The world’s loneliest gorilla is doomed to die in captivity in a tiny cage in a shopping centre, after activists’ continued attempts to free her fail.
Pop icon Cher has joined an ever increasing swell of animal rights activists and celebrities campaigning to have Bua Noi resettled in an environment where she can spend the last years of her life in dignity.
There are also more than more than 117,000 signatures on a Change.org petition to release Thailand’s only surviving gorilla from 30-years in confinement (see petition below).
She is one of hundreds of monkeys, birds and reptiles in the privately-run Pata Zoo, situated on the roof of an old Bangkok mall.
Pata Zoo in Bangkok is on the sixth and seventh floors of the Pata department store (Image: Daily Mirror)
Surrounded by concrete, bars and thick glass, with only a few ropes and car tire for distraction in what has been referred to as the “horror zoo”.
“A life of boredom and loneliness is the cruellest fate of all for our primate cousins,” the petition says.
Cher has also previously tweeted: “This man is making [money] off suffering of these poor trapped animals.
“I need to join with animal rights activists and kind people of Bangkok.”
Bua Noi was brought to Thailand and has been held captive at the zoo on the rooftop of a department store for more than three decades (Image: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Bua Noi was moved to the shopping centre from Germany aged one and has been imprisoned ever since.
However, in autumn, the Thai Environment Ministry said the gorilla’s owners wanted 30 million Thai baht (£739,666) for her release before the zoo denied the money request on its Facebook page.
The owners claimed Bua Noi was too old to adjust to a new environment and was being well cared for.
Despite offers to take her, as well as other primates being kept at the zoo, into care, the owners of Pata Zoo did not seem interested and said the gorilla was fine.
Thailand’s Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa appeared also to draw a line on the matter, saying the zoo had “promised to take care” of the animals and the owner “had the right to do so”.
Sign the petition to Save Gorilla Little Lotus (Buanoi):
This article by Joe Faretra was first published by The Daily Star on 6 January 2023. Lead Image: Bua Noi has spent 30 years in captivity at the privately-run Pata Zoo (Image: Daily Mirror).
What you can do
Support ‘Fighting for Wildlife’ by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.
Fighting for Wildlife supports approved wildlife conservation organizations, which spend at least 80 percent of the money they raise on actual fieldwork, rather than administration and fundraising. When making a donation you can designate for which type of initiative it should be used – wildlife, oceans, forests or climate.
The Sand River has risen and as we enter the New Year, the timing couldn’t be more apt. It goes without saying that many of us may find ourselves reflecting on the past and looking ahead to the future at the dawn of a new year. For me, here at Londolozi one of the most powerful symbols of this transition is the rise of the Sand River.
As the Spring rains began in September and the thunderstorms rolled over the source and catchment of the Sand River in the Northern Drakensburg mountains, we have been eagerly anticipating the renewed vigour that the rising water levels would bring. While we can’t ignore what might get swept away as the rapids grow louder, the abundance of food and nutrients that are bought with the continuous flow is evident in the rejuvenation of the local ecosystem.
The Sand River is the artery of life here at Londolozi and to me, it is a constant reminder of the abundance that surrounds us. I could continue to elaborate on the symbolism of rivers and the metaphors for life, renewal, or the passage of time that we are all too familiar with. Rather, I thought I would put together a collection of some of the highlights that were captured along the Sand River over the last year. While the water levels were much lower until recently, this collection is a reminder of the ebb and flow and the symbolism of rivers as we enter the New Year and take a moment to reflect on the abundance and joy that surrounds us.
As the Senegal Bush male leaps across a steady-flowing channel, overcoming the challenge with ease and grace, he represents the fearlessness and opportunistic nature of leopards.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
The Malachite Kingfisher – a small but noticeable burst of colour amongst the diverse array of birdlife that gathers around the water’s edge creating a symphony of life.
As Rangers, we are never hesitant in finding ways to immerse ourselves in the beauty that surrounds us – particularly when it comes to cooling off in the Sand River after a bush walk on a hot day.
“Like hippos in the water, we are all capable of finding grace and strength in our own element”
The ebb and flow of the Sand River always allows for moments of reflection and creates a sense of reverence for the land and the abundance of wildlife we are able to immerse ourselves in.
A large elephant bull marches his way down to the Sand River. Although it had clouded over by this time, it had been an incredibly hot day and he had likely travelled quite the distance to get to the river for a drink and wallow.
On a hot afternoon a few buffalo bulls spent time in the Sand River to cool off
You cannot help but share in the excitement that exudes from a herd of elephants as approach water, particularly when it’s the Sand river.
A herd of elephants wander through the Sand River. Water levels are unusually low in the river for this time of year. We look forward to more rains in the coming weeks.
If these images over the last year are anything to go by and with the positive symbolism of each in mind, I’m looking forward to welcoming the abundance and rejuvenation that the New Year has to offer.
I went to Sakaka in late December and met up Phil Roberts who had driven from Dammam to Sakaka a couple of days before my arrival. Once I arrived we met up with Nader Fahd who is an experienced local birdwatcher and naturalist who lives there. Nader saw See-See Partridge in 2014 in the area and has seen it on occasions in the years that followed. We had looked, unsuccessfully, in the past for the species in this area as I was informed in 2017 by Euan Ferguson that he and three other UK birders who were working in Saudi Arabia on two wind-farm projects found See-see Partridge in a remote desert site a couple of hours drive from Sakaka in Al Jawf province. On 23 April 2017 Euan photographed what he assumed was a Sand Partridge in a wadi, but looking closer at the photo realised it had a black forehead and supercilium, so was a See-see PartridgeAmmoperdix griseogularis. The bird was a calling male and was together with three other birds. The other birders who have worked on site had also seen several, although they again did not look closely and assumed they were Sand Partridge. Sand Partridge has not been recorded in the Al Jouf area of Saudi Arabia making See-see Partridge the only member of the partridge family to be found in the area so these birds would have been See-See Partridge as well. See-see Partridge has been seen in northern Saudi Arabia before in the 1990’s but there have been few other more recent records although birds have been seen in Harrat al-Harrah and areas to the west of there. It is not clear if these birds were wanderers from their recognised breeding areas in Iraq or they have spread south into northern KSA. We visited again in the hope of locating See-See Partridge with the expert knowledge of Nader who met us near the location, the Qiyal area, at first light and drove us around the area in his four-wheel drive car. His expertise in driving over the rough terrain and his knowledge of where the birds had been seen gave us the best chance of seeing the species. We searched for a couple of hours looking at all the flat areas with sarse vegetation and the slopes going to the slightly higher areas of ground. We failed to see much but as we stopped to photograph Eastern Morning Wheatear, and I got out of the car to allow me better photographic opportunities of the Wheatear, I heard a partridge calling behind us. After alerting Phil and Nader, Nader spotted a male See-See Partridge on the stony ground near some newly sprouted greenery, caused by the recent rains. The bird was extremely well camouflaged and slowly moved closer to us even though we were out of the car. My efforts at photography were not too successful with almost all photos not sharp or completely out of focus but I did manage to get some shots. We got back in the car and tried to get closer to the bird but it was now aware of our presence and did not allow close approach. It was joined by a female and together they moved off towards the nearby hillside, where Nader and Phil found a third female/juvenile bird, but I failed to see it before it disappeared from view. We left the birds in peace once we could see we had at least some phots between us. It appears the best way to find the species is to listen out for its call and then try to locate it, which is not too easy unless they move due to their plumage matching closely the rock colour. The species is a rare breeding resident in the Al Jouf area of Saudi Arabia which is the only area of the Kingdom where it can be seen. I thank Nader for his time and excellent company during the day, and for showing us the area where the bird had been seen previously. Without his help, I suspect we would not have seen the species.
