The 8^th May 2021 is World Binturong Day.

The aim is to raise awareness of this mammal who lives in the primary and secondary forests of South East Asia in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines (on the Palawan Island).

How much do you know about the Binturong?

Here are 7 facts about binturongs:

1. The binturong uses its tail to balance – they can grab things and hang from branches with their tails.
2. Binturongs are also called bearcats – but they aren’t cats or bears!  They are part of the Viverridae family
3. Their conservation status is Vulnerable (according to the IUCN in 2016

The conservation of binturongs isn’t easy – most of the studies on their behaviour and diet and reproduction are from binturongs in captivity – only three were done in the wild, so it’s hard to get an idea of the size of their territory, their diet and the way they all interact with each other.  In addition, they are mostly active at night and they live 10 to 20 metres high, so it can be difficult to get accurate information on the binturongs.

ABConservation work to protect the binturong

They are based in France and in the Philippines.  They undertake a number of activities:

• They have a BearCat Study Programme to improve knowledge of binturong ecology and try to find out the remaining number of binturongs in the forest of the Palawan Island
  
  
• They have created partnerships with local organisations and also a method of canopy camera trapping from 5 to 20 metres high in the treetops to help detect binturongs.  They also take part in conferences to spread information and they are involving Filipino and French university students in the implementation of various research protocols.
  
  
• They are now mapping the distribution of binturongs on the island with lots of study sites, and undertaking an ecological study of binturongs through camera trapping.
  
  
• They are raising awareness of the importance of nature and the threat it faces, and working to create tangible actions and solutions to face the threats that will impact humans.
  
  
• They also have a wildlife rescue centre as well.

Ways to support ABConservation in protecting binturongs are by donating, becoming a member and/or volunteering.

Visit their website here

Tell Eastern African Authorities:
Ban The Donkey Skin Trade.
Sign the Official Petition Now.

Eastern Africa has the highest donkey population in the world.

So it’s a hotspot for donkey skin traders.

The Brooke says that donkeys are cruelly slaughtered.  Their skins are used to make Chinese medicine and beauty products.

Uganda and Kenya have bans on exporting donkey skins in place.

But we need bans across eastern Africa to stop the donkey skin traders for good.

The Brooke has a petition calling on the equivalent of the EU in eastern Africa to push for a ban right across the entire region.  This will protect donkeys – and help the owners who need them.

The Brooke say that at the moment, the restrictions covering the donkey skin trade are inconsistent, so traders exploit those areas where the laws and their enforcement are weakest of all.   They are stealing and slaughtering thousands of donkeys.

The Brooke is calling on IGAD to push for a ban across the whole region.

Pressure from Brooke supporters has helped secure a ban in Kenya.  

Kenya today, tomorrow the world. 

We need to act fast to protect the theft and slaughter of donkeys.

Please sign this petition

I adore horses, so loved to see the happy horses at Northcote Heavy Horse Centre having fun in their field in the morning!

The centre is based in Lincolnshire, near Skegness.   Their main aim is to give a peaceful, rich and rewarding life to the animals in their care, and to give them a forever, loving home. 

They also help educate the public on the legacy and history of the horse, and the impact of the horse on the world today.

The coronavirus has hit them hard

Like so many places, they have had to close during the coronavirus but they say the good news is that they will be opening up soon – we all  need to keep an eye on their Facebook page to watch for news!

This is very good news because the centre needs help if it is to get through at the moment.   The centre was opened in 1988 and it has had many horses and animals through its doors, giving them a loving, caring forever home. 

You can see their current animals here – not just horses and ponies!  There are also ferrets, pigs, alpacas, terrapins and turtles, goats and birds of prey!  One big happy family, needing help.

 
This is  Merlin, the miniature Shetland who came to the centre in 2014

And this is Rosie, a rare Suffolk Punch – what a beautiful girl she is!

Ways to help the Northbrook Heavy Horse Centre:

• Make a donation – however small or large
• If you’re buying anything from Newbridge Tack and Feeds, spare a donation or buy a bag of pony cubes, fast fibre, chaff, savings, chicken, pig food, goat, or even straw.  They are dropping donations off weekly.  A huge thank you to them for their wish to help everyone at Northcote.
• Sponsor a horse – this could be a great gift for a horse lover!
• Support their GoFundMe appeal
• Visit when the centre opens up!
• Buy something off their Amazon wish list

Kick up your heels and canter over to their Facebook page.

Gallop off to the Northbrook Heavy Horse Centre's website here

Images on this blog © Northbrook Heavy Horse Centre