We are a Wisconsin organization encouraging a humane attitude towards all living creatures through direct action and education. One of our major accomplishments was the transfer of two elephants from the Milwaukee County Zoo to a sanctuary in California. The Wisconsin Animal Protection Society (WISAPS) opposes animal exploitation in any form.
Please contact us for more information and to become involved. Click below to find out more about WISAPS and for more Animal News. Mark Silverman, President. marksil@att.net.
Note: Our organization is not connected or associated with the organization whose website states: "Wisconsin Animal Protection Society," and "Animal Shelter," with an address: 6910 W. Brown Deer Rd., #304, Milwaukee, WI 53233.
ANIMAL NEWS
Wolf Hunt
We submitted written comments and testified at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wolf Harvest Advisory Committee meeting, April 8, 2021. Mark Silverman (WISAPS president) stated that wolves should not be hunted for sport and pointed out alternatives to killing them in order to protect cattle. Many others from the public commented that wolves should not be killed and voiced their opposition to an additional wolf hunt in the Fall of this year. This committee will meet again in May. (4-9-21).
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) Decided Against Wolf Hunt this Winter but a Court Ordered a Hunt to be Held
The NRB voted 4-3 against a wolf hunting season January and February. The NRB sets policy for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (Milwaukee Journal 1-23-21). We submitted a written letter to the Wis. DNR website, on 1-20-21, opposing the hunting of wolves. Also, Mark Silverman provided public testimony before the NRB, on Friday, January 22nd, in opposition to hunting the wolf.
Many others testified at the public meeting, held on Zoom, including representatives of various tribes.
However, a lawsuit was filed by the Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty on behalf of Hunter Nation, a Kansas-based hunting advocacy group. A Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge ordered the DNR to implement a Winter wolf season. Never before had the state held a hunting and trapping season during the wolves' breeding season. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2-28-21).
The rate of wolf kills was unprecedented. 86% of the wolves were killed by hunters with dogs, 9% were killed by hunters using other means such as calling or bait, and 5% were claimed by trappers. 216 wolves had been killed, 82% over the state-licensed quota. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2-28-21).
Some say that results from the rushed season will bolster efforts to place the wolf back under the protections of the Endangered Species Act. A lawsuit was filed by several environmental and animal protection groups in January in California against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2-28-21).
Gray Wolf Under State Management Again
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the gray wolf has been removed from the federal Endangered Species List, allowing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies to assume management of the species. The delisting decision, announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, became effective January 4, 2021. The state most recently held management authority over wolves from 2012-2014, when it held three hunting and trapping seasons and killed 528 wolves. A federal judge returned wolves to the Endangered Species List in December of 2014. Wisconsin law requires a wolf hunting and trapping season to be held, the Journal Sentinel continues, when the species is not under protections of the Endangered Species Act. The DNR plans to begin the next wolf season November 6, 2021. The delisting was opposed by American Indian tribes and many environmental and animal protection organizations.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel USA Today Network - Wisconsin. 1-10-21).
Deer Removal at Boerner Botanical Gardens
We have learned that deer are being "removed" from the Boerner Botanical Gardens through the use of sharpshooters. The sharpshooters have a permit, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Information has been requested from the DNR and Milwaukee County as to the number of deer shot and whether alternatives to shooting were explored. (2-8-20)
Update. According to the DNR, in 2020, 2 deer were "harvested" and in 2021, 6 deer have been harvested thus far, via nuisance deer permits, at the Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park locations. A "nuisance deer permit" has been reissued for these locations, in 2021. In that permit up to 40 deer are authorized to be harvested. (3-6-21).
Milwaukee County Grounds
We responded to a request that the Milwaukee County Supervisors be contacted with regard to a proposed developer's agreement. We emailed the Supervisors, urging them to vote "no" on the proposed developer's agreement that would replace the current (2011) UWM REF Innovation Campus agreement for the Northeast Quadrant of the County Grounds. We had been informed that the current agreement includes habitat protections. The matter was referred to Corporation Counsel. (11/24/20)
Fatal Experiments on Dogs
(Freedom of Information Act request made 2-23-19).
We received a response from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Chief Research and Development Officer, Rachel Ramoni, DMD, ScD, informing us that the "research work with dogs at the Milwaukee VA has concluded." The letter continued: "However, VA will continue to do research with dogs only if the research is important to the health of Veterans and there is no alternative to using dogs."
WISAPS made the open records request in response to the news, below, reported by USA Today.
(May 11, 2019).
Fatal experiments on dogs are moving ahead at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA is pushing forward with invasive and ultimately fatal experiments on dogs as part of the VA's medical research program. (USA Today Nov. 2-4, 2018).
