37 Years After The Chernobyl Disaster, Cameras Show Wildlife Is Thriving Again.

Chernobyl has become a refuge for wildlife 37 years after the nuclear accident

The Chernobyl disaster happened on April 26, 1986. The city of Pripyat was evacuated, but animals remained in the area. Over 37 years later, some species have thrived, others have been severely affected, and even new species have been introduced. But how did these animals respond to radiation exposure? What were the effects of living in and around the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone?

The explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine sent a radioactive cloud across Europe. Within weeks, nearly 100,000 people who lived in a large zone surrounding the disaster site had been evacuated, never to return to the poisoned land.

Today, the relics of their past — hollowed-out hotels, empty swimming pools, crumbling farming villages and oxidized ferris wheels — stand in ghostly abandonment across a contaminated region larger than Rhode Island

But time has not stood still. Nature has reclaimed the area, and new photographic data show the 1,600 square-mile Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is now “basically an incredibly large sanctuary” for animals large and small.

Wildlife in the area surrounding Chernobyl seems to be thriving in the radiation-contaminated exclusion zone, according to a new study. Many large mammal populations were found in the area including Grey Wolves, Wild Boar, Red Deer, Roe Deer, Moose, Bison, Red Foxes and Elk.

CHERNOBYL dn28281-1_800 The study, published in the journal Current Biology, finds that a nuclear disaster may be less threatening to wildlife than habitation, reports The Los Angeles Times.

The results show that the exclusion zone supports wildlife, “regardless of potential radiation effects on individual animals,” the study authors wrote.

CHERNOBYL Bison drink on the Belarus side of the Chernobyl exclusion zone These results demonstrate for the first time that, regardless of potential radiation effects on individual animals, the Chernobyl exclusion zone supports an abundant mammal community after nearly three decades of chronic radiation.

The 1986 Chernobyl incident was one of the world’s most catastrophic nuclear disasters. An explosion and a fire at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine released radioactive material into the air, which spread over several countries. An estimated 116,000 people were permanently evacuated from the 1,622 square-mile Chernobyl exclusion zone.

chernobyl-wildlife-camera-traps The study shows that the numbers of wildlife are “much higher than they were before the accident,” according to BBC News.

Professor Jim Smith of the University of Portsmouth said that these findings do “not mean that radiation is good for wildlife.” Rather, the “effects of human habitation, including hunting, farming, and forestry, are a lot worse,” explained Smith, lead author of the study.

It’s just that the effects of human habitation, including hunting, farming, and forestry, are a lot worse.

Smith and his colleagues from the Polesky State Radioecological Reserve in Belarus examined data from aerial surveys that counted the large mammals in the area. The number of these animals “in Chernobyl is similar to the populations in uncontaminated nature reserves,” Smith said.

The numbers of animals we see in Chernobyl is similar to the populations in uncontaminated nature reserves.

CHERNOBYL 6941f354-85f5-47fc-81b8-7d6bfbfe38fc.format_jpeg.inline_yes Most surprising was the number of wolves in the exclusion zone – up to seven times higher than the number on nature reserves of a similar size. Smith attributes this to the lack of hunting – and humans – in the area.

The study of the exclusion zone shows what happens to wildlife conservation “when you take humans out of the picture,” said Smith.

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The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals. We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.

It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.

Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.

After Whales And Dolphins, Ottawa Intends To Ban Captive Monkeys And Elephants.

After Whales and Dolphins, Ottawa intends to ban keeping Elephants and great Apes in captivity in the country “because of the cruelty they represent”.

A new bill, called The Jane Goodall Act, was introduced in the Senate on Tuesday to ban anyone from taking an Elephant or a great Ape, a term that includes Chimpanzees, Gorillas and Orangutans.

Canadian zoos won’t be able to bring in new elephants or apes under new federal legislation introduced this week, except under specific circumstances. Bill S-15 looks to ban all new captivity of the species except where a licence is granted for conservation, research or an animal’s best interest.

