Tails from a Compassionate Planet

WSPA on Hand to Help Animals as Hurricane Bill Threatens Bermuda

Some of the most idyllic tourist destinations are battered by hurricanes each year, putting both people and animals in peril. This weekend Bermuda’s pink sands are under threat from Hurricane Bill. Although the storm is not forecast to strike directly—dangerous winds, rainfall and ocean swells—make disaster preparedness crucial for the island.

Pets and farm animals are at risk of abandonment and grave injury during a hurricane, but risk reduction for animals is often left out of the disaster planning process. Because of this The World Society for the Protection of Animals has deployed its Disaster Management Veterinarian Dr. Juan Carlos Murillo to Bermuda to help protect at-risk animals during Hurricane Bill.  

Yesterday, Dr. Murillo visited WSPA member society Bermuda SPCA to inspect shelters, offices and vital infrastructures and assist with plans to protect animals under their care during the storm. He also plans to stay overnight at the shelter on Friday to care for the animals in residence as well as help any animals that may be admitted.

Dr. Murillo also traveled around the island to assess general vulnerabilities for domestic pets, farm animals and equines, and issue a report to the Bermuda Civil Defense to ensure that animals are included in emergency planning and relief operations. There are an estimated 3,500 dogs on the island and 2,000 cats (only 10 percent of these cats live indoors).

In addition, posters and PSAs have been developed by WSPA to educate the public about how they can protect their pets during a disaster.

Internationally, WSPA focuses on protecting animals through both disaster relief and disaster risk reduction work. The organization provides immediate assistance to animals in the midst of crises in the developing world and promotes sustainable projects to reduce the impact of destruction in disaster-prone areas. These projects protect animals and subsequently improve community resiliency in the wake of a catastrophe. Read about some of WSPA’s disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods and volcanic eruptions here.

The Hidden Cost of Wildlife Souvenirs

You’re having the best vacation of your life – so it’s only natural that you want to bring home souvenirs. But if you’re not careful, you might be putting your idyllic vacation spot in danger. Unfortunately, far too many souvenirs are made from protected species of native wildlife, and purchasing them undermines the conservation efforts of local governments. Worse still, methods for catching and killing wildlife are often cruel, inhumane and life-threatening for game wardens who try to protect these animals from poachers.

Here are a few examples of souvenirs to avoid on your next vacation:

Traditional Asian Medicines

Some of the products contain parts of endangered wild animals. On Asian bear farms, bile is painfully extracted from captive bears in order to create traditional medicines, and some non-traditional items such as shampoos and wines. The use of tiger bone and rhino horn in traditional remedies has left these species critically endangered.

Jewelry and Ornamental Objects with Seashells

Over-harvesting of seashells has pushed some species, like the magnificent Queen Conch, to the brink of extinction.

Birds & their Feathers

Wild birds have been illegally poached and trafficked for decades with many species now endangered. Beware of live birds offered for sale as pets as well as mounted birds, feathers, or bird nests as these are often illegal to transport home.

Souvenir Photos with Captive Wildlife

Don’t commemorate your trip by having your picture taken with a chimp, lion cub, bear, or other captive wild animal. They are frequently stolen from the wild as babies and kept in inhumane conditions. Often the mothers are killed for trophies or for bushmeat.

For more on this topic read Sharanya’s exciting account of souvenir shopping in the Dominican Republic: She Sells Illegal Seashells by the Seashore.

Need Weekend Plans? Go See “The Cove”

Ever wonder what’s behind a captive dolphin’s smile? For some, that smile belies the panic and chaos of a terrifying hunt, a traumatic capture and the stress and depression of adjusting to confinement.

Many people do not realize that some aquariums and “swim with dolphins” attractions buy wild-caught dolphins to stock their facilities—especially in new resorts popping up rapidly in the Caribbean*.  Dolphin captures are extremely traumatizing, the most violent and cruel method of which is the drive hunt in Taiji, Japan. Exploiting dolphins’ sensitivity to sound, fisherman bang loudly on poles in the water to herd terrified dolphins into shallow water where they are netted off from the open sea. Young (and usually female) dolphins are selected for sale to marine parks while the rest are slaughtered for their meat. Tens of thousands of dolphins and porpoises are killed each year during Japan’s drive hunts. From September until March, the water turns red with blood in the inlets surrounding these coastal towns.

The Cove--an amazing new documentary directed by Louie Psihoyos and featuring Ric O’Barry, a former dolphin trainer turned dolphin defender--exposes this animal welfare atrocity to the world. Using compelling imagery and expert commentary, the film lays out a convincing argument against the dolphin hunts and the captive dolphin trade. Check for show times in your area at www.thecovemovie.com.

Beyond seeing the movie, here are some ways that you can make a difference:

1. Learn more about the issues. Read “Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity,” a recent report co-produced by WSPA and The Humane Society of the United States that explores all the issues surrounding captive marine mammals. Read about WSPA’s dramatic dolphin rescues here and here.

2. Refuse to support the captive marine mammal industry by boycotting facilities that hold dolphins and whales.

3. Participate in activities surrounding “Japan Dolphin Day.” WSPA urges you to speak out for dolphins and show your support by participating in an event near you. Read about upcoming “Japan Dolphin Day” events by subscribing to our e-newsletter.

4. For even more ideas on how  you can be a voice for Japan's dolphins visit SaveJapanDolphins.org.

*Although animals caught in drive-hunts have not been imported into the United States for more than 15 years, the government has allowed the exporting of marine mammals caught in U.S. waters to facilities in Japan that hold drive-hunt-caught animals.