Life Sciences Commons^™

Stray-Dog Control In Cyprus: Primitive And Humane Methods, Kyriacos Polydorou

Hunting Collection

In Cyprus, a dog control scheme was started in 1971 within the context of an all-inclusive anti-echinococcosis campaign. At the time, it was estimated that there were more than 100,000 dogs in the island, almost all of which were strays (even many of those that were purportedly "owned"]. These had been identified as infectious agents of echinococcosis in Cyprus (the average surgical incidence in humans, over the 30-year period prior to 1970, was 12.9/100,000]. The destruction of stray dogs is accomplished by using guns that fire a syringe containing a euthanizing drug. In the past (prior to 1970), various inhumane …

Genetic Adaptation And Welfare, J. Van Rooijen

Genetics Collection

Beilharz says: "The evolutionary processes, if they are not obstructed or misdirected, must lead to such a degree of adaptation that welfare will have to be taken for granted, just as we can do no better than to take for granted the welfare of any wild animal in its natural habitat." From this statement, one might conclude all we have to do is wait, and the animals will eventually adapt to intensive systems. Concerning animals put into new kinds of environments, he states that, if individuals do not have the capacity to adjust phenotypically, "adaptation of the population will require …

Protection Of Animals And Animal Experimentation: A Survey Of Scientific Experts, Norbert Lagoni, Joachim Fiebelkorn, Hans-Joachim Wormuth

Experimentation Collection

This article summarizes information from a survey of biomedical scientists, specifically pharmacologists and toxicologists, on the use of laboratory animals and the potential for replacing their use with alternative methods for the development and evaluation of pharmaceutical substances. The majority of those surveyed felt that the alternatives could supplement or complement animal tests, but not replace the tests altogether. However, most favored the use of nonsentient material in safety tests.

Selecting A Spay/Neuter Program For Animal Control In The City Of Charlotte, Diane Quisenberry, Mary Elizabeth Clapp

Hunting Collection

The City of Charlotte, NC, in attempting to determine the best kind of program for reducing its increasing populations of unwanted dogs and cats, examined a full range of possible options for limiting these populations. Five measures for population control were considered: spay/neuter surgery, euthanasia, physical restraint, mechanical contraception, and chemical contraception. It was concluded that a spay/neuter program that incorporated educational and legislative components would be the most effective means of large-scale population control, although other methods like euthanasia would still have to be used. Based on a survey of a number of cities with spay/neuter programs in place, …

A Survey Of Animal Behavior-Related Research And Teaching Activities In North American Agricultural And Veterinary Medical Colleges, W. R. Stricklin

Ethology Collection

A letter questionnaire was used to survey animal behavior-related research and teaching efforts in U.S.A. and Canadian university animal sciences departments (agriculture) and veterinary medical colleges. The objectives of the eleven questions of the survey were to identify behavior workers and to determine the current and planned levels of emphasis on research and teaching activities in domestic animal behavior. During 1981, questionnaires were mailed to 162 deans and chairmen, and 102 were answered and returned. Twenty-three persons were identified as having appointments specifically or primarily in animal behavior, and 99 persons were identified as having appointments that had some responsibilities …

The Potential Role Of Local Ethical Committees In The Moderation Of Experiments On Animals In Britain, D. P. Britt

Experimentation Collection

Scientists working with laboratory animals in Britain are made aware forcibly that a serious ethical dilemma surrounds the use of animals in experiments. Certain vociferous sections of the community press the issue on the attention of the general public and media sources tend to propagate views expressed by the most extreme parties, while neglecting coverage of mature, rational opinion. It is, perhaps no bad thing for the scientific community to be frequently reminded to take a responsible attitude to the use of animals but recent overt, even illegal, activity on the part of extremist animal protectionist groups has encouraged a …

Environmental Psychology And Great Ape Reproduction, Terry L. Maple

Zoos and Aquariums Collection

At the 1980 Great Ape Infertility Workshop, we concluded that "physical and social environments must be improved if not optimized if great apes are to reproduce satisfactorily ... " In 1982, the trend toward improvement continues and there are some promising signs that reproduction has been enhanced as predicted. The problem of designing and evaluating captive environments which will facilitate interaction, reproduction, appropriate parenting, and socialization is well within the scope of Environmental Psychology. I intend to illustrate the promise of this applied research field in the remarks that follow.

Biological Control Of Aleutian Island Arctic Fox: A Preliminary Strategy, Edward W. West, Robert L. Rudd

Hunting Collection

No abstract provided.

Review Of Literature On Use Of T-61 As An Euthanasic Agent, Laura Dalia Barocio

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

The tools of evaluating the degree of distress in animals being killed include electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and measurement of blood pressure and respiration. Sound clinical and behavioral observations should also not be abandoned in the evaIuation process.

