Tails from a Compassionate Planet

Help to End Captive Dolphin Program on the Las Vegas Strip

When you think of Las Vegas, you probably think of bright lights, loud casinos and Cirque du Soleil shows - not captive dolphins and dismal animal care.

Yet, since the opening of Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Casino-Hotel in 1990, 12 out of 18 dolphins have died under the establishment's care - an estimated 70% mortality rate! What's more - living in captivity is a very unnatural and stressful environment for any dolphin.

In captivity, dolphins aren't able to feed, explore, mate or socialize as they would in their natural habitat, the ocean.  Because of this, they often develop stress-related conditions such as ulcers and display stereotypical behaviors such as pacing and self-mutilation.  The animal welfare issues go on and on.

Change.org advocates are currently petitioning for the rehabilitation and release of all the dolphins that are being held at the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, and asking The Mirage to discontinue its dolphin program.  So far, more than 60,000 people have taken action to end this senseless cruelty to dolphins - will you join these advocates and WSPA in signing the petition, too?

Eco-Tourism-Based Conservation in “The Land of Many Waters”

Guest blogger Karen Windsor discusses Foster Parrots’ successful efforts to ignite conservation interest and involvement across Guyana

Guyana is widely known as one of the most bio-diverse places on earth and one of the world’s last strongholds of untouched and largely unexplored primary rain forest. Native to this beautiful country are amazing animal species like the Giant Otter, the Giant Anteater, the Jaguar and the Tapir. Guyana is home to an estimated 1,600 bird species, including wide varieties of Amazon and Macaw species, as well as endangered species such as the Harpy and Crested Eagles and the Sun Conure.

Alarmingly, however, Guyana is also one of two countries in South America that still legally exports its wildlife for the pet and zoo trades. The country is also now drawing great international interest for her resources – oil companies have begun exploration and drilling in the interior and new scars of destruction are opening up to break the long expanses of lush green forest as logging and mining operations dig in to exploit the land.

This “Land of Many Waters” – with her vast, intact and virgin forests, and abundance of spectacular wildlife – is worth saving.

In 2005, Foster Parrots, Ltd. funded the construction of Maipaima Eco-Lodge, located deep in the forest on Nappi Village territory at the foot of the Kanuku Mountains in southern Guyana. The lodge was given by Foster Parrots to the village of Nappi in exchange for a Wildlife Protection Agreement and in order to provide the indigenous Amerindians with an economic alternative to hunting and trapping for the pet and zoo trades. Five years later Maipaima Lodge continues to welcome international guests and, with its remote, deep-forest location abutting the newly-established Kanuku Mountain Conservation Area, is receiving recognition as one of Guyana’s most popular eco-tourism destinations.  

Working in the village of Nappi and also with Rewa Village, located in the northern Rupununi region of central Guyana, Foster Parrots has initiated and supported village-based eco-tourism programs as a vehicle for widespread animal and habitat protection. It has also introduced nature-based educational resources into village primary schools in order to help ignite the interest and involvement of the next generation of conservationists in Guyana.

A large part of the work relies on Foster Parrots' ability to take a holistic approach to not only focus on environmental conservation, but also embrace the culture of the indigenous people and carries a strong educational component to engage the minds and souls of Guyana's next generation of conservationists. To this end, Foster Parrots works in concert with The Jane Goodall Institute and Jane's "Roots & Shoots" program, which has now been established in both the Nappi and Rewa villages, joining Amerindian children in a youth-driven global effort to celebrate cultural differences and work collectively to help protect our Earth. Additionally, Foster Parrots has combined efforts with the Rupununi Learners Foundation, which focuses on education and literacy, empowering Amerindian villages to take control of the management of their natural environment through education, economic development and cultural preservation.

Images courtesy of Foster Parrots Ltd.

Compassionate Travel in Africa

For today’s blog entry Claire Bass, WSPA International’s Marine Mammal Programs Manager, recounts her fascinating experiences while traveling in the Serengeti and Masai Mara Reserves in Africa.

