We Want To Live

Wild Mustangs In Arizona
Picture by John Harwood

Well the uplifting news days are now officially in limbo, as several stories came this morning that have put the fire back in my eyes.
Not everyone, I am sure, is passionate about Horses, some may fear them, others may

have no opinion either way, but then there are those of us, who grew up loving them and would not take kindly to anyone harming them, for any reason.

It is being reported that Apaches in Arizona are asking to be allowed to slaughter 4,000

wild horses on their Reservations because their people cannot afford to feed them and they can make a great deal of money if they do so.

You may remember that New Mexico is about to become the first US State to allow Horse Slaughtering and have a Slaughter House?

The two key factors to consider in this gut-wrenching conflict are:

that many, many horses will be killed for lack of food and they are living on land where the US Government should have no say.

Now, several thoughts come to mind:

Can some or all of these horses be adopted?

Can outsiders donate food for them?

Aside from the obvious ethical considerations in this issue, let us all think for a moment on this?

The proposed slaughter of these animals is to produce meat for humans to eat, an extremely disgusting thought.

What has not been made clear, or undisclosed deliberately, is that some of these Horses were previously used in Horse Racing, ( a blood sport/abomination that makes my blood boil ) and therefore were exposed regularly to various drugs making the human consumption of them not a terribly good idea.

My question is this, as an adamant horse lover, what gives anyone the right to murder all of these beautiful animals?

Yes, they are living and breeding on Native Reservations, which makes the whole issue somewhat cloudy and controversial because Native Reservations are supposed to be Sovereign Nations.

One explanation as to the reason that the Apaches or other Tribes would be so desperate to do this for purely economic reasons and that I have long complained about, is the nearly complete lack of interest by American humanitarians, philanthropists or just plain generous people, to donate or offer assistance to try to relieve some of the absolute poverty that exists on many, if not most, US Reservations.

I can speak with a bit of experience on this issue, having been to many of them personally.

Too many Americans with the means to make a difference, take their money to other Countries, why?

So, dear animal loving people, if we wish to prevent these 4,000 horses and          

many more that will surely follow them in these Western states from being slaughtered

for our next burger, we had better get involved in this and make our move now,

because this ugly issue will not be well resolved for either the animals or the Native people,

unless things change dramatically and soon.

Here are some stories to read, but only if you are able, as they do hurt:
Thousands Of Horses Could Starve On Reservations

Horse Slaughter Banned In New Mexico

Chemically Tainted Horsemeat Unfit For Consumption

Not A Time To Die

Environmentalist Jairo Mora Sandoval

Picture credit: Didiher Chacón, director of WIDECAST

Being young should be a time of exploration, adventure and joyful discovery.

It is a time when many of us are at our highest intellectual, love and friendship peak.

But, one thing that it should never be, however, is a time to die or to be murdered.

This week on an island renowned the world over for its stunning beauty, an innocent young man just doing what he loved, protecting leatherback turtles, was murdered for being in the wrong place and opposing turtle poachers.

This ugly word, poachers, is getting way too much press any more and I for one, am sick of the way that these monsters have chosen to handle those who get in the way of their dirty little money business.

Jairo, an environmentalist and native of this place where he died, was a mere 26 years old and should have had a full lifetime ahead of him in a field where anyone can become a hero, at least as far as those who are saved are concerned.

In recent years, Costa Rica has been rumored to have become a place of potential danger for outsiders and going there for a vacation or a honeymoon could be risky.

The world that we live in today, has a new breed of hired killers and getting caught in their cross hairs, can and has proved fatal, as in Jairo’s case this week.

I have just signed this petition for him, would you please consider doing so as well?

The Justice For Jairo Petition

No one should ever have to put their life at risk or be killed, for protecting animals.

And as today is, World Oceans Day, might we all take a moment to say a little prayer for all of those like this beautiful young man, who care so much and put their lives at great risk every day, to try to save Endangered wildlife on our planet?

Vaya Con Dios Jairo, may you go with God.

