hsi Sign Up Information

Dear Lucas,

It’s time to stand up and be counted. 

Following a hard fought court victory ending 60 years of deliberate shark culling in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Queensland Government, hell-bent on killing sharks, is desperately seeking ways to circumvent the ruling. They are pressuring the Federal Government to change the law protecting the reef so that the callous killing can continue.

Don’t let it happen

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal ordered the Queensland Government to check the drumlines in the marine park daily so animals can be released alive and no longer suffer prolonged deaths. Last week the Federal Court upheld the ruling. The Tribunal ordered that 19 species of shark no longer be shot when found still alive, and that bull, tiger and great white sharks be tagged and released offshore. This will save hundreds of animals and threatened species from suffering and dying every year.  They also ordered trials of alternative non-lethal methods of shark control so that humans and the reef can be better protected.

The Tribunal did not order there could be NO shark control, just that there be more humane and more effective shark control measures.

Tell the Queensland Government to uphold the ruling

The Queensland Labor Government is playing politics with this issue and instead of complying with the orders, which are a compromise; they are trying to make it the Federal Government’s problem.

They are pretending that it is “sharks versus humans”. This is simply not true. The Tribunal found “overwhelming” evidence that shark culling does not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark bites. 

The Queensland Government needs to know that the Australian public doesn’t fall for scaremongering and is concerned that shark populations are falling dramatically.

Let the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk know your firmly disagree with their stance. Ask her to acknowledge the scientific evidence and respect the AAT and Federal Court decisions.

A healthy reef needs healthy shark populations.

It would be a travesty if this opportunity for Queensland to move away from outdated ineffective shark culling is wasted. This is the chance to finally implement modern technologies that can actually reduce the already small risk of shark bite. These include drone surveillance, personal shark deterrent subsidies, and most importantly, better shark education.

Stand up for our Reef

Thank you for your continued support for marine wildlife. They won’t be saved without you.

Lawrence Chlebeck
Marine Campaigner
Humane Society International

 

This email was sent to then59506@

© Humane Society International

PO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107

admin@hsi.org.au | 1800 333 737 

To unsubscribe from future emails from HSI Australia, click here

Image: N McLachlan

Dear Lucas,

Victoria’s wombats are in the midst of a shooting crisis.

Not only has it been revealed that licences to shoot thousands of wombats are being issued every year, but that wombats have been declared ‘unprotected’ in a staggering 193 Victorian parishes – meaning they can be shot without licencing or regulatory oversight.

While there are some caveats around the types of firearms that can be used and who is able to do the shooting, the level of suffering and lack of justification makes such conditions woefully inadequate. We know that most of the destruction is occurring out of sight on private land - it’s an unacceptable situation and we need your help to put an end to it.

Please take action today by letting the Victorian Premier and Ministers for the Environment and Agriculture know that you won’t stand for this cruelty.

Warm regards,

Evan Quartermain
Head of Programs
Humane Society International

.emailview Lucas, there are many outstanding organisations in Africa and Asia working to protect orphaned elephants. But what happens to those at the end of their lives?

After decades of abuse, we believe these animals deserve a peaceful retirement which is why we’ve been supporting Wildlife SOS's Elephant Conservation and Care Centre since its inception in 2010.

We currently have 20 elephants in the sanctuary, which need to be fed and given medical treatments.

They end their days in a caring environment, surrounded by kindness and world away from the pain they endured in their working lives.

Become an Animal Defender to help us provide ongoing support to India’s abused elephants.

Warm regards,

Erica Martin
CEO
Humane Society International

.emailview Dear Lucas, 

We can’t thank you enough for taking action to end the extinction crisis. You might ask yourself, does my voice really count?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Thanks to the pressure placed on politicians by concerned animal lovers like you, HSI has been able to:

• Achieve a record $1 million fine in WA's Federal Court against Snowdale Holdings Pty Ltd, one of Australia’s largest egg producers, for deceiving consumers over free range eggs. 
• Push the spectacled flying-fox's status to Endangered in merely weeks - after 4 years of inaction by the government and the species suffered a 30% population loss in a single heatwave in Cairns
• Win a landmark court ruling against shark culling in the Great Barrier Reef.
• Win a robust ban on animal testing for cosmetics in Australia, making us the 39th country to end cruelty in the name of beauty.
• Save the remaining 2000 Australian Sea Lions left in WA by fighting to have Gillnet fishing closures around critical colonies.

