Jim's Sharebook 

http://www.care2.com/news/member/884115011/3288267

By the late 1930s, the swift fox had disappeared from Canada, seemingly destined for the stuff of local folklore and reminiscences. Then a coalition of conservation groups joined together to give this tiny fox a shot at returning to Canada's prairies, and in 1983, captive-bred swift foxes were released. The swift fox was back!

Today, the swift fox has been upgraded to Endangered status in Canada -- but the future of the fox is fragile and still hanging on the brink.

In the southern band of Canada where 90% of us live, 85% of our terrestrial species at risk are battling for their lives, trying to coexist with us on dwindling fragments of our natural land.

We must fight to ensure that not one of the over 600 Canadians species at risk will go extinct or become extirpated like the swift fox was once. Pledge to support conservation efforts to save Canada's at-risk species like the swift fox today.

http://www.care2.com/news/member/884115011/3130849

The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) was recently raided, interrogated and harassed by officials from Thailand’s Department of National Parks.  Department officials threatened WFFT members and captured over 100 exotic animals from various WFFT locations before subjecting them to cruel and inhumane treatment.  Ask Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to use her power and influence to stop these egregious efforts by the Thai government and make sure that these precious animals are treated properly and returned to the WFFT.

The WFFT is respected worldwide as one of the most important conservation groups for their work that includes saving, protecting and rehabilitating the exotic animals of Thailand.  Members of the group have spoken out repeatedly against the rampant poaching that is occurring in Thailand, including the horrible capture and sale of baby elephants to tourism businesses who offer elephant rides.  Some people believe it is the group’s vocal activism that led to the unbelievably irresponsible and illegal search and seizure of animals from the WFFT by Thailand’s Department of National Parks.  The government agency, which is supposed be helping to save and protect these animals, raided multiple WFFT sites, demanding that members provide registration for over 400 animals within 2 and a half hours.  They seized over 100 animals and put them in rusty cages, including sensitive animals that were about to be released into the wild.  These animals have been transferred to facilities where they are held in improper conditions by unqualified caretakers.  In addition to these crimes against animals, the Department also threatened and bullied members of the WFFT.

The WFFT’s work is crucial for the conservation of wild species, as well as the ongoing battle against poachers.  The Department of National Parks compromised their commitment to the preservation of Thailand’s wildlife when they conducted these illegal raids that have left the animals far worse off than they were under the care of the WFFT.  Instead of relying on the Department as an ally in the fight for conservation, the WFFT must now fight to get their animals back.  Ask Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to condemn the actions of the government and put these animals back in safety.

http://www.care2.com/news/member/884115011/3121143

We can not tolerate such barbaric acts.

This return to archaic and cruel tradition is a disgrace for Kyrgyztan.

These noble animals deserve respect and protection of their population!

This 2 day festival on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul in the town of Cholpon-Ata draws the regions best hunting dogs, eagle hunters, and falcon handlers in all of Kyrgyzstan.

Festivities range from eagle hunting of pheasants;  Taigen also known as Kyrgyz hunting dog racing; to wolf baiting.

The final event of the festival is only opened to the most respected Berktuchi and Taigen who must hunt a live wolf. This fierce and sometimes gory battle frequently results in mortal wounds. For the sake of sportsmanship, festival officials attempted to place a bit in the wolf’s mouth to no avail, settling for a heavy chain tethering her to a lead weight. Within rural communities, Kyrgyz have long raised Taigen and trained Eagles to protect both the lives of their livestock and family. This captured wolf was responsible for killing 68 sheep, 20 cows, and 17 horses. Such an unfathomable number of lost cattle and sheep is enough to impoverish any community.

Urgent Petition

Those of us who care about animals have to do all that we can to stop an institution as prestigious and respected as the University of Michigan from subjecting thinking, feeling animals to painful, invasive procedures, especially when state-of-the-art human simulators are sitting idle, waiting to be used to teach the same skills in other courses. Your actions today will send a message to all university laboratories that still engage in animal experimentation!

Help stop deadly animal tests like those that killed Tiger!

http://www.care2.com/news/member/884115011/3115239

SIGN: http://www.care2.com/news/member/884115011/3109563

The McCracken County Humane Society violated the law by euthanizing around 8,000 animals without using sedation. The practices used were inhumane, unsanitary and sickening. An employee shot video and audio evidence of animals crying out in pain on the brink of death and piles of bloody animals in agony dieing slowly. Not only has the execution of these animals been illegally and horribly performed for years, but the misery extends to the animals who live there as well. There is aboslutely no reason this should ever happen to any animal, especially one sent to a HUMANE society. Whats worse, is that the defendents attorney has filed a motion to have the case dismissed, stating it is not a crime. Not a crime? The people charged in this case should get the maximum sentences, which are minimal at best but at least it would mean justice for all the innocent animals who were cruelly tortured and killed at the hands of a trusted and licensed humane society. The hearing is set for March 6.

We need to tell these companies the beauty world will not stand for this! Add your voice and share this to everyone to make sure they hear us loud and clear!