“The recapture of any Elephant or great Ape in Canada must meet very strict criteria demonstrating that the activity is for animal welfare, conservation or science,” commented the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault.

Senator Marky Klyne of Saskatchewan sponsored the bill that was introduced on Tuesday. “It is upsetting to know that according to current standards, a person does not need to hold a permit to own a chimpanzee in some regions of Canada,” he lamented to explain the interest of his fee.

Elephants, for their part, are very intelligent animals that suffer when kept in captivity or presented to the public in an unnatural environment, added the senator in the second reading of the law on Thursday.

Minister Guilbeault announced the ban on the import of ivory from Elephant tusks and Rhino horns, including hunting trophies and articles carved from ivory, for which it is necessary to obtain a permit. Few exceptions are planned for museums and scientific research.

**Elephant ivory and rhino horn imports have been banned by Ottawa**

Tightening the laws

The law banning the captivity of great Apes and Elephants is part of a series of laws adopted to better protect animals in Canada and elsewhere in the world.

In 2019, Canada also banned the keeping of Whales and Dolphins in captivity.

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South Korea’s Dog Farmers Protest At Proposed Ban On Dog Meat

**Dogs pictured in cages at a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea. Credit: REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji**

HWASEONG, South Korea (Reuters) – As South Korea moves to ban eating dog meat, many of those involved in the centuries-old controversial practice are fighting to keep it legal.

The farmers who breed the dogs, and the owners of eateries that serve the meat, have held protests in front of parliament to demand the government and ruling People Power Party scrap plans to pass a bill this year to enforce a ban.

**Rescue workers from Humane Society International rescue a dog at a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea. Credit: REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji**

They say banning dog meat would decimate their livelihoods, and also limit the options available to diners by taking off the menu a dish that in the Korean peninsula has traditionally been consumed to beat the summer heat, but which today is only eaten by some older people.

“If I have to close down, with the financial condition I’m in, there really is no answer to what I can do,” said Lee Kyeong-sig, who runs a farm outside Seoul raising up to 1,100 dogs. “I’ve been in this for 12 years and it is so sudden.”

A Gallup Korea poll last year showed almost two-thirds of respondents opposed eating dog meat, with only 8% saying they had eaten dog within the past year, down from 27% in 2015.

Despite its declining popularity and opposition from animal rights activists, previous attempts to ban dog meat have failed because of industry protests.

**Rescued dogs are seen as they wait for transport, at a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea. credit: REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji**

This time, the government has said the proposed ban would give the industry a three-year grace period to transition out of the trade, as well as provide the maximum possible financial support for those affected.

With the backing of the public, and bipartisan support in parliament, there are signs that the ban could soon become law.

TIME FOR CHANGE

The agriculture ministry declined to give details about the size of the industry, but the Korean Association of Edible Dogs, says far more farms and restaurants than those cited by the government will be affected.

The association said 3,500 farms raising 1.5 million dogs and 3,000 restaurants will have to shut down, almost twice the numbers stated by officials.

Nam Sung-gue who has run a restaurant selling dog meat boshintang, or “restoring” soup, for the past 30 years, said the ban was unfair, even though his business is fast declining.

“If they try to ban the food that people have eaten for a long time, that is a wrong kind of law, a law that takes away the freedom to choose what we eat,” he said.

Many opponents of the ban blame it on First Lady Kim Keon Hee, a vocal critic of dog meat consumption who along with her husband President Yoon Suk Yeol has six dogs.

South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee invite the newest member of the presidential family Saeromi, a retired guide dog, after adopting her from the Samsung Guide Dog School in Yongin, Gyeonggi. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Asked about Kim’s influence, an official at the president’s office said: “Both in the country and abroad there is support and consensus, as well as from the opposition party.”