Courage Defined

A 2-3 year old African Mountain Gorilla

Picture credit: Kurt Ackermann

The last time that I talked about a movie, it was a terrific, positive experience for many of you, and you responded to it with glowing comments.

The movie from last night however, will not be the causation for a repeat of that.

I had seen this movie many years ago, when it first came out and was nearly unable to sit through it.

My reaction to the film again last night, was exactly the same.

The movie was " Gorillas in the Mist. "

The person that I share my life with had never seen it and I had recently recorded it.

I warned him before it began, of the content, but he wanted to see it.

So, with complete trepidation on my part, we did.

This story is pretty accurate in many ways, there were a few errors, but they were minor.

When I look at films like this my Anthro education clicks in.

The film for those who may not have seen it, is about Dian Fossey's nearly lifetime of work with Africa's Mountain or Silverback Gorillas.

The scenery is exquisite and the script is tight, but it is the wonderful personal relationships detailed in the movie, including the National Geographic photographer and her personal African guide, that make the otherwise extremely cruel subject of this film, almost bearable to watch.

But unfortunately the film also addressed her uneasy at times, frequently at odds, rocky relationship with her mentor Louis Leakey.

My initial, " over the top, " admiration for Louis Leakey at the beginning of my studies in Anthropology, was abruptly reversed after reading his wife Mary's Autobiography, " Disclosing the Past, " which sheds some rather unflattering light on his " indiscretions. "

The film is a cold, hard look at humanity at its worst and the poachers who will do anything to make money by stealing and/or murdering critically endangered animals,  namely Africa's Mountain Gorillas.

Dian Fossey was one of the most dedicated scientists ever, in her particular field of study and she should be an example to all of us for having the courage to do what was right, what she believed in, irregardless of the consequences.

The cast, the script, (from her book) and cinematography makes this an unforgettable, heart breaking film that is difficult to see, but is a must be told story.

Dian's life was important, what she did for animals was important, she must never be forgotten.

This is not a film for children, or those with tender, delicate hearts.

Why Not?

Reprinted with permission
Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

http://newsok.com/ongoing/may-20-tornadoes

 

A friend had a picture and a posting this morning on her FB page that sent me to a very dark place.

(The above is not the picture, I was asked to pay $75 for that one and declined.)

This entire country has been ravaged for weeks by weather disasters of nearly biblical proportions, and the death toll has been overwhelming, but what many may not know or hear about, are all the animals who also died.

Seeing pictures of injured or dead animals has always cut right through my heart, but being the insatiable, " I need an answer person" that I have always been, my first thought seeing it was, why?

This did not need to happen.

So, here is my second question, for all of you designers, builders, and contractors, etc.

Why can't we have underground shelters for our animals?

For many of us, our animals are our families too.

I have lived in states from the East Coast to the West Coast, where severe weather events are normal, common, repeated occurrences and we always prepared for them as much as humanly possible.

So, for all of those people who live out in the country, on a ranch or a farm, and have animals, why not a place for them to be safe until the disaster passes?

Oklahoma and many other "tornado alley" states, often are able to give extensive warnings

of impending dangerous weather, so it could be possible that there would be time enough to save some, or even all animals on a farm or ranch?

I know that this sounds bizarre, but why not?

Monsters, Murders and Mayhem

The Beautiful African Bush Elephants

This subject has been avoided for as long as possible, for one very good reason, my emotions,  my opinions would not, could not, be considered unbiased in any way.

But when a Google Alert came a few days ago about this issue,  it could not be avoided any longer.

This subject must now be addressed because this time it is personal, it is on my doorstep.

The subject is Elephant Poaching  and the person who has been indicted, is from New Mexico.

This monster bought the Ivory Tusks from an African Poacher and then sold them to a person here in Florida.

Personally, I believe that they should all do hard prison time because they all have blood on their hands.

But neither the time, nor the fine, could ever be enough to satisfy me, for these heinous acts against innocent animals.

