Posted By: Allison Sonfist | December 8, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Beginning Tuesday, ships that are at least 65 feet long will have to slow down in areas along the East Coast to reduce collisions with endangered North Atlantic right whales.
Under a new federal regulation, the ships must travel no faster than 10 knots in southeastern Atlantic and mid-Atlantic waters where the whales usually gather. The speed restriction will extend 20 nautical miles around major ports.
Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say most right whale
sightings occur within 20 nautical miles of shore.
Similar speed restrictions will take effect in waters off New
England starting in January, as the whales begin to migrate north.
NOAA says only 300 to 400 North Atlantic right whales remain in
existence.
Posted By: Dean Reddington | December 5, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Kenda, a polar bear at the ecotarium in Worcester, Massachusetts celebrated her 25th birthday this week. She is the first polar bear to be raised in New England, and the oldest living bear in captivity. Instead of a cake, Kenda celebrated the big 2-5 by chowing down on two pounds of meat, and playing with some brand new toys.
Posted By: Allison Sonfist | December 4, 2008 at 10:19 am
Thousands of neglected dogs will be exposed to the frigid winter season. However, your support of PETA’s “Angel for Animals” program can help our four-legged friends.
With your help, PETA will build and deliver hundreds of doghouses to needy dogs to protect them from the snow and extreme weather conditions.
Posted By: Allison Sonfist | December 3, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Six defendants were arrested today in New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Texas for conspiring to smuggle ivory of African elephants from the Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Uganda into the United States.
A criminal complaint charging the defendants was unsealed this morning in Brooklyn Federal Court.
As set forth in the complaint, illegal trade in African elephant ivory is the major cause of the continuing decline of elephant populations in Africa. Importation of ivory into the United States has been criminalized since 1976 when the United States became a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (”CITES”).
Since then, Congress has passed the African Elephant Conservation Act, which prohibits importation of raw or worked ivory that was exported from an ivory producing country.
The maximum term of imprisonment for any defendant convicted of smuggling is 20 years.
*This video clip provided by ABC shows still photos of confiscated ivory, disguised as other items.
Posted By: Ted McEnroe | December 2, 2008 at 4:45 pm
An update to the story Allison posted earlier – with a little more info.
We actually have had two stories getting attention in recent days about animals and the remarkable work of local agencies to save them.
The first one is a little gruesome, but so far looks like it will have a happy ending.
Earlier this week, an eight-week old kitten was found wandering in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, still smouldering after he was apparently intentionally set on fire. Nicholas (named after St. Nick) is now recovering from one of the “most horrific acts of animal cruelty that we have ever seen,” according to the MSPCA-Western New England. But as you can see from the photo (below), he is recovering from burns to his face, ears and tongue.
Posted By: Julie Cunningham | December 2, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Boston-area blogger Steve Garfield captured a white squirrel scampering around Jamaica Pond last month – and now the experts are weighing in! Take a look at Steve’s video first.
We know that squirrel didn’t just fall into a bucket of white paint – so we went looking for answers!
Here’s what Massachusetts wildlife biologist Tom French had to say:
Posted By: Allison Sonfist | December 2, 2008 at 1:52 pm
An eight-week-old kitten was found smoldering in the Hungry Hill neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts. The MSPCA Law Enforcement Dept. is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible in this case of alleged animal cruelty.
Nicholas, named after St. Nick, was rescued by a Good Samaritan who found him lying in the road in pain with smoke rising from his fur. He was allegedly set on fire. He was immediately brought to the MSPCA-Western New England Animal Care and Adoption Center for medical treatment.
The kitten suffers burns to his face, including his ears and tounge. His whiskers have been burned off.
Community members wishing to provide information in Nicholas’ investigation should contact the MSPCA-WNE Law Enforcement department at (413) 750-7661 or call 1-800-628-5808.
Anyone interested in adopting Nicholas may contact the MSPCA-WNE Animal Care and Adoption
Center to find out when he will be healed and ready for a forever home (interested adopters may call (413) 736-2992 in the upcoming weeks to check on his status).
For those interested in contributing to help cover the care of Nicholas and
other animals like him through the MSPCA-WNE’s General Fund, donations are being
accepted online or can be mailed to Nicholas, MSPCA-WNE General Fund, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105.
Posted By: Adam Hart | November 30, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Ninety-three percent of pet owners in the United States say their pets are members of the family. We look at what happens when you add a new animal “sibling” to the mix — with animal trainer Sarah Wilson. Sarah also answers one of your YouTube video questions!
Posted By: Adam Hart | November 30, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Whether you’ve got one dog – or three – it’s always a great idea to teach your pet some manners. Sarah Wilson “sits and stays” for this week’s “Oh, Behave.”
Posted By: Adam Hart | November 30, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Most people think penguins need to live in the snow and cold. But in recent years, officials from the International Fund for Animal Welfare have been working with baby penguins from South Africa — rearing them by hand and releasing them back into the wild. IFAW’s Deputy Director of Programs A.J. Cady tells us more about this penguin rescue project.
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.
