Canadians, let's go on a treasure hunt!

Getting married soon? Wedding dresses can be expensive but I know where you can find one for free.

Are you a Star Wars Fan? I know were you may find a hidden light sabre.

You're a smoker? Need some more cigarette filters? Follow me and I will show you an abundance.

In 1994 a group from Vancouver Aquarium organised a rubbish clean up at a local beach in Stanley Park. Since then the event has grown to become an annual event known as the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. It is now Canada’s largest contributor to the International Coastal Cleanup, a global effort to remove harmful litter and aquatic debris from shorelines. In 2010, over 47,000 people cleaned 2,235kms of Canada's shoreline. Some of the most common things found within the 11,989 garbage bags weighing 98,071kgs included 227,830 cigarettes and filters, 83,660 food containers and wrappers and 55,880 plastic bags. Some of the stranger things found have been toilet seats, a light sabre and yes...a wedding dress. I do wonder where that bride is!

Apart from rubbish making our beaches and shorelines look messy this rubbish that has been carelessly discarded has a devastating effect on already fragile ecosystems battling oil and contamination spills, increasing human traffic and rising sea temperatures. Food wrappers can smother oceans plants so they can't get ample sunlight for photosynthesis. Six pack rings, rope, wire, monofilament lines, plastic bottle rings and similar items can entangle marine wildlife leading to injuries and death. A plastic bag floating in the water looks a lot like a jellyfish to a sea turtle, but sadly these can clog their digestive track. Polluted beaches are also a safety concern for people and can effect the economy as tourists aren't interested in visiting unsightly beaches.

Although the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean up isn't happening till September, help is needed now. As you can imagine, cleaning up this vast area requires many helpers and site coordinators are currently being sourced. This is a great opportunity for devoted people who in the past have volunteered in environmental events to take the next step of becoming a leader and helping to guide other passionate people.

For all the information, please visit http://shorelinecleanup.ca/

Happy 50th Birthday WWF

The golden birthday, the Big Five-O, the 50th birthday is a special life-marker worthy of a big celebration. For many it's a time to reflect but also a time to start slowing down to an easier pace, dreaming of retirement, holidays and reaping the rewards of many years of hard work.

But there is one 50 year old showing no signs of slowing down, in fact each year brings new strength and energy. On April 29, 2011 WWF celebrated 50 years of environmental conservation. Since the organisation's inception, WWF has made significant contributions around the globe including;

- Fighting to save the Borneo rainforests, homes to orang utans, pygmy elephants, rhinos and clouded leopards since 2007
- Helped gorilla numbers increase by working with local communities in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to genrate more money via ecotourism.
- Helped to ensure four-fifths of the amazon is still in good condition.
- Working with countries where the five remaining species of tigers live to build pulic, political and financial support to double tiger numbers by 2022.
- Working with countries to reduce net carbon emmissions to zero from deforestation and forest degradation by 2020 with 67 countries so far signed to this commitment including Indonesia and Brazil
- 50 years of building environmental awarness through many campaigns
- Saved the Arabian Oryx from extinction by taking a herd into captivity in 1962 and reintroducing them into the wild a decade later when the last wild oryx had been killed (now there are 150 in the wild with 68 more ready to be reintroduced).

To find out more about their successes visit ttp://wwf.ca/about_us/successes/50th_anniversary.cfm



In the next 50 years there is no doubt that the WWF will continue to work tirelessly to conserve our environment. This 50 year old has many good year in it yet!

Remember to always give a gift on a birthday. Donate today at http://www.wwf.org/

Lung cancer patients may not be worth saving

Australian scientists say new research suggests it may not be worthwhile trying to rescue individuals suffering from certain types of cancer.

Researchers have created a new tool to prioritise the treatment of cancer sufferers and say it is likely to fire debate over who is worth saving and who to cut loose.

Lung cancer victims, namely those who have a life time history of smoking may not be worth saving.

The gloomy forecast is the work of John Cook University and University of Dullelaide researchers who have created a new mathematical tool based on restrictive mindfulness.

Co-author Professor Bradley Carey, from the University of Dulledelaide, says the tool is designed to help governments prioritise scarce funding for health care.

"We wanted to come up with an index that was really based around theory that we have developed over the last 20 years about what constitutes the best chance for individuals to respond to treatment over time," he said.

Professor Carey says the new index is designed to enhance the IARC’s (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Red List of Cancer Types, which ranks in categories from mostly likely to survive to highly unlikely.

"A lot of those categories are based on somewhat arbitrary thresholds for how many people have died over a certain period and how many known causes there tend to be, and there is a lot of expert opinion so there is some subjectivity involved," he said.

The new safe index is based on research which suggests populations with little care for their health, such as smokers, are much harder to triage.

Professor Carey says he would not go as far as to say there are some cancer sufferers Australia should not save.

"But if you take a strictly empirical view, smokers plus those less common cancers that don’t have their own ribbon or fund-raising day in some cases it is probably not worthwhile putting a lot of effort because there's just no chance."

Professor Carey says when the ratio is applied internationally it suggests the skin cancer patients are beyond cost-effective rescue.

