Category Archives: call to action

Ellen Degeneres and the Mirage giveaway.

Ellen Degeneres is known as a very kind and generous woman. She is always helping out wherever she can, and that includes helping animals.

Ellen has also been outspoken about wanting to get people to watch the documentary “The Cove”. She’s had Hayden Panettiere on her show, tweeted about The Cove, and mentioned the documentary on her movie pick on her website.

Ellen Degeneres is giving away a trip to the infamous Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as part of her 12 days of Christmas special. She has also given away trips to other casinos like the SLS and Planet Hollywood. She is aware of what happens to dolphins in captivity, and why it is wrong.. but she is most likely oblivious to the fact that Mirage is housing dolphins in the desert in a facility that chooses not to provide them with any type of shade structure during summers of 117F because “there is no shade in the ocean”.

The 10 dolphins that are suffering here in the Mojave desert could really use someone with a voice like Ellen to speak up for them and make some noise. We are certain if Ellen saw the pictures of Maverick and his eye surrounded by poxvirus, the lack of shade, and how many of us are picketing outside the Mirage to get the dolphins better care that it would really pull at her heartstrings. This could be the big break the dolphins need.

We also ask that Ellen please reconsider changing the venue in her prize pack from the Mirage to another hotel that is more animal friendly. Sign the petition to show her how many people care: Ellen DeGeneres: Change MGM Mirage Prize-Mirage has virus infected dolphins in captivity

We need to reach her on all of her social media accounts. Please send in your own polite comments to Ellen in any way you can think of reaching her. We will provide some options below:

Please feel free to use any photos from our facebook account to help get your message across. Visual aides will show her what you mean when you say “poxvirus” or “pox”, etc.

Tweetsheet for @TheEllenShow 

  • .@TheEllenShow Happy Holidays! Can U plz change day10 gift 2 an animal friendly hotel?#MojaveDolphins are suffering.. pic.twitter.com/P6ZS5CzjeJ (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow remember #TheCove movie? #MojaveDolphins are suffering @TheMirageLV. Plz reconsider day 10 prize. pic.twitter.com/5dXicWWGZe (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Thx U 4 all U do 4 animals. Can U plz help the 10 #MojaveDolphins @TheMirageLV escape the desert? pic.twitter.com/HonDEb6kIy (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Can U spare 90 seconds to learn about 10 #mojavedolphins stuck @TheMirageLV that was on UR show? bit.ly/1p638mA (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Did you know that you gave away a prize to the same hotel that houses the American #DolphinDeathPool? pic.twitter.com/LZ3uXRHern (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Maverick #MojaveDolphin @TheMirageLV who is suffering from #poxvirus Doesnt that break ur heart? pic.twitter.com/Ys0HjqrzRI (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Have U ever been to Vegas in summer? It gets so hot! #MojaveDolphins have no shade. Can u help? pic.twitter.com/VdvIGucnkJ (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow PLZ don’t gift animal abuse this Xmas. Change UR @TheMirageLV prize. #MojaveDolphins need UR help! pic.twitter.com/Y3Ahjm6gFE (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow #MojaveDolphins are NOT happy! PLZ watch video & consider changing ur prize! youtube.com/watch?v=of3Dnz… pic.twitter.com/XkxVy7dhUn (Tweet This!)
  • .@TheEllenShow Local Las Vegas news reporting on the horrible conditions of @TheMirageLV. http://bit.ly/WdFZIx #MojaveDolphins (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Poxvirus is spreading rapidly throughout @TheMirageLV These animals NEED ur voice to speak out for them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msRn_ZKNqT8 (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Protesters gather outside @TheMirageLV due to animal abuse. Will u consider changing ur prize? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWV6RheAFUE&list=UUMr6GLn41E7-amgGr1v73dg (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Remember how touched U were about dolphins & #TheCove? Remember that when U promote @TheMirageLV! pic.twitter.com/R2SF0GrkZL (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Dolphins do not behave naturally in captivity. Plz reconsider your prize package with @TheMirageLV. pic.twitter.com/RUhJlQaZYw (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow plz consider a different hotel for ur prize pack. #MojaveDolphins are very stressed in the desert. pic.twitter.com/na3iJCEeL2 (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow See those spots? Thats #PoxVirus/#DolphinPox. Stress plays a big role. Learn more #MojaveDolphins.com pic.twitter.com/91cyuzu0Jq (Tweet This!)
  •  .@TheEllenShow Did you know that @TheMirageLV houses 10 dolphins in the MOJAVE DESERT? isn’t that absurd? Can u help? pic.twitter.com/WsyEGR4ezE (Tweet This!)

