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In This Issue...
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Our Sanctuary
Opens! |
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Jedina and Phebes |
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Thank you to Leora |
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Foie
Gras banned in CA |
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Reader Poll #1
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Thank
you California! |
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California
will end the force feeding of ducks, geese and other birds
to produce the gourmet liver product foie gras by 2012 under
legislation signed September 29th by Gov. Arnold
Schwarzengger.
The bill will
also ban the sale of foie gras in California starting that
same year if it's obtained by force feeding birds.
Schwarzenegger, who received pleas from several celebrities,
including former Beatle Paul McCartney, to sign the bill,
said it gives producers more than seven years to "evolve and
perfect a humane way for a duck to consume grain to increase
the size of its liver through natural processes."
"If
agricultural producers are successful in this endeavor, the
ban on foie gras sales and production in California will not
occur," he said in a statement.
Animal rights
advocates called the governor's action "a major victory for
the ducks and geese."
The state's
lone farm engaged in the practice, Sonoma Foie Gras, also
hailed it as a victory.
The company's
president, Guillermo Gonzales, said his operation would use
the time before the ban is implemented "to demonstrate that
foie gras production is safe and proper."
He added, "We
will go on with our business with the continued support of
scientists and the agriculture community who have supported
us 100 percent every time this issue has come up."
Advocates for
the bill said the restrictions are needed to stop an
agricultural process in which birds are fed huge amounts of
food three times a day through a tube inserted into their
throats. The practice enlarges the birds' livers up to 10
times their normal size before they are slaughtered.
Foie gras --
French for "fat liver" -- is served in about 300 restaurants
in California, according to the California Restaurant
Association, which opposed the bill along with several major
farm groups.
The bill's
author, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San
Francisco, said several countries have already banned the
force feeding practice and the European Union is phasing it
out.
Among other
celebrities who supported the bill were actors Martin Sheen,
Kim Basinger, Alicia Silverstone and Mary Tyler Moore.
Article
reprinted from
ABC7 News.
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Reader
Poll #1 |
| Question: Do you
think Sonoma Foie Gras (California's lone foie gras
producer) will find a way to continue to produce and sell
foie gras after 2012?
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Contact
Us |
Majestic Waterfowl
Sanctuary
17 Barker Road
Lebanon, CT 06249
director@majesticwaterfowl.org
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Our Newsletter |
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The Majestic Monthly is published 12 times per year. Back
issues are available from our website at:
www.majesticwaterfowl.org |
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Majestic
Waterfowl Sanctuary Opens!
The
Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary opened with a ten duck rescue at
Spaulding Pond in Mohegan Park. All nine of the Pekin ducks rescued
needed a one week round of antibiotics for their swollen and
callused feet. Three of them needed further veterinary assistance.
Liv has a disturbing limp and will be receiving complimentary x-rays
in January in an attempt to determine the source of her discomfort.
Phoebe, one of the hens, had a dual eye infection that required an
extra two weeks of antibiotics as well as a continuing twice daily
treatment of antibiotic eye ointment in both eyes. One of her eyes
is nearly healed, but the second eye still requires further care.
Phoebe’s life mate, Tiny Tim, was in the most need of care upon his
humane capture.
Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim had an extremely swollen
right ankle that rescuers feared was broken. He took residence for
two weeks in a foster home until we could arrange for free vet
care. When other vets turned away our call for assistance, Dr. Melgey of All Friends Animal Hospital in Norwich CT donated his
services to all of the rescued ducks free of charge. Tiny Tim came
for his complimentary care and it was determined that
his ankle was not broken, but badly infected. His surgery was a
success and in the weeks that followed, he no longer utilized his
leg for walking, but reverted back to using his webbed foot again.
Surgery and seven weeks of
antibiotic treatment have transformed Tiny Tim from a meek little
fellow that had trouble getting around and fending for himself, into
a self-sufficient, healthy duck that is quite capable of taking care
of himself and his mate, Phoebe.
Dodger
Dodger, a drake, was brought into
our sanctuary in excellent health. After a 48 hour quarantine
period, we had a good home lined up for Dodger, but we had no hens
to accompany him on his journey. Knowing that it would be stressful
for him to go to a new home alone, we reached out to our neighbors
at the SPCA for some assistance. With their
cooperation, we were able to place two of their Blue Swedish hens
with our Dodger into a beautiful new home.
The Muscovies: Jedina and
Phebes
Since
opening the Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary, two Muscovy ducks have
come into our care. Jedina was found in an industrial park in
Middletown CT and Phebes was dropped off near an office. Vets suspect that Phebes lost the tip of her upper
bill from frost bite last winter. She is a living demonstration of
what happens when people do not provide proper shelter from the
elements for their ducks.
Our Foster Caregiver, Leora, fell in love with the friendly girl, Jedina, and
decided to adopt her.
We located a fantastic home for
Phebes, and she is now residing with a one-legged fellow named Joey.
There will be no more cold nights for Phebes; going forward her
winter evenings will be spent in a heated barn with an indoor heated
pool. She has truly arrived!
Through Rain, Sleet, and
Snow . . .
We
owe a heartfelt thanks to Leora Schips. When we began, she was our
only rescue volunteer, and she drove all the way down from New Hampshire in a
snow storm on the first scheduled rescue date. The three hour drive
beginning at 6 a.m. would have been enough to make most people crave
a nap, but not Leora. Her energy, ideas and eager willingness was a
real inspiration to the team.
Leora provided care for many
of the ducks we rescued. Once in her care she worked with them to
get them accustomed to human interaction again. It was amazing to
see the difference in the ducks. The once terrified ducks that ran
and hid from us had transformed while in her care. They became
lovable and began eating out of our hands. She did an outstanding
job with them.
Leora fell in love with four of our
rescues and signed the adoption papers to keep Tiny Tim, Phoebe,
Jedina, and Miranda. |
