(NECN/AP TV) – Don’t like the smell of your dog but can’t face being scratched as you wrestle to wash your beloved pooch? Well, a company in Japan has the answer: a dog wash. Put the canine in the machine, shut the door, and select the right dog friendly program, it’s really no more difficult than washing your clothes.
(NECN/TVNZ) – Whale researchers returned from Antarctic waters on Monday after a six-week expedition that they said proved Japan’s annual kill of whales for scientific purposes is unnecessary. During the voyage, Australian, French and New Zealand scientists used non- lethal techniques to study whales.
It was a challenge to Japan’s scientific program, which kills up to thousand of the mammals a year, an allowed exception to the International Whaling Commission’s 1986 ban on commercial whaling.
Rescuers are renewing their efforts this morning to free the remaining dolphins stranded on Cape Cod. Several teams are in Wellfleet, trying to coax more of the Atlantic white-sided dolphins back into the ocean when high tide rolls in.
Sparky
Prior to Sparky’s escape he had been neutered and a HomeAgain microchip containing a unique ID number was placed just under his skin. After he ran off, his owners posted flyers and combed the neighborhood hoping to find their lost pet. However, following two months of searching, they hoped that someone had found Sparky and would care for him.
(NECN) – You may remember seeing video of a circus elephant named Tyke rampaging through the streets of Hawaii or reading about the day Franklin Park’s gorilla Little Joe escaped.
These incidents couldn’t have been more different and yet we in the public may lump them together and misunderstand them equally.
Joining Vicki Croke on the Secret Life of Animals is John Linehan, head of Zoo New England.
He’s a man whose work Vicki really respects and who can thoughtfully give the viewer a little perspective on why zoo animals may attack or run away
John call also talk about what it does or-just as important-doesn’t mean about them and their life in captivity.
(NECN) – The president of SeaWorld last week defended the park’s killer whale shows following the death of a trainer.
One thing we’ve learned from all the coverage of the incident involving Tilikum the killer whale and trainer Dawn Brancheau is that there certainly are warring camps in the animal world.
Each side reads very different things into what happened.
Joining Vicki with a free-for-all analysis are two men much too civilized to fight — AJ Cady of IFAW and John Linehan of Zoo New England.
(NECN) – So what about the push to Free Tilly the killer whale?
Many scientists say Tilly could never survive in the wild, but are now suggesting the use of a sea pen
A sea pen is an enclosure in the ocean that would give him more space, while also keeping him away from humans.
But others point to the death of a whale named Keiko, star of the movie Free Willy back in the 1990s.
Millions of dollars were spent on attempts to return Keiko to the wild, including supervised swims in the open ocean.
In the end, Keiko died emaciated and suffering from pneumonia in Norway.
But while Keiko did not survive, many still say Tilly could be released to that sea pen we mentioned.
Dr. Naomi Rose is a marine mammal scientist with the Humane Society of the United States.
Dr Rose believes Tilly would benefit from the move.
Dr. Rose joins us Vicki from Washington DC to talk more.
(NECN) – Like many viewers, The Secret Life of Animals has been drawn to the story of Tilikum in the last week, the killer whale at SeaWorld who recently killed his trainer.
Did he mean to do harm?
Was he smart and aware enough to understand that trainer Dawn Brancheau was in distress?
Could the incident have been prevented?
Is it possible for a creature like him-or a captive elephant, or a tiger-to be returned to the wild?
Even the experts disagree, it’s hard to know.
With the help of some top specialists from the animal world, The Secret Life of Animal’s is going to analyze this incident at SeaWorld and revisit some similar stories.
On the Secret Life of Animals, Vicki Croke discusses what is known about killer whales in the wild and how much people don’t know about them.
Joining Vicki to discuss them is AJ Cady with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Dogs and cats can become friends, as the folks at the Wildlife Safari in Oregon found out — except for the cat in this odd couple scenario is a cheetah. You can see rhinos and lions at the Wildlife Safari in Winston and also an Anatolian Shepherd. Her name is Ellie and her best friend happens to be a cheetah named Sanurra.
A victory for animal rights activists.
The Massachusetts House has voted overwhelmingly to ban the surgical “debarking” or silencing of dogs or cats.
By a 150-1 vote, the House approved the bill which prohibits the devocalization of dogs and cats unless a licensed veterinarian certifies that the procedure is medically necessary to relieve an illness, disease or injury.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
The Secret Life of Animals is a celebration of our deep ties to the creatures around us. Its a show that seeks to unlock the wonder of the animals themselves, our mysterious bond with them, and our lives together: From breathtaking stories of survival in the wild to pragmatic tips on understanding our pets and keeping them healthy.
The mammal in charge is host Vicki Croke, who has been covering animal issues for more than 20 years on television, radio, and in print. Her entire career has been one big excuse to pat as many animals as possible.
Copyright ©2010 NECN | All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Use and Privacy Statement | +
