Increase in the Demand of Tiger Parts in 2010

I chanced upon this article when my brother picked up My Paper a week or two ago. Apparently, sale of tiger parts in Singapore and many parts of Asia soared in the year of tiger because people deemed it to be an appropriate gift and not to mention the declination of the population has well increased its value. Thailand, China and India has been named as main sources of supply.

There is no scientific evidence that tiger parts contain medicinal value: the penis is believed to be an aphrodisiac and the tiger bone tonic wine believed to be able to cure rheumatism. The paws and pelts are sold as decorative items. Their claws, teeth and fur are openly sold as jewelry.

Tigers are the largest of all big cats, and also one of the most beautiful animals on this planet. However, they are also among the most threatened and vulnerable species on Earth. All subspecies of tigers are listed as endangered on IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). There are 9 subspecies of tigers where 3 have already become extinct in the past 70 years. Out of the remaining 6, South China Tiger and the Sumatran Tiger are listed as critically endangered. Current tiger population is possibly at 3,200.

Tigers are one of the most culturally important animal in the world. They are only found in Asia and it is our pride to have them. In many cultures and nations, tigers symbolizes strength, power, and majesty.

Many governments have stepped in to combat poachers by pledging millions of dollars to fund efforts to save tigers in the wild. Reintroduction of tigers into reserve parks were carried out successfully by the Indian government, and thanks to the Russian government on vigorous anti-poaching efforts, the population of Siberian tiger has recovered and stabilized. Although still listed as endangered, the population of the Siberian tiger has rose from 40 in the 1940s to about 400 in the wild currently.

Let's take the opportunity of the year of tiger to learn more about the 'King of the Jungle'. I have always believe that it is only human that we know what we have learned, and we will only love what we know. If we do not respond to the plight of wild tigers, we will witness the loss of one of the world's most irreplaceable natural wonders of our lifetime.

Reena

CC celebrates Earth Hour too! 8.30pm, 27th Mar

We can all take part in this event together by doing what we're best at! That is to play the role model for the visitors whom we speak to once a month about saving energy and hence saving ourselves!

The actual flow of events tomorrow, 27th March 2010:

(taken from http://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/singapore/?191505/SINGAPORE-GEARS-UP-FOR-THE-BIG-SWITCH-OFF-AT-EARTH-HOUR-2010)

Party at the Park

Kicking-off an afternoon of fun will be the ‘Earth Hour Fun Cycle 2010’ tour. Organised by BAIK Singapore, a group of 100 environmental enthusiasts will ride their bicycles in a show of support, starting at the SMU campus green at 5.30pm and along a 6km route to the Esplanade Park.

Activities kick-off at Esplanade Park at 6pm, starting with a free public yoga session led by Yvette Tee, instructor at Kryoga. Come calm your mind and re-connect with nature before the entertainment begins. For those who want to join in, please bring your own mats or blankets – alternatively you can choose to go barefoot on the grass. Those not taking part can visit different stalls or get their faces painted as the WWF Panda.

At 7pm, the Earth Hour Concert will commence and WWF Singapore will also announce the winners of the “My Earth, My Ideas” competition then. An online competition ‘My Earth, My Ideas’ was launched, encouraging Singaporeans to submit their innovative and efficient ideas on how to lessen the negative impact of our actions on the environment in 80 words or less. The contest has received 250 entries with great ideas on how we can all do our bit to save the planet. The best three responses will be announced and winners will walk away with over S$1,000 worth of fabulous prizes between them.

From 7.30pm, participants and passers-by alike can groove to the beats of a great line-up of musical performances at the Earth Hour concert. This year’s concert will be hosted by Jamie Yeo and will include performances by popular local duo Jack & Rai, Illusionists JC Sum and Magic Babe ‘Ning’ and a special appearance by Earth Hour Ambassador Nadya Hutagalung. Alpha Biofuels, a home-grown company specialising in the provision of fuel made from waste cooking oil supplied by 313@Somerset and Four Seasons Hotel, will be supplying sustainable biodiesel to power this outdoor event.

The highlight of the evening of course, is the big switch-off. Grab your picnic basket and get a good spot by the riverside as the skyline plunges into darkness for one hour at 8.30pm. The Maybank Tower will hold a symbolic countdown to the hour as the lights on the building will power down one at a time, before going off for the remainder of the hour.

Meanwhile, the festivities continue on stage with performances by instrumental act Freedom Percussion, Syltra Lee with Aurigami, Nightsound and Juz B. As the city lights dim, another world lights up above us and participants may also choose to take part in another interesting event - star-gazing session organised by the Admiral Garden Astronomy Club.
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Aren't you excited about it as much as I do? Then don't wait anymore, grab your family members and closest friends to share this moment with. Isn't doing something which you like and involving people around you, gearing up support from them the best feeling in the world? I wish we could have plan this earlier and make it a CC event for all of us but I kinda missed this out.. Anyway, if you take this chance to rally support from your family and friends, it will be great as well!!!

