World

IFAW’s

of Animals

When disasters strike...

As fires raged in Australia, IFAW rushed to save wildlife.

Sealing more victories...

IFAW’s fight to end commercial sealing has gained
some astounding success!

Issue no. 1 2009

A Publication of the International Fund for Animal Welfare
 World When Disasters Strike...
IFAW’s

of Animals
Welcome to the first edition of IFAW’s World of Animals,
designed to bring you the stories behind some of IFAW’s
campaigns and successes. I hope you will find this
newsletter engaging and informative, and that you will
feel proud of the achievements you make possible.

Fred O’Regan,
President and Chief Executive Officer

Contents
When Disasters Strike...
IFAW’s supporters are there for the animals.
page 3 – 5

When
Animal Matters
IFAW news from around the world.
page 6 – 8

Disasters Strike...
Juliana Kickert’s
Legacy of Kindness
A dedicated supporter makes a generous lasting gift.
page 9
When the worst fires in Australia’s history turned the bush into a
Sealing Their Fate blackened wasteland, people mourned unimaginable loss. As dazed
IFAW’s 40-year-campaign is winning victories! animals wandered from the forests, people felt a small glimmer of
page 10 – 11 hope that some life survived.
A Shy Celebrity IFAW rushed to rescue burned animals
emerging from the fire zone - koalas,
Sam was the face of hope for bushfire survivors.
possums, kangaroos, dogs, an orphaned
page 12 baby deer, even horses and birds. In all, IFAW
helped save 142 animals and provided them
mera with veterinary care, food and water, medicine
Win this sonytaiCa and bandages. As is often the case, care
for de ls
See back page

page 2 © IFAW All Photographs © IFAW unless otherwise indicated Cover photograph from Istock Images International Fund for Animal Welfare page 3
When Disasters Strike...
continued long after the emergency faded
from the headlines. IFAW kept working with
valiant caregivers over weeks and months
following the fires. As wounds healed and
animals regained their strength, their release
was met with tears of joy.
Whenever horrible disasters like this
strike, IFAW veterinarians and emergency
responders rush to the scene ... rescuing
defenseless creatures, large and small.
Animal Rescuers
In times of disaster, everyone’s first concern
is naturally for human safety. Humanitarian
organizations rush to aid people, often
confronting complete chaos, and can’t stop
to look after pets. IFAW’s role is to get the
animals out of harm’s way.
IFAW rescuers scour flooded streets, charred
forests and crumbling buildings looking for
animal survivors. We provide veterinary care
and shelter, and set up hotlines to reunite
cats and dogs with loving owners. The
grateful purr or playful bark of a companion
comforts families who have lost everything,
proving once again the miracle of the
human-animal bond.
page 4
IFAW is a world leader in emergency
response:
• In the USA, IFAW helped federal and
state agencies develop disaster-response
guidelines and contributed to legislation
requiring evacuation plans for animals
during disasters.
• After the devastating earthquake in China,
IFAW was the only international animal
welfare organization invited to help cats,
dogs and farm animals in 18 villages.
• IFAW’s bear rescue center in Russia has
pioneered hand-rearing of orphaned cubs
for return to the wild.
• In India, we provide veterinary care and
round-the-clock bottle feeding to orphaned
leopard cubs, baby elephants and baby
rhinos ... some have lost their mothers in
floods, some to poachers.
IFAW is also the global leader in oil
spill animal rescue.
We have responded to 25 oil spills in 15
countries. Following the Treasure oil spill
When Italy experienced
its worst earthquake in
30 years this past April,
IFAW helped rescue
hundreds of dogs and
cats, and provided
guidance for other
rescue groups.
Tiny, one of the first dogs rescued from the
rubble after a devastating earthquake shook
China’s Sichuan Province in 2008, was taken
to an IFAW-supported shelter.
When Disasters Strike...
in South Africa in 2000, we led a massive administering antibiotics to farm animals ...
operation to clean, rehabilitate and release saving orphaned wildlife and returning them
an entire population of African penguins ... to their natural homes.
saving 19,000 lives.
To help support IFAW’s rescue efforts,
Sometimes it’s an individual animal visit www.ifaw.org/woa
that desperately needs our help.
With our partner organization Wildlife Trust
of India (WTI), IFAW is hand-raising a pair of UnAtda
Tiger
un te
Day d by inDa
festivities ng er
Russia, IFAW posters,
booklets and t-shirts promoted tiger protection.
orphaned clouded leopard cubs, found by During the last five years, IFAW has
villagers in northeast Assam. Our plan is to responded to more than 17 natural
rehabilitate these very rare cubs and return disasters, including:
them to the wild.
Hurricanes in the USA and
tralia
“This is the first time clouded leopards have Cyclones in Burma and Aus
been admitted to the IFAW rescue facilities Floods in India, Mexico, Indonesia,
in northeast India,” said WTI’s Bhaskar Canada, South Africa and the USA
Choudhury. “It provides an important indicator
of the presence of this species in the Indo- Tsunamis in India, Sri Lanka
Bhutan region.” and Indonesia
Ear thquakes in China ,
IFAW responds whenever animals are Indonesia and Italy
in danger ... rescuing cats and dogs ...
Volcanic eruptions in Indonesia,
the Philippines and Chile
 ildfires in Australia, Indonesia,
W
Greece and the USA
The clouded leopard is one of the
rarest wild cats and a protected
species. We plan to return this
cub to its tropical forest home.
IFAW’s expertise was a critical
IFAW cared for factor in the successful release
7,000 animals in of 372 stranded penguins in
the aftermath of Brazil – the largest in South
Hurricane Katrina in America’s history.
2005. We received a
‘Connections’ award
from Louisiana State
University for our
enormous efforts.
International Fund for Animal Welfare page 5
Animal matters
Brief news of IFAW’s recent activities
IFAW Honorary Board
Member Amber Valletta
makes a whale tail. Animals are
not souvenirs
and successes around the world
Outfoxing Hunters UK Elephants on the move Africa Elephant ad takes off! EUROPE

