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Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer

10,000 Birds

Agonizing quandaries concerning invasive species are well-known to wildlife biologists. The relevant numbers involving cats, the people that cherish them, and the birds (and small mammals and reptiles) that they kill are all too large to mean much; you might as well use the funny word “gazillions.”

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Laughing at you, not with you

10,000 Birds

Not bad given that the 5 families in the inner circle of the laughingthrush family have a combined number of about 68 species. The Hainan version is sometimes considered a separate species, in which case it is classified as Near Threatened. 36, if my counting is right and there has been no very recent split or lump.

San Diego 203
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Birding Hongbenghe, Yunnan

10,000 Birds

I saw two Pitta species at Hongbenghe, both among the slightly less glamourous among the pitta family: The Blue-naped Pitta … … and the closely related Rusty-naped Pitta. The Blue Whistling Thrush is presumably named for its loud human-like whistling, and possibly for being blue.

Birds 147
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Isla Isabel – Mexico’s Galapagos

10,000 Birds

Its amazing to me that there are still places on earth where wildlife is blissfully unafraid of humans. Lastly, due to its previous inaccessibility to humans and the absence of natural predators, the wildlife is bizarrely unafraid of humans, allowing for a truly unforgettable experience. If you like boobies (no giggles please!),

Whales 261
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African Pythons Targeted for Removal

10,000 Birds

Another species of Python, the African Python ( Python sebae ) has established a small population in the 2,877-acre Bird Drive Area (BDA) in South Florida. Photo Credit: Invasive and Exotic Species of North America (www.invasive.org). Pythons have become skittish and take to the water upon noticing the presence of humans.

Pythons 180
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SPECIESISM, by Joan Dunayer, Part Deux

Animal Person

I think of "old speciesism" as analogous to racism and sexism in that it is exploitation based on species. Here are some of the my favorite quotes: In reality, species don't evolve toward greater humanness but toward greater adaptiveness in their ecological niche (105). We want them to be free and independent of humans (119).

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In Harm’s Way

10,000 Birds

All of the animals, birds and reptiles who live there are native species who were once injured, have gone through rehabilitation, and ended up with a permanent disability which prevented their return to the wild. I wanted to say, you are a testament to the best of humanity, and I am in awe of your compassion.