Save the Animals

Polar Bears Are Tall!!!

2008-01-08T12:43:00.001-08:00

Did you know that polar bears can grow to be over nine feet tall?

Cutest Video... I Couldn't Resist Posting It

2007-06-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Future of Energy

2007-05-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

The photovoltaic panels on top of this carport produce electricity from the sun.

"Where there is no vision, the people will perish." Proverbs 29:18

I hate to say it, but the Government of the United States of America seems to lack vision when it comes sound energy policy. The President says that "we are addicted to oil," but what is he, and the U.S. Congress, doing to end this addiction?

The truth is that the US could end its addiction to imported oil in the next ten years by adopting new policies that support and promote currently available renewable energy technologies, such as solar cells and electric vehicles.

Germany and other European nations are already leading the way when it comes to renewable energy. Learn more at the following link:

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2001/07/45056

If our leaders won't lead, then we must break our nation's addiction ourselves. Support and promote renewable energy. Install solar cells on your house or business. Buy a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle (EV) the next time you need a new car.

Recommended viewing: "Who Killed the Electric Car"

Colony Collapse Disorder

2007-04-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Since 1971, over half of the bees have vanished from North America. This troubling phenomana is called Colony Collapse Disorder and its effects could be devistating to agriculture in the United States and Canada.

Learn more at:

Wikipedia

Or watch this video:

Happy Earth Day!!!

2007-04-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day! Here's a link to a terrific Earth Day video that was made by kids on YouTube.com

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_ZvLg_fIROA

Polar Bear Cub in the News

2007-03-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

There is an animal rights debate going on in Europe right now regarding a polar bear cub who was rejected by its mother. The cub was rescued by zookeepers and is now being raised by humans in Berlin. Some activists argue that humans should not hand raise wild animals.

What do you think?

Read more at:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4000499a4560.html

"African Safari" DVD News

2007-02-17T23:03:00.000-08:00

Here's an update for fans of our "African Safari" DVD. One of our cast members has a show at YouTube.com called Chilldogg, where one of her favorite topics is animals. Chilldogg was also featured in a kids video, which was chosen by YouTube as one of their Top Ten Picks for 2006. Congratulations Chilldogg and keep up the good work!

East Lansing Children's Film Festival

2007-02-15T12:40:00.000-08:00

My "African Safari" DVD will be featured at the East Lansing Children's Film Festival on Sunday (2/25/07). Click HERE to get more details.

I grew up in Michigan and studied film and television production at Michigan State University. If you and your children love movies, please check out this incredible film festival!

I lived in East Lansing for about years and I am thrilled that the community will have an opportunity to see my film.

Cheers,

Paul

SAVE THE TUNA

2007-01-31T15:54:00.000-08:00

Many of the largest species of fish in our oceans have been hunted to the brink of extinction. Listed among these large endangered fish are tuna. This week over 40 countries are meeting in Tokyo, Japan to address the decline of the tuna with possible quotas.

Click here to read the whole story...

Photo from Wikipedia

Cheetah Mother Adopts Two Cubs

2006-12-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

Did you know that cheetah mothers do not like to raise a single cub? Therefore, when a cheetah gives birth to one cub in captivity, it has to be hand raised by people or adopted by another cheetah who has several cubs of her own.

Click here to read about a cheetah in Texas who adopted two cubs from different mothers.

Good News For Polar Bears

2006-12-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed listing polar bears as a threatened species. This would give added protection to this amazing creature, whose survival as a species has been threatened by the melting of the polar ice pack. Some scientists estimate that the polar bear could become extinct within the next 100 years due to global warming.

Click here to read the full story

Hot Air Balloon Safari Over the Masai Mara

2006-12-16T21:54:00.000-08:00

Last spring I wrote about my hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara in Kenya. Here is a video of this wonderful adventure. Enjoy!

The music was composed by my friend, Timothy Steven Clarke.

Peanut the Possum

2006-12-09T00:31:00.000-08:00

We love to watch wildlife in our backyard. Tonight Peanut the Possum paid us a visit. Contrary to popular myth, these creatures are quite clean and spend a good deal of time grooming themselves.

