December 16, 2012

JEFF’S EXPLORER SERIES: SHARKS is out!!

Posted by Lavanya under Animals, Books, Conservation, Jeff Corwin, My Publications
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ImageFriends,

It has been such an amazing year for me! Not only did I get to a chance to write the first ever ebook in Jeff’s Explorer Series on sharks, I also got to swim with a shark (a docile white-tip reef shark) in the Galapagos islands. To top it off, I got to meet with Jeff Corwin himself. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that I would one day write a book in collaboration with my idol. Dreams do come true folks!

Jeff’s Explorer Series: SHARKS gives readers a rare glimpse of the mysterious world of the top predators in our marine ecosystems. Sharks have been on our planet for more than 400 million years, and have even survived mass extinctions. Today, they are facing their biggest threat: humans. Due to increasing hunting for their fins for shark fin soup in Asian markets, pollution and habitat destruction, many shark species are facing an uphill battle and are struggling to survive.

We can all make a difference in helping these beautiful creatures. Whether it’s by getting this book and sharing your knowledge with others, or helping shark conservation groups or simply going to your local aquarium with your children, you will be helping to keep these amazing animals for future generations.

Jeff’s Explorer Series is a first of its kind ebook series and a digital encyclopedia on wildlife. In this first book, you will find stunning still images of ten different species of shark accompanied by never before seen videos narrated by Jeff Corwin, and of course a wealth of information.

SHARKS is available on Amazon, iBooks, B&N and Vook. It can be viewed/read on your e-reader as well as computer.

Price: $9.59 on Amazon and B&N and $11.99 on iBooks.

Upcoming Titles: WILD CATS, PENGUINS, PRIMATES AND SNAKES
For more information, please email me at Lavanyasun@gmail.com
 

October 11, 2012

My Galápagos Adventure

Posted by Lavanya under Animal Encounters, Travel writing, Travels
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Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island, Galápagos

I had dreamed of visiting the Galápagos for nearly ten years. This past September, I was able to finally make the trip of a lifetime. I got to swim with sea lions, hang out with wise old giant tortoises, hike on spectacular cliff trails next to iguanas and exotic birds. I even experienced the thrill of swimming with a white-tip reef shark and snorkeling with adorable sea lions. It was a dream come true for this wildlife lover.
The Galápagos Islands are located in the Pacific 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador on the equator. The stops on the seven-day Ecoventura cruise I took included San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Española, Isabela, and Floreana. Cruising allows visitors to reach remote parts of the islands for best wildlife viewing. The government of Ecuador and the Galápagos National Park, which encompasses 97% of land on the islands, ensure that nature is preserved in all its glory.

To read all about my trip, go to my article on NBC Petside here.

To view pictures, click here.

 

July 10, 2012

A Bird on the Road

Posted by Lavanya under Animal Encounters, Indu
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The downpour had done nothing to quell the heat wave on Sunday. It was too hot to walk my dog Indu any longer. Suddenly she gave chase after a little bird in the middle of the road in my Long Island suburb. As a border collie mix, Indu’s instincts had kicked in as she crept up then lunged toward the animal.

I expected the bird to fly away, but instead the grey colored flicker stood still facing the dog from just a feet away. Surprised, Iquickly grabbed the leash and brought Indu closer to me. The bird didn’t move or make any effort to flee.

A minute or two flew by and the flicker kept going in a circle moving its orange striped head in every direction as if searching for something and trying to convey to us a message.

 I wondered if she was physically hurt, but it turns out the pain was emotional.

“I think the bird is suicidal…” I heard a neighbor taking the garbage out say. “She just lost her babies in the storm,” he added. He heard them all day until the winds came gushing.

Saddened by the look of this lonely lost mama bird, I sat down next to her and explained to my dog what happened. As if she understood, Indu calmly sat next to the poor bird as if communicating with her in a language only they know, telling her she’d be alright.

As we were leaving, the bird flew past us into a parked car’s door twice before continuing her search. I wanted to help, but didn’t know how. I called a friend who does parrot rescue, but she told me to let nature take its course. There was nothing I could do to help her find her babies or ease her emotional turmoil.

Ten minutes later I returned with bread crumbs, but the bird was gone. Perhaps she found her lost babies or recovered from the initial shock and flown away.

Storms now have a different meaning for me. I will remember this precious bird every time I hear thunder.