This animal in particular, is one of the most beloved in the world, which makes these assaults even more difficult to bear.

The penalties all involved in this incident will receive, that will actually be enforced, are putrid, to say the very least.

In case you are not aware, taking any parts from an Endangered Species, like these African Elephants, is a big time crime and the punishment should be harsh, painful enough to give the beastly persons involved in this sickening ugly market, pause to think at least.

But it is not.

What they are all, including the legal system, doing to not only Elephants, but to Rhinos as well, is besides being criminal, is immoral and despicable as well.

This slaughter will never stop, not until it hurts too much to continue the crime.

These innocents are being murdered for their body parts and the beastly people involved on all sides, care nothing for the bloodied carcasses they leave behind, only for the huge deposits into their bank accounts.

The numbers of animals who have already died in this tragic manner, is beyond staggering, it is nearly impossible to comprehend.

If only Humans had body parts that the animals could exploit.

I firmly believe in Karma and do expect that one day these monsters will meet theirs, but it will be too late for all of the dead animals missing their high priced body parts.

Knowing that the species of which I am part of, can do these things, makes me ashamed to be a Human.

Told you there would be no unbiased commentary on my part.

You can learn more here:

Trophy Hunter Indicted

Elephant Poaching

Our Florida Ghost~

 The Florida Ghost Orchid

(picture credit Mike Fournier)
 

There was a story in the news yesterday, that prompted me to introduce you to a plant here in Florida that is so rare, that people from all over the Globe come here hoping to see it, some even come hoping to steal it.

Few succeed at either.

This deliciously rare and stunning beauty, is called the  Ghost Orchid and it only grows deep in a swamp in South Florida on ancient trees, which makes it extremely difficult to experience in person.

A word of advice, the Ghost will not grow on your front porch in a pot, so unless you can replicate the exact conditions where it lives here, please don't murder it needlessly, it will not survive if you take it home.

A dedicated Florida Wildlife Officer has made the safety and security of the Ghost his mission in life, along with also watching over the most endangered mammal in America, the Florida Panther.

Ask me if would I love to have his job, you bet, in a heart beat.

He is the luckiest person on the Planet, in my opinion.

So now, about the Ghost Orchid, as some of you may know, this web site has a a page that is especially devoted to this spectacular flower/plant.

This page, by the way is the single most visited one on the entire web site!

My hope is that some, or perhaps many of you, will go and read about our Ghost Orchid.

Its stunning beauty has inspired a book, a movie and legions of hunters, followers and admirers from around the world.

There are simply not enough adjectives to describe its beauty, ethereal is often used, my personal choice is breathtaking.

So dear readers, come meet the Ghost Orchid, I promise you will be enraptured by its beauty:
The Ghost Orchid

On This Memorial Day

One Of Our Florida Green Treefrogs

It is Sunday and so as usual I am doing the Blogs.
But as I sit here trying hard to concentrate, think it may be impossible.
The frogs and birds are making so much noise, it is hard to think.
What I really want to do is finish weeding and play with my flowers, but alas, not.
It is a gorgeous day here in paradise.
All is good and as it should be~
If you are out and about today, perhaps you might Hug a Veteran and say:
"Thank God for you and every Veteran for the Free America that we live in.”
Have a Memorable Memorial Day.

Giving Back, Dolphin Style~

A Bottlenose Dolphin in Florida

Those of you who live in Florida may be familiar with

Winter, a Dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium who was given a helping hand by some very kind humans and a new tail to replace the one that she lost due to a fishing line disaster.

If you don't live here, there is a really good movie about her life, " Dolphin Tale  " that is quite well done and details her painful tribulations, rehabilitation and eventual recovery.

Today on our local news, there was a " good news animal story, " there are so few it seems, so this was a joy to see, about how Winter is now giving back.

A little local girl recently lost both of her feet in a freak accident and Winter is now showing her how to adapt and relearn some basic motor skills.