IFAW is helping to relocate 83 elephants from certain
death in Phirilongwe, Malawi, where they came into
conflict with villagers as their habitat decreased, to
the protected Majete Wildlife Reserve. Previously, all
the animals at Majete had been poached to the brink
of extinction. But now the park is secure – with park
rangers on patrol and a fence – and ready to welcome
these elephant families.
After 15 years of campaigning by IFAW, the ban on
the cruel sport of hunting wild animals with dogs was
enacted on February 18, 2005. The law made it a
criminal offence to use dogs to chase fox, deer, mink
and hares. This year marks the 4th anniversary of the
ban and IFAW continues to defend this important piece
of legislation and is training police forces all over the
country to ensure that the law is being properly enforced. Whales Rule
German ad agency Springer & Jacoby produced a clever animated
ad for IFAW’s campaign to make consumers ‘think twice’ about
buying animal souvenirs while travelling abroad.
The ad was directed by Ismail Arca, animation & computer graphics
supervisor at George Lucas’ company “Industrial Light and Magic.”
He has received several academy nominations and won an academy
award for “Pirates of the Caribbean.” When he heard about this
project he instantly agreed to work for us free of charge. So did
everybody else. German public television broadcast a segment on
the ad and our campaign, and the ad plays regularly on five German
TV stations. It received an audience award at Germany’s “Spotlight”
festival and a bronze award at the Art Directors Club in New York.
IFAW’s state-of-the-art
research vessel Song of
the Whale.
USA

Food for Pets germany

IFAW worked with the United States
government to pass an important

Soaring to Freedom RUSSIA

right whale protection measure. The
regulation calls for ships longer than
Listening to Whales North Atlantic

