I have a new website
Please change your bookmarks and go there from now on.
It's excellent if I do say myself
The New Family Dog
www.thenewfamilydog.com
Love to all
Kat
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Pet Trade
Below is an article I found on the BBC website. It details the problems that Madagascar has with the pet trade industry. I have told people time and time again DO NOT BUY animals, any animals, from pet stores. You don't know where they came from and how many laws were broken by the middle men to get them.
Love
Kat
Love
Kat
Conservationists are celebrating a double victory over tortoise smugglers in Madagascar.
Earlier this month, a Nigerian man was arrested with 300 tortoises and another 20 have been returned to their habitat after being seized on a neighbouring island.
But campaigners' relief might not last long. The live animal trade, particularly in reptiles, is big business.
The island's unique wildlife, which makes it so exciting for conservationists, also attracts financial interest.
The haul of 300 seized from a house after a tip-off may be the largest in the world, conservationists say.
If buyers continue to exist, then collectors will continue to exist in Madagascar
Felicitee Rejo Fienena
Government official
Collectors could have netted as much as $200,000 (£100,000) for them in exotic pet markets.
"Of course I am very happy that the tortoises are still in Madagascar," says Hasina Randriamanampisoa of the Durrell Wildlife Trust.
"But on the other hand I am very frustrated because it means they are still leaving the country."
Global trade
Eight of the tortoises saved were of the rarest species in the world.
Conservationists believe that only about 1,000 of these ploughshare tortoises remain.
THE PLOUGHSHARE TORTOISE
Latin name: geochelone yniphora
Called angonoka by the Malagasy
Live in clearings in woods near bamboo forests
Gets the name ploughshare because of a protruding scoop under the head
Males use the scoop to wrestle other males during courtship
They also use the scoop to turn the female over during mating
Hatchlings are 3cm long
Juveniles can take 20 years to reach sexual maturity
There are less than 1,000 left in the wild
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has bred 250 in captivity - 40 have been returned to the wild
In 1996, 73 tortoises worth $3m (£1.5m) were stolen from a breeding centre on Madagascar
Source: www.wildscreen.org.uk
They are found in a small area of north-western Madagascar, and the loss of even a small number would be devastating, conservationists say.
According to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the ploughshare will be extinct within 10 years if they continue to disappear at the same rate.
It is a global trade. The Nigerian man, who faces up to 10 years if he is convicted, was found with three passports with three different names from three different countries.
The reptiles could have been bound for rare animal markets in Bangkok, Thailand, conservationists say.
Although tortoises are protected, some species are still eaten in parts of the country, but the real risk lies from international collectors.
To buy a tortoise to eat might cost $10 (£5). To buy one as a pet might cost you $10,000 (£5,000).
"Why do people do it? If you're talking about Malagasy people they are poor, so they can easily be attracted by big bucks from the smugglers," says Mr Randriamanampisoa.
"As far as foreigners are concerned, well I can imagine, some people are so rich they just want something rare in their possession.
"It has something to do with their mind, to possess something that no-one else has."
Cat and mouse
Felicitee Rejo Fienena, who works for the government in southern Madagascar, wants more to be done to protect wildlife.
"If buyers continue to exist on the international market, then collectors will continue to exist in Madagascar," she says.
"Therefore on that point there must be really strong collaboration. On the ground here we're already on alert, we're already mobilised but we must be able to react quickly if we're to get positive results."
The game of cat and mouse between the collectors and the authorities continues.
People trying to protect the tortoises here are wary of advertising the sheer value of the trade for fear of attracting even more fortune-hunters to the island.
On the other hand, if they do not draw attention to the threat the trade causes, for certain species their desirability may lead to their extinction.
But campaigners' relief might not last long. The live animal trade, particularly in reptiles, is big business.
The island's unique wildlife, which makes it so exciting for conservationists, also attracts financial interest.
The haul of 300 seized from a house after a tip-off may be the largest in the world, conservationists say.
If buyers continue to exist, then collectors will continue to exist in Madagascar
Felicitee Rejo Fienena
Government official
Collectors could have netted as much as $200,000 (£100,000) for them in exotic pet markets.
"Of course I am very happy that the tortoises are still in Madagascar," says Hasina Randriamanampisoa of the Durrell Wildlife Trust.
"But on the other hand I am very frustrated because it means they are still leaving the country."
Global trade
Eight of the tortoises saved were of the rarest species in the world.
Conservationists believe that only about 1,000 of these ploughshare tortoises remain.