In Milwaukee the experiments called for researchers to remove sections of dogs' brains to test neurons that control breathing before the animals are killed by lethal injection, records show, according to USA Today. A group called the Paralyzed Veterans of America no longer opposes efforts to end VA fatal medical research on dogs, USA Today reports. The VA's position is unchanged under its new Secretary, Robert Wilkie.
(USA Today, Nov. 2-4, 2018).
WISAPS obtained signatures from Wisconsin residents in a Petition to be sent to Secretary Robert Wilkie, requesting that the VA discontinue the fatal dog research conducted in Milwaukee. "It is animal cruelty," the Petition states. 12/2/18
Gray Wolf Update
WISAPS had asked supporters (02/24/18) to ask their Congresspersons to oppose bills which call for the de-listing of the gray wolf from protected status under the Endangered Species Act.
In October, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the Lower 48 states. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that the next wolf hunting and trapping season will begin next year, November 6, 2021. However, in January of 2021, lethal control of wolves near farms and other "depredation sites" will be allowed. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12-5-20).
EPA to Stop Chemical Testing on Mammals
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reports that the Environmental Protection Agency announced, in September, that it will stop testing chemicals on mammals. According to the pcrm.org website, the agency is eliminating all chemical testing done on mammals by 2035.(10/20/19)
Nondairy Drink Legislation
Wisconsin legislators are pursuing bills to prohibit the use of the word "milk" in a product label if the beverage is not from a cow or goat. WISAPS president, Mark Silverman, contacted the company which produces Edensoy to ask them to consider changing its label from soy milk to soy drink or beverage. Otherwise, under the proposed legislation, the company, as well as the stores which carries Edensoy, could face fines. (11/23/19).
Environmental Law
According to a recent Earthjustice posting, on its website: "When a government wants to build a toxic waste incinerator in your neighborhood, bulldoze homes to build smog-producing highways or run pipelines through ancestral Native American lands, a federal law gives you the right to find out and fight back. That law is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)." Earthjustice website, 1-19-20. Earthjustice notes that plans are underway to gut NEPA's protections. Action can be taken by visiting Earthjustice's website in order to make a public comment.
Click on Action Center and then select View Alerts. Note: 49 days remain for public comments, as of today, 1-20-20, per Earthjustice. You may add your own wording to a comment drafted by Earthjustice. (1-20-20).
Sanctuary Woods
Sanctuary Woods, in Wauwatosa, was at risk. Letters were sent to members of the Wauwatosa Common Counsel, urging them to preserve the Sanctuary Woods.
February 18, 2017
Common Council
City of Wauwatosa
7725 W. North Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Re: Preservation of Sanctuary Woods. Opposition to Life Sciences District Master Plan proposals.
Dear Alderman:
Please oppose the proposed “Scenic Parkway” road, other proposed roads and plans for high-density development in the northeast quadrant of the County Grounds, affecting the natural area known as the Sanctuary Woods. As you may know, Sanctuary Woods provides habitat for a variety of species, including the Long-eared Owl, monarch butterflies, birds and other wildlife. The proposed roads and development would fragment the natural area and diminish the quality of the remaining habitat. Push for re-zoning of these natural areas, to ensure their preservation.
Recent articles in Milwaukee Magazine (online) provide a history of the area known as the County Grounds. (January 9th and 19th issues). The County Grounds is the largest remaining open space in Milwaukee County. It was prairie and oak savanna and a critical habitat for wildlife.
The natural areas north of Watertown Plank Road should be re-zoned in order to protect wildlife habitat, not developed with roads and high density buildings, in order to destroy it. Monarch butterflies, squirrels and owls have no place to go. They do not live in condos. They will disappear.
And a walk through the woods will never be the same.
Should you have any questions please contact me at the above address or email: wisaps@att.net.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Silverman
President
Alternatives to Animal Dissection
Letters were sent to approximately twenty Milwaukee area high schools requesting that they consider alternatives to the disssection of animals in their science classes. High school principals were informed of computer simulations, CD-Roms, plastic models and the availability of free lending libraries.
Great Lakes Wolf Summit
Two Wisconsin state legislators, senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and
rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake) called for a "wolf summit" to discuss what they say are issues posed by wolves in Wisconsin. They want Congress to de-list the gray wolf, once again, from its protection under the Endangered Species Act. Tiffany says it is time to return management to the states, "similar to the wolf hunt we had for two years." (WXPR 91.7FM).
A federal judge in, Wash. D.C., in 2014, struck down the federal government's 2012 decision to remove gray wolves in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, from the federal list of endangered species. The suit was brought by HSUS. The court decision ended Wisconsin's wolf hunting season. (Journal-Sentinel 5-9-16)
The state DNR carnivore specialist, David MacFarland, said that the agency had relied primarily on nonlethal means to control nuisance wolves, including the construction of 19 miles of fencing and the use of electric fences, sound and lights and posting guard animals. "We are doing quite a bit." (Journal-Sentinel 5-9-16).