Killer Whale Incident at Sea World

2006-12-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

A trainer was injured by a female killer whale named Kasatka, this past Wednesday during a performance at Sea World in San Diego. Kasatka apparently grabbed the trainer's foot and held him underwater a couple times. Thankfully the trainer was able to swim away and was treated at a hospital for a foot injury. You can read the entire story at: CNN.com

Killer Whales (a.k.a. orcas) are the largest member of the dolphin family and can weigh as much as 5000 pounds. As gentle as they may be toward humans, they still pose a risk to anyone who gets close to them because of their magnitude and strength.

In 1999, the British Columbian government listed orcas as a "threatened" species. Killer whales have had a 20% reduction in their population in the Puget Sound region of the United States and Canada since 1996, because of pollution and a decline in the number of salmon in their habitat. It's very important that we do more to protect these amazing animals and the waters that they grace.

I'm Dreaming of a GREEN Christmas

2006-11-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hi fellow Bloggers. Sorry that I have not posted lately. I've been very busy preparing KidsLoveAnimals.com for the holiday season, and I have also been producing and posting videos at YouTube.com and Google Video.

I'm dreaming of a GREEN Christmas this year! No, I don't mean a Christmas without snow. I mean a Christmas where shoppers consider the environment when buying gifts.
This holiday season, think GREEN, everytime that you buy a gift. Ask yourself, "is this gift harmful for the environment?" "Will this gift teach my children anything of about our planet?" "Will this present give anything back to make the world a better place?"

I admit that I've been guilty of going into debt, so that my kids will have lots of presents to open on Christmas Day. The sad reality is that most of the stuff that we buy, quickly becomes JUNK that takes up space in our house, ends up in a landfill, and does not teach our kids anything.

This year, look for gifts that support good causes. For example, Build-a-Bear has a series of stuffed animals that benefit the World Wildlife Fund. And KidsLoveAnimals.com has an "African Safari" DVD for children that benefits the Cheetah Conservation Fund (cheetah.org) and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (lewa.org) to help them save endangered species. You can also support the Cheetah Conservation Fund by shopping at their e-store at this link: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=dept

In addition, you can find a list of responsible companies that deserve our support at 1% for the Planet.

When we support businesses that care about the environment, we give our children a brighter future, and that's a quality gift.

Happy Holidays!

Cheetah Camp at the Oregon Zoo

2006-10-20T15:08:00.000-07:00


Every October, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (cheetah.org) holds a series of exciting events in Portland, Oregon. This clip was taken at CCF's "Cheetah Camp" at the Oregon Zoo. The big cat in this clip is a King cheetah from Leopard's, Etc. in California. Cheetahs are an endangered species and could vanish from the planet in the next 15 to 20 years without our help to save them from extinction.

Reminder - Run For the Cheetah Events

2006-10-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend, I'll be attending some great events for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Laurie Marker will be giving a cheetah talk at REI in the Pearl District on Saturday, October 14th. As of yesterday, there were only 20 tickets left for this event. Call REI at (503) 221-1938 to order your tickets. If you are lucky enough to get in for the talk, stop by my table and I'll give you a "I love animals!" sticker.

I will also be at the Oregon Zoo on Sunday, October 15th for the Run for the Cheetah. Visit runforthecheetah.org for more information. Hope to see you there!

http://www.savebiogems.org/

2006-10-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

If you have never visited the NRDC's Bio Gems
Website, please click on this link: http://www.savebiogems.org/. The world's biological treasures are vanishing before our eyes and we need organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council to keep up the fight to protect endangered species and their habitats for future generations to enjoy.

Thanks,

Paul

Run For The Cheetah in Portland, Oregon

2006-09-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Attention all animal lovers and runners, the Cheetah Conservation Fund has some great events planned for you on October 14th and 15th in Portland, Oregon. Please click on this link to get all of the details!

I attended last year and will be there again this year.

The Battle Continues to Save the Artic

2006-09-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Cat and the Deer

2006-09-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

My sister took this photo of a cat and a deer. This is what happens when you live next to nature.

What kind of animals hang out in your backyard?

2006-09-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

The death of Steve Irwin is sad news to me as one who loves animals and documents them on video. My heart goes out to Terri, their children, their families, their friends and their fans. The risks that Steve took with animals always made me fear that his luck would one day run out. Sadly it did. We all need to respect wildlife, and continue to protect and save the animals that Steve loved so much.

California Takes a Bold Step to Curb Global Warming

2006-09-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Click here to read this story from the NY Times.

