A Game Called Bullfighting

Image Courtesy:nriinternet.com

Bullfighting is the national sport of Spain. It is fun and entertaining to watch. Even as the crowd of thousands watch admiringly as the matador plays with death in a skilful manner, the game of death that has to get over with the bull dying, the cruelty and torture  being inflicted on the bull can't go unnoticed.

The recently taken decision of the Catalonian (a province in Spain) lawmakers to ban bullfighting in the territory starting from 2012, is a much required step to say the least. This comes after much protest by animal welfare activists.I do hope that this acts as a cue for the other territories in the country to follow suit and take action against this dangerous game.

Bullfighting has always been an integral part of Spanish culture. So most Spanish families find it unthinkable to do away with this custom, citing emotional and cultural factors. In fact, the practice of bullfighting has even been glorified in novels and poems of celebrated writers like Ernest Hemingway.
This fact has been utilised by the Opposition Government in Spain to criticise the ban. The Opposition stands in full support of the game and defends it, as it is part of the nation's heritage. A serious issue being used for political ploys insensitively?

Banning bullfighting would have its own repercussions (apart from the cultural ones), like thousands of jobs would be lost. But then, it is also true that large sums of compensation would be paid to the bull breeders.
In fact, the negative consequences of this brutal sport are far greater than the positive ones. It is reported that every year, around 24,000 bulls are killed to entertain an audience of 30 million people. Both man and animal face serious threat to their lives, as in a state of uncontrolled excitement, a bull could easily ram into a person. And there are numerous accounts of such incidents taking place.

Fire bull fiesta is another celebrated game. It is claimed to be less harsh on the bull. However, evidence suggests otherwise:
"It is obvious," said Manuel Cases, of the ADDA, a Catalan animal rights association. "They suffer from fear just as you or I would. We even have a video of a fire bull that collapsed and died of a heart attack. We don't mind people running in front of bulls, but it is something else to entertain yourself by making them suffer." (courtesy:guardian.co.uk)


The supporters of bullfighting (especially in the countries, where it is heralded as a sport) outnumber the non-supporters.Colombia's Constitutional court rejected the ban on bull and cockfighting, stating that it was "too much a part of Colombian tradition" to be banned.

I would like to round up this discussion by asking a question. If the bull is indeed such a sacred and traditional symbol of power in countries like Spain and Mexico , should it rather not be protected and conserved, rather than be  dragged and played around to death for sadistic pleasure?

The Stray Menace

"Stray cattle menace haunts Margao again" was the headline of an article in today's online edition of Times Of India.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Stray-cattle-menace-haunts-Margao-again/articleshow/6424193.cms

It is quite typical to see people from the more developed countries of Europe and America, coming to India and gaping in wonder at the stray animal population, of dogs and cows on the streets and roads. It's an unusual sight and an oddity for them. But in India, it's a typicality.

Stray animals are indeed a big menace. Though we have learnt to adjust with them, the problems they pose cannot and should not go unnoticed.
The stray cows apart from making the roads dirty and creating clutter, also cause traffic jams and accidents.
http://www.saching.com/Article/Problem-of-stray-cattle-on-the-roads--Stray-cows-of-Indian-cities-/1102

The stray dogs are also infamous for getting aggressive, biting unsuspecting victims and also for spreading rabies.

So what should be done about it? Killing them is neither an ethical nor a practical solution. The first step would be to understand the root of the problem. What leads to the proliferation of the stray animals? The main reasons are exposed garbage dumps and prevalence of slums. While the former is aready source of food supplies for the pets, needed in order to survive, the latter has slum dwellers who tend to keep the strays(especially dogs) as free roaming pets. So first and foremost, the garbage dumps and the slum areas need to be checked.
Some stray dogs could be adopted as pets (as they very often are). It is a good option, but at the end of the day, they shouldn't turn into 'street dogs'. Yes, they may be very friendly and cute, but then they pose several hazards too. By taking adequate precautions, you are making the society a better place to live in and not harming the animals either.
Sterilising the stray dogs is a good precaution. That  way, they get to peacefully remain in the area, not become aggressive and not reproduce. Do follow this link to learn more.
http://www.wsdindia.org/faqs.htm

As far as the stray cows are concerned, they need to be relocated to safe shelter homes away from the cities, the concerned government authorities,  MCD, welfare groups and NGOs  should be more vigilant in controlling the stray cattle and taking care of the sick and diseased cows and finally, there should be strict action against illegal dairies, which are often the very sources of stray cattle.

