Here I am with my ol' pal Cody.
He was a huge Artic Wolf.
It took some time to get him to warm up to me. Once he did we were pals forever!
He died last year.
Cody was definitely one of a kind.
I miss him dearly!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Miss you Man
Here I am with my ol' pal Cody.
He was a huge Artic Wolf.
It took some time to get him to warm up to me. Once he did we were pals forever!
He died last year.
Cody was definitely one of a kind.
I miss him dearly!
Canned Hunts? Banned Hunts!! (Jan Ravenwolf - 2/9/06)
Leyton's "Daddy, I Want a Wallaroo" (Howling Reporter, Winter 2005) dredged up memories of my first exposure to another dark destiny for exotic animals in the U.S.In 1992, World News Tonight showed a Bengal tiger relaxing beneath a tree. As the camera panned out on the fenced enclosure, I froze in disbelief at the man aiming a rifle at that tiger. This "hunter's" first shot did not kill. It was a heart-wrenching ending for such a magnificent being. Next we saw a small black leopard forced out of its cage to face 8 or 9 hyper-excited dogs. There was no place to hide. The dogs, as big as the cat itself, surrounded it. I left the room when this former pet, who had never known a moment of fighting for survival--till now--began spinning around on its back, flailing futilely at its tormentors with clawless paws. The "great white hunter" finally stopped the mauling melee by shooting the helpless victim.Welcome to "Canned Hunts!" Set inside a fenced area, the animal, a cast away exotic pet or discarded zoo animal, has no concept of defending itself, and no chance to escape. Typically, the canned "hunter," unexperienced with weapons, enters the pen. Getting as close as he dares to the unsuspecting animal, he then tortures it to death, wound by wound, with his ineptitude.Since 1994 animal organizations have been working to get state and national legislation passed outlawing this depraved practice. True hunters scorn this activity as being totally devoid of skill, sportsmanship or ethics. It's cause for wonder what prevents the banning of canned hunts.The Humane Society Legislative Fund estimates at least 1000 canned hunting businesses, which charge thousands of dollars per "trophy hunt," in at least 25 states. This group has also exposed the latest, even more diabolical, electronic "upgrade": Computer-assisted remote hunting.Yes folks. Now a mouse really can kill an elephant. Sitting at your computer in your PJs, your fingerclick can fire a loaded, mounted rifle aimed at a trained exotic animal herded into position at its habituated feeding area, hundreds or thousands of miles away! How sick is that?Fair? Sporting? Ethical? What kind of mindset accepts torturing and blasting a defenseless, unsuspecting victim as an achievement?These sad, sad human beings maim and murder lions and tigers and bears, and giraffes, gazelles, cape buffalo, jaguars.... A recent CSI episode depicted a rhino, all but suspended from a tree in a harness of chains, crumpling as yet another great white "hunter" acted out some pathetic internal dysfunction with an elephant gun.
I tremble with the terrified Corsican ram in another video, pleadingly pressed against a fence, 6 arrows sticking out of him, more to come because the "marksman" 10 feet away didn't want to
end the torture with a gunshot and ruin his trophy. My heart aches for the tortured animals, and the tortured souls of the human perpetrators.
Although canned hunts have yet to be banned hunts, there's hope! 13 states have banned Internet hunting, with 7 more considering similar bills. The Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, with pressure to introduce a companion bill in the Senate, would make Internet hunting a felony.
As of 2/21/06, a bill to ban "Cyber Hunting" in New Mexico awaits Governor Richardson's signature in a mountain of proposed bills on his desk. While the Governor is generally a friend to animals, it wouldn't hurt to encourage him to sign this one:
phone: 1-505-476-2200.
email web page: www.governor.state.nm.us/email.php?mm=6&type=opinion
or by letter: Office of the Governor,
490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.
