Saving North African Antelopes: Friends of Animals’ Priscilla Feral to Appear on CBS’ 60 Minutes This Sunday
Darien, CT—Friends of Animals recently celebrated a victory for scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelles who are routinely bred and killed on hunting ranches here in the United States. These animals, on the brink of extinction in their native homelands in northern Africa, have been the targets of paying trophy hunters seeking a thrill-kill.
On 5 Jan. 2012, a new rule in the U.S. Federal Register was published, reflecting two decades of work by Friends of Animals to protect these antelope. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will now protect all members of these three species under the Endangered Species Act—including those bred on U.S. soil and sold for sport-hunting.
60 Minutes will recount the story -Hunting animals to save them?- of how these animals ended up on the verge of extinction, and how Friends of Animals, through its project in Senegal, is protecting these animals so they can recover their footing and freedom in their own habitat.
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“We’re grateful that 60 Minutes is telling this landmark story,” says Friends of Animals’ president Priscilla Feral, who worked with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lara Logan in the late spring of 2011—recounting Friends of Animals’ work on this project that began in 1999 with a trip to Senegal.
Friends of Animals, with the Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, sued the federal government to list the these antelopes as “endangered” under U.S. law. In September 2005, the FWS did list the three species as “endangered,” noting that desertification, human encroachment, ranching, regional military activity, and hunting imperil these antelopes.
Yet on the same date, the FWS published an exception to the rule removing take and transport prohibitions from the very animals that the United States has the strongest power to protect—those kept by U.S. enterprises. The blanket exemption authorized killing, commercial transport, and interstate or foreign commerce—hence, allowing continued exploitation of these animals on hunting ranches.
A court case brought by Friends of Animals and WildEarth Guardians in 2009 challenged the loophole and secured a court order finding that the exemption violated Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. The judge call the blanket exemption “anathema” to the ESA, and in June 2009 remanded the rule to the FWS for the appropriate change.
Friends of Animals currently supports an increasing population of 175 oryxes (and dozens of dama gazelles) in northern Senegal within two, semi-desert reserves encompassing thousands of acres—and is committed to seeing these numbers grow.
“Even though this project is decades long, we’re just beginning,” says Feral. “We’re committed to ensuring these animals thrive in freedom once again.”
CBS’ 60 Minutes airs Sunday 29 January 2012 at 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Check your local listings.
Friends of Animals, an advocacy organization founded in 1957, advocates for the right of animals to live free, on their own terms: www.FriendsofAnimals.org
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23 Comments
On January 26, 2012, Bob Orabona, Friends of Animals wrote:
On the CBS online video clip, the game rancher says he loves these animals but has no problem killing them because it is for the welfare of the oryx.
On January 29, 2012, Carol Cooper wrote:
watching the 60 min. program. This totally disgusts me that something like these ranches even exsist. I am not not anti hunting, but this is like hunting in a zoo.
On January 29, 2012, Mike W wrote:
Why were these species of antelope on the endangered list when in their native country? If their global population declines after the passage of this new law here in the USA, who will be to blame?
FoA comments:
It’s hunting that put them on the endangered species list in the first place.
On January 29, 2012, Sean B wrote:
Comment on 60 Minutes interview….
Where did the Oryx on the Senegal preserve come from? What type of protection is in place to keep Poachers away? Are the horns of the Oryx worth a lot on the Black Market?
FoA comments:
None came from hunting ranches. The oryx are kept in a protected reserves on many thousand of acres. The horns don’t have a special value beyond trophy hunters.
On January 29, 2012, Allen Loos wrote:
The rancher stopped mid-sentence when he almost said “these animals are used for sport”. It’s unthinkable that there are among us those who find “sport” in slaughtering innocent creatures, and it’s even more reprehensible that there are monsters like that rancher who accommodate such people, for money. No species alive would willingly accept such a situation, given the choice. I believe all would prefer extinction over that kind of “life.”
On January 29, 2012, Bob Orabona, Friends of Animals wrote:
For those that just don’t seem to get it — if the only way to prevent the human race from going extinct was to stick them on an alien hunting ranch on the Moon, would you sign up for the next rocketship to the Moon? If you said, “yes,” I’ll pay for your ticket because that’s where you belong.
On January 29, 2012, aka John wrote:
Very glad to hear of your hard fought victory regarding the scimitar horned-oryx, addad and dama gazelles.
This, my friends, is only the tip of the iceberg. Canned hunting is alive, and thriving here in the US, as well as South Africa.
Do not be fooled by anyone claiming that this type of hunting is all in the name of conservation. It is all about the money, pure and simple.
