Primates in Peril

A report released on Friday by Conservation International and the International Primatological Society warns that almost one-third of the world's 394 primate species are in danger of extinction. Habitat destruction, commercial sale of their meat, and illegal wildlife trade are contributing to the threatened extinction of 114 different species of apes, monkeys, and other primates. Climate change is also being cited as a contributor to primate vulnerability because of its ability to alter smaller habitats.

Africa and Asia have seen the largest increase of endangered species of primates, due primarily to the clearing of tropical forests for agriculture, logging and wood for fuel. Subsistence and commercial hunting, as well as capture of animals for the pet trade, have also contributed to the endangerment of primates. In Vietnam alone, four species of primates have been essentially decimated as a result of their being hunted for their meat and bones, according to a World Wildlife Fund biologist stationed there.

The risk of extinction can be reversed, however, with proper conservation measures. Since the last report was issued in 2004, nine species of primates have been removed from the list because their populations have increased as a result of conservation efforts. A complete list of the most endangered species and their countries of origin is maintained by the National Geographic Society at http://news.nationalgeographic.com.

Pet Survival During an Emergency

Anyone who has seen news footage of any natural disaster is aware that household pets are often casualties of these events. A little pre-planning can make the difference in a pet's survival during such a catastrophic occurrence.


In addition to the family's evacuation kit of supplies which should be kept in duffel bags and trash containers ready to be transported at a moment's notice, our pets should have survival kits at the ready. A pet's emergency kit should include a five-day supply of food, water, and any necessary medication, as well as bowls and a can opener if we are packing canned food. Current photographs of the animal, feeding schedules, a list of medical conditions and behavior problems, the name and telephone number of our veterinarian and medical records should be kept in a waterproof container. Leashes and/or harnesses, in addition to carriers which are large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and lie down and contain towels and bedding are essential. A cat litter box, litter, plastic trash bags, paper towels and some household bleach should be included in the evacuation kit.


Since we can become separated from our pets during an emergency, it is imperative that they wear current identification which includes our cellphone number, as well as the telephone number of a relative or friend outside our immediate area. If we are unable to be sheltered temporarily by family or friends outside our area, lists of "animal-friendly" hotels and motels should be kept available, in addition to animal boarding locations.


Our pets depend upon us to provide for their safety each day, but especially during a crisis. The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) is a valuable source of information for disaster preparedness and pet survival.

Can You Ride a Two-Wheeler? We'd Like to Give You a Credit Card.

It seems that the ability to ride a two-wheeled bicycle is the only criteria Texas-based USAA Savings Bank requires to offer pre-approved credit applications for MasterCard accounts. How else can the bank explain sending such a correspondence to a seven-year-old child because that is precisely what happened to a young Greenridge, Staten Island resident.

It is estimated that the average American household receives approximately fifty credit card solicitations in the mail every year. Travis B. Plunkett, legislative director of Consumer Federation of America (a consumer advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.) estimates that only about one in every 250 mailings receives a response, or roughly 0.3 percent. Despite this very small percentage, the average consumer carries more than $7,400 in credit-card debt.

A spokeswoman for USAA said that the young girl from Greenridge was not the only child who had mistakenly been sent the pre-approved credit application, but could not give an exact number of erroneous underage recipients. Parents of children who receive credit card applications should not ignore the mailing. They should immediately advise the issuer of the mistake and instruct them to delete the minor's name and personal information from their data base.

As for the seven-year-old girl from Greenridge--she is truly disappointed that she will not be able to go shopping, after all.

Invasion of the AsianTiger Mosquito

Although this year's mosquito season is almost at an end, local health officials are concerned about the possible health issues they may be faced with next spring when the eggs of the Asian Tiger Mosquito hatch. The Asian Tiger Mosquito first appeared on Staten Island in 1997, but has become increasingly more prevalent. First discovered in the United States in Houston, Texas in 1985, the Asian Tiger Mosquito is believed to have been carried in shipments of scrap tires from northern Asia. It has now spread to at least twenty-five states which are located mostly in the south and southeast, but has recently been discovered as far north as Maine.

