Canada Bans ‘Military-Grade’ Assault Weapons, Gun shops, NRA-Trump, Supreme Court, Gun Safety Report

Canada announces immediate ban on ‘military-grade’ assault weapons

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday an immediate ban on "military-grade assault weapons" nationwide. The announcement follows the deaths of 22 people in a mass shooting rampage last month in Nova Scotia. "These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time," Trudeau said. "You don't need an AR-15 to bring down a deer." Trudeau said a two year amnesty period on the regulation would take effect to allow gun owners to comply, and that he would work on legislation to compensate owners of the weapons.

Gun shops are not essential businesses.

The NRA is showing its true colors yet again. In a strategy right out of its playbook of greed and extremism, the NRA is using the COVID-19 pandemic to fuel its guns everywhere agenda and boost gun sales nationwide.

The worst part? The NRA and its allies have pressured Trump's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to list gun shops as essential businesses – even as gun violence continues across the country and people sheltering at home find themselves at an increased risk of firearm suicide, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence.

The DHS needs to reverse this policy immediately. Tell the Trump administration: Gun shops are not essential businesses.

Trump echoing the NRA's extreme rhetoric

Since we launched this campaign, over 80,000 of you have signed the petition to demand that Trump's DHS reverse its decision on gun shops. But the NRA and its allies haven't slowed down either: they're doubling down on their apocalyptic fear-mongering, something they've done in national crises from 9/11 to Superstorm Sandy to line the pockets of gun manufacturers. On top of that, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is now telling gun stores that they can operate drive-up gun sales to mitigate health concerns.

Donald Trump is showing why he's the NRA's #1 ally, even during a public health crisis. Just a few hours ago, he echoed the NRA's extreme rhetoric in a tweet, comparing gun safety laws and social distancing to an entire state being "under siege."

Trump does the bidding of the gun lobby, and we need to make sure that ends this year. Do your part to defeat Donald Trump and the NRA in November.

The only thing under siege in Virginia is the NRA's political influence. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed several common-sense gun reforms into law that will keep Virginians safe from gun violence. After Everytown and Moms Demand Action helped Gun Sense Candidates secure victories across the Commonwealth in 2017 and 2019, these new gun safety laws became a reality.

If you want to defeat Trump in November, help us elect even more Gun Sense Candidates across the country.

The Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped issuing a major ruling on a New York handgun law, a blow to gun rights advocates and the Trump administration, who had hoped the conservative majority would expand gun rights as early as this term.

Ariane de Vogue and Devan Cole: Supreme Court avoids new Second Amendment ruling, dealing blow to gun rights advocates

The court's action means that the Supreme Court has gone a decade without deciding a major 2nd Amendment case.

The case, which was argued in December, concerns a New York City law that regulates where licensed handgun owners can take a locked and unloaded handgun.

Monday's order is a victory -- for now -- for supporters of gun regulations who feared the justices would take an idiosyncratic state law and use it as a vehicle to expand upon a landmark opinion by the late Justice Antonin Scalia from 2008 that held for the first time that an individual had a right to keep and bear arms at home for self-defense.

In an unsigned opinion, the court said on Monday that it sent the case back to the lower court because after the justices agreed to hear the dispute, the New York City law at issue was changed. The court directed a lower court to consider remaining claims from the challengers of the law.

Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented.

The case marked the first major gun rights case heard by President Donald Trump's two nominees. Gorsuch joined the dissent. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, on the other hand, said in a concurring opinion that while the court should sidestep the case at hand, he also agreed with the dissenters' concerns that lower courts have been thumbing their noses at Supreme Court precedent on the 2nd Amendment and said the court should "address that issue soon." When the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case, the law blocked individuals from removing a handgun from the address listed on the license except to travel to nearby authorized small arms ranges or shooting clubs. New York argued the rule was not a burden on 2nd Amendment rights and that it represented a reasonable means to protect public safety.

The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, a gun owners group and individual plaintiffs challenged the law arguing that it was too restrictive and that a New Yorker could not transport his handgun to his "second home for the core constitutional purpose of self-defense or to an upstate county to participate in a shooting competition, or even across the bridge to a neighboring city for target practice."

Lawyers for the Trump administration sided with the challengers, arguing that "few laws in our history have restricted the right to keep and bear arms as severely as this ban does."

