Ok, so I have been a bit lazy, since school has ended. In the process of moving, inorder to do my college placement, which is working for a Wildlife rehabilitation Center. Woot woot, can't wait.

Well,I think I know what I want to do after grad...well i pretty much knew, even before I started college. I want to be a Fish and Wildlife Officer, specifically with Alberta Fish and Wildlife Department. While you conduct enforcement, the two other emphasis are prevention and education. I believe that when educating the public on wildlife issues is important when dealing with human/wildlife conflict. By educating people on humane, healthy alternatives, education aids in people opening up their minds and implement those alternatives. (people mistreat, what they don't understand/fear) education is key for prevention.

Three values to stand behind and pursue I feel.

(another aspect of wildlife conservation,that I am interested is wetland conservation)

1 year down, 1 year to go...

Well I just completed my first year in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Technician program. One more year to go. I wrote my last exam yesterday...and had cold beers waiting in the fridge for me, when I got home lol. And yes they were goood. Tonight I am going on a 'Owl Prowl' with my Ornithology professor and some of my classmates. Should be interesting and hopefully we will be able to hear some owls. last I heard the route we are going, a guy went last week and heard 29 owl calls. So I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Pretty soon I will be off doing my co op placement for the summer. Working in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Can't wait.

More on the Surpeme Court ruling

Well...here is more on the Surpeme Court ruling. This whole article makes me so angry!!

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/23/crush-video-ruling-another-supreme-court-power-grab/

I have to say that I can't stop thinking of the decision of the Supreme Court not banning dogfighting and crushing videos, amoung other acts. And even went as far as calling it 'Freedom of speech'. I am speechless and can't just sit back and shrug my shoulders and think well that's that. There as to be a way ( i mean i know they are rewriting) but there has to be a way, were we can raise awarness, and help in getting this law passed. Since working in the animalprotection field, I have to say that I have lost my respect for humanity. This shenanigan reinstates that. Going to have to talk to people, start doing some networking here.

Love-dart slug and lungless frog: new species found!

Very interesting read!!

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100422/world/malaysia_brunei_wildlife_environment_species

Support Wildlife Conservation. Every species as it's purpose on this Earth. Extinction is forever.

Sad day indeed

Well, I have to say that I am ashamed of being a Human Being today. We supposively are the most intelligent species, the most compassionate...yet still feel the need to exploite and disrepect other species and think it is OK to to do so. To entertain us. To say that they have no value, then kick you in the teeth and call it "Freedom of Speech". Animal Cruelty is now officially a joke. Thanks Supreme Court!!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/20/dog.fight.videos/index.html

This just shows were we stand in toughning our animal cruelty laws, and how we precieve the issue and how far we are at breaking down that barrier.

Mesh netting, hockey nets and window wells and my hate for them

I have to say that I sincerely hate the stuff. It has to be three of the main tools that animals get tangled/caught in. As a matter of fact, when I when I worked as an APO and was dispatched to a call, I tell them to get rid of it or when not using the hockey net, keep it in the garage and cover up...right away.

I have had chipmucks, snakes and other small wildlife tangled in mesh netting (usually used for gardens and ponds, wrap around trees), while I ever so careful cut them out of it, while they are stuggling to get away cause they think that I am going to kill/eat them. Luckly I have been fortunate and all were ok to be released on site.

For hockey nets, I have had baby skunks, squirrels, rabbits, and had a bird tangled in one. Windows wells, another thing that I cringe at. Expecially when not covered. I can't tell you how many calls I have had, where an sick and or injured animal has fallen into the window well and can't get out. Or babies that have fallen in can't get back out and just end up starving to death, until someones notices it. I also had a mother raccoon and her babies get wedged into a very small window well and couldn't get out. I had Humane Wildlife Control come and assist me in cutting them out of the window well. Had two strays moms have a litter of kittens in two separate calls.

So, if you own or use any of the above, please disguard them And if you have a window well, buy a cover for it.

Two great articles.....

Lizard: New species found

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100407/science/science_as_philippines_giant_lizard

And True love over comes any distance:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100325/oddities/croatia_animal_offbeat

Enjoy reading!

