Roundtable discussion about animal world

(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.

Anatomy of attack at SeaWorld

(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.

IFAW saving animals in Haiti

(NECN) – By now, we’ve heard the countless tales of human loss and suffering and seen the first signs of relief in Haiti.

But as nations around the globe step in to help with the humanitarian crisis, there is also an effort underway to save animals in Haiti.

Led by an organization right in our own backyard.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, based in Yarmouthport Massachusett is setting up mobile clinics to bring aid to an estimated five million head of livestock and countless pets.

Joining Vicki Croke is AJ Cady to talk more about IFAW’s impact in Haiti.

IFAW saving animals in Haiti

Sounding the alarm about arctic reindeer

You may know them as Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen and so on, but around the world, reindeer are also known as a threatened species. The population of one sub-species, the Peary Caribou, has dropped by nearly 85% since the 1960s. Learn more about what the International Fund for Animal Welfare is doing to protect these majestic creatures by clicking on the following video.

Interested in learning more about IFAW?

Rescue stories from IFAW’s mission-impossible in Philippines

(NECN) – This year’s active storm season has prompted a number of evacuations in the Philippines, leaving both humans and animals stranded in high water.

That’s where the International Fund for Animal Welfare has stepped in, dispatching their rapid water rescue team to places like Manila.

Joining Vicki Croke is Michael Booth a member of that team who is just back from the Philippines.

You can read more about IFAW’s emergency rescue teams in blog posts filed from around the globe at www.ifaw.org .

Check it out! ‘Under One Sky’

So cracking the books may not be high on your kids to-do list during the lazy days of summer. But, if you want to steer them away from the TV and computer – you better have an enticing alternative! We are hitting the road to a destination that’s not only educational, but fun as well!

It’s a new exhibit at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, put together by our partners at the International Fund for Animal Welfare. It’s called Under One Sky and IFAW’s Nancy Barr is here to tell us about it.

Moving elephants in Malawi

Call it reality tv – out of southern Africa. Check out this incredible video shot in Malawi earlier this month, focusing on IFAW’s efforts to move nearly 60 elephants to a protected game reserve.

Learn more about how you can help IFAW’s elephant programs around the globe by logging on to www.ifaw.org.

Make a statement for whales – without a word

If you don’t think you have the time or the money to make a difference in the lives of animals – think again.

Vicki recently learned how easy it is to join IFAW’S Tails For Whales campaign, with a few simple clicks on her camera and computer.

IFAW saves group of oiled penguins

Oil spills aren’t always found by environmental officials. Instead, the evidence of what’s known as a “ghost” spill can be read all over the backs of affected animals. Click on the video to learn more about how the International Fund for Animal Welfare stepped in to save a group of oiled, but plucky penguins earlier this spring.

The penguins were treated by the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds or SANCCOB.

Brosnan launches major effort to protect whales

You might recognize him as James Bond, but to many in the animal world, Pierce Brosnan is a major supporter of efforts to protect whales. Earlier this month, the actor stepped onto the stage in Washington, meeting with lawmakers on behalf of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

IFAW’s Tails for Whales campaign is a global, grassroots initiative calling for stronger whale protection.