet’s visit – and to say goodbye to this suffering donkey.”

Rainbow of hope Miraculously and out of the blue, just half an hour before Roni was due to arrive, this struggling, injured donkey raised herself up and stood, all on her own. At that same moment, the sun came out and a magnificent rainbow stretched across the horizon. We named this plucky donkey ‘Rainbow’ to remember this amazing moment of her return from the brink.

Because of WSPA supporters’ generosity, Zvika was there to save Rainbow’s life. But without your help, Rainbow would likely have died at the roadside, from her injuries or from starvation.

Rainbow of hope: Only because of WSPA supporters’ generosity was Zvika there to save Rainbow’s life

Across Israel, there are donkeys and horses that need your help. Abandoned, sick or injured, their suffering is acute. But there is one man that these animals can depend on – a man who is always there for these abused and neglected animals in their hour of need... Zvika Tamuz runs Pegasus, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for Israel’s sick and injured donkeys and horses. Set up in 2007, Zvika ran Pegasus virtually as a one-man show – funded out of his own pocket – until a partnership with WSPA was established at the start of 2008. Without WSPA supporters’ generosity, Zvika may not have been able to afford to carry on helping donkeys and horses in need.

WSPA News caught up with Zvika and life at the Pegasus rescue centre to bring you just a few stories of the many hundreds of donkeys and horses he has saved in the last six years with your help…

Rainbow’s story Zvika got a call from the police about a dreadful road accident that had killed one donkey and injured another. As usual, he didn’t think twice about immediately jumping in his truck with his trailer to help this animal. He drove as quickly as possible through a terrible storm to try and save this donkey’s life.

Into the storm to save a donkey The surviving donkey, a female, was lying in a heap and was so weak that Zvika could not get her to stand. In torrential rain, Zvika and his assistant had to lift her as gently as possible into the trailer and then covered her with a blanket. As Zvika puts it, it is amazing the strength you can find in a life-or-death situation – for this is what it was for this donkey.

Standing for survival Back at Pegasus, Zvika used all his strength to try to get this poor donkey to stand, but she collapsed each time. It is crucial for horses and donkeys’ survival to be able to stand – if they lie down for long periods of time, it cuts off their blood circulation and can stop their organs from working. “She was so badly injured that I thought she would die,” feared Zvika.

Help rescue donkeys from suffering

WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 158

I want to help rescue more donkeys from suffering

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Here is my gift to the Donkey Rescue appeal of: £27  £48  £84.60  other £  I would like to donate £173 that could fund an urgent donkey rescue

Please debit my:  Mastercard     Visa     CAF Charity Card     Amex

Card no:  

Expires: /

Signature: Date:

OR I enclose a cheque  /  CAF cheque  /  postal order, made payable to WSPA WSPA send acknowledgement letters for donations over £5. If you do not want an acknowledgement for your donation please tick here

Please print your details clearly below

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Increase the value of your gift by 25% at no extra cost to you Yes, I am a UK taxpayer and would like WSPA to treat all donations

I have made in the last four years and all future donations (unless I notify you otherwise) as Gift Aid donations.

Your donations can be Gift Aid donations if you pay enough income tax and/or capital gains tax to cover the amount of tax (VAT and council tax do not count) that WSPA (and any other charitable organisation you may support with Gift Aid donations) will reclaim in each tax year (currently 25p for every £1 given as a Gift Aid donation).

Registered charity no. 1081849

Your donation will help WSPA to protect animals from cruelty and suffering, including those featured in this appeal.

We’d love to keep you updated on how you are protecting animals. If you are happy for us to contact you, please fill in your details below.

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Cost of a rescueIt typically costs £173 for Zvika to rescue a donkey and bring them to the Pegasus rescue centre. £173 for the petrol and equipment needed to rescue a donkey and for the food and veterinary care needed for the animal’s recovery. If you are able, a gift of £173 from you to WSPA’s Donkey Rescue appeal could enable the rescue of one more donkey. If you and seven other supporters each donate £25, that will cover the cost of one more rescue too. Reading the story of Rainbow shows just how one amazing man – with help from you – can rescue and rebuild the lives of so many animals in need.

