A CROW I USED TO KNOW

petermuller Fall/Winter 2020-21 November 22, 2020November 22, 2020

One of my most unforgettable jobs (as well as one of my first) was working at a farm that hosted events for kids. As an assistant manager, I handled events and safety along with many of the animal caretaking responsibilities. This meant that, on my shifts, I fed most of the animals at roughly the same time – and as I loved them all - I often brought treats. My schedule was predictable enough that the farm animals became excited around feeding time. I started to notice that a wild bird friend had the same reaction. On the farm, there were many birds who found shelter and scraps - sparrows, swallows, hawks, cowbirds. There were also many crows. When I saw the birds dive down to pick for scraps, I’d toss them a handful of chicken scratch or some fruit. One crow learned this routine, and began to show up for scheduled feedings. At first, he was anxious and refused to come close, cawing demandingly from nearby trees. He continued to come closer, until he’d dive and swoop up food dropped at my feet. The crow began to not only know my feeding times, but demand for them to come sooner! He would appear as early as an hour beforehand, and follow me from tree to tree around the property, screeching and flapping until I eventually caved and tossed something his way. It grew to the point where I had to hide my bird-feeding habits from my employers - the crow spotted me through a window and began screaming directly outside the building for an extended period until I tossed some food out the back door in an urgent attempt to silence him. No, it wasn’t random, in my case, the crow only begged for food from me, regardless of who was around at feeding time.

This behavior was surprising, but also not unheard of - crows have demonstrated extreme animal intelligence, and are quite good at solving puzzles and problems, so simply remembering an approximate time and associating it with food was no big deal for my corvid friend.

Crows have strong memories and object association, as demonstrated by studies showing crows can remember human faces for years on end. To read more about this delightful bird, see Nijhuis, Michelle’s “Friend or Foe? Crows Never Forget a Face, It Seems.”The New York Times, 26 Aug. 2008, www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/science/26crow.html. Also see, “New Caledonian Crows Can Make Tools from Memory.”

www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/crows-make-tool-memory-432/.

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Patrick Kuklinski is a published nature writer and bird fanatic currently residing in New Hampshire while he works towards a Bachelor’s in Zoology.

THE WESTERN LARCH: A DECIDUOUS CONIFER

petermuller Fall/Winter 2020-21 November 22, 2020

Anyone growing up in Washington would surely have heard it referred to by its nickname, “The Evergreen State.” But not all of the conifers coating the forested mountainsides are “ever” green. A few species of coniferous trees actually turn a brilliant color and shed their needles each fall, only to return to their green phase in the spring and summer.

Western Larches and their alpine cousins, the tamarack, can be found in extreme northern Washington, across Idaho and Montana to the Rockies and up into British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Some are even found in suitable (usually cold and shady) habitats in the Arctic.

The larch forest zone is home to some distinctive animal species, including snowshoe hare, lynx, timber wolf and woodland caribou; gray jay, mountain chickadee and the Clark's nutcracker (pictured here), all of whom thrive in some of the harshest climates the planet has to offer.

During the winter, after larches have lost their orange needles, they may appear to be standing dead snags. But each spring these unique conifers again sprout new, light green needles, which turn a darker shade of green as the days grow longer and their short growing season begins again in earnest.

VETERINARY CARE FOR A MOST MAJESTIC ANIMAL

petermuller Fall/Winter 2020-21 November 22, 2020November 22, 2020

On behalf of Wildlife Watch, I was privileged to conduct an e-mail interview with the famous and beloved doctor, Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma. Here’s what I learned:

The language of elephants. It is an intuitive one, relying on a sort of sixth sense and empathy. Animals are largely emotional, hiding nothing, and anthropomorphic feelings are often rightfully attributed to the beautiful beings. They all have specific personalities, as we know humans do, and it shows that you do not need to be of a singular species to relate to your fellow person. After all, with their own personas, I believe that animals are people, too.

Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma is the beloved doctor who has presided over the healing of thousands of elephants in India’s wildlife community. He bonds with each elephant as a dear friend, reportedly beginning with Laxmi, an elephant his family cared for since the start of his life. BBC Hindi’s Dilip Kumar Sharma writes in an article that at age seven, Dr. Sarma would ride Laxmi around his home village.

When I asked Dr. Sarma if Laxmi was the inspiration behind his lifelong care for elephants, he responded, “Laxmi was deeply imprinted in a hidden chamber of my mind, but subconsciously. This took me about 20 years to realize, when I could see a vivid image of my beloved friend in each elephant that I handled as a doctor.” As Sharma writes, “This love and bond with elephants has cemented his career as the go-to doctor in the state.”

Just how deep does Dr. Sarma’s appreciation of these mighty beings go? Having spent not just his career as a veterinarian, but his life growing up in the village Barma in India’s northeastern state of Assam, his connection to elephants runs strong. Of elephants, Dr. Sarma writes, “Most of them are majestic, friendly, benevolent and tolerant. People will do good to know that this iconic species has lots of similarities and bonding with humans. [They] can communicate with lots of infrasonic or sonic signals, [they] like songs, rhythms, and also like to dance and can appreciate paintings.” He speaks of elephants indulging in the arts and joys of life as much as we as humans do.

When it comes to the healing work he does as a doctor, I asked what specifically he’s called to do, and he mentioned a wide range of tasks from trimming tusks, sewing up lacerated wounds, giving injections, keeping the elephants calm from the pain of these shots, and recommending medications when appropriate. He said, “I organize preemptive health camps in forest departmental elephant camps; there are elephants numbering 30-60 in each of five parks in Assam, and many places across the country, primarily engaged in anti-poaching patrols. I touch and talk to them, offer some sweet treats. They recognize me as a friend.”

I also asked what the greatest threats to elephants might be. While the BBC article details monsoon season and the flooding that threatens the lives of elephants, I assumed that hunting and poaching would be among the top threats, but Dr. Sarma said, “The uncontrolled human population growth is the main threat to the existence of elephants, in Asia in general and India in particular. Hunting is a threat, but not the greatest threat in this part of the country. Albeit, some elephants are hunted by the tribesmen for bush meat; tuskers are still hunted for ivory. Fortunately, larger number of the bulls in this region are makhanas (tusk-less bulls), and thus do not interest the ivory hunters.”

