Switzerland is the world's largest trader in products manufactured from threatened species. Every year, the Swiss watchmaking industry alone imports more than one million leather watch bands made from the skins of endangered reptiles.
Apparently, neither the industry nor its exclusive clientele care about the incredible torture the animals have to endure just to end up as fashionable accessories. A video clip aired on Swiss news broadcast "Rundschau" (link) reveals how Water monitors are tied together and kept in plastic bags for days, until they are killed by a hammer blow to the head. However, a large number of these animals survive their severe injuries - and are skinned alive as a consequence. Snakes get an additional "water treatment" prior to flaying: A hook through the upper jaw locks them into position, and a hose is inserted that fills their bodies with water. This procedure is employed in order to stretch their bodies so straight cuts can be made before the skinning. Unequivocally, the struggling movements of the animals prove that they are alive all along.
In the light of this footage, it is shocking that most of the companies in dispute have not responded in any appropriate way. For example, in the interview with the chairman of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, Jean-Daniel Pasche simply declares that animal welfare was an issue not yet discussed by the management bodies of the companies - and thus, he himself could not make a statement.
Nevertheless, the issue of animal protection is especially pressing. The excessive hunt for reptiles has already reached an alarming level: By now, the number of animals has decreased to such an extent that the "lizard hunters" catch no more than ten specimens per night. After all, Indonesia alone exports about 400.000 skins of Water monitors. The governments of the individual countries themselves allocate the catch quota - even if they lack scientific statistics concerning the species' population. As an example, the Asiatic reticulated python has an annual bag limit of 157.000 specimens in Indonesia. Furthermore, NGO TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has proof that the exemption limits for export are exceeded constantly. Indonesian companies smuggle untanned hides into Malaysia, for example. There, grants of export licences are bought - and charged to the Malaysian catch quota.
The reference sources have to be classified as doubtful anyway. In Switzerland, the trading in protected species and animals is subject to licencing as well.
Even there, some of the corresponding papers for reticulated pythons are marked with the identification code for "breeding business" - although these breeding farms do not exist in Indonesia. Addressed with this fact, the Swiss federal office in charge promises to forward this piece of information to the central office to issue export licences, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
So far, Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch is the only enterprise to respond to the news report immediately. CEO Nick Hayek, Jr. radically deletes products with dubious background from the company's range - even though watch bands made from alligator leather provided by Northamerican breeding farms are set to remain on offer. However, these suppliers will be thoroughly checked by Swatch as well.
Gucci has its own tannery for the imported hides, but as of yet has not passed a comment. Hermès and Cartier simply point out that their commercial trading businesses abide by current legislation. Bally on the other hand insists on their python hides to coming from Indonesian breeding farms - which do not exist, according to the Swiss federal office.
Rainforest Rescue calls for the Swiss fashion companies and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry to stop importing exotic leather types of protected animals. The methods for catching and processing can only be classified as animal cruelty. Moreover, this particular way of commercial trading poses a considerable threat to the rainforest's biodiversity.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 47 11/5/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
Showing posts with label Switzerland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Switzerland. Show all posts
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Gucci, Hermès, Cartier & Co.: Stop the snake slaughter in Indonesia! 10/22/10, Rainforest Rescue
Switzerland is the world's largest trader in products manufactured from threatened species. Every year, the Swiss watchmaking industry alone imports more than one million leather watch bands made from the skins of endangered reptiles.
Apparently, neither the industry nor its exclusive clientele care about the incredible torture the animals have to endure just to end up as fashionable accessories. A video clip aired on Swiss news broadcast "Rundschau" (link) reveals how Water monitors are tied together and kept in plastic bags for days, until they are killed by a hammer blow to the head. However, a large number of these animals survive their severe injuries - and are skinned alive as a consequence. Snakes get an additional "water treatment" prior to flaying: A hook through the upper jaw locks them into position, and a hose is inserted that fills their bodies with water. This procedure is employed in order to stretch their bodies so straight cuts can be made before the skinning. Unequivocally, the struggling movements of the animals prove that they are alive all along.
In the light of this footage, it is shocking that most of the companies in dispute have not responded in any appropriate way. For example, in the interview with the chairman of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, Jean-Daniel Pasche simply declares that animal welfare was an issue not yet discussed by the management bodies of the companies - and thus, he himself could not make a statement.
Nevertheless, the issue of animal protection is especially pressing. The excessive hunt for reptiles has already reached an alarming level: By now, the number of animals has decreased to such an extent that the "lizard hunters" catch no more than ten specimens per night. After all, Indonesia alone exports about 400.000 skins of Water monitors. The governments of the individual countries themselves allocate the catch quota - even if they lack scientific statistics concerning the species' population. As an example, the Asiatic reticulated python has an annual bag limit of 157.000 specimens in Indonesia. Furthermore, NGO TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has proof that the exemption limits for export are exceeded constantly. Indonesian companies smuggle untanned hides into Malaysia, for example. There, grants of export licences are bought - and charged to the Malaysian catch quota.
