Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

SOS – Save our Seas

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Dolphin.jpgSave.jpgWhales.jpgThis might be one of the most important endeavour people should engage in for the seas that surround our continents are there to stay along with the many species of marine mammals, fishes and plants that are unique to each and every marine environment. Many species of animals are in the endangered species list and people have to take notice and action even within the household which has far reaching effects on our plant’s ecology. The recent uproar on Japan’s Whale hunting and dolphin slaughter activities has attracted much attention to the amount of abuse and indignity our fellow living beings suffer on this planet. Australia has voiced disgust on the actions of the government for condoning such activities which should be stopped and prevented from happening. The country has ordered whale hunting, well for humpbacks that is, to halt due to increasing international pressure and through requests by the International Whaling Commission. The Japanese people are just following their traditions which include these activities as part of who they are and their culture. They argue that this is the way they have lived for hundreds of years and that they should be allowed to continue on doing to continue that tradition. Japanese fishermen have been reported to act with disgust to the action of Westerners for they argue that they are interfering with tradition and their way of life. In one incident, a Western Wildlife Activist who was taking video for his expose had his camera smashed as he exchanged heated words with Japanese Fishermen. GreenPeace has long been battling these whalers and have had some success but sometimes placing their lives at risk. Some are arrested and some have their boats smashed when the captain of whaling ships order them rammed.

Originally posted on February 22, 2008 @ 6:28 am

Economics and Charities for Wildlife (part 2)

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Australia’s marsupials have long suffered from these introduced species that Bandicoots other indigenous animal life have almost been wiped out of their previous territories. Australia isolated a portion of its territory, fencing it and killing all non-native species that come in or near it to preserve and allow them to recover. In New Zealand, Kiwis(the flightless bird not the fruit) which has long been part of their cultural heritage have long been extinct in developed areas, thriving only in isolated islands where non-native species have been able to reach. In the Philippines, Sea turtles have long been used for food and commerce that the WWF through local groups and the government, have been working to establish sanctuaries to safeguard the beaches which they use for nesting from predators (dogs, cats and humans) patrolled by volunteers till the eggs hatch. The said volunteers aid the hatchling to the sea lessening the deaths that occur due to natural predation from sea birds.

The great elephants of Thailand are now beginning to receive protection with neglected ones being cared fro and rehabilitated for release into wildlife preserves. Orangutans in the Malaysian isles have been protected fro sometime with some headway in terms of breeding and the establishment of large enough rainforest to allow them to thrive and breed naturally.

All these species have been threatened and continue to be threatened by our activities, so much that some are already in the endangered species list. Many still suffer from poaching due to the huge demand for traditional medicine and cure-alls that efforts are making a small impact on the demand. The small steps we take towards a ecologically diverse and stable wildlife community should also include habitat that should be protected by their governments in order to prevent illegal activities. The West and their citizens have long promoted protection for animals and their habitat sometimes when they themselves experience them as tourists to these foreign lands. Locals too have been touched by the plight of these animals that they have banded with volunteers from other nations in the quest to preserve and protect our native species. To end it, all of us can do our share in the drive for the preservation and protection of animal species through donations and volunteer work. Check out your local wildlife centers for any needs and please donate to help them.

Originally posted on February 16, 2008 @ 2:44 am

Economics and Charities for Wildlife (part 1)

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endangered.jpgAs we all know, awareness about nature is the sort of humane actions that has been helping wildlife all over the world for sometime now. The charities like the; World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The UK’s Blue Cross and many others are all founded and based mainly in developed countries who have the financial might that allow their constituents to provide their time, expertise and have ample resources for funding that allow them to exist and continue working thought the hardest of times.

Many Asian countries boast some of the most diverse and untouched natural habitats the world over mainly due to the undeveloped nature of these countries. Less development means less pressure on nature in terms of habitat disruption/destruction and trade in wildlife/derivatives. Many animals have suffered due to the demand for animals that was first used for traditional Asian medicine that is now slowly being curbed by environmentalists who aim to educate the locals on how the loss of these native species would impact their environment.

The very slow development that has protected and allowed these animals (tigers, orangutans, birds, turtles and many other species) to thrive in peace has been shattered but rapid expansion and development of pristine areas for tourism and other commercial uses that habitat destruction is the most common result. Sea Turtles for example have a very low survival rate from the time they hatch to the time that they are sexually mature to reproduce that only about 2 in thousands will make the return trip to their nesting grounds (if they are still there that is). Those species that have been heavily studied and bred with the help of science are making a comeback but species like the fabled Blue fin Tuna which has eluded artificial propagation are still quite on the downhill in terms of numbers but research continues. The development of formerly pristine areas has also brought feral or introduced species such as cats, dogs, goats and pigs that destroy the habitat of native species even wiping them out totally from some areas.

More on the next post……..

Originally posted on February 13, 2008 @ 2:07 am

Bindi To Continue Her Dad’s Wildlife Campaign

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Bindi, the 8-year-old daughter of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, made millions tear at her stoical speech during her father’s memorial service. Well, the brave little girl is now showing how she plans to continue her father’s legacy by becoming the front person of her father’s wildlide campaign, the Wildlife Warriors Charity.

The new campaign of the charity hopes to raise funds through the sale of green wristbands and dvds of Steve’s memorial service – the proceeds of which will go to saving endangered animals.

Michael Hornby, the Fund manager of the charity says that the campaign was planned and set in motion even before the untimely death of Mr.Irwin, and it will continue now, more than ever as Steve would have wished.

“It’s a project that was actually developed six months ago working with newspapers to try to find an opportunity to provide easy access for everyone to get involved with conservation,” he told ABC Radio.

“With the untimely passing of our good mate, Steve, I guess this project has brought on added meaning.”

[tags]Bindi Irwin,Steve Irwin,Australia,Environment,Wildlife[/tags]

Originally posted on October 14, 2006 @ 2:52 pm