Your voice matters, alot, Lucas.

See all the change you have helped and where else your support can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Nicola Beynon
Head of Campaigns
Humane Society International

Dear Lucas,

For a week now I have been on the ground with Humane Society International’s disaster response team on Kangaroo Island, rescuing wildlife who have been injured and lost their habitat in the wake of the devastating bushfires. Each day, we scour the region for wildlife in need, and each day we have located dozens of animals, mostly koalas, that have had to be brought into care. The loss of wildlife we have witnessed is devastating, but we push on so that those who remain have hope of survival. To help those who have survived and we haven't found, we are building water stations to provide the life-saving hydration they need to keep stay alive.

As days pass since the fires raged across the island, hungry and weakened animals are finding their way out into the open. Day by day, more and more animals need our help. With their food sources all turned to ash they are growing weaker and more in need of intensive care.

HSI has also been helping incredible wildlife carers facing this devastating tragedy with the launch of our Wildlife Emergency Response Fund in November providing emergency truckloads of water and supplementary feed for rescued wombats, kangaroos and flying foxes across Australia, and are funding the building of additional rehabilitation enclosures for koalas and other wildlife. The requests for help are rolling as carers face an influx of patients and need to rebuild their fire damaged enclosures. 

So often wildlife carers go above and beyond for our wildlife, and do it tough in order to provide for animals in need - but now they really are in crisis. Many of our 600 Wildlife Land Trust members, who are wildlife carers and custodians of thousands of hectares of Australian habitat, are facing very real hardships as a result of the bushfires. They need our help, and you can donate today to make sure they, and all wildlife carers across Australia, get the support they need.

None of this life-saving work could be possible without the generosity of our supporters--and we still need your help.

Please make an emergency gift today to help us care for the animals affected by these devastating bushfires.

100% of your donations will go to bushfire response and recovery.

In addition to the immediate need, these fires will require long-term wildlife protection, recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Your help will allow us to be there to support these efforts for the long haul

Your gift to our Wildlife Emergency Response Fund today will do so much for these and other animals suffering due to these horrific fires.

Thank you for standing with us when animals are in desperate need of help and for all of your support during this incredibly difficult time.

Warm regards,

Erica Martin
Chief Execuitive Officer
Humane Society International

 

This email was sent to then59506@

© Humane Society International

PO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107

admin@hsi.org.au | 1800 333 737 

To unsubscribe from future emails from HSI Australia, click here

Dear Lucas,

Bushfires ravaging our country are taking an unprecedented toll on wildlife and other animals. We’ve all seen the heart-wrenching images in the media: dead koalas scattered across scorched landscapes; frightened cows standing under orange-red skies as the fires close in; kangaroos, their foot pads burned, fleeing the flames.

It’s estimated that more than one billion animals have been killed in this disaster of epic proportions that shows no sign of fading.

Today, HSI is deploying a disaster response team to Kangaroo Island to assist with rescue and recovery efforts in the region. HSI is a leader in global disaster response. In recent times our teams have deployed to help animals hit by devastating floods in India, earthquakes in Mexico and volcano eruptions in Guatemala, among other natural disasters.

We have been helping incredible wildlife carers facing this devastating tragedy with the launch of our Wildlife Emergency Response Fund in November and have already provided emergency truckloads of water and supplementary feed for rescued wombats, kangaroos and flying foxes across Australia, and are funding the building of additional rehabilitation enclosures for koalas and other wildlife. The requests for help are rolling in as the crisis deepens.

Please make an emergency gift today to help us care for the animals affected by these devastating bushfires.