In a twist, after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, the city allowed licensed owners to take handguns to other locations, including second homes or shooting ranges outside city limits. In addition, the State of New York amended its handgun licensing statute to require localities to allow licensed gun owners to engage in such transport.

As a result, New York argued the justices should dismiss the case.

Lawyers challenging the law countered that the only reason it was amended was supporters of gun regulations feared that the Supreme Court's new conservative majority might use the idiosyncratic law to render a broad decision cutting back on gun restrictions.

An 'epiphany of sorts,' Alito says of New York

In his dissent, Alito expressed frustration that the court had declined to decide whether the city's law violated the 2nd Amendment.

"Although the city had previously insisted that its ordinance served important public safety purposes, our grant of review apparently led to an epiphany of sorts, and the city quickly changed its ordinance," Alito wrote.

Alito stressed that even though the law had been changed, those challenging it had not been provided with all the relief they sought.

"Petitioners got most, but not all, of the prospective relief they wanted," Alito wrote, "and that means that the case is not dead." He specifically noted their claims for damages.

Alito also took special aim at a "friend of the court" brief filed by Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and others, suggesting the senators had tried to intimidate the court.

"Five United States Senators, four of whom are members of the bar of this Court, filed a brief insisting that the case be dismissed," Alito wrote.

Whitehouse had suggested that if the court did not dismiss the case, the public would believe the court was motivated by politics. "The Supreme Court is not well," Whitehouse wrote. "Perhaps the Court can heal itself before the public demands it to be restructured in order to reduce the influence of politics."

"If a case is on our docket and we have jurisdiction," Alito retorted, "we have an obligation to decide it."

Alito said he would have found that the New York City ordinance was unconstitutional and that it burdened the right to bear arms that was recognized in the court's 2008 decision called District of Columbia v. Heller. He said there is "cause for concern" that lower courts are not abiding by that decision.

"History provides no supporter for a restriction of this type," Alito said.

The gun-control groups Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Moms Demand Action welcomed the court's decision on Monday, with Everytown President John Feinblatt saying in a statement that the court "just thwarted the gun lobby's hope for a broad ruling that could slow the gun safety movement's growing momentum."

Brady President Kris Brown said the case was "moot" in December when the court first heard arguments. "The issue at the heart of this case was already resolved and the plaintiffs had already received everything they had demanded and more. Recognizing this, the court's decision that there is no case here is common-sense," Brown said in a statement. "That the court recognizes this too merely underscores the desperation of the NRA and their allies to use this issue to advance a radical reinterpretation of the Second Amendment."

The justices announced that next Friday, when they hold their regularly scheduled conference, they will discuss whether to take up other 2nd Amendment cases for next term.

The conference is a private telephone call between the justices.

Take Action, Responsibility & Wildlife...

"Corporations Are People My Friends."

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Activism and Sustainability:

• Gun Safety & Gun Laws

• Cruelty Free

• Death Penalty

• Demand Action

• Sustainable Action Network

Fairness and Equality:

• Grammy District Advocacy

• Privatization

• Voters Issues & Gerrymandering

• Private Prisons & the War on Drugs

• Finance, Housing & the Economy Corporate Responsibility:

• Candidates, Bills, Laws & Protections

• Wildlife & Oceania

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Traveling circuses, Thailand, Wildlife SOS Caregivers, Sanjay, Maya are in the Elephant in the Room!

Traveling circuses regularly abuse and neglect their animals here. It's time for lawmakers to ban this cruelty!

Right now, traveling circus shows all over the world have been put on pause while the public locks down to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19. But the animals in these circuses aren't suddenly living better lives. Still trapped, malnourished, dirty, infested with insects, and locked in extraordinarily small cages, they continue to need our help.

Members of a local animal rights organization were shocked to find camels, ponies, lions, ducks, and a hippopotamus, all of which demonstrated severe symptoms of physical, mental, and medical abuse and neglect in a region of Spain called Andalusia. Two ducks had badly-fractured wings, while the camels were living in filth and missing almost all of their teeth. Trapped and cramped in exceedingly tiny cages, the lions displayed signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

This is obviously a totally intolerable situation, but unfortunately it's still completely legal in Andalusia. Luckily, four other autonomous regions in Spain — Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Galicia, and Murcia — have already banned circuses from using animals in their shows. It's time for Andalusia to follow their lead. Sign the petition to demand that leaders in Andalusia finally commit to banning this abusive use of animals in circus shows!

