PlanetWildlife Itineraries Promote Awareness of Endangered Species
(PRWEB) May 13, 2012
With renewed focus on endangered species highlighted by Endangered Species Day in the USA on May 18th; the recent release of the film African Cats endorsed by Prince William, and new figures from South Africa indicating rhino horn and ivory poaching are their highest levels since bans were introduced in 1990, PlanetWildlife is promoting experiential group and tailor-made safari itineraries aimed at increasing public awareness and support. Apart from the black rhino of Africa, some of the most threatened creatures on the planet include the Asiatic Lion of India, the Chinese Panda bear (now bred largely in controlled environments), and the spectacular Blue Whale, most commonly seen in the waters off Sri Lanka.
Priced at US$ 2,150/
Categories: Bird Observations Tags: African Cats, Asiatic Lion, Awareness, Black Africa, Black Rhino, Blue Whale, Controlled Environments, Creatures, Endangered, Endangered Species, Focus, India, Itineraries, Ivory, Panda, Panda Bear, PlanetWildlife, Prince William, Promote, Public Awareness, Rhino, Rhino Horn, Safari, South Africa, species, Sri Lanka
The Flight of Cornelius Cockatoo: A Fable for Children and Adults
San Francisco Bay Area, California (PRWEB) May 05, 2011
1997 was a turning point in the life Dr. Stewart Metz. Until then, he had followed the typical route for a physician practicing Medicine in the university setting?seeing patients; doing research in Diabetes; teaching; and Administrative work. Eventually he became Head of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes as a Tenured Physician at the renowned University of Wisconsin-Madison, with about 130 research publications under his belt. But he sensed, increasingly, that something important was missing?and that ?something? was parrots. In 1993, he recognized that passion, which grew by leaps and bounds with the acquisition of China, a very special Salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis). But in 1997, when he turned to the then-fledgling Internet, he found only a striking paucity of knowledge about these cockatoos, which were endangered in the wild. So in 2000, he became a member of the Indonesian Parrot Project (originally called ?Project Bird Watch?) and in 2002 became the Director of the project. This NGO is a small, all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of endangered Indonesian parrots, including the Salmon-crested cockatoo.
This cockatoo is one of the most spectacular of all parrots and is a favored pet bird. However, they can be found in the wild on only one single island in Indonesia — Seram Island in the ?Moluccas?, once called the Spice Islands. These cockatoos have been trapped nearly to the point of extinction. Their continued survival in the wild is threatened by two major factors: trapping to supply the now illegal wild bird trade, and illegal logging (which reduces the number of large trees which provide cockatoos with nest holes).
Although a part of the objectives of the Indonesian Parrot Project is to work with governmental officials in Indonesia to reduce the trapping of cockatoos and other parrots, the current focus of IPP is more on a diversified educational program for schoolchildren on Seram?as well as on other islands and cities in Indonesia. The program is designed to introduce the children to the special parrots of Indonesia, to increase pride in ?their? parrots, and to teach them the basic concepts of conservation. This multi-faceted program involves, in part, DVDs and slide shows to familiarize the children with their cockatoos, and bird-watching outings to see the parrots in the wild –about which they know vanishingly little.
Eleven years later and Dr. Metz is still passionate about parrots and this is the backdrop for his recently published book. The Flight of Cornelius Cockatoo was designed to bring information about the threat to the survival of Salmon-crested cockatoo but in a ?fun? context. The name of the book implies that is it is a fable aimed at children (principally 7-11 year-olds) but also one which adults would enjoy reading to younger children?and even read themselves.
The story starts when Cornelius, a young cockatoo living on the island of Seram, is told by his parents about an unnamed Menace threatening the survival of his family and his friends. As a consequence, he is sent to America, the Land of Freedom, to avoid the Menace himself. After flying to America, he lands on the Statue of Liberty.
