Gofer Pickers: August 2021

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Best Dolphin Documentaries of All Times

ICYMI: Documentaries are a great way to learn fascinating facts that will stay with your for life. When it comes to learning new facts, adults and kids are tuning to documentaries. These days there are plenty of documentaries on a wide range of subjects including dolphins. Dolphin documentaries are one of the best ways to learn about these friendly-looking mammals that appear like they are smiling all the time. From Netflix and Amazon Prime to Disney+, the variety of dolphin movies is endless. Some of the best dolphin documentaries that we recommend can be found in the below list. Dolphin Reef – This beautiful documentary follows a bottlenose dolphin named Echo. We get to see Echo learn to survive in the vast ocean with his mom Kumu. The Cove – In this 2009 documentary we look at Richard O’Barry former life as a dolphin trainer and his todays focus on keeping dolphins and cetaceans from captivity. We want our wildlife to be just that, wild and free in their natural habitat. While the conditions in captivity have improved a bit, they should never have to be in a limited space without their natural habitat. Blackfish – This is a 2013 documentary focused on the SeaWorld orca named Tilikum. The movie focuses on the treatment of killer whales in captivity and the three human lives list by Tilikum. If you are against whales in captivity, this is the documentary for you. Diving with Dolphins – It took three years for the divers and filmmakers to finish this documentary that sheds light on the fascinating community that live in our oceans. In this film you will also learn about bottlenose dolphin rituals, synchronized swimming while sleeping, and their hunting strategies. A Plastic Ocean – If you thought that you knew everything there was to know about the harm our waste does to ocean life, think again. This documentary opens your eyes to the world we’ve created and how it has impacted our marine life. These are just a few of the best dolphin documentaries that focus of the various cetaceans, their lives, and how we impact them. Whether you love dolphins or want to learn more about these fascinating creatures, these documentaries will open your eyes to the world under our seas. The post Best Dolphin Documentaries of All Times appeared first on We Love Dolphins Blog.
http://dlvr.it/S6Ypz2

