Fw: Tell Paris Hilton No! Help Free Exploited Wildlife!

[Guest guest]

Tell Paris Hilton No! Help Free Exploited Wildlife!

Center for Biological Diversity

 

Because her publicist won't do it, someone needs to:

Tell Paris Hilton No!

Exploiting Wild Animals

Is Not Hip

 

Alleged singer and celebutante Paris Hilton, desperate for attention - any

attention - has recently inflicted her lifestyle on a succession of exotic

pets as a publicity ploy. The latest victim of Paris's affections is a

captive " pet " kinkajou cloyingly named " Baby Luv, " which has appeared in

public draped across Paris as if it were the latest fashion trend.

 

A kinka-what? The kinkajou (Potos flavus), also known as the " Honey Bear, "

is a nocturnal tree-climbing mammal related to the raccoon that lives in the

rainforests of Central and South America. Although kinkajous may appear

cute and cuddly, they are wild animals that belong in the rainforest eating

tropical fruit, not ducking from flashbulbs on fashion runways or sipping

lattes in the cafes and trendy clubs of Los Angeles.

 

Fortunately, the state of California recognizes the serious threats that the

international wildlife trade poses, both to wild animals from other

countries and to U.S. species when these animals are imported and then

abandoned or released. Due to these threats, it is illegal to import or

possess kinkajous or other wild animals in California without a valid

permit.

 

But unfortunately, Paris Hilton does not seem to understand or share these

serious concerns - and it's unlikely she will unless she knows a growing

number of people think her " fashion statements " are barbaric and tragically

unhip. Please send a letter today to demand that Paris Hilton stop

collecting and exploiting exotic wildlife and that she immediately free Baby

Luv, the kinkajou!

 

See the new Paris Hilton kinkajou video at

http://www.TellParisNo.com

 

 

 

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):

Ms. Paris Hilton

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no/

 

Below is the sample letter:

Stop Exploiting Wildlife! Return Baby Luv to the Rainforest!

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Kinkajous belong in the rainforest, not in Los Angeles as a celebrity prop.

Please stop supporting the illegal international wildlife trade and abide by

state laws that ensure protection of wild animals.

 

I urge you to turn over " Baby Luv " and any other illegal wildlife you

possess to an appropriate wildlife rescue organization. As a public figure,

you also have an obligation to speak out against the destructive

international wildlife trade and to promote keeping wild animals in their

natural habitats where they belong.

 

Sincerely,

 

[your name]

 

Take Action!

Instructions:

Click here to take action on this issue

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no/

 

What's At Stake:

 

Innocent kinkajous such as the prisoner " Baby Luv " are often stolen from

their natural habitat and sold abroad through the international wildlife

trade. But hey, what does the biological diversity of the rainforest or the

welfare of Baby Luv matter compared to Paris looking cool and hip?

 

The Center for Biological Diversity sent a stern warning letter to Paris

suggesting she cease her criminal violations of wildlife protection laws.

The Center is also insisting that Paris turn over Baby Luv and any other

illegal wildlife she possesses to an appropriate wildlife rescue

organization, and urging her to speak out publicly to promote the

conservation of wild animals and keeping wild animals in the habitats where

they belong.

 

Baby Luv has apparently gained favor over Paris' pet ferret, which is also

illegal to own in California. How many more biting incidents before the

self-centered celebrity abandons or discards the kinkajou to keep up with

the latest animal trend?

Baby Luv exacted a measure of revenge for the affront of having to put up

with Paris's antics and shrieks, biting her skinny, tormenting arm last

month and sending Paris to the hospital. However, Paris's punishment did

not match her crime.

 

Paris continues to flaunt her criminal violations of several of California's

wildlife protections laws (see the California Fish and Game Code, sections

2118, 2185, 2189 and 2190). In a just world, Paris Hilton would be pursued,

captured, displayed and prosecuted for criminal violation of these wildlife

protection laws, facing civil penalties of up to $10,000 and imprisonment in

the county jail for up to six months.

 

Kinkajous are rare and threatened enough in Honduras that the country

forbids exporting them without a permit, an effort to prevent the species

from being needlessly exploited to satisfy the pet industry or the egos of

so-called celebrities. Kinkajous in Honduras are supposed to be protected

by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

 

The international wildlife trade is a violent and exploitive $6 billion

annual industry that threatens wild animals in almost every country of the

world. In 2002, , more than 38,000 mammals, 365,000 birds, 2 million

reptiles, 49 million amphibians and 216 million fish were imported into the

United States alone. Cruel practices are often used to obtain and transport

these wild animals, and many species are closer to extinction due to the

high demand for their fur and body parts or use as " pets. " Since 1996, more

than 2,000 species have been classified as threatened by the World

Conservation Union, partly due to the negative impacts from the

international wildlife trade.

 

Please join this effort to help keep wild animals in their natural habitats.

Write to Paris today to tell her that species like the kinkajou should not

suffer needlessly from the horrors of the international wildlife trade.

Visit http://www.TellParisNo.com for more information.

 

 

Campaign Expiration Date:

December 31, 2006

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no/