A wildlife rehabilitator named Brigette met JB after he was discovered by a pond. The poor baby beaver was on his own, without a parent in sight. Thankfully Brigette took JB into her care.
Brigette knew that JB had to be in the bathtub as much as possible so he would get used to the water. But the baby beaver hated it! But Brigette, who understood what was best for JB, persisted, and eventually, JB became water-obsessed!
As JB grew, he started to explore Brigette’s house. He learned all about his new surroundings– and fell madly in love with blankets. In fact, Brigette explains that there wasn’t a blanket in her home that didn’t have the little beaver’s suckle marks on it.
Soon it was time for JB to move outside where beavers belong. Amazingly, a couple nearby who actually builds ponds for a living wanted to adopt JB. But when JB went to his new home, he wanted nothing to do with the pond built just for him. Brigette was devastated. JB’s story is far from over. The best part is just a click away!
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A woman named Bethany was greeted outside her door by a stray puppy she had never seen before. He was skittish so Bethany set up a little home for him on the porch, where he seemed to feel most safe. The puppy was surely leery of Bethany and his new surroundings.
A few nights later, Bethany’s son Carter was allowed to meet the puppy. The two bonded and this helped the dog, now named Ryder, to come out of his shell a bit but he still wouldn’t come in the house. He still had walls up to protect himself. He must’ve had a pretty painful past.
The next day Ryder was taken to the vet where the doctor determined he was 5 months old and didn’t have a microchip. Bethany wasn’t looking to adopt a dog but felt that he came to them for a reason. It was official: Ryder had a new home.
Even though Ryder was now part of the family, he still didn’t want to come inside the house. He lingered in the doorway but refused to cross the threshold. Carter tried to coax him in, but Ryder refused. Bethany had no choice but to pick him up and carry him into the house. That’s when everything changed for the deserving pup!
Ryder showed up at the right time on the right porch and it’s a miracle to see. Congratulations to this beautiful family who is honored that Ryder chose them!
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A news reporter was visiting an animal shelter for a story when one of the dogs decided to adopt him. The special pup went up to the journalist without hesitation and hugged his leg and wouldn’t let go. And she wouldn’t let go until he decided to take her home!
The reporter was taken aback by this emotional hug but felt the love and returned the favor with a hug of his own. These two were meant to be together, and it couldn’t be denied. The man adopted the dog for a happy ever after! 😊
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A woman in Brazil was caught on security footage dumping her disabled dog and driving away. She was seen stepping out of her car with two dogs, one of the being Tintin, a dog without front legs. She violently pushes him down and allows the other dog back in the vehicle and speeds away. The poor dog is left confused and can only look on as the person he trusted most in the world drives off without him.
A neighbor later found the dog and returned him to the woman only for her to go abandon him once again. This time, thankfully, Tintin was found and taken in by local animal protection services.
Many want this woman brought to justice and feel she shouldn’t be allowed to own any pets. We hope by spreading the word that she is caught and given the punishment she deserves.
A teenage boy who wrestled an alligator after it attacked his little sister has become a hero.
Regimiya Haikera, nine, had been fetching water on the Kavango River in Kavango West, Namibia, when a crocodile attacked her, biting her inner thigh and the left side of her torso, injuring her ribs.
Regimiya had a fortunate escape when her big brother Johannes Ndara, 19, jumped in and wrestled the beast, allowing the youngster to escape from its jaws.
“We first went to our crop fields to plough,” Johannes said.
The attack took place at the Kavango River (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Around 12pm, we came home and since we didn’t have relish to cook at home, me and my sister decided to go down to the river at our parents’ garden to go look for something to cook.”
Johannes said that while the pair were in the garden they decided to go to the riverside and collect water to nourish the vegetables their parents grow.
“My sister was behind me when we went downstream to fill up our buckets and I just heard her screaming from behind and when I turned around, she was caught by the crocodile,” he added.
Johannes said heard his sister scream and turned around to see the attack (Image: Getty Images)
“I then jumped into the water and held the crocodile by its jaws, and fought it to release her.
“After that, I felt powerless and just held her in my arms and we cried at the edge of the river.”
The victim was rushed to Bunya Health Centre before being transferred to the Rundu Intermediate Hospital, where she is being treated for her injuries.
She is reportedly in stable condition.
Regimiya is being treated in hospital (Image: neweralive.na)
The incident has prompted authorities to issue a new warning over the dangers of crocodiles, who kill roughly 1000 people globally each year.
“The public should be cautious when at the riverside and with the water level rising,” Chief Warden Richard Aingura told Namibian news outlet New Era.
“The visibility becomes poor and thus can’t see crocodiles and people should have company and this is what helped the child who was attacked, she was rescued by her older brother,” he added.
“We have dispatched a staff member to observe the area and see if we can catch the croc and move it to an area away from people to avoid it from harming people.
“We are guided by the policy as well and we try by all means to limit any further danger that may be caused by the wild animal to human beings and once the crocodile tastes human blood and there are no sources of food, chances are that it can always repeat preying on humans, that’s why we always try to move or get rid of it to minimise the chances of it doing it again.”
This article by Lizzie McAllister was first published by The Daily Star on 6 January 2023. Lead Image: The crocodile bit the girl’s thigh and torso (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto).
What you can do
Support ‘Fighting for Wildlife’ by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.
Fighting for Wildlife supports approved wildlife conservation organizations, which spend at least 80 percent of the money they raise on actual fieldwork, rather than administration and fundraising. When making a donation you can designate for which type of initiative it should be used – wildlife, oceans, forests or climate.
A Siberian Husky named Caleb is the star of a new movie called The Year of the Dog about a man struggling with sobriety and his bond with an athletic rescue dog. The movie started as an independent feature film premiering at the 2022 Chelsea Film Festival in New York and in February will be released in theaters nationwide.
What makes Caleb the rescue dog a hit on screen?