Save the Endangered White Rhinos!

2006-08-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

An Urgent Message From Robert Redford

2006-08-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

The Needs of the People...

2006-08-24T11:13:00.001-07:00

To maintain a sustainable environment for wildlife, the needs of the people who share the land must be met, as well. In parts of Africa, where there is suffering, endangered species are at a greater risk to be poached.

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ONE.org is helping to fight poverty in Africa.

Help Save the Cheetah

2006-08-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is a video that I've been working on this summer for the Cheetah Conservation Fund to help them save the endangered wild cheetah. Learn more about cheetahs at cheetah.org and kidsloveanimals.com.

Help Save Grizzly Bears...

2006-08-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

If you are a US citizen, you can help save grizzly bears today by visiting the following link: http://www.savebiogems.org/bears/takeaction.asp

Yellowstone National Park

2006-08-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

The NRDC just sent me an interesting story about Yellowstone National Park.

Click HERE to read their article.

I Have a New Video Blog!

2006-07-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of "Meerkat Manor," then you will enjoy this video about a roving gang of mongooses that I filmed in Africa.

Click here to see more of my videos.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya

2006-07-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

This past week we received a newsletter from the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. It's absolutely amazing the vast range of work that this private wildlife sanctuary is doing to save highly endangered animals such as the black rhino and the Grevy's zebra. This year past year was especially difficult for the animals and the people of northern Kenya because of a terrible drought that killed many. In addition, an anthrax outbreak took its toll on the Grevy's zebra's fragile population of 2,100. To prevent the total extinction of the Grevy's zebra, Lewa vaccinated 620 of these animals against this disease. Programs such as this are costly and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy relies on donations for 69% of it's funding.

To learn more about The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, visit their website at lewa.org, or you can buy our "African Safari" DVD at KidsLoveAnimals.com. Not only does this DVD feature Lewa as one of its game parks, KidsLoveAnimals.com will also donate 1% from the DVD to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Whistler, B.C., Canada

2006-07-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from a wonderful week long trip to Whistler in British Columbia.
Whistler is a beautiful resort which is on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability. The mountain is also home to about 60 black bears.
Find out more about Whistler's environmental programs at: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

The Swarm

2006-06-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Imagine the alarm that we had when a swarm of bees showed up in our front yard the other night. We called a friend who told us that it is common for honey bees to do this and that they would move on the next day when the weather warmed up. The following morning they were still there, but by the middle of the afternoon they were gone.

Click here to lean more about honey bees.

An Inconvenient Truth - Revisited

2006-06-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Photos from NASA

Last night my wife and I saw "An Inconvenient Truth" at our local theater. It is a very compelling documentary about global warming that all people should see! I urge you to go to this movie and then tell your friends to go see this important film, as well.

Hopefully this picture will move you to examine your own contributions to the greenhouse effect. We all need to do our part to reverse this dangerous climatic trend that is already reaping grave consequences upon our planet.

Trade in you gas guzzling SUVs for smaller more fuel efficient cars. Install solar heating and solar electrical panels on your house. Ride your bike to work and to school. Plant trees. Tell your leaders that it’s time to convert from petroleum and coal to cleaner sources of renewable energy.

We have the technology to clean up our planet. Let's do it. Vote with your pocket book... vote with your feet!

DUMA

2006-06-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Last summer I eagerly awaited the release of the movie "Duma", but it never arrived at a theater near me. Tonight I finally had the chance to see it on DVD and really enjoyed watching the cheetah in action and the beauty of the African landscapes. If you love cheetahs, rent this DVD. Duma, by the way, means "cheetah" in Swahili.

Animals in the World Cup

2006-06-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

Visit Freaks of Nature for a parody of animals in the World Cup.

Rare Animal Rediscovered in the Congo

2006-06-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Photo by Peter J. Stephenson/Reuters

Conservationists from the WWF recently discovered signs that the rare Okapi still exists in the Congo.

Read the full story at MSNBC.

If I Owned a Dog...

2006-06-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

I don't own a dog, but if I did, my favorite breed is the Golden Retriever. In addition to being a beautiful animal, these dogs are friendly and playful.

What's your favorite dog breed?

