Fukushima 20km Zone

@CountrySmileNL very kindly added captions and edited the images I used on my blog about the mistreatment of animals used in circuses. I thought I would share them on here as they are so much more effective than those in my previous post.

Thank you very much! :)

On the subject of powerful images, why not get involved with the campaign to save the animals in the Fukushima 20km Zone. In March this year Japan was struck by a 9-magnitude earthquake and a devastating tsunami. Together these disasters resulted in a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in the north east coast of the country. Tens of thousands of people and animals lost their lives and many more people were forced to evacuate their homes. The majority of those that evacuated left their pets and farm animals, believing they would return in a couple of days. This was not the case.

On the 22nd of April, the government enforced a strict 20 km exclusion zone around the nuclear plant, putting an end to the ongoing rescue efforts and condemning pets and farm animals to starvation. Before the tsunami, it is estimated that over 10,000 cats and dogs, over 675,000 farm animals as well as horses, ostriches and other “exotic” animals lived in the area.

As a result of this decision to abandon the animals in the 20km zone, small groups of Japanese and foreign volunteers have, since the start of May, been entering the exclusion zone to rescue and feed the abandoned animals - putting themselves at risk from radiation poisoning and from being arrested by patrolling police officers. These courageous people work endlessly to rescue animals and try to reunite some with their families or have some adopted by new owners. If they cannot get the animals out of the zone at that time they leave food and water until an evacuation is allowed and suitable shelters found to house them.  Each rescued animal is checked and treated by a vet and frustratingly decontamination is not usually required - these animals are not a threat if they are removed from the 20km zone. Unfortunately, despite their tireless efforts and dedication, hundreds of animals have already starved to death or succumbed to injuries and neglect.

The Japanese government are still refusing to rescue the trapped animals, despite thousands of local and international petitions and emails expressing outrage and disbelief. In order to raise awareness and put pressure on the Japanese government, the Hachiko Coalition is asking all of us, citizens of the world, to take a photo of our pets and add a message asking that the Fukushima animals be saved. Citizens of Japan, France and the US have enthusiastically sent their photos and they are now being joined by countries such as Brazil, Belarus, Australia, Italy, the UK and others. Every day, Nancy Gothard, of Hachiko Coalition, sends the photos by email, courier, fax and Twitter to eleven Ministries, the National Diet, the Emperor of Japan and Fukushima Prefectural officials.

Please, take part in the campaign and send your photos (jpeg format) with your name, city and country to nancy@hachiko-coalition.org 

These animals have survived an earthquake, a tsunami and radiation threats, but food and water is running dangerously low as the brave volunteers' attempts at rescue are being thwarted by more police patrols and the harsh weather conditions that winter brings.

 

This is my dog Cody. He's happy at home, thousands of miles away from the suffering in Fukushima 20km Zone, but I'd like to think that his cute little face, and expressive eyes will help sway the government into reconsidering their decision to abandon the animals. Please get involved. 

Ringling Bros. Juggling a $270,000 Fine for the Mistreatment of Animals

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus (The Greatest Show on Earth) is an American based circus company which was founded over a century ago. The circus uses 'animal performers' as part of its show and many of these animals include the beautiful and intelligent Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, zebra, lions, alpacas, llamas and goats. Ringling Bros. claims to be the 'Greatest Show on Earth', but at what expense to its animals? Often referred to as the 'Saddest Show on Earth' by animal rights groups, this title would appear far more accurate. In 2009, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) went undercover and collected substantial evidence to prove that the animals involved in the travelling circus were being abused and mistreated. These animals aren't made to perform for a few years and allowed to retire in peace (despite what Ringling suggest on their official website), they are exploited for decades in the case of the elephants. Tonka, is a 25 year old elephant Ringling has used since 1989. She has suffered through a life of confined spaces, shackles and bullhooks. She has been humilated infront of thousands wearing flamboyant head dress and paraded like some showgirl on some cheap game show. Most of the 11 elephants at Ringling were ripped from the wild, separated from their family. Babies are forced to train, torn from their mothers' sides.

"Ringling acknowledged that the images were taken at its facility but stated that the training methods depicted acceptable methods of professional elephant-training."

Feet pulled from under them, bound by ropes. These animals are tortured, not trained.

As I mentioned before, elephants are trained through the use of bullhooks. These are metal-tipped prods that are whipped across the elephants head, ears, trunk and legs. I watched a video posted by PETA that was recorded throughout their undercover investigation and honestly could not believe what I was seeing. The elephants are constantly attacked by their handlers. Even while the elephants are standing still, trapped in some sick game of musical statues, these barbarians strike them over and over. They strike them whilst having conversations with each other, like the way you would beat a pen off a desk while talking to your friend at school.
 