He reports that Indian Wildlife Protection Acts are good, but need to continue to ensure the security of elephants’ natural habitats and keep humans from encroaching upon their territory as population growth rapidly rises: “The growing human population needs space and tries to push itself into the protected areas, depriving the wild animals from their legitimate habitat.” According to www.worldometers.info, India is second in the world in terms of population by country, currently accounting for 17.7% of the world’s population. [Please visit that amazing website.]

So, with the heightened human population threatening the lives of elephants, what is there for us to do in order to help them? I was happy to hear that poaching is less of an issue than it used to be, or than I had originally assumed. Clearly, humans need to stop expanding into these natural areas and leave them to the wonderful wildlife that inhabit them.

When I asked if Dr. Sarma passes his immense knowledge onto other doctors, he responded, “I will die most unhappy if I have to carry all my knowledge, skills, and wisdom on elephantology to my grave. I have been training vets and most of the present-day elephant vets of India are either trained by me or must have consulted me on some issues on elephants.” He keeps his phone on 24/7 in order to cater to the questions others may have about rehabilitation or to visit elephants in need on-site.

Dr. Sarma’s daughter, Nina, has also completed a degree in veterinary science and assists him with his work. He is excited to see her enter his own line of work and save even more elephants.

My personal joy in being able to interview the good doctor was due to my own love for elephants. As a child, I read National Geographic books about how elephants experience emotions usually only attributed to humans, and I’ve wanted to learn more and even someday meet elephants. When I told that to Dr. Sarma, he wrote: “[Elephants] are very emotional creatures; you can see vivid expressions of joy when siblings meet after a long time, they bellow loudly for up to an hour ignoring everything else; elephant squeaks, trumpets, low or high rumbles, and so many other kind of vocalizations to express different emotions.”

I also asked if a claim were true that elephants could experience grief and desire. “I have seen silent condolences over a dead relative, I see them sniffing and kissing friends and relatives. [They have] reactions over sexual advances, physical expressions of dominance and subordinations; very interesting indeed.” Dr. Sarma’s words have only further enhanced my admiration and desire to spend time with elephants.

So, thank you, Dr. Sarma, for the gallant and important work you do for one of the most beautiful and stately creatures of the florid animal kingdom. I am grateful to you for our interview, and your work is uplifting and inspiring to all. And, without even a second guess, I am certain every elephant Dr. Sarma has touched is grateful as well.

If you would like to read Dilip Kumar Sharma’s article, “The Indian Doctor Taking Care of Thousands of Elephants,” on BBC Hindi, the link is

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54610762 .

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Lily Lavender Wolf is a writer and avid lover of nature and animals. She hails from Manhattan but has lived upstate New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley, where she spends time in the mountains. She studies Environmental Psychology at the State University in New York (SUNY), New Paltz campus.

SAVING THE PYGMY HOG WHO FITS IN YOUR HAND!

petermuller Fall/Winter 2020-21 November 21, 2020November 22, 2020

Did you know that there is a breed of pig that can fit in your palm? Well, as strange as that sounds, there is a species that is a mere 10-inches tall and this is the Pygmy Hog. The tiny animal sadly is critically endangered as it is losing its habitat. However, there is a ray of hope now as Aaranyak, an environment and conservation organization has stepped in to help. Their mission is to protect the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots using legal and policy research for biodiversity management. Aaranyak has helped ensure that the numbers of the pygmy hog are rising. With expert environmental scientists, researchers, legal advisors, community workers and educators, Aaranyak’s primary aim is to devise a management plan for the tall, wet, sub-Himalayan grasslands that are linked to the survival of many endangered species like the pygmy hog. And they have received a grant from The Habitats Trust, an organization that has collaborated with reliable partners for the conservation of several endangered, and lesser-known species through projects across India.

Trisha Ghose, Project Director of The Habitats Trust says, “we have partnered with Aaranyak in Assam to conserve the Pygmy Hog by securing and recovering grassland habitats in Manas National Park, the last stronghold of this critically endangered species.” The Habitats Trust Grants have provided a platform for conservationists from remote corners of India, working in diverse landscapes and with varied species, to come together and be part of a network of like-minded people who endeavor to secure a future for our natural habitats and indigenous species.”

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

For some historical perspective and an understanding of the roles of the organization, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has been involved with the conservation of the pygmy hog since 1971. It’s this organization that initiated the partnership program in 1995 to save the pygmy hog and its sub-Himalayan grassland habitat. Aaranyak joined the partnership in the beginning of 2018 and is involved in the activity of the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) through the Threatened Species Recovery Program of the organization. Conservation breeding of pygmy hogs is a key activity of PHCP. Some governmental entities involved are the Forest Department, Government of Assam and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the government of India.

BOOSTING NUMBERS of pygmy hogs

“The conservation work has ensured that the numbers of the pygmy hog are seeing an upward trajectory. From 1996 to 2019, 165 litters with 644 babies have been born and about 418 (65%) of them have survived beyond the age of three months. These hogs are taught to survive independently at a pre-release facility. The released hogs are then monitored using field signs (nests, forage marks, footprints and droppings), and camera traps and radio-telemetry. A camera trap study at RG Orang NP and sign survey revealed that reintroducing the population has helped in breeding and expanding the population of the pygmy hogs. Surveys are being carried out to identify and restore other protected grasslands in the sub-Himalayan region for reintroduction,” says Dr. Parag Deka, Project Director, PHCP, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. PHCP also conducts grassland research to find out how best to manage these habitats, as well as working with local communities and frontline protection staff for the proper conservation of threatened grasslands, the home of the pygmy hogs.