Globe Trekker

2006-06-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite TV shows is Globe Trekker, which airs on PBS and also on The Travel Channel in the States. I enjoy its upbeat hosts who take you on off beat journeys to exotic locals around the world, where they give you unique views of the people and the animals that inhabit the land.

Out of all of the Globe Trekker hosts, my favorite is Megan McCormick, who is particularly upbeat and interesting.

Black Tail Deer

2006-05-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

While I was on my run today, three black tail deer ran from a yard, crossed the street and leaped onto my running trail. I followed behind them for a hundred yards until they trailed off the path into a thin strip of woods that runs between two roads. It's always a treat to have a respectful encounter wildlife like this in the city.

An Inconvenient Truth

2006-05-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

In our quest for comfort, power, status and luxury, the average American still seems to be unconcerned that we are rapidly killing the planet through our petroleum driven lifestyles and our over consumption of natural resources. NBC's Today Show featured an interesting interview with Al Gore this morning regarding his new book and film, which are called "An Inconvenient Truth." Take a look at the trailer for this movie at: www.climatecrisis.net. Global warming is real and Katrina was a warning to us all that we need to change our lifestyles and start using alternative and renewable sources of energy before it's too late. On our current course, rising oceans and violent storms will displace millions of people. This will lead to suffering and outbreaks of diseases like we have never seen in the history of mankind. As Oprah likes to say, "When you know better, you do better." It's time for the world to wake up and "do better" starting today.

Visit www.stopglobalwarming.org and join the viritual march to stop global warming.

Fennec Fox

2006-05-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

The fennec fox is the smallest member of the fox family and lives across the Sahara region of North Africa and in the northern deserts of Saudi Arabia. Its large ears radiate heat to keep it cool and also help it find prey.

I photographed this fox at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington, USA.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund

2006-05-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had the honor of filming an educational video with Dr. Laurie Marker, who is the Founder and Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, and Teresa Delaney, who is the Run for the Cheetah National Chairperson and is on the USA Board of Trustees for CCF. After viewing our "KidsLoveAnimals.com's African Safari" DVD, Teresa was so impressed that she asked us to produce a DVD to help the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Dylan and Melissa Garrett, who appear in the photo above with Dr. Marker, were crew members for this shoot. They are also safari guides on our African Safari DVD. These kids are already working to help their generation understand that animals, such as the cheetah, are going to vanish from the planet in their lifetime without their help.

The photo on the right is of Dr. Marker and Chewbacca in Namibia, Africa. Chewbacca was hand raised as an orphaned cub at CCF, because cheetahs are taught how to hunt by their mothers and cannot survive in the wild without hunting skills. Chewbacca is now an ambassador cheetah, who meets local people and shows them that cheetahs do not have to be feared and killed. Once this connection is made, farmers learn to respect and value the cheetah.

In the year 2000, Dr. Laurie Marker was named one of TIME MAGAZINE'S Heroes For The Planet. I urge you to visit cheetah.org to see what you can do to support the excellent work that is being done at CCF. In addition to giving money to CCF from our Safari DVD, we are also donating our production services to produce two videos to help The Cheetah Conservation Fund to educate people and to raise money that will support their mission to "see a world in which the cheetah lives and flourishes in co-existence with people and the environment."

(The bottom two photos were provided by CCF)

Brown Bears in Alaska

2006-05-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

I remember the first brown bear that I saw when I was a kid. We were staying in a lodge in Katmai National Park in Alaska. In the distance was a river, and in that river was a large brown furry bear. We thought that we were seeing the whole bear, but when we walked closer to the river we discovered that all that we were seeing was the bear's head. The rest of the bear was submerged beneath the water. Wow, what a huge creature!

The photograph of the bear on the left was taken by my father at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, which is a favorite place for wildlife photographers from around the world to photograph brown bears catching salmon.

The Bald Eagle

2006-04-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

On Earth Day, I saw a bald eagle perched in a tree along I-5 which is the main freeway that runs through the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon. Thanks to Federal protection, it's great to see this magnificent bird bounce back from the brink of extinction.

Since I was on the freeway, I was unable to photograph the eagle that I saw. Instead I present to you this picture that I shot a month ago at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.

Click here to learn more about the BALD EAGLE.

Happy Belated Earth Day!

2006-04-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

My kids love to search for little creatures in the tide pools along the Oregon Coast. A day at the beach is so refreshing and fun. What did you do on Earth Day?

