Tag Archives | animal protection

Gatsby Gets Millions To Save Wildlife

(CELEBRITY ACTIVISM) The Great Gatsby star Leonardo DiCaprio is saving the wildlife, one celebrity donation at a time. The famed actor hosted the 11th hour auction in New York on May 13, raising $38.8 million for his charity, The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The foundation will use the funds raised during the art auction to protect endangered species as well as the various wild lands they inhabit. The best selling piece of the nigh, an oil painting created by Mark Grotjahn, sold for $6.5 million—an auction record for the artist. Continue reading below for more information on the compassionate auction. — Global Animal

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U.S. CEO-Hunter Imports Rhino “Trophy”

(ENDANGERED SPECIES) For the first time since 1980, American officials are allowing a hunter to bring a slain African rhino back to the States as a hunting trophy.  David Reinke, the CEO of Liberty Parts Team, reportedly killed a black rhino in 2009 with consent from the Nambian government—which allows five male black rhinos that are too old to reproduce to be shot each year—claiming his kill was an act of “conservation hunting.” This self-serving move has angered many within the animal protection and anti-hunting communities, who believe this decision will only further glorify hunting. Read on for more on Reinke’s illogical rationalization and what he plans to do with his new “specimen.” — Global Animal

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Rhinos Vs. Poachers: A Losing Battle?

(WILDLIFE) SOUTH AFRICA — Home to practically all rhinos on the continent, South Africa has deployed its military, political figures, and police force in an attempt to protect rhinos from the growing number of poachers. However, with more animals being killed than born each year, these efforts are not enough to save the species from extinction. Statistics show that the region is on track to lose over 800 rhinos to poaching this year, and if this continues at its current rate, more than 1,000 rhinos would be killed in 2014. Read on to learn more about how the National Park Service plans on training new rangers to fight in the bush. — Global Animal

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Gulf Sperm Whales Considered “Special”?

(OCEANS) Even though sperm whales are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced it will decide whether or not the 1,300 sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico should be considered for special protection as a “distinct population segment.” Because sperm whales are genetically different than most whales and face unique threats in the Gulf area, the NOAA will now conduct a 12-month review to consider listing the whales as separate from whales outside of the Gulf—although it’s still unclear what protective measures might be taken. Continue reading to learn more about the reasons for the deliberation and the potential impact this status change could have on the whales as well as the environment. — Global Animal

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India Fights For Tigers As Only 3,000 Remain In The Wild

(WILDLIFE) India’s Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary has created a special new protected area for tigers. India has the second largest tiger population in the world, and this will be their 42nd tiger reserve. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, tiger numbers have dropped by about 95 percent in the last century, and there are only about 3,000 tigers left in the wild. There are more tigers in captivity in the United States than there are in their natural habitat, therefore protective measures for these majestic cats are vital. Read on to find out more about the new sanctuary. — Global Animal

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6,000 Wolves Remain With No Help From Congress

(WILDLIFE) Members of U.S. Congress are demanding the Obama administration remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. In a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the collective group of 66 Republicans and six Democrats, argued that the species no longer require legal protection and that the “unmanaged wolf population” is posing a threat to native wildlife among other issues. The letter also accused the Endangered Species Act of being bureaucratic and essentially a nuisance to hunters. The Endangered Species Act was introduced in 1973, and at the time there practically no remaining gray wolves living in the West. Right now, there are only about 6,000 of these majestic animals in the U.S., therefore it’s important to reinforce the laws protecting them. Read on to find out how quickly the gray wolf population dwindled when federal protections were lifted in the Upper Midwest last year. — Global Animal

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California Rejects Navy’s Deadly Sonar Program

(OCEANS) Following pleas from several animal activists and environmental groups including the Whale & Dolphin Watch team, the California Coastal Commission has voted to reject the U.S. Navy’s plan to increase their use of sonar and underwater explosives during training off the Southern California coast. Opposed by several environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace, the Navy’s plan was unanimously ruled against for lacking sufficient evidence that the threat to marine life would be negligible. While the Navy estimates that the proposed program would kill 130 marine mammals and cause hearing loss in 1,600 animals over a span of five years, the Natural Resources Defense Council believe these numbers are stark underestimates. Read on to learn more about this ongoing issue and take a moment to give thanks to the activists involved in this grand victory. — Global Animal

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California Sea Lions In “State Of Emergency”

(OCEANS) In the midst of a recent upheaval of stranded California sea lion pups in need of medical assistance, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, CA has declared their organization in a “state of emergency.” As the only non-profit organization in Orange County licensed to retrieve and care for marine mammals, the center is calling on the public’s help, while encouraging individuals to keep their distance from sea lion pups. Continue reading to learn how else you can help the Pacific Mammal Center and find out what steps to take if you spot a stranded marine mammal on shore. — Global Animal

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