And so begins a series of adventures (some hilarious, others more serious) involving a cast of unique characters which enrich this 103 page book. However, each of these adventures is designed to subtly reflect the events both on Seram Island, as well as in some pet stores, and the cages into which these intelligent creatures are held ?prisoner? for their long lives as pets. Eventually, Cornelius? (mis)adventures are interrupted when a letter from his parents calls him back to Seram?
The issue of freedom is a theme integral to this fable. In fact, ?freedom? is incorporated into the name of a Rehabilitation Center founded by the Indonesian Parrot Project for the care of cockatoos and parrots on Seram Island. The Center is called ?Kembali Bebas? which is Indonesian for ?Return to Freedom.?
This Center receives parrots which are confiscated from smugglers by the Indonesian authorities, who, in turn, turn them over to Kembali Bebas. Those Salmon-crested cockatoos which can be fully rehabilitated are then released back into the Seram forest from which they initially were trapped, symbolized perhaps by Cornelius? return to Seram. The first release of Salmon-crested cockatoos back into the wild occurred in March of 2008. Ironically, the care and release of these cockatoos are carried out by former trappers who once took these same parrots from their home in the forest. Thus is completed the ?circle? tying the fictional story of Cornelius to the reality of life in the wild for these spectacular but endangered cockatoos.
By coincidence, this message about parrots and the illegal trade is currently being spread worldwide in the film ?Rio in 3D? .This film sends to our children messages about the conservation of parrots and all birds and respect for our forests. Apparently, these themes struck a passionate chord, because this film is currently #1 at the box office — a fact which ironically reflects the same feelings which had drawn Metz to parrots himself.
A recent book review of The Flight of Cornelius Cockatoo by world-renowned parrot expert Rosemary Low states:
?From the first page you know this is no ordinary book. Its 18 enchanting illustrations of doe-eyed, Salmon-crested cockatoos (made by cockatoo owner Joan Tilke) might mislead you into thinking this is another child?s story book. How wrong would you be! To start with, the author?s prose, written with poetry and fluency, can move you to tears. The tale becomes a poignant one as the author cleverly introduces the reader to the sad but factual fate of so many Indonesian cockatoos that have been trapped, exported and become unwanted — and often abused. The Author is a rare, unsung hero of parrot conservation. He receives $ 7 from the sale of each book, all of which he donates to the Indonesian Parrot Project to conserve Indonesian cockatoos… Please buy this book: you will love it and you will be making a direct contribution to the survival of Seram?s cockatoos.?
The Flight of Cornelius Cockatoo is available for purchase on-line.
Categories: Bird Observations Tags: Administrative Work, Adults, Bird Trade, Bird Watch, Children, Cockatoo, Cockatoos, Cornelius, Fable, Fledgling Internet, Flight, Governmental Officials, Illegal Logging, Leaps And Bounds, Moluccas, Parro, Point Of Extinction, Practicing Medicine, Project Bird, Renowned University, Salmon Crested Cockatoo, Seram, Single Island, Spice Islands, Typical Route, University Of Wisconsin Madison
New Perky Pet Design-A-Feeder Lets The Imagination Fly
Lititz, PA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 09, 2011
For the first time ever, you can custom design a Hummingbird feeder to your own ?specifications.? Perky-Pet
Categories: Bird Observations Tags: DesignAFeeder, Fly, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Feeder, Imagination, Imagination Fly, Lets, Perky, Perky Pet, Pet Design, Pet Feeder, Prweb, Vocus
The First-ever Release of Endangered Salmon-crested Cockatoos Back into the Wild Following Their Confiscation from Smugglers
Pope Valley, CA (PRWEB) April 12, 2006
On March 16, 2006, history was made on the island of Seram, in the Maluku archipelago, Eastern Indonesia, with the first-known “soft-release” of three Salmon-crested (Seram) cockatoos back to the very forest where they were trapped eighteen months previously.
