Polar Bears Are Tall!!!

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

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

The Future of Energy

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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

The Cat and the Deer

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?

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

Click here to read this story from the NY Times.

Save the Endangered White Rhinos!

An Urgent Message From Robert Redford

The Needs of the People...

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.


Subscribe Free
Add to my Page

ONE.org is helping to fight poverty in Africa.

Help Save the Cheetah

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...

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

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

Click HERE to read their article.

I Have a New Video Blog!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rare Animal Rediscovered in the Congo

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?