Sundance and Belle

I'm sure you've already heard about Sundance and Belle -- two trapped horses rescued from the side of a mountain near McBride, British Columbia. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Last September, the owner lost/misplaced/neglected Sundance and Belle (there was a third horse that was never found). The starving animals were found by snowmobilers, and soon a rescue mission was set in motion. For a week, volunteers dug a kilometer-long trench through the snow in order to bring the horses out. They are now housed in a barn, safe, warm and filling their bellies with food. Both are expected to survive. I am so thankful that there are people out there who care so much for the welfare of animals. Please check out this site for photos, updates and stories about Sundance, Belle and the wonderul people who rescued them.

Happy Holidays

I'm taking a break for a week or two -- it's a hectic time of year for us all. I hope you have a great holiday, and a safe and happy New Year.

Lynn

The Lifespan of Animals

Last month, I read about the death of Debby, a 42-year-old polar bear at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Polar bears normally live to about 20 years of age in the wild, so Debby did all right. Though you do have to wonder if 42 years of captivity is better than 20 years of freedom.

So ... how long do animals live? How long does a grizzly bear live? Or a tiger? Or a hummingbird? Apparently, a bit longer than I expected. It's difficult to track just how old an animal can get in the wild, but here's some statistics gathered about those in zoos:

Grizzly bear - 32 years

Horse - 50 years

Chipmunk - 12 years

Tiger - 25 years

Swan - 102 years

Hummingbird - 8 years

I'm surprised at the possible life span of horses, chipmunks and swans. Does this mean the chipmunk that lives in my backyard will be relying on me for peanuts for another ten years? What will happen to him if I move?


If you're interested in reading about Debby, check this out.

Gorillas, Puppy Mills, and Blogs

Just a few things:

The United Nations has launched 2009 as the Year of the Gorilla -- a campaign designed to raise money for primates threatened with extinction.

On Tuesday, the OSPCA rescued almost 100 dogs from a puppy mill in Meaford, Ontario. The story is here. I hope they throw the book at these idiots.

I've started a new blog, featuring some of the animals available for adoption at the OSPCA where I volunteer. You can check it out here. Above is one of the kittens waiting for a new home.

Now, I'm off to catch up on your blogs!