Lions killed by insecticide

Sarah:

The BBC carried a story about lions in Kenya that are being deliberately poisoned by insecticide. Apparently villagers and herders who find the lions dangerous are leaving poisoned animal remains.

Although it’s lions in Kenya, it’s very similar to the problems that we are facing in Singapore and in an urban environment. In Kenya, the herders and people have started moving into lion territory. As a result, the lion naturally looks for food (like buffalos, cows) that the humans own, or wanders into the villages. The herders get upset, and try to kill the lions.

Cat in a cab

Sarah:
Aminah sent in a newslink about a Florida cab driver that takes his cat to work.

It doesn’t strike me as very safe - after all, what if the cat hid under the brake, making it impossible to use? However, it’s nice to see that the cab driver gets to take his friend to work.

Japan’s Wakayama Electric Railway’s Feline Mascot

Ivan:

Check out this cute mascot of the above mentioned railway company.  Apparently kitty has increase train ridership by 10% since kitty ‘joined’ the company.

International animal rescue effort in Myanmar

Urgent help needed for animals that cyclone survivors depend on

An emergency veterinary team from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is on stand-by in Thailand awaiting entry authority to cyclone struck Myanmar to assess and then relieve the suffering of thousands of animals that human survivors depend on for food and their livelihoods.

WSPA is receiving daily updates from The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) while preparing its rapid assessment and response team.

Oxygen mask for cats?

Aminah sent in a lovely story about firefighters who saved a cat from a fire with the use of a special oxygen mask made for pets.