65 feet to reduce their speed to 10

With help from IFAW, poor, unemployed or
homeless people in Germany receive care and
food for their pets.
IFAW funded a mobile van to transport food and
veterinary supplies to 19 distribution points operated
by Tiertafel across the country. Approximately 3,000
people depend on care and food from the van IFAW
purchased. In Frankfurt alone, more than 600 people
wait for supplies and medical help for their pets
every week.
Six critically endangered gyrfalcons, packed tightly
in a cardboard box, were confiscated by officials at
the Chkalovskiy Military Airport near Moscow. They
were handed over to IFAW for rehabilitation in a
bid to save their lives. Dangerously underfed, they
required immediate veterinary care and food. Three
survived, and they were released back to the wild
in Kamchatka in April.
These magnificent birds face capture for an illegal
and increasing international falconry trade – placing
tremendous pressure on a dwindling population in
Russia. Only an estimated 1,000 pairs remain.
The research team onboard IFAW’s Song of the Whale spent a long
knots within 20 nautical miles of key
season from May to October 2008 sailing around the islands of the
ports along the US East Coast when
Azores, Canaries and Madeira. The purpose of the trip? Listening for
right whales are in the area. IFAW is
the sounds of beaked whales to determine their presence in the area.
delighted with the US government’s
commitment to reducing the number of
The team was delighted to hear Cuvier’s and Blainville’s whales
ships colliding with whales, specifically
and made some interesting acoustic recordings. They also took
the highly endangered North Atlantic
photographs of these very elusive creatures.
right whale, in this dense shipping area.
IFAW scientists hope to develop acoustic detection techniques for
To support our campaign, send a
beaked whales in order to identify habitat ‘hotspots’ that would
photo of your hands shaped in a
benefit from protection. Beaked whales are especially vulnerable
whale tail to
to loud noise, particularly from military sonar.
www.tailsforwhales.org.

page 6 International Fund for Animal Welfare page 7

 Animal matters In Memoriam

In Memoriam:
A Vision from the Heart
Planet Disney USA

In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, Disney released a

remarkable movie called “EARTH.” Narrated by James Earl
Jones, “EARTH” follows the fascinating journeys of three Juliana Kickert was an animal lover who shared her life with two horses,
different animal families across this planet we call home. two cats and a dog. Her philosophy was simple: “People should open their
These animals – whales, elephants and polar bears – are hearts to helpless animals.” A generous longtime supporter of IFAW, Juliana
animals IFAW works tirelessly to protect. has always trusted Fred to “know best where money is needed.”
No Sale on eBay Worldwide
The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has supported
Juliana contributed to help build the new IFAW CEO Fred O’Regan. “In tribute to her
many of IFAW’s emergency responses and other projects to
After IFAW shared its award-winning report Song of the Whale, IFAW’s marine research generosity, we have dedicated the open
protect animals all around the world. We are grateful to have
Killing with Keystrokes: An Investigation of the vessel, and when she passed away, her habitat at the heart of our new headquarters
them as a conservation partner. Watch this amazing movie,
Illegal Trade on the World Wide Web with eBay, extremely generous bequest made it possible as ‘Juliana’s Meadow.’”
available on Disney Blu-ray and DVD September 1. Check
the online auction site announced a ban on all for IFAW to move into an environmentally
out www.Disney.com/nature.
sales of elephant ivory products. friendly international headquarters in
Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, without
IFAW’s investigation tracked more than 7,000 diverting donor funds from vital animal welfare
wildlife product listings on 183 websites in 11 work worldwide. The new building reduced
countries. eBay accounted for almost two-thirds costs by bringing employees together from
of the online trade in wildlife products worldwide. three locations, and greatly enhanced
More than 5,000 elephant ivory listings were logistics and campaigning resources to
uncovered during the investigation, with most of advance IFAW’s mission globally.
the sales taking place on eBay’s US site.
“Throughout her life, Juliana Kickert showed
IFAW applauds these bold steps taken by the unbelievable generosity and compassion for
online company to protect elephants and other animals. I know it would make her happy to
endangered animals. Turtles March Ashore UK see how much her generosity has benefitted
our mission and our effectiveness,” said Juliana and her horses at home in Colorado.
AWARD IFAW placed 200 life-size cardboard hawksbill turtles
The US -based National WINNER on the shore at Bournemouth beach to look as though
Association of Environm
nal s has sele cte
ental
d
they had just crawled out of the sea to lay their eggs. A Lasting Touch of Kindness
Profes sio In the wild, this is when they are most vulnerable to
for a Leaving a legacy to IFAW in your will work for animals. As more and more species
Killing with Keystrokes
ental hunters who slaughter them to turn their shells into
2009 National Environm is one of the most effective ways to become threatened around the globe, we
Excellence Award, in the tourist trinkets. protect animals long into the future. depend on the legacies of caring supporters
al
category of Environment ting For 40 years, the generosity of like you. If you would like to learn how you
tra
Stewardship, for demons Intrigued beachgoers were encouraged to pick up
discover individuals like Juliana has allowed can help IFAW through your will, call toll free
an innovative means to the IFAW turtles and turn them over to read about the
tional
and act upon the interna IFAW to continue our important 1-888-251-0253 or visit www.ifaw.org/woa
illegal tra de of wil dlife. use of turtle shells for souvenirs and how to avoid
supporting the deadly trade in wildlife souvenirs.

