April 2012
Dear Humans, Elephants and Birds,
It is April and I just returned from an Elephant Summit in California. It was enlightening and horrifying. Enlightening to know how many people there are who care about what is happening to the elephants on the earth, both in captivity and in the wild state, and want to help them. Horrifying to learn of their plight. The elephants in the circus and so many zoos who are beaten into submission and trained being stabbed and prodded with the "bull hook" and through the use of electric shocks. We also had many speakers who taught of those in the wild who are killed for their Ivory tusks. Even though ivory is still technically illegal, it is smuggled out of Africa and Asia where elephants are killed by poachers and the ivory is funneled to a very receptive market in the far east where people in the various governments of the countries from which it is taken are in collusion with the people who pedal it. So many dead adult and sub adult elephants are found as rotting corpses with their faces cut off to remove the tusks, and subsequently so many baby elephants are left to starve or to be an easy meal for lions and hyenas.
I know we are a bird club, but all animals count and, in my world, elephants more than most. We hope and pray that this horror can be stopped before it is too late and there are literally no more elephants left on the earth. Also, the terrible methods of hurting elephants to make them obey and do "stupid pet tricks" must also be stopped. There is a bill that we hope to become law, The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, or TEAPA, a bill introduced in Congress in November, exotic species would be banned from traveling circuses. The circus is pulling out all the stops to stop this bill from becoming law and Ringling has the money to do it. Those of us who care, however, must write to or call our congress people to urge them to pass it. See me if you are interested in helping.
Now, back to the birds. Aristophanes had a bad allergy attack tonight and I had to wrap him in a towel and give him benedryl. He hates that and the experience is always traumatic for him. Tonight, however, it was necessary. Other than that he is fine. Emma is doing great, running around and having fun, playing with her favorite friend, Baby Simon the cat. Like always though, Emma needs constant supervision or something I own will get destroyed. Zeke is a good boy and still spends his happiest time playing on the counter with his reflection in the toaster.
Our 21st bird show is fast approaching. Make sure you give Matt your ideas for any changes or additions that you want to see happen and volunteer to do as much as you can to make it bigger and better than ever. Matt will give us updates as the date draws nearer on what is happening and what needs to be done.
Tonight our program is very exciting. Ellen Kalish of the Ravensbeard Animal Rehabilitation Center is back with us and I expect we should be treated to some beautiful birds of prey. Ellen helps birds and other animals that have been hurt in the wild and rehabilitates them so they can go back and live free. Those that cannot be set free due to too much damage being inflicted upon their bodies, are kept and used for education........Speaking of education, our bird club is doing a program at Temple Shalom in Monticello, through Amy Kristt, on May 2nd at 7 PM. If you would like to be part of this program, please see Amy or me. Next month we have Gene Weinstein presenting a photographic program on bald eagles.
I sent an email to everyone on my email list about a chance to participate in program on the cholesterol and triglyceride levels of Amazon parrots (a species of parrot often with chronic obesity problems) at the hospital of Dr. Laurie Hess in Bedford Hills. Also, there will be a seminar on pet parrot behavior and behavioral problems, also at Dr. Hess's hospital. These will be scheduled for some time in June. You can obtain more information by email info@avianexoticsvet.com or call 914 864-1419. If any club member wishes to take it upon him/herself to coordinate a CEBC trip to either or both of these, please see me for more information.
Have a great spring and be well and be very kind to birds and every other animal........
With Love........Richie
It is April and I just returned from an Elephant Summit in California. It was enlightening and horrifying. Enlightening to know how many people there are who care about what is happening to the elephants on the earth, both in captivity and in the wild state, and want to help them. Horrifying to learn of their plight. The elephants in the circus and so many zoos who are beaten into submission and trained being stabbed and prodded with the "bull hook" and through the use of electric shocks. We also had many speakers who taught of those in the wild who are killed for their Ivory tusks. Even though ivory is still technically illegal, it is smuggled out of Africa and Asia where elephants are killed by poachers and the ivory is funneled to a very receptive market in the far east where people in the various governments of the countries from which it is taken are in collusion with the people who pedal it. So many dead adult and sub adult elephants are found as rotting corpses with their faces cut off to remove the tusks, and subsequently so many baby elephants are left to starve or to be an easy meal for lions and hyenas.
I know we are a bird club, but all animals count and, in my world, elephants more than most. We hope and pray that this horror can be stopped before it is too late and there are literally no more elephants left on the earth. Also, the terrible methods of hurting elephants to make them obey and do "stupid pet tricks" must also be stopped. There is a bill that we hope to become law, The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, or TEAPA, a bill introduced in Congress in November, exotic species would be banned from traveling circuses. The circus is pulling out all the stops to stop this bill from becoming law and Ringling has the money to do it. Those of us who care, however, must write to or call our congress people to urge them to pass it. See me if you are interested in helping.
Now, back to the birds. Aristophanes had a bad allergy attack tonight and I had to wrap him in a towel and give him benedryl. He hates that and the experience is always traumatic for him. Tonight, however, it was necessary. Other than that he is fine. Emma is doing great, running around and having fun, playing with her favorite friend, Baby Simon the cat. Like always though, Emma needs constant supervision or something I own will get destroyed. Zeke is a good boy and still spends his happiest time playing on the counter with his reflection in the toaster.
Our 21st bird show is fast approaching. Make sure you give Matt your ideas for any changes or additions that you want to see happen and volunteer to do as much as you can to make it bigger and better than ever. Matt will give us updates as the date draws nearer on what is happening and what needs to be done.
Tonight our program is very exciting. Ellen Kalish of the Ravensbeard Animal Rehabilitation Center is back with us and I expect we should be treated to some beautiful birds of prey. Ellen helps birds and other animals that have been hurt in the wild and rehabilitates them so they can go back and live free. Those that cannot be set free due to too much damage being inflicted upon their bodies, are kept and used for education........Speaking of education, our bird club is doing a program at Temple Shalom in Monticello, through Amy Kristt, on May 2nd at 7 PM. If you would like to be part of this program, please see Amy or me. Next month we have Gene Weinstein presenting a photographic program on bald eagles.
I sent an email to everyone on my email list about a chance to participate in program on the cholesterol and triglyceride levels of Amazon parrots (a species of parrot often with chronic obesity problems) at the hospital of Dr. Laurie Hess in Bedford Hills. Also, there will be a seminar on pet parrot behavior and behavioral problems, also at Dr. Hess's hospital. These will be scheduled for some time in June. You can obtain more information by email info@avianexoticsvet.com or call 914 864-1419. If any club member wishes to take it upon him/herself to coordinate a CEBC trip to either or both of these, please see me for more information.
Have a great spring and be well and be very kind to birds and every other animal........
With Love........Richie