How We Can Help

 Endangered Species

 According to experts if we don’t work together in coming up with ways in which we can stop the rapid decline in numbers of elephants and the wild big cats we could,  within  our generation see the actual extinction of the these wild animals. This is how important it is that we create that voice for them since they cannot be heard, they are instead being eradicated because of greed and because they lack the necessary information to know how valuable they are to their environment.

Ecological role

An elephant’s ecological role is very vast and important such as:

·         Elephants travel long distances in search of food and water; along the way their feces filled with seeds allows for new plants to grow.

·         Elephants are key role in maintaining balance of other species in their community.

·         Maintain large grassland clearing for other animals.

·         Dig waterholes in dry river beds that are a water source for other animals.

·         Create pathways in forest for other animals including humans.

Source: (96elephants.org)

·         Ecological role of big cats is to keep the population of other species in balance with other species with in their communities. 

Animal Protection

The Animal Wilderness Act (AWA) was enacted in 1966 by congress to govern the humane treatment of animals. The (AWA) was amended 1970 to protect the wild animals used for exhibition such as the circus, this was the first law to provide such protection to wild animal in the US. Never the less, the protection of the (AWA) proved to have its flaws and gaps which is why the mistreatment was able to take place, and big Circuses such as Ringling Brother, never got fined for the many violations they clearly committed. (158 Beverage)  The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was created to protect any animal that is categorized as an endangered species which prohibits any harm to any animal, such as the African elephant.

Learning about the issues that these wild animals are experiencing right now is a testament that we are in need for more laws that protect their rights. We need to ask for our local governments to ban any use of wild animals in traveling circuses, we also need to advocate against the illegal trade of ivory and fur skins. 

Act now and help!

Educating our selves and spreading the word about the harm that these animals are being put through on a daily basis is something that can help in an enormous way. These animals are suffering greatly and need someone to be the voice, that voice can be you, friends, family, teachers, and community leaders. If you are thinking in going to a circus, support one that doesn't include animal acts. All it takes is someone to take that first step in having their voice herd, together we can help!  

If you are interested in  more information please visit these websites where more information can be reached: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

 http://www.96elephants.org/

 A voice for Elephants:  http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/blog/a-voice-for-elephants/

 Wild animal conservation society: http://www.wcs.org/

Big Cats Initiative: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats-initiative/get-involved/

http://blackjaguarwhitetiger.org/

Sources: www.NationalGeographic.com; 96elephants.org; www.wikipidea.com

Images: google.com

Poaching of Elephants and Big Cats

 African and Asian Elephants
The elephant is such a majestic and grand mammal that it is devastating to think that humanity is the main culprit behind their near extinction. Elephants been hunted, slaughtered, and held captive for monetary purposes and it continues to this day. Elephants are a daily target of
poachers that are in search for their husks made out of Ivory, which is then sold in the black market.

·         African elephant population in the wild yr. 1980 1,200.000 – yr. 2012 420,000.

·         It is estimated that ninety six (96) elephants are killed every day for their ivory.

·         Ivory is sold in an international black market that is worth millions, including here in the US.

·         Known as “the white gold of jihad” which is the financial military force of many terrorist groups.

·         Source: (www.96elephants.org)

 Big cats and their Fur Skin

 A big cat refers to the feline family of wild cats that are also a species that is near extinction, and sadly enough some of the main reasons is the human involvement in their habitat. The tiger and the lions are among the species of which the greatest threat is centered on. Human development that has diminished their habitat is one reason on the decline in populations among the large cats, another would be the hunting of these beautiful creatures for human purposes, the biggest their fur coat.  Interesting facts about these creatures are according to an article from National Geographic “Big Cats Facts”:

   Lions live an average of 12- 16 years in the wild, in captivity they live up to 25 years.

·         Lions are the only cats that live in together in groups called prides

·         A tiger’s stripes are like fingerprints; no two tigers are alike in the pattern.

·         Tigers have been hunted for their skins, bones, and other body parts for medicinal purposes in china.

·         Tigers have seen a 97% decline in the past 100 years, population is about 3,000 to 3, 200

·         Population of Lions living in savanna is about 32, 000 today as opposed to 100,000, in 1960.

·         Cheetah population 100,000 in 1900 to 10,000 today left in the world.

We Should Care

Many might argue that our planet has bigger problems and concerns than to invest time and money in the conservation of an animal species that is at the brink of extinction. What many might not realize is that these animals have a right to exist just like any other animal including ourselves. It is vital that people become aware of the issue that is to conserve wild animals such as the elephant and the big cats. The most important thing is to spread awareness of the crucial fact that is to keep them in their natural habitat! They too have a role in our ecosystems, with their disappearance we would see a void, a hole in the place where they belong, we need to be aware and learn how their role that is crucial.