This species of mosquito is much more aggressive than most others, travels in packs, and bites during the day rather than at dusk or in the evening. In addition, the Asian Tiger Mosquito is a carrier for twenty-two different viruses such as chikungunya, yellow and dengue fever, as well as certain types of encephalitis, and dog heartworm. Typically, the mosquito bites a person who has been infected with a virus, thereby becoming a carrier of that virus. The mosquito then transmits that virus to the next individual which it bites.

According to entomologists, if the Asian Tiger Mosquito's eggs survive the winter, they will be impossible to eradicate. It is believed that the eggs will survive this winter unless the season is extremely cold with prolonged periods of below-zero temperatures. Once the eggs hatch next spring, it will not be feasible to kill the mosquitoes by spraying during the daytime, because the spraying will endanger other desirable insects such as honey bees.

The Asian Tiger mosquito is considered to be among the 100 most invasive species on the planet. The best way to protect oneself from this potentially dangerous mosquito is to be diligent about insect repellent use.

A Celebration for Sandy

In my last post, I included a picture of a dog in Brooklyn that needed a home. She had only two more days before she would be euthanized by the shelter.

I am happy to report: SANDY HAS FOUND A HOME!

Dogs' Last Chance

(This is Sandy, a 4 year old female, mixed breed--Available for adoption in Brooklyn. She has 2 days to live)


Approximately four million dogs are euthanized each year in shelters throughout the United States. Government-funded shelters are required by law to euthanize a dog after keeping the animal for a minimum number of days. This minimum is determined by the state in which the shelter is located and whether the dog was found as a stray or abandoned by its owners at the shelter.


One individual has decided to do something about this alarming statistic. Alex Aliksanyan made some money in the Internet travel business but, more importantly, he is an advocate of pet adoption. Mr. Aliksanyan spent half a million dollars to start The Buddy Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization which operates a very unique website. The website works with over 120 government-funded shelters all over the country. Dogsindanger.com lists dogs tagged for euthanization, along with a clock showing how many days or hours remain before the animal will be destroyed. Users of the site can search for a dog by location, breed, or time until scheduled death. The website has been in operation for three weeks, and has saved dozens of dogs all over the country from destruction by placing them in new homes.



As a further inducement for use of the site, it is provided totally free of cost for both the shelters and people looking for pets. The website posts photos of animals it has been able to place under a section entitled "Success Stories". Unfortunately, it also has an "In Memoriam" wall for those dogs who were not adopted in time.


Although the shelters are governed by law and are not truly at fault, it is cruel to kill an animal simply because it does not have a loving home to care for it. Mr. Aliksanyan has made it possible to save many who would otherwise perish.

First an Oscar, Now the Nobel

Along with the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, former Vice President Al Gore has been named the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to raise public awareness about the dangers of global warming. Earlier this year, his documentary film dealing with the same subject, "An Inconvenient Truth", was awarded an Academy Award. The last American (and Democratic political figure) to have been awarded this honor was President Carter in 2002.



Mr. Gore has been an advocate of reversing the trend of global warming long before he served as Vice President of the United States. According to interviews he has given since the Nobel announcement, he derives great satisfaction from the fact that the award will serve to bring the issue of global warming to the international forefront. He hopes that this event will be helpful in recruiting countries which have been reluctant to meet the issue head on. Mr. Gore has already announced plans to donate his portion of the $1.5 million prize money to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a non-profit organization he founded last year and which works to convey the urgency of the climate crisis on a worldwide basis. The bestowal of the Nobel Peace Prize for work in the area of global warming is seen as a validation of the "planetary crisis" which has been forecasted by scientists and laymen alike.



