Page »   1716151413121110987654321






May 17th, 2010
Factory Farming... for alligators!




click to enlarge
Yes, there is such a thing as an alligator farm. Or ranch, as this particular Lousiana alligator factory prefers to call itself. Over 400,000 alligators in Louisiana alone are kept in these conditions their entire lives so that we can wear and eat them.

I am told that the skins are more valuable than the meat. The most popular alligator skin commodity? Guess. Wallets? Purses? Shoes? Hats? Belts? Nope. Watch bands.

400,000 alligators kept in cramped, stressful and unnatural conditions in Louisiana each year so that we can wear alligator skin watch bands.


May 16th, 2010
Speculation about the dead sea turtles washing up on shore




click to enlarge
Most are quick to point a finger at BP for the dead turtles washing ashore. Others say that it is natural that turtles wash up on occassion, especially this time of year. Others speculate that there are more dead turtles because fishermen, in a last ditch attempt to catch as many fish and shrimp as possible before the fishing ban was put into effect, used nets that trap absolutely anything, which unfortunately includes bi-catch such as sea turtles.


May 16th, 2010
Oiled birds




click to enlarge
BP has hired Tri-State bird rescue to open triage facilities along the Gulf of Mexico. This photograph was taken in Buras, Louisiana, and shows the final stages of cleaning an oiled brown pelican. It was good to see one pelican being rescued. It wasn't good being part of the massive media scrum invited to the event, all in the name of glorifying BP's clean-up efforts. There are likely thousands of dead and dying oiled birds out there, but they're being collected before anyone can see them, or they're just sinking to the ocean floor.

If you are considering coming to the Gulf to volunteer, or would like to send supplies, please do so! Visit open link for information on volunteering or to find interesting articles about the animals effected by the oil spill.

In this photograph, L to R: Tri-State staff members and veterinarians Erica Miller, Heather Nevill and Danene Birtell.


May 16th, 2010
Finally, an update from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico




click to enlarge
One of the many truths in my work is that my expectations are usually off by a mile. Such is the case, once again, as I write from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. My need to get on the ground and start covering the effects of the oil on wildlife was urgent, or so I thought. Instead, myself and many members of the media are kept in a sort of holding pattern.

Except for those laying the ocean booms, everyone is waiting. The fishermen have had their fishing rights cut off and are waiting in fear of the long term effects to the ocean and to their livelihood. The rehabilitation centers are waiting for the arrival of animals. They have boats going out in search of birds, but the boats come back empty handed each night. The BP-hired clean up groups comb the public beaches in their Hazmat suits for not much at all.

The incredible damage that is happening to the ocean right at this very moment is still invisible to our eyes. Anywhere that it is visible quickly becomes off limits to media. Anyone who has been hired on standby, by BP, knows that are not allowed to divulge any information, especially to the media. But they don't like being stifled, so many talk anyway but ask that their names not be used. All agree that it is ugly out there, all agree that it is worse than any reports have yet shown, all agree that the ocean's wildlife is dying and that the dispersants aren't doing the ocean and its inhabitants any favours.

So, what can I possibly be witnessing in this mess? I've been here a week now, have spoken with many locals, driven hundreds of miles
of coastal roads and combed many beaches. There are thousands of dead fish washing up on the shores between Dauphin Island and Venice. Some say that this doesn't amount to much, as fish die and wash up all the time. Others say the amount is unprecedented and bodes badly for what is to come. Dead turtles are washing up as well. Oiled birds can be seen flying near by, and dead ones are quickly scooped up and taken away by authorities. And so they should be, but it is done in a cloud of secrecy. BP want so badly for everything to appear just fine.

On the public beaches at Dauphin Island, the cleaners walk in a single line, spread across the beach, looking for oil, debris and dead animals. When approached by anyone with a camera, they are told to say nothing at all, or "no comment". As I walked with them, though, one of the hired staff whispered "I'm so tired of this sh*t. BP doesn't want you guys to know anything. We're finding oil and animals everywhere. Look at this:", and he showed me some of the contents of his black garbage bag, which included large pieces of hardened hydro carbon from the washed-up crude oil.

I was out along the south west passage of the Mississippi Delta yesterday with some activists and the Greenpeace resident biologist and oil expert, Paul Horsman. Indeed, there were balls of oil washed up everywhere. Booms are excellent for keeping oil off shore in quieter waters but will make little difference in the choppy waters of the Gulf.

I'm rained in today. We all are! No boats going out into the Gulf or the Mississippi River. So, I'm using this time to finally catch up on editing and writing. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but it will undoubtedly involve more ocean and beach combing. It will also likely involve more deep fried food, amazing southern hospitality and talks with locals who are fearful for their homes, their livelihoods and their beloved Gulf of Mexico.


May 6th, 2010
The Impending Carnage Due to BP's Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a catastrophe for the environment and the animals who inhabit the area. Despite BP's attempts to sink the oil with "dispersants", making the damage less visible, the long term effects to the ecosystem will be devastating.
I will be travelling along the Gulf coast, between NOLA and Tampa, Florida, between May 9th and May 19th to document the effects of the spill on wildlife. Follow-up trips to the area are also likely.
I'm writing for two reasons. If anyone wants to contact me to share info about the effects of the oil spill on wildlife, about animals washing up on shore, about rescues and rehabilitation efforts, please don't hesitate to contact me at info@weanimals.org. Secondly, this is a great opportunity for me to thank everyone who supports We Animals. This is a last-minute trip, and funds aren't always right on hand at times like these. The Aeroplan points that so many people generously donated are covering my flight costs, and I'll put recent monetary donations towards the cost of gas as I travel along the coast. Ha, kind of ironic, considering oil will be lapping all around me in the boats I'll also be travelling in to document the devastation.
I also want to thank Jennie Pawlowsky, whom Erica Follon introduced me to this past week, for taking the time out of her crazy schedule to help me get from point A to point B along the coast. You're amazing, Jennie!
Check back for updates about what's happening along the coast. I hope to share good news as well, specifically about the thousands of rescue efforts happening every day, and news on how you can help their efforts.