page 8 International Fund for Animal Welfare page 9

Seals in Focus
The World is
IFAW’s mission began when a group of caring
individuals stepped out onto the Canadian
ice in 1969. Since that time, IFAW’s campaign
to end the Canadian commercial seal hunt
has been marked by many successes and
Watching
challenges. And this year stands to be
remembered as a year of historic victories:
• In March, IFAW’s 15-year campaign in
Russia resulted in a ban on the slaughter
of seal pups under 1 year old. The ban
followed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s
… As IFAW Makes History!
condemnation of the hunt as a
“bloody business.”
IFAW was the first organization to expose
the cruelty within Russia and we have
worked at the highest levels of government
to end this hunt.
• In May, the European Parliament voted to
ban the trade of seal products within all 27
member states of the European Union as a
direct result of IFAW’s campaigning.
• For the first time in history, a brave
Canadian Senator named Mac Harb has
Mac Harb on ice with seal
The worldwide peace movement ... the Woodstock music
festival … the first moon landing – 1969 was a year marked
by events and ideas that changed our planet forever. So it
should come as no surprise that the decade also marked the
beginning of a new movement for animals.
page 10
Seals in Focus
sided with IFAW and introduced a bill to end
Canada’s commercial seat hunt forever.
The sealing industry is in economic turmoil
as seal pelt prices are expected to drop yet
again this year. In fact, the EU ban may mean
the end of Canada’s commercial seal hunt.
For 40 years, our supporters have helped us
fight for, and win, solid advances against this
hunt. We secured the US import ban of seal
products in 1972. We won an EU ban on the
trade in whitecoat baby seals in 1983. And
now, the historic Harb seal bill could relegate
this cruel and unsustainable hunt to history.
“So many people have worked so hard on this
for so long,” said IFAW CEO Fred O’Regan.
“This could be the beginning of the end of a
cruel, wasteful hunt that is really beneath the
dignity of a great nation like Canada.”
Help us win this fight
See Mac Harb demonstration
-
d in Russ ia
u nt Ban n e
S eal Pup H EU !
e Ban n ed in
S eal Trad
International Fund for Animal Welfare page 11
 International Fund for Animal Welfare

AP Images
International Headquarters
290 Summer Street
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

Sam: The World’s As one of the world’s

leading animal welfare

Most Famous Koala organizations, IFAW

has representation in 16
countries and carries out
Sam the koala came crawling out of a smoldering Australian its animal welfare work
forest and into the hearts of people around the world. in more than 40. IFAW
focuses its campaigns
She became a star when her picture was taken as she on improving the welfare
sipped from a firefighter’s water bottle. Within weeks, she of wild and domestic
had graced the pages of newspapers and websites animals by reducing the
commercial exploitation of
across the globe. animals, protecting wildlife
habitats, and assisting
Sam was brought to an IFAW-funded clinic to receive
animals in distress.
emergency treatment for her burns. She is making a speedy
recovery, and is even well enough to have a boyfriend named
Bob, another koala bushfire victim.