Bad News for Big Cats in Vegas

Dirk Arthur is a magician who uses large exotic cats in his act, even though he claims to be for conservation. His menagerie includes ligers, African and snow leopards, white, orange and snow tigers, and a bobcat. He has been cited by the US Department of Agriculture for violating several conditions of the Animal Welfare Act. The cruelties from the last 12 months include:

  • Declawing lions and tigers (Dec 2013)
  • Failing to protect a snow leopard from harm by confining the animal to a rusty and unsound enclosure (Dec 2013)
  • Confining a bobcat with a dangling chain that became caught in the fencing of the enclosure, presenting “a clear hazard” to the animal (Dec 2013)
  • Cages were far too small for the animals, and were denied access to exercise areas (Dec 2013)

In January, the USDA issued a formal warning about the way the animals were living.

Dirk is one of only a few entertainers anywhere in the world who still choose to use exotic animals in their act. Insurance costs are astronomical, and safety regulations have become extremely tight since Roy Horn was attacked by Montecore on stage during a performance at the Mirage, just 1.2 miles from Dirk’s new stage home.

Dirk has performed in the past at Ballys, the Silverton, the Plaza, The Tropicana, and Osheas here in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, he was performing in both Reno and Laughlin. His return to the strip was tainted when proof of his animal abuse came to light. Caesar’s told him to take a hike, so Dirk traveled up the strip 1.4 miles to the Riviera who hired him.

His shows start in just a few weeks, and he even plans to formalize a program to take to Clark County School District (and others when he travels) to use his animals to teach school children about endangered species. That may sound good on the outside, but it only further perpeutates the idea that we need to use these animals in entertainment acts to teach our children to care about them and respect them. Contradictory.

PETA has organized a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday November 19th from 12-1pm outside of the Riviera near the intersection of the Strip & Riviera blvd. Posters and leaflets will be provided.

It is important that we continue to stop the exploitation of all animals for entertainment purposes here in Las Vegas.


BenDeLaCreme from RuPaul’s Drag Race visits Death Pool

Not even an hour ago, BenDeLaCreme uploaded this photo to her instagram account captioning it “I refuse to provide any context for this image, #justwait“.

ben2

 

Update: As of 1:17PM Pacific, BenDeLaCreme has deleted all online references to her visit to the Mirage dolphin habitat. 

Who is BenDeLaCreme? She is a drag performer from Seattle known for coming in 5th place and winning Miss Congeniality on the 6th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

It breaks our heart every time we see a celebrity visit this hotel and give publicity to the habitat through their social media accounts. The dolphins don’t have any shade to protect them from the heat in the summer, they display multiple forms of stereotypical behaviors, not to mention they suffer from the pox virus. 2 of these dolphins (Duchess, Lightning) were taken from their families in the wild. 3 of the dolphins (Sophie, Beetle, Osbourne) were sent from Seaworld on a breeding loan. It was after the first arrival of Seaworld dolphins in 2010 that the pox virus showed up.

We would like to take this time to reach out to BenDeLaCreme on her social media accounts.It is extremely important that when we attempt to educate people on the choices they have made involving dolphin captivity to stay polite. It is possible that Dela (or someone else) has no knowledge of dolphins and their natural needs. People are more receptive to what you have to say when you are not screaming at them. I have witnessed people leaving nasty comments, and it does not show the cause in a good light. Treat people with respect, the same way you would like the dolphins to be treated. We have provided a simple tweet list below, but may also copy the messages to her other accounts.