Friday, August 27, 2021

Species Profile: The Melon-Headed Whale

ICYMI: The Melon-Headed Whale is actually a dolphin and it’s commonly seen in the company of other species in the wild. Pod of Melon-Headed Whales at the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (Photo: USFWS, Public Domain) The Melon-Headed Whale is actually a dolphin belonging to the oceanic dolphin family; the Delphinidae. Along with other close species like the false killer whale, the pygmy killer whale, and the pilot whale, it’s also referred to as “blackfish.” These creatures prefer to swim in very deep waters so they are rarely seen by humans. The melon-headed whale has a somewhat small and slim, torpedo-shaped body. With a rounded cone-like head hence the name “melon-headed.” Their bodies are uniformly light gray with a darker gray face giving them the appearance of wearing a mask and they have no beak. They also have long pointed flippers and a distinctly pointy dorsal fin; pretty much like the killer whale (orca). Although, out in the wild viewers may mistake it for the pygmy killer whale, it has a less rounded head than the latter so that helps to tell them apart. It may also often be confused with the false killer whale, but false killer whales are much larger. Melon-headed whales are very social animals and it’s not uncommon to see them gather in large numbers ranging from 100 to even 1,000. Sometimes, they strand together. They also associate readily with other species like the Humpback whale, the Pilot whale, common bottlenose dolphin, but most especially the Fraser’s Dolphin. They are not shy of boats and will quickly approach them out at sea. The IUCN lists the Melon-Headed Whale as a Least Concern species. 1) Scientific Name Peponocephala Electra 2) Scientific Classification: * Kingdom: Animalia * Phylum: Chordata * Class: Mammalia * Order: Artiodactyla * Family:Delphinidae * Genus: Peponocephala * Species: Peponocephala Electra 3) Life Expectancy They live for at least 20 years and females may live well into their 30s. 4) Average/Maximum Length Adults can grow up to a maximum of 3 meters (9.8 feet) long. 5) Average/Maximum Weight 275 kg. 6) Maximum Swimming Speed This dolphin is capable of surprisingly very fast swimming speed. Especially when it’s startled. 7) Interaction With/Danger To Humans The melon-headed dolphin is not harmful to humans and will approach boats out at sea to bow-ride after them. They are also quite demonstrative around humans if they don’t sense danger. However, they face some threats from human activities especially from hunting and entanglement in fishing nets. Melon-Headed whales like to spy-hop around humans and will become very demonstrative if undisturbed. 8) Reproduction Details Newborn calves measure 1 meter (3.3 feet) at birth and weigh between 10 and 15 kg (22 and 33 lbs). 9) Diet and Hunting Pattern Of The Melon-Headed Whale They have a particular fondness for squid but they’ll also eat small fish and shrimp. 10) Alternative Names * Little Killer Whale * Many-Toothed Blackfish * Electra Dolphin 11) Population And Conservation Status Available data puts their population out in the wild at about 50,000 individuals. Apart from hunting and entanglement in fishing gear, as mentioned earlier, another human activity that affects these marine mammals is underwater sonar. For instance, back in February, 2009, over 300 melon-headed whales somehow swam into the shallow waters off Bataan, in the Philippines. Consequently, they became stranded though local residents and volunteers were able to guide the dolphins back to deeper waters. In the course of the investigations, they found three of the dead dolphins with damaged ear drums. Based on that discovery, scientists from the IWC claimed the damaged eardrums were the result of nearby high-power sonar equipment used by Exxon Mobil while searching for oil. There are a now a number of agreements in place to protect the melon-headed whale like; * The MoU Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia (Western African Aquatic Mammals MoU). * The MoU for the Conservation of Cetaceans and Their Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region (Pacific Cetaceans MoU). The IUCN lists the Melon-Headed Whale as a Least Concern species. 12) Ancestry and History This species was studied and described in detail in the 1970s. Its closest relatives are the pygmy killer whale and pilot whale.The false killer whale is also one of its relatives. 13) Distribution and Habitat Melon-headed whales prefer to live far from shore in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are most commonly encountered around the Philippines and Hawaii References: 1. http://uk.whales.org/species-guide/melon-headed-whale 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melon-headed_whale Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melonhead_whales_(15159453908).jpg The post Species Profile: The Melon-Headed Whale appeared first on We Love Dolphins Blog.
http://dlvr.it/S6QtMq

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Skinner Falls Delaware River Tubing Adventures

FYI: We finally went tubing at Skinner Falls beach and we loved it! It has been on our list for a while and yesterday was the day we made it happen. We had the whole summer to explore and enjoy the water but never got around to doing anything until recently. After The post Skinner Falls Delaware River Tubing Adventures appeared first on HBTrails Outdoor Adventures.
http://dlvr.it/S6Pnl0

Delaware River Tubing near Port Jervis NY

FYI: Delaware River Tubing near Port Jervis NY The post Delaware River Tubing near Port Jervis NY appeared first on HBTrails Outdoor Adventures.
http://dlvr.it/S6N45n