You can give a

Eventually, the two will be released back into the wild, safely
away from the paparazzi, and hopefully any future bushfires.
IFAW continues to support the care for Sam and other
burned animals. See full story on page 3.
Look for IFAW on:

helping hand...
Send Us Your Pet Pix
Does your pug have an adorable mug? Has your
cat got the cream ... of an expression? Send
IFAW your favorite pet photograph and enter our
contest to win a brand new digital camera that

When it’s needed most!

will make your photos even better.

Just snap a shot and email it to PetPix@ifaw.org or mail it

to: Pet Pix Contest, IFAW, 290 Summer Street, Yarmouth
Port, MA 02675. Your photo will be enjoyed by pet lovers
everywhere. Please note that we cannot return the photos so
send reprints only.
When disasters strike – when animals are hurt or in danger –
you can make sure IFAW is there to save them.
era
Win this sony Camwill win
an d yout pix
Send in the best pe
camera.* All photos
this fabulous Sony e
r special committe
will be judged by ou an im al lov ers .
vvy
of unbiased photo-sa
w.ifaw.or g/woa.
See full rules at ww
be substituted.
al or greater value may US page 12
*Another model of equ
 The stories of the animals
IFAW has saved will warm your heart!
From the earthquake in Italy:
Lilly was trapped when her owner’s house collapsed, the debris crushing her paw. IFAW-
supported vets tended to her paw and cared for her until her owners collected her. They were
so happy she was safe.

From the Australia bushfires:

When animals are in One badly burnt female kangaroo brought back from the Endeavour Hills fires, now healed and
out in the pen, has been ‘adopted’ by a male kangaroo. The big male opened the door of her pen

danger, they need our help. and coaxed her outside. Now they are inseparable - he is totally besotted with her and spends the
greater part of the day either lying next to her or grooming and clucking over her.

From a tea garden estate in Balipara, India:

A baby elephant falls into a trench and struggles in vain to escape … a colony of Little Tikla was just 15 days old when he fell into a deep trench in a tea estate. He was
thousands of penguins flap around helplessly after a massive oil spill turns the dehydrated but hardly cried at all as we rushed him to our rehabilitation center. After a long
ocean into deadly, sticky mud … family pets hide in dark corners of abandoned drink, the calf slept in comfort by his keeper’s side. We hope to release him to the wild when
homes as raging flood waters rumble past … he’s old enough.

We never know what form an emergency will take, but when animals are in danger
we help wherever we can – often rushing experts to the scene within 48 hours.
From the bear hunt in Russia:
Whether one animal is crying out, or thousands need rescue, IFAW is there to help.
Ostakh, a tiny bear cub prematurely delivered by his mother during a two-day chase by hunters,
has grown from 360 grams to two kilos. He drinks 100 milliliters of milk every four hours and he’s
You can be there too. Your donation provides animals in danger the critical help
gaining strength. Ostakh can now crawl freely and he’s learning to stand up.
they need when disasters strike.

We can’t turn our back

when animals are suffering. Your support is vitally important.
When an emergency strikes there’s not a moment to
lose. IFAW rescuers rush to the scene, bringing supplies,
medicine and years of experience and training. We never
Please donate now
know when or where the next emergency will strike.
But with your help, IFAW can react quickly to rescue the
Your donation is a vital contribution to our efforts to save the
animal victims.

u
world’s animals and will be used where it’s most needed to help

With your support, IFAW can be ready the

ease their suffering.

k y o
Than
next time an animal needs a helping hand.
Thank you for caring
for the animals.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare works to improve the
welfare of animals throughout the world by reducing commercial
exploitation, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in
distress. IFAW works to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote
animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well
being of both animals and people.