Mr. Gore has been an outspoken critic of many Bush administration's policies, particularly the Iraq war and its response to climate change issues. The Bush administration has not been overly congratulatory to Mr. Gore's accomplishment, and a White House spokesman has announced that the President does not plan to call Mr. Gore. Bush defeated Gore in the 2000 presidential election, leading many to speculate that perhaps Mr. Gore would run for president in the 2008 election. Mr. Gore repeatedly denies that he will seek the presidency.



Although no longer serving in public office, Al Gore has emerged as a very public voice for a crucial global problem.

Walrus in Trouble

Thousands of walrus can be found along Alaska's northwest coast; the trouble is, they are not supposed to be there. Scientists and conservationists alike believe that the appearance of the walrus in such vast numbers is a direct consequence of global warming.

During summer and fall, Alaska's walrus are normally found on the Arctic ice pack. This summer, however, saw the lowest ice cap on record which resulted in sea ice being located farther north of the continental shelf than usual. The continental shelf is a shallow area in the Bering and Chukchi Seas where the walrus traditionally feed because it is rich in clams, snails and other animals dwelling on the bottom. Since the Arctic ice is now located farther from the continental shelf and therefore beyond the walrus diving range, massive numbers of walrus have simply opted to stay on shore in order to feed. Scientists on the Russian side of the Bering and Chukchi Seas have made similar observations.

This may not seem to be a serious problem unless it is examined more closely. Thousands of walrus may not be able to find enough food along the shoreline to sustain life. If the adult walrus have to swim far from shore to bring food back to their young, they will expend energy normally used for other activities. Walrus cannot swim indefinitely like seals; they need to rest after foraging and they need either ice or land to accomplish this task. In addition, female walrus usually dive for food from an ice pack, while the young calf waits on the platform for her return.

The removal of the isolation which inhabiting the ice pack affords makes the walrus susceptible to stampedes caused by panic as a result of airplanes, boats, or approaching polar bears. Since an adult walrus can weigh 2,000 pounds or more, many young animals can be crushed in such stampedes.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder tracks the trends of sea ice. When observed in September, the Center determined that sea ice was 39% below the average for the past 21 years. Predictions now estimate that the Arctic Ocean may be totally devoid of ice by the summer of 2030. These are alarming statistics. Global warming cannot be reversed without the cooperation of virtually every inhabitant of this planet.

Geologic Jumpstart

When heavy rains caused Canyon Lake in Texas to overflow on July 4, 2002, it is fairly safe to assume that no one realized the event would produce such an unexpected result. For three days, the lake spilled 70,000 cubic feet of water downhill into a valley, removing all vegetation and topsoil and creating a mile-and-a-half-long, 80-foot deep limestone crevasse. The rushing water produced so much force that it essentially fast-forwarded the normal geologic process.

After the waters receded, geologists immediately discovered rock formations, fossils and dinosaur footprints. In order to protect the gorge from vandals, it has been closed to the public while researchers have been conducting cataloging of the location. It is estimated that the limestone rock formations date back 111 million years, with a margin of error of a few hundred thousand years. The footprints indicate that a carnivorous two-legged dinosaur inhabited the area, and the entire gorge is filled with the fossils of many species of ancient wildlife.

A similar event took place during flooding in Iowa in 1993, but that gorge is not nearly as large as Canyon Lake Gorge in Texas. Of course, the Grand Canyon dwarfs Canyon Lake Gorge, but one must keep in mind that it took the Colorado River 5-6 million years to complete the task while the new gorge was formed in merely three days.

Research at Canyon Lake Gorge has now been completed and will open for public tours beginning on Saturday. Public interest is so high that the three-hour tours have already been booked for the first six months of operation. No one will be permitted to hike without a guide because the limestone walls are still relatively unstable. During the upcoming winter, construction will be begun on a "rim trail" which will allow visitors to overlook the canyon, and plans are also underway for the construction of lookout points and an educational center. A visit to this gorge would be unlike any other because, within a geologic context, it was created in the blink of an eye.