100% of your donations will go to bushfire response and recovery. 

In addition to the immediate need, these fires will require long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Your help will allow us to be there to support these efforts for the long haul.

Thankfully, people who are evacuated are being allowed to bring their pets with them. However, there have been devastating losses among farm animals, and we will seek to determine if, where and how we can help them along with wildlife.

So often wildlife carers go above and beyond for our wildlife, and do it tough in order to provide for animals in need - but now they really need our support. Many of our 600 Wildlife Land Trust members, who are wildlife carers and custodians of thousands of hectares of Australian habitat, are facing very real hardships as a result of the bushfires. They need our help, and you can donate today to make sure they, and all wildlife carers accross Australia, get the support they need. 

Your gift to our Wildlife Emergency Response Fund today will do so much for these and other animals suffering due to these horrific fires.

Thank you for standing with us when animals are in desperate need of help and for all of your support during this incredibly difficult time.

Warm regards,

Erica Martin
Chief Execuitive Officer
Humane Society International

Lucas, we know you’re someone who cares deeply about animals and shares our vision of a world where people treat them and their environments with respect and compassion.

Do you think protecting threatened species is important?

You may not have known that HSI’s scientific nomination program has seen more than 70 threatened species and millions of hectares of wildlife habitat protected in law. We continually advocate for improvements to those laws and for their enforcement.

HSI ensures threatened species receive legal protection through Australian laws as well as international treaties. We have had key successes in protecting sharks, whales, sea lions, albatross, koalas, flying-foxes, orangutans, elephants and lions to name just a few.

Do you think science and the law is important to animal protection?

We do, and we base our positions on sound science and compassion for all animals. HSI advocates for strong policies and laws to protect animals and long-term ecological sustainability and when it is needed we take matters to court.

Do you care about individual animals suffering?

HSI directly intervenes in cases where we can prevent suffering of individual animals and also works for long-term protection of species and habitat. HSI is committed to reducing animal suffering and cruelty.

We work to improve farming standards so that each animal is treated with respect and care over the course of its life. We advocate for farm animals to be able to move, forage and exhibit natural behaviours, with free access to outside areas, access to shade and shelter and a good diet.

Do you think humans need to do better at sharing our world with animals?

HSI seeks to change human behaviour to move from exploitation to compassion for animals. We campaign to protect all animals cruelly exploited for their skins, horns and fins and are actively working to end the cruel trade in dog meat in Vietnam, India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea. We also fight for protections for animals abused in the racing, gambling and entertainment industries.

If your answer is yes to all of these things, we’re the group for you.

Please follow us on social media to get the latest news on the actions we’re taking for animals.

Warm regards,

Erica Martin
CEO
Humane Society International

Lucas,  we're fighting to end the Dog Meat trade. But did you know closing a dog meat farm takes serious planning and preparation?

First, we must identify farmers who are willing to leave the trade behind them and commit to never returning to dog farming. Then, we have to assess the health of all dogs on the farm, and provide vaccinations and emergency treatment. We also need to work closely with local shelters in adopting countries to ensure these dogs can find forever homes.

Our Animal Rescue team then springs into action, rescuing each and every dog, which can often be in the hundreds.

I can’t begin to describe the conditions the team faces on these farms, Lucas.

But what makes it worthwhile is knowing these dogs don’t have to suffer there anymore. As an Animal Defender, you can become part of this team.

Your support every month gives us the ability to plan long term actions and save countless animals from this trade.

Join us to help close down every last farm and bring an end to this cruel trade.

Sincerely,

Erica Martin
CEO
Humane Society International

Dear Lucas,

The recent bushfires have been catastrophic for our wildlife, with the federal government recently estimating that 113 species have lost at least 30% of their habitat and are assessed as requiring urgent management intervention.

The good news is that there is the opportunity for you to help right now. The federal environmental legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), is currently under review. This is a one in 10 year opportunity to improve our national environment law to ensure it is up to the task of preventing extinctions.

