Zoo shares adorable pictures of orangutans playing with their otter friends

Image and story excerpted from CNN Travel:

A zoo in Belgium has shared some amazing photos of a blossoming friendship between a family of orangutans and their otter neighbors.

 

The animals live together at Pairi Daiza zoo in Domaine du Cambron, as part of a program designed to maintain the primates’ wellbeing in captivity.

Read more and see more images… here

Fauci calls for closing down wildlife markets around the globe

The nation’s most authoritative voice on infectious diseases today sounded a stern warning about the dangers of the wildlife trade and its relationship to pandemic diseases like COVID-19.

In an interview with Fox News, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci called for the global community to pressure China and other nations to close down their wildlife markets, where live animals are sold and slaughtered for food.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said: “It just boggles my mind that how when we have so many diseases that emanate out of that unusual human-animal interface that we don’t just shut [wildlife markets] down.”

“I don’t know what else has to happen to get us to appreciate that,” Dr. Fauci said. “I think there are certain countries in which this is very commonplace. I would like to see the rest of the world really lean with a lot of pressure on those countries that have that, because what we’re going through right now is a direct result of that.”

Read more at A Humane World

Quote of the Day and Meet Normand!

Happy Friday from Normand of the Save the Chimps in Florida, the world’s largest privately-funded chimpanzee sanctuary.

Excerpt from Save the ChimpsHappy Friday newsletter:

Hop onto Facebook for live videos from the sanctuary each weekday at 8:30 am and virtual field trips with Dr. Andrew Halloran each Wednesday at 9:30 am. The chimps have taken over Twitter so be sure to follow us there! And on Instagram you’ll find lots of happy and inspirational posts. Together, we will get through this and we are happy that our residents can brighten your days! 

Now, About Handsome Normand!

Age20

Birthday1/6/2000

Rescued From RESEARCH

Alpha of
Bobby’s Family

I am a Virgo.

My Personality

• Strong-willed
• Dignified
• Respected

My Favorite Things

• Roaming my island
• Dried Fruit
• Nuts

Click for photos of Normand

My History

I  was born on January 6, 2000 at the Coulston Foundation laboratory, a now-defunct laboratory in Alamogordo, NM, to mother Ethyl and father Doug.

Although most chimpanzees born at the lab are taken from their mothers and raised by humans in the nursery, I was raised by my mom. Save the Chimps took over the Coulston Foundation in 2002, and rescued the 266 chimpanzees residing there. At that time, I was still riding my mother’s back as all infants do.

My mom was a beautiful and high-ranking female, and an excellent mother. She protected me, doted on me and loved me unconditionally. We made a nest together every night until the day she passed away from old age in 2009. Luckily, we were integral members of Bobby’s family by then and the group’s support lessened the loss for me.

I inherited my mom’s good looks and high rank. Over time I became the alpha male of Bobby’s family as Bobby stepped into the second-highest ranking position without argument. I am a typical teenager with a lot of bravado. I love to announce my presence with energetic displays and lots of noise. I am very smart and often discover new and inventive ways to use enrichment devices.

 

 

Shenzhen bans dog and cat meat trade; first city in mainland China to do so ~ from A Humane World, HSUS President’s Blog

Image and excerpt from A Humane World, Kitty Block, President of the HSUS blog:

Shenzhen has become the first city in mainland China to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat, marking one of the biggest wins yet in the global battle to end the dog meat trade.

This is China’s fifth-largest city. Although not itself a major center for dog and cat meat consumption, Shenzhen is located in the Guangdong province where the dog and cat meat trade is widespread. A ban here is a powerful affirmation of changing Chinese attitudes toward eating companion animals.

Dogs and cats are not in any way associated with the coronavirus pandemic. But officials in Shenzhen say they decided to include them in a proposed law banning the wildlife trade introduced in February in the wake of the pandemic because of the special status companion animals have in Chinese hearts and homes.

Read more atA Humane World

Visit PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) Sanctuary with Kevin Nealon and Animal Advocate Kim Basinger

PAWS Celebrates Lulu’s (one of the elephants in the video) 15-Year Anniversary

This month marks the 15-year anniversary of African elephant Lulu’s arrival at PAWS. Her story is truly an example of the transformative power of sanctuary care. Lulu was born in Swaziland into a tight-knit, caring elephant family. At two years old – an age at which baby elephants are still nursing and dependent on their mothers – she was violently captured and sold into captivity. Lulu arrived at the San Francisco Zoo in April 1968. At the zoo, Lulu was again traumatized. For years she was dominated by another elephant in their tiny enclosure where there was no room for escape. The elephant would bully Lulu, sit on her, prevent her from accessing food, and block her from going in or out of the barn. When Lulu arrived at PAWS in March 2005, she cowered in the presence of the other elephants, shrinking into an unusual sitting position. PAWS’ co-founders Ed Stewart and the late Pat Derby worked with Lulu, slowly introducing her to the resident elephants until she gained enough confidence to socialize with them. Today, Lulu comfortably spends her time with Toka and close companion Maggie, and she has now become the leader of that group. Together they traverse the expansive hills at ARK 2000, foraging on the lush Spring grasses. The confidence and social ease that Lulu shows today are measures of the sanctuary’s success in providing a more natural and fulfilling life for her – at least to the extent possible in captivity. Focusing on her as an individual, understanding her personality and history, and creating a plan of action that was in her best interest contributed to this inspiring outcome. We are proud to care for Lulu – who is the second oldest African elephant in North America – and all the other wild animals at PAWS’ three sanctuaries, who have shown such incredible resilience in the face of adversity. Happy 15th anniversary, Lulu!

