FIAPO- Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations

FIAPO has issued a press release (https://shorturl.at/NVHWj) condemning the killing of a female elephant in WB by a ‘hulla party ’(group of villagers enlisted and controlled by forest departments to keep elephants away from human habitats). The killing of the female elephant with a flaming iron spear in WB (West Bengal) shows a systemic failure to address human-elephant conflict. On 15 August, the day of India’s Independence, a hulla party chased away a group of elephants that had strayed into Jhargram Town. A man had previously died in an encounter with a tusker from the same herd. Hulla parties, which are controlled by the state forest departments, are supposed to use drums and other non-violent means to drive away elephants. But in this case, the crowd threw flaming iron spears at the elephants, one of which pierced the elephant’s back. A video that is being widely circulated shows the elephant with the fiery spear sticking out of its back, in agony. In the video, a child is heard telling her father, “Please let her go; she is in pain.” The elephant died the next day of its wounds. The death of the female elephant points to the complete failure of the forest department’s systems for managing human elephant conflict. Further, the use of the burning spear is in contempt of a 2018 Supreme Court order that specifically banned the use of spikes or spears. The failure of the forest department to find humane solutions is resulting in the deaths of humans and elephants alike. FIAPO has demanded that: - The WB government immediately constitute an inquiry into this incident; - The WB forest department immediately constitute a committee comprising experts on human-elephant conflict mitigation, including NGOs working on the ground in West Bengal and in other states where successful measures have been deployed, and other departments; and - The WB Forest Ministry must suspend all hulla committees until a fresh protocol, devised by experts with training for mitigation of conflict, is put into place. 🚨Take Action Now: 🚨 Make a difference by spreading the word and signing this petition - https://shorturl.at/JzfjU. #WBElephantKilling #ProtectElephants #WildlifeProtectionAct #StopAnimalCruelty #wildlifeprotection #wildlifeindia #wildlifeconservation #westbengal #elephantsofinstagram #keralaelephants #animalwelfare #elephants

On India’s 78th Independence Day (15th August 2024), we plead the case for five basic freedoms for animals! The ‘5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare’ are internationally accepted guidelines ensuring animals are protected and lead lives as nature intended. They are: Freedom from Hunger and Thirst Freedom from Discomfort Freedom from Pain, Injury, and Disease Freedom to Express Normal Behavior Freedom from Fear and Distress The BNS Act. that has replaced IPC, has effectively scrapped Section 377 that recognised sexual crimes against animals, leaving animal victims vulnerable and without legal recourse. Slaughterhouses, dairy farms, labs, zoos, aquariums, fish farms, and industries such as leather and wool, exploit animals on a daily basis. We can do our bit by adapting a vegan lifestyle; taking care of community animals in our campus, workplace and near our homes; avoiding zoos and aquariums while travelling; choosing to purchase only vegan & cruelty-free products and brands; and keeping ourselves aware of animal protection laws. All animals deserve a life of dignity, compassion and the five basic freedoms. Let’s work towards such a world! #IndependenceDay #IndependenceDay2024 #FiveFreedoms #5Freedoms #India #FreedomForAll #UntilEveryAnimalIsFree #Veganism #AntiSpeciesism

This World Elephant, we honour these magnificent,  compassionate and playful creatures in a unique manner. We recommend three brilliant OTT watches — a homegrown Oscar-winning documentary, a fantastic series based on elephant poaching, and an international documentary about an inspirational female elephant leader. Here’s our specially curated watchlist:  1) Elephant Whisperers - Netflix The Elephant Whisperers made history by becoming the first Indian documentary to win an Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards (2023). Strikingly shot and deeply heartfelt, the documentary tells the story of a couple named Bomman and Bellie and their bond with an elephant named Raghu. 2) Poachers - Amazon Prime Video Based on true events, this gripping series follows Indian Forest Service officers, activists, and cops as they risk their lives to track down the largest elephant ivory poaching racket in India’s history. The series is heartbreaking at times, but also inspiring as one witnesses the bravehearts who are so determined in their mission to protect elephants.  (Amazon Prime offers free trials.) 3) The Elephant Queen  - AppleTV+ Applauded at every major film festival from tiff (Toronto International Film Festival) to Sundance, this award-winning documentary follows the journey of an elephant matriarch named Athena as she leads her herd across the African savannah. (AppleTV+ offers free trials.) #WorldElephantDay #Elephant Whisperers #Poachers #TheElephantQueen #Netflix #AmazonPrime #AppleTV #curated #documentary #filmfestival

