Bill Dyer - IDA's Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient at the 2009 Animal Rights Conference

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DoggyTV
September 06, 2009

Bill Dyer is presented by Dr. Elliot Katz, the In Defense of Animals' Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Animal Rights National Conference in Los Angeles. Two videos were shown highlighting ...

Bill Dyer is presented by Dr. Elliot Katz, the In Defense of Animals' Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Animal Rights National Conference in Los Angeles.

Two videos were shown highlighting some of Bills more dramatic rescues - buffalos and goats from Catalina Island, off the California coast. A slide show illuminated the other part of Bills life - song man, playwright, and entertainer. Captured on film was Bills introduction on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and his robust singing of "If I Ruled the World" about how he would save all the animals. Bill's friends and colleagues spoke about his passion and accomplishments, and he was given a beautiful giclee print (a museum-quality reproduction of a painting) fitted with an engraved plaque that reads "Bill Dyer Guardian Lifetime Achievement Award."

What took place on an island 23 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island, perfectly captures who Bill Dyer is. Bill learned that the Catalina Island Conservancy was going to shoot over 100 goats in its quest to banish all non-native animals and plants. Understanding the delicate balance of the Catalina Island ecosystem but determined to save the goats, Bill met with Conservancy officials and obtained their permission to relocate the goats to the mainland. Bill then raised the funds and found a new home for the 123 goats in Northern California.

Years later, on the same island, Bill learned that the Conservancy was planning to send its non-native buffalo herd to an auction house and certain death. Rising to the occasion again, he asked if he and others might relocate them. Once it was agreed upon, Bill quickly raised the money and found three locations on Native American land in South Dakota where the 103 buffalo would be allowed to live, protected from hunting. The long journey took three days from Catalina Island to South Dakota, but the buffalo made it to the land where their ancestors once roamed. The Catalina buffalo indeed had returned home.

Bill Dyers voice is one of great character and passionate conviction. About his Lifetime Achievement Award, Bill said,

To be in the company of two previous recipients, Gretchen Wyler and Dr. Jane Goodall, was indeed an honor. Of course, we never think we do enough for animals and wonder if we are really that worthy of such an award. Ive been with In Defense of Animals for thirteen years and I so appreciate the many animal issues IDA has addressed, a wide variety of important campaigns. Through it all I have learned that finding a cause gives meaning to ones life. I am proud and humbled to be a part of the greatest cause of all, animal rights.

Please visit http://wwww.IDAusa.org and http://www.ARconference.com

Category: Pets & Animals

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Coirpeach (2 months ago) Show Hide

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Look deep into the eyes of any animal, and then for a moment, trade places, their life becomes as precious as yours and you become as vulnerable as them. Now smile if you believe all animals deserve our respect and our protection, for in a way, they are us, and we are them

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