Playing With Nature

Playing with nature.

Cayman Turtle Farm

In Japan, China, South-east Asia, the United States and the Caribbean, turtles are farmed and sold for the use of traditional medicine ingredients, as pets and as gourmet food.

In the Caribbean, The Cayman Turtle Farm (a popular tourist destination) located in the West Bay district of Cayman Islands has recently been under investigation by the WSPA which has exposed disturbing animal cruelty.

The endangered turtles in captivity are living in overcrowded aquariums surrounded by feces, which could potentially result in serious health risks. E. coli and Salmonella have been found within the turtle torch tank waters (anyone who has touched or eaten a turtle from The Cayman Turtle Farm is at risk).

They fight for food and in result turn to cannibalism. They suffer from injuries, diseases and birth defects.

The following video is footage from The Cayman Turtle Farm.

 

 

By signing this petition you are helping put an end to The Cayman Turtle Farm and encouraging the location to transition into an animal-friendly education center.

http://bit.ly/QjuzcI  - The Petition Site.

These turtles will die regardless; whether it is by slaughter or disease, even if the farm puts an end to its production these turtles will still lose their lives in result of humane ignorance. Completely closing down the farm is the only option. Encourage natural/wild reproduction and save the lives of those who have yet to be conceived.

Trees

Photo by Lacy Gillott.

Approximately 93,000 acres of forestry is destroyed every day, resulting in the loss of species that have yet to be discovered.  14% of the earth’s land surface was once covered in rainforests currently that percentage has dropped to approximately 7%.

Photo by Lacy Gillott.

Rainforests provide 20% of the world’s fresh water and 20% of the world’s oxygen. Experts have estimated that the remaining rainforests could potentially be consumed within the next 40yrs. According to http://www.rainforestfoundation.org the earth’s rainforests are home to approximately 50% of all living things on earth

Happy Thanks Giving

TWEED (07/10/12) – Wild Thanks Giving Turkey. Photo by Lacy Gillott.

Happy Thanks Giving!

Hows that turkey tasting now?

The Water Buffalo

These unique mammals are known for producing a rare ingredient used in buffalo mozzarella. Being rare due to their southern heritage, recently water buffalo dairy farming has had an increasing interest in Ontario and BC.

Water buffalo are surprisingly social and friendly.

They originated in South Asia and Italy and there are a variety of different breeds.

The Pinch Collar

Many people believe the pinch collar is cruel and unnecessary. It looks dangerous and painful. Assuming the person walking there dog with a pinch collar is an unfit animal owner. This outlook is not a bright one. Yes, Pinch collars have the ability to seriously harm a dog when used inappropriately but, much like weaponry they were not designed for inappropriate use. There is limited traction on the chain which is combined with specifically angled prongs; this prevents the prongs from becoming close enough to pinch the dog.

The pinch collar is not for every dog and their owner. It should be well maintained ensuring the prongs are not deformed or bent.

Ever been in a car accident that was not your fault? It is a frequent occurrence and similar situations can occur while walking you’re dog. A pinch collar will allow you to remove your dog from a potential aggressive situation. It can also benefit owners suffering from arthritis, tendonitis or other common issues that cause the loss of strength (especially walking a large breed).

In many neglect cases where the dog has survived but now has behavioral issues the pinch collar is an appropriate training method for it is designed to re-enact the mother dog’s submissive bite. Meaning the bite in which dogs use to communicate their role of dominance. A method that is completely natural and humane.

Choke collars have more potential of harming a dog than the pinch collar. Seemingly healthy dogs will develop a ring around their neck where they have lost fur due to any type of collar being left on for significant lengths of time. A collar should only be worn when the dog is outdoors, even permanent outdoor dogs should have their collar taken off at least 50% of the time to prevent hair-loss resulting in skin irritation. Training collars like the pinch collar should only be worn during training, which should never be excessive.

Ultimately it never comes down to the animal or the training device. It is those at the other end of the leash who are to blame for animal cruelty. Any collar can cause harm to an animal. Responsible pet owners prevent harm to their pets by using collars in a reasonable manor.

Deer Rock Lake

 

 

 

 

Deer Rock Lake is located off Ontario Highway 41, it is approximately 5 km west of the community of Northbrook and 5 km north of Flinton. This lake is approximately 7 km long and 1.3 km wide.

Deer Rock Lake has a large quantity of islands ranging from wooded and large, to a rock only big enough to stand on. It cost $5.00 to park your car, launch your boat and cruise to your destination of choice. It is the ultimate family camping experience. Much preparation is necessary for a prolonged visit.

The lake is full of different species. The surrounding land is a preserved conservation area. A thriving ecosystem home to the beaver, brown bear, woodland caribou, white tail deer, red fox, moose and the North American otter.  The lake however accommodates species such as the large-mouth bass, northern pike, walleye, perch, shad, sunfish, and bluegill. This making Deer Rock lake a fisherman’s haven.

Being isolated on an island presents a variety of unique challenges. Windy days can wreak havoc on different things such as meal preparation, the construction of canopies, fire building and could potentially blow down a tent. Rainy days can have a large effect on equipment, cooking ability, fishing, hygiene, campfires and the presence of bugs. Some islands have a previously constructed toilet and no showers. This making hygiene difficult especially during colder seasons. A first aid kit is most definitely necessary for the nearest hospital is approximately an hour away. After several nights of camping and a return home a shower will not be taken for granted. Overall Deer Rock Lake is a phenomenal place to experience Canada at its finest.