Ever since following David Attenborough’s wildlife series as a child I had dreamed of visiting the great plains of Africa. In September 2009 the dream became a reality when I visited the Serengeti and Masai Mara Reserves in Kenya and Tanzania. These are two of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife-viewing locations, home to an astonishing diversity and volume of wildlife.

Living in a protected environment the animals are not especially fearful of humans and are habituated to the trucks and all-wheel-drive vehicles which endlessly traverse their vast grassland home. There are strictly enforced rules preventing vehicles from driving off the designated roadways, and the bumpiness of the roads means that no great speeds are attained! Close encounters with animals are strictly on their terms – if they don’t like the look of you then they leave, but mostly our presence was of no interest to them at all. The lions were especially indifferent to our frantic camera clicking and hushed “wow’s”; they exuded a complacent air of supremacy which made us feel wholly insignificant – that deep amber stare carries an almost primeval warning: “step outside the metal box and you’re lunch!”

The tour company we went with – Intrepid Travel – was excellent, our guide was informative about the different species we saw and our driver was careful not to “crowd” animals where other vehicles were already present, or to interrupt behaviors such as hunting or sleeping.

The trip had so many highlights it’s hard to pick from them but a couple of memorable ones spring to mind. During the couple of nights we spent in a camp in the heart of the Serengeti we heard lions and cheetahs and hyenas calling to each other – nothing between us and them except a sheet of canvas and a few hundred meters of bush – an incredible experience. Another night we stayed at a campsite on the rim of the Ngorongoro craterand were warned that there was a special night time visitor to the camp and we should keep our torches and wits about us… sure enough at around 11pm we encountered an elephant casually rummaging in the bushes outside the toilets!

A safari in Africa really is the holiday of a lifetime – the sheer size and diversity of the place really puts things in perspective. Traveling around in our truck I had a genuine sense that we were the ones kept captive whilst the animals freely went about their every day business – the opposite of a zoo! Not only is the obviously far better for the welfare of the animals, it also affords us humans a much better insight into their natural lives and behaviors.

To find volunteer opportunities that will get you closer to animals, visit the Volunteer Abroadsection of WSPA’s Compassionate Travel website.

Helping Stray Dogs in Greece

Today’s blog entry comes from Zoe Katsulos of inside/out, an organization that promotes “humanitourism” – travel that combines tourism with humanitarian/animal welfare projects. Read on for Zoe’s inspiring account of her trip to Greece to help stray dogs.

 

On our first day in Greece, the inside/out team visited the Katafigio Adespoton Zoon (KAZ) shelter for stray animals in Athens. KAZ is one of the few animal shelters in Greece where these facilities are virtually non-existent due to a lack of funds to support the building and operational costs.

 

KAZ was originally designed as a transition facility – a temporary stop to treat sick and injured animals. The shelter includes a small surgical facility, recovery area and kennels. KAZ has been forced to expand their kennels in order to accommodate the increasing number of dogs who are routinely abandoned or dropped off at the shelter. This has made it difficult for KAZ to continue to operate with the limited funding they receive (none of which is from the Greek government). To help ease the burden, the inside/out team brought donations of veterinary supplies, which included medications, syringes, needles, surgical supplies and other items.

On the second day of our Greece trip, we headed to Ionnina for the rest of our animal welfare work. We had brought some veterinary supplies for the local animal welfare groups there as well. The inside/out team helped build feeding stations that will be used to help feed the local stray dog population. We had originally planned to build one feeding station each for the two feeding locations, but our group was so ambitious and enthusiastic that we built another two!