Before landing the role of Yup’ik, Caleb bounced around from shelters to fosters homes, often labeled as too playful and energetic for adoption. It was that spunk that caught the attention of first the California-based Performing Animal Troupe and then producer and actor Rob Grabow and dog trainer Jon Van Dyke, who know that those qualities often make the most memorable dogs on screen.
What dog training was involved?
Jon, who likes to work with a dog for at least six months to build trust, had about six weeks to work with Caleb, a 1-year-old puppy with hardly any training. “He could barely sit when I met him, but he was melt-your-heart cute,” says Jon.
The first few days were focused on relationship building. Jon and Caleb ate, watched movies and played together in order to establish a trusting bond. They worked on basic cues and then moved onto more specific training for scenes.
“All those things that others saw as his imperfections — his high energy, his playfulness, his stubbornness — they are precisely the things that made him able to carry so much of this film,” Rob says.
What’s in store for Caleb’s movie career?
Caleb lives with his adopted family in California and has been focusing on Petco commercials and TV. There are talks of him landing a role in another film.
Where can readers learn more about The Year of the Dog movie?
A Siberian Husky named Caleb is the star of a new movie called The Year of the Dog about a man struggling with sobriety and his bond with an athletic rescue dog. Following successful test screenings in Montana and Idaho, where it opened ahead of major studio films, The Year of the Dog movie will soon show in more than 100 theaters nationwide in February.
Aside from casting a rescue dog in the film, The Year of the Dog producers have partnered with animal shelters in communities where the movie will be playing and plan to donate a portion of ticket sales to each of those local shelters.
What makes Caleb the rescue dog a hit on screen?
Before landing the role of Yup’ik, Caleb bounced around from shelters to fosters homes, often labeled as too playful and energetic for adoption. It was that spunk that caught the attention of first the California-based Performing Animal Troupe and then producer and actor Rob Grabow and dog trainer Jon Van Dyke, who know that those qualities often make the most memorable dogs on screen.
What dog training was involved?
Jon, who likes to work with a dog for at least six months to build trust, had about six weeks to work with Caleb, a 1-year-old puppy with hardly any training. “He could barely sit when I met him, but he was melt-your-heart cute,” says Jon.
The first few days were focused on relationship building. Jon and Caleb ate, watched movies and played together in order to establish a trusting bond. They worked on basic cues and then moved onto more specific training for scenes.
“All those things that others saw as his imperfections — his high energy, his playfulness, his stubbornness — they are precisely the things that made him able to carry so much of this film,” Rob says.
What’s in store for Caleb’s movie career?
Caleb lives with his adopted family in California and has been focusing on Petco commercials and TV. There are talks of him landing a role in another film.
Where can readers learn more about The Year of the Dog movie?
Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals.
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Oatmeal is a staple breakfast for some of us. It’s cheap, easy to make and can be modified to your taste. But can your furry friends eat oatmeal?
The answer is yes, your dog can eat them. But there are a few considerations you should make before giving your dog this food. Because like everything else, too much can ruin your pup’s diet.
For dogs who could be sensitive to wheat or other grains, oatmeal is an excellent substitute for other carbohydrates. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that contributes to the strength and health of the skin, is abundant in oats. Additionally, they are a good source of soluble fiber, which can assist in controlling blood sugar levels.
Oatmeal is marketed by several pet food manufacturers as a prominent component in their products. This healthy alternative has few calories and fats, and it has fiber, which may benefit dogs with digestive issues.
Read the label on your oats container before you checkout.
As opposed to processed grains, make sure the variety you buy contains only whole grains. Processed grains don’t have as many of the health advantages that whole grains do. Stick to organic oatmeal kinds if at all possible. These will have a higher nutritional content than other commercially produced oats and be free of pesticides and other contaminants.
Oatmeal that is safe for pets can be made by simply cooking the oats in water. Never give your dog raw oats. They may seem like a wonderful, crunchy treat, but your dog may find them to be very difficult to consume. They are difficult to chew and swallow, creating a choking hazard, and they are also exceedingly difficult to digest.
No milk or sugar should be added to the mixture, and no nuts or brown sugar should be sprinkled on top of the oats. Because their bodies can’t break down lactose as efficiently as humans can, dogs are particularly sensitive to dairy, so we advise sticking with water. You can include some fruit, such as blueberries or bananas, but only in small quantities.
But remember that oatmeal should not be made as a total meal replacement. If you are having issues, check with your veterinarian before feeding oatmeal to your dog.
As the rain pelted down, a distressed woman stumbled upon an abandoned pit bull shivering by the railroad tracks. Its mud-caked fur was matted and its neck had been tightly bound with a choke collar as well as securely chained to keep it in place. When she cautiously began approaching him, he immediately darted away from her sight.
The woman continued to try and get close to the frightened dog that may have been neglected or abandoned. The dog was patently fearful of being starved from neglect, shaking from the cold, and have been waiting for a long time outside. The woman recounts finally getting a hold of her friends to help save the dog who had no signs of coming near her.
The woman who attempted to save the dog was relentless. The pup had become nearly hysterical, yet one experienced rescuer persevered for four hours until they were able to finally secure a leash around the animal. Things became chaotic and it seemed that there would be no exit from his plight; hence, she eventually accepted her fate and lay still in quiet resignation.
When the brave rescuer cautiously sat with her frightened pup, she worried that Pittie Cardi might become aggressive. Yet as soon as they saw how gentle and kind these women were towards them, it became clear to introduce trust between one another. To honor this miracle of faithfulness, a suitable name for such a resilient being was given -Pittie Cardi!
After Cardi was saved by the rescuers, she hesitantly allowed a caring man to embrace her. As he held her, it slowly dawned on Cardi that an amazing new life awaited her!
When Cardi had her first encounter with her foster parents, it was clear that the connection between them would be strong. That night, sensing Cardi’s fear and uncertainty, her foster dad chose to sleep on the floor beside her for a full six hours in order to provide comfort. The next morning he told his wife without hesitation: “This is my puppy.” His steadfast devotion spoke volumes of their enduring bond from then onward.
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If you’re like me, then you understand me when I say that there’s something about cats that is so irresistibly charming. These furry friends serve as great companions, whether your cat silently stares at you from across the room like my old grump, Aslan, screams in your face at 5:00 am like my black cat, Noodles, or silently cuddles with you like my youngest cat, Nutmeg.
One thing that a huge number of cat lovers across the world have in common is that their cats are rescue cats that were adopted through shelters, rescues, or directly from the street. After all, some of us don’t adopt our cats so much as our cats adopt us by showing up one day.
No matter how you came into the ownership of your cat, you probably see the importance of providing cats with shelter, safety, and veterinary care, which are all things that shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries are perfect for achieving.
One cat rescue you may not have ever heard of is De Poezenboot in Amsterdam. There’s one thing that really sets this shelter apart from all the others, though: De Poezenboot is located fully on water.
What Is De Poezenboot?