Hot Air Balloon Safari Over Masai Mara, Kenya

2006-04-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

My group arrived in the darkness of the morning at Little Governors Camp while the crews were setting up two balloons for our Safari. As they lit the burners, the bright flames illuminated the multicolored balloons like giant Japanese lanterns.

We entered the large basket of our balloon and gracefully lifted off the ground. Silently we rose above the canopy of the forest as the first brilliant rays of the African sun greeted us from the distant horizon.

Carried by a steady breeze, we drifted over giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and an amazing herd of elephants.

Prior to touch down, our captain prepared us for a rough landing. "Get into your crash positions." The balloon slowly descended until the tall grass brushed beneath our feet. Suddenly there was a jolt as the basket slammed into a small termite mound, and then another and another until we came to a stop and the basket safely tipped over onto its side. What a thrilling adventure!

Following the ride, we were treated to a champagne breakfast, complete with hot food and fresh fruit, in the middle of the savannah and then we were taken on incredible game drive before returning to our camp.

You can see this adventure on my "AFRICAN SAFARI" DVD, or at the Children's Nature Film Festival on April 30th at the McDonald Theater in Eugene, Oregon.

Click here to learn more about this Safari Balloon Ride.

Did you notice the cheetah in the final photo?

Why You Should Care About the Loss of Biodiversity on Planet Earth

2006-04-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting article from Defenders Magazine which shows why you should care about the alarming rate at which animals and organisms are disappearing from our planet.

Children's Nature Film Festival

2006-04-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

The First Annual Children's Film Festival in Eugene, Oregon has invited me to show a three minute short of our hot air balloon ride over Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya from my "African Safari" DVD! Our KidsLoveAnimals.com video has been selected to join an impressive slate of award winning short films from around the world on April 30, 2006, at the McDonald Theater. I'll post more about this incredible balloon ride later this week.

Cheers

Siamang

2006-04-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Siamangs live in the rain forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They do not have tails, which makes them members of the ape family.

This siamang came up to my daughter, who was crouching by the window to its habitat, and raised its arms to the glass as if it wanted to give her a hug. This was a very cool moment, and caused many smiles among the kids and adults who saw it happen.

Click HERE to learn about siamangs.

Run For The Cheetah!

2006-04-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

This event a great way for you to help save the cheetah!

Click HERE for details.

2006-04-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

I photographed this lowland gorilla at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. This exhibit was so popular that I had to wait about 10 minutes just to get a spot at the window to snap a shot of this male.

Find out what this gorilla is thinking on my "Freaks of Nature" blog.

Click HERE to learn more about lowland gorillas.

NRDC Needs Your Help to Save Polar Bears.

2006-04-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Global warming is endangering the survival of the polar bear. If you live in the USA, click HERE to send a message to the Bush administration that we must protect polar bears.

photo from the NRDC

2006-04-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing encounter with an endangered gray wolf this weekend at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. It's always a thrill when a predator looks you straight in the eye and for a moment you share a connection. Click HERE to learn more about gray wolves.

Global Warming is Threatening Animals

2006-03-30T14:44:00.000-08:00

The April 3rd issue of Time Magazine has an interesting feature on global warming...

The photograph taken in 1928, above, shows how the Upsala Glacier, part of the South American Andes in Argentina, used to look. The ice on the Upsala Glacier today, shown in 2004 below, is retreating at least 180 ft. per year

From the Magazine | Cover

Polar Ice Caps Are Melting Faster Than Ever... More And More Land Is Being Devastated By Drought... Rising Waters Are Drowning Low-Lying Communities... By Any Measure, Earth Is At ... The Tipping Point

The climate is crashing, and global warming is to blame. Why the crisis hit so soon--and what we can do about it

By JEFFREY KLUGER

Click HERE to read more...

World's Oldest Tortoise Dies

2006-03-28T10:26:00.000-08:00

Photo: Bikas Das, AP

Adwaita, who was thought to be the world's oldest tortoise, died last week at a zoo in Calcutta. He was estimated to be over 250 years old. Scientists plan to carbon-date Adwaita's shell to document his age.

Get more details HERE from the BBC.

The oldest documented tortoise is HARRIET, was found by Charles Darwin in 1835 in the Galapagos Islands and currently resides at the Australia Zoo.