The birds had been confiscated on September 23rd, 2004 when Forestry officers from Manusela National park rescued nine Salmon-crested (Seram) cockatoos C. moluccensis along with seven other parrots and arrested a smuggler from Sulawesi. The birds had been bought from members of Huaulu village (an indigenous people located on the mountains about 20 km from Opin). The subsequent disposition of the birds was relinguished to the Indonesian Wild Animal Rescue Centers (http://www.jaringanPPS.org). The birds were subsequently cared for by Yayasan Wallacea and Project Bird Watch at the Kembali Bebas Avian Rehabilitation Center, located in the Sawai district of north Seram Island.
It is well accepted that Indonesia’s avifauna rivals that of any country on earth. Unfortunately, that same richness has provoked intense poaching which, in combination with both legal and illegal logging of requisite forest habitat, has endangered many magnificent birds and brought some close to extinction. Four of the five world’s cockatoos now listed on Appendix 1 of the Convention on the International Trade in the Endangered Species (CITES) are Indonesian. In a country where high-end business salaries amount to less than $ 2,000 per year, some local villagers participate in the illegal trapping and trading of exotic animals, and parrots in particular, to supplement their livelihood. The result has been a decimation of local wildlife populations, leaving some exotic species such as the Salmon-crested and Sulphur-crested cockatoos endangered and in need of protection.
The decision to release birds confiscated from smugglers, with its attendant risks to the birds and the ecology of the region, received support from the World Conservation Union (2002) as well as CITES (Conf. 10.7, “Disposal of confiscated live specimens of species included in the Appendices”, 1997) wherein it is stated that “returning animals to the wild makes a strong political/educational statement concerning the fate of the animals and may serve to promote local conservation values. However, as part of any education or public awareness programme, the costs and difficulties associated with return to the wild must be emphasized.?
Categories: Bird Observations Tags: Animal Rescue Centers, Avifauna, Back, Bird Watch, Cockatoos, Confiscation, Decimation, Eastern Indonesia, Endangered, Exotic Animals, Firstever, Following, Forest Habitat, From, Illegal Logging, Indigenous People, into, Magnificent Birds, Maluku, Pope Valley Ca, Project Bird, Release, Salmoncrested, September 23rd, Seram, Smuggler, Smugglers, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Their, Wallacea, Wild, Wildlife Populations
Northern California Nonprofit Joins Indonesian Wild Animal Rescue Network
Napa, CA (PRWEB) April 20, 2005
Project Bird Watch, a Northern California based non-profit organization focused on providing incentives to indigenous populations for discontinuing the illegal exotic bird trade, is pleased to announce its recent acceptance as a collaborator and member of the Indonesian Network of Wild Animal Rescue Centers (JaringanPPS). The network includes nine local centers, scattered throughout Indonesia, which receive confiscated or donated wildlife including birds, mammals, reptiles and primates, and rehabilitate them with the goal of eventual release back to the wild.
Project Bird Watch (PBW) is the only affiliated organization from outside Indonesia to participate in the efforts to save Indonesian wildlife, and will spearhead the program for rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing Indonesian birds including cockatoos, Eclectus, lories and lorikeets, King parrots, Great-billed parrots, and cassowaries. Other collaborators on the project include government officials (police, forestry, conservation, and national park) as well as members of releasing programs for specific species.
Indonesian wildlife is at extreme risk from the collective effects of poverty and substandard living, former civil unrest, lack of support from local governments, and extensive logging throughout the region. In a country where high-end business salaries amount to less than $ 2,000 per year, many local villagers participate in the illegal trapping and trading of exotic animals, and parrots in particular, to supplement their livelihood. The result has been a decimation of local wildlife populations, leaving some exotic species such as the Moluccan and Palm cockatoos endangered and in critical need of protection.
Project Bird Watch works to improve the standard of living of local residents in Indonesia through multi-faceted programs that provide salaried work rooted in the local environment, while at the same time providing economic and social incentives for bird trappers to convert to a caretaker role as forest wardens.
According to Bonnie Zimmerman, Vice President of the PBW Board of Directors, It would be a travesty to lose these gorgeous birds and animals because of economic pressures on their human neighbors. But you cant separate the two. Until resident populations see the intrinsic value of preserving local habitat and species, theres little hope of saving these animals from eventual extinction in their natural environment.