De Poezenboot is a cat sanctuary that is also known as “the cat boat,” and for good reason. This cat shelter is fully located on a boat in Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal. Before this cat sanctuary became a full-blown sanctuary, it started the same way that most rescues and sanctuaries start: with a cat lover who kept acquiring cats.
Mrs. Henriette V. Weelde lived in Amsterdam across the street from the canal. Underneath a tree near the canal, she found a cat with a litter of kittens and took them in. She continued to take in stray cats to the point that she became known as “the cat lady” and people started bringing her more cats.
Eventually, she ran out of space in her home for the cats. In searching for a solution, it became apparent that a houseboat on the canal was a great solution because it allowed her more space to take in cats while still being close by to care for them.
In 1968, a Dutch sailing barge was purchased to house the cat sanctuary, and it was fully stripped and made to be safe for cats to live in. Once the cat boat was up and running, volunteers soon arrived to help manage the sanctuary. In 1971, a second boat was purchased and given the gut and rebuild treatment the first boat received.
In 1979, the first boat was allowed to retire and was replaced with a type of boat commonly known as an “ark,” which seems extremely appropriate considering the number of animals living in De Poezenboot.
To this day, the second and third boats are still housing cats in the Herengracht canal, although both have received multiple bouts of maintenance and upgrades to keep them safe for the cats, volunteers, and visitors.
Who Pays for De Poezenboot?
De Poezenboot is 100% supported by donors from all over the world. If you’ve ever made a donation to this organization, then you’ll be happy to know that your donation doesn’t just support cats living on the boat.
De Poezenboot is responsible for a variety of forms of feline support around Amsterdam. They support spay and neuter efforts around the city for strays, and they also help people afford microchips for their cats.
They can take in cats from citizens who are no longer able to provide for them or whose cats have reproduced to a point that the owner can no longer afford to support their cats. De Poezenboot does everything in their power to find appropriate homes for their cats, but they also provide a safe and loving home for cats when they don’t find the right home.
In Conclusion
Most cat lovers, myself included, can get on board with De Poezenboot and other organizations that support the well-being of cats. While there are cat rescues and sanctuaries all over the world, there is nothing else that matches the uniqueness of having a cat sanctuary fully on water.
The irony is not lost on me that cats are known to hate water, and someone might have put a cat sanctuary in the middle of a canal, but we can all get on board with the wonderful service that De Poezenboot is providing to the cats of Amsterdam.
Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!
Dogs with arthritis struggle with movement because of the pain resulting from the condition. As the dog parent, your part can ease movement as much as possible. That may mean that the area where the dog moves about should be as easy to navigate. However, some structural alterations to your living space are virtually impossible. For instance, the stairs – it’s challenging to upend them all together for the dog’s sake, and since more than 80% of dog owners likely have some stairs in their apartment or home, let’s look at whether stairs are bad for dogs with arthritis.
Are Stairs Bad for Dogs with Arthritis?
Yes, stairs are bad for dogs with arthritis. This is because stairs may strain the areas of the body that suffer pain during movement – mainly the joints of the limbs. Stairs are also a potential accident hazard – one that is more real because the motions of the arthritic dog are not adequately controlled. One benefit of using stairs is that they may help the arthritic dog exercise when climbing stairs. But the shortcomings of using stairs far outweigh this benefit. Ultimately, stairs are not the end of the world: the arthritic dog can use ramps to go up the stairs, or you can make the first floor cozy enough for them.
Lift-n-Step Harness
Walkin’ Lift Rear Harness
Walkin’ Combo Harness
Are Stairs a Bad Idea for Arthritic Dogs?
It may depend on the kind of stairs you’re dealing with. But the bottom line is that stairs were made for humans, not dogs. Unfortunately, in the case of arthritic dogs, they pose the following threats:
1. Worsening the arthritic condition
Arthritic dogs tend to compensate for pain in one joint by shifting body weight to other limbs that are unaffected. This is particularly the case with hip dysplasia, one of dogs’ leading causes of arthritis.
Anyway, the steps of the stairs can fasten the progression of arthritis by causing more friction in the affected joints and causing imbalanced or wobbly movements.
2. Climbing up and down the stairs is painful for arthritic dogs
Arthritic dogs exert themselves when climbing up and down stairs. Even though the condition may be in its earlier stages, the pain will increase as the condition worsens.
So, it can be good in the long run to limit movements up and down the stairs.
3. Increased risk of accidents
There is always the imminent danger that the arthritic dog may fall down the stairs. Such an accident may cause additional trauma to the limbs or other parts of the body, which is catastrophic.
4. Morale
Some people suggest training arthritic and older dogs to go up the stairs when a non-slip material is placed on the stairs to help with the grip. However, the success of that strategy may depend on the extent of arthritis in the dog and how steep those stairs are.
A likely result to remember is that trying to train an arthritic dog to move up and down the stairs may make them less motivated to do any movement. Therefore, a better strategy might be to make the areas where the arthritic dog moves about easier to navigate without training.
That’s a perfect segway into a discussion of stair alternatives.
How to Help an Arthritic Dog with the Stairs
Below are some of the approaches that can solve the stairs problem for your senior or arthritic dog:
1. Installing a ramp
This is a compromise for the adventurous dog that wants to know what is going up there despite his condition. It is also beneficial since it makes the dog confident to move up and down other ramps, such as a ramp onto the car and one or two steps off the front porch, among others.
The surface of the ramp should be non-slip, and the edges should cover the steps of the stairs neatly. Be patient and supportive with the dog as they learn to use the ramp to move up and down the stairs.
2. Use a lifting aid harness
Another approach is to use a lifting aid harness. There are harnesses in the market that are designed specifically for dogs that have degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis. They are designed to ease pain and improve mobility, especially for large breeds of dogs with degenerative conditions.
A dog harness will help you take some weight off your arthritic dog’s affected limbs. Hence, it will ease mobility, improve your dog’s stability and balance, and provide support. In addition, in case you are exercising your arthritic canine friend, a dog harness will help to eliminate slipping, which may cause more injury to the affected joints.
Types of harness include:
Rear support harnesses– are designed to help dogs with arthritis in their hip and hind legs. It is usually fitted around the dog’s waist. A well-designed rear support harness can help a person without much upper body strength and support a large dog breed.
Front support harnesses are designed to offer support on the front side of the dog. It fits a dog’s chest or belly area. A front lifting harness allows pet parents to support and stabilize a dog’s front legs. This is ideal for dogs with front leg weakness, arthritis, or elbow dysplasia that cannot bear full weight on their front legs.
Full body harnesses – These harnesses are designed to support dogs suffering from arthritis in all four legs. A full-body harness supports the front and back legs and is very popular for dogs with severe mobility loss that need maximum support. You should be very careful when choosing this harness since it will need to fit your dog perfectly to be effective. The harness should fit snugly so the dog can be lifted and supported on the stairs without the harness shifting.