COVID-19 CHANGES PLANS

From mid-February to mid-April, the team usually conducts the seasonal field sign survey of the pygmy hog. This year they have conducted the sign survey in 70% area of pygmy hog habitat in Manas and abandoned the survey in the rest of the area due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Deka reports, “At the beginning of the lockdown, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam declared our work related to captive animals as an essential service. This helps us with the movement of our vets in both the sites. Usually our animal keepers live inside the campus so captive management of hogs has not been affected in both the sites. However, we have not been able to buy raw food for Basistha Centre as all fruit and vegetable markets are closed in Guwahati. So, we contacted the Guwahati Zoo, and they sent food for our hogs through their feed suppliers. We had enough stores for our dry food. The local grocery shop who usually supplies dry food for the hogs, himself drove to our center and dropped food for us. In fact, this helped the villagers as well, as the local markets that they sold their produce (pineapples, coconut, sweet potato, sugarcane, banana, tapioca) were closed. We would pay cash immediately on receiving the produce.

ANOTHER TERRIFYING THREAT

On a sad and frightening note, the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Assam from the latter part of April — that has no treatment or vaccine — is a new challenge, and the team has upgraded their biosecurity to level 3 (the maximum possible level). Nevertheless, the work being done by Aaranyak is certainly worthwhile even as the world battles the raging pandemic.

Ensuring biodiversity by enabling the survival of little known (and often uncared about) species is what will aid in reclaiming a healthy future for all.

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Bindu Gopal Rao is a freelance writer and photographer based in Bengaluru. She has a special interest in the environment. She likes bird watching and looking for local and unusual angles in any destination. You can follow her on Instagram @bindugopalrao and see her work on www.bindugopalrao.com

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEE (9/2003 – 4/28/2020)

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

If you’ve taken your companion animal to a veterinarian during the pandemic, you know that veterinarians are not allowing their human family inside. That can, and in my case has resulted in being given instructions loosely in the parking lot that, if not clearly understood, or if not given at all, can result in injury or death of your beloved companion

When there is no in-person contact with patients’ families, new protocols need to be implemented. When giving a product as potent as insulin to a family member to administer, the first step is to demonstrate with a diagram, zoom, or in person, just how to measure a unit on the syringe they’ll be using.

What should have been the beginning of a new medical program for Bee turned into a nightmare for which I will never forgive myself or the veterinary office.

I understand that veterinary visits are being done in an unprecedented way, and that the protocols have not yet been worked out, but I implore everyone, vets, staff, and human companions of patients to be crystal clear about dosages and techniques for helping their companion animals. Veterinary offices should not assume anything. They need to give clear instructions using detailed diagrams or photos, even in the parking lot.

ATTENDING THE HUDSON RIVER EAGLEFEST

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

By Kirsten Philippides

Croton Point Park

https://www.teatown.org/events/eaglefest/

Attending the Eaglefest, which takes place early February every year, has by now become a traditional event much looked forward to in our family.

If you do not have a car, it is quite easy to get there by The Hudson Line train from Grand Central Station. The ticket to Croton Harmon costs about $20 per adult and $15 per senior roundtrip. When you arrive in Croton Harmon, wait for a yellow shuttle bus which will take you gratis back and forth to the site near the river. The entrance costs $25 per person, no discounts for seniors.

This eagle was injured by a hunter and now lives at Lowry Zoo in Tampa.

This Eaglefest is one of the few places where one can observe these amazing raptors up close. The animals are all chosen because they were rescued and brought back to life from a certain death and due to injuries are no longer capable of taking care of themselves.

In these days with the environment being threatened it is important to support this excellent organization which has contributed much to celebrate the return of the bald eagles to this majestic river.

There are bald eagles, hawks, peregrine falcons and four different varieties of owls, and the bird trainers do their best to regale the audience with surprising stories about these birds of prey, or raptors, as they are also called. Did you know for example that bald eagles nest for life?

At this time of year, outside in the treetops the majestic birds sit patiently on their eggs, painstakingly taking turns to sit on the eggs, or supply food to the spouse when the eggs have hatched.

Surprising facts emerge: did you know that peregrine falcons fly at a speed of over 200 mph? They will fly high up in the air and when they spot an animal, they zoom down at a furious speed to take the prey. Another fact is that adult birds will eat 2 ½ oz. of meat per day. Another fact is that owls have amazing eyesight and hearing, and can turn their heads 260 degrees.

Bird walks take place throughout the day, and the majestic Hudson river is nearby for us to see, reminding us that we must all be stewards of nature, of its wild animals, large and small.

A day well-spent and good for the body and soul, and don’t forget your cell phone or camera to take plenty of photos.

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Heartbreaking!

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

This photo was taken by a caller to our hotline who was seeking help for the baby who was clinging to her deceased mother. It is one of the most moving photos we’ve ever seen.

With baby season upon us, and Covid-19 keeping people home and exploring the outside, our hotline has been ringing off the hook.

Finding a rehabilitator for raccoons, even babies, is extremely difficult as most rehabbers are overloaded as you can imagine. Compounding the problem is that the DEC makes it very difficult with restrictions, and no monetary allowance for rescues, medical and feeding supplies, cleaning supplies, and enclosures that need to be constructed. It’s only a true love of wildlife that keeps rehabbers rehabbing, and they have our utmost respect. In fact, we at Wildlife Watch are in awe of their magnanimous work!

Yet, this photo brought an immediate response, and the baby was given quick help thanks to the caller who transported him.

ANNIE MARDINEY AND WILD MOUNTAIN BIRDS

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020

A totally awesome wildlife rehabilitator is Annie Mardiney. We’ve written about Annie before, but Annie’s ability to help wild birds is growing every day.

Annie has many more flight cages than she did years ago. She also has plans for even more.

Her amazing, mountain location is perfect for releases. You can see some of them on her FB page with its many videos.

The costs of doing this work are huge, so please support Annie’s work. Anything will help. Checks can be made out to Wild Mountain Birds and mailed to P.O. Box 65, Rosendale, NY 12472. She doesn’t have a 501(C)3 now, but will soon.

https://www.facebook.com/Wild-mountain-birds-969196813146445

AS LIFE MOVES ON, OUR HEARTS TURN BACK TO BELOVED SOULS — FOLLOWING UP ON THE BIG CATS FOURTEEN YEARS AFTER THE CATSKILL GAME FARM RESCUE

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WILDCAT SANCTARY.