He says the index is based on the probability of an individual dying.

"If we have something that has a very poor survival index, we would just simply say that it has a higher probability of them dying rather than something with a higher survival index," he said.

"It is a probability, so it is not saying they are going to die. It is saying it just has a much higher probability of dying."

He says the index is likely to generate debate.

"Decisions have to be made within the context of science and social consideration.

"I think that certainly people will argue with me that we should save everything.

"I'd love to save everyone. I just don't think we can."

If this “spoof” article angers you, then you will understand my reaction to this true article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/08/3185863.htm?section=justin

This piece is dedicated to my grandmother, who died of lung cancer and taught me to always flight for what I believe in.
Piece by Adam Barralet

Spread the word of Earth Hour

Starting as an idea in Sydney in 2007 when 2.2 million residence took part in turning off all non essential lights, Earth Hour is now celebrated in over 100 countries. To see just how big Earth Hour is, check out this video:



The campaign organised by the WWF makes a statement to world leaders that we need action taken to combat climate change. It's not just individuals sending this message. Many multinational companies and landmarks will black out this Saturday (26th March, 2011) between 830pm and 930pm. Earth Hour has garnered support from many corporations including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Wells Fargo, IKEA, HSBC, PwC, Accenture and Nokia Siemens Networks. You'll also see many landmarks black out for the hour including Mount Rushmore, the Las Vegas Strip, the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Beijing's Bird's Nest and the Eiffel Tower. Some TV networks will stop transmission for the hour.

If you haven't participated in Earth Hour then this is your year to start. Find out what your city is doing and go participate or organise a group and do your own thing. There is plenty of fun to be had in the dark!

If you've been an Earth Hour supporter in the past let's increase the challenge. For 2011, let's "preach to the unconverted". Share your concern for climate change with friends and family less passionate than yourself. However the strength is in the subtlety. Maybe organise a night out where you just happen to be walking within view of your city's largest monument at 830pm. For a cosier effect have a dinner party only lit by candle light. When your friends arrive and ask if the electricity is out, simply reply, "It's Earth Hour tonight. Doesn't everyone turn off their lights". Whatever you do, I am confident you will come up with your own bright ideas for this dark hour.

For more ideas and information, please visit http://www.earthhour,org/ and http://www.wwf.org/

Let Your Fashion Make An Environmental Statement

"Style is knowing who you are and what you want to say and not giving a damn". - Gore Vidal.

For many centuries fashion has been used to make statements. Colours are associated with alliances, badges promotes someone's rank or achievements and uniforms identify roles. And who can forget different fashion statements made by the stars? Just think Bjork's swan dress, Madonna's cone bra or Lady Gaga's meat gown.

Now it's time for the fashionable people of Canada to make a statement, about our love for the environment. 17th February is National Sweater Day. It's the day when the WWF ask us to find a quirky and fun sweater to wear for the day. Adorned in your fine sweater you won't need the thermostat up so high, so WWF invites you to turn it down just 3 degrees and show your support for the environment.

National Sweater Day is another great idea by the WWF to open dialogues between people about lightening our impact on the environment and reducing our energy consumption...and if your sweater isn't getting people talking then you are just playing too safe.

To support National Sweater Day make sure you have your sweater and tell people why you are wearing it. Don't forget to change your Facebook profile picture to a photo of you in your sweater so all to tell all your friends know what you care about and why not encourage others to join you in the fashion revolution by having a Sweater Party at home or a Sweater Day at work?

For all the information, please visit: http://wwf.ca/takeaction/sweater_day/

Have the Japanese ceased whaling?

Each year at around this time the team from The Sea Sheperd head into the Southern Ocean to commence battle. Their enemy, the Japanese whaling fleet.

The Sea Sheperd is an international non-profit organisation committed to preserving marine wild life. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) enacted a moratorium on all commercial whaling. Since then, three nations, Iceland, Norway, and Japan, have brutally slaughtered over 25,000 whales under the guise of scientific research and for commercial purposes. The IWC does not have the capacity to enforce the moratorium. Sea Shepherd, guided by the United Nations World Charter for Nature, is the only organization whose mission is to enforce these international conservation regulations on the high seas.

The confrontations between The Sea Sheperd fleet and the Japanese has gained much media attention in the past years and even had it's only television series titled "Whale Wars" which has shown in many countries.

However it is now December 1st, at least on the Japanese and Australian side of the International Date Line, but the Japanese whaling fleet remains in port. The latest date the fleet has left in the past is November 19th. It seems they have definitely missed their usual start date to commence whaling which is usually December 20th. If the fleet left today they would not begin whaling until January, and this delay will certainly see no whales killed during the month of December.

Apparently one of the primary reasons for them not departing is that their supply ship the Hiyo Maru No.2 has been sold by its owner the Daito Trading Company to China to be scrapped. Since then the Institute for Cetacean Research, responsible for the whaling, has been unable to charter a replacement. Maybe they are finding it difficult to find a ship owner willing to be associated with their brutal and illegal whaling operation in the Southern Ocean, plus be willing to be targeted by the Sea Shepherd fleet.

