Animal Digest

Flona Expo 2010 “True Facts”

2010-08-11T23:11:00.004+07:00

Local Government of DKI Jakarta has made Flora and Fauna (Flona) Expo in Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta , as an annual agenda of Jakarta. This Expo has been a showcase for plant seller, florist, farmer, agribusiness, and also animal sellers ( pet shops).

Unfortunately, it was not just a happy event for the living beings there. The fact is, many animals were suffered in this Expo. Whilst your children roamed around to see the animals, many of these creatures were being treated carelessly and not animal welfare at all.

There were many wild animals such as monkeys, snakes, and exotic animals sold in this Expo.

Many of these animals had skin diseases and poor nutrition intake.

They were being caged in such small ones and had a direct sunlight without any shelter at all.

The sellers put many rabbits inside one cage, made them couldn’t move.

The sellers seem to care nothing about their animals. Many of the animals were mal-nutrition and unhappy, but they still want to sell them. They don’t care about the hygiene of the cages.

Please everyone, stop buying things from these kind of pet shops! You don’t want to buy a sick animal in a high price, right?

A good pet shop will care about their pets ( I strongly recommend you to buy in an authorized breeder, or more, you can adopt the animals in animal shelters or you can contact JAAN)

Say NO to wild animals, because when the demand is high, people will hunt them to extinct, for some cash from you!

Complaint everytime you see this kind of animal seller!

Every action you make, contribute something good for the animals!

ACT NOW!

"Ten in One"

"Direct hot sunlight, without any shelters"

"A pitbull in poor condition"

"Can you just let me out?"

"Poor monkeys in bad condition"

"Injured leg of a dog"

"Plain rice + flies for this dog lunch"

"He can't stand properly in that small cage"

It's all about hamster!

2010-04-29T20:29:00.003+07:00

Siapa sih yang tidak menyukai hamster? Hewan dari sub-ordo Cricetidae ini sering kali dijumpai di kalangan masyarakat perkotaan yang haus akan hewan peliharaan, tapi tidak ingin repot dengan binatang yang terlalu besar seperti anjing atau kucing. Tapi jangan salah, meski kecil, mereka tetap makhluk hidup yang perlu diperhatikan dengan komitmen! Yuk kita simak ulasan singkat dibawah ini..

Introduction

Sekedar intro, asal usul nama hewan pengerat yang manis ini bermula dari sifat mereka yang suka menimbun makanannya yaitu hamstern, yang berarti menimbun dalam bahasa Jerman.

Hamster merupakan hewan nocturnal seperti rodensia lainnya, dan dia memiliki kantung pipi untuk menyimpan makanan mereka.

Hamster terbagi menjadi beberapa jenis, seperti Giant Hamster yang panjangnya mencapai 15-20 cm, umumnya digunakan untuk hewan lab, dan Mini Hamster yang sering dipelihara oleh manusia.

Species

Hamster trah mini yang sering dipelihara di Indonesia antara lain

1. Campbell (Phodopus campbelli)
Ras paling umum yang dipelihara, menyukai pelet, biasanya galak dibanding ras lainnya dan terdapat berbagai warna seperti albino, black bear, platinum, panda, mocca, dll

2.Winter White (Phodopus sungorus)

Hamster yang memiliki keunikan karena bulunya yang berganti warna saat musim berubah ini tergolong ramah dan dapat bertahan hingga 2 tahun. Warnanya bervariasi dari golden, safir, blue argente, dll

3.Roborovski (Phodopus roborovskii)
Hamster penyuka biji-bijian ini berukuran paling kecil (4-5cm) dibanding dengan ras lainnya, meski demikian, hidupnya paling panjang, sampai 4-5 tahun. Jinak dan lincah.

4.Hamster Cina (Cricetulus griseus)

Paling sulit / jarang ditemui di Indonesia, ciri khas hamster ini adalah berbadan ramping dan memiliki ekor yang cukup panjang. Berukuran sekitar 10 cm.