When the Catskill Game Farm shut down and auctioned off their animals in 2006, Wildlife Watch played a vital role in one of the largest animal rescues of its type. So many animals were rescued through bidding at the auction. Wildlife Watch befriended one of the caretakers who provided us with invaluable information about the large cats and the African lions who were not included in the auction. We raised thousands of dollars, and found sanctuary at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, MN.

Over the many years, we’ve reached out to the sanctuary for updates. The two previous updates were published in 2007, a year after their arrival. You will see it here: http://wildwatch.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Fall_2007.pdf (See page 1.) The second update was seven years after their arrival: http://wildwatch.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Winter_2013_Issue.pdf (See page 4.)

Now, fourteen years later, we reached out again to Tammy Theis, Founder and Executive Director of the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, MN. Tammy reported the following:

“Shanti Deva (the female African Lion who was named by Libra Max) is the Queen of the Sanctuary, but in her mid 20’s her time is limited. You can watch a special video of her here: https://www.facebook.com/wildcatsanctuary/videos/588344098480299/

She has arthritis and a bit of dementia but has lived a long and fulfilling life. Our donors LOVE her and she means so much to us and all of them. Since her pride (Aslan and Asha) both passed away of old age, she has chosen not to accept other lions. As alpha of her pride, I feel like she has told us she worked managing the pride for so long, that now she needs to rest. She lives alongside a male lion Chupino, who is also in his 20’s. He was rescued from a zoo in Argentina. He is smitten with her but she is neutral back.

Leopard Shazam is the only other cat still with us from Catskill. He has always been true to being a leopard but has a very special bond with his caretaker Elyse. She has worked with him through behavioral training to calmly enter a transport crate and accept a hand injection. As he ages, he needs more vet care and we want that to be as unstressful as possible. She discovered a small lump on his backside earlier this year and a biopsy confirmed cancer. We were able to remove the entire tumor during surgery and he recovered well. Without their close relationship, it would have been difficult to diagnose or even see this marbled size fast growing cancer.”

I wrote to Tammy:

Thanks so much, Tammy!

I’m so happy that you’re there with them. Did I ever tell you the story of Shazam? According to the woman who worked at the Catskill Game Farm, and alerted me to the African lions, Shazam’s love, a female black leopard, was killed in their enclosure when a heavy log fell on her. The woman said that his grief was so extreme that he became inconsolable and hostile to the world. I was always hoping that with you he would have found a new leopard friend, or even another species. Life is so heartbreaking at times. Please stay well and your amazing work continues to inspire everyone!

Tammy responded:

“I was aware of his sad background. We've only had one other leopard and those two have very different personalities. Shadow doesn't like other cats at all. Shazam did bond to a Jaguar through a shared wall as well as a white tiger. But neither were the same size to be able to do a full merger.

Cougars Mia, Matty and Max all passed away in their mid teens – which is young for cougars. They all passed away of renal disease which we sadly think was genetic. They each passed a few years apart.

Taking care of the Catskill Cats has been an honor. They are so much a part of our feline family. Having cats move on to their new wildlife life is the hardest thing we face as rescuers. But we also find peace that they are finally free and no longer have to live life behind a fence.”

All of their stories and memorials are published on our website. https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/resident/

Live posts of the cats (including Shanti Deva and Shazam) can be found on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wildcatsanctuary

Here are some links to their stories:

https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/white-tiger-black-leopard-friends/

https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/resident/shazam/

EYE ON THE NEWS – DON’T WORRY, HE’S VEGAN!

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

A DREAM PAINTED IN OIL

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

By Barry Kent MacKay

One night I had a dream that someone called to me, “There are otters at the bottom of the garden!”. In my dream there was a small wetland in the back yard, below an embankment, and as I looked down I saw an otter looking up at me while her cubs played around her. I was about to experiment with a “loose” form of oil painting, anyway, and it seemed to me that the image from my dream would make a good subject. I was sort of aiming for the effect of images I remember seeing in my favourite children’s books, cheerful and bright but not anthropomorphic or terribly inaccurate. I have battled more than one children’s literature editor about kids’ illustrations; in my view there is no need to “cartoonize” pictures of animals; certainly when I was very little I most loved, for example, the realistic Walter A. Weber paintings in National Geographic magazine, and the colourful but realistic images of other early to mid-20th century wildlife painters.

Also known as the Northern, North American, American, or Common Otter (there are thirteen otter species, world wide, with one, the dissimilar Sea Otter, also found in North America) River Otters were once found in nearly every river drainage, wetland and coastal region in North America except desert areas and treeless tundra. But their fur has been greatly valued, and trapping, plus urban sprawl, toxic waste and other anthropogenic challenges have reduced or eliminated them from many regions. Their wide distribution and the implementation of well-regulated fur trapping saved them from the fate of other species, several being endangered, and they are not only still with us, but it is my subjective impression that as fur markets apparently decline, they are increasing in numbers. While there are no otters, or wetlands, at the bottom of my garden they have taken up residence just a short walk from my home, here in suburban Ontario.

Otters, who are active year-round, are famous for their playfulness, and are fast, skilled underwater swimmers able to stay submerged for up to about four minutes. They are consummate predators of aquatic organisms and may dine on birds or mammals but particularly specialize on fish, amphibians, snakes and turtles, crayfish, mussels and other invertebrates and hunt in fresh, brackish or salt water. The River Otter descended from an ancestral Eurasian species that crossed the Bering land bridge perhaps more than a million years ago. This species was, until recently, placed in the same genus, Lutra, as some of the Eurasian species, and that is the name you’ll see in all but the newest references, Lutra canadensis.

Fun weird fact: River Otters have asymmetrical lungs…two lobes on one side, three on the other.

River Otters males may mate with several females (polygynous). Females delay implantation for 8 months or more, thus may not give birth until as long as a year after mating, with the usual litter size being one to three kits, but can reach five, each weighing around five ounces at birth. The painting is approximately 20 /x 16 inches, in oils on the textured side of acid-free compressed hardboard (Masonite). I’ve included a small portrait in acrylics of the same species, done in 1997. It sold but I seem to recall it was about 9 X 12 inches on smooth Masonite.