Lost At Sea: How Whales Lose Their Way Home

ICYMI: Though it sounds strange, whales often get lost at sea. Here are the reasons why. Scientists and researchers have not been able to establish a definite reason as to why a whale could get lost at sea and end up on a beach. Although, there are several assumptions to possibly explain this strange occurrence. Records however show that the phenomenon has been happening since 300BC. But strangely, researchers are now noticing an increase in mass strandings of these creatures especially in recent years. Unfortunately, it’s still not completely clear why there’s this sudden increase. From negative human activities, to natural causes, whale strandings are not pleasant in any way and animal lovers and marine biologists are seriously concerned. Below, we look at the most likely reasons why a whale would lose its way and eventually strand on a beach. Toxins Marine biologists expect that more whales are getting lost due to the increasing levels of man made materials and toxins flowing into water bodies. Such materials end up causing pollution, and large sea creatures end up absorbing them in dangerous quantities. Some of the effects of this kind of pollution includes giving birth to deformed calves and subsequent death. Underwater Sonar A while back, we talked about the harmful effects of underwater sonar on whales. Artificial sonar interrupts the echolocation of most cetaceans. It interferes with their natural brain wave activity, making them to become sick and disoriented. In such instances, the whales have no choice than to move into shallow waters and beach themselves. Some species are particularly sensitive to sonar including Beaked whales, blue whales, and Cuvier’s beaked whales. In fact, the use and testing of active sonar is linked to at least 50 documented cases of mass whale strandings worldwide between 1996 and 2006. You can read this report published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America to learn more about this issue. Or this one by the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute. Several studies agree that mid to high frequency sonar (especially the kind used by the military) is harmful to cetaceans. Tides and shallow waters Tides caused by the high moon (also called the “spring tides”) may hinder the movement of some species like the pilot whales. At first, observers noticed that stranded whale incidents happened more often when there was a spring tide the previous day. The affected animals are left behind in shallow pools when the tides disappear. This observation is noticeable in places like Massachusetts’s Cape Cod and is a function of the fluctuations of the tides. Global warming is also having a huge impact on the earth with increased melting icebergs and record changes in tide level. Another reason is that changes in fish movement may make pursuing whales lose track of direction and end up in shallow waters. Whales colliding with sea vessels Global trade is on the increase and the need to transport goods is high. No doubt, this leads to an increase in the number of sea vessels and the chances for whale collisions. An animal that’s seriously injured after colliding with a vessel will find it very difficult to get back to its home. Diseases and sickness A whale, like any other animal, may suffer from natural sickness and disease and this would definitely affect its sense of direction. Researchers also believe that infections or parasites affect large cetaceans and would make them disoriented. For instance, the pilot whale is known to suffer from morbillivirus, a virus also found in dead dolphin specimens washed up on shores. Another common illnesses is pneumonia. Attack by other marine mammals Large marine creatures like sharks or the killer whale do hunt and attack whales. In the process of fleeing from a predator, a whale could lose direction and become disoriented. Poison from various aquatic species Some sea mammals and plants contain poisonous substances that would be potentially harmful to a whale. However, specific information about a whale poisoning by aquatic animals is scanty. References: 1. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/how-whales-lose-their-way-tides-toxins-other-troubles-2D11701667 2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-whales-beach-themselves/ 3. http://www.whalefacts.org/why-do-whales-beach-themselves/ 4. https://www.forbes.com/why-hundreds-of-whales-beaching-and-dying-this-week/#685ac48b2c28 5. https://www.thoughtco.com/why-whales-and-dolphins-beach-themselves-1203590 Photo Credit: www.depositphotos.com The post Lost At Sea: How Whales Lose Their Way Home appeared first on We Love Whales.
http://dlvr.it/S6MDt7