 

May 15, 2012

Hero Pit Bull Lilly Saves Her Owner’s Life

Posted by Lavanya under Pets, Petside | Tags: , |
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I love pit bulls. They are some of the sweetest dogs I’ve met. 8-year-old rescued pit bull Lilly saved her unconscious owner Christine Spain from an oncoming freight train in Massachusetts earlier this month. The train missed the woman, but Lilly got hit. The wheels sliced Lilly’s front right paw and fractured her pelvis. She was immediately taken to the Angell Animal Medical Center for treatment. She lost her front right leg and had surgery for her pelvis. Luckily, Angell was able to raise enough money to cover her expenses, and she is now well on her way to recovery. A few days ago, the hero pit bull returned home to her loving family.
 
This morning, I got a chance to chat with David Lanteigne who gave Lilly as a gift to his mother Christine three years ago. Lilly has been Christine’s best friend and a constant companion since then. “She’s just an amazing dog,” he said. David rescued Lilly from the shelter and now she has saved his mother’s life. She is a true hero.
 
Pit Bulls get bad press quite often and a recent Maryland law deemed them ”inherently dangerous,” but I am so glad to see a positive story about an amazing pittie for a change. “We have to punish the cause behind these things,” said David referring to bad owners turning pit bulls into violent dogs. “It’s because of these small number of owners, the good owners can’t have these wonderful dogs,” he said.
 
To read the whole story, please click on the picture below-
 

Hero Pit Bull Lilly Safe at Home on Petside.com

 

February 8, 2012

Give the Gift of Hope to Wildlife this Valentine’s Day

Posted by Lavanya under Animals, Books, Charities, Conservation, Inspirational, Jeff Corwin, Sanctuaries, Wildlife | Tags: |
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Published on JeffCorwinconnect.com

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi National Park, Kenya

“The animal kingdom is in critical condition. The affliction isn’t a disease, but rather a crisis of endangerment that threatens to wipe out many of the world’s animal species forever. Ironically, the only species capable of saving these animals is the same one that’s responsible for putting them in danger.”
~ Jeff Corwin 100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth’s Most Endangered Species

It may be hard to admit, but every one of us has played a part in putting the precious animals we share this planet with in peril. The paper we write on, the furniture we use, the homes we live in comes from wood from clear-cut forests, leaving countless animals homeless. The cruises we take leave the oceans polluted and hurt marine life. Circuses perpetuate animal abuse. Tourism industries in many countries rely on the exploitation of wildlife from tigers to baby elephants. Smuggling of exotic animals, and poaching for ivory and rhino horns for supposed “medicinal” purposes are driving the animals to the brink of extinction.

It’s still not too late for us to turn things around. While there are several ways to help wildlife, the easiest is to support organizations that are making a difference to endangered species. For the animal lover in your life, make a donation on their behalf to any of the following organizations around the world.

1. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya – It was wonderful interacting with adorable baby elephants and rhinos during my visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi National Park a few years ago. The reality is that these were orphans and victims of poaching that continues to threaten black rhinoceros and elephant populations in Africa. At the Trust, the keepers raise the orphaned elephants and rhino calves by bottle feeding them and sleeping in their stalls. Once they are rehabilitated, they are re-entered into their communities in Tsavo National park. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

2. Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica – Sloths are simply adorable with their ‘smiley’ little faces and furry bodies. They may be slow, but are quick to draw attention. The sloth sanctuary in Limon, Costa Rica began twenty years ago with a sick and starving baby sloth. Owner Judy Arroyo cared for this baby, named Buttercup, and raised her to adulthood. Today, the sanctuary cares for more than 150 sloths that have been orphaned, harmed by electrical wires or hurt by humans. The sanctuary is also in the process of reseeding critical areas to combat habitat loss. www.slothsanctuary.com/

3. Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee – A documentary by Emmy Winner Allison Argo, The Urban Elephant, opened my eyes to the plight of elephants that were brought as babies to work in circuses. One of the segments of the film tells the story of Shirley, a crippled elephant that suffered at the hands of humans throughout her life. After living a solitary life for several years, she was brought to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee where she was reunited with an old friend Jenny that she knew from her life in the circus 20 years prior. Jenny too was a victim of abuse. The sanctuary is the nation’s largest natural habitat refuge developed specifically for endangered African and Asian elephants. It operates on 2,700 acres and cares for fourteen elephants. To watch the heartwarming tale of Shirley and Jenny, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF8em4uPdCg. http://www.elephants.com/

4. Animal Works in India– Due to habitat loss, animals are increasingly coming into conflict with humans in villages in India. Animals Works is dedicated to educating the public and helping orphaned elephants in the Assam region of India. It collaborates with two on-ground organizations to reduce the human-elephant conflict problem– the Wildlife Trust of India and the Assam Haathi Project (“Haathi” means elephant in Assamese). At the Wildlife Trust of India’s Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, elephants, one-horned rhinos and tigers are rehabilitated before they are returned to the wild. The Assam Haathi Project has developed chilli (hot pepper) projects across the state, to keep elephants away from people’s crops and also give them a high value cash crop that elephants don’t eat. http://animalworks.com.au/

5. Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in Congo – Bonobos are great apes, along with chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas. They are most closely related to us, sharing 98.7 percent of our DNA. They are faced with destruction and degradation of their habitats, and are commercially hunted for bushmeat. Lola ya Bonobo, which means ‘paradise for bonobos’ in Lingala language is situated just outside of Kinshasa in Congo. It is home to 52 bonobos that live in 75 acres of primary forest. Claudine Andre founded the sanctuary as part of the NGO, Les Amis des Bonobos du Congo (ABC) in 1994. Claudine’s reach extends to the rest of Congo, as she works to educate the Congolese of the endangered bonobo, and the danger and cruelty of eating bushmeat. www.friendsofbonobos.org/sanctuary.htm

6. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest – A little closer to home, the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, located on a 26 acre farm in the Cascade mountains east of Seattle houses seven chimpanzees released from biomedical research. We are not the only ones who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. After having endured years of abuse for scientific purposes, Chimpanzees show similar symptoms as soldiers and torture victim. The sanctuary is only one of nine in the country that cares for chimps. Alas, the our cousins can now enjoy peace and spend time outdoors. www.chimpsanctuarynw.org

7. Save the Manatee Club in Florida – Manatees are endangered largely due to human activity, specifically watercraft collisions, ingestion of fish hooks, and entanglement in crab trap lines. Save the Manatee Club is dedicated to protecting manatees and their aquatic habitat. Raising awareness, advocating for protection measures along with rehabilitation and release are top priorities for the Club founded by renowned singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, and former U.S. Senator, Bob Graham, when he was governor of Florida. www.savethemanatee.org

8. Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia – The cheetah is the fastest land animal and is also the most endangered cat in Africa. There was a time when cheetahs lived in almost all African countries and in large parts of Asia, but today they are almost extinct in Asia. Main causes include poaching, high infant mortality and loss of habitat. Namibia is the only country with the largest and healthiest population of cheetahs. The CCF is dedicated to understanding the animal’s biology and ecology so as to better able to manage its sustainability for the future. www.cheetah.org

Let us hope all these animals can win the race for survival with our help.

Jeff Corwin with CCF founder Dr. Laurie Marker and Chewbaaka, ambassador for CCF

 

December 4, 2011

Interview with Melanie Sue Bowles, Founder of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary

Posted by Lavanya under Animals, Books, Inspirational, Interview, Sanctuaries | Tags: , , |
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Melanie Sue Bowles

“A horse doesn’t have to be used to have value,” wrote Melanie in Hoof Prints, a sequel to her book The Horses of Proud Spirit about starting a sanctuary for neglected and abused horses 20 years ago. Melanie and her husband Jim founded Proud Spirit while still working as professional firefighters in Florida. Today, located in Mena, Arkansas, Proud Spirit is one of the most successful and longest running sanctuaries for horses in the United States.

Melanie never backs away from helping an animal in need- whether it’s an elderly unwanted retired horse, a miniature horse with an abusive past or an abandoned emaciated dog- she comes to their rescue. With Jim and Melanie’s diligent care and the comfort of the herd, the dogs, donkeys and horses that find their way to Proud Spirit recover their health, and become a part of their family. The 58 current resident horses of Proud Spirit get to run freely on 320 acres of rolling hills near the Ouachita Mountains, playing in the sparkling lake and living their lives in peace.

During my visit to this amazing place where I spent time in the company of so many happy and much loved animals, I had a conversation with Melanie about the sanctuary, rescue work and what we can all do to help animals.

Lavanya Sunkara: Proud Spirit is celebrating its 20th year this year, and no doubt you have saved hundreds of horses. How did it all begin?

Melanie Sue Bowles: I have to be honest and tell you that I avoid using the word  ‘celebrate’. The fact that animals even need to be rescued can’t be celebrated and I actually wish that Proud Spirit was out of business. But we started the sanctuary because we saw a need; abused, elderly and neglected horses needed a place to go where they could heal. We began with just one horse on five acres of land. Over the years we’ve evolved into an award-winning facility and we’ve intervened on behalf of nearly 400 horses.

LS: What motivates you every morning to do the work you do?

MSB: The short answer is, the horses. The longer answer is that I believe we are most happy in our life when we take the focus off of ourselves- what we have, what we don’t have, what we wish we had- and instead find ways to give back without expecting anything in return. In that regard, I get much more from our rescued horses than they get from me.