Now that people can't exploit these elephants for money, they may turn to abusing them instead.

Sign Now to make sure they're cared for instead!

Domestic elephants are a huge part of the tourism industry in Thailand. But with travel restricted and self-isolation protocols firmly established due to the current pandemic, elephant parks and other elephant-centered tourist attractions are seeing a huge drop in attendance. While out of their normal exploitative work, these domestic elephants are vulnerable to the even worse abuses they once suffered in Thailand.

Please sign the petition and ask that Thailand's government allocate funds to care for these elephants for the duration of this pandemic!

In Thailand's not-so-distant past, elephants were often exploited, placed in compromising and often illegal positions in order to turn a profit. Many were put to work for illegal loggers, performing the hard labor of clearing forests. Others were dragged through city streets by their owners who would then beg for money, hopeful that the sight of the magnificent creatures would bolster their efforts. Thailand worked hard to put policies in place to give domesticated elephants better lives, and as a result, these cruel practices have all but vanished. But now, in the midst of a global pandemic, all that progress is at risk of unraveling. Sign the petition to help elephants in Thailand!

Botswana: Reinstate Elephant Hunting Ban During COVID-19 Pandemic

The lives of some 270 hundred elephants are hanging in the balance due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Botswana officially ended its five-year elephant hunting ban in 2019, but global airline shutdowns have prevented hunters from traveling to the region to gun down the innocent animals. Please take this fleeting opportunity to urge Botswana officials to reinstate its successful hunting ban and use nonlethal means to resolve human-elephant conflicts.

Now is our chance to prevent more senseless elephant deaths. Join us in encouraging Botswana officials to reinstate the elephant trophy hunting ban and implement nonlethal methods to resolve conflicts with elephants.

Please comment on the Facebook pages of the Botswana Department Of Wildlife & National Parks and Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, and tweet at the Botswana government.

You may say: Please reinstate the successful ban on elephant hunting and implement nonlethal methods of resolving human-elephant conflicts.

Submit our letter urging Botswana officials to reinstate their elephant hunting ban and opt for nonlethal methods to resolve conflicts with elephants.

Submit our alert to immediately deliver your comments to: Philda Kereng — Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism

Mahima Sharma: Unsung Heroes, Wildlife SOS Caregivers Stand Strong Amidst Corona Crisis

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear Wildlife SOS T-shirts and wake up every morning, ever-so-diligently to go check on the animals that they take care of – indeed, these are the unsung heroes of Wildlife SOS, they are the animal keepers at our rescue centres across the country. Hailing from different corners of the country, these men stand united on a front– their undying passion to take care of the animals, no matter what happens.

All over the globe, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has led to an air of economic as well as emotional stagnation, with self-isolation and social distancing, a person could be under the same roof, yet away from the rest of the family members. Following the protocol to control this pandemic from gaining ground, the Government of India has issued strict guidelines for all citizens to adhere to during the lockdown, in order to prevent the country from entering third stage of community spread. In light of this judgement, all inter-state borders have been sealed and movement has been strictly restricted.

Bear Keepers at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility make enrichments for the bears to keep them busy! [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Shresatha Pachori]

In troubled and dark times like these, the keepers at all rescue centres chose to not go home and instead stayed back with their rescued animals. Upon asking them why did they not go home to be with their family, Deenanath, one of our bear keepers at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility smiled and said, “My family back home still have each other’s company, but our bears need us to be here for them. We are their family.” These lines, said so causally, left a lasting impact.

“We often talk to our family on video call at night, after work and ask them how they are doing” said Satendra, who is another bear keeper at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, known for his expertise in hand-rearing orphaned bear cubs, like Mowgli.

The bears are being served their daily porridge and fed fruits as a part of the usual routine; however, the gradually depleting resources and limited stocks stand as a cause of concern. In order to keep the bears occupied, our keepers come up with new and innovative ways to modify their enrichments and to make treats available to the bears. “We hide the dates and peanuts in different corners of the enclosures so that the bears have to dig them out! It keeps them entertained and helps us also to spend some more time in finding ways to keep them busy!” said Jay Prakash who takes care of 10 bears in their enclosure at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and never lets them have their treat easily, always hiding them around on tree branches or deep inside the ground.

