Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Post

Current Patient: Eastern Gray Squirrel (Melanistic) Our Wildlife Hospital admitted this gorgeous juvenile black Eastern Gray Squirrel after it was found alone for hours and was running up to people for help. While black morph squirrels (melanistic) are common elsewhere, they are rare in South Jersey! He was found to be dehydrated when he arrived, so he was started on a rehydration protocol immediately. Once he was feeling better, he was combined with other squirrels of his age group to ensure that he was low-stress and to give him the best chance at staying wild. We are happy to report that he (and his adoptive siblings) are becoming quite feisty and will be happy when they move to an outdoor pre-release enclosure! Eastern Gray Squirrels are a prolific and widespread species throughout the eastern United States and into Canada. As seen with our recent patient, Eastern Gray Squirrels can come in several color morphs including gray, jet black, and brown-black. The prevalence of each morph can vary by location, with darker morphs being more abundant further north. Researchers believe that this is due to the darker morphs being able to thrive more in colder climates because they can absorb more heat from the sun to stay warm. Additionally, these morphs are believed to vary depending on the environment where they live. Darker morphs are more successful in areas of old growth forest which have a thicker canopy, making darker fur better for camouflage. However, in secondary forests with less tree cover, gray morphs are more abundant where lighter fur is better camouflage. If you have questions regarding native NJ wildlife, please call our Wildlife Hospital at 856-983-3329 ext. 107. #njwildlife #animallovers #cedarrun #nonprofit #squirrel

#bears #wildlife #encroachment #shooting #cultureofdeath #anthropocentrism #biophilia #life #love #mercy #compassion #reverenceforlife #loveofJesus My dear friends, at times a terse snippet offers so much didactic possibility that it compels commentary, even though at first blush it appears to offer little by way of instruction. The piece infra is just such an opportunity. In it we learn that police in a Florida community are warning human oglers to steer clear of a bear who exhibits symptoms of being “stressed and depressed”. There follow the customary caveats to bear peepers: “Experts emphasize giving bears space and never approaching or feeding them, as close encounters can cause bears to become defensive.” We have previously articulated our displeasure, in fact our censure of those humans who esteem God’s creatures to be mere playthings, on earth solely for our amusement and diversion. Such regard clearly is violative of our ethos of a reverence for life, the ethos that all life, all nature, all God’s creatures possess innate worth and value, that no such creature may be relegated to a mere means to some human end. Ah, but greater villainy awaits! “… human interactions with bears can be risky. In response to safety concerns, Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a law allowing residents to shoot bears perceived as threats.” Here is our culture of death writ large once more. Should some other denizen of earth incommode us, even though, as is almost always the case with wildlife, humans have precipitated the offending encounter, we derive a right, sanctioned and justified by legal fiat, to slaughter that denizen, to end its life, to intrude into existence in the most ham-fisted, thoughtless, injurious manner possible. It won’t do! My dear friends, a reverence for life is an ethos, a philosophy of life, placing upon mankind a scared duty to serve as stewards of nature, of life, of all God’s creatures. We are bidden to view those creatures not as threats, but as fellow beings with a right to an actuality on this shared planet. This much must be pellucid to all. So long as Homo sapiens, through a fallacious, anthropocentric estimation of our worth vis-à-vis every other being on earth, engages in massacre and depredation without the slightest compunction, for that length of time will humanity march in lockstep, at the quick step, towards total destruction of our home. Let us make our initial perception of life one of reverence, not of wariness. Let our initial impulse be to dispose mercy and compassion, not impose violence. That is conferring the love of Jesus universally. That is a reverence for life.

