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Writer's pictureDon Lichterman
Dec 9, 20204 min read

Alveolus Lung-Chip, US Army, Cruelty-Free Giveaway, Barney, Landmark Victory, Animal Testing Report!

Alveolus Lung-Chip

The U.S. Army is using a model made of human cells that mimics how a lung ‘breaths’ to study the effects of COVID-19 exposure. Called the Alveolus Lung-Chip, the model is contained in clear, flexible plastic that allows researchers to observe what happens to the lung tissue in real time. In this video, one researcher working on this project commented, “With this, there is no need for animals in performing toxicological research.” READ MORE

Barney and a landmark victory

When we discovered a chimpanzee named Barney in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed zoo, he was suffering in solitary confinement on the cement floor of a cage. Without companionship or veterinary care, Barney endured severe psychological and physical distress. When he escaped, Barney was shot and killed by a park employee.


The Animal Legal Defense Fund successfully sued the USDA for failing to adopt minimum standards for the humane treatment of primates at research facilities and roadside zoos. The landmark ruling established the right of animal advocates to challenge the USDA's rules regarding the treatment of animals under the Animal Welfare Act.


It was too late to give Barney the life he deserved, but because of this ruling, many animals today are better protected. But ensuring that protection requires constant vigilance. Even now, we are still fighting, suing the USDA for failing to release public records related to the inspections of facilities housing primates.


As with every fight we take on for animals, you give us our greatest chance of success.



Thanks to supporters like you, we’ve spent the past 40 years making a difference for animals, driving stronger animal protection laws and stronger enforcement of those laws. I know that together, we’ll build on this progress until we see the day animals receive the legal protections they rightfully deserve. Thank you for standing with us.

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Right now, pigs are suffering and dying at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as general surgery residents cut into their bodies to practice medical procedures. At the end of every training session, the animals are killed.


If we don’t shut down this laboratory, more pigs will suffer and die! Take action to help now!


Using live animals to teach human medicine is incredibly cruel—and less effective than nonanimal methods widely used by MUSC’s peers. In fact, 76% of general surgery programs in the United States exclusively use human-based training methods!


To turn the pressure up on MUSC, we are looking for 10,000 petition signers by Friday. Will you be one of them?


As a longstanding supporter of PCRM, you know the difference each petition you sign makes. In fact, just in the past six months, you helped us shut down four animal laboratories in programs training surgery residents!


With you by our side, we can convince MUSC to spare pigs too. Send a message now—speak up on behalf of voiceless animals—they are counting on us!

Cruelty-Free Giveaway

Are you ready to get shopping? AAVS is excited to tell you about the Leaping Bunny Program’s Cruelty-Free Holiday Promotion, featuring 50 money-saving deals from some of your favorite cruelty-free companies, including Juice Beauty, eos, Thrive Causmetics, and more! You’ll find amazing discounts, freebies, and other fun giveaways, all while you shop from the comfort and safety of your home.


By relying on Leaping Bunny to help make your holiday shopping list, you’ll make everyone happy. You’ll love the savings. Your family and friends will appreciate the extra thought you put into picking their special gift. And of course, countless bunnies, guinea pigs, mice, and rats will be happy that you support compassionate companies that don’t test on animals.

Shop the very best deals this holiday season and enter to win amazing giveaways from cruelty-free companies certified by Leaping Bunny! As the Chair of the Leaping Bunny Program, AAVS is excited to pass along these exclusive deals to our supporters. It’s our holiday gift to you!

The U.S. Army is using a model made of human cells that mimics how a lung ‘breaths’ to study the effects of COVID-19 exposure. Called the Alveolus Lung-Chip, the model is contained in clear, flexible plastic that allows researchers to observe what happens to the lung tissue in real time. In this video, one researcher working on this project commented, “With this, there is no need for animals in performing toxicological research.” READ MORE »

Over 400 cosmetics companies and brands have signed an open letter urging the European Council to stop new animal testing and uphold the existing ban on animal tested cosmetics and ingredients. Companies signing the letter include Avon, Dermalogica, The Body Shop, and Unilever. Speaking about Unilever’s commitment to this effort, a company representative said, “We will continue to work with other companies and partners...to make progress in applying non-animal approaches for science-based decision-making to protect human health and our environment.” READ MORE

"Corporations are people, my friend."

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.


The Sustainable Action Network (SAN) is a leading global non-profit organization (a Don Lichterman non-profit organization) dedicated to building a global community....

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE

Writer's pictureDon Lichterman
Dec 8, 20204 min read

A Whale of a Week, Klettsvik Bay, National Marine Fisheries Service, Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Sri Lanka

Beluga whales Little White and Little Grey explore their new sanctuary home

Beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, explore their new home in their new sea sanctuary at Klettsvik Bay in the Westman Islands off the south coast of Iceland. The sanctuary covers an area of 32,000 square metres and offers a natural environment for the whales to live their lives. The Sanctuary, operated by charity the SEA LIFE Trust and which is the first of its kind, was built with the support of a generous donation from Merlin Entertainments. Created in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary is one of the biggest developments in captive whale and dolphin care and protection in decades and the first of its kind to be created for cetaceans. More information about sanctuaries for whales and dolphins at: https://uk.whales.org Video courtesy SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary

We need your help to stop a proposal that could allow serious harm to over two thirds of the entire southern resident population of endangered orcas.

