Listen to this show here!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This week we talk with Lesley Fox about the Coyote Culls in Stanley Park, Vancouver, and discuss how we can take action and contact policy makers to help defend wildlife and promote changes to the archaic terms and concepts related to how we interact with wild animals in our city. We also Speak with Miranda Desa about the actions we can take to support Ocean Wildlife, who fight similar battles in relation to conservation policy.
Feature Interview with Lesley Fox; Coyotes in Stanley Park and how we can be effective changemakers for the Animals.
This week we invited Lesley Fox onto the show to discuss the recent reports that an visitors to Stanley Park have been feeding Coyotes which has led to the death of two local Coyotes that were approaching joggers and other visitors to the park. Stanley Park is home to hundreds of wild animals and contains many natural food sources for Coyotes. In Vancouver, we have thousands of wild animal neighbors including Coyotes, Bears, Hawks, and other animals classified as Predators. It is important that we respect the privacy of these individuals and support their freedom to live without the excessive stress of human interference or use.
Lesley talks about how the subject of Conservation and terms such as ‘Management’ need to be reconsidered. We need a complete overhaul in conservation policy. It is necessary for us to recognize the colonial history and use-based language that exists in conservation policy today. Many people support and respect our local indigenous wildlife, however, policies are written and regulated by hunters, trappers, and fishers rather than those advocating for Animals to live freely, not as a means to an end.
During this interview, we mention ways to get involved in Wildlife Conservation that takes a compassionate approach. One local organization seeking interns is Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley. This program offers free room and board to their interns. Interns are encouraged to come for at least a two month stay and learn to wean baby animals, are involved with animal enrichment, and are sometimes present for re-wilding releases.
Interview with Maranda Desa; Last Chance For Animals and the Fight to keep Belugas in Canada
Last Chance for Animals has joined a lawsuit, led by Friends of Animals, to stop the transfer of 5 Beluga whales from Marineland in Niagra Falls, ON, to Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT. It is the belief of both Last Chance for Animals and Friends of Animals that moving the whales out of Canada would take away from the protection of Bill S203 and subject them to breeding at the expiration date of the permit.
Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, will stop places like Marineland from buying and breeding in the future. Marineland in Niagara Falls and the Vancouver Aquarium are the only places that currently keep captive cetaceans in Canada.
The suit was filed against Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Marine Fisheries Service, which approved the research permit that allows Mystic Aquarium to import the belugas from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. If these individuals are translocated, they will be harmed by the trip from their current home, they will be torn from long-term relationships with others of their species, and will be have research conducted on them.
ACR announces the 2021 Global Feral Fix Challenge!
Approximately 1 in every 3 cats that enters a shelter in the U.S. won’t make it out alive. When kitten season reaches its peak during the summer months, shelters quickly become overwhelmed by the high numbers of kittens pouring in – 80% of whom are those found outdoors, born from unsterilized, free-roaming cats. This is the primary reason why 2500 cats are euthanized each day in our country’s shelters.
The Feral Fix program is an annual initiative to promote the spaying and neutering of community cats. Alley Cat Rescue is calling on the veterinary community to provide free or low-cost spay and neuter surgery for at least one free-roaming cat each week. If you are a Vet and want to participate, go to http://www.saveacat.org/the-feral-fix.html
If you would like to invite your Vet to participate fill out this google form to send them information about the challenge!
Animal Justice Academy Update – end of the 4th week
You can still register for the Animal Justice Academy today! You will get access to past week’s content, and will be granted access into a Facebook group of Academy participants. check out our interview with Kimberly Carrol about the Academy https://animalvoices.org/2021/01/growing-activist-in-2021-animal-justice-academy-and-veganuary/
Calling all Gardeners!
it is about time to plant your annual flowers, fruits, and vegetables that bear crops above ground (such as corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini). Right now the Moon is waxing which means that we are approaching the full moon. As the moonlight increases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow leaves and stems! So it is a good idea to try and sew certain seeds before the full moon. After the full moon, consider planting below ground crops such as beets, potatoes, and turnips. Happy planting.
Call for Help on Animal Voices Production
Animal Voices is looking for new team-members! We are looking for people who are interested in show production, doing backend work to help optimize our webposts, show contributors, and media mavens who can help us in post-production. Our only caveat is that you must be kind to all animals, as always. Shoot us an email or connect with us on social media if you are remote or local and want to help out with our show. You can connect with us directly through radioanimalvoices@gmail.com
Remember, the show is going on a short four week break for team development and self-care. Don’t worry, we are leaving you with a curated suit of reruns to show you what AV has to offer from our decade old catalogue of podcasts.