Constant care Donkeys are nearly always injured, sick, malnourished or traumatised when they arrive at Pegasus and need many hours of care and rehabilitation to put them on the road to recovery. Zvika and his assistant Yoel work around-the-clock, feeding the donkeys, changing dressings – doing everything that’s needed to ensure the donkeys recover. Rainbow wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for Pegasus – and WSPA supporters like you.

Your special roleThe WSPA/Pegasus rescue team isn’t complete without you. Zvika relies on WSPA and we, in turn, rely on you. Please donate to WSPA’s Donkey Rescue appeal today. Your generosity could help Zvika rescue one more donkey in terrible pain and distress.

Space in your heartThere’s space in Zvika’s heart for every donkey that needs rescuing, but it’s a struggle for him to keep the Pegasus rescue centre going. Could you make a gift today to help rescue donkeys and horses in need of help? Please play your vital role in the rescue team by giving a gift today. You could help rescue donkeys like Rainbow and give them a wonderful new chance at life. Thank you.

Post the completed form below to: WSPA, FREEPOST SCE6686 Melksham, SN12 6GZ Call 0845 0777 500 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)

Visit donate.wspa.org.uk/donkeys

How your gift could help a donkey in needIf you and seven other supporters give £25 one more donkey could be rescued

£27 could provide food for donkeys and horses at Pegasus for one day

£48 from you could vaccinate two donkeys against diseases

£84.60 from you could buy 3 gallons of petrol to help Zvika drive across Israel to rescue donkeys in need

Urgent appeal

08:00 Despite welcoming his new baby boy into the world only yesterday, Zvika Tamuz, founder of Pegasus, is already back at work helping donkeys and horses. (Let’s hope his wife didn’t mind!)

08:30Today Zvika and I plan to take Lora, an abandoned chestnut mare recently rescued by Zvika, in the trailer to her new home. Zvika knows her new owner and can trust that she will be well cared for.

10:00After settling Lora into her new surroundings, we head back to Zvika’s house. Almost as we arrive, he gets an emergency call – there is a badly injured donkey in the desert, a few hours’ drive away. Zvika gets straight on the phone to Liat, a Pegasus helper who lives in that part of Israel. Liat promises to find the donkey and stay with it until we arrive. We set off straight away.

15:00Much delayed by terrible traffic, rain and navigating some pretty treacherous desert tracks, we finally reach Liat and the injured donkey, who looks to be no more than a year old. His wounds are horrendous – one of his legs looks to be badly infected and swollen – and the hoof is completely missing. Without any witnesses to tell us, I doubt we’ll ever find out what happened to this poor creature. I shudder to think of this donkey’s fate if Zvika wasn’t around to help. Unable to walk, this animal would have likely starved to death.

16:00 We carefully place the donkey into our trailer, when Liat informs us of another abandoned foal wandering in a nearby town. We scour the streets before spotting him behind some shrubs. This small foal is only about four months old and by the state of him, he’s been roaming the streets for some time. His mother is nowhere to be seen. At least we are here now to rescue him. Although not injured, this little chap is anxious and obviously hungry and exhausted. Zvika reassures the little donkey and coaxes him into the trailer. We set off on the long journey back to Pegasus.

19:30 Back at Pegasus, the two rescued donkeys are vaccinated and treated for parasites. Zvika gives the injured donkey painkillers to ease the pain of his damaged leg. This young pair are soon munching contentedly on hay in the barn. It’s wonderful to see them safe from harm and cared for.

20:00After a twelve-hour day, I say goodbye to Zvika. He will update me on how the newly-rescued donkeys are doing after I leave and I’ll be sure to let WSPA supporters know too, as we simply couldn’t help these animals without your support. Whenever I visit Zvika in Israel, I see so much horror in how donkeys are treated, but I also see donkeys living a happy life thanks to Zvika and to WSPA supporters.