The reference sources have to be classified as doubtful anyway. In Switzerland, the trading in protected species and animals is subject to licencing as well.
Even there, some of the corresponding papers for reticulated pythons are marked with the identification code for "breeding business" - although these breeding farms do not exist in Indonesia. Addressed with this fact, the Swiss federal office in charge promises to forward this piece of information to the central office to issue export licences, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
So far, Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch is the only enterprise to respond to the news report immediately. CEO Nick Hayek, Jr. radically deletes products with dubious background from the company's range - even though watch bands made from alligator leather provided by Northamerican breeding farms are set to remain on offer. However, these suppliers will be thoroughly checked by Swatch as well.
Gucci has its own tannery for the imported hides, but as of yet has not passed a comment. Hermès and Cartier simply point out that their commercial trading businesses abide by current legislation. Bally on the other hand insists on their python hides to coming from Indonesian breeding farms - which do not exist, according to the Swiss federal office.
Rainforest Rescue calls for the Swiss fashion companies and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry to stop importing exotic leather types of protected animals. The methods for catching and processing can only be classified as animal cruelty. Moreover, this particular way of commercial trading poses a considerable threat to the rainforest's biodiversity.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 47 11/5/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
Apparently, neither the industry nor its exclusive clientele care about the incredible torture the animals have to endure just to end up as fashionable accessories. A video clip aired on Swiss news broadcast "Rundschau" (link) reveals how Water monitors are tied together and kept in plastic bags for days, until they are killed by a hammer blow to the head. However, a large number of these animals survive their severe injuries - and are skinned alive as a consequence. Snakes get an additional "water treatment" prior to flaying: A hook through the upper jaw locks them into position, and a hose is inserted that fills their bodies with water. This procedure is employed in order to stretch their bodies so straight cuts can be made before the skinning. Unequivocally, the struggling movements of the animals prove that they are alive all along.
In the light of this footage, it is shocking that most of the companies in dispute have not responded in any appropriate way. For example, in the interview with the chairman of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, Jean-Daniel Pasche simply declares that animal welfare was an issue not yet discussed by the management bodies of the companies - and thus, he himself could not make a statement.
Nevertheless, the issue of animal protection is especially pressing. The excessive hunt for reptiles has already reached an alarming level: By now, the number of animals has decreased to such an extent that the "lizard hunters" catch no more than ten specimens per night. After all, Indonesia alone exports about 400.000 skins of Water monitors. The governments of the individual countries themselves allocate the catch quota - even if they lack scientific statistics concerning the species' population. As an example, the Asiatic reticulated python has an annual bag limit of 157.000 specimens in Indonesia. Furthermore, NGO TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has proof that the exemption limits for export are exceeded constantly. Indonesian companies smuggle untanned hides into Malaysia, for example. There, grants of export licences are bought - and charged to the Malaysian catch quota.
The reference sources have to be classified as doubtful anyway. In Switzerland, the trading in protected species and animals is subject to licencing as well.
Even there, some of the corresponding papers for reticulated pythons are marked with the identification code for "breeding business" - although these breeding farms do not exist in Indonesia. Addressed with this fact, the Swiss federal office in charge promises to forward this piece of information to the central office to issue export licences, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
So far, Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch is the only enterprise to respond to the news report immediately. CEO Nick Hayek, Jr. radically deletes products with dubious background from the company's range - even though watch bands made from alligator leather provided by Northamerican breeding farms are set to remain on offer. However, these suppliers will be thoroughly checked by Swatch as well.
Gucci has its own tannery for the imported hides, but as of yet has not passed a comment. Hermès and Cartier simply point out that their commercial trading businesses abide by current legislation. Bally on the other hand insists on their python hides to coming from Indonesian breeding farms - which do not exist, according to the Swiss federal office.
Rainforest Rescue calls for the Swiss fashion companies and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry to stop importing exotic leather types of protected animals. The methods for catching and processing can only be classified as animal cruelty. Moreover, this particular way of commercial trading poses a considerable threat to the rainforest's biodiversity.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 47 11/5/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Escaped elephant goes on tour of Zurich
RIGHT: Sabu the escaped elephant: welcome to picturesque Zurich (Picture: CEN)Tom Phillips - 7th June, 2010
An elephant that escaped from the circus spent an hour wandering around the Swiss city - even taking a swim in Lake Zurich - before being recaptured by its keepers.