The three Sea Shepherd Ships, Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Gojira are ready to head to the Southern Ocean – the only thing missing down there are the whalers

Has the time come when whales are free to grace the Southern Ocean without the fear of being harpooned by man

Let's hope so!

Did you save the Tiger?

Arguably one of the world's most beautiful animals is the tiger. Can you recall the last time you saw a tiger, perhaps on television or at your local zoo? Was it the tiger's power, it's grace, it's beauty that won you over? it's no surprise that tigers feature so much in many mythologies. However just as the power of the tiger is honoured, it is also coveted. In some countries in Asia, the tiger, or body parts of the tiger, are still believed to have medicinal parts. The demand for tiger parts leads to a powerful black market to feed this demand.

Please take the time to watch the following video.

Whether you live in Australia, the Americas, Europe or any other part of the world it is easy to sit here in our arm chairs, shake our heads and mutter, "Isn't it shocking. Why don't they do something about it?". However I encourage you to, "Be the change you want to see in the world". - Mahatma Gandhi.

Instead of criticizing individuals and governments in other countries, is it not more empowering for ourselves, and them, to work together and support them in making better decisions for our future, and that of the tiger? We are already responsible for the extinction of tigers on the islands of Bali and Java as well as in the Middle East. If things do not change in 10 years, tigers will be lost from all parts where they once roamed.

Now is your time make a difference. I invite you to take on my 30 minute challenge. In the next 30 minutes complete the following:

1. Support the WWF and choose to do at least one way to aid the WWF's work in saving the the tiger from the list at http://wwf.ca/conservation/species/tigers/what_you_can_do/


2. Google at least one person of power and email them, empowering them to work with the policy makers who can protect the tiger.


3. Post on Facebook or Tweet about the tiger so that others in your communities can also make a difference.


4. Use your creativity to create one more way to help preserve the tiger. It is from small ideas that great movements come.

This week the Tiger Summit happens in St Petersburg, Russia where vital parts of the tiger's future may be decided (http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/11/21/35375614.html). This is now the time for you to also act so that for thousands of years to come tigers will continue to roam the earth.

Be A Celebrity This Christmas

All the celebrities are doing it...

Brad and Angelina have adopted...

Madonna has adopted...

...and now you can too! But why adopt a child when you can adopt an animal...

Not only can you adopt an animal for yourself but it's a great holiday gift idea for someone else. A symbolic adoption is unique, educational and not only are you giving to the individual, but the species too with the proceeds assist the WWF in their work to preserve these great creatures.

WWF has got some great adoption packs which include:
- high-quality wildlife plush.
- reusable gift bag, made from recycled plastic.
- personalized adoption certificate.
- letter that identifies you as the gift-giver.
- details on the work that your gift will help support.

The only challenge is trying to decide which one to adopt. Maybe the...

tiger, the largest of all cats and one of the most threatened species on earth. Only 3,200 remain in the wild, mostly living in isolated pockets spread across increasingly fragmented forests. Sadly, habitat loss and illegal poaching has greatly diminished the tiger population

or the...

orang utan, considered one of the closest relatives to humans. Unfortunately, consumer demand for products containing unsustainably produced palm oil threatens their very existence and the orang-utan is fast losing its natural habitat to the spread of palm oil plantations

or the...

meerkat, the curious little guardians of the African plains are highly social creatures. Meerkats will take turns standing sentry and rear the colony’s young as a group. Meerkats and other plains creatures are however threatened with habitat loss.

if you can't decide your favourite from one of these animals, or the walrus, caribou, grizzly bear, polar bear, blue shark, snow leopard, Asian elephant, panda or one of the many others, then there is only one solution...adopt them all!

For all the information and to adopt today please visit https://wwfstore.donorportal.ca/c-11-wildlife-adoptions.aspx

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup 2010

Each year countless tonnes of rubbish washes up from the oceans, seas and rivers on to the world's coastlines. This rubbish carelessly disgarded effects already fragile ecosystems battling oil and contamination spills, increasing human traffic and rising sea tempertures.

In 1994 a group of Vancouver Aquarium employees gathered to collect litter from a local beach in Stanley Park, collecting data on what they found. As awareness of this issue has grown more and more organisations have partnered with Vancouver Aquarium to coordinate clean ups at over 1,000 sites around Canada.

In 2009 the event attracted nearly 60,000 volunteers around Canada shorelines. Some of the most interesting things found were 367,010 cigarettes and filters, 74,276 plastic bags and 38,702 drink cans; not to mention a wedding dress, a Star Wars light sabre and a message in a bottle with a note saying: “Please don’t litter”.

Saturday, 18th September marked 2010's Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up. Toronto's main gathering at Woodbine Beach brought together particpants from the local area. The event was coordinated by WWF Canada, who became a full partner this year. Armed with bags and gloves, teams headed in evey direction collecting and sorting general rubbish from recyclables. After just two hours rubbish once scattered across Woodbine Beach was neatly piled up ready to be weighed, catalogued and removed.