An Byung-gil, member of parliament for the ruling party who is the main sponsor of the bill, also said the time was ripe for change. “Even though something may be part of tradition, what needs to be changed has to be changed,” he said.

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Latest RSPB Birdcrime Report Shows Hen Harriers And White-Tailed Eagles Amongst The Victims Of Continued Illegal Persecution!

**White-Tailed Eagle (G408) found poisoned on a pheasant shoot in West Sussex. Credit: RSPB**

Press release from RSPB (24 November 2023):

Birdcrime report reveals Hen Harriers and White-Tailed Eagles amongst victims of continuing illegal persecution

*61 confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents nationally

·*At least 64% of all incidents are linked to land used for gamebird shooting

The RSPB’s annual RSPB BIRDCRIME REPORT published today details the illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning of protected birds of prey. Amongst the victims are Buzzards, Red Kites, Goshawks, Hen Harriers, Peregrine Falcons and White-Tailed Eagles. All these species are protected by laws designed to help our rarest and threatened species. There is clearly no place for such crimes against some of our best loved species.

The report documents that Hen Harriers, a red listed species, are being relentlessly targeted, particularly in areas dominated by driven grouse moors. Since January 2022, RSPB and Natural England data reveals that 39 Hen Harriers have been confirmed killed or have ‘suspiciously disappeared’ across the UK, with eight satellite-tagged birds being persecuted or disappearing in suspicious circumstances in the same area near Birkdale in North Yorkshire alone.

Two of the most shocking incidents recorded against Hen Harriers include a Natural England satellite-tagged bird called Free which had its head pulled off while still alive, and four Hen Harrier chicks that were trampled to death in a nest being monitored by Natural England. The report reveals that one RSPB tagged Hen Harrier named Dagda was found shot dead in May 2023 on a moor at Knarsdale, next door to the RSPB nature reserve at Geltsdale on which it was breeding. It is unknown who shot the bird, but the supporting tag data is clear in documenting where and when this incident took place. A recent peer-reviewed study by the RSPB found that survival of tagged Hen Harriers in the UK was very low, with birds living on average for only four months. As much as 75% of annual mortality of tagged birds was due to illegal killing associated with grouse moor management. If this relentless killing continues, the future of these rare and threatened birds remains at serious risk in the UK.

The report also highlights the significant case of a young White-Tailed Eagle from the UK Government licenced re-introduction scheme on the Isle of Wight, which was confirmed poisoned on a shooting estate in West Sussex. This was the first case of this species being illegally killed in England since their extinction due to persecution in the 18th Century. On the same estate, three days after the eagle died from ingesting a banned poison, a Labrador dog suffered the same fate after ingesting the same pesticide – Bendiocarb. Frustratingly the police investigation failed to hold anyone to account for these crimes.

**The RSPB Birdcrime report exposes the relentless persecution of Birds of prey across the UK**

There were two successful convictions for raptor persecution crimes in 2022, with both individuals being gamekeepers. Disappointingly, in one case, where multiple birds of prey were shot or poisoned – the gamekeeper received a 200-hour community order and was ordered to pay just £1,200 in fines, costs and compensation. As this case highlights, existing wildlife protection laws are failing to protect birds of prey, acting neither as a deterrent nor as an appropriate punishment for the crimes committed.

This latest report, alongside peer-reviewed papers, intelligence and data from wildlife crime incidents continues to affirm that raptor persecution is frequently linked to land managed for gamebird shooting. Evidence shows on some shooting estates birds of prey are deliberately targeted to reduce potential predation on gamebird stocks and sometimes also to reduce disturbance to these quarry species on shoot days. The RSPB continues to call for the licensing of grouse shooting in England, and following such measures now being introduced by the Scottish Government, to provide a meaningful deterrent to the illegal killing of birds of prey.

