Natures Corner

Bring Back the Magic

sue — 2009-01-30T12:50:38-05:00

Do you love animals? Then you’ll LOVE my book! It’s a memoir about how my relationship with my animal companions profoundly transformed my views of animals and Nature. The book walks the reader through the process of opening up to Nature and it unveils the intelligence, sentience, and individuality of animals and other critters of Nature. It’s educational and entertaining. And it’s about LOVE!

The book also clearly explains the differences between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights, and it presents the reader with the reasons WHY I believe that becoming animal guardians, instead of animal owners, is a very dangerous and bad idea.

If you suffered emotional pain in childhood… if you love animals, Nature, and your pets… then you will identify with this book. It’s MAGICAL!!!
Learn more HERE (link: http://www.BringingBackTheMagic.com )

Blessings,
Maggie Wright

In case you missed this over the Holidays...

sue — 2009-01-29T10:40:14-05:00

African Greys Stolen in Cameroon

sue — 2009-01-27T16:14:16-05:00

1
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Urgent Appeal Launched to Aid Confiscated Parrots
Hayle, Cornwall, UK
January 2, 2008
Cornwall-based World Parrot Trust has launched an urgent appeal to aid hundreds of African Grey parrots (Psittacus
erithacus) recently confiscated by wildlife authorities in two high profile raids in Cameroon. Funds raised through this
appeal will be used for temporary housing, rehabilitation eventual re-release of 400+ parrots back to the wild.
Illegal shipments bound for Mexico and Middle East
Two separate groups of parrots were intercepted in Cameroon by Last Great Ape Organization’s (LAGA) wildlife
agents and local wildlife officials. Each group of 500-700 individuals was bound for Mexico and parts of the Middle
East. Had officials not recovered these parrots their futures would have been grim. One half of all smuggled wild
birds do not survive all stages of their capture, handling, transport and quarantine to reach their final destination.
With African Grey parrots the mortality rate can often be higher due to the species’ high strung and sensitive nature.
The African Grey Parrot has been one of the most heavily traded bird species on the international market. From
1994-2003, 359,000 individuals were exported from various parts of Africa. The Grey Parrot’s popularity as a pet is
unparalleled due to its longevity in captivity and its ability to mimic human and other sounds. Demand for this bird
has always been high in North America and Europe, and is increasing in China. (Source: BirdLife International)
A temporary home and eventually...freedom
The confiscated parrots now rest in relative quiet at the Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC), the hub of a dedicated group
of rescuers nestled at the foot of Mount Cameroon. The process of capturing, smuggling, and transport has left
many of the parrots stressed and vulnerable to illness. Of the 1220 birds initially received, 681 were immediately
released, and more than 100 birds perished. A group of 417 birds remain at the center due to illness, emaciation and
feathers damaged by glue trapping. For their rehabilitation and eventual release these parrots require food, shelter,
medical attention and extra staff for their care. LWC has enlisted the help of The World Parrot Trust (WPT) to
provide support.
US$2,000 in emergency funding sent - more urgently needed
The World Parrot Trust has sent US$2000.00 in emergency funding. Due to the urgency of the situation and the
large number of parrots involved these funds have already been spent. More funding is required to provide ongoing
care for this convalescing group of parrots, now and for up to 9 more months.
Urgent Appeal off to strong start
In the first days of the appeal, donors from around the world rallied strongly to show their support. “We’ve had
donations from the UK, Europe, Australia, the US and a number of other countries,” stated Alison Hales, Chairman
of the World Parrot Trust. “We’re hopeful for a continued strong response.”
Interested supporters are urged to visit the Trust’s website at www.parrots.org/appeal or email
admin@worldparrottrust.org to learn how they can help or view updates from the project.

Frog Pictures

sue — 2009-01-26T13:27:25-05:00

We posted a story on a frog explosion the other day.. here are some photos!