The teams returned for a group lunch where awards were given for participation. The WWF Panda was even there to encourage and thank the younger members of the clean up and remind everyone that protecting our shorelines requires constant attention from everyone.
This is just another example of how after only a couple of hours donated by passionate volunteers around Canada can help to make a massive difference and ensure the wellbeing of the country's shorelines and their precious ecosystems.

For the latest information, please visit http://shorelinecleanup.ca/ and http://www.wwf.ca/

written by Adam Barralet and Jonathan Mozingo

The Extinction of Fish - The End of The Line

Love Seafood? It may become a pleasure of the past soon. End of the Line is a documentary promoted by Greenpeace outlining how modern fishing techniques are destroying fish stocks around the world.

Click here to listen to the interview with Genevieve Quirk, the Ocean's Campaigner for Greenpeace Australia explain what is happening

Watch the trailer here:



Find out more at http://www.greenpeace.org.au/ and http://www.endoftheline.com/

Kwai Chang-Kum says you can't keep the African Serval at home

Did you know that...

- While hunting, the African Serval may pause for up to 15 minutes at a time to listen with eyes closed.
- The Serval has been known to dig into burrows in search of underground prey, and to leap 3-5 m (9-16 ft) into the air to grab birds in flight.
- The Serval swallow small prey whole.

There may be many more things to know about the Serval. Find out by listening the the HDC talk to Kwai Chang-Kum of Zoos Victoria by clicking here.

Find out the latest news at www.zoo.org.au

Jonathan Larkin - WWF - Oil Spills

In light of the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and last years spill off the coast of WA, the HDC chat to Jonathan Larkin at WWF about the implications.

Click here to listen to the interview.

For more information on the great work done by WWF, please visit http://www.wwf.org.au/

Gorillas in the midst of the Hump Day Crew's show

Gorillas are one of those animals that truly fascinate humans. We are always trying to understand how much we have in common and how well we can communicate with them.

Gorillas are the largest of the living primates. They are ground-dwelling and predominantly herbivorous. They inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and (still under debate as of 2008) either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is 98%–99% identical to that of a human, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the two chimpanzee species.

Gorillas can be found in tropical or subtropical forests. Although their range covers a small percentage of Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The Mountain Gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200–4,300 metres (7,200–14,100 ft). Lowland Gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level.

Adz and Bish chatted to Dan Maloney, Senior Curator of Melbourne Zoo about gorillas in the wild and within Zoos Victoria. Click here to listen to the interview.

For the latest news from Zoos Victoria, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

Fashion and The Environment go hand in hand at G Star Raw

Ask anyone who is the leader in denim fashion and the first name that comes to mind is G Star Raw. Originally a Dutch company they know have a store presence in Europe and the U.S.A. as well as here in Australia.

G-Star was originally named Gap Star but decided to change their name upon going international. The brand specializes in making RAW denim - an unwashed, untreated denim in which all jeans start out as after being constructed. G-Star is clearly identified by their military styling as well as influences from other European trends. Interpreting fashion for their modern day individual with unique features such as special mobile-phone pockets and zippered arm pockets on jackets.

G Star Raw is promote their genuine ambition to contribute to a better world by guaranteeing good working conditions in the factories, developing more sustainable products and reducing our impact on the environment. One major way they have done this is by producing an organic cotton range. Is this a one off gimmick? Not at all. G Star Raw is working towards increasing the use of organic cotton in all of their denim products.

To find out more, click here to listen to the interview with Chris Bennett of Denim Enterprises and G Star Raw.

Find out the latest about G Star Raw at http://www.g-star.com/

Read about substainable cotton production at http://www.sustainablecotton.org/

You can have more fun in the dark - Earth Hour

One of the world's largest campaigns designed to make a statement to world leaders about Climate Change is Earth Hour. The campaign has grown in size each year as more and more countries participate in a 24 hour protest around the globe. To see just how big Earth Hour is, check out this video:


Click here to listen to the HDC chat with Jonathan Larkin of WW about Earth Hour.

Earth Hour happens at 830pm local time on Saturday, 27th March, 2010.

Find out more about Earth Hour at http://www.earthhour.org/

Who is Asia-Pacific's Sexiest Vegetarian?

Adz says it's Charli Delaney, Ginni says it's Pippa Black from Neighbours. Who do you think is the sexiest Vegetarian in Asia-Pacific?

The nominees haven't been posted long, but TV personality Ruby Rose has taken the lead over other Australian contenders in PETA's Asia-Pacific's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity poll Running close behind in the race for the Australian title are child star-turned-TV personality Charli Delaney; model and former Neighbours star Imogen Bailey; Kisschasy singer Darren Cordeux; Home and Away star-turned-Hollywood hottie Isabel Lucas; singer-songwriter Missy Higgins; Australian Idol host Andrew G; surfing sensation Dave Rastovich; and folk singer Xavier Rudd.

Other celebrities from around the world who've gone vegetarian to protect animals, the environment and their own health include actors Hayden Panettiere, Natalie Portman and Milo Ventimiglia; singers Anthony Kiedis and Leona Lewis; UFC champion Mac Danzig; and sports stars John Salley and Greg Chappell.