A dedicated animal-lover, actress-model Jacqueline Fernandez’s vegan journey began in 2002 and she has “never looked back.”    Do you agree with this soulful quote by Jacqueline Fernandez? Tell us in the comments below! Like and share the post if you agree!                                                  (This quote is from a panel discussion held  at the Vegan India Conference 2024.) #JacquelineFernandez #celebrity #veganism #soulful #govegan #animalwelfare #animallover

🚨Online Course Alert!🚨 Legal Research & Analysis in collaboration with FIAPO is holding an Online Certificate Course on Animal Laws & Rights! 🐾🌿 📅 Timeline: 9th August - 9th September 2024 🕢 Time: Between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM (1 hr or 2 hr sessions) 🗓️ Days: Weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) 🔢 Total Sessions: 8 + 2 Course Curriculum: - Introduction to Animal Rights and Welfare - Legal Framework for Animal Rights - Ethical Perspectives on Animal Rights - Case Studies in Animal Rights Litigation - Advocacy and Activism - Animals in Different Contexts - International Perspectives and Treaties - Future Trends and Challenges - Emerging Issues (e.g., lab-grown meat, AI ethics, climate change) Meet Our Speakers: - Bharati Ramachandran - CEO, FIAPO - Sirjana Nijjar - Director of Programmes, FIAPO - Varnika Singh - Head Legal Affairs, FIAPO - Shikha Patel, Programme Convener Perks: - E-Certificate 🏅 - Internship Opportunities (Paid) 💼 - Recommendation Letter 📜 Recognised by: - Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade - #StartupIndia Who Should Apply? This course is open to anyone willing to learn, understand, and apply animal rights. Age, education, or background is no bar. Course Fee: Rs. 1000/- INR Join us on this enlightening journey as we discuss the intersections of law, ethics, and compassion. Let’s work together to create a more humane world for all beings! Register Now - https://shorturl.at/hHgy9. For more information, please call Shikha Patel on 9974932791 or mail- on acrosstoshikha.7@gmail.com. #OnlineCourse #AnimalRights #AnimalLaws #AnimalWelfare #AnimalProtection #Activism

As per a recent Mid-day article (https://lnkd.in/gQkM6QP4), sexual crimes against animals are shockingly widespread. The ‘Sexual Crimes Against Animals’ report ( https://tr.ee/hmuXCtmPF2 )details horrific cases of brutal sexual crimes against animals, some of which have proven fatal.  The new Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act has replaced IPC (Indian Penal Code), effectively scrapping Section 377 that recognised sexual crimes against animals.  The new act, while retaining the punishable offences of maiming/ killing an animal, leaves a critical lacuna.  Consider this:  Every 8th Case of Cruelty Against Animals is Sexual Assault or rape.   Animal rape occurs at the same rate as human rape of 20 per 1,00,000. The BNS act has NO provision to address these heinous crimes. Section 377 offered a semblance of justice for animals. With its removal, animals victims of sexual crimes and rape are left without legal recourse. The current PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act), 1960, also falls short in addressing animal sexual abuse.  We therefore appeal to the government to table the proposed PCA (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the monsoon session. The draft PCA Bill has proposed to include ‘Bestiality’ (which would include sexual assault/rape) as a crime under the new category of ‘Gruesome Cruelty’, punishable with a fine of min Rs 50,000/imprisonment or both. The government must take this step and table the PCA Bill 2022,  to mend this gaping lacuna that lets perpetrators of sexual crimes go scot-free. (Source for data: FIAPO’s 2020 study — ‘Crimes Against Animals’) #BNS #BNSact #PCA #MonsoonSession #SexualCrimesAgainstAnimals #AnimalProtection

