22 Wednesday Apr 2015
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Baby elephants pretty much rock my world any day. But flaunting this little guy’s awesomeness is especially appropriate on Earth Day.
His Singing in the Rain soft-shoe has the entire jungle in awe. So it’s not just me. I’m sure Gene Kelly would be feeling the envy. And with that trunk, he’d probably put Sinatra’s crooning to shame too.
31 Sunday Aug 2014
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AFEW, Africa, African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, Betty Leslie-Melville, Carr-Hartley family, Elizabeth Fais, Giraffe Manor, giraffes, Jock Leslie-Melville, Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nairobi, Raising Daisy Rothschild, Rothschild giraffes, The Last Giraffe
The world’s only giraffe hotel rests in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Yes, giraffe hotel.
Officially called Giraffe Manor, the estate is located near Nairobi, Kenya. Every morning the resident giraffes stroll up to the house, poking their heads through the windows in search of treats.
Can you think of anything more amazing than waking up to giraffes poking their heads through your bedroom window, and then having giraffes join you for breakfast? Seriously. Sign me up!
The original mansion was built in 1932 for a wealthy British family. But it wasn’t until 1974, when the property was purchased by Betty Leslie-Melville and her husband Jock, that the idea for a sanctuary dedicated to endangered Rothschild giraffes blossomed.
The first giraffe the Leslie-Melville’s took in was an 8-foot-tall (2.4 m), 450-pound baby they named Daisy, about whom Betty subsequently wrote the book Raising Daisy Rothschild that was later made into the film The Last Giraffe. So started the journey to protection for the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Giraffe Manor has been home to as many as 12 Rothschild giraffes at one time; currently there are eight in residence. The following image shows Betty Leslie-Melville having a quiet moment with Daisy Rothschild. [image: flicker.com]
In 1983, Betty’s son opened the Manor as a boutique hotel where guests could feed the giraffes from their breakfast table, through the front door, and from their bedroom windows. The Carr-Hartley family purchased Giraffe Manor in 1984 to continue the tradition of offering guests the rare opportunity to hang out with these gentle giants.
The hotel luxuriously caters to the resident giraffes and warthogs, as well the human guests who come from all over the world. A magical stay at Giraffe Manor is not cheap, but the one in a lifetime experience is priceless.
The proceeds generated by the hotel help to support a great cause: the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW). Not only is Giraffe Manor a sanctuary for an endangered species, but they also participate in a breeding program which introduces breeding pairs back into the wild.
The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is native to Africa, and is the tallest living terrestrial animal.
Fully grown giraffes are approximately 16–20 ft tall, with an average weight of 2,628 lb) for an adult male and 1,825 lb) for an adult female. Giraffes have a lifespan of up to 25 years in the wild. Because of their size, eyesight and powerful kicks, adult giraffes don’t have any predators, with the exception of man and lions.
There are nine subspecies of giraffe, each with variations in markings that make them distinctly unique. Rothschild giraffes (that live at Giraffe Manor), named for Walter Rothschild, are also known as the Baringo or Ugandan giraffe. This subspecies’ natural habitat range includes parts of Uganda and Kenya. Fewer than 700 are believed to remain in the wild. Their endangered status makes the work done at Giraffe Manor for their protection all the more important. [image: Wikipedia, Rothschild’s giraffes at Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya]
A real-life sneak peek…
07 Thursday Nov 2013
Posted in Amazing but true!, Animals, Cats, Funny Videos, Humor
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Amazing but true, Big Cats, Bobcat, cardboard boxes, Cougar, Domestic Cats, Elizabeth Fais, Funny Videos, Lion, Tiger
There are times when I’m sure the person who invented cardboard did it for his cat. You don’t have to be a cat owner (ownee, is more like it) to have noticed how an empty cardboard box — of any shape or size — is an instant domestic cat magnet. Case and point…
Studies have been done on this phenomena … I’m sure somewhere, and undoubtedly funded by the government.
When some failed to find the logic and reason behind the feline obsession, they waxed philosophical, interpreting deep meaning in the behavior. Obviously channeled from Obi Wan Catobi. If you don’t know the 21 Lessons You Can Learn From Cats In Boxes, your life is not yet complete. Because…
Cats in boxes aren’t just cute. They’re also infinitely wise.
The inexplicable need humans have for discovering the magic cardboard has over felines can be the only reason lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats and other large cats were exposed to world’s cheapest cat toy. The cardboard box.
The results were unanimous…
24 Thursday Oct 2013
Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, Funny Videos, Humor
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Last week I ranted did a post about the unfairness of the “scary cat” stereotype society has heaped on felines. Basically accusing cats of being villains. Or worse, pure evil.
Well … cough, cough … it appears this stereotype may– in some part — have been earned, much as I hate to admit it.
The following documentary is harsh, if not heartless. These felines shamelessly steal dogs’ beds, and then brazenly flaunt the stolen entitlement. But true to the Underdog characters we love, some canines fight back. It’s hilarious to see the lengths that some dogs go to to reclaim their prized cushions of comfort.