Pandamonium: How Giant Pandas Became So Popular In The West

ICYMI: Giant Pandas are fast replacing the dragon as the symbol of China to Westerners. Stuffed Pandas At The San Diego Zoo. Giant Pandas – also known simply as pandas or panda bears – are ubiquitous in modern popular culture. Think panda plushies, strollers, accessories, murals, bags, or toys; they are everywhere you can think of. This animal is also one of the first things people think of when considering the wildlife of China. In the eyes of the rest of the world, pandas are fast replacing the dragon as the symbol of China. And, it’s not just on the streets of China. Images of pandas are now commonplace in most urban parts of of the world. It’s therefore interesting to realize that these creatures weren’t always so popular in the West. So, how did they come to be this familiar to Westerners, then? In this post, we’re going to take a look at just that. History Of Giant Pandas In The West Naturally, it makes sense to begin our story with the first Westerner’s encounter with a panda bear. This occurred in 1869 when a French priest by the name of Jean Pierre Armand David recognized the creature as something no one from the Occident had ever recorded. He realized they were similar to bears and classified them as such. He sent a giant panda pelt back to his home country France to the amazement and delight of everyone that saw it. This relation to bears would finally be confirmed in the 1970s with DNA tests. People back in Paris were enamored by the white and black coat of the panda, just as we are today. The exotic appearance of the panda contributed to the popularity of the animal and has helped it to retain it. Unfortunately, the fascination with pandas was so much that in the following decades, westerners began trooping to China to hunt them in order to acquire their pelts. Consequently, there was a steady decline in population; one that the bears are still recovering from today. In another bit of gruesome history, Teddy Roosevelt is considered to be the first Westerner to shoot a giant panda. He performed the feat in 1929 and many believe this spurred on more and more Westerners to hunt the “exotic” creature. Sadly, the “discovery” of Giant Pandas led to an influx of hunters. This, among other things, almost led to the extinction of this animal. Live Giant Pandas In The West This killing trend started to change in 1936, when an American fashion designer named Ruth Harkness traveled to China and brought back a baby panda, which she named Su Lin. She began a campaign to spread awareness about the dwindling panda population. Su Lin was actually the first live panda brought to the West, and with this bear began the modern perception of giant pandas as cute, fluffy and majestic animals to be respected. Ruth Harkness fed Su Lin with a baby bottle, which definitely contributed to the image of pandas as cute, innocent creatures. Ruth Harkness is most responsible for kicking off the living panda craze. Because, after seeing Su Lin, people would travel to China in attempts to encounter giant pandas in their natural habitat or bring them to zoos. Zoos began to “rent” pandas from China for large amounts of money, a practice which still exists to date and encouraged China to begin to try and increase the panda population. Around 300,000 people visited Su Lin at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (where he eventually ended up) in just 6 months. Even the hardened gangster Al Capone! What Makes The Panda Bear So Endearing? One reason pandas became so popular, beyond their physical cuteness, is the idea of them being “shy” and maybe even a little “awkward.” One event that contributed to this perception was an incident involving Chi Chi, a female panda at the London Zoo, in the 1960s. It was very difficult to get her to procreate (pandas apparently have trouble procreating while in captivity). In fact, the zoo went as far as flying Chi Chi all the way to Russia to mate with a male. This mating trip was highly publicized but the plan failed spectacularly. Another reason they are so endearing is obviously their looks – there really is nothing else like it in the world. The black spots around a panda’s eyes make them look larger. That’s attractive and “cute” to humans (think of the way cartoons are often drawn). The way they sit up while they eat, and also have pseudo-thumbs, kind of reminds us of ourselves. The panda is also considered mysterious by Westerners, as it often avoids humans in the wild. Mystery, of course, is fascinating to people. In addition, people are very interested in the giant panda’s apparent obsession with bamboo, which comprises 99 percent of their diet. Hardly any other animal eats that much bamboo in one day – often up to a staggering 30 pounds per day! With all of these factors taken together, it’s easy to see why giant pandas are so beloved in the West. Pandas are a truly majestic, one-of-a-kind creature. Conservation efforts have been largely successful in bringing them back from the brink of extinction. Therefore, we can expect pandas to be around for a long, long time. That would allow us enjoy their antics for years to come. Here’s to the survival of more pandas in the West and elsewhere worldwide! References: 1. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37273337 2. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-12160538 3. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-america-fell-love-giant-panda-180956692/ 4. http://wwf.panda.org/?13588/History-of-the-Giant-Panda Photo Credit: www.pixabay.com The post Pandamonium: How Giant Pandas Became So Popular In The West appeared first on We Love Pandas Blog.
http://dlvr.it/S6MDh8

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Botepon Marine Boat Bow Lights, Red and Green Led Navigation Lights, Kayak Accessories, Marine Safety Lights Battery Operated for Boat Pontoon Kayak Yacht Motorboat Vessel Dinghy Catamaran

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Best Dolphin Documentaries of All Times