These are the same kinds of things that Winter had to learn after her " accident. "

What you may not know, how could you, I have not shared this, my oldest son is a paraplegic from birth and has always been in a wheelchair.

So, Winter's beautiful story and her struggles to deal with her injury, really hit home hard for me personally, as did this new one today about how an animal who was nearly killed by us, is now giving back to the Humans that helped her so much during her time of need.

I highly recommend the movie, for all ages, it is a lesson in determination, perseverance, love and patience.

Couldn't we all use a big dose of that?

Who Cares If It's Endangered Species Day?

One of our Florida green treefrogs

So there you are, thinking, not another " special day. "

I don't even get a day off of work for it, so why should I care?

But you should care, do you know why?

In our lifetime, hundreds of species have already become extinct and they are going away at such an alarming rate, that even confirmed optimists are becoming concerned, even downright worried, that we may lose so many, that eventually our planet will, as the scriptures supposedly say, " be inherited by the insects."

It seems that insects are just about the only thing that all of our pesticides, or insecticides, don't wipe out, one way or another.

And if you're thinking "oh well, the chemical companies will save us with better, stronger, insecticides," hello, this has become our biggest problem.   

The insecticides now being produced by Monsanto, Bayer and others, have been so over used, for so many years, that the bugs have become immune to them and are well on their way to becoming super bugs, that eventually will respond to nothing that is thrown at them.

So, while you're digesting that cheery thought, think on this, all of the animals whose diet primarily consists of insects, are the exact ones that are the most endangered and are becoming extinct: the bats, the bees, the birds, the frogs, the list goes on and on.

These wonderful, fragile creatures, are what stands between us and the hordes of marauding insects, who are so anxious to take over our world.

To repeat, countless mammals, birds, bees and amphibians, are leaving this world precisely because of the overuse and wide-spread blanketing of our planet with poisons.

So, here's an idea for all of us on this, " not traffic stopping, just another day, " or Endangered Species Day.

Think what your/our world would be like, if the insects were all that was left here, besides us.

If that thought doesn't motivate you to get involved and pick an animal, or species to care about, come on down to Florida and spend a week in the Everglades in August and see what the future could be like for all of us.

As for me, I will keep pounding on this little Vaio 'til my fingers bleed or I croak, hoping that

somewhere, somehow, I will reach you and you will be affected enough to care and get involved.

The future of this planet as we know it, is on you, on me, on all of us.

So, the question remains, what will we do?   

Endangered Species Day

What's For Lunch?

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

A Lion in Botswana, Africa 

 

Before I begin, I wish to thank the 222 Word Press Blog "wildlife watchers " who have elected to "Follow" the Blog.

Although this inconsequential little Blog has only been online for two months, it has had over 4,000 hits and more than 200 followers.

Can I say, this is all just slightly overwhelming and completely unexpected?

I have been writing about these same Wildlife Issues for many years, not on Word Press, to my great chagrin, with little positive response.

But now, after two brief months on WP, I am convinced that you are not only out there, but that you absolutely do care what happens to "those with no voice."

Please accept my gratitude and a humble thank you from my heart to yours, for all that you have shared here since its inception on March 10.

Now, for today's Wildlife Issue revelation, for you to react to, respond to, and if history repeats, clearly oppose~

As many of you know, I live in Florida.

For much of the world, this is a place where Mickey and Minnie rule and fun abounds, but there is another side, a dark side, to the happiest place on Earth and it is this: Florida has the highest numbers of physical abuse towards women, children and you guessed it, animals, of any state in America.

A fact that sickens me to acknowledge.

Since moving here permanently in 2006, many stories on our local news have caused me great concern and alarm, especially those relating to animals being harmed by humans, but there are two recent stories that simply cannot wait, nor be ignored.

The first is that last week, a horse in an open field, apparently near where we live, starved to death and dropped dead right here in Lake County.

There have been in the past, quite regretfully, other similar stories about cows suffering the same fate in our county.

The denials and disclaimers were quick to come this time, from all sources involved, but the sad fact is, that if just one person had interceded in time, this horse might well be still alive.