Contact Info for U.S Government:
The President President@WhiteHouse.gov
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Honorable Jeff Bingaman
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Honorable Heather Wilson ask.heather@mail.house.gov
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Honorable Pete Domenici
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
senator_domenici@domenici.senate.gov;
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.
Ask the switchboard operator for each of your Senators. Your zip code identifies your Congressperson. It takes three phone calls, although someone out there is probably smarter than me and has discovered how to do in with one call.
Google "canned hunts" for more information.
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature,he finds it attached to the rest of the world." -John Muir
Leyton's "Daddy, I Want a Wallaroo" (Howling Reporter, Winter 2005) dredged up memories of my first exposure to another dark destiny for exotic animals in the U.S.In 1992, World News Tonight showed a Bengal tiger relaxing beneath a tree. As the camera panned out on the fenced enclosure, I froze in disbelief at the man aiming a rifle at that tiger. This "hunter's" first shot did not kill. It was a heart-wrenching ending for such a magnificent being. Next we saw a small black leopard forced out of its cage to face 8 or 9 hyper-excited dogs. There was no place to hide. The dogs, as big as the cat itself, surrounded it. I left the room when this former pet, who had never known a moment of fighting for survival--till now--began spinning around on its back, flailing futilely at its tormentors with clawless paws. The "great white hunter" finally stopped the mauling melee by shooting the helpless victim.Welcome to "Canned Hunts!" Set inside a fenced area, the animal, a cast away exotic pet or discarded zoo animal, has no concept of defending itself, and no chance to escape. Typically, the canned "hunter," unexperienced with weapons, enters the pen. Getting as close as he dares to the unsuspecting animal, he then tortures it to death, wound by wound, with his ineptitude.Since 1994 animal organizations have been working to get state and national legislation passed outlawing this depraved practice. True hunters scorn this activity as being totally devoid of skill, sportsmanship or ethics. It's cause for wonder what prevents the banning of canned hunts.The Humane Society Legislative Fund estimates at least 1000 canned hunting businesses, which charge thousands of dollars per "trophy hunt," in at least 25 states. This group has also exposed the latest, even more diabolical, electronic "upgrade": Computer-assisted remote hunting.Yes folks. Now a mouse really can kill an elephant. Sitting at your computer in your PJs, your fingerclick can fire a loaded, mounted rifle aimed at a trained exotic animal herded into position at its habituated feeding area, hundreds or thousands of miles away! How sick is that?Fair? Sporting? Ethical? What kind of mindset accepts torturing and blasting a defenseless, unsuspecting victim as an achievement?These sad, sad human beings maim and murder lions and tigers and bears, and giraffes, gazelles, cape buffalo, jaguars.... A recent CSI episode depicted a rhino, all but suspended from a tree in a harness of chains, crumpling as yet another great white "hunter" acted out some pathetic internal dysfunction with an elephant gun.
I tremble with the terrified Corsican ram in another video, pleadingly pressed against a fence, 6 arrows sticking out of him, more to come because the "marksman" 10 feet away didn't want to
end the torture with a gunshot and ruin his trophy. My heart aches for the tortured animals, and the tortured souls of the human perpetrators.
Although canned hunts have yet to be banned hunts, there's hope! 13 states have banned Internet hunting, with 7 more considering similar bills. The Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, with pressure to introduce a companion bill in the Senate, would make Internet hunting a felony.
As of 2/21/06, a bill to ban "Cyber Hunting" in New Mexico awaits Governor Richardson's signature in a mountain of proposed bills on his desk. While the Governor is generally a friend to animals, it wouldn't hurt to encourage him to sign this one:
phone: 1-505-476-2200.
email web page: www.governor.state.nm.us/email.php?mm=6&type=opinion
or by letter: Office of the Governor,
490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.
Contact Info for U.S Government:
The President President@WhiteHouse.gov
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Honorable Jeff Bingaman
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Honorable Heather Wilson ask.heather@mail.house.gov
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Honorable Pete Domenici
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
senator_domenici@domenici.senate.gov;
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.