Since being rescued, the injured donkey found in the desert has sadly had to be put to sleep. Despite Zvika’s best efforts, this animal’s terrible injuries to his leg were too far advanced for him to make a recovery. Thankfully, the small foal found in the town is healthy and enjoying his new life in the care of Pegasus, all made possible by your support.

A day in the life of…Alistair Findlay

Safe hands: Zvika is caring for this foal at the Pegasus rescue centre

For more than 10 years, the generosity of WSPA supporters has helped improve the lives of tens of thousands of suffering horses and donkeys in Israel and Palestine. Our Middle East programme manager Alistair Findlay – or Ali, as he prefers to be known – has been at the heart of making it possible to help so many animals in need. Ali tells WSPA News about his time with WSPA’s partner in Israel, Pegasus…

WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 1510

Collars not Cruelty Thousands of lives saved

Tens of thousands of dogs’ lives have been saved in northern Bangladesh, as we help the authorities to vaccinate dogs against rabies. Vaccinating dogs is a far more humane way to stop this killer disease than the cruel culls which used to take place – and no dogs’ lives are needlessly taken as a result.

Dogs’ lives saved in Bangladesh, made possible by youAs with the pilot project in Bali, the vaccinations in Bangladesh have proved such a success that just one year on, the government has whole-heartedly embraced vaccinating dogs as the official method for controlling rabies. At the time of WSPA News going to print, dogs have been vaccinated all across the northern half of the country, with plans to do the same in the south – and once again, it’s all been possible because of your support.

From loss to life – Nayou’s storyNine year old Nayou Abdul proudly brings his handsome little puppy Jack to the WSPA-trained vaccination team to be immunised against rabies. At three months old, Jack is boisterous and playful, but is happy in the arms of his loving owner Nayou.

Nayou holds Jack still while the team inject the anti-rabies vaccine. Nayou chats away and reveals a telling tale about why this vaccination project is so important in saving dogs’ lives in Bangladesh…

Tommy“I used to own a dog named Tommy. He was lovely and always protected me. I loved playing with him and we would go exploring together. But one day – it was about a year ago I think – I came home from school and could not find Tommy

anywhere. I went looking for him in the streets near my house and then someone told me that the culling teams had been in the area, killing local dogs. I think Tommy must have been outside and they took him away and killed him because I never did find him. I was so sad to be without Tommy and to know he was dead. I cried so much. He never hurt anyone.”

From sadness to gladnessWe explained to Nayou that vaccinating enough dogs against rabies would eventually control the disease and the culling teams would not go out and kill dogs like Tommy. Nayou was impressed: “I think this is a very good idea. I want Jack to be safe and other dogs too. I know rabies is bad, so I’m glad that people can be safe from this disease as well.”

Dogs saved thanks to youIt’s because of your generosity that tens of thousands of dogs in Bangladesh have now been vaccinated, meaning many more have been spared from being cruelly killed in mass culls, as local authorities bring an end to this practice for good. And WSPA supporters can feel proud to be a big part of this amazing achievement.

Next steps: Saving thousands of dogs in ChinaThe proven success in Bali and now Bangladesh is paving the way to save dogs’ lives in other countries too. At the start of 2013, WSPA and the China Animal Disease Control Center (CADC) agreed to work together on a four-year project that will save at least 500,000 dogs from being needlessly culled in response to rabies. We know that tens of thousands of dogs are culled every year due to rabies in China. But we also know that culling dogs is not effective in stopping this fatal disease – so many dogs’ lives are needlessly lost.

Now, thanks to the generosity and compassion of WSPA supporters and with CADC as our partner in China, WSPA can protect more dogs from the needless cruelty and suffering caused by culls.

Your dog could help save other dogs’ livesIf you have a pet dog, you can imagine the loss that Nayou felt when Tommy was killed. But now your dog can help save other dogs’ lives. Just get a group of local dog-owners together for a dog walk to raise funds for WSPA. Each £2 you raise could save the life of one dog. To find out more, please contact Madge at fundraising@wspa.org.uk or call 0800 316 9772.