Zurich police spokesman Michael Wirz said that officers pursued Sabu the elephant through the city's banking and commercial district for over an hour on Sunday before a keeper managed to bring the animal under control.
Impressively given that it was a four ton elephant galumphing around an unfamiliar city, there were no reports of any injuries, or of any damage to property.
Sabu got away from the Circus Knie while she was being loaded into a trailer at about 7pm, circus spokesman Niklaus Leuenberger said.
On her whistlestop tour of the city Sabu even managed to find time to have a quick swim in Lake Zurich.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/829667-escaped-elephant-goes-on-tour-of-zurich
Elephant causes traffic jam
7 June 2010, 10:32
An elephant brought commuter traffic to a halt when she went for a stroll through a Swiss city centre.
Sabu the elephant escaped from her circus home when she broke free while being loaded into her trailer.
The four tonne animal then went for a dip in Lake Zurich, before walking into the nearby city centre.
Startled motorists gave Sabu, 26, a wide berth as she strolled across Zurich's six lane one way system.
She was eventually recaptured by animal welfare experts and keepers from her home at the Circus Knie after two hours on the loose.
Circus spokesman Nik Leuenberger, 36, said: "Sabu took a bath in Lake Zurich. We are relieved that nothing happened. She didn't mean any harm."
http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Elephant_causes_traffic_jam
Friday, March 5, 2010
Switzerland to vote on appointing lawyers for abused pets
Switzerland, where flushing goldfish down the toilet is illegal, is preparing to vote on whether abused animals deserve lawyers.
Published: 7:00AM GMT 05 Mar 2010
Legal representation in cases involving mistreated animals has been compulsory since 1992 in the Zurich canton. But pet politics could be taken to a new level if voters extend the right to the other 25 mini-states.
"It is not about Paris Hilton's dog now needing a lawyer to represent its interests," said Antoine Goetschel, Switzerland's only lawyer mandated by his canton in Zurich to handle animal welfare cases.
It is about protecting animals who are harmed by the very people who are meant to take care of them, said Mr Goetschel who is "very happy" about the referendum debate.
The quirky lawyers-for-animals poll is a new example of Switzerland's "direct democracy" in which any citizen who collects 100,000 signatures from eligible voters can force a nationwide referendum on their chosen cause.
Among the 50 cases Mr Goetschel is dealing with at the moment is one of a horse that was stabbed 30 times before it died.
Past cases of zoophilia include a person who kept 150 cats but could not take care of them.
"The animal welfare attorney is such a visionary and wise instrument because the animal has a voice in criminal procedures against the person who usually has the responsibility for it," he noted.
The problem is that the animal has "no rights", unlike humans who can prosecute the person who has caused harm, said Mr Goetschel.
Environment groups, the Green and Socialist parties are supporting the initiative. But the government, parliament and the country's biggest party, the far-right Swiss People's Party, are against.
The strongest opposition is in the countryside. "It will generate too much bureaucracy," complained Urs Schneider, spokesman for the Swiss Farmers' Union. "Switzerland already has existing laws to protect animals," he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7373154/Switzerland-to-vote-on-appointing-lawyers-for-abused-pets.html
Published: 7:00AM GMT 05 Mar 2010
Legal representation in cases involving mistreated animals has been compulsory since 1992 in the Zurich canton. But pet politics could be taken to a new level if voters extend the right to the other 25 mini-states.
"It is not about Paris Hilton's dog now needing a lawyer to represent its interests," said Antoine Goetschel, Switzerland's only lawyer mandated by his canton in Zurich to handle animal welfare cases.
It is about protecting animals who are harmed by the very people who are meant to take care of them, said Mr Goetschel who is "very happy" about the referendum debate.
The quirky lawyers-for-animals poll is a new example of Switzerland's "direct democracy" in which any citizen who collects 100,000 signatures from eligible voters can force a nationwide referendum on their chosen cause.
Among the 50 cases Mr Goetschel is dealing with at the moment is one of a horse that was stabbed 30 times before it died.
Past cases of zoophilia include a person who kept 150 cats but could not take care of them.
"The animal welfare attorney is such a visionary and wise instrument because the animal has a voice in criminal procedures against the person who usually has the responsibility for it," he noted.
The problem is that the animal has "no rights", unlike humans who can prosecute the person who has caused harm, said Mr Goetschel.
Environment groups, the Green and Socialist parties are supporting the initiative. But the government, parliament and the country's biggest party, the far-right Swiss People's Party, are against.
The strongest opposition is in the countryside. "It will generate too much bureaucracy," complained Urs Schneider, spokesman for the Swiss Farmers' Union. "Switzerland already has existing laws to protect animals," he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7373154/Switzerland-to-vote-on-appointing-lawyers-for-abused-pets.html
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