"When you look at the more than 200 gorgeous celebrities in this year's poll, it's clear that there can be no bones about it - a vegetarian diet makes you beautiful, inside and out", says PETA Asia-Pacific Director Jason Baker. "After all, going vegetarian is the best thing that you can do for animals, the Earth and yourself. Plus, everyone knows that there's nothing sexier than someone who exudes both passion and compassion."

(above taken from a PETA Press Release).

Click here to listen to the HDC chat with PETA's Ashley Fruno about the poll.

Have your saying by voting at http://www.petaasiapacific.com/featureSexiestVegCeleb2010-Eng.asp?c=papsv10epr.

Is being Vegetarian too sexy?

The HDC Crew talk with Ashley Fruno of PETA about advantages of becoming a vegetarian, the organisations ways of getting the message across and the Americans who think they are too raunchy.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Here's the video that's too raunchy for some Americans:

A Solution for the Palm Oil Problem

In past week's on All Natural we have looked at the issue of Palm Oil. Australia sources a lot of it's Palm Oil from Indonesia, where forest are destroyed for Palm Oil plantations. This leads to the destruction of the habitats to Orang-utans, Tigers and many other beautiful creatures. Palm Oil is used in many food and beauty products found in Australia. At this point in time clear labelling is not required. This makes it near impossible for Australian's to make educated choices when shopping.

Jonathan Larkin of WWF talks about the development of sustainable Palm Oil and a bill introduced into the Senate to ensure correct labelling in Australia. Click here to listen.

For more information, please visit http://www.wwf.org.au/

PETA's Man & Woman of 2009 - Ellen Degeneres & Tim Gunn

Each year PETA chooses two individuals who take action towards the well being of animals. For 2009 the winners are...

Ellen Degeneres



Ever since she and her wife, Portia De Rossi, decided to ditch all animal products in 2008, Ellen has made sure that her wildly popular talk show includes features to raise people's awareness of animal issues. She made vegan pizza with Chef Wolfgang Puck, spoke with Dr. Neal Barnard about the health benefits of a vegan diet, and just in time for Thanksgiving, "talked turkey" about the everyday abuse of animals on factory farms with Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Eating Animals. Ellen also created pages on her Web site that feature insight, info, and tips about cruelty-free living. Visitors can find recipes, read about why Ellen went vegan, learn where to shop, and more.

...and the winning male is Tim Gunn.



The connoisseur of class, the guru of good taste, the titan of tact (I could go on all afternoon with these) narrated our video exposing skin-crawling atrocities suffered by animals who are slaughtered for their pelts, and the media have been buzzing ever since. Tim recently told the L.A. Times, "Wearing fur is like wearing a big sign reading, 'I'm in favor of inflicting cruelty and pain on animals as a fashion statement.' Unspeakable torture is inflicted on dogs, cats, bunnies, raccoons, foxes, minks, and myriad trapped, helpless creatures in the name of fashion—yes, dogs and cats."

And thanks to Tim, fur challenges are noticeably absent from Project Runway—and there's zero fur at Liz Claiborne, where he is chief creative officer.

Click here to listen to the HDC chat with PETA's Ashley Fruno about Ellen & Timm.

To find out the latest from PETA, please visit www.peta.org

The Campaign against an Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory

In Alice Springs a local Aboriginal band has hooked up with popular N.T. band Super Raelene Bros. to record a song in local Arrente and Luritja languages about the impact of proposed Uranium mine at Angela Pamela and the possible impact on the locals' health.

Basil Schild of Super Raelene Bros. talks about the impact on the local people and the campaign against the mine.

Click here to listen to the interview.

For more information, please visit http://www.alec.org.au

A Pet is not just for Christmas

The average life expectancy for a dog is around 13 years and 15 years for a cat...some will live longer than 20 years. So when buying a pet as a gift whether for a child or an adult it's vital to consider who will care for the pet in the future...once the novety has warn off.

Ashley Fruno of PETA discusses the implications of owning a pet. It's not just for Christams. It can be up to 20 years....Many romantic relationships don't last that long!

Click here to listen to the interview.

Check out PETA's website at http://www.peta.org/

Tasmania Devils at Healesville Sanctuary

Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is an aggressive non-viral transmissable parasitic cancer that affects Tasmanian Devils. The first "official case" was described in 1996, in Australia. In the subsequent decade the disease ravaged Tasmania's wild devils, with estimates of decline ranging from 20% to as much as a 50% of the devil population, across over 65% of the state. Affected high-density populations suffer up to 100% mortality in 12–18 months. The disease has mainly been concentrated in Tasmania's eastern half. Visible signs of DFTD begin with lesions and lumps around the mouth. These develop into cancerous tumours that may spread from the face to the entire body. The tumours interfere with feeding, and the affected animal may starve to death.

At Healesville Sanctuary they have a successful breeding programme. The main purpose of the program is to establish an insurance population that can be realised if wild Tasmanian Devil become extinct due to the spread of DFTD

The Hump Day Crew chatted to Tammika McIvor about the Tasmanian Devils and the Healesville Breeding Program success. Click here to listen.