Documentaries are a great way to learn fascinating facts that will stay with your for life. When it comes to learning new facts, adults and kids are tuning to documentaries. These days there are plenty of documentaries on a wide range of subjects including dolphins. Dolphin documentaries are one of the best ways to learn about these friendly-looking mammals that appear like they are smiling all the time. From Netflix and Amazon Prime to Disney+, the variety of dolphin movies is endless. Some of the best dolphin documentaries that we recommend can be found in the below list. Dolphin Reef – This beautiful documentary follows a bottlenose dolphin named Echo. We get to see Echo learn to survive in the vast ocean with his mom Kumu. The Cove – In this 2009 documentary we look at Richard O’Barry former life as a dolphin trainer and his todays focus on keeping dolphins and cetaceans from captivity. We want our wildlife to be just that, wild and free in their natural habitat. While the conditions in captivity have improved a bit, they should never have to be in a limited space without their natural habitat. Blackfish – This is a 2013 documentary focused on the SeaWorld orca named Tilikum. The movie focuses on the treatment of killer whales in captivity and the three human lives list by Tilikum. If you are against whales in captivity, this is the documentary for you. Diving with Dolphins – It took three years for the divers and filmmakers to finish this documentary that sheds light on the fascinating community that live in our oceans. In this film you will also learn about bottlenose dolphin rituals, synchronized swimming while sleeping, and their hunting strategies. A Plastic Ocean – If you thought that you knew everything there was to know about the harm our waste does to ocean life, think again. This documentary opens your eyes to the world we’ve created and how it has impacted our marine life. These are just a few of the best dolphin documentaries that focus of the various cetaceans, their lives, and how we impact them. Whether you love dolphins or want to learn more about these fascinating creatures, these documentaries will open your eyes to the world under our seas. The post Best Dolphin Documentaries of All Times appeared first on We Love Dolphins Blog.
http://dlvr.it/S6KdL8

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

GUDE 2 Pieces J-Bar Kayak Roof Rack Universal Double Folding Kayak Carrier for Canoe Boat, Paddle Board, Surf Ski Roof Top Mount on Car, SUV, Van, Truck Crossbar with 2 Ratchet Lashing Tie-Down Straps

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Monday, August 23, 2021

Channel Craft Birchwood and Pewter Audubon Bird Call

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Species Profile: The Melon-Headed Whale

