New latex rats used in experiments
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Lab rats, take a load off. A new high-tech,
hand-crafted rubber rat eventually could save the lives of hundreds of
thousands of rodents used in laboratory experiments each year, say animal
rights activists and the Dutch pharmaceutical company that developed the
lifelike latex substitute. About 3,000 rats are killed annually for
educational or research purposes in the Netherlands alone, where rats and
mice are used in more than 500,000 tests a year, according to the Dutch
anti-animal research group Animal Testing Free. PVC-Rat, as the new product
is called, made its debut in March after years of research and development.
The rat is specifically designed for micro-surgical laboratory experiments
in universities, hospitals and clinics. See full story
<http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560427561-3bf>
Wildlife organization buys abused elephants
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - Nine young elephants abused by their
trainers have been bought by a wildlife organization that plans to set them
free in a South African game reserve. The World Wide Fund for Nature South
Africa says it will pay the owner $80,000 for the nine animals. The
agreement requires the owner, Riccardo Ghiazza, to donate the money toward
management of the elephants. The nine animals are the last of 30 elephants
captured by Ghiazza in neighboring Botswana last year. The other 21 were
sold to zoos in Europe or released in game reserves in South Africa. Images
of the elephants being beaten on the trunk and hind quarters were broadcast
recently on South African television, prompting a campaign for their
rescue. See full story
<http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560420276-c9c> *** Also:
Captive Singapore elephant dies, see full story
<http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560419996-a83