Life protected thanks to you: Nayou brings his puppy Jack to be vaccinated against rabies

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Animals in communities

Part of the rescue: Alesha tempts the nervous bears into

their transport cage with fruit and honey

Rescue mission: Three bears saved by you Towards the end of 2012, we asked WSPA supporters to help us rescue more bears from a harsh life in cruel captivity. With the woodland bear sanctuary in Romania extended – thanks to the generosity of WSPA supporters – to make it large enough to be able to provide a home for each of the 20 or so bears still in need of rescue, it was time to get on and start rescuing bears. We didn’t want them to endure their miserable, barren existence in captivity for one more day than they had to.

You didn’t disappoint. Thousands of you donated to our Big Bear Rescue appeal and WSPA News is delighted to report that three bears have already been rescued and plans are underway to rescue more.

Alesha to the rescueWSPA and our partner in Romania, Millions of Friends Association (MFA), led a rescue mission to free three European brown bears living in a state of neglect at a run-down zoo. Singer, dancer, Britain’s Got Talent judge and WSPA supporter Alesha Dixon joined us on our rescue mission…

A life of neglect Onesti Zoo in eastern Romania closed over four years ago after failing to meet EU welfare standards. No longer open to the public, a number of animals including three bears were kept in the zoo in ever-deteriorating conditions, following years of severe neglect. All three bears were kept in one cramped cage with rusting bars and damp, cold concrete floors – no home for such large, intelligent animals. A small den at the rear of the cage was their only shelter from the harsh Romanian winter and the summer heat.

On arrival at Onesti Zoo, Alesha’s shock was apparent. “I couldn’t believe that these bears had been in here for 12 years. There is no space, no trees, nowhere to walk, no freedom.”

Trauma led to self-harm One of the bears rescued by Alesha and the team had been abandoned at the zoo as a cub after hunters had probably killed his mother. This bear was visibly traumatised – chewing, licking and biting continuously on a metal bar. He had broken some teeth in doing so and had scarred his face as a result of this self-harm.

Heartbreaking to see“I was absolutely horrified by the conditions,” says Alesha. “I’ll never forget the sight of the bears mournfully pacing around

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their cramped cage. You could tell they’d suffered truly miserable lives; it was heartbreaking that they’d never had the chance to roam freely, climb a tree or to even hibernate.”

Rescued at last – Luca, Koda and TarikuTogether with Alesha, the team rescued the three young bears.

“It’s great to take them out of what I can only describe as a prison. I just want to see these bears go on to live a great life like they deserve,” Alesha told us. The three bears are now named Luca, Koda and Tariku. Tariku, meaning ‘he has a story to tell’ was named after a very enterprising four year old called Tariku, who raised £300 through selling lemons to help protect bears.

A new life for rescued bearsThe three bears were carefully transported to the WSPA-funded bear sanctuary in Zarnesti, where the sanctuary’s vet gave them each a full health check. Unable to survive on their own in the wild, these animals will now be cared for life in their new, safe home, protected from fear, pain and suffering.

Keep on going for other bearsWithout your support for WSPA’s Big Bear Rescue, we simply couldn’t have rescued Luca, Koda and Tariku. Each and every rescue is a wonderful achievement and real proof of how your donations can transform the lives of animals. And with your help, together we will keep on going to end the illegal, cruel captivity of bears in Romania for good.

The amazing generosity of WSPA supporters has meant that WSPA and MFA have also been able to rescue two more bears in desperate need of a new home and bring them to the WSPA-funded sanctuary.

From suffering to sanctuaryThe two elderly bears, Prince Charles, who is a stately 40 years old and Winnie who is 20 years old, had both endured a pitiful existence in rusty, cramped cages in another run-down zoo in Romania.

