This was posted on the Internet and I'm passing it on as requsted.
"Crusade for Life", Cruzada por la Vida is fighting for the
lives of thousands of dolphins (about 76 per day) in Peru. These
dolphin are killed and sold in the market daily. If you agree that the
situation described is unacceptable and should be addressed, take a
moment to send your protest to the President of Peru via Internet mail
to (dolphins@amauta.rcp.net.pe), fax or regular mail.  Forward this
message to others who you know would be interested in stopping this
slaughter.
      DOLPHINS ARE STILL BEING KILLED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
We are CRUZADA POR LA VIDA (Crusade for Life) a non-profit association
who's goal is to protect and defend species that are considered
vulnerable. We have been working on a Campaign to Save the Dolphins,
along the coast of Peru, from continuous butchery. High captures of
dolphins has been registered over the last 20 years, especially in the
8 years prior to 1994.  The scientific data from port surveys done
between the years 1991 and 1993 estimated a mortality rate of 15,000 to
20,000 small cetaceans.  This does not include dolphins and porpoises
killed in drift nets.  The slow reproduction cycle and high mortality
rate puts this species in danger.
Our campaign has created pressure. Nowadays, the killing is done late
at night, the organs are extracted from the animal inside the boat, the
head and skeleton are thrown into the sea, and the meat is carried to
the markets in dark bags where it is sold immediately at sunrise.  This
situation makes it impossible to monitor activities. Thus, at this
moment, it is difficult to have an accurate count of deaths per day. A
clandestine market has emerged.  This situation can only be stopped by
the authorities in charge.
CRUZADA POR LA VIDA is calling for stronger enforcement of the law and
increase research.  The campaign focuses on two basic issues,   the
illegal commerce of dolphin meat, known under the names of "Muchame"
and "Sea Pig" and the problem of Captivity.
                         DON'T EAT DOLPHINS !
The method used in the killing dolphins used to be by net, harpoon
and/or beating. When brought alive to port, plastic bags were forced in
blowholes to asphyxiate them or the throat was cut and they bled to
death.  The Peruvian government passed a law in November, 1990 that
prohibited the extraction, process and commercialization of cetaceans,
but the fishermen continued to kill them. For this reason we planned
and organized this campaign.  Crusade for Life is working not only to
establish stronger legislation but also to make it effective.
Peru is one of the few countries in the world where dolphins are killed
for human consumption. We have alternative food sources at the same
price or cheaper with great nutritional value.  As the problem is based
on supply and demand, our objective is to educate the consumer. We feel
the killing will stop when the people of Peru are educated on this
issue.
                       THANKS BUT NO TANKS !
We are also working against the captivity of these marine mammals.
There is a luxury hotel here in Lima, the Dolphin Hotel, still under
construction by an important economic group of Peru, GREMCO.  As its
main attraction, they are building a tank for two dolphins. Peruvian
law prohibits the commercialization of cetaceans, consequently they are
not allow to capture dolphins from Peruvian water. So this group is
going to bring dolphins from Cuba.
There are several reasons for avoiding this kind of abusive project:
1.  More than 50% of the dolphins die in the first 24 months of
    captivity.
2.  The drastic diminishing of their life span. Captivity kills.
3.  The quality of their life is diminished.
4.  The nearly impossible reproduction, and low probability of the calf
    surviving.
5.  The negative repercussion of the exercise of its innate qualities.
    The use of their echolocation sonar system in a concrete and steel
    tank results in great confusion and stress.
6.  The capture of more dolphins from the wild to meet the commercial
    needs from the captivity industry.
7.  Captive dolphin shows are a form of bad education
8.  The captures can seriously disrupt the group structure and
    coherence.
9.  Other kinds of cruelty free entertainment should be explored for
    Peru
There is great potential for the development of ecotourism activities,
that will permit us to appreciate these animals in their natural
habitat. Peru has never before had a captive marine mammal industry.
Moreover the precedence that this project could establish is very
dangerous and must be stopped.
           OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE PERU A DOLPHIN SAFE COUNTRY.
We sent letters to President Fujimori with more than 7,000 signatures
of Peruvian citizens demanding he interfere in the construction of this
project and to stop the killing of dolphins. Unfortunately our country
has a vast history of corruption and little or none interest in this
kind of problem. Undoubtedly letters from International Institutions
will make greater pressure.
Richard O'Barry, a biologist who has fled Peru to avoid threats to his
life, is serving as volunteer consultant to Cruzada por la Vida. He is
requesting that all letters of protest be sent to President  Alberto
Fujimori, Care of Cruzada por la Vida. Your letter will be hand
delivered to President Fujimori.  This is an urgent action alert.
Please respond.  Please network.
Asociacion Cruzada por la Vida      Fax:  (511) 440-2399
Olga Rey de Michell - President           Phone:  (511) 442-5741
Nina Pardo - Campaign Coordinator         E-mail:
dolphins@amauta.rcp.net.pe
Mail:   Sociacion Cruzada por la Vida, Av. Pardo y Aliaga 689,
        Lima 27 PERU
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