How to Contact BenDeLaCreme-  

Tweetsheet for BenDeLaCreme-
  • .@BenDeLaCreme take the pledge at #MojaveDolphins.com Dolphins are sentient beings & #CaptivityKills pic.twitter.com/M76Emm5Bqi  (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme join @VegasDolphins for a protest Saturday 3-5pm outside @TheMirageLV & learn about #MojaveDolphins pic.twitter.com/0fWaX7mD21 (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme Did U notice Maverick covered in #PoxVirus? #MojaveDolphins suffering for 4 years w/ #DolphinPox pic.twitter.com/rgSZamakPd (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme watch this video about #MojaveDolphins they are being driven insane, displaying stereotypical behaviors. http://vimeo.com/98403444 (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme #MojaveDolphins on the news recently. The dolphins deserve more. Check it out http://bit.ly/WdFZIx  pic.twitter.com/ybcLosTTkQ (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme look into the eye of Maverick. He has #dolphinpox. #MojaveDolphins.Com has more info! Plz help us. pic.twitter.com/x14CKuWFWR (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme listen to @RichardOBarry talk about #MojaveDolphins on Vegas news. Plz become an advocate for dolphins. http://bit.ly/1vQhhbz (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme Were working hard 2 educate public about horrors of dolphin captivity, will you join us? #MojaveDolphins http://bit.ly/1qs82g9 (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme #MojaveDolphins live barren & unnatural lives in captivity. Dolphins smile = natures great deception. http://bit.ly/13O0T55 (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme can U spare 90 seconds to learn about #MojaveDolphins since U visited 11/6/14? http://bit.ly/1p638mA (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme despite whatever @TheMirageLV told U- this is not conservation, its exploitation #MojaveDolphins http://bit.ly/1vQiM9T (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme a day in the life of #MojaveDolphins Maverick who is covered in #DolphinPox #PoxVirus http://bit.ly/1E90kxN (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme if U are still in town Sat, Join @VegasDolphins for a protest & learn more about #MojaveDolphins pic.twitter.com/K3S1YcjLLJ (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme Mavericks #dolphinpox #poxvirus is only getting worse. Its from stress #MojaveDolphins need help! http://bit.ly/VL13G7  (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme don’t become captivated by captivity. No beauty in stolen freedom. #MojaveDolphins pic.twitter.com/SMFsUjCIrR (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme #EnoughIsEnough! visit #MojaveDolphins.com & see how U can help 10 dolphins in DESERT! pic.twitter.com/VsQSFhlNCQ (Tweet This!)
  • .@BenDeLaCreme  10 dolphins in the MOJAVE desert. 2 from OCEAN, 3 from SEAWORLD! R u saying u support that? http://bit.ly/1xdKstl  (Tweet This!)

November Protest

Another month has passed, and Mirage has not made any major improvements for the PABLOEVENT2dolphins at the Mirage. We have chosen to protest on Saturday, November 8th from 3-5pm. We must continue to put pressure on the facility and let our presence be known. This is the first protest after Ric O’Barry visited, so it is very important that Mirage sees that we can still pull the numbers without him.

Our group always meets at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and the northern entrance to the Mirage hotel. The tourists always come up to this section of the “lake” to take photographs, so try to stand in a long line back against the gate. The tourists will be forced to read our protest signs. If you want to stand by the protestlocationroad to attract the attention of the cars, please be careful to not step off the sidewalk, the buses come very close. We also must stay out of the way of the tourists and not block the foot traffic.

We will bring posters for people to hold, and brochures to pass out. It would help tremendously if you were able to print some brochures and bring them because we will run out of what we have.

A little history on this protest- On November 9th 1978, original Mojave Dolphin Banjo was captured from the wild. He passed away on October 12th 2004. He is father to Sage, Pablo, Rascal, Maverick, and HufNPuf. Pablo was born on November 13th 1996 to Duchess and Banjo. He was transferred to Gulf World on April 9th 2006 for breeding purposes (we received Lightning). Pablo passed away six months later on November 7th 2006.

protestrights


Happy Birthday Ric O’Barry!

Tags :

Category : call to action

Today, October 14th 2014, Ric O’Barry is celebrating his 75th birthday. His name first became ricknown in the 1960’s when he captured and trained the dolphins for the first oceanarium in the United States, Miami Seaquarium. On September 19th 1964, he introduced the world to dolphins via a television show called “Flipper“. The show ran until April 15th 1967, and everyone fell in love with the dolphins smile. After one of the dolphins who played Kathy died while Ric O’Barry watched, he vowed to change public opinion about the captivity of these sentient beings. On Earth Day 1970, he founded the Dolphin Project which educates the public about captivity and does what they can to help captive dolphins. Ric has rescued and released over 25 captive dolphins in Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, the Bahamas, and the United States. He is the author of 3 books, Behind the Dolphin Smile, To Free a Dolphin, and Die Bucht. In 2009, he was featured in the Academy Award winning documentary “The Cove” about the annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan.