According to the story, one other horse remains on this same undisclosed property and the county has given these people a short time to "correct the problem."

A witness who was interviewed during the story, said that she doesn't think " it will survive" the allotted time.

So when we drove home from the store yesterday and passed an open field with a very emaciated horse in it, we did not know if this might be the "other one " on the news.

I called our Lake County Humane Society this morning, but they were closed for the day, my second call was to Lake County Animal Control, who said that they would send someone out " to take a look."

Lake County Humane Society:  352 589-7400
Lake County Animal Control:    352 343-9088
Lake County Commissioners:    352  343-9850  

Next, in my email yesterday, was a Google Wildlife Alert with a story that I was sure had to be a misprint.

Sadly, it turned out, it was not.

If you have an extremely tender heart, please do not read the story:

Lion Tacos

This eating place in Tampa and one other, have crossed a line and the public backlash is, as it should be, in support of wild animals.

I fully expect and will be disappointed if you do not, respond in an animal avalanche about these two stories.

It has not escaped my memory, that some in this country are now also advocating the consumption of horse meat.

Applications to build Slaughter Houses are beginning to show up, including one in Wounded Knee, South Dakota and one that thankfully went down to defeat here in Lake County.

The one in New Mexico, is now considered "ground zero" for this issue.

Did I mention how really proud that I am to know each and every one of you?

Now, go get 'em~

Happy Hunting, Not!

 

 

A Beautiful Florida Black Bear

I am fully aware that many will disagree with my stance on this, but please hear me out.

Today all of the details were released for the next  Alligator Hunting Season here in Florida.

There seem to be so many "killing seasons" here now, it is hard to keep up.

My greatest fear is that our gorgeous Florida Black Bear may be next, as hunters are already chomping at the bit to get this passed.

I have recently, personally spoken to a "head person" who "assures" me that this will not happen.

Now, ask me if I trust "anyone" about this.

I came here to Florida as you know, after living in Southern California for over 30 years, where sadly, there are not really too many wild things left.

So, coming here and seeing them everywhere, is just such an overwhelming joy, that I would hate to see Florida become practically barren of wildlife, like Southern California has.

I grew up in Indiana and spent many happy summers on my uncles farm in the hills of southern Indiana, which was for me, a little city girl, a wild paradise to run through all day until I dropped.

I loved it with all of my heart and never wanted to leave.

So, I am truly not just another angry "city person" complaining about hunters and hunting.

This is what bothers me about hunting.

Where we live now, is many miles from the nearest anything, so we must drive a bit, to get to civilization, as it were.

Now, during any of the many "hunting seasons," we are forced to go past many VERY unpleasant sites.

No, I will not go into any of the grisly details.

The people who live out here on the fringes of civilization are "different" to say the least, from most other Florida residents.

They seem to be in a world all of their own.

Things happen out here, ugly, terrible things, that are not legal, but no one ever gets caught, so it continues to happen.

My question is, why do people still need to hunt, maim, kill?

Is it a primordial need?

There are so many animals in Africa who are being slaughtered for their body parts.

I know that I am in a very tiny minority and will take great punishment for this, but why do we need to continue to kill animals as if their lives mean nothing?

As a species, after so many millions of years, shouldn't we have by now, evolved to a place where we at least might show more respect to our fellow animals?

I truly do not believe that humans were put on Mother Earth to do so much harm to wild creatures and feel nothing.

Global Guinea Pigs~

 

A Guinea Pig Stable

If right now,  I asked you what the most important thing is, that you should or could do, to protect yourself and those you love, including your pets, from harm, you would probably come up with some pretty good answers,

but more than likely, you would be well short of coming up with the entire truth.

You see, the truth is, that on a daily basis, we and all living things on this planet, are being exposed to countless toxins, that are killing us, or at the very least, making us terribly sick, 

including some that we are not even aware exist.