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Barry Kent MacKay, Bird Artist, Illustrator, Studio: http://www.barrykentmackay.ca, mimus@sympatico.ca

EYE ON THE NEWS – LET’S MAKE EVERY DAY “WORLD TURTLE DAY”!

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

For the last 20 years, on May 23, turtle lovers everywhere have emerged to honor these shelled reptiles that have roamed the Earth for more than 200 million years. The over 350 known species of turtles alive today are found on every continent, except Antarctica. But despite their wide distribution, most turtles are endangered due to loss of habitat, illegal wildlife trade, and hunting and fishing. World Turtle Day aims to change that by raising awareness about their plight and encouraging conservation efforts.

Visit this website and find out how you can help.

https://www.tortoise.com/

EYE ON THE NEWS CORONAVIRUS, YOUR FURRY COMPANIONS, AND WILDLIFE! LETS KEEP EVERYONE SAFE!

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

We are all doing our part to help others stay healthy – but does that include others’ companion animals as well? In these jarring quarantine times, social distancing and isolation can really make one go a bit stir-crazy. Those of us with companion animals are quite lucky. Our little friends are delighted that suddenly their humans don’t have to come and go all the time, leaving them for hours to go to their mysterious outside-world jobs. In return, we get to revel in their sweet affections and adorable antics. Of course, we can cuddle on the couch while we read or Skype our friends, but they only have us. [BTW, if we only have one dog or cat, we might want to consider adopting another now that we realize how important companionship is. For me, as much as I love animals, I would not want to be the only one of my own species forever.]

When Covid first started making headlines, the general consensus was that cats and dogs could not contract COVID-19. But later, the first American case of a companion pet diagnosed with COVID-19 was discovered.

A sweet pug in North Carolina, Winston, was living with his four-person family, three of whom contracted the virus as well. A story appeared on www.wbur.com that said, “One may assume Winston got sick because pugs are known for having respiratory issues due to their short snouts, but Winston’s family also owns another pug and a cat — who both tested negative.”

Then, according to the same source, two companion cats who had been living with a Covid-19 positive human also became Covid-19 positive.

After that, eight tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo also tested Covid-19 positive. Their zookeeper was Covid-19 positive!

The question that’s still unanswered is whether humans can get the virus from Covid-19 positive companion animals.

According to a CNN report, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, said in a press briefing last week that “there is no evidence whatsoever that we’ve seen, from an epidemiological standpoint, that pets can be transmitters within the household.”

Currently, the CDC reports here

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html :

CDC is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.

Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.

It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations.

Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

In a CNN article, William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, said that it is extremely rare for a virus to jump from an animal to a human.” However, Schaffner also asserted that “it would be a good idea for people who are sick to social distance themselves from their pets, as well as their family members.” This is tragic news for anyone with companion animals, but loving them means keeping them safe.

And, what about wild animals? The CDC website states, “Because wildlife can carry other diseases, even without looking sick, it is always important to enjoy wildlife from a distance.” Because of the chance of transmission between wildlife and humans, and the fact that still so little is known, we should be avoiding contact with animals in nature, not only are we protecting ourselves, but we are protecting them as well.

Show your love for your companion animals and wildlife by securing their health – everyday!

By the way, CNN ends their article with this uplifting note: “Winston is also doing well. He is getting lots of walks, and enjoying following his family around the house to keep an eye on what they’re doing.”

Here are some websites to visit for more information.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#COVID-19-and-Animals

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/us/coronavirus-us-pug-wellness-trnd/index.html

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/04/30/pets-coronavirus

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/health/cats-dogs-ferrets-coronavirus-wellness/index.html

WORLD’S FIRST MARINE CEMETERY

petermuller Spring/Summer 2020 June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

Text and Photos by Bindu Gopal Rao

MARINE WOES

The world’s first Marine Cemetery at Kozhikode in Kerala, India is making a compelling statement on the state of the marine life of the country and the world.

Did you know that the amount of plastic we have generated on earth is actually enough to create a walkway to another planet? Well as startling as it sounds, this is true and what is disheartening is that water and plastic pollution along with overexploitation and climate change have caused the extinction of 15 marine species and threatens the lives of 700 more currently.

CONSERVATION CUES

World Wildlife Conservation Day is celebrated in 4th December every year and this year the southern state of Kerala opened the world's first Marine Cemetery. Made out of single-use plastic bottles the cemetery is located at Beypore beach, Kozhikode. Built by Jellyfish Watersports and Beypore Port department, the effort has been driven by climate activist Aakash Ranison. The idea behind this place is that it aims to spread awareness about the devastating effects of single-use plastic, urban and industrial pollution and overfishing. Aakash Ranison, climate activist says “This Marine Cemetery is built to jolt mankind, to make them realize the blunder they have done. Parallelly we want to educate them about the fact that flora and fauna in and around our rivers and oceans are on red alert and let them know it is time to take steps towards course-correction.” Incidentally more that 50 percent of beach litter is plastic waste. This Cemetery pays respect to eight critically endangered marine species as well as the endemic freshwater fish, Miss Kerala (Sahyadria denisonii). The marine species representing their endangered marine family includes Seahorse (Hippocampus), Parrotfish (Scariidae), Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Eagle Rays (Aetomylaeus vespertilio), Sawfish (Pristidae), Dugong (Dugongidae), Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) and Hammerhead shark (Sphyrnidae). S. Sambasiva Rao, District Collector, Kozhikode, opined, “the marine cemetery is a reminder of the destruction that we are bringing upon our planet in the name of convenience and this initiative is part of the Clean Beach Mission to spread awareness about the effects of single-use plastic. We also want for Kozhikode to become a sustainable travel destination.”

PRESERVATION MATTERS

Jellyfish Watersports, a local organization has been combining recreational water activities with spreading awareness about plastic pollution for the last six years. Over 100 paddlers cleaned the Chaliyar River while paddling a 68 km stretch and pledged to give up one single-use plastic use. Over 80 people collected about 800 kilograms of garbage from Beypore Beach and over 200 people participated online and pledged to give up a single-use plastic with the aim to create healthier ecosystems. The team chose the Beypore beach as the place to set up this Cemetery, since this is where the Chaliyar River merges into the sea. Thanks to the Beypore Port department and Clean Beach Mission, District Administration, Kozhikode, for it was their support that made sure the team got all the approvals and managed to open the gates to this cemetery on the World Wildlife Conservation Day.