There are many methods which may be employed to reach the same end results, but the ideal method should satisfy several criteria: 1. It should be painless; 2. It should cause unconsciousness instantaneously and death within minutes; 3. It should not cause undue anxiety, alarm, fear, panic, behavior, struggling, vocalization, muscle spasms or clinical signs of automatic activation (e.g., convulsions) before unconsciousness; …

Psychology And Its Animal Subjects, Kenneth J. Shapiro

Experimentation Collection

By way of introducing Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PsyETA) to readers of the journal, I have been asked to make some comments about the organization and, from a personal point of view, to suggest some of my own positions and views.

Alternatives To Animal Experimentation, Steven M. Niemi

Experimentation Collection

Alternatives to animal experimentation are highly touted today by animal welfare advocates. Their campaign for adoption of alternatives has caused much discussion and debate within and outside of the biomedical community. The purpose of this paper was to examine the controversy and assess the more common alternatives, including the bacterial mutagenicity assay or Ames test, cell culture, and mathematical models for toxicity prediction. Safety testing of chemicals is the most promising of the fields for alternatives where laboratory animals are used, and incorporation of alternatives with live-animal assays is increasing. However, due to limitations of alternatives in use currently, there …

Prostaglandin F2a Induced Nest Building Behavior In The Non-Pregnant Sow, And Some Welfare Considerations, Judith K. Blackshaw

Agribusiness Collection

Nest building behavior, induced with intramuscular injections of prostaglandin F2_a (PGF2_a), was studied in non-pregnant sows. Acute effects, which included salivation, scratching, vomiting, defaecation and ataxia, were also recorded. Sows (Large White x Landrace) were housed in two different environments; six sows in bare pens and six sows in pens provided with bedding material. In all cases except one (bare pen) nest building sequences of differing intensities were recorded. Welfare suggestions include questioning the justification of using a drug (PGF2_a) in pig husbandry, which has unpleasant acute effects, and the suggestion that the provision of …

The North American Black Duck (Anas Rubripes): A Case Study Of 28 Years Of Failure In American Wildlife Management, John W. Grandy

Conservation Collection

A scientific and technical analysis is presented of the factors which may have been primarily responsible for an estimated 60% decline in the black duck (Anas rubripes) population since 1955. The analyses presented show that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the management agency responsible for waterfowl management in the United States, has recognized the population decline, that the FWS's own experts have consistently recognized that hunting is the most likely cause of the population decline, and that hunting is the only mortality factor which wildlife managers can control in the practical sense. Using FWS information, the author shows, …

Whaling Ban Threatened

Close Up Reports

A handful of countries, serving only their own greedy self-interests at the expense of the world's few remaining great whales, are threatening to sabotage the only hope of survival left to these magnificent creatures. Japan, the U.S.S.R., Norway, and Peru have filed formal objections with the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to that body's landmark decision to ban commercial whaling as of 1986. Iceland, Brazil, and South Korea, the world's other whaling nations, may join this infamous quartet and add their own objections before the filing deadline in 1983. Unless animal-welfare proponents act decisively now, years of negotiation and scientific inquiry--and …

Effects Of Moose, Alces Alces, On Aquatic Vegetation In Sibley Provincial Park, Ontario, D. Fraser, H. Hristienko

Feeding Behavior Collection

The effect of Moose (AIces aIces) on aquatic vegetation was studied in Sibley Provincial Park, Ontario. Two small exclosures were built in preferred feeding lakes to protect vegetation from Moose. Both exclosures developed a dense growth of plants. In one, species palatable to Moose were much more abundant than in unprotected areas. The other lake supported very little vegetation outside the exclosure. Aquatic vegetation in a large preferred lake underwent a series of changes from the 1960's to 1980. Nuphar variegatum and Potamogeton filiformis largely disappeared, leaving the lake sparsely vegetated in some years and dominated by annuals in others. …

Whaling Ban Threatened

Close Up Reports

Nations vow to defy vote to protect great whales from extinction

Aquatic Feeding By Moose: Seasonal Variation In Relation To Plant Chemical Composition And Use Of Mineral Licks, D. Fraser, B. K. Thompson, D. Arthur

Feeding Behavior Collection

Activity of moose (Alces alces) was studied at aquatic feeding areas and at natural, sodium-rich licks during four periods covering late May to early September. Aquatic feeding increased from period 1 (late May and early June) to period 2 (late June and early July) and had declined by late July. Major activity at mineral licks occurred earlier in the season than aquatic feeding, especially for males. Chemical composition of aquatic plants showed no seasonal changes corresponding to the peak of aquatic feeding in period 2, although the sodium content of some species declined in period 3. We suggest that moose …

Moose-Vehicle Accidents In Ontario: Relation To Highway Salt, David Fraser, Evan R. Thomas

Anthropogenics and Population Decline Collection

No abstract provided.