THE PLOUGHSHARE TORTOISE
Latin name: geochelone yniphora
Called angonoka by the Malagasy
Live in clearings in woods near bamboo forests
Gets the name ploughshare because of a protruding scoop under the head
Males use the scoop to wrestle other males during courtship
They also use the scoop to turn the female over during mating
Hatchlings are 3cm long
Juveniles can take 20 years to reach sexual maturity
There are less than 1,000 left in the wild
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has bred 250 in captivity - 40 have been returned to the wild
In 1996, 73 tortoises worth $3m (£1.5m) were stolen from a breeding centre on Madagascar
Source: www.wildscreen.org.uk
They are found in a small area of north-western Madagascar, and the loss of even a small number would be devastating, conservationists say.
According to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the ploughshare will be extinct within 10 years if they continue to disappear at the same rate.
It is a global trade. The Nigerian man, who faces up to 10 years if he is convicted, was found with three passports with three different names from three different countries.
The reptiles could have been bound for rare animal markets in Bangkok, Thailand, conservationists say.
Although tortoises are protected, some species are still eaten in parts of the country, but the real risk lies from international collectors.
To buy a tortoise to eat might cost $10 (£5). To buy one as a pet might cost you $10,000 (£5,000).
"Why do people do it? If you're talking about Malagasy people they are poor, so they can easily be attracted by big bucks from the smugglers," says Mr Randriamanampisoa.
"As far as foreigners are concerned, well I can imagine, some people are so rich they just want something rare in their possession.
"It has something to do with their mind, to possess something that no-one else has."
Cat and mouse
Felicitee Rejo Fienena, who works for the government in southern Madagascar, wants more to be done to protect wildlife.
"If buyers continue to exist on the international market, then collectors will continue to exist in Madagascar," she says.
"Therefore on that point there must be really strong collaboration. On the ground here we're already on alert, we're already mobilised but we must be able to react quickly if we're to get positive results."
The game of cat and mouse between the collectors and the authorities continues.
People trying to protect the tortoises here are wary of advertising the sheer value of the trade for fear of attracting even more fortune-hunters to the island.
On the other hand, if they do not draw attention to the threat the trade causes, for certain species their desirability may lead to their extinction.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Good Morning/Bonjour
So there is my first word I know. You have to start somewhere :-)
I was studying fish last night. I like the Convict Sturgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus.
I also learned how we will begin to document the corals. We will map out the floor with long tape rulers and then document each coral at specific intervels. This will help the scientists on staff track what corals are thriving and which ones aren't.
This data helps so many people around the world with their scientific studies.
I'm so thrilled to be helping.
Kat
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Study Partner
This is Kayla's idea of helping me study French.
I think I need to find a better study partner.
:-)
Coral Vase for donation
One of my passions is ceramics. My first pieces were made when I was in middle school and from there I continued my training at Rhode Island School of Design. After 20 years of working with clay my designs come forth in vibrant colors and textures.
This "Coral" vase is valued at $1000.00 but will be given to the first donation of $650.00. The vase is made from a high quality porcelain developed by me. The colors are all made from hand mixing powered minerals to custom design each vase I make. The Coral vase stands at an impressive 20" tall. A perfect piece to make a lasting impression on your visitors in your lobby or front entranceway.
How I have started preparing
It's late January and my preparations have begun.
I've started studying up on my French. I need a lot of work. Hopefully my french speaking friends and family will be helping me out as I go. I was working with a client in Providence, RI right after Christmas and got to brush up a bit on my basic skills. They have two small kids who are learning French and English simultaneously so I was able to listen to them teaching words to their children. Yes, it was somewhat emasculating having a four year old child know more words then me but I sure I will move ahead of his level shortly.:-)
I've begun the long list of supplies that I need to obtain for the adventure. From study books to scuba gear to camera and sketchbook preparations I have so much to do.
I'll keep you updated
Please consider a donation to the Kat Madagascar fund. It's a good way to help environmental research and education. You can learn more about the program at
Love to all creatures
Kat
I've started studying up on my French. I need a lot of work. Hopefully my french speaking friends and family will be helping me out as I go. I was working with a client in Providence, RI right after Christmas and got to brush up a bit on my basic skills. They have two small kids who are learning French and English simultaneously so I was able to listen to them teaching words to their children. Yes, it was somewhat emasculating having a four year old child know more words then me but I sure I will move ahead of his level shortly.:-)
I've begun the long list of supplies that I need to obtain for the adventure. From study books to scuba gear to camera and sketchbook preparations I have so much to do.
I'll keep you updated
Please consider a donation to the Kat Madagascar fund. It's a good way to help environmental research and education. You can learn more about the program at
Love to all creatures
Kat
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