Saluting The Dog Squads

It is quite common to see dogs assisting the police and army in various serious operations. Be it at a site of murder, airports or railway stations during routine checks, bomb detections or during a military expedition, the services of the sniffer dogs are indeed invaluable. But how are their efforts rewarded? Or are they?

It was quite heartening to see the South Wales Police in UK celebrating 50 years of its dog section and awarding some of the dogs as part of a unique charity partnership recently.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/cardiff/2010/aug/23/south-wales-police-dog-section-50-years

The dogs were awarded various trophies in recognition of their efforts and success stories.
I was also pleasantly surprised to come across a TV show called "Dog squad" in New Zealand. It gives an insight into the lives of the hard working dogs (of the squads) and their handlers. It was a brilliant way to pay tribute to our canine friends.
http://tvnz.co.nz/dog-squad/show-3326205

In comparison to the West, India has lesser number of dogs inducted in its dog squads. This is because India "does not have the resources" for the recruitment and training of the dogs. They have a strong potential of increasing the success rate of any operation (as the experts in this field have themselves admitted), hence they are very much in demand.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dogs-of-war-/articleshow/5987965.cms

So currently, their services are being sought after in the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be hosted in Delhi, to ensure its smooth functioning.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_delhi-police-to-strengthen-dog-squad-ahead-of-2010-games_1292170

Be it in India or the West, the usefulness of dog squads cannot be denied. To thank them, we can play our parts by  bringing some spotlight on their actions for the society to notice and appreciate. Having dog memorials is another great way to pay respect to their unwavering loyalty.
http://www.philosophising.com/dogpress/index.php/2009/05/24/american-war-dog-memorial/

India may not have thanked its dog squads in such a grand manner, but has nonetheless, made efforts in that direction. From having dog shows from time to time to rewarding police dogs with lifetime pensions, the move is definitely in a positive and welcome direction.But of course, it isn't enough.
Archie - Dog tales - Indian Police Dogs to be given Lifetime Pensions.htm

  Dogs may not be in a position to stand up and say 'thank you' to the rewards they earn or acknowledge the honours conferred upon them over the microphone. But if their loyalty and dedication towards the human staff is indeed so unconditional (as it is), so should be our efforts in recognizing their unstinted support.

The Innocent Animal Criminals!

Taken from leelofland.com

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/weirdnewsvideo/7954865/Cannabis-growers-used-bears-as-guards.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7954095/Wild-dopey-bears-used-to-guard-marijuana-crop-in-Canada.html

Well, we have heard of animal detectives and crimes against animals. But what about animals as accomplices to a crime? It's definitely not unheard of but yes, is unusual.
In Canada this week, the police have alleged that a couple in their 40s used a team comprising of black bears, raccoons and pigs to guard their marijuana fields, as part of their illegal drugs operation. The police have arrested the couple.

Whether the wild animals were actually guarding the fields or were simply pets just roaming around is uncertain.Even as the detectives and the police conducted the raids, the animals were very gentle and didn't harm the officials in any manner.
So maybe in a way, they were just helping the police by not interfering?!

Another crucial aspect in this case was that by involving the animals in the illegal operation, the couple faced charges for cruelty against animals. Rightly so, as it was against the law to feed them and could have caused a lot of damage to the animals' health.

The bigger idea of having animal accomplices to an otherwise 'human crime', initially sounded very funny to me, not that I didn't know that such incidents take place.In India where I live, I have heard of umpteen number of examples of such crimes, especially monkey crimes. Monkeys are trained by expert men to steal valuables, which are later on taken by those men only and then nobody suspects them as they were nowhere in the 'scene of crime'. 
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-monkey_0725edi.State.Edition1.176c879.html
Remember, the English movie "Dunston Checks In", which showed how the villain had this orangutan, trained to steal precious valuables from a high ended hotel. The orangutan would be rewarded or punished (by getting beaten badly) by his master, depending on whether he stole enough in quantity and quality. The master otherwise was never suspected as he came across as very dignified and honourable.