For more information on all the happenings at the three Victorian Zoos, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

The HDC keep you updated on Copenhagen

Delegates from around the world as well as scientists, NGO representatives and interested spectators have descended upon Copenhagen as the world attempts to plan how to tackle climate change. The Hump Day Crew keep you updated with our weekly interviews.

Click here to listen to David Hood of Greenpeace discuss the conclusions of the Copenhagen summit.

Click here to listen to what's happening in the first few days of the talks with Jonathan Larkin from the WWF.

Click here to listen to Luke Chamberlain discuss the other aspect of the Copenhagen talks getting less media attention then emissions reductions ie. saving world forests.

Click here to listen to Jonathan Larkin discuss the lead up to the Copenhagen talks.

For further information, please visit http://www.wwf.org/, www.greenpeace.org and http://www.wilderness.org.au/

Melbourne Zoo's New Wild Seas Exhibit

On the 9th December Melbourne Zoo will open their new Wild Seas exhibit to the public. The seals and penguins are currently moving in and will be followed at a late time, by pelicans, rays, Port Jackson Sharks and a variety of fish species.

The Hump Day Crew were intrigued to find out about the exhibit.

Click here to listen to the interview with Melbourne Zoo's curator for the exhibit, Jan Steele.

For the latest news from Zoos Victoria, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

The Environmental Impact Of The Oil Spill of the WA Coast

Recently the news coverage has looked at the financial and human impact on the oil spill of the coast of WA. How about talking with our Conservation Director, Dr Gilly Llewellyn, Conservation Director of the WWF was one of very few people to personally go out there and see what was going on. The Hump Day Crew chat to her about the issue.

Click here to listen to the interview.

For the latest news from the WWF, please visit http://www.wwf.org.au/

The True Food Guide 2010

Australia currently has limited labelling laws for genetically engineered (GE) foods. That's where the Truefood Guide comes in handy. The Guide rates food brands and products as Green (GE-free) and Red (may contain GE ingredients).

You can browse or search for brands on the right-hand side. The Guide is also available for download or you can order a convenient wallet-sized hard copy. It's simple to use:

Buy Green. Companies and supermarkets listed as green have implemented policies and procedures throughout their supply chain to actively avoid ingredients derived from GE crops.

Avoid Red. The companies and supermarkets listed in the red section of the guide may have products that contain ingredients derived form GE crops.

Click here to listen to Laura Kelly from Greenpeace discuss the excitement of the new release.

You can download the guide from http://www.truefood.org.au/

Also take time to quickly sign the on-line petition at http://www.truefood.org.au/OurRightToKnow/

Stay posted with all Greenpeace initiatives at http://www.greenpeace.org.au/

PETA's Top 5 on Living Cruelty Free

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2.0 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.

PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.

Ashley Fruno of PETA Asia Pacific talks to the Hump Day Crew on five ways to live in a way that is cruelty free to animals. Her top five are:

1. Going vegan.
2. Buying only cruelty free products.
3. Not supporting zoos and other forms of entertainment using animals.
4. Not wearing wool, fur or leather.
5. Adopting an animal from a shelter and spaying or neutering companion animals.

Click here to listen the Ashley Fruno talking with the Hump Day Crew.

For the latest information, please visit http://www.petaasiapacific.com/

Saving Frogs with Michelle Howard - Zoos Victoria

Frogs play a vital roll in any environments ecosystem. They are also extremely vulnerable to environmental change since they require a stable environment in both the water and the land. Zoos Victoria has several initiatives aiming to conserve the welfare of frogs in our state.

At both Werribee and Healesville they are holding frog spotting nights where you have the chance to grab a torch and learn to identify frogs from their calls. You can also do your bit at home by recording any frog sounds you hear and sending them to the zoo. By collecting these recordings, Zoos Victoria can identify exactly which species of frogs are inhabiting where.

Click here to listen to Michelle Howard discuss these campaigns as well as saving the Southern Corroboree Frog (pictured) which is facing extinction as a result of disease caused by infection with a pathogen known as the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus as well as habitat destruction.

Find out more at http://www.zoo.org.au/

350.org prepares for an International Day of Action on 24th Oct, '09

Accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts have led scientists to conclude that we are already above the safe zone at our current 390ppm, and that unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt.

There are three numbers you need to really understand global warming, 275, 390, and 350.

For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Parts per million is simply a way of measuring the concentration of different gases, and means the ratio of the number of carbon dioxide molecules per million other molecules in the atmosphere. 275 ppm CO2 is a useful amount—without some CO2 and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in our atmosphere, our planet would be too cold for humans to inhabit.

The 24th October, 2009 has been chosen as an international day of action for Climate Change in which 141 countries will participate in various activities to increase the attention deserved by Climate Change.

Luke Chamberlain, Forests Campaigner for The Wilderness Society speaks about 350.org and gives an update on logging in Victoria's Brown Mountain area. Click here to listen.

