Animals

Japanese Dolphin Slaughter to Continue Despite Current Suspension

September 8, 2009

Last Tuesday, EcoWorldly Staff Writer Bryan Nelson wrote an article on the suspension of dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. The suspension came off of Japanese local media swarming on Taiji, after the award winning documentary film “The Cove” put the spotlight on the small Japanese village that slaughters thousands of dolphins every year. Ric O’Barry, the dolphin trainer and activist who brought the location to the attention of filmmakers, returned to the site of the slaughter this week, just as…

Vultures Killed and Sold as Roasted Chicken

September 7, 2009

A disturbing incident in Eket, Nigeria reveals that unsuspecting roadside barbecue patrons may have been eating vulture meat instead of chicken. Hungry buyers tempted by the scrumptious sizzle of meat cooking over a charcoal fire may want to think twice before buying a snack from one of these outdoor roasting vendors. What they think is chicken could actually be … vulture.

16 Cool Facts About Vultures on International Vulture Awareness Day

September 5, 2009

Here are 16 cool facts about vultures on International Vulture Awareness Day.

Bahamas Outlaws Killing of All Sea Turtles

August 30, 2009

The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources gives full protection to all marine turtles found in Bahamian waters, outlawing the killing, possession, and sale of the turtles.

Journey into the “Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch” — Scientific Findings

August 28, 2009

The “Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch” lies about 1,000 miles from the coast of California. It is in the North Pacific Ocean Gyre, which is one of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. The garbage patch has gotten a lot of media attention in the last year. However, due to the fact that one must get on a boat and go all the way out to the patch to study it, there hadn’t been any in-depth scientific…

Tiger Killed, Skinned Inside Indonesian Zoo

August 24, 2009

Authorities fear that the killing of Sheila the tiger at Jambi’s Rimbo Zoo is a shocking new development in the illegal wildlife trade. The tiger’s skin, along with body parts in demand for traditional Asian “remedies”, were taken from the tiger’s enclosure. Officials noted that even the tiger’s blood had been collected.

World’s Largest Leather Exporter Backs Out of Amazon

August 17, 2009

Just a couple of weeks ago, soya traders agreed to extend a moratorium on buying soya linked to Amazon destruction. However, as discussed in January, 80% of Amazon deforestation is from cattle farming. With continued involvement of major international organizations and companies — Greenpeace, McDonald’s, Nike, Wal-Mart, and Carrefour — a giant leap in protection of the Amazon was made a few days ago.

Too Many Camels: Australia Considers Helicopter Sharpshooters and Camel Burgers to Control Population Explosion

August 10, 2009

Controversial proposals by the Australian government would mean shooting more than 650,000 camels from helicopters – and even making camel burgers. Camels have become a problem in Australia’s remote Outback. There are now about a million camels, and the population doubles every nine years. The animals were introduced to the Australia in the 1840’s by explorers who relied on them to journey through the desert. But now, camels are competing with livestock for food – and are apparently scaring people…

Doggy IQ: Canine Expert Finds Dogs as Smart as Toddlers

August 10, 2009

Canadian canine expert and author Dr. Stanley Coren, professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, reports that Fido may just be as smart as two-year-old children.

What’s Behind the Decline in India’s Tiger Population – and What Can Be Done About It?

August 9, 2009

India’s tiger conservation efforts have suffered a multitude of major setbacks, and threats from inside and outside the country may lead to extinction of the wild tiger. Can the tiger be saved? When Project Tiger was launched in 1973, India reported a tiger population of 1,827 tigers – a decline from 40,000 tigers in India at the turn of the century. Now, the tiger population in India is only approximately 1,400. The Indian public is outraged, and recently held a…

Two Tiger Cubs Reported in Indian Tiger Reserve

August 8, 2009

For the first time in over a year, two tiger cubs and their mother have been seen in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Finally, some good news about tigers in India. As a brief respite from news of poaching and industrialized tiger cruelty, Valmiki Tiger Reserve has apparently welcomed two recent arrivals. According to the Times of India, two tiger cubs – along with their mother – were seen in the Manpur area of the reserve. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel…

Elephant CSI: Using DNA to Help Fight Poaching

August 6, 2009

Comparing DNA from seized ivory to an elephant DNA database is revealing new information on how poaching syndicates and illegal dealers are operating. The development of a DNA forensics technique may prove to be a valuable weapon in the bloody war against elephant poaching. According to BBC News, Professor Sam Wasser of the Center or Conservation Biology at the University of Washington is fighting back against these criminals using DNA collected from elephant dung and ivory to expose poaching hotspots.

Poaching Cartel Fulfills Rhino Horn and Elephant Ivory ‘Orders’ Placed By Chinese Nationals

August 2, 2009

A shocking undercover journey reveals that a poaching cartel known as ‘The Crocodile Gang’, led by Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, is slaughtering rhinos and elephants to fulfill ‘requests’ for horn and ivory. Dubbed the Crocodile Gang, this cartel – whose existence can be revealed by the Mail today – is behind the ‘industrial-scale slaughter’ of black rhinos, prompting warnings that the species will be hunted to extinction in the region within two years. And the “godfather” of the poaching cartel is…

Madagascar: A Biodiversity “Hot Spot” for Amphibians

July 31, 2009

Ecologists and biologist who study the world’s flora and fauna have been reporting a species decline amongst amphibians for over a decade or more. This decline has been attributed to a combination of habitat loss and diseases (a fungus pandemic, a virus). A 2007 paper (Becker, et al) made a case for “habitat splitting” wherein certain Brazilian, Amazon frog species that are born in water, but then occupy land ecosystems as adults, are “cut off” from making this transition, due…