Ric still continues to travel around the world helping dolphins after over 40 years. He was just in RicMorningLas Vegas at the beginning of this month, he was in Taiji in September, and he will be in London in November… and who knows where in between! Wherever a dolphin needs him to be,  he goes. We here at MojaveDolphins.com think that it is time that the activists “born” from Ric’s movement give back to Ric O’Barry and the dolphins. Ric is only one person, and there are hundreds of facilities with thousands of dolphins stored in various conditions and environments worldwide. We want you to take this challenge for Ric O’Barry’s birthday. Look up all the dolphinariums that are in your country, and then focus on the ones closest to you. Research about them. How are the dolphins kept? Is it inside or outside? How long has the facility been open? How many dolphins have died vs how many are still alive? Where do the dolphins come from? Is there a movement to bring awareness to them? What can you do to help those dolphins?

You don’t have to be an expert or someone with plenty of dolphin knowledge to get something ric8started. I was 23 years old with no marine biology background when I began getting things going for Mojave Dolphins. All you need is passion and dedication for seeing cetaceans being treated fairly and given the freedom they deserve. You learn as you go, and you meet a lot of beautiful like-minded people along the way. One person can make a difference. Don’t be afraid to be a voice for the voiceless. Lets make Ric O’Barry proud by supporting the movements to save the dolphins globally. Your involvement is needed now more than ever.

 


Call to Action: Vegas Media This Week!

This is a very big week for us here at Mojave Dolphins. On Thursday, we are screening the Academy Award winning documentary “The Cove” for free, and the following night we have a giant protest outside of the Mirage. Both of these events will be attended by none other than Ric O’Barry himself. This is a chance to interview the man who many credit as starting the cetacean rights movement. Ric O’Barry protested the Mirage in the 90’s, and has information about this facility. We feel local media should be covering this event. We have not gotten any media attention from FOX 58 NEWS NOW, or the Las Vegas Weekly.

We have already sent out a press release to ALL media (not just ones listed here) but would appreciate the extra help in getting the attention of these three news stations and their anchors. You may use the tweets below to promote the events happening this week, or click here for previous tweet sheets about the conditions at the habitat

Fox 5 News

  • @Fox5Vegas

.@Fox5Vegas #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@VegasAnchor #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@FeinbergFox5 #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@OliviaFierro #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  • Monica Jackson (Fox5 Anchor) – @MonicaFox5 – Email

.@MonicaFox5 #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  • Jon Dabkovich (Fox5 Anchor)  – Email
  • Stefanie Jay (Fox5 Anchor) Facebook page – @StefanieJay – Email

.@StefanieJay, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@ElizabethWatts5, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  • Jon Castagnino (Fox5 Reporter)  – @JonCastagnino – Email

.@JonCastagnino, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  • Les Krifaton (Fox5 Reporter)  – @LVweatherguy – Email

.@LVWeatherGuy #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR(Tweet This!)

  • Shannon Moore (Reporter)  – @ShannonMfox5 – Email

.@ShannonMFox5 #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  •  Rachel Moore (Reporter)  – @rachelann_moore – Email

.@Rachelann_Moore, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  • Danielle Miller (Reporter) – Email
  • Maggie Krol (Reporter)  – @MaggieKrol – Email

.@MaggieKrol, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@LindsayCFox5, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

8 News Now

  • @8NewsNow

.@8NewsNow, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

.@G_Knapp, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

.@Gr8Anchor, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@DeniseValdez, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

.@BrianLoftus8, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

  • Kirsten Joyce (8NN Anchor)  – Email
  • Lauren Rozyla (Gen. Assignment Reporter) Facebook page – @LaurenRozyla – Email

.@LaurenRozyla, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

  • Aaron Drawhorn (Gen. Assignment Reporter) – @AaronDrawhorn – Email

.@AaronDrawhorn, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR (Tweet This!)

.@SharieJohnson_, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

.@Joe_Bartels, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

  • Patranya Bhoolsuwan (Gen Assignment Reporter) Facebook page – @Patranya – Email

.@Patranya, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

.@BBrennan8news, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

  • Vanessa Murphy (Gen Assignment Reporter) Facebook page – @vanessa_murphy – Email

.@Vanessa_Murphy, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

  • Scott Daniels (Gen Assignment Reporter) Facebook page – @scott_8newsnow – Email

.@Scott_8NewsNow, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

.@DianeTuazon, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

  • Karen Castro (Gen Assignment Reporter)  – @Karen8NewsNow – Email

.@Karen8NewsNow, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)

Other Media Outlets in Vegas

@LasVegasWeekly – popular las vegas weekly magazine

.@LasVegasWeekly, #MojaveDolphins cordially invite U 2 #TheCove 10/2 &protest 10/3 @RichardOBarry will be at both! pic.twitter.com/SpAzHfVdTR  (Tweet This!)