29 Thursday Aug 2013
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Al Pacino, Bulldog, Butterfly, Canis Major, Dog Day Afternoon, Dog Days, Dog Days of Summer, Dog Star, Elizabeth Fais, equinox, Greeks, heliacal rising, precession, Romans, Royal Makeover, Sirius, Summer
Summer’s almost over and I haven’t done an official “summer” blog post, yet. It just seemed wrong to let the season that’s known for strawberries, road trips, fairs, amusement parks … and so much more … slip by without an official shout out.
This post will set things right.
Last year I tipped my hat to historic roller coasters, the ultimate “summer” experience. This year I wanted to do something different, to turn a summer standard on its ear … or nose, as the case may be.
What is up with that expression, anyway? I mean, seriously. It never made any sense to me, so I did a little research…
I discovered that Dog Days refers to the sultry days of summer, which in the Northern Hemisphere is July and August. I also learned that the Dog Days go back to Greek and Roman times. The Romans associated the hot weather with the star Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star” — the brightest star in Canis Major (Large Dog). That’s because originally, the Dog Days marked the time when Sirius rose just before, or at the same time as, sunrise (heliacal rising). This is no longer the case due to the precession of the equinoxes.
Back in the 1800’s, the Dog Days took a dark turn. People believed the Dog Days were a time of great evil, when the sea boiled, dogs went mad, and people went flippin’ nuts. Hence, the title of the film “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino.
Personally, I think the Dog Days are due for a royal makeover. I vote for happier, friendlier Dog Days…like the puppy in following clip. How about you?
25 Tuesday Jun 2013
Posted in Animals, Giving Back, Marine Mammals
Tags
#fish4pups, Dollar A Pound, Elizabeth Fais, Leave Seals Be, rehabilitate, release, rescue, Sausalito, Sea Lion Pups, Sea Lions, The Marine Mammal Center, Twitter Challenge
I was going to kick off summer with a light-hearted Sun, Surf, and Seals post that included a mention about the Leave Seals Be rescue campaign — sponsored by the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California.
That is, until I heard about the crisis facing sea lion pups in California.
More than a 1,000 stranded sea lion pups have washed ashore on California beaches since January, under nourished and basically starving to death. And the number keeps rising. This is more than six times the usual number of stranded pups. So far the cause appears to be a complete lack of their natural food source: bait fish, such as anchovies and herring. [Image from the Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito]
Southern California beaches have received the majority of the stranded pups. The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito stepped up, and is taking care of a good number of the starving pups to alleviate overcrowding in the Southern California rescue facilities.
While the cause of the problem is thought to be lack of the natural food source for these marine mammals, The Marine Mammal Center is looking into other possible causes. Their research includes screening for toxins and other elements.
Why all the fuss over a bunch malnourished baby sea lions? This degree of crisis could be a warning sign for a much bigger problem that would impact the human population. Determining the cause, is the first step in finding a preventative solution.
In the following news clip, Dr. Shawn Johnson, Director of Veterinary Science at the Marine Mammal Center, explains this distressing phenomena and his approach to solving it.
It’s been a few years since I volunteered at the Marine Mammal Center (in animal care), but I’m still a strong supporter. I know first-hand how dedicated these people are, and all the good they accomplish.
For these undernourished sea lion pups to have a chance at surviving in the wild, they need to eat a lot of fish, starting with the essential Fish Smoothie and working up to buckets of whole fish. The hungry patients are going through approximately 4,000 lbs of fish per week (at $1.00 per pound) – double the usual amount due to double the number of residents in their care.
To help the Marine Mammal Center continue their research and care for the stranded sea lion pups, you can go here to donate.
You can also help the sea lion pups by participating in my #fish4pups Twitter Challenge:
$1.00 = 1 pound of fish for starving sea lion pups!
Tweet it up!
The sea lion pups thank you!
16 Friday Nov 2012
Thanksgiving can be stressful, especially when you’re forced into making small talk with Aunt Beulah and Uncle Ogden who you haven’t seen in decades and don’t have a flea bit in common with besides a few random genes.
Never fear! This post will save your sanity, while it dazzles Beulah and Ogden with a wealth of tantalizing facts. You’ll see!
instead of the Bald Eagle.
NOTE: For all you animal enthusiasts, I spoke at length with the animal care Cast Members at Big Thunder Ranch when I was at Disneyland. They assured me that any animal at Big Thunder Ranch is only available to the public for minimal periods of time. Then they rotate the animals back into their private areas and bring out new animals, so they don’t get stressed from over exposure to the public.
Some of us need all the help we can get on these festive occasions!
25 Friday May 2012
Posted in Animals, Dancing, Elephants, Funny Videos
Though, a dancing elephant pretty much rocks my world any day of the week! Looking down a long holiday weekend or not.
But I may be prejudiced in that department, elephants being one of my favorite animals and all. Still, this little guy’s Singing in the Rain dance-out has the entire jungle in awe. So it can’t be just me.
In my humble opinion… “The Glee! team won’t shoot to Hollywood super-stardom without this guy.” Seriously. The little pachyderm has a soft shoe Gene Kelly would have envied. And with a trunk like that, he’s got to have a voice with more reach than Rachel’s. I’m just saying… But you decide.
Elizabeth Fais 