The Pegasus Foundation

PEGASUS HIGHLIGHTS
MAY 2002
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Protecting Animals on Island Nations
Manatee Protection Efforts Advance
Enhanced Compassionate Traveler Web Site Launched
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Pegasus Highlights is an occasional newsletter highlighting some of the recent activities and accomplishments of the Pegasus Foundation, a private independent foundation committed to animal protection, environmental preservation and public education. This newsletter is also available on our Web site at: www.pegasusfoundation.org


PROTECTING ANIMALS ON ISLAND NATIONS

"Challenges of Animal Protection on Island Nations," a conference hosted by the Humane Society International and sponsored by the Pegasus Foundation, was held April 2 in Miami Beach, Florida. The conference drew 80 attendees from animal protection organizations in 30 countries ranging from American Samoa to Zanzibar.

The heart of the conference consisted of case studies and roundtable discussions about animal protection efforts on five islands: Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas, the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Bali, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Many of these programs focus on spaying and neutering stray dogs and cats, which are an increasing problem for the world's island nations. All presenters agreed that successful animal protection programs include these key components:
--Data collection on the problem being addressed
--Involvement of local people and organizations, including the government, the veterinary community, the business community, and the various cultural groups living on the island
--Sensitivity to local cultures
--Public education and publicity
--Training in veterinary procedures, capture techniques, and other skills
--Fundraising

Many conference attendees echoed the comments of Jane Tipson, president of the St. Lucia Animal Protection Society, who said, "The island nations conference was a very positive experience. I came back home re-energized with lots of new ideas."


MANATEE PROTECTION EFFORTS ADVANCE

In 2001, a coalition of 19 environmental organizations, including the Pegasus Foundation, won settlement agreements on lawsuits that had been filed against the state of Florida and the U.S. government for failing to implement manatee protection laws. Since those agreements were reached, the manatee coalition has worked continuously to ensure that the terms of those settlement agreements are fulfilled. The following is a report on the coalition's progress.

On April 17, the manatee coalition won a court case on the Brevard Rule, which originally set aside over 90 miles of slow and idle speed zones for boats in Brevard County waterways last May to better protect manatees. Opposing boater groups and individuals legally challenged the rule. After a bitterly contested hearing, the judge ruled in favor of the manatee coalition on all issues. The victory was important in setting a precedent for similar manatee protection efforts that are part of the larger settlement agreement between the coalition and the state of Florida.

Also in April, the coalition filed a motion to enforce the portion of the settlement agreement with federal agencies that stated 16 areas in Florida were to be designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as manatee refuge or sanctuary sites by September 2001. Federal officials later indicated that they would not begin to address the issue until December 2002. The manatee coalition filed a Notice of Controversy in October 2001 as a first warning step before going back to court. This action led to months of discussion with minimal results. The motion filed April 17 now brings the issue back to the judge to address this violation of the settlement.

In other manatee protection developments, the Pegasus Foundation will fund this summer's launch of Boaters for Manatees to identify and mobilize boaters who support manatee protection. Contrary to the perception that boaters are against environmentalists, a poll conducted in 2001 revealed that boaters overwhelmingly support curbing coastal development. Most boaters agree with environmentalists that boats should travel more slowly, because slower speeds are not only safer for manatees but for people as well. In addition, many boaters agree that slower boat speeds help preserve marine and coastal environments, including sea grass beds that are important to the fish population.

Throughout the summer, Boaters for Manatees will conduct outreach in key manatee areas: Brevard and Volusia Counties, Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay area, and the Miami/Palm Beach area of eastern Florida (St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties). Outreach will include contacting yacht clubs and other boating organizations, environmental groups, and the media. The summer's activities will culminate in a Boaters for Manatees event this fall.


ENHANCED COMPASSIONATE TRAVELER WEB SITE LAUNCHED

Compassionate Traveler, a Web site for travelers who care about animals, has just updated its look and improved its navigation to make it easier for visitors to find information about animal welfare issues around the world. The site can be found at: www.compassionatetraveler.org

A project of the International Wildlife Coalition that is funded by the Pegasus Foundation, Compassionate Traveler has two primary goals: 1) to provide simple action steps people can take to help animals in need, and 2) to share information on animal-friendly travel.

In addition to visiting the Web site, Compassionate Travelers can sign up for the Travelers Take Action Alert, a monthly E-mail focusing on stories of animals in need and easy ways to help them.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PEGASUS FOUNDATION, CONTACT:

Anne Ostberg, Communications Director and Program Officer
The Pegasus Foundation
27 Merrimack Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301 USA
603.225.3918 (phone) 603.225.4624 (fax)
aostberg@pegasusfoundation.org

www.pegasusfoundation.org
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