Maud Island Frogs are Making a Comeback

A piece of good news in the International Year of the Frog: a rare and threatened species of frog in New Zealand is making a comeback. New Zealand is home to four native frog species. The rarest — Hamilton’s frog — numbers less than three hundred total. The Maud Island frogs — numbering around forty thousand — are breeding for the first time in recorded history, giving hope for other frog species. You read that right — Maud Island frogs have NEVER been found breeding before. A few facts about Maud Island frogs: They are normally found on only two … Continue reading →

Why Are Amphibians in Trouble (and What Can You Do?)

Starting on Leap Day, people around the world are celebrating the International Year of the Frog. Experts fear that approximately two thousand species of frog, toad, and salamander are in danger of extinction — many within the next five years if we don’t take action. Why are amphibians in trouble? One main factor is a fungus that comes from South Africa. Here’s how the chytrid fungus became a problem: In the 1930s, scientists discovered that the African clawed frog could be used as a human pregnancy test. Inject the frog with female urine. Within a day, if the frog produced … Continue reading →

International Year of the Frog

Just in time for Leap Year! (Har har.) 2008 has been declared the International Year of the Frog. The idea is to address the problem of amphibian extinction — including frogs, toads, and salamanders. Zoos, aquarium, government agencies, and volunteers are making 2008 a year of a major public education effort. The bad news for frogs, toads, and salamanders: Nearly one third of all known species of amphibian are in serious decline. There are approximately six thousand known species — that means about two thousand species are in trouble. Within the next five years, we could lose nearly five hundred … Continue reading →

No Cost Ways to Donate to the ASPCA

Because I donate to the ASPCA, I get lots of literature from them. Many times it’s via email or accompanies donation request forms. Two things in recent such distributions have really stood out at me. Maybe you’ve seen them too if you’re an ASPCA supporter. (Or maybe you haven’t. Sometimes I don’t always read their emails as closely as I should.) If you aren’t a supporter, maybe you’ll be inspired to become one once you see these easy, fun options for doing so. Help the ASPCA by Spending Just a Little Time on the Internet • Register with AnimalAttraction.com and … Continue reading →

AKC Canine Ambassadors

The American Kennel Club doesn’t just put on dog shows — they also work to educate people about responsible dog ownership, canine safety, and more. A part of that educational effort comes in the form of Canine Ambassadors. Canine Ambassadors are teams of dogs and owners who are members of AKC affiliated clubs. They visit schools and youth organizations — like Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups, local libraries, or the Boys and Girls Club — to make presentations. The Canine Ambassadors work closely with the club’s appointed Public Education Coordinator. Often, the PEC will help the Canine Ambassadors make … Continue reading →

Teaching Survival Skills to Pandas

Less than a year ago, China released a five year old panda into the wild. Why is this news? He was the world’s first artificially bred panda to be released. Unfortunately, Xiang Xiang didn’t survive. Scientists believe the panda fell from a height after a fight with wild animals (possibly other pandas) over food or territory. This is a terrible loss for the Wolong giant panda breeding center. But the loss of Xiang Xiang is inspiring scientists to work on better preparing future pandas for life in the wild. China has been making a serious effort to save the giant … Continue reading →

Comparing Online Pet Sites: Dogster and Catster vs. PetPop.com

Move over Dogster and Catster, there’s a new pet website in town: PetPop.com. What’s the difference between Dogster and Catster and PetPop.com? Not much in some respects. They both allow you to create a website of sorts for your pets where you can post pictures and video. You can join online communities and make friends, and both have contests you can enter. And they both offer pet-related content about products and services. (PetPop’s aren’t all up yet, though. Some parts of the site are still works in progress.) And that’s where they differ a little. The “’Ster” family of websites … Continue reading →

The Crocodile Hunter’s Family Speaks out Against Whaling

The family of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin — wife Terri and daughter Bindi — are making 2008 their year for a campaign against Japanese whaling. After Steve Irwin’s death in 2007, Terri Irwin purchased a whale watching business. That whale watching business will help launch the Irwin family’s anti-whaling project. Terri’s goal is to demonstrate that whale research can be done without killing — Japanese whalers continue to hunt and kill humpbacks in the name of science. Whale data gathered by Irwin’s whale watching business in the southern hemisphere will be analyzed at Oregon State University. Japan has … Continue reading →

Elephant Anatomy Facts

My new fascination with elephants continues. Here are some interesting things I’ve learned about elephant anatomy! The trunk is pretty amazing. It is actually an extension of the upper lip of the elephant. The shape and length varies from one elephant to another — some have trunks that reach the ground and some don’t. The tip of the trunk is a very sensitive organ that is used much like humans use their hands. The trunk is used for picking up objects but is also used for breathing, sucking up water, and spraying water to cool the body. Imagine if you … Continue reading →

The Mahout

A mahout is the person who cares for and trains an elephant. The word comes from a Sanskrit word — mahamatra — meaning “one having great measure”. Elephant handlers are also called cornac or kornak, from the Singhalese word kurawanayaka — meaning “stable master”. The mahout is assisted in elephant care by a grass cutter and occasionally a waged assistant. The grass cutter is often responsible for feeding, bathing, and grooming the elephant — all of the care with none of the training. Often, working as a mahout is a family business. A child around the age of ten is … Continue reading →