Picture 1 – This new species of toad is the largest ever found in the genus Nectophrynoides. Its bizarre looks are likely to be coupled with a strange breeding cycle; studies of other Nectophrynoides species have discovered that they are the only types of toad which give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Photo © Penelope Whitehorn / Frontier.

Picture 2 – With its distinctive red eyes this new species of frog in the genus Leptopelis resembles other similar species, but is found at much higher altitudes than its relatives. Photo © Daniel Cox / Frontier.

Picture 3 – It might look like a bit of a bruiser, but this newly discovered species of burrowing toad (Probreviceps sp.) is under threat from deforestation in its mountain home. Photo © John Graham / Frontier.

Whistling parrot halts soccer game

sue — 2009-01-23T12:57:48-05:00

A parrot halted a football match with a perfect impression of the referee's whistle.

Me-Tu is a regular at matches at his local ground and often entertains fans by repeating what they say.

But referee Gary Bailey was not impressed when the parrot mimicked his whistle and brought the quarter-final of the Hertfordshire Senior Centenary Trophy to a standstill.

Read the full story

Frog BOOM!

sue — 2009-01-22T10:30:04-05:00

-15 NEW SPECIES DISCOVERED IN TANZANIA-
22 January 2009

Research in one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world has revealed fifteen new species of amphibians and a chameleon species. The findings are a result of biological surveys carried out in the South Nguru Mountains, Tanzania.

Three of the new species were discovered by scientists working for the British volunteer organisation, Frontier. They include a bizarre toad which looks as though it has crawled straight from the pages of a Marvel comic.

The toad, which has yet to be given an official scientific name, is the largest forest toad ever described in the genus Nectophrynoides. Its size and massive glands makes it distinct from known species and it appears in a variety of colours including orange and black, yellow and green, and red. This species appears to be restricted to only a few remote valleys deep in the South Nguru forests. However, in the valleys where it is found it is the commonest amphibian, making its presence known with a distinctive 'echoing drip' or 'plink' call.

“As soon as we saw this toad we knew it was something special,” said Nisha Owen who led Frontier’s research program in South Nguru. “It’s such a strange looking beast, and its call is very distinctive.

Frontier’s other discoveries included a new species of tree frog with red eyes, which was added to the genus Leptopelis, and a burrowing toad with a distinctive long snout, of the genus Probreviceps. The findings were reported last month in the journal Acta Herpetologica.

A conservation plan is now underway in the area to address the threats to these unique animals, because the Nguru South area is not only home to colourful amphibians. It houses more than fifty villages, majority of which are dependent on agriculture. As a result the local fauna faces severe threats as the agricultural land encroaches on the forests.

“It’s really important that these forests are protected from further agricultural degradation”, says Owen, who is now carrying out doctoral research into human-wildlife conflicts at the University of Leeds. “The montane forests of Tanzania hold some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, but they are also under severe threat from deforestation.”

The research was an international collaboration between Frontier and the University of Dar es Salaam, the Tridentine Museum of Natural Science in Italy and the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group. Frontier’s research was funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund as part of a wider survey programme in the Eastern Arc, the world’s ‘hottest’ biodiversity hotspot.

Citation: Menegon, M., Doggart, N., & Owen, N. (2008) The Nguru Mountains of Tanzania, an outstanding hotspot of herpetofaunal diversity. Acta Herpetologica: 3, 107-127

Further press information:
Emma Goodwin / Lucy Quilliam
KTA Public Relations
020 7352 1088

Some not so intelligent animals...

sue — 2009-01-21T12:43:40-05:00

Derek Clontz has published an article about some not so smart animals. While we contine to marvel at our pets, sometimes things still go very wrong. Some of these are funny, some are tragic, but it shows how our companions *smarts* may may lead to trouble!
Read the article

From the Elephant Sanctuary in Tenn.

sue — 2009-01-15T12:20:16-05:00

A newborn aardvark

sue — 2009-01-13T11:31:27-05:00

The Detroit Zoo welcomed a baby aardvark this month, born at 1:05 a.m. Dec. 8 to mother Rachaael and father Mchimbaji.
“This baby can only be described as hideously cute,” said Director of Conservation and Animal Welfare Scott Carter. Since the birth, Amani has more than doubled in size. Adult aardvarks can weigh from 90 to 145 pounds and grow 5 to 6 feet in length.