Severe Drought Takes its Toll on Kenyan Wildlife

2006-03-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

A severe drought is taking its toll on people, livestock and wildlife in eastern Kenya. Click here to learn more...

In the past 10 days, however, some rain has fallen in drought stricken regions of the country, including 2 inches of precipitation at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Click here to learn more...

Coyote in New York's Central Park

2006-03-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

Photo borrowed from Sun-Sentiniel.com

A coyote was discovered running around Central Park in New York City last Sunday, and led police on a three day chase (see additional photos and learn more about this story at Sun-Senteniel.com).

Police shot the coyote with a tranquilizer dart on Wednesday, and then transported the animal to an undisclosed location in upstate New York, where he will be released within days.

Help Save the Endangered Species Act

2006-03-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

I just received the following urgent information from the NRDC:

"Dear NRDC Action Fund Supporter,

The U.S. Senate is poised to consider a bill that could strip America's
endangered wildlife of vital safeguards.

Please go to
http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/esa/action.asp?step=2&item=53031
and urge your senators to reject any legislation that would weaken the
Endangered Species Act..."

Cheetah Cubs and Honey Badgers

2006-03-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

Shortly after cheetah cubs are born, they grow tall fluffy fur that goes from the top of their heads most of the way down their backs. This fur is called a mantle. The mantle helps to camouflage cubs until it disappears when they are three to six months of age and better able to get away from predators. It is also thought that the cheetah's mantle makes it look like a fierce animal called a honey badger. In theory then, predators who aren't interested in messing with a honey badger will leave cheetah cubs alone.

Save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

2006-03-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

Once again Big Oil is trying to sneak a bill through the US Senate to gain drilling rights in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Your help is urgently needed to stop this bill from passing in the Senate on Thursday, March 16th!

Please go to this link at the NRDC for more information and tell your Senators "NO" to this bill. Thanks for helping animals!

UPDATE: Click here to see how the US Senate voted on this issue on March 16th.

Khayam the Ambassador Cheetah

2006-03-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

Photo of Jennifer Baker (1984) with Khayam

Khayam, the once famous ambassador cheetah at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon, was born in captivity in 1976. She was hand raised by her trainer Dr. Laurie Marker, and even went home with Laurie at night and slept on her bed. During the winter of 1977-78, Dr. Marker took Khayam to South Africa to see if a captive raised cheetah could be introduced into the wild (cheetahs are taught how to hunt by their mothers).

Khayam, after years of traveling the world with Dr. Marker, passed away in 1986 and was immortalized with a bronze statue by the city of Winston.

In 1990, Dr. Marker founded the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Africa. CCF is now the leading conservation organization for protecting and studying the endangered wild cheetah.

Urgent Call to Save Grizzly Bears

2006-03-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

The Bush administration has plans to remove the endangered species protection status for grizzly bears and open up more western lands for oil drilling and mining, thus destroying critical habitat for grizzlies and other wildlife.

Please help to save these important animals by visiting this link to the
Natural Resources Defense Council.

A Place For Every Species...

2006-02-28T16:04:00.000-08:00

In Africa, you find many species of herbivores that eat grasses, and leaves from low bushes. At the other extreme are the elephants and the giraffes that can grab leaves from the tops of trees. And in between there is a special member of the antelope family called the gerenuk. Gerenuks gracefully rear up on their hind legs to reach lower branches on trees and the upper parts of bushes. Isn't it amazing how nature has designed a niche in the web of life for every creature!

I photographed this couple in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. On my African Safari DVD, you can watch them stand up and reach the leaves. It's an amazing thing to witness.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the GERENUK.

Bee-Eaters

2006-02-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

Bee-Eaters are among my favorite birds in Africa! They are extremely beautiful with their bright colors, and they possess charming personalities. We filmed this handsome pair along the banks of the Ewaso Nyro river, which runs through the heart of Samburu National Reserve in Kenya.

Bee-eaters actually eat bees. When they catch a bee, they knock its stinger off by hitting it against a branch and then they eat the bee. It's quite amazing to watch!

Click here to learn more about bee-eaters.

Big Heads and Long Tongues!

2006-02-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE to watch giraffes being hand fed at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. The park generously gave us behind the scenes access to shoot this video for the bonus features on our African Safari DVD.

