BALANCE of CULTURE

A "Dachshund UN"

Fitting for this month--"Dachshund UN" just opened to coincide with the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, which began just a few days ago.  

New Transportation Modes for Women on the Rise

Sometimes, waiting for a government to step up just takes too long. 

One encouraging development in the aftermath of the Delhi public transport gang rape/murder is the growing popularity of Cabs for Women by Women. Though a bit more expensive than hailing traditional male-driven cabs, this seven cab business is targeted towards middle class women who may need the flexibility that a public bus can't offer (and, in some cases, the additional comfort that only a trained German Shepherd can yield).

Back in 2009, India tried to balance the inherent sexist environments in their public transportation by introducing eight women-only trains called "Ladies' Specials." This concept is not new, and perhaps most recognizable to those familiar with the context of Japan's own uneasy subway culture.

Countries in several regions offer similar services for women today: Egypt, Iran, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Dubai. A good look for private-public enterprise responding to social lewdness--not so much a good look for those in power who have clearly failed to implement policies that provide safe environments to half of their citizens. Makes me wonder if these kinds of services will proliferate before the problems that prompted them in the first place begin to improve at all.

Illegal Poaching Rising at Alarming Rates

Illegal poaching of animals like rhinos and elephants (for their horns and ivory) is growing at an alarming rate in Africa right now--even to the point where the gruesome practice is being questioned as security threat to the US. (These crimes are becoming such an issue that Secretary Hillary Clinton and President Obama intend to discuss the subject with regional leaders in their Asia trip next week.) 

Luckily, more governments are recognizing this proliferating problem. A South African court recently sentenced Chumlong Lemtongthai to a record 40 years in prison for his leading role in international rhino poaching. But charges against his equally despicable cohort, game farmer Marnus Steyl, were withdrawn with Lemtongthai's guilty plea.

PLEASE take a moment with this quick petition to reinstate criminal charges against Steyl. None of these animals have any way to defend themselves; we must educate the public and protect these animals through policies that are actually enforced by high-level arrests and convictions. Once these animals are gone, they're gone for good. 

 

Spinner dolphins overworked from tourists

These dolphins are tired of being overworked for tourists…literally. In Hawaii, the high number of island visitors who have their hearts set on meeting the "dogs of the sea" are having a negative impact on the health of these spinner dolphins by preventing them from getting much needed rest and sleep. Scientists have created maps which show that only 21 out of 99 bays off the main Hawaiian islands were "suitable habitats for resting dolphins." 

Interacting with spinner dolphins is highly popular all over the world, not just in Hawaii. I can't help but wonder how overworked dolphins are in less regulated parts of the world. I've never wanted to "ride" a dolphin as I've always viewed it as partaking in a lame circus-like activity couched in "family fun." This recent study has definitely convinced me that sequestering these wild creatures into the very profitable (yet often archaic) tourism world is something that will be remembered with disbelief and shame in a hundred years. 

Humpback Whales Closeup in California

Amazing photos of feeding humpback whales were just captured by photographer Bill Bouton around Port San Louis, near San Luis Obispo, California. Apparently this very rare frenzy continued for nearly an hour, stoking out everyone out on the water that day. So gorgeous!

Butterflies Already Show Fukushima Effects

Disfigured eyes, antennas, and wings…Researchers have found dozens of mutated butterflies near Fukushima, Japan. They believe this is some of the first signs of ecosystem damage, but what's even worse is how the mutations have apparently increased with time in adult butterflies and increase even more in their offspring. Very sad and scary! Hope the Japanese government doesn't downplay this too much.

Surfboard Helps Cat Escape Jaws

Whew! This cat escapes a questionable situation by hopping on a conveniently placed surfboard in the backyard pool. So hilarious!

Buddhist Feeding Frenzy

An overcast weekend morning didn't deter SUP (stand up paddle) racers in MDR from coming out to compete in the local meet--nor did the clouds dampen the feeding frenzy at one of the landings. A bit unexpected at that early hour, so we decided to cross back into the marina to check it out. 

As we approached on our boards, we saw a swarm of large pelicans gobbling big fish tossed by an enthusiastic crowd--many of whom were Buddhist monks, dressed in full traditional gear. Only in LA?

Seals started to join the feeding pretty much right away too, though they were mainly underwater searching for any dropped fish.

Hoses ensured the creatures would stay below the dock and not inundate the walkway, though a couple of pelicans (above right) made it up to eye the fish bucket right under everyone's noses. Not sure if this feeding happens regularly, but it's always interesting to see creatures make decisions that go against the group mentality!

Western Tourists Fuel Endangered Asian Elephant Trade

Tourists in Thailand who have their hearts set on a photo op of their elephant joyrides may think twice if they knew about the highly disturbing baby elephant trade going on. With less demand for elephant-based entertainment, these beautiful and rare Asian elephants wouldn't have to endure an unnatural life of force and abuse. 

While it's easy to think of traveling as a means to get your money's and time's worth once you get to your destination, arriving is just the beginning.

We (especially as Westerners!) have a huge responsibility to travel with a conscience no matter where we go--too much of the global tourism industry is based upon our interests to ignore this fact. And while we enjoy showing off our photographs atop an exotic jungle creature when we get home, generations of these animals will continue to suffer for our trifling moments. 

See more on how to protect our Asian elephants.

Shark Appetites Growing With Tourism?

Shark tourism has been popular for a while now, but maybe it's time for tourists to stop looking to be entertained by creatures that are way out of our league.

This weekend another shark claimed a human life off the coast of Western Australia, the fifth fatality in merely 10 months. The movie-like details of surfer Ben Linden's death, witnessed by a nearby jet-skiing friend, has oceanic experts wondering if shark behavior is changing for the worse--possibly as a result of growing tourism efforts to attract sharks to humans. 

Sharks aren't exactly considered the most cerebral creatures on our planet, but their existence alone is testament to their sheer survival skills over the eons. With all of the tourist excursions that use bait to attract sharks for people to "experience" them first-hand, sharks will inevitably begin to associate humans with food. Apparently they're known to take bites out of objects even if they aren't sure the object is edible.

What's even more tragic is that now the government of Western Australia will probably review the national protected status of the great white shark, a policy implemented 20 years ago since they were considered an endangered species. Of course, the bottom line of the tourism industry is a special factor in this move. Hard to see an end to this growing problem without some serious education and warnings to the public.