How to cuddle a Elephant Seal

This video has been floating aroung the internet. The lady looks like she is sitting on a beach, with elephant seals and penguins. One very interested elephant seal takes a liking to her. It is about 5 mins long, but you have to watch the whole video.

http://ca.video.yahoo.com/network/100899001?v=7335347&l=5421634

WildAid

Ok so, this is one of the organizations that I can't stop telling people about, whether they want to hear it or not. It is an organization that aids in putting an end to the Illegal Wildlife Trade.Sadly, currently it is estimated that the Illegal Wildlife Trade is a $20 billion dollars a year business. Please be more aware and more cautious of what products you are buying when traveling, etc. Please take a look at the wesbite.

http://www.wildaid.org/index.asp?CID=3

It's Baby Season!!! Know when an animal is orphaned or not!!!

Ok..so it's baby season: While working as an APO, I've had numerous calls concerning orphaned baby wildlife...that in reality were not orphaned at all. Here are some tell tale signs that an animal is orphaned.

If animal is: Is it vocalizing or following people around?
Is it cold or wet (this might be a temporary rescue
Is it bleeding, injured or weak
Is it having problems breathing?
Is there any discharge from the nose or mouth?
Is it emaciated?
Is it dehydrated (sunken eyes or abdomen)
Are there fleas or flies around the baby?
Has it been handled by a cat or dog even if there are no obvious wounds?
Are there dead adults/siblings nearby?
Is it in imminent danger? (ie- Middle of road)
Have you tried to reunite the baby but you have not seen the parents in a few hours?

If the animal is not showing any signs of distress, leave baby and observe for a few hours. Depending on the situation, 24 hours is the usually wait time. Usually you will not see the mom or dad. They are often off looking for food and they don't stay around nest. As a precaution not to invite predators.

If baby is ORPHANED: wearing thick gloves, if it is safe to do so, place baby in a box with ventiliation. place a blanket in box and place in a dark and quiet spot. Away from noise or pets. NOTE: All babies need heat. Either place a heating pad ALWAYS on LOW on ONE side underneath box. Heated water bottles wrapped in a towel work well too. Place wrapped water bottle inside the box, on one side. DO NOT give any food or water. If transporting, ALWAYS leave radio off and talk in a low voice. When finding a orphan, contact your local Animal Control Department/Animal Shelter or a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation Rehabber ASAP. It is Illegal to care for wildlife, if not licensed.

Little ol' me

Well it looks like I am already addicted to this Blog and I haven't even starting posting yet. I should be getting prepared for my Ecology exam tomorrow. Then again, it is an open book (which I am still in disbelieve), so I just have to tag stickys to sections of my Ecology textbook. So, I think I have some time.

I am currently enrolled in a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Technician program...in Northern Ontario. I have to say I am a Northern girl at heart. I love the North....mainly due to the wildlife we have here. I am orginally from 'down south' as the Northerns like to call it. At first when I moved up here, that phrase...I took a little getting used too. 'down south' is Florida to me lol.

I have been always passionate about animals and their welfare and knew that I wanted to make a career out of it. Before going back to school, I worked for a great Humane Society as an Animal Protection Officer. I miss that Humane Society. A good Humane Society is hard to come by. And this one by far is the best. I even rave about them up here.

While working, I worked alot with a variety of different wildlife, their habitat and seen first hand how are wildlife is in crisis. Not to mention the arrogrance of Humans. Man, do we have such a lack of repect for wildlife and well animals in general. It's disheartning and really anger some

So, that is how I ended up in school...again. I wanted to be part in conserving wildlife and their habitat.

Adopt from your local animal shelter and give a homeless animal a home.

Raccoons

Raccoons, aw yes the perfect animal that the saying 'Looks can be deceiving'. Very true. But even I wouldn't want to tangle with a raccoon...as much as I have a soft spot for them. Did you know that coons are so smart, that their intelligence (IQ) is right below the monkey.

I remember the days of trying to pole them, while they were in a dumpster (more often then not) They would grab the loop and look at you like " yeah...what are you going to do now". I always laughed and was like I am just trying to help you..lol

not officially started yet...

Just a quick note to see how this works.....so excited to start my blog...