We also visited the university in Ionnina to distribute educational materials. These young students are a good target population because they are educated and more open to changing their perceptions of animal welfare. It was easy to see why the university’s administrators might perceive stray dogs as a problem/menace. There are large packs of dogs who the locals feed, and many of these dogs bark and chase cars leaving the parking lot. While students don't seem to mind them, the university systematically poisons these dogs to reduce the population. Part of the mission of the inside/out team was to educate the university officials about the cruelty of poisoning and to empower students to stand up against cruelty and to change the minds and behaviors of the local people. This is similar to the stray animal work carried out by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in countries all over the globe where WSPA educates local authorities on the importance of animal birth control programs and offers free spay/neuter clinics.

 

The inside/out team will be returning to Greece in May 2010 to help KAZ with shelter improvements, and during that trip we will also be focusing our educational efforts in Ionnina.

 

To learn more about this and other exciting volunteer opportunities, visit the Volunteer Abroad section of WSPA’s Compassionate Travel website.

Going Galápagos

Today’s blog entry comes from Abby Garner, Member Society Liaison for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). Read on for Abby’s account of her trip to the Galápagos Islands.

 

Just after turning 21, I found myself island hopping off the coast of South America. No, this was not an extravagant birthday celebration – there would be no 21 shots of anything on this trip. I was studying abroad and this excursion was part of a month-long course in coastal ecology. For ten glorious days I lived on a ship (think somewhere between a yacht and a cruise liner) that traveled from island to island in a mysterious archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. I was in the Galápagos.

 

I have been fascinated with the Galápagos Islands since the fifth grade when I wrote a paper about one of their most famed residents, Lonesome George. LG (as I call him) is the last known individual of the Pinta Island Tortoises - one of eleven subspecies of Galápagos giant tortoises. The rest of the Pinta tortoises were wiped out over the centuries by whalers and pirates looking for a square meal. In the early 70’s, LG was sent to the central island of Santa Cruz, where he has remained ever since at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Today he is pushing 90 years old and is considered to be one of the rarest creatures on earth.

Meeting LG was pretty cool, I’ll admit, but what I found most fascinating about the islands were the birds. The Galápagos is home to three varieties of boobies - Blue-Footed, Red-Footed, and Masked Boobies. One of my absolute favorite moments from the trip was watching two blue-footed boobies perform their elaborate mating ritual. It goes something like this: The male raises one blue foot in the air, then the other, as he struts in front of the female. Both the male and female stretch their necks and point their bills to the sky. The male spreads his wings and whistles and, if he is so inclined, gently places a stick on the female’s bright blue foot as an offering. I could have watched these funny creatures the entire trip, but there was so much more to see.

I’ll never forget the playful sea lions who lazed about the islands like they own the place; or the marine iguanas who Darwin described as “large, disgusting clumsy lizards” (and I kind of agree); or the tiny penguins - yes, there are penguins living on the equator; and of course those finches who inspired that little known theory we call evolution by natural selection. Yes, the Galápagos Islands are truly a special place.

 

At a time when nature and biodiversity have been severely degraded around the world, the Galápagos Islands still retain more than 95% of their natural biodiversity. It is one of the few places in the world that remains relatively untouched by human exploitation. And it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that it stays that way.

 

If you ever have the chance to visit the islands (and you should, you really, really should), be sure to follow these rules created by the Galápagos National Park. And if you’re interested in volunteering while you’re there, check out this amazing volunteer opportunity on WSPA's Compassionate Travel website.

Marine Wildlife Watching Promises a Whale of a Tale

This week’s blog entry comes from Ruth Morse, leadership gifts associate for the World Society for the Protection of Animals. Read on for Ruth’s delightful account of her recent whale watching trip.

We often forget to take advantage of tourist activities on our own doorsteps. Despite living in Boston for six years, there are many attractions that I haven’t yet taken the time to experience. Realizing that the last short weeks of summer are already closing in, my husband and I made a last minute decision last weekend to take part in the whale watching tour out of Boston Harbor, something we have always wanted to do.

We arrived bright and early on Saturday, a sweltering hot day, to be greeted with literally hundreds of people also keen to get a first-hand look at the magnificent whale. I was encouraged by the fact that so many were attracted to this animal-friendly activity - people from all over the world, men, women and children of all ages.