PBW had already established a temporary rehabilitation and release center in the village of Masihulan on the Island of Seram prior to the invitation to join the rescue network. The center was designed to quickly house a group of Indonesian cockatoos and parrots that had been seized from smugglers and turned over to PBW for protection. The facility is called Kembali Bebas, Return to Freedom, and plans are now in place with the network to build a complete and formal center in the next two years.
Three Successful Parrot Rescue Operations
PBW has already performed three successful parrot rescue operations in Indonesia with the help of JaringanPPS and their other Indonesian collaborator, The Wallacea Foundation. In September 2004, National Park officers and police on Seram Island, Indonesia, acting on a tip from a colleague of Project Bird Watch, arrested a smuggler with nine Moluccan cockatoos, two Eclectus parrots, and five Red-cheeked Parrots. The smuggler was arrested and sentenced to a little over 2 months in jail. The National Park officials had neither the experience nor the facilities to care for parrots and a number of the confiscated birds did not survive. This motivated PBW to move forward as fast as possible with the development of its own permanent Rehabilitation Center on Seram.
In February 2005, officers of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources came upon an illegal shipment of Rainbow lorikeets and Red lories in the harbor of Ambon, an island just to the southwest of Seram. During the confrontation, the ship owner became angry and kicked three of the cages. One cage opened and all those birds escaped. The remaining lorikeets were confiscated and immediately released by the officers since lorikeets are not a protected species. Of the 25 Red Lories, 11 died from stress. However, 14 are now being rehabilitated at Kembali Bebas in preparation for probable release.
On March 17, 2005, a number of birds located at the Ambon facilities of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource were found to be in poor condition due to the fact that the agency lacks the experience and resources to properly manage confiscated psittacines. PBW intervened and moved the birds to Kembali Bebas, including one Seram cockatoo, two Triton cockatoos, one Citron cockatoo, one Eclectus, one Victoria Crowned Pigeon, one Nicobar pigeon and one Chattering lory. There is also one Purple-naped lory, a highly endangered bird endemic only to Seram, being observed in a special cage. All of these birds will undergo quarantine, rehabilitation, medical testing, and behavioral observation before being released back into the wild.
Project Bird Watch is a nonprofit corporation working toward four main goals: 1) helping to conserve endangered Indonesian cockatoos and parrots, 2) helping to provide sustainable income for local Indonesian villages, 3) serving as a source of information and education about Indonesian parrots, and 4) improving the welfare of parrots in captivity.
The Indonesian Wild Animal Rescue Centers (Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa in Indonesian and shortened to PPS) manages the national program for the rehabilitation and release of Indonesian protected animals. Internationally, Indonesia is one of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Fauna and Flora) ratified countries, and PPS has been approved to develop the wild animal rescue center facilities. A strategic function of PPS is to support the law enforcement effort of conservation of Indonesian protected species.
Board members for Project Bird Watch include Dr. Stewart Metz, President, Bonnie Zimmermann, Vice President, and Barbara Bailey, Secretary. Dr. Metz has been a physician for 32 years and has served in the capacities of clinician, biomedical researcher, administrator and teacher. He left the medical profession in 2001 to lead Project Bird Watch. Dr. Metz is a frequent contributor to Companion Parrot Quarterly, PsittaScene, PARROTS Magazine and LaJoie. His book The Flight of Cornelius Cockatoo: a Fable for Children and Adults is due to be released in 2005.
Bonnie Zimmermann has been involved with parrots for over 20 years, most recently as researcher, educator, rescuer and rehabilitator of both domestic and wild parrots. She has recently worked in Central and South America and Eastern Indonesia, researching and studying endangered parrots in their natural environment. Bonnie produced Project Bird Watchs DVD The People and Parrots of WILD Indonesia and is presently editing their newest documentary project, Return to Freedom.