Pakan & nutrisi

Pada umumnya di petshop atau klinik hewan sudah tersedia makanan yang diformulasi terdiri dari pelet, biji-bijian, beras, kuaci dan sebagainya. Hamster dapat diberi sayur-sayuran atau buah-buahan seperti toge 2-3 kali seminggu sebagai variasi. Ukuran porsi makan mereka sekitar 10% berat badannya, jadi jangan terlalu banyak memberinya makan. Seujung sendok kecil sudah cukup.

Jangan lupa sediakan selalu air bersih dalam botol.

Kandang

Kandang harus mudah dibersihkan, dan kalau bisa bagian dasarnya cukup tinggi (sekitar 5cm) sehingga mampu menampung serbuk kayu yang diberikan. Sirkulasi udara juga harus baik, seperti dengan menggunakan kawat di atasnya.

Kandang yang lembab dapat membuat hamster anda terkena pneumonia, stress, dan juga infeksi bakteri lainnya.

Padding/Litter

Sediakan serutan kayu yang bersih, halus, dan juga pasir zeolit untuk mandi nya. Pasir ini berfungsi untuk menyerap air sehingga mencegah kelembaban dan juga menyerap keringat hamster itu sendiri sehingga bulunya tetap kering dan tidak bau. Untuk hamster yang sedang hamil, dapat diberikan kapas atau tissue halus sebagai bahan sarangnya.

Exercise

Hamster butuh olahraga! Karena sifat alaminya adalah aktif di malam hari untuk mencari makan dengan berkeliling ke berbagai tempat. Sediakan mainan seperti lorong-lorongan atau kiciran agar mereka dapat berlari. Seekor hamster dapat berlari sepanjang 8 mil setiap harinya.

Demikian beberapa info mengenai hamster, komentar dan pertanyaan sangat diharapkan :)

Dan jangan lupa, jangan berikan hamster sebagai hadiah! Seperti yang sudah dijelaskan diatas, hamster pun makhluk hidup yang membutuhkan perhatian dan komitmen dalam perawatannya. Jangan biarkan hewan anda menderita.

Selamat merawat hewan anda!

*Semua informasi dibantu oleh drh. Ulum, beliau merupakan pemilik Hams Corner yang berlokasi di Dramaga Bogor. Terima kasih atas pengetahuan yang telah di-share oleh beliau

*foto kedua diambil dari http://intani.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/tips-merawat-hamster/

Hari Kedokteran Hewan Sedunia

2010-04-25T22:21:00.004+07:00

World Veterinary Day yang diadakan setiap sabtu minggu terakhir bulan April, tahun in dilaksanakan pada tanggal 24 April 2010. WVD kali ini ingin meningkatkan kesadaran mengenai hubungan hewan dan kesehatan umum melalui tema "One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians"

World Veterinary Association menetapkan World Veterinary Day pada tahun 2000, dan terus dilaksanakan sampai tahun 2010 ini :)

Dalam rangka WVD ini, para mahasiswa FKH IPB turun ke bundaran HI untuk memberi tahu kepada masyarakat sekitar tentang Hari Kedokteran Hewan Sedunia ini dengan beraksi damai. Melalui leaflet-leaflet yang dibagikan ke kendaraan bermotor yang melintas, poster-poster "hand-made" yang terus diangkat di tengah matahari terik, dan juga pengeras suara yang terus berkumandang dari jam 8 sampai jam 10.30an ini, para mahasiswa menyerukan pesan pentingnya kedokteran hewan dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat

Aksi berlangsung lancar ditutup dengan acara teatrikal kontemporer yang berceritakan tentang peran dokter hewan dan dokter umum yang bersinergis dalam memberantas penyakit menular dari hewan seperti H5N1, rabies, anthrax dan lainnya. Media pers seperti TVOne, Metro TV, Jak-TV, TVRI dan Media Indonesia ikut meliput acara ini.

Selamat Hari Kedokteran Hewan Sedunia!

