In 1989, in fact, the WWF attempted to maintain the ivory trade while Ginette Hemley, the director of wildlife-trade monitoring program, encouraged the purchase of items made from alligator skins. Again in 1994, the WWF supported the South African government's efforts at Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to renew the legal trade in elephant products. The WWF was also a party to the Declaration of Panama, a decree which aims to redefine "dolphin-safe tuna" and allow the frivolous killing of a number of dolphins by commercial trawlers fishing for tuna.

What you can do! When making contributions to any so-called animal-protection group, do not assume it opposes hunting. Some of those which condone hunting include Defenders of Wildlife, the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the Nature Conservancy, and the Sierra Club.

"Conservation" Area in Indian River County Open for Hunting

The deer and turkey populations on this property are healthy and controlled in their undisturbed habitat; these animals are being frivolously killed for sport, not for so-called conservation efforts.

Hunters account for only about 1% of the state population. The remaining nearly 99% of taxpayers should have a voice in how public land is used. Please write to the director of the St. John's River Water-Management District to remind him of this fact. Ask that he stop allowing hunting and that he instead promote humane recreational activities. These activities--which may include hiking, camping, bird watching, canoeing, nature photography, and bicycling--are not only more in tune with conservationist ideals, but are also preferred by the majority. Please also request to be notified of any meetings in Indian River County which will address land purchase and use.

What you can do! Send your letter to:

Henry Dean, Executive Director
St. John's River Water-Management District
P.O. Box 1429
Palatka, FL  32178-1429
Fax: (904) 329-4125

UPDATE: Winterfest Still Permits Live-Animal Displays

If you have not yet sent a letter to Winterfest asking that it prohibit animal displays, a letter from you could tip the scales in the animals' favor.

What you can do! Write to:

Michael McMurry, Executive Director		
Board of Winterfest					
512 N.E. Third Avenue		 
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33302
Fax: (954) 767-0665	
David Blattner, Chairman
Board of Winterfest
c/o Ruden, McClosky
l200 East Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301

Help Free Waldo, Endangered Florida Panther

Waldo is a 118-pound cat who was born and resided in the Florida forest until last June. At that time, local residents reported panther sightings on the vast wildlife corridor east of Gainesville. The FGFFC captured Waldo, took blood tests, and then released him only to recapture him several months later and hand him over to an animal dealer. Media reports indicate that Waldo was then transferred to yet another dealer and finally to a canned-hunt owner in Texas.

The FGFFC claims that Waldo is a cougar and not an endangered Florida panther. However, nationally recognized scientists question the state's genetics study and say that Waldo could in fact be a panther. The FGFFC† now claims that Waldo is the offspring of Texas cougars who were released as part of a study to see if the cats could be re-introduced into northern Florida. Yet the FGFFC's own records indicate that Waldo is too old to be the offspring of those cougars.

The Fund for Animals says that after the FGFFC's conclusions were challenged, the Wildlife Service rescued Waldo from the canned-hunting facility, but returned him to a cage at the FGFFC compound in Gainesville. While Waldo was granted a temporary reprieve, he still has not been returned to the wild, where he rightfully belongs.

What you can do! Send letters to U.S. Senators and Congresspersons to inform them that regardless of whether Waldo is a cougar or a panther, he is a Florida native and roamed the wild until the FGFFC captured and shipped him to a dealer. Florida citizens have begged the governor and FGFFC to release Waldo, but to no avail. Waldo should be immediately returned to the forest from which he was captured, not sentenced to death or imprisoned in a cage.

Senators Bob Graham & Connie Mack
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C.  20515
U.S. Congressperson ______
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.  20510			

Tell ARFF about Bear Wrestling and Animal Acts

Rose Prince's Article

Keep Canadian Bears, Wildlife from Losing Home

What you can do! Write to the Canadian Premier, the Minister, and the Minister of Environment. Since Canada is in the middle of an election, please address generic letters to each at the same address: Parliament Building, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 1X4, Canada (international postage is .45 cents).

Where Specialty License Plate Tag Money Goes

Mice Killer Deserves One Count of Cruelty for Each Death

What you can do! Contact the state attorney and implore him to vigorously prosecute Gothard for animal cruelty, asking that he be tried for one count of cruelty for each mouse killed.

Rod Smith, Esquire
State Attorney's Office
P. O. Box 1437
Gainesville, FL  32602-1437
Fax : (352) 491-4553

Miami Residents Fight to Save Feral Cats

It is generally regarded as an exercise in futility to attempt to eradicate feral-cat colonies. If cats are removed from an area, they are soon replaced by other cats. This situation can become problematic. A managed-cat colony consists of healthy, neutered felines. If they are removed, ill and fertile cats can invade the area and breed disease and countless new litters (a single cat can produce 12 surviving kittens per year). The board agreed to postpone action until its next meeting. A big ARFF thank you to Becky Robinson of Alley Cat Allies and Jose Rivero, a resident of Woodgate, for their help.

What you can do! Volunteers are needed to assist with trapping and construction of shelters. Please call the ARFF office at (954) 968-7622 if you can help.

ARFF thank you's are extended to:

Having letters to the editor published were:

Letters to the editor appeared in:

ARFF in the Community:

• Dade County, 3/21/96 -- ARFF Director Nan Vollbracht spoke about animal rights to the sixth-grade classes at Highland Oaks Elementary School. Dade County,
• 3/27/96 -- ARFF Coordinator Don Agony gave ARFF's vegetarian slide presentation to the Environmental Studies Group at Miami Dade Community College.
• Dade County, 3/27/96 -- ARFF Managing Director Diana Starr addressed the Woodgate Homeowners' Association regarding feral cats in the community.
• Dade County, 4/1/96 -- ARFF Coordinator Don Agony spoke before the entire student body of Ransom Everglades Upper School about animal rights issues.
• Dade County, 4/4/96 -- ARFF Director Nan Vollbracht participated in Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School's Career Day during which she spoke about animal rights to third- and fourth-grade classes.
• Palm Beach County, 4/5/96 -- ARFF Communications Director Kathleen Mahoney and Member Sandy Gapin tabled at Florida Atlantic University's Earth Fair. The environmental-awareness day was organized in part by ARFF Members Gloria and Carmen Ramirez.
• Broward County
• 4/10/96 -- ARFF Director Nan Vollbracht gave ARFF's vegetarian slide presentation to 23 ESOL students at Broward Community College.
• Broward County
• 4/13/96 -- ARFF Coordinator Don Agony tabled at the YMCA Healthy Kids Day.
• Dade County
• 4/18/96 & 5/1/96 -- ARFF Director Nan Vollbracht gave ARFF's vegetarian slide presentation to three home-economics classes at North Miami Beach High School

Gifts & Memorials

• Congratulations to former ARFF Vice-President Marian Lentz on the birth of her son, Brandon, from everyone at ARFF.
• In memory of Teddy, a free spirit. -- from Nan Vollbracht
• Thank you to the Animal Rights Club at Ransom Everglades High School for its generous donation.

ARFF in the Media

• Broward County, 4/1/96 -- ARFF Communications Director Kathleen Mahoney was a guest speaker on WFTL's Steve Kane Show in which she debated an emu farmer about factory farming and vegetarianism.
• Canada, 4/18/96 -- ARFF Communications Director Kathleen Mahoney and Sergeant Sherry Schleuter, head of the Broward Sheriff Office's Abuse, Neglect, and Investigation unit, were guest speakers on Canadian radio. ARFF's accomplishments and ways to prevent animal cruelty were discussed.

Vegetarian Meetings