Some time ago, most of you probably heard about a quote that was credited to the Ford Motor Company, 

that someone there was said to have remarked after learning of a number of deaths relating

to defects in their cars, that these deaths were simply, "acceptable losses."

This horrifying comment has reverberated around the world since then and has become a somewhat sick joke.

But, here is the real truth, everyday some company produces a product that they know is harming, people, plants and/or animals and they keep doing it, because no one has the temerity to stop them.

And, we are paying them to do this, because we are buying these products that are poisoning us.

In this Country, we have Government Organizations with thousands of people working full-time, being very well paid to protect all of us from the "bad guys" and/or their "bad" products.

They include, the CDC, the FDA and the EPA, to name just a few, but it would appear,

that none of them seem to be able, or are unwilling, to stop these ruthless companies with a

singular motive in life, that is,  to make money, and we, their Guinea pigs, can all be damned.

By now, most of the world is aware of the horrors  linked to Monsanto and their many lethal products, but there are 100 more companies  just like them, with their own personal brand of toxins waiting for their turn in line at us, their Global Laboratory animals, or Guinea pigs, to see if we live or die, or just become really sick or maybe just deformed, by the latest product that they are promoting.

The story linked below, is the single, most impressive work that I have ever found on this subject.

If you never read anything again in your life, please read this and swear on your ancestors, that you and yours will no longer be the victims of these companies, living your life in servitude as their Guinea pigs.

We must speak to these people, in the only language that they can understand, money, and we must refuse to buy their products.

You Are A Guinea Pig

There Just Are No Words

This will be an unusually brief posting today, with no picture, because it would be too disgusting.

While strolling through my Reader this morning, a posting came up that stopped me dead in my tracks.

I could not go any further, until I went and read about it.

As implausible as it may seem, mankind has just slipped another rung farther down the ladder of inhumanity.

I truly believed that as a species, we might be turning the corner on our treatment of animals, but now after reading this, it seems not.

I am now speechless.

So, here is the story and I now eagerly await responses from of all of you, my brilliant,

outspoken, compassionate followers:

Scientists Modify The Herd

Pollinators and Pesticides

 

It was a bit difficult to choose a topic equally as important as Earth Day for today's conversation.

But think this may do.

Let's talk about bees and the wondrous world of pollinators.

If like me, or maybe not, you were not an expert on their very vital purpose on our planet, here are a few thoughts.

It is quite simple, without pollinators, not much would grow, including a great deal of the world's food supplies.

They simply said are, one of man's, forgive me Breanna, best friends.

Pollinators can be seen on any warm day, flitting from one plant, or flower to another, taking and leaving what we humans need to survive.

But, consider this, the bees and many pollinators all over the Earth may soon no longer exist, why you ask?

Their imminent demise is being blamed on, what in our time, has become the single most detrimental toxin that any living thing can be exposed to, pesticides.

And the pesticides that may soon wipe out our pollinating friends, are neonicotinoid pesticides.

Pesticides harm people, plants and animals equally, as they are an equal opportunity killer.

Once their poisons get into our water sources, we are all goners.

Remember Erin Brockovich?

Ask the residents of McFarland, California, in the great San Joaquin Valley, where the continual use of pesticides on their crops, poisoned the entire areas water supply and a great many of their children now have leukemia.

There are many groups and individuals working diligently to reverse the damage already done by these toxins.

One of these groups is the Center for Food Safety, who is asking for your commitment to help stop this disaster in progress, by taking a "pledge to protect the pollinators."

The world of pollinators is made up of not only bees, but many of their friends, which includes hummingbirds, butterflies and numerous other helpful insects.

It's a gregarious group effort pollinating all of the worlds growing things you see.  

Ensuring that pollinators will always be here to work for us, is merely a matter of making better choices in our gardens and in the food growing industry.

Your local garden shops will know which ones are eco and pollinator friendly, or just plain safe for all of us!

These changes can be done, these changes must be done, if humans wish to continue to have food to eat and exist.

A place to learn more: Pollinators and Pesticides