🐍 Creature Feature: The King Brown Snake (Pseudechis australis) 🌿 🔍 Visual Characteristics: The King Brown Snake, also known as the Mulga Snake, is a large and robust species found in Australia. It boasts a glossy appearance with various colorations, ranging from shades of brown to reddish-brown. Their slender body can reach up to 2.5 meters in length! 📚 Taxonomy: The King Brown Snake belongs to the family Elapidae, a diverse group of venomous snakes characterized by fixed, hollow fangs and potent venom. Within this family, it finds its place in the genus Pseudechis, which includes other notable Australian elapids. 🌏 Ecology: These snakes thrive in a variety of habitats, from arid deserts to woodlands. Excellent burrowers, they often seek refuge in abandoned animal burrows, showcasing their adaptability to diverse environments. 💉 Venom Composition: The King Brown Snake's venom is potent, primarily comprising neurotoxins and hemotoxins. Quick and efficient, their venom targets the nervous and circulatory systems of their prey, aiding in the digestion process. 🤓 Fun Facts: 1) The King Brown Snake is Australia's second-longest venomous snake. 2) Despite its name, it's not a true brown snake but belongs to the black snake family. 3) They are skilled climbers and can be found basking on elevated surfaces. 📈 Bite Statistics: Recorded bites are relatively low, with about 20-50 bites per year. However, prompt medical attention is crucial due to the potential severity of envenomation. If bitten, stay calm, apply first aid, and seek immediate medical help. 👉 Remember, understanding these fascinating creatures fosters coexistence and aids in effective snakebite prevention! Stay informed, stay safe! 🌐 (Photo Credit: Mick Fullerton @mick_fullerton_wildlife on Instagram) #KingBrownSnake #WildlifeEducation #SnakeSafety #Reptiles #Snakes

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"When you imagine the wildlife of Minnesota, what type of animals do you think of? Take a few seconds to think of a few. While there are so many options, due to our high number of water bodies in the state I can almost guarantee at least one person thought of turtles! Turtles are some of most unique animals we have in Minnesota and to celebrate World Turtle Day (which is May 23rd), I’d like to offer some quick facts about each of the nine turtles in Minnesota." ✍ Jake Richards, IT Specialist Individual Placement / AmeriCorps Member placed at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails https://lnkd.in/gUKHNXcJ #EnvironmentalCareers #ConservationCareers #ServiceYear #CareerExperience #YearOutdoors #ServeOutdoors [Image Description] A turtle with a domed shell and yellow chin on a gravel area. Text on the side reads "New Blog Post"

#cats #feral #birds #humanresponsibility #love #life #reverenceforlife #loveofJesus My dear friends in a reverence for life, those of you who are fans of Laurel and Hardy will call to mind Ollie’s exasperated remark to Stan each time they were confronted with a new predicament: “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” On almost every occasion the mess was one of their own manufacture. Of course, rather than strive to preclude a recurrence of their predicament, the boys generally spent the rest of their movie trying to evade accountability and subsequent punishment for their transgressions, usually in sidesplitting behavior. Save for the total paucity of humor, this is a state of affairs not all dissimilar to that set forth in the article chosen for you infra. In the piece we find (I trust to no one’s amazement) that cats, house and feral, are responsible for the deaths of numerous other species, often to the point of threatening the very existence of that species. Let us not mince words. In the main this phenomenon is a result of human behavior and negligence. Unlike Stan and Ollie, we must acknowledge accountability and implement ameliorative responses. A reverence for life imposes on mankind the mandate to protect, assist, and enhance life, all life. We are summoned to be stewards of God’s creation, loving our neighbor as ourselves and esteeming every creature on this planet to be our neighbor. Ah, but what is our duty when one species, due to our mal-and nonfeasance, evolves into a lethal threat to others? Let me commence by citing Dr. Schweitzer: “To think out in every implication the ethic of love for all creation—this is the difficult task which confronts our age.” Difficult it is, although the task as regards house cats is the more facile one daunting us so we’ll start here. For such cats the answer to species decimation is indeed easy: Keep your cats indoors, or if they must go outdoors, bell them such that their presence and prey stalking are disclosed. For feral cats, the solution is far more vexing, but let us concede that ferals are, almost exclusively, a product of human (mis)behavior. Rather than care for cats and ensure they are first spayed and neutered, then given a good (indoor) home, many of us simply allow (more often compel) unwanted cats to fend for themselves. One answer advocated by politicians quoted in the article is killing the ferals. For adherents of a reverence for life, this is unacceptable until and unless every other plausible remedy has been attempted. TNR is one such remedy, and indeed studies from the University of Florida, a state as I well know with a huge population of ferals, demonstrate that TNR is effective. Rather than implement the customary remedy of humans to an inconvenience, i.e., liquidate the cause, let us advance a full-scale effort at TNR. That is spreading the love of Jesus globally. That’s is a reverence for life.