3. Make a downstairs home for the dog
Sometimes, it would be easier to restrict a dog to the first floor and eliminate their access to the stairs. Move the sleeping area, food, and water downstairs – where the arthritic dog can roam free on flat surfaces.
These surfaces should allow your dog to maintain traction, avoid smooth flooring when possible, or place mats on the floor to help them stay on their feet. Alternately, dog boots with a rubber sole can be used inside to help your pet stay upright and grip the floor. Bedding and carpeting can help eliminate some of the cold, which is an essential benefit to arthritic dogs.
Joint pain can make it difficult for an arthritic dog to bend over to eat or drink. Consider switching to elevated bowls to raise the food and water containers so the dog can reach them without straining.
You can install a stair gate to prevent the dog from moving up the stairs when you’re not nearby. Then, if your dog needs to go with you upstairs, you can carry him up there.
Final Thoughts
Considering the ease of movement for a dog with arthritis is very important. Stairs are not recommended for a dog with that condition. They may worsen the situation by causing increased pressure, inflammation, and pain.
Therefore, although stairs may be touted as an excellent way to exercise, the best overall course of action is to prevent movement up and down the stairs. Admittedly, causes and cases of arthritis differ, and hence do the limitations of movement. So, you can ask a licensed vet to assess how your dog may be affected by such actions, depending on the causes of arthritis in your dog and its progression.
Keeping the dog motivated by assuring him of his excellent mobility on flat surfaces downstairs and his mood will be beneficial in dealing with the limitations of arthritis.
A dove A dove is what I’d like to be Sitting here so peacefully With a friend On branches Of a tree we share This happy moment Of going nowhere No tags for this post.
For Americans and their pups, visiting a dog friendly national park makes a great vacation. Unfortunately, finding a national park where your furry travel companion can have fun with you is ruff!
Most of America’s national parks have strict pet policies, limiting pets to only the most developed areas. But there are some that make it easy to bring Fido. Let’s take a look at America’s most dog friendly national parks!
But first, keep these general guidelines in mind: pets in national parks are almost never allowed in buildings and must always be on a six-foot (or shorter) leash. Bagging and properly disposing of your pet’s waste is required. And pets should not be left unattended inside vehicles.
Ty and Buster on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park – Maine
Acadia is located on the coast of Maine, and it’s one of our favorite dog friendly national parks! Pets are welcome on nearly all 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads within the park. The only exceptions are a few trails that require climbing on iron rungs or ladders.
Dogs are also allowed in most of the public areas at Acadia. The only places your pup can’t go are Duck Harbor Campground, Wild Gardens of Acadia, and Echo Lake Beach and Sand Beach during high season (mid-May to mid-Sept). Everywhere else your dog is welcome to join you – even on the free shuttles that run around the park!
Find out how your dog can be a BARK Ranger at Acadia.
Dog friendly boardwalk trail in Congaree National Park – South Carolina
Protecting the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States, Congaree National Park in South Carolina welcomes all visitors and their pets! Leashed pets can join you on all trails, including the boardwalk, as well as in the campgrounds.
This floodplain where the Congaree and Wateree Rivers meet supports an amazing number of plants and animals, including national and state champion trees. Renting a kayak or canoe allows you to immerse yourself in the ecosystem and observe the wildlife from the water.
In the spring most of the trails flood, so plan accordingly. And once the water recedes, the mosquitoes arrive in full force. If you want to enjoy your trip, be sure to pack plenty of insect repellant!
Following the Cuyahoga River, the pet friendly Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cleveland, Ohio was designated in 2000. Here pets are welcome to join you on all of the 125 miles of park trails!
Passing though woodlands, wetlands, and old fields, some trails require stream crossings with stepping stones or log bridges. Others, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, are nearly level and easily accessible to all visitors. Check with the rangers to determine which trails best suit your hiking style.
For the best scenery, head for Bradford Reservation. This five-mile trail offers views of the Tinkers Creek Gorge, Ohio’s most magnificent canyon. Short spurs off the main trail will also take you to Bridal Veil Falls and the Hemlock Creek Loop Trail.
Visitors with pets should steer clear of the East Rim mountain-bike area and the Scenic Railroad.
Buster and Ty – Pet Friendly Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
The Grand Canyon is another of our favorite dog friendly national parks! Located in northern Arizona, you and your pup are welcome to enjoy all 13 miles of the South Rim Trail trail at the Grand Canyon.
Skirting the edge of the canyon, the path is easy to navigate, but remember that the high elevation and dry climate can lead to dehydration. Even if you’re only planning a short stroll, bring plenty of water and a collapsible bowl.
Pets aren’t allowed on the shuttle buses and can’t go below the rim, but are welcome at Mather, Desert View, and Trailer Village Campgrounds, pet friendly rooms at the Yavapai Lodge.
If you’re hiking below the rim, board your pup at the South Rim Kennel.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is accessible from extremely pet friendly Kanab, Utah – home of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. However, at the North Rim, pets are only allowed to walk the Bridle Path (greenway) and the portion of the Arizona Trail that runs to the entrance station. Neither trail provides views of the canyon, and there is no kennel is available on this side.
Buster at Great Sand Dunes National Park – Colorado
If we were giving awards for pet friendly national parks, Great Sand Dunes in southern Colorado would definitely be in the running! These are the tallest dunes in North America, set in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra.
Pets are welcome up to the top of the first tall ridge of dunes, between High Dune and the Castle Creek Picnic Area, and throughout the adjoining Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
Remember that the sand here can be hot, so pack an old towel to dry off and enjoy a splash in Medano Creek with your pal!
Buster, Rod, and Ty – Pet Friendly Hot Springs National Park – Arkansas
Pet friendly Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas might not be on your radar. But if you’re looking for a gorgeous setting with a plenty of places to enjoy with your pooch, it should be!
Popular for the steaming water that seeps from the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain, people have been visiting this location for centuries.
Bath houses sprung up to allow visitors to take advantage of the “healing waters,” and this unique national park protects the geothermic spring water and historic structures of this early resort town.
Your pet is welcome to join you for a half-mile stroll down Bathhouse Row and along the Grand Promenade. Once you’re warmed up, hit the 26-miles of inter-connected trails flanking the city. Many of the trails were originally created for spa guests, who were encouraged to exercise daily to maximize the health benefits of the baths.
Ty and Buster – Pet Friendly Indiana Dunes National Park – Indiana
Cool breezes off Lake Michigan. Caribbean blue waters rolling up on the shore. And a beach that stretches for miles. These are the things you’ll find at pet friendly Indiana Dunes National Park!
It might sound like a tropical island, but the 15-mile stretch of sand at Indiana Dunes is just the beginning. This dynamic landscape was formed by retreating glaciers. Besides the lake and beach, you can explore dunes, ponds, marshes, creeks, prairie, and forests. The variety of habitats makes this one of the most botanically diverse of all America’s national parks!