RSPB Chief Operating Officer, James Robinson said “Sadly, once again, the report documents the shameful illegal killing of rare and vulnerable birds of prey, an important part of our natural heritage. Given the correlation in location between birds of prey persecution and land under game management, the RSPB is calling for greater regulation of shooting, in particular intensive forms of grouse shooting. A Bill to introduce licensing of grouse moors in Scotland to stop raptor persecution is now moving ahead and we need a similar response in England”.

If you notice a dead or injured bird of prey in suspicious circumstances, call the police on 101 and fill in the RSPB’s online reporting form: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wild-bird-crime-report-form/

If you have information about anyone killing birds of prey which you wish to report anonymously, call the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.

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Louis Vuitton Continues To Fully Embrace The Company Ethos Of Ignoring Animal Cruelty For Profit.

Earlier this year musician Pharrell Williams took on a new role as creative director at Louis Vuitton, and it seems that he has fully embraced the company ethos of ignoring animal cruelty for profit.

**Every crocodile-skin handbag represents the hideously gruesome death of a sensitive animal. Credit: PETA**

Pharrell has just launched a new Louis Vuitton bag that costs a million dollars and is made of crocodile skin. This bag is not only a symbol of the most grotesque, tone-deaf aspects of extreme wealth and privilege, it is also the product of the torture and death of innocent animals.

This embarrassing choice comes on the heels of Gucci, in partnership with ethical superstar Billie Eilish, announcing the release of their classic 1955 Horsebit bag made from a next-gen vegan leather, proving that high-fashion can and should change with the times. Meanwhile Louis Vuitton is stuck in the past ignoring compassion and common sense and completely missing the moment.

**Pharrell Williams with the £1m bag made of crocodile skins**

Every year, more than 30,000 crocodiles are violently killed in Vietnam just so that out of touch clothing brands like Louis Vuitton can use their skins to make wallets, shoes, and handbags. These helpless animals endure horrific living conditions crowded into small, barren, tanks and cages for months or even a few years before they are killed. Crocodiles can live for 60 years in the wild, but in the name of old-fashioned fashion they are killed before they even reach the age of two. These ancient, feeling, creatures often have their throats cut and their spinal cords severed but continue to remain conscious as they are skinned alive, suffering unimaginable agony.

**Every year, more than 30,000 Crocodiles are killed for the fashion industry**

Over 20 major fashion brands, including luxury designers like Chanel and Vivian Westwood have made the ethical decision to stop using exotic animal skins in their products, but Louis Vuitton continues to be on the wrong side of history and continues to profit off of the suffering and abuse of these animals.

Please Join Species Unite in letting Louis Vuitton know there is nothing luxurious or fashionable about animal cruelty.

Sign the petition here: Tell Louis Vuitton to Stop Torturing Crocodiles

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South Korea Plans To BAN Eating Dogs By 2027: Animal Groups Praise ‘Historic Announcement’ As ‘A Dream Come True’.

South Korea aims to ban eating dog meat and put an end to the controversy over the ancient custom amid growing awareness of animal rights, a ruling party policy chief said on Friday.

The Korean practice of eating dog meat has drawn criticism from overseas for its cruelty but there has also been increasing opposition at home, particularly from the younger generation.

“It is time to put an end to social conflicts and controversies around dog meat consumption through the enactment of a special act to end it,” Yu Eui-dong, policy chief of the ruling People Power Party, said at a meeting with government officials and animal rights activists.

The government and ruling party would introduce a bill this year to enforce a ban, Yu said, adding that with expected bipartisan support, the bill should sail through parliament.

Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun told the meeting the government would implement a ban quickly and provide the maximum possible support for those in the dog meat industry to close their businesses.

First lady Kim Keon Hee has been a vocal critic of dog meat consumption and, along with her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, has adopted stray dogs.

Anti-dog meat bills have failed in the past because of protests by those involved in the industry, and worry about the livelihoods of farmers and restaurant owners.

The proposed ban will include a three-year grace period and financial support for businesses to transition out of the trade.

Eating dog meat has been an age-old practice on the Korean peninsula and is seen as a way to beat the summer heat.