A giraffe's tongue can be as long as 18 inches (46 cm), making it possible for it to reach around the long sharp needles of the Acacia tree to grab hard to get leaves.

Giraffes spend most of their time browsing for food and can eat up to 75 pounds (34 kg) of leaves in a day.

CLICK HERE to learn more about giraffes from the San Diego Zoo.

There Are Nine Sub-Species of Giraffes

2006-02-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Of the nine sub-species of giraffes, I filmed three of them in Kenya.

From left to right, in the photos above, they are the reticulated giraffe in Samburu National Reserve, the Masai giraffe in Masai Mara National Reserve, and Rothschild's Giraffe in Lake Nakuru National Park. The main differences between sub-species is in the coloration and the pattern of their skin and fur.

Answer to last week's question: Giraffes have 9 neck vertebrae, the same number as humans.

To learn more about giraffe sub-species CLICK HERE.

How long is a giraffe's tongue?

Reticulated Giraffes of Samburu

2006-01-31T23:06:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the scene in Jurassic Park when Sam Neill & Laura Dern see a living dinosaur for the first time? Their jaws dropped and they stood there in complete and utter awe. That's the way I felt when I saw my first reticulated giraffes in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. These gentle giants stand as tall as 18 feet (5.486 meters) and move with such brilliant majesty and grace. See for yourself by watching the video clip from "KidsLoveAnimals.com's African Safari" DVD.

CLICK here to watch these RETICULATED GIRAFFES on VIDEO

(If the audio sounds funny, hit pause for a second and let the video download a bit before you hit play again.)

CLICK here to watch same video clip at Google Video

How many vertebrae do you think that giraffes have in their necks?
a). Seven
b). Ten
c). Fifteen
Take a guess and I'll answer this question in my next post.

Walking With Giants - African Elephants

2006-01-24T19:20:00.000-08:00

African elephants are the world's largest land mammal and can weigh as much as 13,000 pounds (5,896.7 kg). Males may grow to be 21 feet (6.4m) in length and with their trunks they can reach as high as 23 feet (7m) to grab leaves from trees.

At Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon, you can make special arrangements to walk with elephants, or even give them a bath. It's amazing to get up close and personal with elephants and touch their rubbery hairy skin.

wildlifesafari.org

Click here to learn more!

Have you ever touched an elephant?

The Big Cats of the Masai Mara - Kenya, East Africa

2006-01-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

Lions are common in the Mara and can be found during the day resting in the shade of bushes and trees along the small streams that cut through the savanna.

Unlike lions, who live groups, leopards are solitary cats. They usually hunt at night and spend their days resting high up in trees, safely out of reach from lions and hyenas.

Because leopards and the lions tend to hunt at night, cheetahs hunt during the light of day to avoid confrontation. In addition, cheetahs are often found in the middle of grassy plains where they can watch out for both prey and predators.

Click here to see another big cat at FREAKS OF NATURE

Click here to see a silly cartoon about lions in Kenya

Can You Identify This Zebra?

2006-01-15T22:06:00.000-08:00

This is the largest of the three species of zebras, and it is mainly found in Northern Kenya and parts of Ethiopia. It is estimated that there are fewer than 3500 of these animals left in the world. Of this number, 17% of them live on land that is owned by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS ZEBRA?

A) Grevy's Zebra
B) Mountain Zebra
C) Plains Zebra

CLICK HERE FOR CLUES TO THIS QUESTION

Burchell's aka Plains or Common Zebra

2006-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Of the two species of zebras in Kenya, the Plains Zebra is the most common. I photographed this zebra in Masai Mara National Reserve.
To learn more about zebras, go to:

www.awf.org/wildlives/151

SAVE THE RHINOS

2005-12-31T18:18:00.000-08:00

In addition to helping The Cheetah Conservation Fund to save cheetahs, KidsLoveAnimals.com is also donating money from its AFRICAN SAFARI DVD to help the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya to save both black and white rhinos from extinction. The above photo is of a black rhino that I photographed at Lewa.

Black rhinos are grazers and eat leaves and twigs from bushes. Their eyesight is rather poor and they will charge you if they think that you are a threat. The black rhino is extremely endangered. It is estimated that there are fewer than 4000 black rhinos left in the wild. Help us to save the black rhinos.