Leashed pets are welcome on the beaches east of Indiana Dunes State Park, in the picnic areas, and the campground. They can also explore all the trails except Glenwood Dune, Great Marsh and Pinhook Bog.
At nearby Indiana Dunes State Park, leashed pets are welcome on all trails, in the picnic areas, campground, and on the beach east of the life-guarded area. Pets cannot go on the swimming beach in the State Park.
Buster and Ty – Pet Friendly Mammoth Cave National Park – Kentucky
Naturally, the main attraction at pet friendly Mammoth Cave National Park is the 336 miles of underground passages. But with over 70 miles of pet friendly trails, this is a great choice for dogs who love the outdoors!
You’ll find several short trails around the Visitors Center, or check out the Green River Bluffs Trail, which winds through the hardwood forest and ends with a nice overlook of the Green River. If you’re looking for a longer trek, the North Side Trails provide some good options that meander past waterfalls and cut through one of the last remaining old growth forests in Kentucky.
When your pup is worn out, Mammoth Cave Lodge runs a kennel where your dog can rest while you take a cave tour. Or, book a stay at the park’s pet friendly Woodland Cottages or campground.
Buster & Ty at Pet Friendly National Mall and Memorial Gardens – Washington, D.C.
Not all of America’s national parks are in the wilderness! And few are more inspiring than the pet friendly National Mall and Memorial Gardens in Washington, D.C.
Here, America’s history and future are intertwined, monuments commemorate celebrated visionaries, and memorials stand in silent remembrance of the many who’ve given their lives to preserve our freedom.
The National Mall and Memorial Gardens stretch from the the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and, while pets are not allowed inside the buildings, they will enjoy admiring some of the most famous structures in the world with you!
Pet Friendly Natchez Trace National Parkway – Alabama & Mississippi
Before highways were constructed, trails marked the passages between places. And few were as well-traveled as the Natchez Trace!
Now the pet friendly Natchez Trace National Parkway preserves sites of archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic significance along its 444-mile route.
The Trace makes an incredible pet friendly road trip, because there’s something to sniff around every bend! Pet are welcome at the more than 100 exhibits, but not inside the buildings. And when it’s time to really stretch your legs, 28 hiking and self-guided trails are just steps away. Plus, free pet friendly campgrounds are scattered along the way.
A rugged, white water river, flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. Located in southern West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve conserves over 70,000 acres of land along the river’s route between the towns of Hinton and Fayetteville.
The park and surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history, with an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. Pets are welcome on all trails, including the 2.4-mile Endless Wall Trail, with fantastic vistas into the gorge, and the 3.2-mile Grandview Rim Trail. And waterfall lovers won’t want to miss Sandstone and Brooks Falls.
Pet Friendly Padre Island National Seashore – Texas
Protecting 70 miles of coastline, prairies, dunes, and tidal pools along the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas, Padre Island National Seashore is also very pet friendly. Leashed pets are welcome almost everywhere in the park – including 60 miles of beaches!
Padre is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, and the diversity of wildlife found here is stunning. A number of rare, threatened, and endangered species make their homes in this environment, so it’s extremely important that pets remain on leash at all times.
Padre Island provides two established campgrounds and more than 64 miles of beaches open to primitive camping, so pack your bags and plan to spend a few days exploring this incredible setting!
Dog Friendly Petrified Forest National Park – Arizona
From the deposits of petrified wood that give this park its name, to the colorful badlands, the Petrified Forest National Park is truly a wonder to behold. Located in eastern Arizona, Route 66 runs through the park, and the northern border extends into the fabulous Painted Desert.
Dogs on leash are welcome on all the parks trails, road, and in official wilderness areas. But be aware that the Petrified Forest is well-known for its fossil deposits. So don’t let your pooch gnaw on any bones he finds!
View from Skyline Drive – Shenandoah National Park – Virginia
Skyline Drive may be the most famous attraction at pet friendly Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. But you’ll definitely want to stop the car and get out for hike!
Of the more than 500 miles of trails in the park (including the pet friendly Appalachian Trail), only 20 miles are off-limits to dogs because of rock climbs or difficult passages. Not only that, dogs are allowed in all campgrounds, pullouts, and picnic areas. The stunning views, peaceful wilderness, and cascading waterfalls are all accessible to you and your pup. It’s the picture of serenity, just 75 miles from Washington, DC!
Overlook at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan welcomes you and your pets to enjoy the park together. Hugging the shore of Lake Michigan, the park offers miles of sand beach, lush forests, inland lakes, and towering bluffs offering incredible views.
A small percentage of the park is closed to pets, because this is a nesting area for piping plovers. Only 70 breeding pairs of these endangered birds are left in the wild, and one third of them nest at the Lakeshore. For their protection, signs clearly indicate areas where pets can and cannot go.
Rod, Buster and Ty at White Sands National Park – New Mexico
The name “White Sands” might be misleading, but this is still one of the most impressive dog friendly national parks in America! These shimmering dunes are actually made of gypsum – not sand. Thanks to an ancient sea and some very fortunate geography, this gypsum dune field the largest in the world, covering 275 square miles.
You and your pet can explore the entire park together, and there are nine miles of trails to check out. The Playa Trail, Dune Life Nature Trail, and Interdune Boardwalk all have interesting exhibits about the geography and plant and animal life.
For some lighthearted fun, bring a sled (or buy one in the visitors center) and scoot down the dunes. Or, if you want to experience the vastness of the dunefield, hike the Alkali Flat Trail. Be aware that this trail is not flat. The 5-mile loop runs up and down dunes the entire way. The hiking is strenuous, but the views are priceless.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest of American’s national parks — equal to six Yellowstones! Within its 13.2 million acres, four major mountain ranges meet and nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States stand cloaked in glaciers.
There are just two gravel roads that access this pet friendly national park, and both are usually passable to all vehicles during the summer months. Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails and in the backcountry, at the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark area, and on the immediate grounds around the contact stations, including the Headquarters Visitor Center at Copper Center and the Boreal Forest Trail, the Chitina Ranger Station and the Slana Ranger Station.
Note that the park recommends keeping your dog leashed at all times. Trapping is popular and legal in Alaska from Fall through Spring.
At Yosemite National Park in California, dogs can join you in all developed areas. That includes along paved roads and on sidewalks and bicycle paths, including the 11.5-mile Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, which passes by Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, the Merced River, and Bridalveil Fall. Pets can also explore the easy 2.25-mile Wawona Meadow Loop, and are welcome in all campgrounds except walk-ins and group sites.
Pets cannot go on shuttles or in lodges, but Yosemite Hospitality runs a dog kennel in Yosemite Valley from approximately late May through early September. Reservations for your dog are recommended if you want to hit the dirt trails or backpack overnight.
Find out how your dog can be a BARK Ranger at Yosemite.
Photo copyright: Instagram user @adventuresofmayaandmax
Other Popular National Parks
Pets At Arches National Park
Leashed pets can walk around the campground, in the picnic areas, in the parking lots, along the paved roads (though we don’t recommend it!) andon the unpaved roads in Arches National Park.