But it is much less common than it used to be in South Korea, though it is still eaten by some older people and served in certain restaurants.

Animal rights groups welcomed the prospect of a ban. “A dream come true for all of us who have campaigned so hard to end this cruelty,” Humane Society International said in a statement.

There are about dog 1,150 breeding farms, 34 slaughter houses, 219 distribution companies, and some 1,600 restaurants serving dog, according to government data.

A Gallup Korea poll last year showed 64% opposed dog meat consumption. The survey found only 8% of respondents had eaten dog within the past year, down from 27% in 2015.

Reporting by Ju-min Park (Reuters).

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Wolf Cull Begins In Estonia: Conservationists Fear It Could Wipe Out 50% Of The Population

Concerns have been raised that the science behind the killing is untenable, and that killing Wolves could lead to harmful behavior against humans.

Estonia has once again begun culling its Wolf population.

A certain number of Wolves are killed every year in the Baltic country, although this time conservationists are worried.

Estonia’s environment agency has set the killing quota at 144, claiming there are more wolves in the country than conservation plans allow.

However, Wolf researcher Maris Hindrikson at the University of Tartu told Euronews that he and fellow scientists are “not convinced” about their data.

She claims that Wolf populations are being counted based on “old-fashioned” and “messy” techniques – such as hunter observations – that may not accurately reflect their numbers.

This means that the killing quota may be much higher, given the already threatened species under even more strain.

“The problem is we don’t know how many Wolves there are,” Hindrickson says, estimating that the cull could wipe out 30 percent to 50 percent of the country’s entire Wolf population.

In a statement sent to Euronews, the Estonian Environment Agency said its “method was in use in Nordic countries such as Sweden, Finland and Norway.”

“We find the current methodology comprehensive, objective and reasonable,” he said.

Even though Wolf numbers have recovered in recent years, their total number is considered “stable/decreasing” by the International Wolf Centre. Estimates put their total population at between 150 – 300 in Estonia.

Officials claim their culling is necessary because Wolves attack livestock, especially sheep, causing economic losses to the country’s farmers.

According to the Environmental Board of Estonia (Keskonamet), a total of 946 sheep were killed by predatory Wolves in 2022.

It said the figure has crossed 1,100 this year, with several weeks left for 2023.

One particularly grizzly attack at a farm in southeastern Tartu County killed an entire breeding flock of more than a dozen ewes in October, with farmer Rein Mirka telling Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) the incident had cost him between €15,000 to €20,000.

Hindrickson still questions whether killing is the best approach to the problem. “Science has always shown that culling doesn’t actually help reduce sheep deaths”.

As habitats are destroyed – limiting available food resources – Hindrickson claims lethal solutions could be counterproductive, driving Wolves to prey on livestock in the first place.

Killing is a really big problem because it destroys herds. Wolves are very social animals and we know that large packs hunt larger animals such as deer. But generally, small herds seek out smaller prey because they cannot develop cooperative methods of hunting,” she explains.

The researcher says another problem is that when older Wolves are killed younger Wolves do not experience and learn more complex hunting strategies, meaning they resort to eating livestock. . Hindrickson likens it to “fast food” for wolves.

“What I’m against is killing that kills a lot of wolves. We don’t really know how many wolves we have and what impact actually killing them has. It seems like they create a pattern Where we kill so many wolves, they affect how the herds are structured, they go after the sheep, then sheep attacks increase. So then people say yes, sheep are in danger. Please more wolves. kill.

“It’s a continuous cycle,” she adds.

Better alternatives Hindrikson proposes are “ensuring adequate numbers of natural prey in the wild”, such as Deer and Wild Boar, and taking steps to deter Wolves.

“Farmers should build more fences and get guard dogs to scare off Wolves. This is something that has worked all over Europe. We get news of a sheep attack, but often farmers haven’t prevented a thing. We always blame the Wolves, it is easy, but actually, people do everything.