For more information, please visit http://www.350.org/ and http://www.wilderness.org.au/

BANNED: Pamela Anderson's New PETA Anti-Fur Advert

Animal Rights Organisation PETA is no stranger to controversial campaigns, but now they've managed to have one their racy videos banned at an entirely new location: airports. PETA's video features Pamela Anderson playing the role of an airport security guard who forces passengers to remove any clothes that aren't animal friendly. According to the New York Post, the video was scheduled to be played in several New York area airports, but after viewing it officials have decided the video is too provocative for children and are refusing to air it.

You be the judge:


For more information on PETA, please visit http://www.peta.org/

If you become a vegetarian you can drive a car

A common reason for individuals to choose vegetarianism is because of the poor standard at which animals are raised for meat. However the environmental impact of eating meat is also something worth considering. Producing just one pound of meat produces the same amount of greenhouse gases as driving a SUV 40 miles.

A 2006 United Nations report summarized the devastation caused by the meat industry by calling it "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." The report recommended that animal agriculture "be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity."

According to Environmental Defense, if every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetarian foods instead, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than a half-million cars off U.S. roads.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2.0 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.

They are a stand out organisation who make their statement by utilising pop culture.

Check out one of their adverts that was banned in the USA:


May celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone, Bryan Adams, Sophie Monk and Sir Paul McCartney have thrown their support behind PETA.

To hear all about it, click here and listen to the interview with one of PETA's Senior Campaigners, Ashley Fruno.

To find out more, please visit http://www.peta.org/ and http://www.goveg.com/

The Mountain Pygmy Possum - only 30 left in the wild

The Mountain Pygmy-possum is the largest of Australia's five species of pygmy-possum, yet it only weighs 45 grams and could easily fit in the palm of your hand. Its mouse-like body is covered in thick greyish fur, it has a long tail, agile front feet designed for gathering food, and strong back feet for gripping. It also has enlarged front teeth for cracking seeds. Unfortunately, there is as little as 30 left in the wild.

Click here to hear what Zoos Victoria is doing to save the Mountain Pygmy-possum from extinction.

For the latest news on Zoos Victoria, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

The Wilderness Society Update - Environment East Gippsland sues VicForests for illegal logging

Today, Environment East Gippsland commenced proceedings against VicForests in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

A writ was filed with the court this morning and has just been served on VicForests.

“We ask the Court for a permanent injunction to stop VicForests from logging Brown Mountain” said Jill Redwood, Coordinator of EEG. “We also ask the Court to declare that the logging of Brown Mountain is unlawful”.

Brown Mountain is known habitat for at least five species of wildlife listed as vulnerable or threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

Click here to hear the latest from The Wilderness Society's Amelia Young.

To find out the latest news from The Wilderness Society, please visit http://www.wilderness.org.au/

Watch Out! It's The Snubin Dolphin.

In 2005 a new species of dolphin was found in Australian waters, the Australian snubfin dolphin. The discovery of a new mammal is extremely rare. Until recently the snubfin dolphin was thought to be an Irrawaddy dolphin, which is found in coastal areas and major rivers of south-east Asia, and is in serious decline.

The snubfin dolphin is Australia’s only endemic dolphin, meaning it is unique to northern Australia. Coastal and river dolphins are among the most threatened species of mammal in the world.

Interestingly, the snubfin has a unique way of attacking prey...by spitting water at it.

To find out more click here to listen to the interview with WWF's Lydia Gibson, their Tropical Marine Species Manager.

Please visit https://secure.wwf.org.au/act/donate/snubfin/ to find out how ways to support WWF and the Snubfin dolphin.

Who Gives You Your Wood?

Australians use wood for hundreds of different things. But where does this wood come from? Is your beautiful dining room table the stolen home of an Orang-utan? Is your wood decking responsible for climate change? .

Australia imports products made from timber that is illegally harvested from the Paradise Forests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Solomon Islands. This rampant and unregulated illegal logging is linked to corruption, environmental destruction and loss of livelihood for forest communities.

We now have the ability to make informed decisions when buying wood and knowing where it comes from...in other words, you can choose Good Wood.

Good Wood comes from ethically and ecologically sustainable sources. Buying Good Wood tells companies there is no market for illegal and destructive timber and forces them to act responsibly.

Click here to listen to the interview with Reece Turner - Forests and Whaling Campaigner for Greenpeace Australia.

Take the time to check out the following websites too!

http://www.goodwoodguide.org.au/
AND
http://www.greenpeace.org.au/

The Pygmy Hippo

The pygmy hippopotamus is a mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa. The pygmy hippo is reclusive and noctural. It is one of only two extant species in the Hippopotamidae family, the other being its much larger cousin the common hippopotamus.

Pygmy Hippos are classified as being ‘vulnerable’, which is just one step from an endangered classification. Therefore the birth of Monifa at Toronga Zoo was an exciting event.

Check out Monifa at Toronga taking her first swim.


Nine-month-old Pygmy Hippo ‘Monifa’ has now arrived at Melbourne Zoo, leaving her birthplace at Taronga Zoo.

Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner says ‘Monifa’s birth is a significant contribution to the regional breeding program for Pygmy Hippopotamus, a species with as few as 3,000 individuals surviving in the wild.