Remembering the Great Auk: Extinct, 3rd July 1844. The Great Auk, a large, flightless bird once found in the North Atlantic, became extinct in the mid-19th century. Known for their black and white plumage and clumsy waddle, these birds were a tragic symbol of the vulnerability of species to human activities. Sailors thought these other worldly birds were witches and would create storms to sink their ships. The last unfortunate breeding pair fled in vain from hunters, who also crushed their single egg. Our song, “A Dream Too Far,” is inspired by the Great Auk's story. The Great Auk's extinction is not just a tale of a bird lost to history, but a powerful reminder of our impact on the planet and the importance of conservation efforts. Our musical story 'Lost on Infinity' features the Great Auk and many other animals lost to history. The Island, where the last of every extinct animal species goes, is a central theme. This story is now being used in schools and homes across the world to help children understand difficult subjects like extinction. It is a hopeful story designed to stay in their hearts, inspiring a deeper connection to the natural world and the importance of preserving it. Watch our video on YouTube and join us in remembering the Great Auk, urging us all to dream of a world where such losses are a thing of the past. Download our musical story “Lost on Infinity” and join the journey of understanding and hope - currently FREE for a limited time on the Apple App Store. Also, free lesson plans and activities are available on our website. https://lnkd.in/efKJT-Ct #GreatAuk #Extinction #Conservation #ADreamTooFar #LostOnInfinity #RockfordsRockOpera #seabirds #extinctbirds #childrensbooks #wildlife #extinctspecies #extinctanimals #extinct

Galveston residents concerned new Margaritaville development will displace prized pack of island's 'ghost wolves' khou.com  Houston, we have a problem. The "ghost wolves" of Galveston Island - a unique population of red wolf-coyote hybrids - are at risk as the development of a new Margaritaville resort threatens their habitat. Saving these canids is critical because they retain red wolf DNA thought to be lost when red wolves were declared extinct in the wild in 1980. This genetic diversity and key habitat could help save both the red wolves and their hybrid descendants. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eDghiivR #endangeredspecies #ghostwolves #wolves #galveston

### Newsletter: Woolly Mammoth – The Ice Age Icon Hey LinkedIn crew! Let’s dive into the world of the **Woolly Mammoth**—the OG giant of the Ice Age! These epic creatures were decked out in thick fur, helping them thrive in some seriously chilly conditions. They rolled alongside early humans in the New World, and let me tell you, they were more than just a pretty face; these massive mammals were like the elephants of their time, sharing the spotlight with their buddies, the mastodons. Humans found all sorts of uses for woolly mammoth bones—think tools, homes, you name it! They were resourceful back then, no doubt. But as the climate started to shift, these big guys faced some serious challenges. They had to move around to find better digs, but in the end, their luck ran out. The last of the woolly mammoths made their final stand on Wrangel Island in the Arctic, hanging on until about **4,000 years ago**. Talk about a sad ending for such a majestic beast! So, as we reminisce about these incredible giants, let’s also think about the importance of protecting our wildlife today. We’ve got to make sure that today’s species don’t face the same fate. It’s up to us to keep our animal buddies safe and sound! #WoollyMammoth #IceAgeGiants #WildlifeConservation #ProtectOurAnimals #NatureMatters #PrehistoricPals

Attention Bay Area colleagues: I thought I would let you know about a monthly shoreline cleanup I coordinate in Oakland (along with Jennifer Crystal Chien). It's a great way to get outside, do hands-on work on some of the last remaining marshland of the San Leandro Bay, and see the results right away. We're helping to ensure a cleaner, safer environment for us humans and the resident wildlife and plants. Details: When: Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 10:00 am- noon PT What: Meet to clean up plastics and other trash at Martin Luther King Shoreline Park (Damon Marsh). Bring yourself, friends, your water bottle, hand sanitizer, and a pail. Wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a hat! We have plenty of trash pick-up tools, trash bags, and gloves. Kids are also welcome (under caregiver supervision)! Where: We always meet at the OUTDOOR ART SCULPTURE at the end of Zhone Way (at Oakport St, Oakland). If you arrive late, please just look for us 10 minutes down the path to the right as you face the sculpture. Look for us at the picnic table or park bench nearby. Parking: There is 1 paved parking lot and another unpaved area for overflow. Please DO NOT leave valuables in your car (even in a locked trunk). More info: Text or call before 10:15 a.m. on cleanup day with any questions: (510) 786-7415 NOTE: Cleanup participation is at your own risk. Rain at the start time cancels the event. PS: To learn more about this area, just go to https://lnkd.in/gExPPpJj #volunteering #climateactionnow