“Prevention and making society understand where this problem comes from and how to mitigate it are very important,” she continues.

**Bizarrely, in 2018 Estonia chose the Wolf as their national animal and symbol of Estonian nature and culture.**

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A Poacher’s Attack: Through The Eyes Of A Rhino Calf

As the number of Rhinos killed by poachers keep rising and more traumatized orphaned calves are in need of care, Kirsten Everett, a volunteer at Nikela, takes us on a touching journey as she looks at the horrors of a poacher attack though the eyes of a young Rhino calf.

LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA: Karen Trendler cares for Ntombi, a two-month old White Rhino. Ntombi survived a brutal attack, when poachers killed her mother earlier in the week. She sustained severe head injuries and was cared for in a rhino orphanage. Credit: Kevin Sutherland.

“My mother and I were contently filling our hungry stomachs when we heard a strange noise. I carried on eating but she smelt the air for unknown scents. I saw the terrified look in her eye before she managed to control it; the unnatural smell meant something. A few minutes later we heard the ‘whop, whop’ of a metal monster flying closer towards us. Just when my mother focussed on it the men crept out of the bushes with a crunch of sticks. Something seemed to hit her and she grunted in surprise. The birds abandoned their posts heading away from the danger. I stood helplessly as she tried to run but ended up falling to the ground. The men surrounded her and tried to chase me away. I ran forward scared enough to not care about the men as they had done something to my mother, I needed her and they must go away.

Out of nowhere one of the big men spun on me and hit me hard with something sharp. Blood oozed from my wound as my mother answered my cry for help with a weak beg, ‘Away, away’. I backed away nursing my wound, how could I get to her?? She grunted again so I didn’t give up. I ran forward again but this time the angry man was merciless, determined to get his message across. As quietly as possible I took the cuts to my poor head trying not to worry my mother even more.

Confused I backed away into the bushes calling to her to get up, but the eerie silence dragged on and she didn’t move a muscle. Fear glued me to the floor as I felt my young heart pulsing with anger and fear. A breeze blew, as I waited for the monsters to go so I could go to my poor mommy and find out what was wrong. My heart skipped a beat when I realised this was what my cousin had gone through only a full moon ago. It was terrible, my body couldn’t stop shaking and I couldn’t think clearly, I felt lightheaded from all my blood loss.

Finally when the monsters left I ran to her side, ‘Mom wake up.’ My voice cracked with emotion but still she didn’t respond. I took a step back and saw the pool of blood. Her horn had been brutally cut off and she lay lifeless. Above me a crow flew over.

I turned to run then I asked myself some important questions… where would I go? I wasn’t old enough to know the way to the dam yet. Who would protect me from predators? The truth was that I wasn’t strong enough to survive by myself yet. Would I be with my mother in the sky sooner than I thought? The last question scared me the most; out in the wild without my mother I might just be able to survive a week.

I heard the snap of a twig, I wasn’t alone. This time I didn’t have the strength to care what these humans wanted with me. I collapsed and slept for a few hours. I was almost completely unconscious though I sensed kindness near me. Too traumatised to do anything I lay as they treated my wounds. The people who tried to comfort me planted a seed of hope. Hope that I could survive and hope that the rest of the human race would come to its senses and help my species and all the others out there”.

Let’s stop the babies’ cries! Let’s Save The Last Rhin0!

Written by Kirsten Everett. Based loosely on the story of “Ntombi” who was rescued by Karen Trendler and her team.

Ntombi bears the poacher’s scars

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Vet’s Heartbreaking Plea After Dog Cries For Owner While Being Put To Sleep

Many choose to stay at their dog’s side in their final moments, however some fear ‘tarnishing’ the last memory of their four-legged friend by remaining in the room.

**A vet has urged owners to stay in the room while their pet in their final moments.**

Nothing can prepare you for the last goodbye to a family pet. Many choose to stay at their dog’s side in their final moments, however for some the situation is too painful, and they fear ‘tarnishing’ the last memory of their four-legged friend by remaining in the room as they are put to sleep.