Have fun for CC (earthhour) day tmr, CC fam! :D

p/s: Am trying to get some pictures from my friend since he'll be taking photos around the happenings in Sg during EH and perhaps, we could write up a story and post here or publicise to the visitors on my next duty with Rachel at the zoo duty on 28th:D

cheers,
Angel

Ocean acidification may leads to impairment of olfactory senses in marine animals..

Abstract
While ocean acidification is predicted to threaten marine biodiversity, the processes that directly impact species persistence are not well understood. For marine species, early life history stages are inherently vulnerable to predators and an innate ability to detect predators can be critical for survival. However, whether or not acidification inhibits predator detection is unknown. Here, we show that newly hatched larvae of the marine fish Amphiprion percula innately detect predators using olfactory cues and this ability is retained through to settlement. Aquarium-reared larvae, not previously exposed to predators, were able to distinguish between the olfactory cues of predatory and non-predatory species. However, when eggs and larvae were exposed to seawater simulating ocean acidification (pH 7.8 and 1000 p.p.m. CO2) settlement-stage larvae became strongly attracted to the smell of predators and the ability to discriminate between predators and non-predators was lost. Newly hatched larvae were unaffected by CO2 exposure and were still able to distinguish between predatory and non-predatory fish. If this impairment of olfactory preferences in settlement-stage larvae translates to higher mortality as a result of increased predation risk, there could be direct consequences for the replenishment and the sustainability of marine populations.

Full article can be found HERE for those who are doing research or for in-depth studies (not for leisure reading, HAHA)
Dixson, D. L., Munday, P. L., & Jones, G. P., 2009. Ocean acidification disrupts the innate ability of fish to detect predator olfactory cues. Ecology Letters in press doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01400.x .

IFAW - Taking care of the animals at Haiti

If you feel the passion burning, just do it! I support their cause in helping the animals there.. be it humans or animals, neither will be forgotten.

cheers,
Angel~

Do Dolphins Sleep?

Have you ever asked yourself do dolphins sleep, or how? To be perfectly honest, I have not. In fact, this question was brought up by a 6-year-old kid to me last month.

We all know that dolphins (and whales) are mammals just like us. They are warm blooded and give birth to live young. In addition, they have similar bone structures.

The biggest difference is their respiratory system that allows them to spend 30 minutes or more without needing to surface for air! Many of us must be thinking they have HUGE lungs! In fact, no, the size of lungs does not determine the amount of oxygen that can be stored. Dolphin lungs contain more air cells and have two layers of capillaries compare to human lungs which has only one layer. This increases the surface area of the lungs and therefore increases the efficiency of gas exchange.

Now, back to the initial question. For mammals on land, breathing is an unconscious effort. Our body takes in air automatically. However for dolphins, it has to be a conscious effort because of their undersea environment. In other words, they have to actively decide when to breathe. It is not feasible to be totally unconscious because they need to wake up in time to breathe. Thus this is a problem because brains of a mammal need to enter into an unconscious state from time to time so that our brains can function correctly.

Scientists have studied and discovered that the solution for dolphins to sleep is to let half of the brain sleep at a time. Therefore, one half of the brain goes to sleep at one time and the other is fully aware of its surroundings. Scientists have also discovered that dolphins are in this state approximately 8 hours a day! This is the exact amount of sleep that we are advised to have as well!

Hence, the dolphins are not completely unconscious but still get the right amount of rest it needs.

How amazingly unique God has created all creatures so that they can adapt and survive in different climates and surroundings. I do think that dolphins are one of the most beautiful animals on Earth. Until today, their 'smile' still melts my heart like butter =)

Reena

Flaring up at Pulau Bukom

Read about 'flaring up at Pulau Bukom' at Wildshores of Singapore website HERE to find out how are the refineries (located near Cyrene reefs, Pulau Hantu and Pulau Semakau) are adversely affecting the coral reefs and life in the waters.

There're also many more NAMED reef sites located in the southern islands such as Terumbu Raya, Terumbu Bemban Besar and reefs at Pulau Jong! There's also a new ethylene cracker complex which is built on reclaimed land AND BURIED THE LIVING REFFS OF Terumbu Bayan.

I've included a map of the Southern islands below so that you can get a clearer picture..


We can tell visitors that the areas in the Southern areas are worth protecting. By allowing them to understand their existence and through sharing knowledge, they will realised that these reefs must be conserved; the southern islands must be preserved and should not be replaced for economic development.. I'm sure there will come a time when Singaporeans need to decide again whether such areas should be kept, so why not let's all do our part now and think for the future?

For people already in the conservation 'army', we can experience for ourselves first the fascination of our own shores and transfer the knowledge and love using our passion for conservation to the rest of the people who have no idea yet. One day I'm sure they will see the light for supporting conservation! Start saving ourselves now for a better tomorrow! :D

cheers,
Angel