Now, thanks to WSPA supporters, these two bears will live out the rest of their days in the peace of the woodland sanctuary. It’s a safe, tranquil and spacious home with trees to climb, pools to play in and cosy dens to rest and hibernate in.

Elderly but happy bearsDespite his great age (bears have a life expectancy in the wild of around 15-20 years) and appearing to be deaf, going blind and having arthritis in one of his hind legs, Prince Charles has adapted well to his new home. He headed straight for the pool and splashed in water for the first time in his life, before taking a nap in his den. Winnie is in relatively good health and is also enjoying exploring his new forest home.

Thank you for making this happy ending possible for Prince Charles and Winnie. We couldn’t do it without you.

Safe home: Alesha feeds bears rescued by WSPA supporters at the WSPA-funded sanctuary

A life transformed: A rescued bear sits contentedly near Alesha during her visit to Zarnesti

Saved by you: Prince Charles and Winnie

Sanctuary at last: Prince Charles enjoys the pool in his new

forest home, thanks to WSPA supporters

WSPA NEWS | ISSUE 15 13

Animals in the wild

All aboard: WSPA News editor Sarah on the ferry

from Portsmouth to Santander as part of the whale and

dolphin watching trip

Keeping watch: Helped by our ORCA guides, we spotted Bottlenose and Common Dolphins, a Fin Whale and a Pilot whale to name a few.

When you imagine whales and dolphins in the wild, you probably think of far flung places such as the oceans around Canada or the Caribbean. It may come as a surprise to know that one third of all types of whales, dolphins and porpoises live in the seas close to the UK. Just off the coast of France and Spain is the Bay of Biscay, home to some of the most diverse forms of marine animals in the whole world. Bottlenose, Striped and Common Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Pilot Whales, Fin Whales and even Blue Whales have all been spotted in this area of the Atlantic.

Sarah’s whale and dolphin-watching adventureWSPA has been working with ORCA, a charity dedicated to keeping the oceans alive with whales and dolphins. WSPA News editor Sarah Hemingway joined ORCA on a two-day research trip, travelling from Portsmouth across the Bay of Biscay to Santander on the north coast of Spain. She shares her unforgettable whale and dolphin watching adventure with WSPA supporters…

Day 1 We set sail from Portsmouth in the evening to reach the Bay of Biscay by early morning – the best time of day for spotting whales and dolphins. ORCA staff and volunteers – Sally, Richard, Elfyn, Judd and Evan – give us an introduction to what to look out for. They talk us through the types of marine animals we could spot over the next couple of days and we head up to our special viewing area on the top deck of the ship, binoculars in hand and full of excited anticipation.

A pod of dolphins is spottedSuddenly, there’s a shout from Judd, one of our guides. He’s spotted a large pod (group) of Bottlenose Dolphins towards the back of the ship, and they’re swimming towards us!

We all rush over to the left-hand side of the ship to watch them, captivated. Judd’s expert eyes estimate the pod are around two hundred dolphins strong. For some of our group, this was the first time in their lives that they had seen a wild dolphin – an emotionally-charged moment they will never forget.

The dolphins leap, dive, twist and spiral in and out of the water and are obviously having a whale of a time (pardon the pun!). Bottlenose dolphins are known for their acrobatic skills and playfulness. Having spent the earlier part of the morning feeding on a shoal of fish, they are now burning off their energy. It feels a real honour to see these beautiful creatures thriving in the wild where they belong.

Dangerous plasticLater on, we see a more sobering sight – a member of our group notices a dolphin swimming along with something blue covering its nose. We realise in horror that it’s a piece of blue plastic. Here in this seemingly pristine environment of the open ocean, is real, stark evidence of how rubbish dumped by people is entangling, mutilating and killing millions of marine animals every year. I shiver with anger and it’s upsetting to see, but the good news is, as part of WSPA’s plan for animals, our marine debris campaign will ask governments, businesses and consumers to take action to stop our rubbish from choking marine wildlife – and we’ll be calling on our loyal WSPA supporters to help us.