Takaya Lone Wolf ~ From HSUS Blog

Excerpted from HSUS blog:

Further to my earlier post about Takaya, the following is from the President of the Humane Society of the United States:

The killing last week of Takaya, the lone wolf of Canada’s Discovery Island whose story of survival and resilience captivated people around the globe, is a grim reminder of the uphill battle wolves face in the modern world.

This was a legendary young wolf, with a grit and instinct for survival that riveted conservationists. The unique life he carved for himself made him the subject of numerous documentaries and television shows, winning him fans the world over. He certainly did not deserve to die for the sake of some trophy hunter’s cheap thrill.

It is believed that Takaya ventured off on his own and away from his pack more than six years ago. While wolves rarely move out of their packs, we can only assume that the wolf–beset by the pressures that so many of his kind face today, including trophy hunting, government culls and habitat destruction—left to start a family of his own.

Takaya was first spotted travelling alone by members of the Songhees First Nation whose territory includes Discovery Island in British Columbia. He lived solo for many years, earning the sobriquet of the “lone wolf.” Earlier this year he ventured out once again, possibly on a search for food or a mate. He completed a dangerous swim across coastal waters to Victoria where he was eventually tranquilized by conservation officers, tagged and relocated to a remote area near Port Renfrew. It is there that the trophy hunter shot him.

Read more: https://blog.humanesociety.org/?credit=blog_em_header

Vegan Black Bean Burger From Vegan Richa

Author: Vegan Richa, one of my favorite vegan food bloggers – Visit Richa’s website for an amazing collection of vegan recipes.

Grillable Veggie Burger ~ Black Bean Sunflower Seed or Walnuts Burger

This grillable veggie burger can be made nut-free using sunflower seeds. I am making this recipe tonight with walnuts instead, adding wheat germ, nutritional yeast and liquid smoke, and omitting coriander and fennel seeds and green chile cause I have none on hand.

Pan fry, bake or grill and serve with BBQ Sauce and other fix-ins. Makes 6 to 7 patties.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time45 mins

Calories: 269kcal

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or pepitas or heaping 1/2 cup nuts such as walnuts or pecans if you are ok with nuts.
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/4 tsp fennel seeds optional
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 large onion
• 1 hot green chile finely chopped or 2 tbsp green bell pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1.5 tsp old bay seasoning + 1/2 tsp garlic powder + 1/2 tsp oregano Or 2 tsp cajun/taco/chili powder blend of choice + 1/2/ tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup cooked brown or white rice I prefer white in these patties
• 15 oz can black beans drained well or 1.5 cups cooked
• 3/4 tsp salt more or less depending on if the beans and rice are salted
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 to 3 tbsp bbq sauce
• 1.5 tbsp flax seed meal
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs use gluten-free if needed
• 2 tbsp or more flour use rice flour or chickpea flour for gluten-free

Toppings:

• tomato slices onion slices
• sprouts or baby greens
• bbq sauce mustard, ketchup, etc.

Instructions

• Toast the seeds on a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. Add the coriander seeds and fennel seeds after 2 mins of toasting and mix in. Take off heat and set aside to cool.
• Make the smoky caramelized onions: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion , green chile, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar. Cook for 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and mix. cook for a minute. Add a good splash of water and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 mins. then use.
• In a food processor, add the seeds and spices. Add the seasoning, garlic and cayenne if using for additional heat and process until coarse meal.
• Add the rice and 1 cup of black beans, salt, 3 – 4 tbsp of the smoky caramelized onions, lemon juice, flaxmeal, bbq sauce. Process until most of the beans have broke down.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Mix in the breadrumbs, flour, remaining black beans. Taste and adjust salt, heat and seasoning. Add more is needed and mix in. Add more flour if needed. I usually add some cayenne if using old bay seasoning. Chill for 10 minutes in the fridge.
• Shape into patties using a cookie cutter (press mixture into a cookie cutter until packed. Tap to release. Even out the top). Heat up the grill over medium heat. When hot, grill for 3 to 5 mins per side. Or pan fry in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil.
• Dress with the smoky caramelized onion, tomato slices, bbq sauce or ketchup and mustard, or vegan ranch.

Notes

To make the patties gluten-free use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rice flour or chickpea flour.

To make the patties soy-free, use soy-free bbq sauce

For variation: Add zest of half a lemon with the lemon juice. Use ketchup + sriracha instead of bbq sauce.Add more smoked paprika for smokier onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 486mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 5.3mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 3.4mg