Ask the switchboard operator for each of your Senators. Your zip code identifies your Congressperson. It takes three phone calls, although someone out there is probably smarter than me and has discovered how to do in with one call.
Google "canned hunts" for more information.
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature,he finds it attached to the rest of the world." -John Muir
PEOPLE I SLEEP WITH By: Jill Fineberg
My friend Jill Fineberg, created this wonderful book called People I Sleep With. The book features people sleeping with people that are close to them in special ways. No, this is not about sex! It's about relationship between humans and animals. Animals are an important part of the lives of humans. Yet so many people disregard them or never consider anything out side of their own species as being relevant in any way. I will be the first to admit animal lovers are freaks and I am one of them! I consider myself the Voice of the Wild because there are not enough intelligent people speaking up for the animal world and the wild! Yes, there are some extreme left wing nut cases out there screaming there heads off about nature and animal rights or what have you. I don't believe we need to go over board by protesting in front of butcher shops or throwing paint on people that wear fur. That's not necessary or smart. I believe in education, primarily through first hand experience of nature and the wild. It's my belief that rational, logical and good natured education will win over nonsensical protest any day of the week! I am very fortunate and thankful for the unique relationship that I have with wolves. Enjoy the photos of the love session with me and Raven.
There are more great photo's to come.
Leyton
Thursday, February 16, 2006
WILD ANIMALS ARE NOT PETS!!
Daddy I want a Wallaroo!
Walaroo? Instantly my mind begins to conjure images of some tusked fat furry animal bounding along the beach and surf. Then my thought suddenly shifts to the more likely a wallaby and a kangaroo. Well if I can’t have a Walaroo then can I have a Kinkajous? A kinka-what?
Today with the internet marketplace it is extremely simple to find almost any animal you might imagine and purchase it on line. Having access to such a diverse and dangerous assortment of animals that are so unsuited to life as pets has created a huge upsurge in the exotic animal trade. It is estimated that the exotic and wild animal pet business worldwide is over $15 billion dollars a year.
Today online if you have a spare $50,000.00 you can get a baby Chimpanzee. How about an Albino Sugar Glider for $6000.00? A six week old African lion will go for a measly $1,200.00 bucks. The older they get the cheaper they become. Babies are so darn cute!
Are they glamorized on television and other media sources? Paris Hilton. has one and Michael Jackson. has some why shouldn’t I?
It is estimated that captive tigers living in the United States is around 5,000 to 7,000.Only about 10% of the tigers are kept in professionally run zoos and sanctuaries. The rest of these unfortunates live their lives out in roadside attractions, circuses, traveling shows, big cat rescues, and backyards, basements and garages where people attempt to keep them as pets.
"In a retail store, a rural property, a basement breeding room, or a suburban split level bedroom, you can meet the monkey of your dreams, dressed in a doll's clothes and wearing a diaper. Or you can bottle feed a cougar cub, so preciously spotted, and then see his mother and dad in the chain-link 8x8 pen in the back" . Richard Farinato
With the sudden surge of exotic sales what will ultimately have to happen?
Let’s just quickly follow the most likely outcome of the exotic pet. In many cases the animal is bred by a rather inexperienced hobbyist in poor financial condition living in virtual squander. The breeder raises the animal for the shortest length of time possible then sells the animal to pet shop or dealer. Where the animal is kept for who knows how long in very small cage so not to take up any more room than necessary. Then the unfortunate critter is sold to an even less experienced person. Who then takes it home and enjoys his or her fun little baby.
Then it grows up and is not as fun or cute and cuddly. The novelty has worn out, so it gets sequestered to an out of site out of mind place until the hopeful helpful good natured friend or relative “rescues" it from it’s emanate demise. Soon the hopeful rescuer discovers the difficulty the last owner experienced and must look for help themselves.