The bear keepers think of new ways to keep their bears. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Shresatha Pachori]

The keepers at all our rescue centres were given a detailed briefing on the intensity and severity of the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak, familiarising them with safety gears and protocols of social distancing and quarantine, but for them to leave their bears behind to go home was unthinkable. They wake up each morning, according to their routine, and clean the enclosures, ready the porridge and check on their bears. Choosing to stay with the bears to take care of them in these bleak times shows their deep attachment with the animals under our care.

Our elephant keepers are of the exact same opinion and opted to stay on with their elephants. They understand that the times of this pandemic, call for even more precautions, hence one will spot them squirting sanitiser onto their palms prior to each feeding for the elephants and diligently doing the same later. Raju, Holly, Kalpana and Karma’s keeper, Surendra, adds, “I talk to my family twice a day and send them photos to assure them that I am fine. We support the Government in their decision and are very thankful to Wildlife SOS for taking care of us in these times.

Sanjay’s keeper, Nekpal, checks on Sanjay , constantly worried about his health. “I am always worried about Sanjay, he is so calm and patient, he barely will show his discomfort unless I figure it out. I don’t think I would have been able to stay reassured of his well-being while sitting at home” he states very matter-of-factly.

Sanjay and Nekpal, his keeper, out on an evening walk! [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]

Even though, Maya and Phoolkali’s keeper had to go home on precautionary measures, he is sure to call the other keepers who are looking after them now and asks for a detailed report on how they are doing! When we spoke to Munna, he said “Just because I am home does not mean that I will forget my elephants, they are a huge part of my identity and I miss them dearly. ”

Maya and Phoolkali’s keeper, Munna, misses them while he is at home, resting and recovering. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]

For our keepers at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, in Maharashtra, the situation is upsetting as the highest number of coronavirus positive cases have come from this state and the healthcare services are hugely overburdened. Fortunately, the leopard keepers reside in villages close-by and are more than ready to go beyond the call of duty to regularly report to the Centre for cleaning and proper sanitisation of the place. They dedicatedly report for duty and keep the veterinarians constantly informed and updated on the health progress of the leopards, without fail. Jiya’s keeper, Salim, speaks about the pandemic as he cleans her enclosure, “This virus is teaching us that we should be more respectful of animals and must not take nature for granted.”

Our leopard keepers carrying the feed for the leopards. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Akash Dolas] The leopard keepers are following all protective measures and are equipped with safety gear so that their health is not at stake. Their commitment and passion towards taking care of the animals makes our heart swell with pride that even in the darkest and most hopeless of times, they are reporting for work everyday and taking care of the leopards.

Each and every one of our animal keepers serve as true inspiration for us, as they work tirelessly in making sure that their animals do not suffer or bear the brunt of neglect during a global health crisis and the nation-wide lockdown.

For them, home is not only where they hail from, but also where they presently are, as they bathe their elephants, cut fruits for their bears or built enrichments for their leopards. For our heroes who are the heartbeat of the centres, home is where their animals are!

Mahima Sharma: Elephants breathe relief as COVID-19 outbreak leaves Popular Tourist Spots deserted!

Not a soul in sight since the Indian Government announced nationwide lockdown beginning from 22nd March 2020, owing to the rapidly growing cases of the Coronavirus pandemic that have led to over 450 deaths all over the country. With the nationwide lockdown being imposed and strict repercussions levied on being spotted on the streets, all national heritage sites and monuments, as well as national parks, have been shut down for access to the public. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has hugely affected the tourism industry, and henceforth the livelihood that came with it, especially in the states of Kerala and Rajasthan, that were most popular for elephant joyrides for tourists. As these elephant owners thrived on the income from tourists, with no tourists allowed to enter the States, the elephants breathe a much-deserved sigh of relief as they no longer spend their day in the monotonous painstaking routine of climbing on concrete fort roads with the overbearing weight of a carrier crushing their spirit and hurting their back or walking around confined temple spaces. Amer Fort has been closed down owing to COVID-19 outbreak which gives elephants that are used for rides, a relief!

