http://tmmc.marinemammalcenter.org/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=0&em_id=15021.0#.UkI75n8qO54

http://tmmc.marinemammalcenter.org/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=0&em_id=15021.0#.UkI75n8qO54

Dolphin Drives & IMATA

International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association’s (IMATA) Position on Small Cetacean Drive Fisheries  

In 2005, the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) formalized its position on drive fisheries.

The statement is clear: IMATA strongly opposes the mass slaughter of whales and dolphins that occur in drive fisheries, and is dedicated to advancing humane care of marine animals in zoological settings.

Drive fisheries are a method of using both sound and boats to herd small dolphins and whales into shallow water along the shore. Their operation in Europe and Asia has been well documented for at least the past 650 years (Brownel, Jr., R. L., Nowacek, D. P., & Ralls, K., 2008) and they continue today in the Solomon Islands, Denmark, and Japan.

The drive fishery in Taiji, Japan, is amongthe most widely documented and most controversial. Claims thatinternational and Japanese aquariums are driving the demand forthe Taiji drive fishery to continue are false. Most of the animalsherded to shallow waters at Taiji are killed in a misguided attemptat ‘pest control’ by fishermen and harvested for food. Only a smallnumber are sold to marine parks and aquariums, predominately those located in Asia.

While some oppose the collection of animals from drivefisheries for live sale, the practice is lawful in countries wheresome IMATA members live and work. In fact, some Japanese aquariums have no choice; internal Japanese regulations require that dolphins and small whales be acquired from the drive fisheries in Taiji. In contrast, many countries (including the UnitedStates, Canada, and those in Western Europe) ban the importation of dolphins collected from the drive fisheries in Japan.

IMATA is not an advocacy group; rather, it is a professional association of individual members committed to fostering thedevelopment of marine animal trainers. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization created by and for zoological professionals to advance the humane care of marine animals in zoological settings. The well being of the animals in the daily care of IMATA members is their firstpriority.

Any individual who believes in IMATA’s mission and who supports its goals is welcomed into the membership. This includes extending membership to individuals who work for organizations that acquire dolphins from a drive fishery.

A caregiver is welcomed by IMATA even if s/he participates in the selection and collection of live animals on the premise that those animals will benefit as s/he is exposed to the most current best practices in animal care and training.  This helps to ensure the well-being of animals living in zoological settings around the world.

IMATA strongly emphasizes the continuing education of frontline animal trainers. The organization provides a forum for thoughtful dialogue among a large, diverse, and growing international membership from varying cultures. Through an IMATA membership, trainers have access to a global network of training professionals, resources such as educational publications, andopportunities to attend IMATA’s professional meetings where the most current training information and research is discussed.

Extremist groups that oppose having any marine mammals inhuman care in zoos, aquariums, and marine parks target IMATA by using misinformation and emotional appeal for funding support,often through social media campaigns.

Concerning drive fisheries,these groups erroneously claim that most dolphins in marine parks worldwide were purchased from Taiji’s drive fishery, and furthermore allege that IMATA is directly responsible for the slaughter because some of our members work for organizationsthat house dolphins from the drive.

As part of their campaign, these groups call on IMATA to ‘blacklist’ these trainers from those facilities that acquire animals from drives. We reject this request as manipulative and ill informed, and IMATA stands by its goal to help every professional trainer continually improve his or her skills in caring for marine mammals.

As animal care and training practices advance IMATA is positioned to motivate, educate, and provide expertise for the best animal care and training practices to an ever growing number of professionals throughout the world.

For more detailed information about IMATA, detailed facts about drive fisheries, and information on how you can get involved, please visit IMATA's web site at:

http://www.imata.org/drive_fisheries_faq

Logan and The Fireman

My sweet Logan and Fireman

I have no idea why I called Logan, Jordan in one of my posts. I do have a grandson named Jordan so I must have been in Jordan land that day. :)

Anyway, Logan is doing so well. He is the sweetest dog. He licked me yesterday and I think he really is getting to love me. When I get home from being away he jumps up to me and wags his tiny tail. He must have had no love or attention. He is a senior, 13 years old but I love the daylights out of him.

People please SPAY and NEUTER you dogs. Think about how many dogs are put to death!!