I would know. For quite a few years, I worked with a canned hunting facility that operates out of southwestern Michigan and is involved with safari gaming operations in South Africa, as well. I have witnessed plenty of wealthy clients come in, plop down several thousands of dollars to shoot everything from elk, audad sheep, ostrich, black Russian boar, turkey, white-tail deer, Ibex, Mouflan sheep and Dall sheep, to name just a few.
I have witnessed the results of the Fish & Wildlife Commission busting the owner’s son for brokering a deal to sell exotic tiger skins. (Read about it on the internet).
Also, one of their clients who hunted at the preserve, was busted for shooting a tiger inside a horse trailer in Chicago. (Read about it on the internet).
It has never really been a “hunt”, as we always sent the “hunter” to the far outreaches of the property, where we knew the animals would not be. After a full day or two of running the so called “hunter” through the brush and mire on the property, we would set them up in a stand, not but a hundred yards away from a feeder, where they were guaranteed to take their shot at a chance for their trophy, during the animals feeding time.
This same type of operation is played out everyday on hunting preserves from all parts of the US and in South Africa.
This type of hunting is what you need to be setting your sights on next.
Good luck and keep up the good fight.
On January 29, 2012, Cindy wrote:
I’m appalled and disgusted that these ranchers feel they are “helping” animals on the endangered list by allowing them to be hunted on their ranches! The ones being “helped” are the ranchers themselves who are profiting by this oxymoron mentality. For them it comes down to one thing: No hunting = no money!!! Shame on them!!!
On January 29, 2012, Laredo wrote:
We should not stop here. What about bringing a suit to eliminate hunting itself? If we are serious about protecting all our friends then legal hunting should be madei illegal.
On January 29, 2012, Terry wrote:
I just watched the 60 Minutes segment. Thanks for taking a stand against the horrible killing!
On January 29, 2012, Dave wrote:
Just saw 60mins - this makes me sick - and it’s right here in US-Texas - this hunting MUST STOP!!! There must me some sort of gov. help / $$ assistance to help breed and keep these beautiful animals alive!!! There has to be another way for this place to make money vs. being hunted !!!
On January 30, 2012, Eileen wrote:
The term “sport hunting” is absurd. It’s no sport when only one side wants to do it, has a rifle, and thinks he’s a he-man for nabbing his trophy. These sub-humans are
the worst type of cowards. And yet they think that paying to kill innocent, sentient, magnificent animals makes them special. These hunters should be publicly shamed and condemned. But how?
On January 30, 2012, Evan Nelson wrote:
I hope all of you who are opposed to these ranchers maintaining and growing large herds of animals that were once endangered are vegetarians. I’m sorry, but I fail to see the difference in what they are doing and cattle ranchers.
FoA comments:
There is a difference in scale, but both the meat industry and the hunting industry are examples of the commercial exploitation of animals, and Friends of Animals opposes all such exploitation
On January 30, 2012, Linda Henderson wrote:
I would like to propose an alternate approach for Texas ranchers. Instead of hunting, why not develop a Safari approach to viewing these animals. Kruger National Park in South Africa has “concessions” such as Sabi Sands where individuals can vacation and view the animals with guided tours. Money from such tourism would support the costs of maintaining these ranches just as the hunting charges. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for Texas to take a worldwide lead in animal protection. Safari in Texas!
On January 30, 2012, Jim Thykeson wrote:
Thats exactly what Fossil Rim does! I used to guide the early morning ‘safaris’ from our Safari Camp. I promised the patrons I’d show them 90% of what they might see in a whole day in the bush in 2 hrs. at Fossil Rim.
On January 30, 2012, Cindy wrote:
I was so appalled when I saw the 60 Minutes feature on hunting exotic wildlife in Texas. Hunters will say what ever they want to justify killing animals. Trophy hunting, or hunting these rare creatures for any reason, should be against the law, period. To say that these hunters/ranchers are keeping these species from extinction is an oxymoron, and a hideous joke. Breeding them only to kill them, really? Do they seriously believe their own bull? Please support efforts to stop this not just in Texas but anywhere and put these animals back in their natural habits where they can be protected under laws surrounding preserves and anti-poaching.
On January 31, 2012, Lee Hall, Friends of Animals wrote:
I have just read an e-mail that says Priscilla Feral would rather see these antelope extinct than hunted. I’d like to point out that what Priscilla actually said and has done is to ensure that they do stay alive and well, but: “Not in Texas.” I’m surprised this was missed because it was stated to Lara Logan quite firmly. Oryx live in semi-freedom in a refuge in Senegal which has received support (and on-site visits) from Priscilla Feral and Friends of Animals for the past 13 years. Calves have been born recently in the Ferlo reserve in Senegal, where 175 oryx (who are not being used as lures for profit) are living proof that altruism does exist and is the spirit protecting these animals. What a sad commentary on our culture if the featured ranchers are right and nothing can be saved that isn’t exploited for money. Wake up while another culture is still possible.