It is time to rethink the legislation to ensure it strictly controls the cumulative threats facing our unique native wildlife and their habitats. The business as usual approach we have been taking in recent decades will no longer suffice.

Alexia Wellbelove
Senior Program Manager
Humane Society International

Dear Lucas

You may have seen my recent email about Chowo, the African lioness, who was thankfully saved by the anti-poaching patrols of our international partner, Conservation South Luangwa.

Sadly, Chowo’s story is all too common across the shrinking lion habitat in Africa, where poaching is widespread.

However, there is hope. 

At Humane Society International, by supporting the anti-snaring patrols of the Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), we have had a positive impact on the critical lion population in Zambia. In 2019 alone, CSL recovered 554 snares, confiscated 66 firearms, and apprehended 117 poachers—in doing so providing a safer environment for effective protection of lions in Zambia.

As Rachel from CSL explained to me:

“Poaching continues to be a terrible threat here and HSI’s support is critical to ensuring we are able to save wildlife and eradicate these cruel and deadly snares from the landscape.”

Lucas, together, we can help save lions like Chowo. Your gift today will support the frontline emergency response to protect the future of these big cats.

Erica Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Humane Society International Australia

Dear Lucas

Throughout the pandemic I have been in constant contact with our international partners to ensure they are getting the support they need. One of these, Conservation South Luangwa, is on the frontline saving lions to ensure this species survives in Africa.

Lions, the magnificent kings of the jungle, are actually in terrible trouble. 

There were as many as 200,000 lions 100 years ago—today experts estimate that only about 20,000 individuals are left in the wild.

Each and every day we lose more.

Chowo, a mature female lioness from South Luangwa in Zambia, almost became another tragic loss if it wasn’t for the intervention of our partner, Conservation South Luangwa (CSL).  

CSL’s anti-poaching patrols discovered Chowo in the field, with a badly embedded snare in her neck.

An emergency response team were alerted to Chowo’s situation and they went into rescue mode, proceeding to track and treat her by removing the wire and cleaning the wound. Having done all they could, the team retreated to safety and watched her recover and reunite with her pride.

The next few weeks were touch and go … 

Thankfully, Chowo proved to be quite the fighter. I cannot describe the joy when only a few months after her ordeal, she became a mother—playing an absolutely critical role in boosting the numbers in her pride, and lion populations generally in Zambia.

Chowo, after a snare has been removed. Image: Stephen Cunliffe

Sadly, Chowo’s story is all too common across the shrinking lion habitat in Africa, where poaching is widespread. 

Many people are shocked to learn that Africa’s lions have disappeared from 95% of their range and 26 African countries and might disappear from the planet in our lifetime, if we don’t act now.

Together we can help save more lions like Chowo by supporting the anti-poaching patrols of our partner, Conservation South Luangwa.

Lucas, will you join us now to help the frontline emergency response to protect Africa’s remaining lions?

Erica Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Humane Society International Australia

Dear Lucas

I am delighted to share with you our 2021 Calendar which is hot off the press.

As we near the end of a challenging year, our stunning calendar is a perfect antidote to lift your spirits and a reminder of how important your support is for the animal world.

Each month celebrates one of the thousands of animals that your advocacy or generosity has helped us protect—whether through direct action or through policy change. From fragile baby sea turtles to spectacular hornbills, adorable tiger cubs to rambunctious baby lambs—we hope each and every image will bring you joy.

Our calendar is a tribute to the beauty and diversity of our incredible natural world and makes a perfect gift for animal lovers.

And at only $18 (including postage and handling) it is the perfect Christmas stocking filler!

We hope you will share the happiness of animals with your friends and families and you can place your order here. You can also contact us on our freecall number 1800 333 737 and one of our friendly Supporter Relations team will be happy to assist you.

Warm regards

Erica Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Humane Society International Australia

Dear Lucas,

As we watch in shock and despair at the spread of the coronavirus, governments must unite to combat the risk of another zoonotic pandemic happening again.   