NO TO PLASTIC

The organization’s philosophy Paddle to Preserve believes that you preserve only what you love and paddling is a way to build a strong connection with water bodies. Between August and November 2019, they initiated the drive to collect garbage in Chaliyar River Paddle and joined hands with Aakash Ranison a climate activist and involved paddlers and locals to clean the Beypore beach. The team has worked to encourage people to pledge to discard one single-use plastic from their lives as a start. After the devastating floods in Kerala August 2018, Kaushiq Kodithodi, founder Jellyfish Watersports was kayaking in the Chaliyar River and was horrified to see the volume of plastic in the surrounding areas.

“We, humans, are digging the graves for these marine species, literally. We have used and abused single-use plastic creating havoc in our water bodies and rapidly pushing marine life towards mass extinction. So we thought let us show people exactly what they are doing, by creating an installation that acts as a constant reminder,” says Kaushiq. The team wants people to stop and reflect on the damage that we all have done. At the same time, they want to drive people to take action, to reject single-use plastic. The team is encouraging people to pledge to discard at least one single-use plastic item from their everyday lives. “Over 500 people have joined hands in this fight against plastic pollution. Let us all pledge to reject plastic, and let us all start doing it now because our marine species have been waiting for us to wake up from our slumber," signs off Kaushiq. With an aim to spread awareness about the devastating effects of single-use plastic, urban and industrial pollution, and overfishing, the Marine Cemetery is open to the public and there are no tickets for entry.

Website: www.themarinecemetery.com

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Bindu Gopal Rao is a freelance writer and photographer based in Bangalore in India. This is her second article in the Wildlife Watch Binocular. Wildlife protection is close to her heart. She is particularly interested in conservation and rehabilitation of wild animals. Her work is documented on Instagram: @bindugopalrao and her webpage: www.bindugopalrao.com

Welcome to Goatham City

petermuller Summer/Fall 2019 October 19, 2019October 19, 2019

By Lily Lavender Wolf

Imagine this: strolling through the beautiful oasis of Riverside Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan – the planted trees and straight walks wedged in between the street, the highway, and the brilliant Hudson River. Saunter uptown in the park starting at the 97^th street entrance, past the playground with human-sized plastic dinosaurs and laughing children; past the dog run and the outdoor seating of the restaurant overlooking the sunset; into the Wild, the part of Riverside left the most to wilderness abandon, spanning at least ten blocks worth of tree roots, a small brook running downhill, and narrow overgrown paths. Emerging from this area, there is a fenced-off zone, and suddenly the air smells of hay. The first time I stumbled upon the region it was nighttime, and I saw strange creatures stirring in the shadows. Upon closer inspection I found the most delightful surprises – goats!

Welcome to what the park coalition dubs “Goatham City”. From May 21^st to August 30^th the summer of 2019, twenty-five goats were brought to a two-acre section of Riverside Park, spanning from 119^th street to 125^th street. They were let to roam in their space to scour the land, ravenously devouring invasive vegetation, particularly the egregious poison ivy. Watching the goats climb their hale bales, eat the plants they so covet, and tenderly play with each other proved such a delight for viewers, drawing quite some crowds this past summer. People were charmed by the friendships the goats had with each other, the way they trekked around the acres they lived upon, learning their names and gaining favorites – to the point that on www.riversideparknyc.org there actually was a poll for the most beloved goat (the winner was Massey)!

Green Goat Farm in Rhinebeck, NY, has been loaning out their goats to different parks and farms in order to allow them to clear the areas of invasive species and undesirable plants – that are definitely desirable to the goats themselves. As their website www.green-goats.com states, the goats get “a chance to live the American Dream – they eat for a living!” The farm’s owner, Larry Cihanek, absolutely loves working with goats every day. The goats on the farm are gifted to them by local farmers who can’t keep their goats anymore, or from the ASPCA taking them from alleged facilities that provide less-than-satisfactory conditions for their animals. Green Goat Farm works to save goats from the meat market; over thirty-five years, Cihanek has worked on two farms, and reports “we only take friendly goats. We leave the goats until all the vegetation is gone.”

The farm has loaned out the goats to six different states, the farthest travel being 620 miles, or a three-to-four-hour drive. Coordination mainly consists of making sure of the goats’ access to periodic washing and veterinarians. The goats are never used for milking and always given the space to enjoy themselves as they “work” to clear the land. Keeping the goats for the love of animals certainly gives back to the lovely creatures, and Green Goat Farm is doing a fantastic job; the goats are happy, parks and farms have their spaces cleared, and people get to watch the sweet animals in public spaces like Riverside Park. Goatham City was certainly a magical summertime experience to all who stumbled upon it. You can contact the farm here www.green-goats.com to find out where their goats are so you can say “hello.”

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Lily Lavender Wolf is a writer and avid lover of nature and animals. She hails from Manhattan but has wandered upstate to the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York State, where she revels in the wooded mountains. She studies Environmental Psychology at the State University in New York (SUNY), New Paltz campus.

HOW AND WHEN TO TAKE A BABY BIRD UNDER YOUR WING

petermuller Summer/Fall 2019 October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

By Patrick Kuklinski

All baby animals are fragile. But to many, baby birds in particular seem vulnerable. They typically hatch naked, with eyes closed, peeping helplessly. They appeal to our instincts to nurture the defenseless. Unfortunately, while many do their best to help, there are many misconceptions about baby birds and the best way to help them. Before trying to do something with good intentions, it’s important to first be sure you aren’t causing more harm than good to the bird.

SOME MISCONCEPTIONS:

All baby birds need help!

One of the most common problems people encounter when trying to help young birds is misidentifying them as birds that belong in the nest. Fledgling birds commonly are found on the ground; they jump out of the nest and will spend up to a week on the ground, clumsily practicing flying, with their parents attending them. This is perfectly normal - and removing a fledgling bird from the eyes of its watchful parents does more harm than good. Typically, fledglings can be identified by their feathers - they will have more developed feathers and will be more fully feathered across the body than a nestling, with very few to no down feathers. If a fledgling bird is in a dangerous area, such as by a busy road or a yard neighborhood cats frequent, you can carefully move them to another space, but be sure you do not move them where they can’t be found by their parents.

