IWMC  World Conservation Trust

The Editor St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue S
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

8 January 2002

Sir / Madam,

The constant tormenting of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus by animal rights groups is just one element in a lucrative and self-sustaining fundraising merry-go-round. As a conservation body devoted to the sustainable use of wildlife, we are constantly pointing out that these campaigners spend none of the money they receive on physically improving the welfare of any animal.

There are now a myriad of campaign groups raising money from the public (particularly preying on children and young adults) supposedly to "protect" animals and the environment. In fact, groups like PETA are professional fundraising machines managing a financial charade that compares to pyramid schemes. They dupe the public to hand over cash in exchange for what is defended as "increasing public awareness".

Most of the money donated pays for: salaries, benefits, offices, mailers, advertising, publicity material, lawyers, state of the art internet sites, media stunts and, of course, endless fundraising appeals.

Eugene Lapointe
President IWMC World Conservation Trust

Promoting the Sustainable Use of Wild Resources
- Whether Terrestrial or Aquatic
- as a Conservation Mechanism