COVID-19 is believed to have originated from a live animal market in Wuhan, China. In the past, live animal markets have spawned other global health crises, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the deadly bird flu. China has now placed a ban on the sale of wild animals, captive bred and wild caught, for human consumption and other countries like Vietnam with wild animal markets are considering similar measures. Join HSI in calling for global action.

Help reduce the risk of viruses spreading from wild animals to people by calling for permanent bans on wildlife markets.

Heartbreakingly, the number of people killed and infected by COVID-19 grows every day. It is clear that wildlife trade poses a dire threat to public health and the conservation and welfare of wild animals alike. Shutting down the wildlife trade is more crucial now than ever before. 

Nicola Beynon
Head of Campaigns
Humane Society International

Dear Lucas

Knowing you care deeply about animal welfare, we hope you will be excited to explore our new Better Wool Guide which launched today. 

This guide helps you find retailers and brands who have said ‘no’ to the painful practice of mulesing where the rear end of lambs is cut off with shears, often without any pain relief, to prevent flystrike. 

Although governments and wool industry leaders continue to drag their heels on ending mulesing, consumers and brands are trending in the opposite direction, demanding a more compassionate product. 

You might recall our feature story in our July newsletter about our Don’t Cut Our Butts petition. This guide is the result of all of you who responded and supported us to demand kinder fashion – thanks so much.

We have compiled a guide to Australian brands and retailers with policies against mulesing, or commitments to phase it out. Country Road Group, David Jones, Target, and the Kmart Group led the way by being the first Australian retailers to announce new policies to transition away from mulesed wool last year, joining a long list of international brands doing the same.

Now you can become familiar with these leading brands for yourself and make an educated choice when you are looking for a new woolly jumper or hat.

Learn which brands are turning their backs on mulesing by exploring our Better Wool Guide.

With this groundswell of demand for non-mulesed wool, it is important to note that there is a solution for farmers as well.

While the majority of the wool industry is persisting with breeding wrinkly bodied sheep, which are prone to flystrike, more and more farmers are turning to a genetic solution which allows them to breed smooth bodied sheep which are not susceptible to flystrike. 

To learn more about this transformational change watch this video.

We are strongly encouraging farmers to make this switch which is good for sheep and good for their bottom line as well.  

We hope you enjoy learning more about the brands that are putting sheep welfare first and also encourage you to let us know if you know any retailers that you think should be added to our list.

Thanks again for the ongoing support to bring about this important change for animal welfare. We will continue to advocate for further widespread adoption of non-mulesing. 

Warm regards

Georgie Dolphin
Program Manager - Animal Welfare
Humane Society International Australia

P.S. Many of you have been signing the #DontCutOurButts petition which we have been using in our advocacy with brands and retailers. Thank you for creating change with us!

Reminder – Give by 30 June and provide urgent support to protect our wildlife

Dear Lucas

You may have already received my recent letters or emails about the great work of wildlife carers, Donna and Phil at Sleepy Burrows wombat sanctuary, in response to the recent unprecedented bushfire season. If you have already donated, thank you so much for your ongoing support during these challenging times.

The harsh reality is that longer and more frequent droughts, hotter and more intense fires and unrelenting land clearing and loss of habitat are killing our wildlife.

HSI is determined to provide ongoing support to wildlife carers and sanctuaries across Australia—like we were able to do for the team at Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary. With your help, together we can provide the protection our wildlife needs.

As we rapidly approach the end of the financial year, now is the time to act.

Lucas, your gift today can help future-proof other wildlife sanctuaries and help stop the extinction crisis.

Evan Quartermain
Head of Programs
Humane Society International

PS: Give by 30 June 2020 to receive a tax-deductible receipt for this financial year.

Tell your MP to stop the reckless handover of environmental powers

Dear Lucas,

With the ink barely dry on the interim report from Professor Graeme Samuel into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Government has announced it wants to rush through legislation to hand over environment decision-making to state and territory governments—as early as next month.