While walking the unpaved roads might not sound appealing, we enjoyed both Cache Valley Road and Willow Flats Road with our dog!
There is only one trail in Glacier National Park that is dog friendly, and only when it’s not covered in snow. McDonald Creek Bike Path is a paved trail that runs for 2.5 miles between West Glacier and Apgar Village. Other than that, pets are restricted to picnic areas, parking areas, and within 100 feet of roads.
The pet policy at Grand Teton National Park is pretty restrictive. Pets are allowed only within six feet of a road, in the campgrounds, and on boats on Jackson Lake. That’s it.
If you’re planning a visit, we suggest setting aside some time to explore the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, at Great Smokey Mountain National Park, as long as they’re on a leash at all times. There are also two short walking paths in the park—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail– that are pet friendly.
Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. BUT there are three national forests nearby, and they have fantastic walking/hiking options that are pet friendly!
Leashed pets may accompany you only along established roads or in parking areas and in established campgrounds and picnic areas at Rocky Mountain National Park. Further, pets must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet and may not make noise that impacts visitors or wildlife.
Pets in Yellowstone National Park are not allowed more than 100 feet from a road, parking area, or campground. And pets cannot go on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas.
Fortunately, there are some fantastic places to explore with your pets just outside the park boundaries!
At Zion National Park, leashed pets can join you on all paved surfaces. This includes along public roads and parking areas, in the developed campgrounds, at all 22 turnouts along Hwy 9 (Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy), and on the Pa’rus Trail. In addition, pets are welcome in the picnic areas and on the grounds of the Zion Lodge.
Pets cannot go on any other trails, so hiking together at Zion is limited. But Dixie National Forest is just up the road, and ALL the trails are pet friendly!
Pet polices tend to be much more pet friendly at Canadian National Parks. So, if you’re not finding an option in the U.S. that appeals, perhaps it’s time to take a trip north!
Banff National Park
Nestled within the Canadian Rockies, Banff’s majestic mountains and stunning glacial lakes make it a spectacular destination. Even better, it’s incredibly pet friendly! You will have no problem finding hotels, restaurants, and hikes to enjoy with your furry travel buddy in Banff!
An epic 3.5-hour drive north from extremely popular Banff lies the somewhat quieter mountain town of Jasper. And with more pet friendly spots than you can shake a stick at, this makes for a memorable vacation with dogs!
A furious hippo has chased down a boat packed with safari-going tourists who found themselves just inches away from the jaws of a wild beast.
The now-viral video showcased tourists aboard a speedboat, taking in the sights of their surroundings and a close-by hippopotamus that took more than an interest in them.
They were just metres away from the boat when the huge animal decided to try and strike, diving in and out of the sea in chilling footage that startled tourists.
A Twitter handle which published the video used the close encounter to remind people not to get too close to dangerous, wild animals.
Showcasing the hippopotamus in all its terrifying glory, an account tweeted: “Although accurate numbers are hard to come by, lore has it that hippos kill more people each year than lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos combined. Don’t get close!”
Users replying to the video were equally as terrified by the encounter, with one user adding that they had to “change my pants” after watching the shocking footage.
The horrifying clip showed how close the hippo had gained on the boat, with just inches separating the jaws of the beast from those on board.
Although the location of the video was not mentioned, it appears that the hippo had no intention of a friendly encounter with the tourists.
Safari-goers got more than they bargained for when the hippo steamed toward their vessel (Image: Twitter/30sectips)
Horrifying footage from the event showed a fairly unmoved captain steering the boat, picking up speed and moving away from the jaws of the hippo, NDTV reported.
It came just in time, for the footage showcasing the hippo and its terrifying rise and fall through the waters provided an up close and personal encounter tourists may not have been expecting.
The footage received hundreds of thousands of views, with one user noting that those on board may not have been aware of just “how dangerous” the beast was.
Another added however that they had “never had a problem” with the hippos residing in their house, linking an image of the board game, Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in the world, killing an estimated 500 people a year in Africa according to the BBC – more than any other creature except for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
This article by Ewan Gleadow was first published by The Daily Star on 6 January 2023. Lead Image: An angry hippo was seen just inches away from a boat crammed with tourists (Image: Twitter/30sectips).
What you can do
Support ‘Fighting for Wildlife’ by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.
Fighting for Wildlife supports approved wildlife conservation organizations, which spend at least 80 percent of the money they raise on actual fieldwork, rather than administration and fundraising. When making a donation you can designate for which type of initiative it should be used – wildlife, oceans, forests or climate.
I have recently really enjoyed reading Nick Tennick‘s series on how animals keep cool during the summer months. I’ve often found the difference between warm- and cold-blooded animals quite fascinating but somehow I’ve never really understood the evolutionary reason behind why warm-blooded animals, are in fact, warm-blooded. Warm-blooded mammals (which we as humans fall under) use so much of our energy trying to stay warm or cool, whereas we could easily just use external sources, like cold-blooded animals. So why have mammals evolved to be this way?
The largest mammals on earth must spend most of their day eating enough just to keep their heat engines running. Elephants have to eat about 5% of their body weight daily to sustain themselves. For a fully-grown bull, that could mean eating around 250-300 kg of vegetation every day.
Endothermy versus Ectothermy (Warm vs Cold-blooded)
Most animals are ectothermic; they don’t produce enough internal heat to stay warmer than their environment, also known as cold-blooded. Endothermic, or warm-blooded, creatures are special because they create enough internal heat to keep their body temperature above their environment. Endothermy is only found in mammals, birds and a few special exceptions.
Just like you have to constantly feed wood into a fire to heat a house, we have to shovel fuel into our heat-making machinery. And that means food. A lot of food. Most of the energy from what we eat is released as heat, and about 10% of your daily caloric intake is dedicated just to regulating your body temperature.
The Sombre Hummingbird, a tiny bird from Brazil, has the highest maintained body temperature of any animal that we know of, at about 44.5°C (112°F). As a human, if your body was at that temperature, you’d experience convulsions, brain damage, and possibly die. A human with the metabolism of a hummingbird would need to eat around 80 000 calories a day to survive. That’s because staying warm by making your own heat takes a lot of energy.
When heat is added to a body, it speeds up the kinetic energy of its molecules. Everything made of molecules speeds up and carbs, proteins, and fats are used up faster, and so does your body’s battery power. So you HAVE to eat to replenish that molecular fuel. For us, that means more trips to the fridge, but to any animal that has to hunt or forage for its food, that means spending even more energy just to keep your thermostat steady. This is where the paradox lies: mammals use more energy to try and get more energy. This paradox didn’t make much evolutionary sense to me. So it got me thinking:
If making heat takes so much effort and is so costly for mammals, why have we evolved to do it?