A proposed rule from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would allow Naval sonar activities in the Northwest Training and Testing area to seriously harass up to 51 of these orcas (68% of the entire population!), putting the recovery and even survival of this population in jeopardy.

Southern resident orcas are still struggling to survive and recover – we can’t let this population go extinct on our watch!

Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family, and just like their smaller cousins, orcas depend on echolocation to find prey and to communicate with other pod members. With so few salmon left, it’s essential that we reduce underwater noise as much as possible to make it easier for orcas to find the food they need to survive.

The ear-splitting shrieks of the sonar can make life nearly impossible for these majestic and vulnerable animals. These sonar activities can disrupt critical natural behaviors like feeding, nursing, surfacing, migration and more.

These orcas already face dire threats from pollution, collapsing food supplies and climate change. They’re fighting for their lives – but if the NMFS approves this sonar disruption, it could be the threat that pushes them over the brink.

Time is running out to save these whales. Given this population’s already critically endangered status, we need to do all we can to help these orcas – including protecting them from disruptive sonar activity! PROTECT SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS

In conversation with Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana’s leader in the Philippines, on victories, adapting, and launching an expedition during COVID-19

In the Philippines, Oceana campaigns with and for artisanal fishers who depend on healthy, abundant oceans. Together, we have won protections and policies that reduce illegal fishing, prevent habitat-destroying fishing methods like bottom trawling, and that ultimately help to ensure that fishers can feed their families. Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless has a virtual conversation with Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana’s leader in the Philippines, on our victories and how we effectively campaign amid a global pandemic. Read more


Save Southern Resident Orcas From Extinction

Southern Resident orcas have been literally starving to death, bones visible through their skin. They primarily feed on salmon, especially Chinook salmon —once-abundant, many Chinook salmon runs are now also threatened or endangered with extinction because of dams, habitat loss and other threats. Only 74 Southern Resident orcas remain.


Right now, we have an opportunity to help Southern Resident orcas survive. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are considering measures that would help ensure more food is available to starving Southern Resident orcas through active and responsible fishery management – and we must make sure they take bold, comprehensive action, before it’s too late.



Large, indiscriminate drift gillnets kill many iconic species—and these nets are still legal in West Coast waters. Urge your U.S. representative to pass the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act before this Congress ends! TAKE ACTION

Over Hundred Beached Whales Saved by Local Rescuers in Sri Lanka

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE

Writer's pictureDon Lichterman
Dec 4, 20207 min read

Dolphin Outlook, Tour Of Umah Lumba, Rambo Healing, Taiji & Ric O’Barry still not allowed in Japan!

Our youngest sanctuary team member Rio gives us a behind the scenes look at the Umah Lumba Center

A Tour Of Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release, And Retirement Center For Dolphins With Rio


While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage throughout the world, Dolphin Project continues to maintain a global presence, acting as a voice on behalf of all dolphins in need.


At the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center in Bali, Indonesia, Dolphin Project’s on-the-ground Indonesian team is now focusing on behavioral observations. The three rescued dolphins, Rocky, Rambo and Johnny spend their days hunting, chasing fish, and playing and swimming together, while exploring every corner of the depth of the seapen. When they first arrived, they spent approximately 30% of their time underwater, and 70% at the surface, as their attention was still very much on people. Now, it’s the other way around, with 70% of their time spent underwater, doing what they like to do most.

Rambo continues to heal and thrive at the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia


For years, Rocky, Rambo and Johnny were held captive in chlorinated swimming pools. Day after day, despite suffering from a myriad of serious health conditions, they were forced to interact with paying tourists.


Today, the dolphins are swimming in natural seawater, chasing and eating live fish and have regained their dignity. Never again will they be used (and abused) for profit.

Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center, West Bali, Indonesia


Many years of preparation and hard work went into establishing the Umah Lumba Center in West Bali, Indonesia – the first ever permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility for formerly captive dolphins. While what we do is a labor of love, funds are urgently needed to ensure Dolphin Project’s team of medical professionals and staff can continue their 24/7 care of Rocky, Rambo and Johnny. The Center is also equipped to take in more dolphins in need, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, this is something we anticipate.


With the help of the team’s underwater camera, we are able to monitor the dolphins from a distance, with minimal interaction. With such observations comes an understanding of each dolphin’s behavior, so their individual needs can be better met. Each of the three rescued dolphins continues to heal, thrive, rehabilitate and learn at the Umah Lumba Center. Our team works around the clock to ensure the Center is in tip-top shape, and the dolphins receive the best, possible care.