After about an hour’s boat ride, during which the Boston city landscape gave way to the charming harbor islands, and then to vast expanses of open ocean, the anticipation began to rise. Small children were clearly excited – “Is that a whale?” they would ask, pointing at every little ripple on the ocean's surface.

Then, suddenly, the boat was full of the gasping and exclamations of excited onlookers, as the first whales appeared in the distance. The boat slowed down and we were treated to exclusive access into the peaceful and rather magical world of the humpback whale.

Far out on the horizon we saw one of the humpbacks diving, on the other side a huge tail rose out of the water, and then two whales appeared closer to our boat, swimming near the surface for several minutes. We saw this pair resurfacing several times, and the novelty never wore off. Every time they dived – one always taking the lead – their tails lifted out of the water, captivating the crowd and prompting countless photographs.

Another highlight of the trip was a distant view of one individual, his or her tail lifted far out of the water and slapping back and forth on the surface – we learned that even whale experts aren’t completely sure what this behavior means. I couldn’t help thinking how complex and beautiful these creatures are, and how privileged we were to have a window into their lives.

I would highly recommend a responsible whale watching trip to anybody who cares about animals. It is a safe and respectful way to view these mammals in their natural environment; a way to observe their behavior without disturbing their freedom. Read WSPA's Compassionate Travel tips on animal friendly wildlife watching or see our guidelines specific to whale and dolphin watching.

“See the World, Lend a Hand”

Attention all compassionate travelers:  The July/August issue of Bark Magazine features CompassionateTravel.org! Check out the full article on Volunteer Vacations to see how people are making a difference for animals worldwide and start planning your next trip!

Captive Blessings: The Plight of India’s Temple Elephants

In the Hindu religion the elephant represents one of the faith’s most important Gods--Lord Ganesh. Those who have traveled to India may have noticed that many large Hindu temples have elephants stationed outside their doors to give blessings to visitors. Some temples hire them for use during important festivals, while others have elephants donated to them to use daily. Each blessing costs a nominal fee which is often split between the elephant’s caretaker and the temple. It is estimated that the southern state of Kerala alone has over 500 temple elephants.

As a child I looked forward to visits to my family’s ancestral home in a small village near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in southern India. The highlight of the trip was the visit to the local temple, or rather, the visit to see the temple’s elephant. A scene that is etched in my memory from one of my trips was seeing the elephant’s legs chained to posts. Even as a child, I realized something did not seem right.

It was only when I started getting involved with animal welfare that I began to realize that temple elephants were in reality no different than captive elephants. These sentient and social animals are usually not provided with proper veterinary care and are kept chained and alone surrounded by the urban noise and crowds. They suffer from heat exhaustion and foot diseases that literally wear away the bottoms of the feet from standing on the hard stone flooring of temples.

The elephant trainer or mahout is not required to have any formal education in animal care and training methods typically involve the systematic use of physical pain to establish dominance. These abused and neglected elephants are exploited for the primary purpose of making money for their owners.


Gods in Chains

Gods in Chains – a report commissioned by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (WRRC) and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), two partner organizations of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) – is an effort to raise public awareness of the plight of captive elephants in India. The book unveils the suffering endured by elephants used in temple rituals and festival processions.

These animal protection organizations are working with the Indian government to create an elephant sanctuary where rescued animals can be nurtured and allowed to roam freely in protected areas set aside for them.

WSPA urges compassionate travelers to look beyond the pageantry of temple elephants and to see the suffering endured by the animals. Don’t accept these captive blessings. For more information visit WSPA’s Compassionate Travel website.

She Sells Illegal Seashells by the Seashore

One of the best things about being on vacation is being able to walk through local markets to take in the vibrant sights, sounds and smells of the place. While on vacation I also enjoy supporting local artisans by shopping for unique mementos of my trips.

 

While shopping in the Caribbean last year I was not surprised when I saw vendors displaying various items made of seashells and tortoiseshell. It is a common sight in markets worldwide that cater to tourists. 

