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  1. World Binturong Day

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    The 8th 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

     

  2. BETA Lebanon faces eviction and needs urgent funds for new sanctuary

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    There’s a charity caring for lost and abandoned pets who urgently need all our help.  

    It’s based in Lebanon, and it’s the Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA). The charity has six staff and it relies on volunteers and international donations.  Today, it featured in the Mail on Sunday who ran an article about it and the help it needs.

    It houses 850 dogs, 250 cats, three horses, two vervet monkeys and a pelican.

    Not only that, the charity’s volunteers give food and medical care to all the strays roaming Beirut.

    Dogs and cats in Beirut need help

    As you know, there was a huge blast in Beirut in August when 2,700 tons of combustible chemicals stored at the port exploded.

    The result was that 200 people were killed.  Thousands more were made homeless.  And BETA’s teams are searching for dogs and cats who were very distressed and ran away from the explosion area.  At the same time, many cats and dogs have been abandoned because of the financial crisis.  BETA estimate there are about 150,000 strays in the city of Beirut. 

    BETA has a Crowdfunder

    BETA has issued an urgent appeal – they need to complete a new rescue centre.  


    With everything that’s going on – the explosion, the economic crisis and COVID-19, progress on the building has been slow.  The fully equipped stable and a monkey enclosure have been built.  Work is going on to finish the dog kennels – and the area for seniors.

    £150,000 is urgently needed to finish it for the rescue dogs, cats and other animals before Christmas because they are being evicted from the current shelter.   And there is a need to provide for the animals’ basic needs such as food and medical care and to carry out their daily tasks. 

    Please help provide these animals with the safe haven they deserve.  They have been through enough and need help.

    If you have a cat or a dog, why not make a donation on their behalf and give cats and dogs in Lebanon a safe haven!

    BETA is now a 501(c)3 charity organization registered in the USA. Tax identification number: 83-2075807

    Please donate to the crowdfunder with GoFundMe

    There’s also a wishlist on BETA’s website and you can find out more about the charity here.

     

  3. Don't Miss: John Bishop's Great Whale Rescue on ITV on Monday 12 October 2020 at 9pm

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    Don't miss this: 

    On Monday 12 October at 9pm on ITV, the comedian John Bishop follows two beluga whales as they are released an entertainment park in China, where they were being held in captivity.


    The whales are returned to the wild after an epic journey to the Icelandic beluga whale sanctuary.

    This is a two part series and you can see the second episode on Tuesday 13 October, also at 9pm.

    Find out more about the programme here 

    Find out about the Beluga Whale Sanctuary here 

    Support Little White and Little Grey here.

    Help whales:

    Whale and Dolphin Conservation (UK)

    Whale and Dolphin Conservation (US)

    Whale Conservation

    Pacific Whale Foundation

    Ocean Alliance - Whale Research and Conservation

    Galapagos Conservation Whale Shark Project

    Great Whale Conservancy

    ORCA - protecting whales in UK and European waters