This is a bullhook and quite honestly it would be at home in a museum cabinet of medieval torture equipment.






I was under the impression humans had become a little more civilised since then. Obviously I was wrong.

The evidence collected by PETA and the numerous complaints against Ringling for its treatment of animals has brought about the largest civil penalty against an animal exhibitor under the Animal Welfare Act according to The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has agreed to pay a record $270,000 fine to settle charges that it violated federal animal welfare laws and promises to improve the conditions for animals. Reports of abuse and mistreatment dated back some number of years included elephants being forced to perform despite pain from sand colic; wheelbarrows used to transport meat to tigers were also used to haul away their faeces; zebras escaping from their enclosures in two major incidences; splintered floors and rusted cages used to contain big cats and poor medical record-keeping. PETA has said that the fine is a good step, but it called on the government to confiscate the elephants. The charity has even offered to to purchase an animatronic elephant for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus if the circus retires all of its live performing elephants.

The fact is that even though more egregious instances of animal abuse have been reported in the circus industry historically, the aforementioned violations made by Ringling Bros. highlight the problem of using animals for entertainment purposes. Ethical treatment of animals takes a backseat to the profit circuses rake in from the crowds attracted to idea of seeing elephants and tigers. This has to stop. Animals are not here for our entertainment and are certainly not here to be subjected to a life of sorrow and pain for a quick buck.

CAPS (Captive Animals' Protection Society) s a UK-based charity leading the campaign to end the use of animals in entertainment. They really do amazing work and any way in which you can get involved or support this charity would make a huge difference to circus animals everywhere. Please click here to find out more.

We see this........

But what we really should see is this........

STOP ANIMAL CIRCUSES!

Mute Swans (Cygnus olor)

Oh dear. I don't think I'm getting the hang of 'regular blog updates' - although I am trying. Currently working full time in a job I did part-time when I was 16, so I've been feeling a little sorry for myself lately. GIVE ME A ZOOLOGY JOB ANYONE!!! Please, thank you. Preferably involving cheetahs. Merci.

I have been so wrapped up in my little bubble of 'legendary customer care' and 'advantages of owning an advantage card' that nature has well and truly slipped from my grasp. I saw a little grey squirrel foraging amongst the trees in the car park where my flat is and it hit me how much I miss watching wildlife. The car park is visited by cats, birds, squirrels and foxes and I really need to start taking advantage of that rather than my job at Boots.

Apart from stalking my furry little neighbouring mammal (no, not the guy across the hall, the squirrel), I feed the swans at a nearby park. They are Mute Swans to be precise and during the summer, mum and dad conceived and successfully reared six beautiful cygnets. I remember sitting in the car, the first time I saw them. Six little feathery grey blobs following mum, one behind the other, while dad watched their six, while eyeing up any boisterous yellow-legged gull who flew too close to his precious family.

The swans, during the first month or so of the cygnets hatching, were extremely wary of swimming too close to the public so close up views of hatchlings were, understandably, hindered. One night, while moping about the flat in boredom and with half a loaf of bread a day out of date, the idea of feeding the ducks and swans popped into my head. So off I went, armed with Hovis bread and my Blackberry.The park was pitch black, the normally pretty pond, looked ominous in the moonlight. Walking about 30 feet from the car, I was greeted by an exciting sight. The little swan family were camped out on the dock, snuggled together to conserve body heat. Now, I say 'greeted', but as a little squeal of excitement left my lips, 6 pairs of black eyes popped open and 6 long, smooth beaks turned in my direction. "Bread." I stated, shaking the bag for emphasis, trying to appear reassuring. A long, angry hiss and expansion of those magnificent wings was my reply.

By this time, the babies were half the size of their parents, their feathers a lighter shade of grey to what I had seen before. I eventually won them over and they pigged out on their midnight snack. Their hisses, soon became cute little squeaks of joy at receiving a late night treat. For 'mute' swans, they are anything but - the offspring anyway! Mum and dad just kept a careful eye on their family while grabbing a couple of bits of bread for themselves.

For someone, stuck stocking shelves and getting minimum wage, a day (or should I say a night) at the park feeding swans by hand is like a safari trip studying lions. Excitement took over. The idea that I could go to the park and get closer to the little family than the public get during the day, made me feel like I had stumbled on a secret that only I knew about. Okay, I know it's not that exciting, but leave me alone, it makes me happy.

This soon became a weekly occurrence and it was great to spend even 10 minutes feeding them and getting to see the babies grow. I went last night, and all six cygnets are now the same size as their parents and only little grey flecks of colour distort their white-as-snow bodies. They're awesome.

I need to get pictures of them. My phone is McRubbish in the dark. Make do with one I nabbed from Google.