But a vet has issued a heartbreaking plea to owners after a truly devastating experience with one dog. Taking to Reddit, the woman urged owners not to leave their pets as they are put to sleep after the harrowing situation left her ‘in tears for weeks’.

She said: “I will always try to give grace and save my judgements on how people are able to deal with grief because everyone is different, but it is depressing to have a dog spending it’s final moments looking for where their owner went. I feel like it’s the very last comfort you can give your friend, just being there by their side to comfort them.

“We had one recently that hit me hard, I just wish it could have ended differently.”

xplaining how the owner stepped out into the hallway while their dog took their final breath, she said the poor pooch tried to follow his master before his medication hit him. She added: “I am not judging the owner’s emotional capacity for grief and I am not saying the dog died thinking ‘omg I’m dying alone’. I’m not even talking about the actual euthanasia, but the moments leading to it.

**The vet said staying with your pet as they are put to sleep is the “very last comfort you can give your friend”**.

“For those of you saying dogs ‘just think their owners stepped out for a moment’ are missing it. Even if that was the case, they still stress out.

“This dog we euthanised literally tried so hard to walk himself out the front door with his leash after his owners left and continued to cry and stress out until the Propofol got him. We did our jobs and gave all the treats and love, but the focus was always ‘where did they go?’

“Say what you want, I just think it’s a bummer that those were his final moments. He was a really good boy and I wish he could have been more relaxed because I think he deserved it.”

While most users agreed owners should stay in the room no matter how painful it is for them, other vets tried to explain how it is simply just too much for some people to handle. One vet explained: “I used to work at a clinic that did boarding, and we had one where an elderly boarder wasn’t doing well and the owner couldn’t get back in time to be there.

“The poor lady was literally on a plane that had just taken off on her way to her grandson’s graduation when we called. We all felt so bad so we made sure to all love on this elderly golden retriever extra because it was so sad.

“I still remember this cute little old dog to this day. That was one I definitely understood why the owner couldn’t be there.

Nothing can prepare you for the last goodbye.

“But on the same coin, not everyone can handle seeing death the way we do, especially when it’s a loved one. So I can certainly understand why someone can’t be there when their pet is euthanised.

“But it does suck for the animal, but we just make sure to give them the extra love they need before they pass on. The main thing is that you’re helping them be free from pain, and that’s the most important part.”

Another vet said: “I used to be very judgemental of this but now I’m a few more years into the field, I’m much more understanding.

“Not everyone can handle seeing the moment of death happen. I mean there’s a reason relatives and visitors are kicked out when a human is coding or critical.

“You’re not meant to watch loved ones die. Its easy to forget how well we cope with things as professionals.

“Although I do hate when people essentially hand the animal over and leave without a care, as if the animal was just a nuisance.

I have included this video of the tender moment when Derek (played wonderfully by Ricky Gervais) says his final goodbyes when Ivor the dog has to be put to sleep.

Derek Says His Final Goodbyes To Ivor. Credit: RickyGervais/Derek.

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Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping rescue animals in need.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

‘Animals that use wheels and prosthetics can live as good a quality of life as fully able-bodied animals and this is what we want to show people’ ~ Victoria Bryceson, founder of Miracle’s Mission.

We do not receive financial support from the government or other institutions. We rely solely on donations from generous animal lovers.

Animal rescues cost a lot of money to run. While we get donations and funding through events like charity runs etc, the costs are EXTREMELY high. We need to pay for food, heating and other bills, as well as any staff costs and expenses like petrol for home visits.

The average cost to feed a dog for one month typically costs somewhere from £16 to £50, depending on the breed. Microchipping costs about £10 to £15. The average cost of essential vaccinations is £64. A routine vet appointment costs between £40-£60, surgery can cost anywhere over £1000. Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy – the average cost is £50 for a 30-minute session. Prosthetics and dog wheels etc can cost up to £500.