For the elephants in the South of India, who were not only used for elephant joyrides but also as temple elephants living their life on whatever little “donation” offered by the devotees, the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent lockdown has been a breath of fresh air. Usually lauded with heavy chains, painted with bright colours and adorned with heavy clothes to hide the scars that are a host to their body, these elephants had a tiring routine of walking the unnatural stone surfaces of the temple premises daily, feeding on sweets or prasad given to them by people who would come to offer prayers. The outbreak of coronavirus and the rapid spread of it, in South India, has led to all places of worship being closed for people as a large congregation of people will not help the situation.

As the elephants find relief in this short period of freedom, there is another uncertainty that lurks around the future of these gentle giants. The State governments of Kerala and Rajasthan have made the necessary arrangements for their survival by providing monetary support to the elephant owners. With over 500 jumbos in Kerala and as many as 300 in Rajasthan not being paraded around for rides, temple processions and festivals, the elephant owners are gradually worrying about where their lives are headed! It takes a lot of money to take care of an elephant including fruits, fodder and sugarcanes as well as medical expenses, but with limited resources of sustenance and most of the resources being divided by overburdened medical facilities, the elephants’ survival is indeed a worrying part.

Fancy cloth would be used to hide the wounds on the elephants’ feet!

The outbreak of coronavirus, that has paused the world in global lockdowns, sealed borders and limited movement, has also given a chance for us all to reflect on our actions, as well as the undue advantage that we have taken of the environment. Our deeply misjudged perception of animals and their plight is the reason the world is in neck-deep crisis like this, that has caused death to an unsurmountable level and may just be the deadliest incident the world has had to deal with since the World Wars!

In the end, it brings to light this crucial question – would the world be paralysed in a global crisis, if those who belong in the wild would stay in the wild? Would the elephants used for minting money be allowed this break and not deserve it if they would be in the wild?

These troubled times call for the world to unite and speak for the voiceless, by encouraging responsible tourism. Visit www.refusetoride.org to learn how to be a part of the change and help the elephants by signing our petition!

What You Can Do:

• Stay informed. Don’t visit places that offer elephant rides. Inform your travel agent and any local guides about your preference.

• Share your opinion. Be vocal and object strongly. Post on social media. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues why it’s important to avoid riding elephants. We know most people will avoid doing it once they know the issues. Spreading awareness is the key to reducing exploitation and abuse of animals.

• Write to travel websites, magazines, guidebooks, tour operators, and travel agents to discourage them from offering elephant rides to tourists.

• Write to the local tourism departments and the parks you plan to visit expressing your concerns about elephant riding. Politely request that they put an end to it.

• Support only responsible tourism projects. Look into tours and centers that do not offer elephant rides. Make sure they are reputable conservation centers, sanctuaries, national parks, or wildlife reserves—places where tourists and animal lovers are educated about these special creatures in a conducive space that is safe for everyone involved.

Beware of False Tourism Claims

When booking your travel, be skeptical even when places advertise themselves as an “ecotour” or as "humane." If they advocate for the riding of elephants, painting/decorating them, or if they keep any elephants in chains, they should be avoided. To experience elephants in a humane way, please visit Wildlife SOS Elephant Care and Conservation Center in Agra to meet our rescued elephants.

Elephant in The Room

"Corporations Are People My Friends."

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.   Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Activism and Sustainability:

• Gun Safety & Gun Laws

• Cruelty Free

• Death Penalty

• Demand Action

• Sustainable Action Network

Fairness and Equality:

• Grammy District Advocacy

• Privatization

• Voters Issues & Gerrymandering

• Private Prisons & the War on Drugs

• Finance, Housing & the Economy Corporate Responsibility:

• Candidates, Bills, Laws & Protections

• Wildlife & Oceania

• Labeling & Transparency

• Comprehensive Captivity & Hunting Results Databases

Rescue TV, Dehli, Hemingway, Miomojo, Felida Big Cat Centre, Lionsrock & Wildlife Aid TV is Live!

The SAN Rescue Network, Wildlife Aid TV, Official PETA TV, Flying Fur Animal Rescue, Animals Asia, ASPCA, Hope For PAWS, Beagle Freedom Project...

Wildlife Aid TV Live!

Two BABY BIRDS fall out of their nest during phone call!

Lucy Kells, our former head vet nurse, had quite the surprise on a recent phone call with Simon! Whilst discussing Lucy's new life with husband Sean in Portugal, two young bluets fell out of their nest and landed right in front of her! Grabbing her phone to film, Lucy and Sean set about trying to return the two youngsters to their nest...