See the *ugly* ADORABLE photo and read the full story HERE.

Rescue Group Removes "Cat Horde"

sue — 2009-01-09T06:56:03-05:00

A rescue agency has begun the process of removing 180 cats from a Moriches, Long Island home.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28546762/from/ET/

All Red African Grey!

sue — 2009-01-08T11:03:06-05:00

Well I know they have been working on this for a long time. I myself had a *red factor* pair. My Naja has red feathers all along her shoulders and wings. But now there is an unrelated pair for sale for just 150K.. and a baby at 6 months. (no price given) Or you may PAY to see them. Here is the link for you international travelers and curious types!
http://www.birdsfromafrica.co.za:80/redafrican.html

Helper Parrots, Guide Horses Face Legal Challenges : NPR

sue — 2009-01-05T12:05:32-05:00

Chances are you've seen a blind person accompanied by a guide dog. But what about a guide horse or a monkey trained to help an agoraphobic? Non-traditional service animals help many people with disabilities, but a new proposal would ban them.

Full Story and links to a Blog and other information on the subject.

Bird Spooked by fireworks..

sue — 2009-01-02T12:35:06-05:00

Fireworks used to ring in the New Year instead led to a horrific scene at a local wildlife conservation center, officials said.

Workers at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation doing a routine morning check-up today discovered a dead red-browed Amazon parrot with severe head and face injuries.

It was obvious from the bird's injuries that it had thrashed itself to death against its enclosure, said Paul Reillo, director of the conservation center.

The parrot was part of a recovery project to breed the rare species and reintroduce it to its natural habitat in the lowland humid forests of Brazil. The wild population is estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,500 birds, according to Birdlife International, an international conservation organization.

Reillo said the birds and other animals always get spooked by the fireworks, but this is the first time an animal has reacted so violently.

Read Full Story HERE

Bring Back the Magic

sue — 2009-01-01T10:40:13-05:00

Hello,

Over the next few years, we are going to be hearing more propaganda about how we should become “guardians” of our pets. We will be told that it makes people better appreciate their pets. We will be told that it is much better for us and our pets to be their guardians. BUT is it really? What does it really do?

Right now, we own our pets as “property” under the US Constitution. That means no one can take them from us without a search warrant and we have Due Process of the Law. But if we are guardians, we don’t have that power. A neighbor could complain if your dog barks and a judge could revoke your guardianship. Someone could complain that your home is too dirty… or your birds’ cages have not been cleaned…and turn you in.

It is SO important for all of us animal people to be aware of the illusions around the issues of “guardianship” versus “ownership.” There is a very important chapter written about this in my new book: Bringing Back the Magic. I hope you will read it and get your friends to read it.

Here are the links:

AMAZON LINK:

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

MORE INFORMATION:
www.BringingBackTheMagic.com

Are you up for the ASPCA challenge?

sue — 2008-12-16T11:41:33-05:00

Every new gift this year will be doubled until we meet our goal.

Thanks to member support like yours, we've been able to advance lifesaving animal welfare programs in every corner of the country. With your generous support, the ASPCA can continue to fight animal cruelty and finding permanent, loving homes for America's adoptable animals.

Now you can double the impact of your donation & membership dollars.

Thanks to a generous $50,000 Challenge Grant, every contribution you make to the ASPCA before year end is matched dollar for dollar. This Challenge is for a limited time only, so give today. Donations and memberships sent by December 31, 2008 qualify as 2008 tax deductions.

Help us reach our $50,000 goal by December 31st!