Barbara Bailey began breeding cockatoos in 1995, but became increasingly aware of the growing number of unwanted and mistreated parrots in captivity. She eventually abandoned her breeding business in order to devote her time to parrot welfare, and in 1998 co-founded the Tucson Avian Rescue & Adoption Foundation in Arizona. She has visited Indonesia numerous times, and is a regular contributor to the Companion Parrot Quarterly as well as a popular lecturer.
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Categories: Bird Observations Tags: Animal, Animal Rescue Centers, Animal Rescue Network, Bird Trade, Bird Watch, California, Civil Unrest, Collective Effects, Effects Of Poverty, Eventual Release, Extreme Risk, Forestry Conservation, Indigenous Populations, Indonesian, Indonesian Birds, Indonesian Wildlife, Joins, King Parrots, Lories And Lorikeets, Napa Ca, Network, Nonprofit, Northern, Palm Cockatoos, Project Bird, Rescue, Salaried Work, Wild, Wildlife Populations
Bird Watcher’s Digest and birdPod Team Up to Deliver Downloadable Florida Bird Songs and Photographs
Atlanta (PRWEB) November 16, 2006
Tapping into the music download revolution, Bird Watcher’s Digest (BWD) and birdPod have united to deliver downloadable Florida bird songs and photographs from http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com. BWD is America’s favorite bird-watching publisher, and birdPod is the hottest bird identification tool for the extremely easy-to-use Apple iPod.
Florida birdJam, the innovative new download of 77 Florida bird songs and photos is a companion to BWD’s popular “Florida Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide” published by Cool Springs Press. The definitive bird songs and vivid photography will help even casual bird watchers quickly identify what they are seeing and hearing.
Bill Thompson, III, editor of BWD, says, “We are delighted to be the first publisher to deliver birdPod bird songs and photographs for easy, fast and economical download from our website. As thousands of bird watchers head to Florida, they can download bird songs and photos to their iPods to study before they arrive, and then use them when visiting birding hotspots throughout the state.”
Multiple calls notes, songs and sounds are included for each bird, along with an image that emphasizes diagnostic visual clues. When downloaded to the light-weight Apple iPod with its unique scroll wheel, birders have quick access to each bird song and photograph, eliminating the need for bulky tapes, CDs or a stylus. Real-time access to definitive bird songs for field identification can be especially helpful because juvenile and adult birds transform visually through various stages of plumage.
Denese Van Dyne, birdPod partner, says, “Bird watchers from novices to experts are serious about using the latest equipment and technology to increase their chances of identifying new life birds. Even Bill Thompson has added a life bird or two to his list with a birdPod. We caution everyone to use their birdPods responsibly because the crystal-clear birdPod songs are so lifelike they can distract birds from other vital activities.”
System requirements to download Florida birdJam include the following: a computer with any modern operating system (Windows and Mac) that supports the playing of MP3 files; any iPod or other MP3 player that supports color photography; current music management system such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, etc. installed on the computer; and fast internet access (not dial-up).
Florida birdJam is priced at $ 24.99. Florida Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide is $ 16.99. Visit http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com to make a purchase. To learn more about birdPod, visit http://www.birdjam.com.
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Categories: Bird Observations Tags: Adult Birds, Apple Ipod, Bill Thompson Iii, Bird, Bird Identification, Bird Song, Bird Watcher, Bird Watchers, Birdjam, birdPod, Bulky Tapes, Bwd, Cool Springs, Deliver, Digest, Downloadable, Florida, Florida Bird Songs, Life Bird, Life Birds, Notes Songs, Photographs, Prweb, Scroll Wheel, Songs, Team, Van Dyne, Vivid Photography, Watchers
Japan Nature Tours in luxury.
(PRWEB) August 26, 2003
Picture yourself birdwatching along a forest clad track in Japan`s far northern island of Hokkaido, soaking in a natural outdoor spa pool whilst watching sunset on Mt. Fuji and enjoying a traditional Japanese banquet served by ladies dressed in Kimono.
Getting maximum enjoyment from a nature holiday does not mean having to sleep in a damp tent or cook over a smoking fire. With Japanese Special Interest Tour operator Toursgallery, you can expect to dine in restaurants on fine local cuisine, sleep in a comfortable bed and relax in private charter coach transportation.