See video of the RHINO in the above photo at:

KidsLoveAnimals.com

For more information go to:

rhinos-irf.org

lewa.org

Have You Hugged Your Tree Today?

2005-12-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. Time to embrace the season and hug a Christmas tree.

Innovative DVD Helps Endangered Species!

2005-12-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Why doesn't Hollywood do this?

Independent production studio, Stone Canyon Productions, has just released an innovative new DVD called "KidsLoveAnimals.com's African Safari." According to the producers, this DVD features real kids who take you on an exciting journey through four of Africa's most amazing game parks and reserves, and introduces you to over 50 species of animals, including Africa's "BIG FIVE."

This DVD also features incredible music, beautiful animals, gorgeous scenery, and kid actors who are very credible and real. There's none of that syrupy, over the top, annoying acting that tends to plague children's fare and turns parents off. These kids talk to you with authority. There's no dumbing down here!

Furthermore, the producers are donating 3% of the list price from every DVD that they sell to benefit The Cheetah Conservation Fund (cheetah.org), Wildlife Safari (wildlifesafari.org), and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (lewa.org) to save endangered cheetahs and rhinos!

Kudos to "KidsLoveAnimals.com's African Safari," which is available on DVD at Amazon.com! Learn more at kidsloveanimals.com.

The Cheetah Conservations Fund

2005-11-29T20:44:00.000-08:00

Dr. Laurie Marker is the Executive Director of The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), which is located in Namibia, Africa. She and her organization have made incredible strides in Africa doing research and teaching farmers how to live in harmony with cheetahs.

Cheetahs are not man-eaters, nor will they risk their lives to go after livestock when dogs or donkeys protect them. That's why CCF is giving Anatolian Shepherd dogs to farmers. Farmers who use these dogs learn that they no longer have to kill cheetahs to protect their cows and goats. Learn more at cheetah.org.

Abused Cheetah Cubs Rescued In Ethiopia

2005-11-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

The Associated Press published a report last week about two abused cheetah cubs that were being held captive in a restaurant in an Ethiopian village. According to the article "the 3-month-old cubs were being forced to fight each other for the amusement of the patrons at a Gode restaurant: one cheetah was blind, possibly from the poachers who kicked the animal in the face."

To read the whole article go to:

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051125/ap_on_re_af/ethiopia_cheetahs

This is very sad for us, and it is one of the reasons why we are supporting the Cheetah Conservation Fund, an organization that is making big strides toward protecting these wonderful animals.

Did you know that without the help of people who love animals, cheetahs might disappear from the wild by 2015?

2005-11-26T22:06:00.000-08:00

In 2001, I traveled to Kenya in East Africa with world-renowned wildlife photographers, John and Barbara Gerlach. We spent three weeks photographing and filming incredible animals in Samburu National Reserve, Lewa Downs, Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.

I saw and filmed over fifty species of amazing animals, from elephants to bee-eaters, black rhinos to leopards, and then finally the animal that I fell in love with, the cheetah!

The first cheetah that I saw in the Mara was a lone male, who let us drive along side of him as he was stalking a herd of wildebeest. Suddenly he burst forward through the tall grass and disappeared from our cameras. When we finally caught up with him, he had a young wildebeest on the ground.

A couple days later, we found a female cheetah and her two cubs. The little ones where so cute that this sealed the deal. The cheetah was now my favorite African animal.

In 2004, I attended a talk by Dr. Laurie Marker, the Executive Director and Founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (cheetah.org) while she was visiting Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. She mentioned that there were only 36 cheetahs remaining in Masai Mara and I was shocked. In fact, there may be fewer than 10 thousand wild cheetahs left in the entire world.

Nobody in Africa told us that this beautiful and majestic cat was so endangered. How can it be that the world's fastest land mammal is on the fast track to extinction and few people are aware of this fact?

This so concerned me that I produced, and recently released a DVD for kids and their families called "Kidsloveanimals.com's African Safari" to educate people about the endangered status of the wild cheetah and rhinos. Furthermore, I am donating 2% from every DVD that I sell to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (cheetah.org) and to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (lewa.org) to save endangered cheetahs and rhinos. Please visit kidsloveanimals.com for more information.

In my next blog I will tell you about the amazing work that is being done by the Cheetah Conservation Fund and our last meeting with Dr. Laurie Marker on October 15, 2005.