Dolphin Project’s Indonesian team works 24/7 to care for the three rescued dolphins, Bali, Indonesia


In Taiji, Japan, a notoriously cruel hunt of some of the most sentient creatures on the planet takes place annually from September to March, made famous by the 2009 Academy award-winning movie ‘The Cove’. During this period, dolphin hunters, “drive” the mammals to their capture or deaths via means of physical violence and acoustic torture.


For the 2020/21 dolphin hunting season, Dolphin Project continues to collaborate with Life Investigation Agency (LIA), a Japanese nonprofit organization dedicated to investigating, exposing and campaigning against the abuse of animals, along with other Japanese-based activists. The program is open to all Japanese citizens curious about the Taiji dolphin drives and the captivity issue. We are pleased to report this is the first time events at the Cove have been documented solely by an all-Japanese team made up of volunteers and nonprofit organizations.

Hunting boats head out to sea in search of dolphin pods, Taiji, Japan


At the time of this writing, a total of eight (8) successful drives have taken place. With the exception of the first drive, where a captive selection of three bottlenose dolphins and one Risso’s dolphin took place, the next seven hunts resulted in the slaughter of several Risso’s dolphins.


We encourage everyone to share our social media posts to help educate on the goings-on taking place in Taiji. While these slaughters and captive selections are occurring in a remote part of Japan, it’s a worldwide issue as many of the dolphins forcibly removed from their pods end up in aquariums and marine parks across the globe.

No dolphin has ever volunteered to be ripped from their wild world and placed in a concrete tank!


Please consider making a gift of regular support, to helpensure we can provide the quality care needed for the rescued dolphins in our stewardship, as well as providing critical funds to document and expose the brutal dolphin hunts taking place in Taiji.


For over 50 years, Dolphin Project has prided ourselves on the strength of our supporters. Today, more than ever, I’m asking that we come together on behalf of the dolphins.


Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project

Dedicated to the welfare of dolphins worldwide since Earth Day 1970

Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project

On February 5, 2016 I was wrongly deported from Japan. Dolphin Project’s legal team has been vigorously fighting this order ever since, and now, almost four years and ten months later, the decision of the Tokyo High Court to revoke the deportation order by the Ministry of Justice is now effective. I am free to return to Japan!


It is very rare for a Westerner to beat the Japanese government in a court of law. The reason we did is simple: these were trumped up charges. It was yet another attempt to silence me for speaking out against the annual Taiji dolphin slaughter. It’s a huge victory and could very well help others in the future.


I would like to thank each and every person who has fought on my behalf. Your tweets, emails, calls and donations made a difference! As soon as it is safe and permitted to do so, I look forward to visiting Japan once again.



As most of you are likely aware, 2020 marks 50 years that Dolphin Project has been defending dolphins worldwide. But we can’t do this lifesaving work without you. YOU are our backbone. Every dollar donated is a dollar for a dolphin in need. Every social media post shared and re-tweeted is a voice for the voiceless.


I’m asking that we come together during the season’s greatest time to give. December 1 is Giving Tuesday – a global day to do good. Please consider making a donation in support of our work and know that your act of generosity might very well inspire someone else to do good, too! Please watch your IN BOX the morning of December 1 for ways to give. We have something special for you, too, so be sure to check your email and social media feeds on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.



Despite the uncertainty of the world, we are continuing to run our international programs including documenting and live streaming for the duration of the dolphin hunting season in Taiji, Japan, and caring for our three rescued dolphins, Rocky, Rambo and Johnny in Bali, Indonesia while keeping the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center running seamlessly. Together, as we have always done, let’s protect dolphins!

Bali Dolphin Sanctuary, Bali, Indonesia

The dolphins receive 24/7 round-the-clock care. We have a full-time staff veterinarian, security guards and caregivers. Ours is a true sanctuary, and our team is committed to making the dolphins’ lives as natural and independent as possible. In March 2020, Dolphin Project, in anticipation of the arrival of additional confiscated dolphins (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) tripled the size of our sanctuary. Now, more than ever, your help is urgently needed.


Dolphin Project has also been actively scouting locations for the first permanent dolphin sanctuary in Europe and are pleased to share we’ve found a location in Italy. Be sure to follow our social media and become a Supporter on our Facebook page for more details and behind-the-scenes videos!


By making a gift of regular support, you’ll ensure we can provide the quality care needed for the health and welfare of the rescued dolphins in our stewardship. It’s fast, simple and offers immediate benefits for the dolphins.


For over 50 years, Dolphin Project has prided ourselves on the strength of our supporters. Today, more than ever, I’m asking that we mobilize our forces and come together on behalf of the dolphins.


Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project... Dedicated to the welfare of dolphins worldwide since Earth Day 1970


Shop for a cause and be a voice for the voiceless! As a gift to you, any purchase made via our online shop will be discounted by 15%!

Each year from approximately September 1 to March 1, a large-scale hunt of dolphins takes place in the small village of Taiji, Japan, as made famous by the 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary “The Cove.”

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE


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