Utilization Of The Intact Male For Red Meat Production: A Review, S. C. Seideman, H. R. Cross, R. R. Oltjen, B. D. Schanbacher

Contraception and Sterilization

Castration has long been a traditional practice in the United States. Research studies indicate that intact males grow more rapidly, utilize feed more efficiently and produce a higher-yielding carcass with less fat and more edible product. The disadvantages of the intact male include aggressive behavior (bull and boar); undesirable odors and flavors (boar and ram); lower quality grade (bull); lower meat tenderness (bull and ram) and undesirable meat color (bull and ram). Research is needed to develop antemortem and(or) postmortem handling procedures that offset the disadvantages of the intact male so that the meat and livestock industry can take advantage …

U.S. Declares War On Coyotes

Close Up Reports

The coyote has long been perceived as a threat by ranchers who graze their sheep on U.S. public lands. At the ranchers' insistence, U.S. government employees are paid to shoot coyotes from helicopters and airplanes, ambush them in cruel steel-jaw leghold traps, and plant cyanide guns that explode in the coyotes' faces. The Humane Society of the United States is irrevocably opposed to the unabated, cruel, and unnecessary practice of killing animals in the name of "predator control." The resumed use of denning and the threat of reinstituting 1080 makes our--and your--actions even more urgent.

U.S. Declares War On Coyotes

Close Up Reports

Department of Interior reinstitutes cruel killing methods

Estimation Of Harvest Rate Of Black Bears From Age And Sex Data, David Fraser, James F. Gardner, George B. Kolenosky, Stewart Strathearn

Wildlife Population Management Collection

No abstract provided.

Is Your Pet Safe From Laboratory Experimentation?

Close Up Reports

Researchers still claim need for shelter animals as test subjects

Is Your Pet Safe From Laboratory Experimentation?

Close Up Reports

In the U.S., the path from public or private shelters to laboratories is treat too often by dogs and cats. In a few states, so-called "pound seizure" laws require shelters to turn over unclaimed or unwanted dogs and cats to researchers. In other states, shelters may voluntarily sell dogs and cats to "bunchers" who travel around a state or states, bunching animals together to resell to research facilities. Even in the handful of states that prohibit release of animals for research purposes, unscrupulous profit seekers can find animals and sell them for research across state lines.

Many scientists claim these …

Predation By Wild Coyotes: Behavioral And Ecological Analyses, Michael C. Wells, Marc Bekoff

Ethology Collection

Predatory behavior of coyotes (Canis latrans) was studied between 1977 and 1980 in the Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, Wyoming. Major prey were voles (Microtus spp.), Uinta ground squirrels (Spermophilus armatus), pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides), and grasshoppers (Locustidae). Coyotes typically rushed and ran down squirrels; when hunting mice, coyotes pounced and stabbed at them with their forepaws. Sequence structure was similar, though sequences directed to squirrels were significantly more variable. When juvenile coyotes hunted mice, sequences were similar to those performed by adults that hunted mice. Adults and juveniles were about equally successful. The size of prey last eaten influenced …

Letter To Editor: Turtle Excluder Device, James Sternberg

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author comments on a previous article describing devices (excluder devices) that protect sea turtles during shrimping operations and corrects a few errors.

Laboratory Animals: Unification Of Legislation In Europe, H. Rozemond

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

A committee of experts, Comite Ad Hoc pour Ia Protection des Animaux (CAHPA), has been convened by the Council of Europe to prepare a European convention on the protection of laboratory animals. The chief goal of the Council of Europe is to implement peaceful cooperation concerning cultural, economic, and social affairs in Europe. Matters of military concern are excluded. The countries represented on the Council include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Council holds conventions on various topics …

A Message From Pano, William G. Conway

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

William Conway, the CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, was an innovative Zoo Director who, at times, presented his ideas in unusual ways. The Conway article reprinted in this issue of IJSAP is in the form of a memorandum from a field agent of the chimpanzee species to the “Most High Primate” resigning from his position. In Conway’s description, the memo was found in an unstamped envelope with no return address on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo. The memorandum appeared to have been written by a chimpanzee on assignment from a clandestine organization in Africa that sent undercover chimpanzees …

Experiences In The Protection Of The Large Predators In Finland, Erkki Pulliainen

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

During the nineteenth century, the large predators of Finland- wolf, bear, lynx, and wolverine- were exterminated in the southern and western regions of the country. There were almost no lynx by late 1950. However, a protection order issued in 1968 resulted in a steady increase in their number, to about 300 by 1980. A breeding wolverine population existed until the late 1960s. In the 1970s, most were killed by snowmobiles. It is now thought only 10-30 inhabit the frontiers between Finland and the USSR and Finland and Norway. Bears, in the 1970s, tended to immigrate to Finland from the east; …

Meetings & Announcements

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The first international meeting on the Human/Companion Animal Bond was held at the University of Pennsylvania during October 5-7, 1981. The meeting brought together persons concerned about animal welfare and a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals. Two symposia were held in Europe in late 1981 (The Netherlands and Sweden) on the LD50 test. In October 1981, a symposium was organized in Switzerland on using animals in research and testing. At the end of 1981, the National Society for Medical Research organized an “adjunct” methods seminar. Finally, the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare organized a conference on the regulation of animal …