 

What was most fascinating about that particular trip, however, was witnessing a raid by government authorities in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Shop owners scrambled to hide illegal tortoiseshell and seashell keepsakes and the signs advertising them. Law enforcement officers swept through the small market examining and confiscating illegal items. After the dust settled, I spoke with a shop owner who told me that the government was toughening the rules and it was no longer worth the trouble for small shop owners to carry these items. When asked why most shop owners still advertised these items he admitted that shops sell what tourists demand. Cruise ships dock in Santo Domingo for only a few hours and that gives shop owners a small window in which to make a lot of money.

 

Over-harvesting of seashells has pushed some species, like the magnificent Queen Conch, to the brink of extinction. The critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle is particularly sought after for tortoiseshell souvenirs like combs, hair clips and jewelry. To help protect these endangered animals from inhumane capture, handling, transport and killing methods, the trade in tortoiseshell was banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

 

Raids such as the one I witnessed are helping to cut down on global illegal trade. Enforcement workshops that are offered by the World Society for the Protection of Animals’ (WSPA’s) member societies such as the Humane Society International provide government authorities with the necessary tools to crack down on the illegal trade. Traveler education is also a key to ending this trade and WSPA’s Compassionate Travel campaign and the companion Compassionate Planet blog aim to spread the word.

 

Many travelers do not realize that buying these souvenirs could result in considerable fines and even prison terms. Furthermore, the items are confiscated when returning to your home country. Compassionate travelers be warned: just because something is for sale doesn’t mean that it is legal to buy and bring home with you. Learn more about the types of souvenirs you should avoid on your next trip on the WSPA Compassionate Travel website.

Ecotourism Helps Birds and Communities Take Flight

In Indonesia’s Maluku Islands it is not unusual to find wild parrots or cockatoos chained to perches outside local shops or in the homes of the wealthy. Lucky, a rainbow lorikeet, was one such bird. Trapped from the nearby forest and chained to a two-foot wooden stick, he lived outside his owner’s restaurant for more than a year before he was discovered by representatives from the Indonesian Parrot Project.

 

Monica Engebretson, senior program associate for Born Free USA united with the Animal Protection Institute, was a member of the 2003 Indonesian Parrot Project ecotour and remembers Lucky’s story:

“Lucky’s owner acquired him as a gift and was not in the business of trapping or selling birds. We acquired Lucky with the intent to release him on the island of Seram near the villages of Sawai and Masihulan where parrot conservation projects are active. It was soon discovered that because Lucky had been chained for so long his flight muscles had weakened. Without the ability to fly he would not survive in the wild. We could not bear the thought of allowing Lucky to spend the rest of his life chained to a perch as a ‘pet,’ so we decided to free Lucky from the chain with the hope that he would remain in the protection of the village until he was strong enough to leave. Lucky did remain around the village, climbing and chewing on the trees and regaining his flying ability. A month later, Lucky left the village for the forest to join a flock of rainbow lorikeets.”

Monica has written a children’s story based on her experience helping Lucky. You can order a beautifully illustrated copy at The Avian Welfare Coalition, a World Society for the Protection of Animals’ member society.

When Lucky was found, The Indonesian Parrot Project, a U.S. non-profit parrot conservation group, was conducting one of their first ecotours of Seram. Many people on the island were struggling to provide for their families and resorted to trapping the island’s tropical birds to supply international bird markets. As a result, the island’s cockatoo population was imperiled. Working with local communities, the organization began “Project Bird Watch,” a series of bird-watching ecotours to encourage conservation and help support the local economy. Former trappers began working for the program as tour guides and bird watchers.  Bolstered by these alternative livelihoods and money from increased tourism, communities are now actively protecting wild bird populations.

A 2009 ecotour to Papua is being organized by Project Bird Watch this fall. Learn more about the upcoming trip at www.indonesian-parrot-project.org.