Update: The "summit" was held September 15, 2016, in Cumberland, Wis, at the Das Lach Haus. Tiffany and Jarchow,said in a statement: "Our goal remains to have a policy driven discussion about the situation at hand." (WAOW.COM abc 9 posted 6-28-16).
Primate Research
UW-Madison
The AAVS reported that the University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee had approved an experiment involving 40 baby macaques who will be removed from their mothers at birth. They were to be placed in an incubator with a surrogate stuffed animal, towels, and/or blankets. According to the AAVS, when the monkeys are about one year old, they will be exposed to situations to provoke anxiety and fear. At the end of the experiment, the monkeys will be killed and their brains analyzed. (AAVS, "Activate for Animals," August 2014 issue).
WISAPS circulated a petition that was submitted to the University Chancellor. Other groups have been involved as well.
NEWS UPDATE
The chief researcher has
announced that monkeys will no longer be separated at birth. But the research will otherwise continue.
WISAPS has requested the amended protocol.
(3/28/15)
ANIMAL NEWS CONTIINUED
Gray Wolf Update
Letter to Journal Sentinel 9-19-16
Several Wisconsin legislators, (Sen. Tom Tiffany and Rep. Adam Jarchow), and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, are calling for the delisting of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Tiffany and Jarchow hosted a “Great Lakes Wolf Summit,” Sept. 15 in Cumberland.
Apparently, they hope we will buy into the myth of the wolf as an evil, killing machine, likely to prey on both cattle and humans.
The truth: 1) there is no record of a confirmed wolf attack on a human in Wisconsin, 2) old age, birthing complications, disease and bad weather kill far more livestock than does any predator, according to “The Hidden Life of Wolves” by Jim Dutcher.
Gray wolves, also known as “timber wolves,” are members of the dog family. Wisconsin is one of about a dozen states in the country with a wild gray wolf population. Before Wisconsin was settled, in the 1830s, an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 wolves lived throughout the state. By the 1930s, wolves were nearly erased from the lower 48 states, “as a result of one of the most effective eradication campaigns in modern history,” wrote Judge Beryl A. Howell in a federal court decision that returned the gray wolf to protected status in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota (HSUS v. Jewell; United States District Court for the District of Columbia, 2014).
Wolves began a recovery in the 1970s, under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. Wisconsin had approximately 866 to 897 gray wolves in the winter of 2015-2016, according to the Timber Wolf Information Network website, citing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Dutcher writes that wild wolves have injured no one in the lower 48 states in the decades since their reintroduction, and that wolf tourism brings about $35 million a year into Yellowstone National Park and surrounding communities.
Alternatives to killing wolves, in order to protect cattle, include the use of electric fences, sound and lights, and guard animals. Traditional methods, such as fluttering flags and increased human vigilance, also may be used.
Many Native American cultures hold special reverence for wolves. Wisconsin tribes protested wolf hunts during the time wolves were delisted from protection in 2011. In the words of one Native American: “Wolves are like me; misunderstood, beautiful and wild, never able to be tamed, the epitome of freedom. All we want is to be accepted and loved for who we are.”
Pay no attention to the politicians who call for killing wolves rather than considering and testing alternatives. Instead, listen to your heart, and to the call of the wild.
And tell your congressperson to oppose Senate Bill 2281, which requires the delisting of gray wolves in the western Great Lakes and Wyoming. You can find the contact information on http://www.senate.gov/ and http://www.house.gov/ websites.
Mark Silverman is president of the Wisconsin Animal Protection Society.
Genetically Engineered Salmon
Genetically engineered salmon likely to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It would be the first genetically modified animal cleared for human consumption. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Target have agreed not to sell the fish. AquaBounty Technologies, based in Massachusetts, applied for permission to sell the genetically altered salmon, which grows to market size in half the time as regular salmon. It consists of an Atlantic salmon containing a growth hormone from a Chinook salmon and a gene from the ocean-pout, an eel-like fish. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10-20-2013).
GE Salmon Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced, on November 19, 2015, that it has approved the first genetically engineered animal intended for food: AquAdvantage salmon. The GMO salmon will NOT be required to be labelled as genetically engineered.
(From abc News, 11-26-15).
GE Salmon Update 2
The House and Senate passed a bill, signed into law, July 29, 2016, prohibiting states from labeling genetically engineered salmon.
(From Earthjustice website 8-7-16)
SeaWorld
SeaWorld announced that it will cease its orca breeding program but will continue to keep orcas captive. It has 29 orcas.
David Phillips, Executive Director of Earth Island Institute, said, "In the future, we'll look back and shake our heads that far-ranging and socially dependent orca whales were ever allowed to be kept in small concrete tanks doing circus tricks."
(Discovery News 3-17-16)
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