On a Global Scale

Globally, the mistreatment of animals goes further than the domestic border. Some even venture into the extreme, forcing people to question the extent of which humanity will go to for means of entertainment and nourishment without stopping to think of the consequences.

This video shows that the market for bushmeat and wildlife is a thriving business that is often too risky for authorities to control.

The commercial and illegal bushmeat trade for example, threatens the primate and wildlife population to the point of extinction. According to Save-the-Primates.org.au (2007) bushmeat 'is a term commonly used for meat of terrestrial wild animals, hunted and killed for subsistence (food) or for commercial purposes'.


However there are dangers in using bushmeat as sustenance. Recent studies have shown that the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been found to have jumped from primates to people on at least 7 seperate occasions. But the real danger is found when people showing symptoms of HIV are testing negative for the HIV virus and the primate equivalent SIV - this means that new strains of an HIV-like virus are circulating in wild animals and infecting those that then eat the meat of the contaminated animal, fueling fears of a global HIV pandemic.


On a less dire measure, although just as concerning is the current trend of dyeing chicks for Easter in America. Coming in a range of festive colours from neon to pastel, the popularity of the novelty overshadows the procedures of creating the fluffy eye-candy. The dye is either injected in the incubating egg or quickly sprayed on the hatchling, and is claimed to be harmless by poultry farmers 'as long as the dye is nontoxic, the chicken's health is not affected'.

However all those opposed say 'it turns live birds into holiday playthings that are quickly discarded', as well as many being returned after the novelty had worn off. Animal rights workers claim that this experience for the young birds is very stressful and claim the animals are too young to be sold. There was also a swift response from animal rights groups when a bill was passed to overturn a 45 year old ban on dyeing animals in Florida - at the request of a dog groomer who wanted to enter a contest where people 'elaborately sculpture and colour their pets'.

Either way, the dyed Easter chicks are a hit. 'People buy whatever is available. They'll usually take one or two of each colour, maybe 10 or 15 of them'.