Thursday, August 22, 2013

Exotic Species for e-sale?

Several rare species of animals and birds are on sale on the web. The Blue Throated Macaw, a magnificent bird endemic to Bolivia, the Military Macaw, an albino Chinese soft-shelled turtle with a pointed nose and the indefatigable Iguana...all are available at one click of the mouse!


Despite being on the list of International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ), these animals and birds are being advertised for sale on the internet. Sellers, selling these animals and birds, make use of loopholes in wildlife laws worldwide to sell them and make money.


People buying these animals and birds don't realize that these animals and birds are not 'domestic', and are best left in the wild. It is the role of the government to ensure that these animals and birds are not traded in the blatant violation of law. Even to sell birds and animals, which are allowed to be traded under the law, the government must ensure that these traders are properly trained and have valid trading licenses.


In the first place, no animals and birds should be traded at all. Who are we to sell and buy animals and birds? It reminds one of the days when humans were traded as slaves. The best place for animals and birds is the wild and not human colonies, and they should be left in the wild to live their natural lives.








Source:TOI

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Dogs Have Magical Powers - II

A dog, it seems, has numerous magical powers. Researchers have found that they could train dogs to sniff out the signature chemical compound that indicates the presence of ovarian cancer with 100% accuracy! Ohlin Frank, a trained chocolate Labrador, has been able to detect ovarian cancer tissue 100% of the time, researchers said.


Researchers are using the sense of smell of the dogs to identify the earliest odour of ovarian cancer, a silent killer often diagnosed too late. Cancer cells leave a detectable bio-marker, just as asparagus can affect the smell of urine when eaten.




Researches said that all dogs are really good at sniffing, but part of what gives them a huge advantage over us is the surface area of the olafactory receptors. The dogs have already been introduced to the cancer tissue smell and were taught to sit when they found it.

All these research and findings prove that dogs have magical powers and they are a blessing given to us by God. In fact, not only the dog, but all the other animals are a blessing with unlimited unexplained powers. They all have a purpose to be on Earth. They contribute significantly to the constant development of the Earth and the environment. It is only the human beings who destroy everything aroud them.









Source: TOI

Thursday, August 1, 2013

The Increasing Number of Tigers in India

There is some good news after all the disappointment over killings of tigers in India. According to the latest census, the number of tigers is increasing in many states in India. But wildlife experts are stil alarmed over conservation efforts, which are hampered by rampant poaching and construction of infrastructure projects in forest areas.

While the source population has been better protected in most states since 2006, the offspring dispersing to areas beyond the core sanctuary fall prey to human development. But the gradual increase in the number of the big cats is primarily due to some measures taken by the states. Some new sanctuaries have been declared, and they are in strategic locations for breeding and safe dispersal of tigers.




There is a lot to be done by the authorities for other animals too. Over 617 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India that are home to several critically endangered species, get a very little money each month while the largest chunk of money goes to the tiger conservation fund. While it is very important to save the tiger, it is equally important to save other endangered animals.











Source:TOI