A baby bird is on the ground - I need to move him somewhere safe!

Although in some cases, moving a baby bird to a safer location is the right thing to do, many times there is a simpler solution. Nestlings frequently push and shove at each other within the nest while begging for food - which sometimes leads to a baby or two falling out of the nest entirely. If you find a nestling on the ground, first try to find the nest he came from before moving him to a new location. Unless he was pushed out by a predator or brood parasites such as the brown-headed cowbird, placing the baby bird back into the nest is typically the best option. If you find more than one or two nestlings on the ground, it is more likely that the nest was destroyed and abandoned.

The baby bird I found is hungry - I should feed him!

Many well-intentioned people who find a misplaced or injured baby bird attempt to feed the bird. But if they are inexperienced, this is actually extremely dangerous for the baby. If the syringe or spoon used for feeding is not placed at exactly the right angle, droplets of food can enter the lungs and asphyxiate the baby. If the food is too hot, it can burn the esophagus and crop. If too much is fed, it can cause the crop to distend, which is rarely treatable. There’s also the issue of feeding an incorrect diet, which can cause nutritional deficiencies or be indigestible or even fatal to the bird. It’s best to not feed unless instructed otherwise by a professional.

If I move the baby bird, the mother bird will smell me and reject him!

Many people fear moving baby birds under the impression that the smell of a human on the baby will make the mother keep away from the nest entirely. Most birds, with the exception of birds who rely on their sense of smell such as vultures, have a weak sense of smell. Even if the bird does catch your scent on their babies, it won’t make them reject the nest. Typically, the only way you could cause the parents to abandon the nest is by hanging around the nest excessively; quickly placing the baby inside the nest or briefly being in the area will most likely not cause problems. If you leave the nestling on the ground, he will almost certainly die; if you place him back into the nest, there is a very, very slim chance it will cause problems.

In general, it is best to leave care of baby birds to wildlife rehabilitators. You can temporarily place baby birds in a box lined with cloth (not cloth that will entangle the claws) or paper towels, and keep them in a quiet, safe location until they can be taken in. In situations where there is not a local rehabber, contact veterinarians (if possible, avian vets) or other animal care centers to see if they can help. Use common sense when taking care of any wild animal - if it wouldn’t be safe for your pet, it probably isn’t safe for them. Don’t expose birds in your care to loud noises, bright lights, or dangerous situations - including lung irritants such as household cleaning sprays, other animals such as dogs or cats, or objects within the bird’s container that could hurt him. If you are unsure about any aspect of the bird’s (temporary) care, try calling your local wildlife rehabilitation center and seeing if they can help.

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Patrick Kuklinski is a longtime freelance writer working towards a Bachelor’s in Zoology, with experience writing for animal publications including Reptiles, BirdTalk, and more.

PIG EARS AND BACKYARD CHICKENS? NO THANKS!

petermuller Summer/Fall 2019 October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

Yikes folks, think about going vegan for the sake of the planet. With all of the great plant-based protein products out there, it has become so easy!

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, two people have died and hundreds are ill linked to backyard chickens and pig ears.

If you’re in the Hudson Valley area, or would like to visit, be sure to put these two places on your list:

The Catskill Animal Sanctuary: https://casanctuary.org/ you’ll see how to become vegan at that site!

WOODSTOCK FARM SANCTUARY: http://woodstocksanctuary.org/

At both of these wonderful sites, you’ll see so many photos of their wonderful charges who fortunately still have their ears attached – and still have their lives - and who are now ambassadors for animal protection

Let’s Go Wildlife Watching: THE GREEN SEA TURTLES OF THE RAS AL JINZ TURTLE RESERVE IN OMAN

petermuller Summer/Fall 2019 October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

Words & Photos: Bindu Gopal Rao

It is close to 9:00 pm and a small group of people gather together at Ras Al Hadd on the eastern shores of the Arabian Peninsula in Oman. If you are wondering what is happening at this hour, well, this group of wildlife enthusiasts is waiting to start a guided tour to see the nesting of the endangered green turtles at the Ras Al Jinz beach. Renowned for being one of the nesting concentration sites of the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas), on the Indian Ocean, this is the only place where you can see the entire nesting process of these animals. Established by Royal Decree in 1996, the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Centre was started in 2008 to help in the conservation activities of the green turtle. The reserve is within a 45 km coastline and is an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Category IV protected area created with the specific aim of protecting sea turtles. The turtles are currently endangered as they face several threats from humans and nature too. However while the centre cannot help with threats like birds, crabs, sharks or foxes predating on the eggs and hatchlings, they work with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs to control human induced threats like commercial harvesting for turtle meat and shells and littering.

Survival Stories

As we follow our guide, the only light happens to come from a brightly shining moon and the torch held by the guide. Trooping in line behind him on the sandy beach I wonder if we will have a chance to see the turtles at all. After what seems like a long wait, our guide gestures to us to remain quiet as a large female turtle emerges from the ocean. She then finds herself a dry spot where she starts digging a hole using her flippers to scoop out the sand, and then she places herself inside and starts laying her eggs. It is fascinating to see how she starts laying the eggs one after the other – some turtles lay over a 100 eggs at one time. We are asked to watch silently without using a flash for pictures and once done the turtle actually covers the eggs with sand to protect them and allow them to incubate. She then moves ahead and starts digging another pit, and before we assume it is for another set of eggs our guide tells us that this is an artificial pit for predators to believe that the eggs are laid here. Amidst gasps in the group one thing we all agreed was the intelligence of these gentle beings and how nature has a way of protecting itself. The incubation period ranges from 50-60 days depending on the weather conditions. Heat generally ensures incubation happens sooner and warm sands usually produce more females. From here on the mother just goes back to the ocean and the eggs hatch and finally make their way to the ocean. It is this walk back that we were fortunate to see the next early morning, when the guides dug up the sand and found baby turtles that scrambled into the sea. To my utter horror I also saw one of them being eaten by a seagull but my guide tells me this is the natural cycle and there are many that make their way back to the ocean. The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve hosts an average of 30000 nesting green turtles every year and this place is known for some of the most varied and biologically productive water.