“Whilst our tours do include walking in conservation areas, observing birds and wild flowers, we don’t believe in roughing it at night.” says Ken Osetroff, Toursgallery director.
“We specialise in unique outdoor holidays on which our guests enjoy the very best accommodation in historic inns, well appointed guest houses, spa resorts, and national park lodges. The same philosophy applies to food,” he said “We treat our guests to some real gourmet dining that changes with season and destination. From simple local specialties such as fresh grilled trout to a 22 dish traditional Japanese banquet, all our meals add to the pleasures of the tour.”
Toursgallery has been operating small group special interest tours to Japan since 1983. Each group is accompanied by a specialist guide and an Australian tour manager, in addition to local experts, on subjects that range from botany and birdwatching to gardens and crafts.
These luxury tours with an outdoor theme are designed with senior travellers in mind and do not include any extremely strenuous activity. A Japan Photo Gallery can be seen on the internet at http://www.toursgallery.com. October is the best month in northern Japan for visitors to see autumn colours whilst further south the Japanese maples turn red in November.
Cost for joining these tours starts at US$ 2200.
For more details phone Toursgallery on toll free 1300 307 317 or (07) 3359 6651.
Email: travel@toursgallery.com or look on the internet at http://www.toursgallery.com
Categories: Bird Observations Tags: Autumn Colours, Charter Coach, Coach Transportation, Details Phone, Grilled Trout, Interest Tour, Japan, Japan Photo Gallery, Japanese Maples, luxury., Maximum Enjoyment, Mt Fuji, National Park Lodges, Nature, Nature Holiday, Northern Japan, Outdoor Holidays, Outdoor Spa Pool, Private Charter, Spa Resorts, Special Interest Tours, Specialist Guide, Tours, Wild Flowers
Suite101.com Brings in Birds Author Rosemary Drisdelle to Launch Their New Birds Topic
Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) October 9, 2006
Suite101.com is pleased to announce the addition of a new Birds resource site in their Science and Nature section, authored by Rosemary Drisdelle, one of the latest additions to the Suite101 team. The new Birds site, located at http://birds.suite101.com provides free articles, current information, and hot topics in birding. There is also a blog providing news, commentary on birding topics, and themes relevant to the popular hobby of bird watching.
The site will keep abreast of news items about birds and birding; offer advice on various aspects of bird watching, bird feeding, and getting to know birds; and explore various parts of the world where memorable birds can be found. A discussion area provides a venue for questions, comments, and conversation with site author Rosemary Drisdelle.
The new Birds topic is managed by Rosemary Drisdelle, freelance science writer residing in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Drisdelle will be building the Birds site at Suite101.com for birding enthusiasts from the armchair bird watcher to the serious collector with a ?life list,? to the travelling bird watching ecotourist, and everything in between.
About Suite101
Suite101.com is a private company owned by Burda Media Group, a 102-year-old family-owned German magazine firm with over $ 2 billion in annual revenues, and by four private investors, two of whom are a management at Abebooks.com. Attracting curious browsers in search of answers, news, tips, a good read, or a chat with like-minded groups, Suite101 offers primarily North American visitors quality content per click, covering topics ranging from entertainment, to home and gardening, to business and technology, to world affairs.
For more information about the launch of the new Birds site at Suite101.com, or the addition of Birds author Rosemary Drisdelle to the Suite101 team, please visit http://birds.suite101.com or contact the author via email at birds@suite101.com
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Categories: Bird Observations Tags: American Visitors, Author, Bedford Nova Scotia, Bird Watcher, Birds, Brings, Curious Browsers, Discussion Area, Drisdelle, Ecotourist, Freelance Science Writer, German Magazine, Hot Topics, Latest Additions, Launch, Nature Section, New Birds, Private Investors, Prweb, Quality Content, Rosemary, Suite101, Suite101.com, Their, Topic, Topics Ranging From Entertainment, Vancouver Bc, World Affairs