DAILY QUICK READ - MAY 11, 2016

Just the beginning – Solomon Islands disappearing.

Recently at least five reef islands in the remote Solomon Islands have been lost completely to sea-level rise and coastal erosion, and a further six islands have been severely eroded.

These islands lost to the sea range in size from one to five hectares. They supported dense tropical vegetation that was at least 300 years old. Nuatambu Island, home to 25 families, has lost more than half of its habitable area, with 11 houses washed into the sea since 2011.
Media outlets have been quick to draw a straight line to climate change as the cause, but like all complex systems, it is an oversimplification to say "climate change" and avoid trying to explain the complex interactions that are driving this situation.

Anti-trafficking going to the dogs.

In July 2015, the first class of dogs graduated from the African Wildlife Foundation’s (AWF) unique anti-trafficking program, the Conservation Canine Programme. The eight graduates are currently stationed in airports and seaports in Kenya and Tanzania, working closely with the wildlife authorities to diligently detect wildlife products bound for international travel.

Their success is undeniable. Since January 2016, the Canine Detection Unit’s keen sense of smell has resulted in 14 separate seizures of illegal wildlife products, including not only ivory but also pangolin scales and bushmeat.

Bill McKibben says it’s time to get off our backsides. The moment to act has arrived.

The moment when, oh, marine biologists across the Pacific begin weeping in their scuba masks as they dive on reefs bleached of life in a matter of days. The moment when drought in India gets deep enough that there are armed guards on dams to prevent the theft of water. The moment when we record the hottest month ever measured on the planet, and then smash that record the next month, and then smash that record the next month? The moment when scientists reassessing the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet have what one calls an ‘OMG moment’ and start talking about massive sea level rise in the next 30 years?

Waiting for the politicians to take actions isn't going to save the planet.

Alberta Wildfire – Evidence of Global Warming? Not so fast.

One outcome of the catastrophic Fort McMurray fire is that climate change activists have quickly placed the blame for fire on global warming. The irony of a devastating fire near the site of the world’s dirtiest source of hydrocarbon pollution is hard to deny. But, is climate change really a proximate cause? Probably not.

Massive wildfires in Alberta are very common as this analysis shows.
In fact, fires in the Canadian boreal forest may actually have a cooling effect.


Kind of a "man bites dog" story. Only with fish.

Wildlife officials say a Florida man was knocked unconscious by a sturgeon that leapt into his boat on the Suwannee River during a fishing tournament.

He said it's the first sturgeon incident in 2016. Last year, sturgeon strikes killed one person and injured eight in Florida.

Stichting Leeuw and the Emoya 33

The foundation has Hoenderdaell Estate in Anna Pavlovna built a large shelter complex where felines can be accommodated. The center is a way station for retired circus animals who have to leave the zoo for various reasons and animals rescued from poor living conditions. Lion Foundation works with local organizations in other countries to create big parks where animals collected in (semi) freedom to live. Pure-bred animals, which are strong enough to survive in the wild will eventually be released again in nature. Older animals, animals with medical disabilities and animals of a mixed race will face the freest possible existence in large enclosed parks.

Video of the first Emoya lions to be saved – Masrya and Nero

Get out there and Just Save One.