On the whole, it is a serious offence.It is an offence against the people who get victimized due to these crimes. It is also an offence against the animals who are (mis)used to attain wrong ends, who unwittingly end up helping in carrying out crime.In training them, punishing them and even 'rewarding' them (example by feeding them with something unfit for their consumption), they face conditions unsuitable for them.

There's an urgent need to put a check to it!

Domestication Of Wild Animals-Desirable or Undesirable?

Mark Duncan / AP
Razor wire tops an enclosure at an exotic animal farm Friday in Columbia Station, Ohio, where a 24-year-old man was mauled by a bear Thursday night. The sheriff's office says the bear is owned by Sam Mazzola, who at one time offered people the chance to wrestle a black bear at a Cleveland expo.

"Bear mauls caretaker to death in Ohio"- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38787205/ns/us_news-life/

This article published in the Associated Press is about Brent Kandra, who was attacked and killed by a bear called Cherokee, he used to take care of. The bear was owned by Sam Mazzola.He talked about it on "Good Morning America"

"The particular bear was his favorite bear. It was one that he basically raised," Mazzola said. "Every time he was around him, that was the first bear he ran up to and said hi to, and I mean they knew each other very well." http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/08/21/Man-fatally-mauled-by-captive-bear/UPI-36281282440049/

Going by  news reports, it is evident that Mr. Mazzola did not have quite a clean record in keeping wild and exotic  animals in captivity. He would reportedly exhibit his animals without a license and even invite the public to wrestle his animals, by which the animals would get badly beaten up and injured.

This report raises a crucial question as to whether wild animals should be brought into human premises and be domesticated as per 'human' standards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYbF12AdDOY&feature=player_embedded

Through this video and the news reports, it emerges that keeping wild animals as pets is not just dangerous for the people living in the vicinity, but the animals themselves pose a threat to their own lives, particularly if the owner is not adept at taking proper care of them.

Looking at the opposing point of view, there were people who defended Mazzola and termed his efforts (in catching and keeping wild animals) as ''rescue'' operations.http://www.opposingviews.com/i/bear-owned-by-felon-sam-mazzola-kills-young-man. Agreed that his intentions may have been well meaning. But how he follows them up is important. In trying to save the animals and give them a better life, if he unknowingly makes it more difficult for them to reside and adjust in 'alien' human territories and also makes living in that neighbourhood, risky for the people, then what's the use?

As I researched more on domestication of wild animals, I found to my surprise, that it is a phenomenon that has been prevalent for long time and is more commonly occurring than I had expected. Did you know for instance, that certain varieties of dogs we keep as pets, are a result of domestication of wild wolves? Do go through this article with a Charles Darwin's analysis on the topic. It is quite illuminating!
http://www.fathom.com/course/21701781/session1.html

So wild animals have been domesticated in the past, being domesticated in the present and may be continued to be domesticated in the future. In doing so, we may have certain 'side effects', like tampering with their personalities and getting an evolved form( wild wolves->pet dogs) or a danger to the human community (a la mazzola's example). The animals may even pose health or physical hazards to themseves if they are unable to adjust!
Ideally hence, one has to weigh the pros and cons well before domesticating the wild pet. If you really want to rescue the animals, there has to be proper legislation for it, regulating by who, how and where the animals are to be kept. Else, the animals are best left the way Nature intends them to be..in the wild, by themseves and without human interference!  

Butchering The Whales

The http://www.eface.in/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/calderon-dolphins-death-place.jpg

No, this is not the visual of any 'one-of-its kind red coloured sea'. The red colour that you see, is that of the blood of calderon dolphins. The dolphins have been brutally slaughtered by the Faroe islanders in the kingdom of Denmark.

The Faroes reportedly kill around 1000 dolphins every year in the name of a cultural practice called grindadrap. It is a rite of passage custom marking the entering of adulthood for boys. As the dolphins are massacred inhumanely, men, women and children look on in enjoyment, as it makes for an interesting spectator sport. This practice has been going on since centuries, but was first covered by the media in the 1980s. For mor details and pictures, do follow this link.
http://www.protecttheocean.com/denmark-continues-dolphin-slaughter-warning-graphic-images/
So the grindadrap  in such a barbaric way, celebrates the coming of maturity of boys. Quite ironic, isn't it?

