Vegetarian Star

Sigourney Weaver recalls her favorite movie she starred in during her acting career as Gorillas In The Midst because it got her interested in ape conservation.

In 1987, Weaver traveled to Rwanda to film the movie, based on Dian Fossey, an American zoologist who studied and sought to protect mountain gorillas.

Today, Weaver is the chairperson of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, an organization dedicate to gorilla conservation and protection of its habitat in Africa.

According to the World Wildlife Foundation, the Easternlowland gorillas are most threatened by habitat loss from clearing of the forests for farming and for mining coltan, an alloy used for mobile phones.

The bushmeat trade also destroys the species, as well as collecting baby gorillas for pets, as the parents are killed. Body parts of gorillas are often used in medicine or magical charms for the residents in the area.

Photo: PR Photos

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Farm Sanctuary has already extended an offer to President Obama to send this year’s pardoned turkey to its grounds instead of the usual destination for the birds, a Disney theme park.

Now, Bill Maher has written a letter on behalf of PETA, asking the president to consider the birds who, in Maher’s words, have a retirement “as empty as Cher‘s “Farewell” tour” if not sent to a place where trained individuals can properly care for the already neglected animals.

“In recent years, turkeys have simply been shuffled from the pardoning ceremony to displays at pseudo-sanctuaries or theme parks, and many have died less than a year later, before the following year’s turkeys have even made it to the Rose Garden. McDonald’s so-called “Happy Meals” have a longer shelf life.”

“I propose a New Rule: From now on, let’s bring credibility to the ceremony and genuine compassion to “pardoned” turkeys by sending them to a real sanctuary.”

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Russia’s Prime Minster Vladimir Putin is known as a big cat lover. He’s recently organized a five day International Forum on Tiger Conservation that commenced on Sunday in St. Petersburg, Russia and involves leaders in conservation trying to solve the problem of saving tigers before they become extinct.

The conference will end with the goal of both saving tigers and increasing their numbers by the year 2022 by getting 13 countries with tiger populations to sign the St. Petersburg Declaration–an affirmation that they will work towards these goals.

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Olivia Munn‘s reporting on the passing Proposition B, a new law in Missouri which passed with 52% of the “yes” vote that sets down stricter rules for puppy breeders, finds her interviewing one opponent to the new measure who compares it to Obamacare and cites humans are treated the same way as puppies in mills are all the time.

When Munn asks how, the opponent replies that humans are housed in apartments that are stacked just like crates in mills.

But, as Munn insists, most apartments don’t allow your neighbor to sh*t on your head just because he’s housed above you, something puppy mills have failed to accommodate for.

Another hilarious satire from The Daily Show.

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Ellen and Portia, one of the most famous celebrity couples, will be hosted by animal rights activist Karen Dawn during her annual Thanksgiving feast in Pacific Palisades.

Already given the luxurious treatment of a hairstyling, spa and relaxing in the lounge, Ellen and Portia, named after DeGeneres and De Rossi, are two turkeys Dawn rescued from an LA slaughterhouse that will eventually live with her at her sanctuary, Gentle Barn.

“Thanksgiving has now become the most fun holiday of the year. And while yes, I do this, in part, to send some serious messages, the main message is simply: how much more fun is turkey day, when the turkeys are alive and well?” said Dawn, in this interview.

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Queen guitarist Brian May comforted a cat during its last moments on Earth.

According to The Lancaster Guardian, May was driving when he approached the cat lying in the road. He spent about a half an hour with it, stroking it until it died.

According to one source, about 5.4 million cats are hit by cars a year, which is more than the number euthanized in shelters. Pet owners can completely prevent this tragedy by simply keeping their cats–and dogs–inside. Invest in an invisible fence if your cat is the kind to enjoy fresh air.

Below is a video in which a veterinarian demonstrates ways to protect a cat that has been hit by a vehicle until it can get proper veterinary care. This is important for stabilization reasons–any movement involving the spine could result in fatal damage.The Dr. also discusses common injuries that take place during cat-vehicle collisions. Many cats turn to face the car just before they are hit, resulting in brain trauma and altered mental status.

Aid a Cat that has Been Hit by a Car — powered by eHow.com

Photo: PR Photos

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Ady Gil

Ady Gil is a successful entrepreneur who, as a founding partner of American Hi Definition (AHD) and Sweetwater Digital, has made contributions to digital services for film and television. This year, Ady is matching Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey adoptions up to $50,000. Vegetarian Star had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Ady about animal welfare, the Thanksgiving holiday and his vision for former president of the United States Bill Clinton.

How did you get involved with Farm Sanctuary and the Adopt-A-Turkey campaign?
It was my ex-girlfriend who in 1999 told me that she was adopting a turkey. She was a vegetarian, and she told me for Thanksgiving she was adopting a turkey. I didn’t know exactly what it meant then, but she told me you had to send the fee. It was $20 at the time. It was sort of symbolic, but you get a card with the picture of the turkey. The year before I ate turkey for Thanksgiving, and that year I did not. It did not make my Thanksgiving any worse. Not at all did it affect my life to not eat turkey. I adopted the turkey, and I felt proud like I saved a life, without touching it. Not always can you save a life by touching it – sometimes you can, like with an injured dog or a bird you find you might bring it to the vet, but most of the time you can’t touch the lives you save and you need an organization that can touch the lives. I see Farm Sanctuary as an avenue to save farm animals.

Recently, two large chicken producers in the U.S, Bell & Evans and Mary’s, announced they’re changing the way they slaughter chickens. Instead of electrical stunning, they’ll be using methods similar to what many in Europe and the UK do by knocking the birds out with gas first. What are your thoughts on this more “humane” way of killing and do you view changes like this as real progress for animal welfare?
I cannot put the two words together – killing and humane. I do not believe they can really coexist in one sentence. Is it less cruel? I think it is. But is it still cruel? Sure it is. Is it more humane? Sure it is. But is it humane? No. Is it better? Sure it is. But is it still evil? Yes. But it’s less evil, and so less evil is better than more evil, right? If in the last ten seconds they don’t suffer, that’s better. If they suffer their whole lives and we can give them their last ten seconds without suffering, then that’s better. Any second counts. But I do not think that killing can be humane.

Learn Ady’s wish for Bill Clinton after the jump.

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Brian May will give a speech titled, “Man as a Wild Animal,” at the annual Animal Aid Christmas Fayre, an event hosted during the holidays featuring cruelty-free, eco-friendly and ethical products available for purchase as gifts at over 85 vendors.

The Christmas Fayre will be held at Kensington Town Hall on December 5th and May’s speech will began at 2:00 PM.

The vegetarian guitarist is behind the campaign, Save Me, meant to educate UK’s voters on the anti-hunting laws that may be repealed if certain political parties have their way.

via This Dish Is Vegetarian

Photo: PR Photos

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