On February 1, 2012, Richard Berbiar wrote:
It’s a sorry state of affairs when the big macho hunters with their large caliber rifles feel exuberant after killing these beautiful animals. Perhaps the big brave hunters are feeling “macho” to make up for their other inadequacies.
Have these cowards hiding behind their weapons ever had to outrun a bullet? The day that animals can start shooting back is the day we can truly call this a “sport”.
On February 8, 2012, GDiFonzo wrote:
I just read the comments on the CBS website (I wasn’t able to watch the entire “60 Minutes” segment; I only got to see a two-minute preview). It stuns me that people really believe that canned hunting ranches are important to conservation. Do they think these ranches are somehow similar, even in premise, to the captive-breeding programs run by zoos? Speaking of which, don’t people realize that many of the animals at the ranches probably began their lives as “surplus stock” from zoos? These animals will never be reintroduced into the wild. The populations in their native countries will be pushed to the edge regardless of the size of the captive population. I think that those who defend canned hunting as an exercise in conservation and fail to question the validity of the majority of captive breeding programs that are open to the public should perhaps take a look at the book “Animal Underworld” by Alan Green.
On February 15, 2012, Sadik Chatoo wrote:
Tell me what is so MACHO to kill an innocent animal? Just to kill it? What high do you get, what feeling? I know you are a tough guy. Do you also beat your wife?? It’s the same thing.
On June 11, 2012, celeste watt wrote:
I just saw the 60 minutes story tonight and I was seething with anger until you came on. Thank you, I agree with you totally.
It’s outrageous that ranchers should think they have a right to kill these animals for their personal profit. It’s evil.
It amazes me how they try to justify something that is so clearly wrong. I don’t understand the mentality. If they were lucky enough to inherit land and are privileged, they should donate a portion of their land to giving back to the world and allowing these endangered species to come back from the brink of extinction, protected and safe on their land. Maybe they could get a tax break. What a privilege to be able to contribute in this way to the earth. What an honour.
Animals DO NOT BELONG TO US. Their lives are their own. To look at them as property is wrong thinking. And to let them be born for the sole purpose of some hunter having the pleasure of killing them and making himself feel like a man, to prop up his shaky manhood is disgusting. REAL MEN ARE KIND TO ANIMALS. But of course these ignorant bastards don’t know that.
Please keep doing what you’re doing…we have to beat back the barbarians with all their self-justifications.
Sincerely,
Celeste Watt
On June 11, 2012, John Littleton wrote:
I am looking forward to watching these animals now become extinct in the United States, where they are now thriving and will soon decline with these new law, and also decline and exist no more in their past habitat. Despite your liberal attempts to do more “good” for these animals, you are destroying them and causing them more pain than ever. Hunters conserve wildlife and care about the outdoors across the country much more than people that do not venture outside their offices and homes. It appalls me that these beautiful animals will now slowly wither away in population in Texas because of your envisioned idea that you are helping them.
FoA comments:
You are confusing the term “species” — an intellectual conceptualization with the term “animals” — flesh and blood, feeling beings. Hunters kill animals for pleasure. Throughout evolutionary history, species come and go. That has always been and will always be the case.
However, humans are more and more becoming responsible for the extinction of species. Hunting and environmental destruction is what is leading to the extinction of oryx. FoA has a program in Senegal that has reintroduced oryx into a protected sanctuary where the animals are not hunted — protected from humans who would kill them for pleasure.
On January 13, 2013, Sabrina Rostkowski wrote:
To FoA;
I just have a quick question about this program you have in Senegal. I am simply wondering where it is that you obtained the oryx population that you did in order to reintroduce them into Africa- I don’t suppose it was from one of these ranches that have been the only source of life for these animals and many more for the past several decades, since their native habitats have long since become hostile for them? Also, how do you expect the population to grow once more in its native habitat when it was this native habitat that previously brought the oryx to near extinction in the first place (after which the help of Texas ranchers was needed to regrow the population). Can you honestly argue that without the assistance of ranchers and hunters, these antelope species would be alive today?
FoA comments:
The “argument” that is escaping you is that FoA is against the exploitation of animals including the exploitation of individuals of a species to save a species. Where as hunting ranches are in the business of killing individuals — not to save a species, but to make a buck.