This video is all you need to see today!

As you know, Dehli fell ill after the loss of her brother Rhadja at the end of 2019. This huge change in her life resulted in a lot of stress, which was not only expressed mentally but also physically.

She fell nauseous and became, also due to her advanced age, weaker. Our team at the FELIDA Big Cat Centre, therefore, brought her to another ‘special care enclosure’, where she could be monitored more closely and was further away from the strong and confident lions who suddenly, without Rhadja, were quite intimidating to her. Thanks to intensive and specialised care over the last few months, Dehli was able to make an impressive recovery!

This strong old lady was even doing so well lately, that we decided to bring her back to her former enclosure so she has more space again to roam around. However, we made some very important adaptions so she is no longer surrounded by lions Masoud, Terez and Bobby, and only has Lenci as a neighbour opposite of her. We also made her some new platforms and hiding places which she greatly enjoys! Her old, yet new enclosure is not finished yet and we are still doing reconstructions to a second part that she can access once this has been completed. But to see Dehli so happy already makes our day!

Meet our leopards at Lionsrock

Tulani and Mike were both rescued and socialised at our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary. Tulani was hand raised at a safari park and Mike was captured from the wild.

#ThreeBearsRescue - Quarantine week one.

Alice, Bân and James are through their first week in quarantine at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre. Sarah and our bear care team are getting to know their personalities and earning their trust. Quarantine is one of the most vital stages in a rescued bear's rehabilitation and we've got over 20 years experience in how to provide the best care possible. None of this would be possible however without your support. We'll continue to keep you updated with their progress, their lives so far have been no fairy tale and their behaviour indicates a traumatic life up until now. With your help we will do our very best to give them the happily ever after they so deserve.

To support Alice, Bân and James and all of our work for animals in Asia, please make a regular donation today: www.animalsasia.org/threebearsrescue

Bears love hanging out

There's nothing a rescued bear likes more than playing with hanging enrichment in their enclosure. Thanks to the brilliant support of Italian ethical fashion brand Miomojo these bears are having a great time hanging out with each other! We're incredibly grateful for the support of Miomojo and their customers, and we absolutely love their cruelty free bags and accessories.

Arinita Sandilya: Leopard Sighted 40 Miles from Taj Mahal Amidst Covid Lockdown; WSOS & Forest Dept. Rescue & Release Leopard in the Wild

While the world has come to a complete standstill due to the Coronavirus outbreak, nature seems to be reclaiming her territory. All around the world, there have been reported incidents of wild animals venturing into cities as pollution levels have decreased, public spaces are lying deserted and human encounters have reduced. This has in turn given animals an opportunity to venture beyond their usual territory.

In India, there have been reports of a Malabar civet roaming the streets in Kozhikode, Kerala, a massive Nilgai (Blue-bull) wandering outside Noida’s GIP Mall, a spotted deer running across a deserted lane in Dehradun, Uttarakhand and even a Leopard making a rare appearance in the heart of Chandigarh city.

A similar incident took place in Govardhan town located in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh earlier this week. A full grown leopard was seen walking on the street, right in the middle of town! It’s not everyday that one spots a leopard in their neighbourhood and the local residents were rightfully worried for their safety when faced by one in such close proximity. 

By nature, most wild animals are shy, and their primary instinct is to avoid contact with humans. Leopards are even more elusive when it comes to confrontations with humans. It was understandable for the big cat to be stressed out and scared as well, after its presence sent out a wave of panic and it rushed to seek refuge inside a culvert nearby.

Taking quick action, the locals alerted the Forest Department who reached out to the Wildlife SOS team operating out of the Agra base, requesting the deployment of a rapid response unit at the location to avert a human-wildlife conflict situation. Equipping themselves with safety nets, a trap cage and Personal protective equipment (PPE), an eight-member team from Wildlife SOS led by Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar, Assistant Director – Veterinary and Research immediately set out for Govardhan town. In the meantime, Shri K Praveen Rao, Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and Raghunath Mishra, Division Forest Officer Mathura arrived on site to access the situation.

The leopard was inside a culvert which made the rescue quite challenging. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]

Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar, Assistant Director – Veterinary and Research explained that operations like this can be quite nerve-racking as the team has to exercise caution while approaching such a large and powerful feline. We decided to follow a more careful approach by using food bait to lure it into a trap cage. After cordoning off the area, the team set up safety nets and placed two trap cages provided by Etawah Lion Safari and Wildlife SOS, on both ends of the narrow culvert.   