This International Tiger Day, let’s commemorate how far we’ve come when it comes to using tigers and wild animals in films. From a time when mouths of tigers were sewn shut (this is a fact!), to present time where movies like RRR are using CGI to create animals — it really seems like the efforts of animal activists have paid off.  A movie set is no place for a wild animal, and the cruelty that ensues in making them ‘perform’ has been widely documented. While the portrayal of wild animals such as tigers still leaves a lot to be desired (it’s usually a matter of valour for the actor/actress to have killed a ferocious tiger in films) — it is still progress that they are kept off the sets. Many films such as Tanhaji, Krrish, Makkhi, Maghadeera and Mohenjo Daro have also used CGI, VFX, and animatronics instead of using live animals, as per AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India).  We have come a long way, but there is still much to do!  #InternationalTiger Day #SaveTheTiger #EthicalFilmmaking #Bollywood #WildlifeProtection 

📢 Webinar Alert! Calling all veterinarians! 📢 Join us on July 29th at 6 PM for an exclusive online session with Dr. Ilona Otter — Director of International Veterinary Training, WVS (Worldwide Veterinary Service). Dr Illona will discuss various aspects regarding the importance of ‘Skill Enhancement for Veterinarians to Increase the Access to Vet Services in Remote Areas of India.’ The webinar will cover several points including: 1. Sensitising towards the need for access to veterinary services in India 2. Basics of anaesthesia & surgical skills 3. Successful models on provision of veterinary services 4. Future opportunities and effective hands-on training Dr. Ilona comes with over 20 years of experience in the spay/neuter field in India and 14 years of developing and running surgical training courses for veterinarians in India. This is a webinar ideal for everyone in the veterinary space from seasoned veterinarians to students/interns! Kindly register for the session here: https://lnkd.in/g7SFBeE6 (link in bio) Looking forward to seeing you there! 🐾 #webinar #veterinarians #vets #animalwelfare #spay #neuter #animalprotection #wvs

We are proud to focus on #FIAPOMember since 2011 — STRAW India! Stray Relief and Animal Welfare (STRAW) India, is a non-profit organisation working for animals through the medium of education! Started in 2009, STRAW India is the only full-service provider of humane and animal welfare education in New Delhi. Their animal helpline offers counselling to pet owners and helps coordinate rescue operations to help distressed animals. As a federation, FIAPO represents the interests of all animals at local and national levels through capacity building, networking, and advocacy. We also assist our members do the same. One of our aims is to strengthen the areas in which most small and medium NGOs face the most challenges, so that they are better positioned to raise funds, take on substantial projects, attract talent, and effectively communicate their work. Some ways in which we helped and worked with members in the past year: - Bringing organisations together to share information, knowledge and experience - Connecting organisations with volunteers and local activists - Providing knowledge on legal matters, for example, on the rights of feeders - Improving understanding of government regulations and compliance requirements. - Facilitating collaborations on police matters  - Putting together effective crowdfunding appeals/campaigns - Providing guidance on cruelty cases - Organising webinars/ bootcamps/ meets To become a member of FIAPO, write in to akarsh@fiapo.org or fill out the google form:  https://lnkd.in/gjPYGimF #FIAPOMembers

The new Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act has replaced IPC (Indian Penal Code), effectively scrapping Section 377 that recognised sexual crimes against animals.  The new act, while retaining the punishable offences of maiming/ killing an animal, leaves a critical lacuna.  Consider this:  - Every 8th Case of Cruelty Against Animals is Sexual Assault or rape.  - Animal rape occurs at the same rate as human rape of 20 per 1,00,000. The BNS act has NO provision to address these heinous crimes. And this begs the question — If the crime exists, why not the punishment? Section 377's offered a semblance of justice for animals. With its removal, animals victims of sexual crimes and rape are left without legal recourse. The current PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act), 1960, also falls short in addressing animal sexual abuse.  *We therefore appeal to the government to table the proposed PCA (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the upcoming monsoon session.* The draft PCA Bill has proposed to include ‘Bestiality’ (which would include sexual assault/rape) as a crime under the new category of ‘Gruesome Cruelty’, punishable with a fine of min Rs 50,000/imprisonment or both. A comprehensive solution is the need of the hour! The government must take this step and table the PCA Bill 2022, to mend this gaping lacuna that lets perpetrators of sexual crimes go scot-free. _(Source for data: FIAPO’s 2020 study — ‘Crimes Against Animals’)_ #BNS #BNSact #PCA #MonsoonSession #SexualCrimesAgainstAnimals #AnimalProtection