Support Bill 69 to Help Elephants

In Ontario, Bill 69 would amend the OSPCA Act in protection of elephants. If passed, the Bill would help captive elephants. The bill would restrict the use of bullhooks and electric prods. It would also restrict the use of restraints (like chains) in elephant management, training and handling.You can learn more about the Bill at: http://www.zoocheck.com/campaigns_elephant_EPA2012.html
You can help elephants today by supporting the Bill. Write a personal letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and All Members of Provincial Parliament letting them know that you support Bill 69 because you care about captive elephants.

Ivan the Gorilla

Katherine Applegate was inspired to write The One and Only Ivan after reading about the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, the Shopping Mall gorilla. The real Ivan lived alone in a 14' x 14' concrete cage for twenty-seven years at a shopping mall before being moved to Zoo Atlanta after a public outcry.

A photo of the real Ivan (from PAWS)

   
The School Library Journal has this to say about the book:
Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals - especially those living in captivity - and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have. 
Learn more about the book and about the author at :http://theoneandonlyivan.com/

Elephant Mud Bath

 Check out this video of a herd of wild elephants enjoying a mud bath. THIS is what an elephant's life should be all about! Many elephants in captivity don't have access to mud baths or bathing water, or grass and trees for grazing. And if they live in a colder climate, they are often confined indoors for long periods of time. Learn more about Canadian elephants in captivity, including Lucy, at: http://www.savelucy.ca/

Make a Change for Earth Day

In honour of Earth Day, pledge to make a lasting change for the earth and the animals by getting a re-usable water bottle and committing to using it, instead of buying plastic water bottles. Here's one of the reasons why:


www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/midway

This is a photograph of a dead albatross chick taken on Midway Atoll, a remote nesting site in the middle of the North Pacific. Every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and choking because of the plastic that their parents are accidentally feeding them. Think of the difference we could all make for animals like the albatross if we gave up using plastic water bottles! To learn more about marine debris and the impact it's having on wild animals, check out our Keep It Wild! workshop, "Save our Seas?" http://www.keepitwildeducation.com/for-teachers

Polar Bears Love Snow

Students have been working hard on the campaign to get Yupi, a polar bear who lives in a zoo in Mexico, moved to a better habitat. Dear Zookeeper, writes Abhipsa, who is in grade 1 at Rose Avenue PS in Toronto, please give Yupi lots of snow and lots of ice and keep her in a cold place. Thank you. Her classmates also wrote postcards and drew pictures to bring awareness to Yupi's plight. All the students agreed that polar bears and snow belong together!

 

     

An Elephant Resource for Teachers

Hey teachers, check out this great resource, Take Action for Elephants: A Resource Guide, created by Zoocheck Canada and Everyone Loves Elephants. The resource includes information about elephants in the wild and in captivity, a section on books, websites and organizations, fifteen great classroom activities geared towards elementary students, and more. The resource will soon be available on our Keep It Wild website, http://www.keepitwildeducation.com/, or if you would like to receive a copy of it, please contact Zoocheck directly.