‘We are especially delighted to welcome Monifa, as she is the first offspring of Timmy, a long-time favourite of our visitors and staff.’

Monifa’s survival was in the balance at first, so keepers had to step in and hand-raise her, which included providing bottles round the clock.

The calf’s very shaky start in life is reflected in her name: Monifa means ‘I am lucky’ in a Nigerian language.

From being a tiny and frail 3.8kg when she was born last October, Monifa is now a healthy 65kg, thanks to such dedicated care

She no longer needs to be bottle-fed, enjoying a variety of solids, such as endive, lettuce, carrot, apple, lucerne hay, and other fruit, vegetables, and grains.

Click here to listen to the interview with Senior Keeper Sheila Roe at Melbourne Zoo.

You can find out about all the latest happenings at Melbourne Zoo at http://www.zoo.org.au/.

All Natural Special - Peter Singer

Peter Singer is an Australian philosopher. He is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and laureate professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE), University of Melbourne.

Specialising in applied ethics, after writing his book “Animal Liberation” he is seen as being one of the movers and shakers of the modern animal liberation movement.

He has written many books including the titles:
• Democracy and Disobedience
• Should The Baby Live?
• How Are We To Live?
• One World, The Ethics of Globalization
And The President of Good and Evil – The Ethics of George W. Bush

Adam says "I personally became aware of Peter Singer’s work when a friend lent me their copy of another of his titles The Ethics of What We Eat. I felt it covered vital topics that are unknown to the majority of people".

Peter Singer took time to discuss his book and other projects.
Click here to listen to the interview.

For more information, please visit www.princeton.edu/~psinger/

I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur - The Most Shocking Video Ever

Everyone knows than fur comes from animals but did you know the animals are still alive as the fur is ripped off their bodies. The following video shows the unacceptable treatment of animals at China Fur Farms.


Pledge to go fur-free at PETA.org.
For more information please visit http://www.peta.org/ and http://www.petaasiapacific.com/

Seals are being Clubbed To Death in Namibia

The world's largest and cruelest slaughter of seals is about to commence on 1st July in Namibia. Australian-based fur and skins company, Hatem Yavuz, is directly implicated in this annual brutal slaughter. Hatem Yavuz alone bought all of the dead seal pup skins from last year's cull in order to make fur coats.

This year, the highest quota ever — 91,000 cape fur seals — are set to be killed. Most pups will be so young that they are still being nursed by their mothers. The terrified pups will be rounded up, separated from their mothers and brutally clubbed to death.

The market for Namibian Cape Fur Seal skins has collapsed over recent years due to lack of demand and import bans in the European Union, the United States, Mexico and South Africa because of the cruelty involved in the sealing methods. As of 2008, there was only one company left buying seal skins from Namibia — Hatem Yavuz.

An international campaign to expose and pressure Hatem Yavuz has been started by Seal Alert-South Africa. Please add your voice and express your outrage to Hatem Yavuz for their culpability in animal cruelty, and call on them to commit to never again buying Namibian Cape Fur Seal skins.

Visit http://www.animalsaustralia.org/ and send an email directly to Hatem Yavuz

Click here to listen to the interview with Glenys Oogjes of Animals Australia.

What you Eat could be Killing Orang utans

Palm Oil is found in many food and beauty products. Unfortunately the majority of Palm Oil comes from Indonesia, making it now the leading supplier for a global market that demands more of the tree's versatile oil for cooking, cosmetics, and biofuel. But palm oil's appeal comes with significant costs. Oil palm plantations often replace tropical forests, killing endangered species, uprooting local communities, and contributing to the release of climate-warming gases. Due mostly to oil palm production, Indonesia emits more greenhouse gases than any country besides China and the United States.

In Borneo and Sumatra as logging and palm oil plantations continue to rapidly destroy the habitat of the Orang Utan. The rate of deforestation and habitat loss is so great that some scientists are predicting that the orangutan will be the first Great Ape to become extinct in modern times.

Click here as Rachel Lawry from Zoos Victoria discusses the effect of Palm Oil plantations on the future of Orang Utans.

The below video gives information about the Global Warming effects of Palm Oil production in Indonesia.


Click here to ensure you are buying products that are free of Palm Oil.

Please visit www.zoo.org.au to find out what more you can do.

Good call Obama! The US announces planned emissions reductions for 2020 and 2050

Barack Obama has come out and committed the US to reducing it's emissions by 23% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. This leads a great example to other countries as we head towards the Climate Negotiations happening in Copenhagen.

Click here to listen to Jonathan Larkin from WWF Australia talk about what this means for the USA and other countries around the world.

For more information on the WWF, please visit http://www.wwf.org/.

Animal Smuggling

Australia is home to many unique and rare animal species, but sadly, it also provides attractive targets for animal smugglers.

Aiming to reduce the cruel and destructive trade of animal smuggling, the “Smugglers Beware” exhibit was officially launched on June 28, at Werribee's Open Range Zoo, 30 minutes drive west of Melbourne.

Click here to listen to the interview with Kwai Chang Kum from Zoos Victoria.

Find out more at http://www.zoo.org.au/