One more comment:

Please bless the 19 fireman that died trying to save others. I have so much respect for someone that runs into a fire and risks their own life while others are running out.

My sweet Logan

He has not been eating like he should so we are back to the veggie gravy. He ate all of his food today. Yeh Logan. He needs his bath but I didn't want him to get sick after eating so will wait on the bath. I can't encourage people enough to adopt and rescue senior dogs. Don't let them spend their last days on cold cement waiting to die. They will love you for everything you do for them.

Jordan is coming along so well

He seems to be happy and is getting healthier every day. For being 13 that is a really milestone! I can't find a collar for the little guy so he has to wear my female dog's collar for now. He doesn't mind though. He loves to be in the yard. Here is getting some nap time on one of his favorite dog beds. I think he thinks they are all his. :)

Logans Journey day 8

Logan's journey day 8! He was so timid and scared when I got him. The medications are helping. He is eating. He even licks me now, YEH. This was once a loved dog but his people decided he was getting old and needed care so they dumped him and moved. How do people do that?? His weekly bath happens today, he seems to like it and his hair is growing back nicely. I will never regret taking Logan into my home. 

Logan's Journey Monday 5-20

Logan's Journey Monday 5-20, he is making such progress. I really love this little boy. He did have an accident in the house today but it was my fault. He was trying to get out but with 3 dogs and 3 leashes it got a bit mixed up and poor Logan could not hold it any longer. He is such a sweet boy. I have to put vegan gravy on his food but that is not a problem, he lives in a vegan house.  He was terrified during the thunderstorms yesterday and stayed under my legs and on the couch for hours. His other house mates did the same. This little guy is such a joy. The time I have with him is precious to me.

Logan update Sunday, day 4

Logan update for Sunday: He ate a full bowl a food, with a bit of veggie gravy to tempt him. He is still sleeping a lot but he goes out when the other dogs go out. He seems to be tolerating a whole lot of medication, that makes it easier. The x-rays will be done this week. Any donations are greatly appreciated and he loves you all too. Thank you to the people who have donated to his medical care already. (kay.carter@gmail.com paypal) It really helped take the edge off the medication costs, he is ojn 5 at this point. Trust me this little one has the heart of a wolf. He is a fighter. I am thinking of re-starting my non-profit and rescuing senior unwanted dogs. He may have come into my life just for that reason. Big doggy kisses, K & Logan

Logan's journey day 3

Logan on his third day with me. He is a trooper having to take so many meds. He is taking antibiotics, steroids, thyroid meds and urinary tract infection meds. He has found the food and water. He still sleeps a lot but I expect that will continue until he is feeling better. He slept on cold cement for who knows how long. Now he has his choice of warm, soft and fluffy beds. He appears to be able to hear some sounds. I was told he was deaf. He is blind in one eye but has some vision in the other. He likes the walks with the other dogs. All in all he is coming along. This picture is him on one of the dog beds. His hair smells better and looks a little better too. All in all I am pleased. Kept it up dear little Logan.

The journey of Logan

Well my heart string got the best of me yet again. Not new to anyone I am sure. I rescued a poor lonely senior dog that was dumped by his owners and just left to die. I pulled him from an awful animal control in south of nowhere Georgia. His skin looked awful, he had matted hair. He is mostly deaf and blind in one eye. I had my other senior dog, she is blind, with me to make sure they got along and she approved so that was the start of Logan's journey. I called my vet on the way home and got him in right away.

The bill was a lot more than I expected but he needed me and I couldn't turn my back on him, someone already did that to him. He got all of his blood work, rabies shot, full exam and some medicated shampoo. He was so frightened and timid I didn't make him get his first bath until the next day, Friday 5/17/2013. He is taking his antibiotics like a trooper.

The bath went off much better than I could have hoped. I think he liked it and I am sure his skin feels better. He really is a sweet boy. He smells much better too. He is sleeping now. When he first got here he would not come out of the kitchen and now he is in the living room with me and the other dogs. This is the picture from animal control. I will update his picture when he wakes up. Big doggy kisses Logan.

Tell President Obama: Keep Wolves Protected

Tell President Obama: Keep Wolves Protected

Big Discovery and Big Challenges for the World’s Biggest Animal

Big Discovery and Big Challenges for the World’s Biggest Animal