The Faroes however, quite aggressively defend this supposedly honourary ritual of killing whales and dolphins, stating that it is completely non-economic in nature and the whale meat would be distributed equally to all Faroe families, free of cost. But then, reports also show that these dolphins are heavily contaminated by high levels of mercury. Its consumption is then considered to be especially dangerous for pregnant women and children and can lead to physical and mental deformities. So how could you possibly uphold the act of distributing food so toxic in content, whether you are doing it for free or not? Here's a link to an interview about a doctor in Denmark on his views and findings on the issuehttp://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/interview_weihe.html

So, Dr.Weighe, like any other Faroe islander, stands in full support of this practice. The other reasons that are cited to defend this custom are firstly, the pilot whales in that region are not endangered are estimated to be around 800,000 in number in the North Atlantic region. Secondly, they claim to kill the dolphins in a quick and painless manner. The second reason isn't true as is evident in news report and videos. Do go through this blog by Philbee http://yardyyardyyardy.blogspot.com/2010/07/faroes-does-it-again.html

And what have the Government, legal authorities and civil societies been doing? Well, they have tried their bit in stopping it. But either they haven't been strong enough about it or they are facing real stiff opposition from the Faroes who are really proud of their cultural tradition.http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/whaling.html

Why do the Faroes do it after all? They are not deriving any economic gains out of this adventurous activity. It could be because these whales are predatory mammals, who feed on mackarel and other small fish. Maybe to control the population of the small fish, the whales are being killed, in the garb of this horrendous ritual.
By no means, am I trying to justify this malpractice. I am merely trying to look at the other side, as I assume that there is usually an underlying meaning or motive behind every custom. I may be wrong. But my point is, your objective might be important and relevant, but the means matter too. The Faroes are indeed killing the otherwise friendly dolphins and whales in an inhumane and merciless manner. It is a ritual fanaticism that has to be stopped and changed. The change can only come in with change in their ideologies and attitudes. The whales can no longer be victimized to their cultural insensitivities.

Getting started..

Hi! I am Ipsita Sarkar. I am a student of media and journalism from Delhi. I am a complete novice in the field of blogging. My knowledge of it is limited to snippets from celebrity blogs that I come across and read in magazines. More recently, blogs and online articles about blogging by professional bloggers, did strengthen to a great extent, my theoretical base on the subject.




I was introduced into this online forum of communication, thanks to my course requirements of online journalism.The theme for my blog, henceforth, would be 'Gone With The Wild'.



As the name suggests, it would be dealing with anything and everything about wildlife and animals, irrespective of whether they are based in air, water, land, urban or rural areas, zoo, jungle or found as strays or pets.(That's the only way, the animal kingdom could be divided, as I am not aware of human sort of divisions like caste, creed, religion, etc!)



I don't exactly recall what had spurred my fascination for wildlife and the entire gamut of animal life for that matter. It all started in my childhood, is all that I can confidently say. Was that interest initiated as I avidly watched those 'animal' episodes on Discovery, Animal Planet and Nat Geo? Or did it start while I watched without blinking, those popular animated cartoon series of Donald Duck and Goofy, Tom and Jerry, Ballu The Bear, etc (the list goes on actually, all of them had funny animal characters talking in the human language!). Academic projects on wildlife, books and movies revolving around animals and my habit of interpreting the expressions of stray animals, as a kid (a la Dr. Dolittle!)-all had a role in nurturing that interest.



The topic is, indeed, very close to my heart. I have showcased this interest through school and college projects on related topics. But these have mostly been on paper pr power point presentations. It is for the very first time, that I am marrying off this interest with a stranger of a domain-the blogosphere! Through this blog, I intend to cover the good, the bad, the ugly and even the funny facets of animal life. Through articles, pictures, videos and other means (as and when, I keep discovering them), I plan to bring to the fore the lighter, funnier, bizarre (and even the dangerous) facts about animals to the more serious, of 'societal concern' matters about them.The geographical range could be as wide as that from some animal news in one's own locality to something more global.



So the canvas is large. Scope is immense.You are invited to contribute, in whatever way you wish to. I look forward to some really interesting interactions. Please do post in absolutely anything-quirky, funny, unusual, serious, something requiring urgent attention, dangerous-ANYTHING!



I am eagerly looking forward to learning loads on this topic( and about blogging. Though I have familiarised myself with the theoretical inputs, there's nothing like learning by doing, is there?)!