According to Baiju Raj MV, Director – Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS, the rescue operation was quite a challenge as it was difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the leopard while also ensuring that it wouldn’t get further agitated. Moreover, the rescuers had to ensure that they were taking appropriate health and safety measures against COVID-19, throughout the operation. 

The Leopard was finally rescued after a 10 hour long operation by Wildlife SOS & the UP Forest Department. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]

After a nearly ten hour long wait, the leopard finally emerged from its temporary refuge, walking straight into one of the cages. Following an order issued by Shri Sunil Pandey, IFS – PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, the leopard was transferred to Saharanpur where it was released in the Shivalik forest range.

Talking about the rescue operation, Shri K Praveen Rao, Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the UPFD expressed his relief to see that the leopard was safe and able to return to its natural habitat. He applauded our team for their timely response and for assisting the Forest Department in the rescue. He further stated that there have been increased wildlife sightings due to the lockdown as usually leopard sightings in these areas is rare.

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO Wildlife SOS explained that the depletion of the leopards natural prey base and habitat due to encroachment and deforestation forces them to seek out easily available prey such as poultry and livestock in human settlements. This often leads to human-leopard conflicts which have violent and brutal consequences for both humans and wildlife.

Over the years, we have assisted the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department with several rescue operations and are grateful for their support. Wildlife SOS is continuing to work round the clock to provide essential service and protect the community and wildlife in distress, amidst the nationwide lockdown.

Smriti Suri: Saving Lives During Covid-19: Wildlife SOS’ Heroes

As the Covid-19 pandemic is overtaking countries, in its wake governments are taking the strictest measures to ensure loss of life is as minimal as possible. To avoid the novel disease that is transmitted through human contact and has no known cure, movement has been restricted with police forces deployed to ensure strict measures. The Government of India has also issued a nationwide lockdown, shutting down borders between states, local public transportation systems including metro, buses, autos and cabs, and all passenger carrying trains of the Indian Railways. In turbulent times however, humanity shines through and heroes emerge; our rescuers continue to be out in the streets every day, providing assistance to wild animals and communities. There is no resting when it comes to conservation and our rescuers embody that spirit. They are dedicated and willing to put their lives at risk to continue to rescue monkeys, birds, snakes and other reptiles in pan India in the midst of the Coronavirus lockdown!

The NGO’s 24 hour animal rescue hotlines continue in the midst of a nationwide lockdown. From injured monkeys to a wide variety of snakes finding themselves in people’s homes to a wounded Coppersmith Barbet, our heroes are working round the clock to provide essential services and protect communities and wildlife in distress.

A 5 feet long Royal snake was found trapped in the IG office! The organisation’s 24-hour helplines continue to operate and have responded to an average of over 80 calls in Agra, Delhi and Vadodara since the lockdown was enforced. In Agra, amongst the many rescues were a Coppersmith Barbet that was found injured in Khandari Colony, a Wolf snake that was found stuck between a door in Sikandara and another snake was found inside a house in Runakta. One cobra was rescued from a storage room in a house in Shamshabad, while one Rat snake was rescued from a doctor’s house in Dayalbagh. A 5 feet long Royal snake was found trapped in the IG office in Baluganj a couple of days ago, and despite it being midnight, rescuers reached the location with requisite equipment within minutes!

A Coppersmith Barbet was rescued by Wildlife SOS.

In Delhi, our teams have rescued 4 Wolf snakes from Najafgarh, Pitam Nagar, Tilak Nagar and Sarita Vihar, monkeys from almost every area of the city, a Black kite from Tyagaraj Marg, and a couple of injured peacocks from Greater Kailash. Apart from this, the team has also come to the rescue of a venomous 4-foot-long cobra that found itself stuck in a scooter by a temple priest along with a civet cat, rat snake and a wolf snake in various parts of the city. Our rescue team in Gujarat has also been extremely busy rescuing birds, reptiles, monkeys and crocodiles in the time of the lockdown! The rescuers provided aid to 10 Cobra snakes, 5 Rat snakes, 2 vipers and 2 Banded Kukri snakes since the lockdown started. Apart from that, the team has also assisted over many bird rescues including pigeons, kites, sparrows, parrots and Koyal. The team has also rescued and rehabilitated crocodiles, monkeys, cats and squirrels in the past two weeks.