The hottest 20% of endothermic mammals keep their bodies higher than 37.9°C (100), and birds are even hotter. They typically run between 40°C and 44.4°C (104°F and 112°F). Warmer animals, like birds, have to eat more. A 10°C (50°F) increase in body temperature means a 2-3 times higher metabolism to maintain.
Evolutionarily Speaking
Keeping a body warm is expensive and risky, so there must be a good evolutionary reason to do it.
That story goes back about 315 million years. And it’s a story that starts cold and gets warmer. At first, all four-legged vertebrates were ectothermic, their body temperature changed according to their surroundings. And the first step to changing that was a literal step. When amphibians first wiggled their way out of the swamps and walked onto land, the move to land brought new challenges.
Why do we go through so much effort just to keep ourselves warm from the inside? Why do most reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects, get to live without spending so much energy to be alive?
I will go through three major events in evolution that could be the reason for the rise of endothermic mammals. It may be that we are the way we are by pure chance resulting from these events.
1. The Great Drying
Near the end of an era called the Carboniferous era (around 359 to 299 million years ago), the earth started to cool. We call it “The Great Drying”. Water got locked up by freezing into glaciers, ocean levels decreased and forests shrank. Drier habitats popped up in their place.
This is also when we think animals first started chewing, allowing them to draw more energy out of the plants and prey they consumed. If you run your tongue on the top of your mouth, you’ll feel another innovation on the path to warm-bloodedness. The secondary palate is what separates the nasal cavity from the mouth. What does that have to do with being warm-blooded? Unlike early amphibians and reptiles, mammals can breathe through their mouth or nose. Meaning we can breathe and eat at the same time.
A giraffe bull feeds on the flowers of a knob-thorn tree. It’s able to do this for long periods of time because of the secondary palate.
The secondary palate opened up more time for eating because we could breathe while we did it.
2. The Great Dying
Then, about 252 million years ago, Earth experienced its worst extinction ever. The Great Dying. About 70% of the species on land went extinct when volcanoes released carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Temperatures skyrocketed, and oxygen plummeted. The animals that survived and took over afterwards were the ones that could grow fast. And in large part, that meant animals with a higher metabolism and higher body temperatures.
Finally, about 66 million years ago, an asteroid that was as much as 10 kilometres (6 miles) in diameter hit the Earth. It was the huge amount of thermal heat released by the meteor strike that was the main cause of the extinction. Only really mammals in underground burrows and aquatic environments were protected from the brief but drastic rise in temperature. About 70% of species went extinct.
Most big animals died because they couldn’t duck or find cover. Small animals were more likely to survive, and a lot of them were capable of making their own heat. And the bird line of dinosaurs made it because they were small – flying takes a lot of energy too, so being endothermic would have helped.
But This Still Doesn’t Solve Our Paradox
I’ve mentioned it a lot, but being endothermic is a lot of work. So much work that many endothermic species spend most of their time eating just to feed this engine of heat and survive. You would think that evolution would have pushed us large animals back in the cold-blooded direction. But it hasn’t.
Some of the answers as to why we are warm-blooded might just come down to chance. When a big rock fell from the sky in the last major extinction, the things that survived that apocalypse just happened to be the smallest things that were on their way to being warm-blooded. Those species were able to take over the Earth that we live on today because they were what was left.
But even though creating our heat is incredibly expensive, it can have some unexpected benefits. Without it, we might not be able to survive in as many habitats and climates on Earth. And though cooler bodies might not get sick as often, since our warm bodies are great germ incubators, getting sick would be more deadly, since the heat we can create during a fever is a key part of our immune system. We also couldn’t move around as much, and we’d be smaller. Some scientists also think that if we weren’t warm-blooded we wouldn’t have enough extra energy to raise and nurture our young. I mean, crocodiles aren’t winning any parent of the year awards.
No animal exists on earth today that can run fast, and far, whose temperature is less than 30°C (86°F). Cooler muscles just can’t move as fast. A cheetah’s body temperature is approximately 38.3°C (101°F) but increases to 40°C (105°F) after sprinting.
So being this hot is hard work. And to be honest, exactly how the history of life led to warm-bloodedness, there’s still a lot more we need to learn to answer that question. Evolution doesn’t have a destination, it’s the journey that’s important. It’s a good reminder that there are still plenty of big mysteries of life in nature to solve.
Amazing footage shows killer whales hunting great white sharks in South Africa.
A team of scientists used a helicopter and a drone to capture the first ever aerial footage of orcas hunting and killing great white sharks.
On 16 May 2022, an hour-long killing spree by a pod of orcas was captured from above on Mossel Bay.
While marine biologists have long known that killer whales can attack great whites, it had never been caught on camera like this before.
The footage was submitted as part of a paper published in The Ecological Society of America’s journal Ecology in October, offering a new insight into the clashes between the two major marine predators.
Watch the predator become the prey here:
“This behaviour has never been witnessed in detail before, and certainly never from the air,” said lead author Alison Towner, a senior shark scientist at Marine Dynamics Academy in Gansbaai, South Africa.
Only two killer whales in South Africa have been previously linked to hunting great whites, and only one of those was observed in the footage, along with four other killer whales. As such, the authors believe that the behaviour may be spreading.
As if great whites weren’t scary enough, imagine crossing paths with a pod of orcas. Credit: Sea Search Research & Conservation
The study also gives new insights into sharks’ attempts to evade capture by orcas.
On two occasions, orcas approached sharks closely and slowly, and rather than fleeing, the shark stayed close to the orca, keeping it in view – a common strategy that seals and turtles use to evade sharks.
So, perhaps having been put in the unusual position of being hunted, sharks copy the behaviour of those they hunt?
However, orcas are social and hunt in groups, and so researchers believe it might not be as effective for sharks to use in this situation.
“Killer whales are highly intelligent and social animals. Their group hunting methods make them incredibly effective predators,” said marine mammal specialist and study co-author Dr Simon Elwen, Director of Sea Search and a research associate at Stellenbosch University.
The shark is circled by three killer whales. Credit: Discovery+
The study confirmed that one infamous killer whale – locally known as Starboard – was part of the pod and ate what was suspected to be a large piece of shark liver at the ocean surface. The footage also revealed how another killer whale bit into a white shark at the region of the liver.
“I first saw Starboard in 2015 when he and his close-associated Port were linked to killing seven gill sharks in False Bay,” said David Hurwitz, a boat-based whale-watching operator from Simon’s Town Boat Company.
“We saw them kill a bronze whaler [copper shark] in 2019 – but this new observation is really something else.”
The new study also analysed drone and cage dive boat survey data before and after these predation events.
White sharks were seen on every survey day for the weeks prior to the predation event and multiple sharks were seen on the day of the predations.
However, only a single white shark was seen in the 45 days after the predations, confirming a flight response by sharks.
This article by Jake Massey was first published by Lad Bible on 3 January 2023. Lead Image: Sea Search Research & Conservation.
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