Mustang named Journey with the rest of the herd

LS: You treat all animals that come into your life as family, you nurture them, communicate with them and they seem to bond with you right away. What is it about horses that you think most people misunderstand?

MSB: One of the biggest things that most people, even seasoned equestrians, misunderstand or disregard about horses is their emotional well-being. Horses form very strong ties, they become family to one another, but we sell them and trade them and shuffle them around from owner to  owner, breaking up bonded mates and taking babies from their mothers way too young. It’s heartbreaking. Even sadder is all the horses that are forced  to come and go through show barns and industries like Thoroughbred racing. Horses are herd animals, they desperately need each other to thrive, but those horses never even have a chance for that essential bonding.

LS: How do you stay positive with all of the animal abuse and neglect you witness in your rescue work?

MSB: I’m not always positive! Anyone who does rescue work sees the worst of mankind. It can be exhausting. But I think I’ve survived for 20 years in the trenches because I accept that evil has existed since the beginning of time and there will always be wrongdoing. For me, it’s a waste of time and energy to lament this fact, or to constantly question how or why abuse and cruelty happens. I’d rather put my energy into making things right for the lives I’m able to touch and rejoice the successes. When we bring a new horse into our fold we don’t dwell on his or her past or rail on about the abusive former owner. We focus on “right now”… this horse is here, right now, and he is safe and his future is secure.

Lavanya with Jackson and Jim Bowles

LS: I read your book, The Horses of Proud Spirit, and I am touched by the stories. Each time you brought an emaciated horse back to life, tears welled up in my eyes. You are truly a blessing for these animals. What else would you like to see happen?

MSB: We aren’t taking care of the animals already here, and everyone who brings another colt into the world or another litter of puppies or kittens is guilty of adding to the burden. No man is an island and irresponsibility affects us all. Before you breed, or buy from a breeder, consider rescuing an animal instead. Imagine a day when we aren’t sending millions of animals to their death. I would like to see stricter laws regarding animal abuse, but these laws must be enforced. The laws serve no purpose when authorities turn a blind eye to the suffering of powerless animals.

LS: I bet your house is never dull with all the rescued dogs and horses. Any memorable or humorous moments in all these years?

MSB: Oh, there’s lots of funny stories, and I recount many of them in all three of my books. But one incident comes to mind that’s not in the books: One afternoon we had let several horses into the yard around our house so they could munch on the grass. It was a lovely fall day and we had all the windows and doors open. Jim and I were in the den doing something on the computer. Suddenly, we heard, CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP… one of the horses had walked into the carport which connected our house with the barn. We weren’t concerned as there was really nothing they could get into, and we just continued on with what we were doing. Then that distinctive sound of a horse’s hoof on concrete changed. It sounded more like a horse walking on tile. Jim jokingly said, “It sounds like someone is in the house.” We both laughed, not really believing that one of them would walk through the (for a horse) narrow back door. But then we looked at each other and hurried into the kitchen. Sure enough, there was Dancer, a beautiful elderly Appaloosa we had recently rescued, standing at the center island of the kitchen, just as calm as could be, as though he was ready to help us prepare dinner. My first thought was, “Please don’t potty!” My second thought was, “How in the world are we going to get him turned around?” But there were no mishaps and he walked around the entire island for us, and right back out the door.

LS: Any advice for people who want to do rescue work?

MSB: Your vision regarding why you’re doing this should be very clear. Rescue work takes an extraordinary amount of commitment and sacrifice. It goes back to my statement about finding ways to give back to the world around you without expecting anything in return.

To support Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary, purchase Melanie’s books The Horses of Proud Spirit, Hoof Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit and The Dogs of Proud Spirit or make a donation at www.horsesofproudspirit.com

 For my article on Petside.com and slideshow, please click on the links below:

Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary: Animal Rescue for Unwanted Animals

Proud Spirit Slideshow

 

 

 

November 27, 2011

The Invitation by Oriah

Posted by Lavanya under Inspirational
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I’ve been thinking about this inspirational passage by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, and thought I’d share with you all. I first heard it after an amazing yoga class at the Yoga To the People on St. Marks in New York a few years ago. The pictures are from my trip to Costa Rica in 2010 where one of my dreams came true- hiking in a pristine rainforest, getting soaked to the skin and coming alive amidst the lush landscape and the music from the critters that call one of the last wild places home.

“It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own

 if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.”

By Oriah © Mountain Dreaming, from the book The Invitation published by HarperONE, San Francisco, 1999 All rights reserved

 

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