Sources: Images Google.com; blackjaguarwhitetiger.org.; 96elephants.org; http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/big-cat-week/articles/big-cats-facts/

 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/12/07/big-cats-leopard-afghanistan/1750861/

Mistreatment of Elephants and Big Cats in the Circus

 Mistreatment of Wild Animals at the Circus 

Animal right advocates and organizations  aiming at providing any and all animals a voice have been for years trying to call for the ban of wild animals in circuses here in the United States. The number one reason that advocates have always fought for this is because there has been know abuse of the elephants, and the conditions in which they kept, and most importantly how they train them.

The University of Wageningen, conducted an investigation on the treatment of the wild animals at the circus, for which they found that most of the animals had among other issues encountered: 

•      71 % of the animals had medical related problems. 
• 33 % of Tigers and lions did not have access to outdoor enclosure.  
•  Lions spend about 98 % of their time indoors.   
•  Elephants are shackled in chains for about 17 hours straight a day  on average.  
•   Elephants spent on average 10 hours a day showing  Stereotypy  Behavior, which means that these animals have been displaying    repetitive behavior  which is most common in animals that are  kept captive, specifically those who have inadequate stimulation.
•  Tigers have been known to be terrified of fire, but are still force to  perform by jumping thorough rings of fire.  
•   Animals are trained through discipline!   
•  Since 1990, there have been 123 cases recorded of tigers attacking at circuses.

ASPCA v. Ringling Brother

In  January 2010, after  almost a decade of litigation the court ruled against the allegations made against Ringling, stating that the “evidence was not credible with regard to the allegations ”made  on behalf of a former  employee  who saw the abuse and the grueling discipline the elephants were put through. He stated that he had emotional stress and attachment, which is why he had left his position. (169 Beverage) the court dismissed the case because they had “considered Rider a paid plaintiff not a witness”( 171 Beverage). Ringling Brothers settled the case as they agreed to pay 270,000 fine for the violations against (AWA) from 2001 to 2011.

 ASPCA might have lost the suit against the Ringling brothers, but the information brought to light 
because of the law suit is very valuable. Ringling CEO, Kenneth Feld admitted to:

•   Using the bull hook in the training of the elephants, mainly to discipline them. “the bull is  effective”
•     Keeping elephants in short chains for hours from 20 to 100, while traveling and in the barns.
•    Forcibly removing infant calves from mothers by chaining mother to wall, while they pull      infant with ropes.
• All of these practices violate both the (AWA) and (ESA).
• In 2012, the Dutch government banned the use of wild animals in the circus
• March 5 2015, Ringling brothers announce that they will be phasing out the Elephant acts by 2018.

Animal Protection

The Animal Wilderness Act (AWA) was enacted in 1966 by congress to govern the humane treatment of animals. The (AWA) was amended 1970 to protect the wild animals used for exhibition such as the circus, this was the first law to provide such protection to wild animal in the US. Never the less, the protection of the (AWA) proved to have its flaws and gaps which is why the mistreatment was able to take place, and big Circuses such as Ringling Brother, never got fined for the many violations they clearly committed. (158 Beverage)  The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was created to protect any animal that is categorized as an endangered species which prohibits any harm to any animal, such as the African elephant.

How can anyone think this is natural behavior

Let's not support what they do to them, don't go to the Circus. 

Sources: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/03/150305-ringling-bros-retires-asian-elephants-barnum-bailey/
Images: google .com; "Abuse Under The Big Top: Seeking Legal protection for Circus Elephants after ASPCA v. Ringling Brothers."
http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus 

Wildlife Animal Cruelty Awareness

Animal Cruelty Raising Awareness

Animal cruelty is a subject that many might not see as an important topic of discussion, or for that matter something that needs attention or awareness. For those of us who think that every living organism in this planet deserves to be treated with the same respect and humanity raising our voices in the attempt to give these animal without a voice a fighting chance is all but worth it. All we need is to be informed and educated and more than anything have the will to do our part in order to save the beautiful species that are in grave danger of extinction. 

Wild animals taken from their habitat

•  Resent statistics show that among the world animal that are in treat to extinction are the Elephants, and different species of the Big Cats.( i.g. tigers, lions, cheetahs.)
•  The elephant has been targeted since the begging of the 19 century, for their Ivory husks; have been captured for their use in the entertainment business of Circuses!
•   Elephants have been employed (forced) in timber logging companies in countries such as Sri Lanka
•   Tigers have long been a target for their fur, because of their unique stripes and Chinese  medicinal practices.

Conservation of wild animals

Many governments across the world have enacted laws in order to protect animals such the elephants and big cats. The drastic statistics show that there is more that needs to be done, which is why informing ourselves of the issues behind their decline is something that needs to be done! Keeping these animals in the wild is what we need to fight for, they need to be able to flourish where they are intended to be, and they deserve a chance at life just as any other living organism. 

sources: nationalgeographic.com; images: google.com; blackjaguawhitetiger.org