Some facts about the Mute Swan. They were introduced to western Europe and Britain by the Romans, but are originally from Asia and parts of eastern Europe. The population in Britain has increased to about 25,000 pairs which is more than a fifth of the European population. During the summer, when the female will lay eggs, both members of the pair build a nest, typically on an island in a gravel pit or by a pond. The huge eggs are laid every 48 hours and incubation only starts when the clutch is complete. The hen broods them, though her mate sits on the nest while she is away feeding. As soon as the young hatch they can swim, and the parents defend them fiercely against predators. The cygnets fledge between 120 - 150 days.

The swan family make my little zoology heart sing and it really just drives me to get a job I know I will enjoy. Nature really is the best solution if you're feeling down or out of sorts. Watch the birds in your back garden or take your dog for a walk. It's my medicine and I recommend it to everyone. Feed the birds......Tuppence a bag. Go to.

Aquatic Unicorns - Narwhals

Wildlife 101 has a new look, a new layout and so a new start. I've scrapped my previous posts and have a different idea of what I want this blog to convey. It's not going to get too complicated, I'll probably still write the first thing that comes into my head, but I promise to try structure the ensuing chaos. Inspired by the trailers and clips of David Attenborough's spectacular new natural history documentary, Frozen Planet, I feel almost compelled to write about some animal species struggling for survival in either of the poles. Before I start, I should mention I haven't actually seen the first episode which aired yesterday - I know blasphemy! What zoologist doesn't drool at the thought of listening to Attenborough's distinctive, lulling tones whilst viewing some of the most beautiful shots of our planet and its inhabitants? Frozen Planet had 6.82 million viewers glued to their couches last night, an incredible 27.4 per cent share of all those watching television between 9pm and 10pm. At 85 years of age, this man is ridiculously unstoppable. Here is a short interview by Radio Times talking to Attenborough about Frozen Planet and life in general.


Watching clips of Frozen Planet on the BBC website I was completely captivated by the minute and a half video of narwhals and their journey across the frozen plains of the Arctic Ocean in search of shrimp, squid and fish. Navigating their way through can be dangerous, with the water currents continually shifting blocks of ice which could at any moment cut off the pods air supply. The thought of swimming down narrow passages of ice with the risk of being trapped sends a shudder down my spine, but with the promise of Arctic cod, it is a risk necessary for the narwhals' survival.


Narwhals live in the remote coastal waters and rivers of the Arctic, but migrate with the change of seasons. Their pods are usually made up of between 2 and 10 individuals, but larger groups may be seen when food supplies are abundant. They are classified in the cetacean family Monodontidae, along with the white beluga whale. These animals have two teeth, one of which grow straight through the male narwhals upper lip and spirals in an anti-clock wise direction and can reach nine feet in length. The appendage baffles scientists with its presence having, what seems no evolutionary advantage to the species. The ivory tusk is thought to be an important instrument in mating rituals whether to impress females (where size does matter!) or battle rival suitors. In females the two teeth typically remain embedded within the skull, but occasionally tusks of their own may form, but never reaching the size of their male counterparts. It's not known why the tusk spirals to the left, but it has to spiral in order to grow straight. The tusk lacks enamel, unlike most mammal teeth and has a pulp cavity that extends for its entire length. 

The narwhal is thought to be the foundation of many legends with some medieval Europeans believing the narwhals tusk was the horn of unicorns. The 'horns' were considered to have magical properties, able to cure poison and depression. Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for ten times their weight in gold. Centuries later and the narwhals are still hunted for their ivory tusks both illegally and by the Inuit. The Inuit people however, use almost all parts of the narwhal - meat, skin, blubber and organs are all a vital source of Vitamin C which is hard to obtain in the northern climates. Apart from humans, the only other threats of predation to the narwhal is by polar bears and killer whales. Its shy nature and habitat make it a difficult whale to study, but presently there are thought to be 20,000 swimming around the Arctic. However, the population are threatened by climate change which is accelerating the destruction of their frozen home and depletion of their highly specialised food sources. 

The narwhal is one of the most mystery mammals in our oceans and it's exciting to see more information unfolding about their way of life, conservation methods and the purpose of the tusk! Sitting in my nice warm flat in Scotland, I'm unfortunately hundreds of miles away from seeing real life narwhals and that is why I am so thankful for the wonderful documentaries like Frozen Planet that can take me to the narwhals' world and give me a sneak peak at these incredible creatures. 


I hope my blog has raised your curiosity even a fraction about the narwhal and if you were debating whether to watch Frozen Planet or not - go, go now! Catch it on BBC iplayer. That's where I am headed right now! Thanks for reading. I'll leave you with a picture of a t-shirt, which I'm hoping Santa will be kind enough to bring me!

 Heatherbelle <3