Please help Miracle’s Mission continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome MANY MORE sick, injured and disabled animals by kindly donating ANY amount, large or small, today. Thank you.

Donate at: https://donorbox.org/miracles-mission

Save The Elephants’ Tribute To Bull Elephant Edison.

An Abrupt End To The Jumbo Life Of Iconic Bull Elephant Edison.

**Edison in Samburu National Reserve Credit: Alice Clark/Save the Elephants**

We are deeply saddened to report that one of our best-known and most beloved bull Elephants, Edison, has died. Edison’s carcass was found in Westgate Conservancy in Samburu, northern Kenya. We suspect his untimely death could be yet another tragic outcome of the rising cases of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) across Africa. Investigations into the cause of death are still continuing. Edison’s death marks the third loss of one of our Samburu study bull Elephants within the span of just under a year. In December, bull Elephants Sarara and Yeagar were both killed in conflict with herders.

**Matt, Samburu’s biggest tusker, who faced off with Edison in Samburu National Reserve, Credit: Sarah Jacobson/Save the Elephants**

Edison was estimated to be approximately 37 years old and in the prime of his life at the time of his death. Born into the Royals family and known to our researchers since he was a teenager, Edison was a feisty wild bull and quite the mama’s boy too. Most bulls venture out for a life of their own when they are around 10-12 years old but when Edison dispersed, he kept coming back to visit his family on and off for the next couple of years.

Edison’s fearless, spirited nature was well-known to many. He was never one to shy away from confrontation, even challenging older and much larger bull Elephants like the late Matt – then Samburu’s biggest tusker who died in 2019. During one dramatic stand-off between the two-testosterone-fueled bulls in 2016, Save the Elephants’ founder, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, got caught in the middle and found himself face to face with Edison who charged his vehicle.

Save the Elephants has been observing and studying the lives of Elephants for more than three decades, gaining fundamental insights into how they behave and make decisions. By analysing the data from Edison’s GPS tracking collar, STE researchers were surprised to discover that while this adventurous bull spent much of his time travelling north to far flung places such as Kipsing, Westgate, Kalama and Ol Donyiro, he would always return home to Samburu National Reserve at full speed when in musth to find mates.

Edison was collared by our team multiple times after his collar either dropped off or the batteries ran out – GPS collars only have a lifespan of around three years. While most collaring operations proceed without a hitch, there’s one incident which is forever etched in our minds.

Our Director of Field Operations, David Daballen, remembers running for the hills during one particular collaring mission when Edison, an enormous bull by then, suddenly awoke just as he was about to be fitted with the tracking device. The whole team, including the vet, had to abandon what they were doing and run for safety. It turned out that the anaesthesia hadn’t fully kicked in and Edison had momentarily woken up. Fortunately , Edison dropped back to sleep and the team were able to complete the mission successfully.

Edison’s last collaring in April 2023 was just as nail biting. Edison went down on his chest, the worst position for an Elephant to be in as they risk suffocating. This time, the STE collaring team were able to push him onto his side and he was again successfully fitted with his new collar.

**STE researchers, including David Daballen (below in this picture ) recollaring Edison in Samburu National Reserve in April 2023. Credit: Gilbert Sabinga/Save the Elephants**

Says David Daballen, “Losing Elephants like Edison, whom we’ve observed throughout their entire lives, is always a profound loss. Their actions and interactions offer valuable insights into Elephant society. By closely tracking and monitoring these intelligent beings, we also gain a deeper understanding of their distinct personalities and characteristics. Edison, in particular, was a bold, maybe even an audacious Elephant, unafraid to assert himself, as demonstrated when he once challenged the venerable Elephant elder, Matt. We will sorely miss his presence in the reserve and following his remarkable adventures.”

Watch the epic confrontation between Edison and Matt below.

Author: Tanya Onserio, Save the Elephants

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