The Melon-Headed Whale is actually a dolphin and it’s commonly seen in the company of other species in the wild. Pod of Melon-Headed Whales at the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (Photo: USFWS, Public Domain) The Melon-Headed Whale is actually a dolphin belonging to the oceanic dolphin family; the Delphinidae. Along with other close species like the false killer whale, the pygmy killer whale, and the pilot whale, it’s also referred to as “blackfish.” These creatures prefer to swim in very deep waters so they are rarely seen by humans. The melon-headed whale has a somewhat small and slim, torpedo-shaped body. With a rounded cone-like head hence the name “melon-headed.” Their bodies are uniformly light gray with a darker gray face giving them the appearance of wearing a mask and they have no beak. They also have long pointed flippers and a distinctly pointy dorsal fin; pretty much like the killer whale (orca). Although, out in the wild viewers may mistake it for the pygmy killer whale, it has a less rounded head than the latter so that helps to tell them apart. It may also often be confused with the false killer whale, but false killer whales are much larger. Melon-headed whales are very social animals and it’s not uncommon to see them gather in large numbers ranging from 100 to even 1,000. Sometimes, they strand together. They also associate readily with other species like the Humpback whale, the Pilot whale, common bottlenose dolphin, but most especially the Fraser’s Dolphin. They are not shy of boats and will quickly approach them out at sea. The IUCN lists the Melon-Headed Whale as a Least Concern species. 1) Scientific Name Peponocephala Electra 2) Scientific Classification: * Kingdom: Animalia * Phylum: Chordata * Class: Mammalia * Order: Artiodactyla * Family:Delphinidae * Genus: Peponocephala * Species: Peponocephala Electra 3) Life Expectancy They live for at least 20 years and females may live well into their 30s. 4) Average/Maximum Length Adults can grow up to a maximum of 3 meters (9.8 feet) long. 5) Average/Maximum Weight 275 kg. 6) Maximum Swimming Speed This dolphin is capable of surprisingly very fast swimming speed. Especially when it’s startled. 7) Interaction With/Danger To Humans The melon-headed dolphin is not harmful to humans and will approach boats out at sea to bow-ride after them. They are also quite demonstrative around humans if they don’t sense danger. However, they face some threats from human activities especially from hunting and entanglement in fishing nets. Melon-Headed whales like to spy-hop around humans and will become very demonstrative if undisturbed. 8) Reproduction Details Newborn calves measure 1 meter (3.3 feet) at birth and weigh between 10 and 15 kg (22 and 33 lbs). 9) Diet and Hunting Pattern Of The Melon-Headed Whale They have a particular fondness for squid but they’ll also eat small fish and shrimp. 10) Alternative Names * Little Killer Whale * Many-Toothed Blackfish * Electra Dolphin 11) Population And Conservation Status Available data puts their population out in the wild at about 50,000 individuals. Apart from hunting and entanglement in fishing gear, as mentioned earlier, another human activity that affects these marine mammals is underwater sonar. For instance, back in February, 2009, over 300 melon-headed whales somehow swam into the shallow waters off Bataan, in the Philippines. Consequently, they became stranded though local residents and volunteers were able to guide the dolphins back to deeper waters. In the course of the investigations, they found three of the dead dolphins with damaged ear drums. Based on that discovery, scientists from the IWC claimed the damaged eardrums were the result of nearby high-power sonar equipment used by Exxon Mobil while searching for oil. There are a now a number of agreements in place to protect the melon-headed whale like; * The MoU Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia (Western African Aquatic Mammals MoU). * The MoU for the Conservation of Cetaceans and Their Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region (Pacific Cetaceans MoU). The IUCN lists the Melon-Headed Whale as a Least Concern species. 12) Ancestry and History This species was studied and described in detail in the 1970s. Its closest relatives are the pygmy killer whale and pilot whale.The false killer whale is also one of its relatives. 13) Distribution and Habitat Melon-headed whales prefer to live far from shore in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are most commonly encountered around the Philippines and Hawaii References: 1. http://uk.whales.org/species-guide/melon-headed-whale 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melon-headed_whale Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melonhead_whales_(15159453908).jpg The post Species Profile: The Melon-Headed Whale appeared first on We Love Dolphins Blog.
http://dlvr.it/S68Tyl