Professor Samuel has called for the development of robust national environment standards but the standards suggested in his report have been hastily drafted and risk enshrining the status quo not raising the bar. The status quo will lock in extinctions.

His interim report clearly states:

“Australia’s natural environment and iconic places are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat. The current environmental trajectory is unsustainable.”

With so much at stake why the rush? The final report isn't due until October and we are hopeful it will recommend comprehensive reforms. This is a once in a decade chance for reform. We must get it right. A fast decision is a false economy.

We need to listen to the best scientific minds across the country as we take time to develop robust national environment standards.

We need to ring-fence critical habitat from development if we want to keep our threatened species from slipping into extinction.

It would be a fatal mistake to hand over national environmental decision-making to states and territories and a grave error not to address the many critical issues raised in the interim report and even more that is yet to be covered in the final report.

Even with the highest national environment standards a "strong, independent cop on the beat is required,” according to Graeme Samuel. Yet the Government has already ruled out the formation of any independent regulator. This undermines the promise of legally enforceable environment standards.

Many of you have been with us on this law reform campaign for several months sending letters and donations.  Now we are at crunch time.

Please take this critical action today to tell your Federal MP that you do not support rushing this process.

Erica Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Humane Society International

Animals like Andi need you this World Environment Day. Can you help?

Dear Lucas

This World Environment Day sees us able to be with friends and family again and enjoying the value of communities. For many of us, our animal communities, both domestic and native, have been a source of comfort and nourishment during these tough times. Today we celebrate how nature supports us and those who are ensuring our animals have a healthy future.

I have been talking with wildlife carers across the country during our months of isolation as they continue looking after the many animals suffering from fires, drought and habitat destruction.

Like Andi the wombat, who I first met in January.

Andi was found on the fire grounds near Canberra with her mother who had suffered a broken back. Her mother had to be sent for specialist vet treatment but sadly didn’t make it so little Andi was orphaned and needed care at Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary. Donna from Sleepy Burrows now plays the role of ‘Mama’ by giving her regular bottles of milk as well as that extra attention that every toddler longs for. Now four months old, 1 kg and thriving, Andi has been nursed back to health and while she still enjoys Mama’s cuddles, she is also learning to walk and will soon be enjoying play sessions with other wombats.

You wouldn’t know the trauma she has been through if you met this gorgeous wombat now—a testament to the quality of care Donna, and her partner Phil, provide for hundreds and hundreds of animals.

Like Donna, the message from carers I talk to is consistent and simple: they are concerned for the future of our wildlife and how they will survive another catastrophe without more vital infrastructure and protection.

Evan Quartermain
Head of Programs
Humane Society International

Dear Lucas

The past months have been truly challenging and confronting for us all and I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. Like you perhaps, I was still reeling from the shock of the catastrophic summer bushfires, only to face the anxious and uncertain threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the significant and unfolding impact of the global health crisis quite rightly dominates our daily lives, I am determined that our wildlife, who are facing a serious survival crisis, will get the protection they need—we must not allow them to be forgotten. Your voice and support for our wildlife’s survival is vital right now.

Longer and more frequent droughts, hotter and more intense fires and unrelenting land clearing and loss of habitat is killing our wildlife.

More than a billion animals lost their lives in the summer fires, pushing many species closer to extinction and leaving countless more suffering from unbearable injuries.

With the support of caring people like you, we are determined to protect our wildlife from future catastrophes. While the fires are out and winter approaches, HSI is focused on supporting the large-scale recovery and long-term protection work needed.

As we reached out to wildlife carers throughout the crisis, we learned about their increasingly urgent needs to make changes and to build resilience to protect our wildlife from the threat of extinction, now and for generations to come.

Donna and Phil at Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary, at Gundaroo in NSW, were one of the first to really show me what they were up against in this fight to adapt and become more resilient to our changing climate.

Evan Quartermain
Head of Programs
Humane Society International

PS: Hear what your support can mean for Sleepy Burrows and its residents www.hsi.org.au/wildlife