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| Hope NYTimes pic |
Somehow,
she “survived” . . . to a new life as a caged wild animal in a rehabilitation
center. Her baby had died and she needed
intensive medical care after the cruelties she had endured.
Named "Hope," this model of loving, protective motherhood is an orangutan, the
only great ape species living outside Africa, exclusively on two Indonesian
islands. The spread of palm oil
plantations on Hope’s home island of Sumatra has destroyed habitat there as
well as on Borneo, where orangutans are also critically endangered.
Ironically,
“orangutan” means “people of the forest” -- yet the islands’ forests are fast
disappearing through mass burnings, with the added hazard of dangerous carbon emissions. The
future looks very bleak for orangutans (who share almost 97 percent of their
DNA with humans): they could become the first major great ape species to go
extinct.
Sort of a tiger
A Siberian tiger cub born last
month at Six Flags will never live the life of a Siberian tiger. Whatever comes
of “Carli,” as she was named, the “fuzzy, playful” cub will learn to be an
adventure park tiger, period. If, unlike
numerous other tigers around the world, she won’t have to be photographed with
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| Victoria Roberts for NYTimes |
Water, water everywhere
Since we humans can’t live on salt water -- much as we may “love” the
ocean -- what do creatures who live in salt water drink?
Here’s the short answer: “Marine animals
may consume both freshwater and saltwater. They rely on
various adaptations for survival when
only saltwater is available.”
Many sea dwellers can handle more concentrated salt in sea water than
humans, while for others, what they eat
or produce on their own makes the difference. And sea birds have quite an
unusual system for extracting and excreting salt.
Help your local shelter
July is “Kind Acts for Animal Shelters” month. Sounds a little strange till you think about
it: sure, it’s the shelter animals who
really count, but then, as long as they’re residents of a shelter -- and we
know that not every “shelter” lives up to that name -- it’s well worth doing
something for the facility itself. Improve the place and with that, make life
better for residents there.
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| Catster pic |
First of all, it’s still kitten season (as much of the year is, in fact), so your neighborhood shelter might need volunteer “socializers” or
even feeders for them. Then, there’s
fostering: no animal shelter ever has enough fosters. (Try it, you’ll like it!)
More basic yet, your area shelter would probably welcome donations of
towels and cleaning supplies (check its website for preferences). Transporting animals to adoption events is a
great “kind act,” and you’ll get to know the animals looking for loving
families.
And, of course, you can always stop by and ask shelter staffers how you
might help!
Disaster plans for pets
The link below leads to ASPCA safety sheets -- one each for cats and
dogs and horses -- with tips for how to plan ahead to protect your pet(s) when
disaster strikes. Floods, fires,
hurricanes. . . they’re all possible, and you need to be ready to take care of
your animals.
Suggestion: print out the tip sheet(s) you need, then get started. Give yourself a week or so to do the job,
then when you’re finished, you’ll feel great about being ready.
Phone
the gov!
With the state budget now a thing of the
past, Governor Murphy could at any time decide on whether to sign the terrible bill
now on his desk, S2419. Anyone who cares
about New Jersey wildlife will want Murphy to veto that bill. (http://1moreonce.blogspot.com/2019/06/a-world-saving-challenge-for-meat-eaters.html).
Please urge him to do so: Phone
609-292-6000. It’s that easy to make
your voice heard -- for the animals!
#
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