Lost At Sea: How Whales Lose Their Way Home

Though it sounds strange, whales often get lost at sea. Here are the reasons why. Scientists and researchers have not been able to establish a definite reason as to why a whale could get lost at sea and end up on a beach. Although, there are several assumptions to possibly explain this strange occurrence. Records however show that the phenomenon has been happening since 300BC. But strangely, researchers are now noticing an increase in mass strandings of these creatures especially in recent years. Unfortunately, it’s still not completely clear why there’s this sudden increase. From negative human activities, to natural causes, whale strandings are not pleasant in any way and animal lovers and marine biologists are seriously concerned. Below, we look at the most likely reasons why a whale would lose its way and eventually strand on a beach. Toxins Marine biologists expect that more whales are getting lost due to the increasing levels of man made materials and toxins flowing into water bodies. Such materials end up causing pollution, and large sea creatures end up absorbing them in dangerous quantities. Some of the effects of this kind of pollution includes giving birth to deformed calves and subsequent death. Underwater Sonar A while back, we talked about the harmful effects of underwater sonar on whales. Artificial sonar interrupts the echolocation of most cetaceans. It interferes with their natural brain wave activity, making them to become sick and disoriented. In such instances, the whales have no choice than to move into shallow waters and beach themselves. Some species are particularly sensitive to sonar including Beaked whales, blue whales, and Cuvier’s beaked whales. In fact, the use and testing of active sonar is linked to at least 50 documented cases of mass whale strandings worldwide between 1996 and 2006. You can read this report published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America to learn more about this issue. Or this one by the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute. Several studies agree that mid to high frequency sonar (especially the kind used by the military) is harmful to cetaceans. Tides and shallow waters Tides caused by the high moon (also called the “spring tides”) may hinder the movement of some species like the pilot whales. At first, observers noticed that stranded whale incidents happened more often when there was a spring tide the previous day. The affected animals are left behind in shallow pools when the tides disappear. This observation is noticeable in places like Massachusetts’s Cape Cod and is a function of the fluctuations of the tides. Global warming is also having a huge impact on the earth with increased melting icebergs and record changes in tide level. Another reason is that changes in fish movement may make pursuing whales lose track of direction and end up in shallow waters. Whales colliding with sea vessels Global trade is on the increase and the need to transport goods is high. No doubt, this leads to an increase in the number of sea vessels and the chances for whale collisions. An animal that’s seriously injured after colliding with a vessel will find it very difficult to get back to its home. Diseases and sickness A whale, like any other animal, may suffer from natural sickness and disease and this would definitely affect its sense of direction. Researchers also believe that infections or parasites affect large cetaceans and would make them disoriented. For instance, the pilot whale is known to suffer from morbillivirus, a virus also found in dead dolphin specimens washed up on shores. Another common illnesses is pneumonia. Attack by other marine mammals Large marine creatures like sharks or the killer whale do hunt and attack whales. In the process of fleeing from a predator, a whale could lose direction and become disoriented. Poison from various aquatic species Some sea mammals and plants contain poisonous substances that would be potentially harmful to a whale. However, specific information about a whale poisoning by aquatic animals is scanty. References: 1. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/how-whales-lose-their-way-tides-toxins-other-troubles-2D11701667 2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-whales-beach-themselves/ 3. http://www.whalefacts.org/why-do-whales-beach-themselves/ 4. https://www.forbes.com/why-hundreds-of-whales-beaching-and-dying-this-week/#685ac48b2c28 5. https://www.thoughtco.com/why-whales-and-dolphins-beach-themselves-1203590 Photo Credit: www.depositphotos.com The post Lost At Sea: How Whales Lose Their Way Home appeared first on We Love Whales.
http://dlvr.it/S68THM