Turtle Tales

Although sea turtles spend most of their lives in the sea, they nest on land and return to nest on the same beach on which they themselves hatched decades earlier. They reach maturity between 37 and 49 years and nesting may happen five times in a season with intervals of upto 14 days between nesting and 2-3 years between seasons. At Ras Al Jinz the peak season for egg laying is June to September, but for every night throughout the year at least one turtle emerges from the seas of Oman onto its beaches to lay eggs. A stay at Ras Al Jinz is arguably one of the best eco holidays you can take; it’s a break like no other.

[Editor’s Note: Sea turtles are endangered due to human activity. Please visit: https://conserveturtles.org/ ]

Fun Facts

Marine turtles have no teeth instead they have beaks that they adapt for feeding.
Adult green turtles are herbivorous feeding on seaweeds and sea grass, although young green turtles eat tiny marine animals.
The green turtle cannot pull its head inside its shell.
They have a keen sense of smell but not of taste, and their hearing is restricted to low frequencies.

Bindu Gopal Rao is a freelance writer and photographer based in Bangalore in India. Wildlife protection is close to her heart. She is particularly interested in conservation and rehabilitation of wild animals. Her work is documented on Instagram: @bindugopalrao and her webpage: www.bindugopalrao.com

THE JACKSONVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY’S STELLAR WORK DURING HURRICANE DORIAN

petermuller Summer/Fall 2019 October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

When the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) first learned that the forecast indicated Hurricane Dorian would hit the east coast of Florida, they began planning and preparing. During the last two hurricanes to hit Florida, a neighboring community’s shelter had flooded out and put animals at great risk. This time, JHS took action well in advance of the storm by arranging the evacuation of that shelter and transport of their animals to shelters out of harm’s way. JHS was able to evacuate some of their own animals on the same transport – in total 43 cats and 19 dogs. The following day, JHS put out a plea for community members to foster animals during the hurricane. On Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend, 140 cats and 70 dogs went into homes to ride out the hurricane with their Storm Trooper foster families!

One woman who came to JHS to foster a dog decided to foster a FeLV positive cat named Melony after she learned all of the dogs had already gone into foster homes. She fell in love with the cat and adopted her! We are grateful to our animal loving community. By responding to our pleas for help, animals rode out the storm in loving arms in the comfort of a home and JHS was positioned to help respond to those directly impacted by the hurricane. We are equally grateful to dedicated volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly through the holiday weekend to ensure nearly 250 animals were prepared for transport and foster in order that they remain safe and comfortable.

Denise Deisler is the CEO of the Jacksonville Humane Society. To help JHS, please visit their website: https://www.jaxhumane.org/

AS FOREST- A Haunting Work of Creative Nonfiction

petermuller Summer/Fall 2019 October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

This was our territory once. Every lifetime our places and times of day diminish, but as long as food sources offer we will stay here and adapt—learning to cross carefully the hard grey roadways and the daylight hours, the noise and movement, the human-frequented spaces.

We still have night, which rarely falls fully into darkness any more: even the hills hold on to a faint orange-whiteness of city-glow. We have dusk, when we can move through forests and fields unseen by the walkers and talkers whose flashlights obscure more forest than they illuminate. We own the long summer dawns, best times in the year, when humans go to ground inside their rectangular hideouts, and even roadways lie quiet.

Across an ever-changing landscape of sound/scent/sight, under the roll of seasons, we learn and relearn our world. The heights and widths of hedgerow, the freshest grazing-grounds, the thickest cover and the safest routes between. We know when to disappear, where best to spend the slowness of the day in hiding from rushing sound and movement.

Dissolving into dappled patches of light and shade, we turn invisible, inaudible, invulnerable to danger. We are undergrowth ourselves, or bracken, stone and shadow. While autumn rules, my very antlers conform to the branching trees above me until I and all of mine become as forest as the distant generations before us and after.

Fiona Jones is a writer of creative nonfiction who lives in Scotland. Please see her work on www.facebook.com/FiiJ20/ You’ll find her on Twitter and Thinkerbeat as well.

Folded Word ( https://folded.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/as-forest/ ) holds "non-exclusive rights to publish the work electronically in perpetuity".

PHOTO ©JIM ROBERTSON

Dr. Sarma wrote: A kiss to darling Vishnupriya

Dr. Sarma with Bijili Prasad, the oldest living elephant at 86

Dr. Sarma with Bijili Prasad, the oldest living elephant at 86

If you would like to read Dilip Kumar Sharma’s article, “The Indian Doctor Taking Care of Thousands of Elephants,” on BBC Hindi, the link is

Courtesy of Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma

Photo is courtesy of Aaryanak

Trisha Ghose, Project Director, The Habitats Trust

Food brought by villagers to the sanctuary.

A WARNING TO PEOPLE WHO GO TO

VETERINARIANS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Photo by Nathan Lemon. unsplash.com

SHANTI DEVA

SHAZAM

© Barry Kent MacKay

Photo credit: JC Gellidon from unspash.com

At the home range in Rhinebeck, NY Fenced 8 acre goat field. Photos © Green Goat Farm used with permission.

Photos © Green Goat Farm used with permission

Photos © Green Goat Farm used with permission.

The goats on their daily walk. Photos © Green Goat Farm used with permission.

Photo credit: ©Patrick Kuklinski Reprinted with permission.

PHOTO FROM: WOODSTOCK FARM SANCTUARY

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve in Oman is doing its bit for the conservation of the Chelonia Mydas or the Green Turtles.Photo copyright Bindu Gopal Rao

Photo copyright Bindu Gopal Rao

Photo copyright Bindu Gopal Rao

Photo of Transport Preprations

Melony, FeLV cat, with her foster-to-permanent Mom.

Photo of “Storm Troopers” lining up outside to give foster the dogs

Copyright Jim Robertson. Elk became extinct in Scotland due to hunting.