Protecting whales and dolphins

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Spotted: Pilot whales like this one were seen during the WSPA whale and dolphin watching trip across the Bay of Biscay

Day 2 After a slightly rocky night’s sleep in our cabins, our second day at sea is even warmer than yesterday and we are all warned to use sun protection because it’s easy to burn without noticing in the strong wind. I am on deck early with our group and we all are hoping to spot a few whales today as well as more dolphins.

We’re in luck. After an hour or so, Elfyn spots a Pilot Whale (black with a small dorsal fin and a blunt head) swimming near the boat. Although more of a large dolphin than a whale, Pilot Whales are larger than their other dolphin cousins. The whale moves slowly and gracefully through the water, coming to the surface for air, giving us a fantastic view of it.

Power to protectAs we sail along, Elfyn and the other experts plot our sightings on a map. This trip may be great fun, but for ORCA, these trips are how they monitor the ‘ocean hot spots’ where whales and

dolphins live. Knowing where they feed and breed helps ORCA develop ways of protecting them from the many threats they face – busy shipping lanes, fishing nets, noise pollution and litter dumped in the sea.

Giant in the distanceWe are sailing over deeper water when Judd notices a spout of water in the distance. We all rush to the side of the boat to catch a rare, distant glimpse of an endangered Fin Whale, the second largest whale in the world (behind the Blue Whale).

Protecting whales from ship strikesLike all the larger whales, Fin Whales move slowly, which puts them at risk of being fatally struck by passing ships when they come to the surface of the sea to breathe, often near to thecoast. WSPA and ORCA are making the shipping industry aware of this problem and are developing whale-friendly ways of warning these magnificent creatures of the presence of nearby ships.

Common dolphins near the coastAs we near the coast of Spain, our last sightings are of a pod of Common Dolphins (grey with a pale yellow stripe). Slim and agile, they skim the surface of the water one after another and we spot a mother dolphin with her calf.

It has been an incredible privilege to see such a variety of marine animals in the wild and amazing to think that so many live in the seas around the UK and northern Europe. It’s also been a real education as to the many threats that they face – and how important ORCA is to their protection and survival.

You can spot whales and dolphins tooORCA’s volunteer scheme allows members of the public to collect information about whales, dolphins and porpoises, giving you a wonderful opportunity to contribute directly to the conservation and protection of these marine animals.

To find out more, visit www.orcaweb.org.uk. To go on whale and dolphin watching trips around the Bay of Biscay, visit www.brittanyferries.com/whale

Ocean hot spot: ORCA guide Elfyn records details of every whale and dolphin sighting that we make on our trip

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Animals in the wild

It does us all good to set a challenge and work towards it. Nothing gives us a greater sense of achievement – especially if it’s not just you who benefits, but animals too. Make 2013 the year you set yourself a challenge and turn it into an opportunity to raise funds for WSPA to help protect animals.

ContactFor more information and to book, contact Madge today:

Call 0800 316 9772 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) Email fundraising@wspa.org.uk Visit wspa.org.uk/challenge

Final call WSPA’s Romanian Bear Adventure 8–14 September 2013Trek through stunning Romanian mountains and see rescued bears at the WSPA-funded sanctuary.

Trek a marathon in the UKSouth Downs Trekathon 18 May 2013Follow the scenic South Downs Way, with stunning sea views.

Hadrian’s Wall Trekathon 22 June 2013Trek for 26 miles along Hadrian’s Wall.

Avebury to Stonehenge Trekathon 29 June 2013Get up close to the spectacular stone circles of Avebury and Stonehenge.

Cheddar to Glastonbury Trekathon 27 July 2013Trek through the beautiful Mendip Hills and up to the mystical Glastonbury Tor.

London Stadia Trekathon 31 August 2013An exciting urban 26-mile trek past London’s famous landmarks.

Spire to Spire Trekathon 7 September 2013Journey 26 miles from Winchester’s historic cathedral to the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.

Challenge yourself to help animals