But is there a Walaroo rescue? Why yes there is! As well as elephant rescue, tiger, lion and liger rescues. I believe humans should get some better sense about them. There should be no need in the USA for us to have so many animal rescues and sanctuaries. We should be smarter then that, don’t you think? Or am I just ranting?
There are probably many reasons not to buy, sell and own wild animals. What about diease?
The Monkeypox outbreak originated with a shipment of imported African rodents, and then spread to American rodents (prairie dogs), all in the pet trade. Shouldn’t we all become a little better informed? Shouldn’t we choose our pets more wisely and appropriately?
Wild animal are intriguing, exciting and adventuring. There is a definite allure to the idea of owning a piece of the wild.
How about this? Just buy a big chunk of land and enjoy the wild life that lives there!
Walaroo? Instantly my mind begins to conjure images of some tusked fat furry animal bounding along the beach and surf. Then my thought suddenly shifts to the more likely a wallaby and a kangaroo. Well if I can’t have a Walaroo then can I have a Kinkajous? A kinka-what?
Today with the internet marketplace it is extremely simple to find almost any animal you might imagine and purchase it on line. Having access to such a diverse and dangerous assortment of animals that are so unsuited to life as pets has created a huge upsurge in the exotic animal trade. It is estimated that the exotic and wild animal pet business worldwide is over $15 billion dollars a year.
Today online if you have a spare $50,000.00 you can get a baby Chimpanzee. How about an Albino Sugar Glider for $6000.00? A six week old African lion will go for a measly $1,200.00 bucks. The older they get the cheaper they become. Babies are so darn cute!
Are they glamorized on television and other media sources? Paris Hilton. has one and Michael Jackson. has some why shouldn’t I?
It is estimated that captive tigers living in the United States is around 5,000 to 7,000.Only about 10% of the tigers are kept in professionally run zoos and sanctuaries. The rest of these unfortunates live their lives out in roadside attractions, circuses, traveling shows, big cat rescues, and backyards, basements and garages where people attempt to keep them as pets.
"In a retail store, a rural property, a basement breeding room, or a suburban split level bedroom, you can meet the monkey of your dreams, dressed in a doll's clothes and wearing a diaper. Or you can bottle feed a cougar cub, so preciously spotted, and then see his mother and dad in the chain-link 8x8 pen in the back" . Richard Farinato
With the sudden surge of exotic sales what will ultimately have to happen?
Let’s just quickly follow the most likely outcome of the exotic pet. In many cases the animal is bred by a rather inexperienced hobbyist in poor financial condition living in virtual squander. The breeder raises the animal for the shortest length of time possible then sells the animal to pet shop or dealer. Where the animal is kept for who knows how long in very small cage so not to take up any more room than necessary. Then the unfortunate critter is sold to an even less experienced person. Who then takes it home and enjoys his or her fun little baby.
Then it grows up and is not as fun or cute and cuddly. The novelty has worn out, so it gets sequestered to an out of site out of mind place until the hopeful helpful good natured friend or relative “rescues" it from it’s emanate demise. Soon the hopeful rescuer discovers the difficulty the last owner experienced and must look for help themselves.
But is there a Walaroo rescue? Why yes there is! As well as elephant rescue, tiger, lion and liger rescues. I believe humans should get some better sense about them. There should be no need in the USA for us to have so many animal rescues and sanctuaries. We should be smarter then that, don’t you think? Or am I just ranting?
There are probably many reasons not to buy, sell and own wild animals. What about diease?
The Monkeypox outbreak originated with a shipment of imported African rodents, and then spread to American rodents (prairie dogs), all in the pet trade. Shouldn’t we all become a little better informed? Shouldn’t we choose our pets more wisely and appropriately?
Wild animal are intriguing, exciting and adventuring. There is a definite allure to the idea of owning a piece of the wild.
How about this? Just buy a big chunk of land and enjoy the wild life that lives there!
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