Pandamonium: How Giant Pandas Became So Popular In The West

Giant Pandas are fast replacing the dragon as the symbol of China to Westerners. Stuffed Pandas At The San Diego Zoo. Giant Pandas – also known simply as pandas or panda bears – are ubiquitous in modern popular culture. Think panda plushies, strollers, accessories, murals, bags, or toys; they are everywhere you can think of. This animal is also one of the first things people think of when considering the wildlife of China. In the eyes of the rest of the world, pandas are fast replacing the dragon as the symbol of China. And, it’s not just on the streets of China. Images of pandas are now commonplace in most urban parts of of the world. It’s therefore interesting to realize that these creatures weren’t always so popular in the West. So, how did they come to be this familiar to Westerners, then? In this post, we’re going to take a look at just that. History Of Giant Pandas In The West Naturally, it makes sense to begin our story with the first Westerner’s encounter with a panda bear. This occurred in 1869 when a French priest by the name of Jean Pierre Armand David recognized the creature as something no one from the Occident had ever recorded. He realized they were similar to bears and classified them as such. He sent a giant panda pelt back to his home country France to the amazement and delight of everyone that saw it. This relation to bears would finally be confirmed in the 1970s with DNA tests. People back in Paris were enamored by the white and black coat of the panda, just as we are today. The exotic appearance of the panda contributed to the popularity of the animal and has helped it to retain it. Unfortunately, the fascination with pandas was so much that in the following decades, westerners began trooping to China to hunt them in order to acquire their pelts. Consequently, there was a steady decline in population; one that the bears are still recovering from today. In another bit of gruesome history, Teddy Roosevelt is considered to be the first Westerner to shoot a giant panda. He performed the feat in 1929 and many believe this spurred on more and more Westerners to hunt the “exotic” creature. Sadly, the “discovery” of Giant Pandas led to an influx of hunters. This, among other things, almost led to the extinction of this animal. Live Giant Pandas In The West This killing trend started to change in 1936, when an American fashion designer named Ruth Harkness traveled to China and brought back a baby panda, which she named Su Lin. She began a campaign to spread awareness about the dwindling panda population. Su Lin was actually the first live panda brought to the West, and with this bear began the modern perception of giant pandas as cute, fluffy and majestic animals to be respected. Ruth Harkness fed Su Lin with a baby bottle, which definitely contributed to the image of pandas as cute, innocent creatures. Ruth Harkness is most responsible for kicking off the living panda craze. Because, after seeing Su Lin, people would travel to China in attempts to encounter giant pandas in their natural habitat or bring them to zoos. Zoos began to “rent” pandas from China for large amounts of money, a practice which still exists to date and encouraged China to begin to try and increase the panda population. Around 300,000 people visited Su Lin at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (where he eventually ended up) in just 6 months. Even the hardened gangster Al Capone! What Makes The Panda Bear So Endearing? One reason pandas became so popular, beyond their physical cuteness, is the idea of them being “shy” and maybe even a little “awkward.” One event that contributed to this perception was an incident involving Chi Chi, a female panda at the London Zoo, in the 1960s. It was very difficult to get her to procreate (pandas apparently have trouble procreating while in captivity). In fact, the zoo went as far as flying Chi Chi all the way to Russia to mate with a male. This mating trip was highly publicized but the plan failed spectacularly. Another reason they are so endearing is obviously their looks – there really is nothing else like it in the world. The black spots around a panda’s eyes make them look larger. That’s attractive and “cute” to humans (think of the way cartoons are often drawn). The way they sit up while they eat, and also have pseudo-thumbs, kind of reminds us of ourselves. The panda is also considered mysterious by Westerners, as it often avoids humans in the wild. Mystery, of course, is fascinating to people. In addition, people are very interested in the giant panda’s apparent obsession with bamboo, which comprises 99 percent of their diet. Hardly any other animal eats that much bamboo in one day – often up to a staggering 30 pounds per day! With all of these factors taken together, it’s easy to see why giant pandas are so beloved in the West. Pandas are a truly majestic, one-of-a-kind creature. Conservation efforts have been largely successful in bringing them back from the brink of extinction. Therefore, we can expect pandas to be around for a long, long time. That would allow us enjoy their antics for years to come. Here’s to the survival of more pandas in the West and elsewhere worldwide! References: 1. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37273337 2. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-12160538 3. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-america-fell-love-giant-panda-180956692/ 4. http://wwf.panda.org/?13588/History-of-the-Giant-Panda Photo Credit: www.pixabay.com The post Pandamonium: How Giant Pandas Became So Popular In The West appeared first on We Love Pandas Blog.
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Thursday, August 19, 2021

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Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Skinner Falls Delaware River Tubing Adventures

ICYMI: We finally went tubing at Skinner Falls beach and we loved it! It has been on our list for a while and yesterday was the day we made it happen. We had the whole summer to explore and enjoy the water but never got around to doing anything until recently. After The post Skinner Falls Delaware River Tubing Adventures appeared first on HBTrails Outdoor Adventures.
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Friday, August 13, 2021

Skinner Falls Delaware River Tubing Adventures

We finally went tubing at Skinner Falls beach and we loved it! It has been on our list for a while and yesterday was the day we made it happen. We had the whole summer to explore and enjoy the water but never got around to doing anything until recently. After The post Skinner Falls Delaware River Tubing Adventures appeared first on HBTrails Outdoor Adventures.
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Delaware River Tubing near Port Jervis NY

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