The rescuers have been stepping out every day and travelling long distances between locations within the cities. Schedules around the centres have been drastically changed to accommodate the finite resources at hand, while essential staff like rescuers and keepers continues duty on the ground, without resting. Keeping with health and safety guidelines, all rescue staff have access to gloves, face masks, alcohol based hand sanitizers and other necessary equipment to stay safe.

Wildlife SOS rescuers are continuing on their mission of saving every life in need, despite the nationwide shutdown.

These are trying times and it is best to stay indoors and stay safe by following guidelines set by the government. While we are trying our best to ensure no rescue calls goes unanswered, please remember it’s essential to remain sensitive to the plight of people and animals during this crisis. You can support Wildlife SOS’ rescue efforts by donating face masks, hand sanitizers, fruits and vegetables, grains etc. through their 24 hour helplines (Delhi NCT: +91-9871963535, Agra: +91-9917109666 & Vadodara: +91-9825011117).

During Spring and early summer it’s pretty common to find orphaned baby birds, squirrels, and rabbits.

Thankfully, there are rescuers who are professionals and know exactly what to do to help these animals. However, Spring has arrived just as a pandemic is sweeping the world. This means people need to maintain their distance from each other and are not to go outside unless it’s for essential duties. This makes it difficult for rescuers to do their job well and rescue as many orphaned baby animals as possible.

St. Louis Public Radio reports that Wild Bird Rehabilitation cares for more than 2,000 songbirds each year during this time and eventually releases them back to the wild. However, normally there are dozens of volunteers to help care for the birds. Due to the pandemic, they’ve had to cut down to their core group of five staff members. “Volunteers are still helping from afar, answering phones and caring for some baby birds in their homes,” but native bird species must remain at the facility.

Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center is dealing with the same issues. Volunteers usually make up 95 percent of their workforce and now that they are trying to save animals in midst of the pandemic. Volunteers cannot work as they used to, in any organizations, because they’d be endangering their own health and others.

It’s important to keep in mind that many times people think they’ve found orphaned wildlife, but really the nest or babies might have just been left alone in a safe spot for a few hours at a time by their mothers. Please read the Humane Society’s guide to understanding if a wild animal actually does need your help. There are signs to look out for and this is not a good time to overwhelm animal rescues and organizations with misinformation.

The Arrow Fund has an amazing update on a beautiful little dog, and we are so excited to see him on the mend!

Last year we learned about Hemingway, a puppy brought into a shelter in a lifeless, lethargic condition by owners who had no idea what to do with him and decided to surrender him when he most needed help. He was due to be euthanized because he was so unwell and it would cost so much to treat him.

The Arrow Fund, being the wonderful people that they are, stepped in to literally save Hemingway’s life despite already being stretched to capacity. Even knowing Hemingway might not make it because of the awful Parvo he was suffering from, they couldn’t bear to abandon him.

And look what all that loving care and attention, along with vital medical treatment, has done for this beautiful dog!

Hemingway is recovering well. He is still being monitored carefully because of his Parvo and not yet ready for adoption, but look what a difference all that care has made! He’s made himself quite at home with his foster family and is thriving!

Hemingway insists on cleanliness, jumping in the shower in his foster home whenever he can! Or maybe it is more the case that he is truly an affectionate little boy that follows his foster mom literally everywhere, not wanting to leave her side.

Volunteer with the Animal Rescue Team

One of the most commonly asked questions for our Animal Rescue Team is, “How can I volunteer?” Our team has—and relies on—a strong network of volunteers to help us make a real difference for animals in rescue and disaster relief work. We truly depend on them to help us get this important, lifesaving work done.

One of the most common mistakes prospective volunteers make is waiting until a natural or man-made disaster strikes to begin the application process and to begin proper training and preparation for becoming an Animal Rescue Team volunteer. Unfortunately, by then, it’s too late. If you want to volunteer, it’s important to apply before a disaster. If you get everything done early, you, like our many other volunteers, will be ready to deploy when animals need our help.

I can’t speak enough to the impact people feel from saving animals in need. If you want to make a difference, this is a way to do it. I encourage you to start your application today. With hurricane season on the horizon, our team will be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice - The Humane Society of the United States