2 Sumatran Tigers Were Released!

2010-01-30T18:32:00.006+07:00

Hari Jumat, 22 Januari 2010 lalu, 2 harimau Sumatra (Panthera tigris sumatrae) dilepas liarkan di Tambling Wildlife Nature Conservation, yang terletak di kawasan Panimbangan, Lampung Barat. 2 harimau tersebut yang bernama Buyung dan Panti ditemukan bersama 4 ekor harimau lainnya tertangkap di kawasan pemukiman Aceh Selatan, Nanggro Aceh Darussalam karena menyerang ternak milik warga.

Buyung, harimau jantan berusia 6-7 tahun berbobot 121kg dan harimau betina bernama Panti yang berbobot 80kg serta berumur 5-6 tahun ini dianggap sudah sehat dan dapat dilepasliarkan dengan tujuan agar mereka dapat bereproduksi dengan 50 ekor harimau Sumatra lainnya yang menurut pengamatan berada di kawasan Taman Nasional Bukit Barisan Selatan ini.

Pelepasan dilakukan di tengah lapangan rumput luas dengan penjagaan memadai berupa senjata bius kalau-kalau mereka berdua nyasar ke arah yang tidak diinginkan :) Pukul 3 sore, Tommy Winata, pemilik group Artha Graha membuka kunci kandang Panti. Pengusaha kelahiran Taiwan ini menjadi pelopor karantina harimau. Lalu, Zulkifli Hasan S.E, Menteri Kehutanan kita yang baru membuka pintu kandang Panti. Start yang bagus pak! Semoga kehidupan hewan liar di Indonesia bisa diperhatikan dan dijaga. Karena bila tidak sekarang, nasib binatang cantik ini akan sama seperti 2 subspecies lainnya, yaitu harimau Jawa dan harimau Bali yang sudah dinyatakan punah :(

Panti yang waspada tidak begitu saja keluar dari kandangnya melainkan perlahan menghampiri kandang Buyung yang belum dibuka. 5 menit setelah dia berputar-putar disekitar sana, Panti kemudian berlari menuju semak-semak. Sungguh suatu momen yang indah melihat makhluk hidup berlari menuju kebebasannya :D Buyung kemudian dilepas beberapa saat kemudian.
"Kedua harimau ini telah dipasang alat GPS collar di leher mereka untuk mendeteksi keberadaan dan aktivitas mereka. ", ucap Tony Sumampaouw, direktur Taman Safari Indonesia yang juga bekerja sama dalam konservasi satwa liar ini.

Harimau lainnya, Pangeran dan Agam, telah dilepaskan ke Hutan Tambling pada Juli 2008, sementara Ucok yang diperkirakan berusia 12 tahun dianggap terlalu tua dan rawan untuk dilepasliarkan. Sedangkan Selma masih dianggap liar dan diperkirakan pernah memakan manusia karena ditemukan rambut manusia pada fesesnya. Menurut saya, sebenarnya isu ini bukanlah karena kesalahan mereka. Pembabatan hutan secara ekstensif untuk pelebaran daerah perkebunan dan perumahan membuat habitat binatang-binatang malang ini semakin sempit sehingga mereka terpaksa berinteraksi dengan warga setempat. Setelah ditangkap warga, keenam harimau tersebut hidup terlantar. Bahkan ada yang dikerangkeng di kandang bekas orang utan di markas Korem setempat. Beberapa bulan dikandang, kondisi harimau itu kian memprihatinkan. Ada yang terserang tumor rahang, jantung, hati, hingga cacingan. Hal itu karena pola makan dan kondisi kerangkeng yang tidak memenuhi syarat. Artha Graha Peduli kemudian mengevakuasi mereka ke TWNC. (Sumber diambil dari Bataviase.co.id :Terbiasa Makan Manusia, Tak Jadi Dilepas)

Credit: Foto-foto diatas diambil dari (sumber: sains.kompas.com) dan (sumber:ulun.lampunggech.com)

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Sebarluaskan berita ini ke keluarga, teman dan kerabat Anda
Cegah perambahan hutan dengan lebih menghemat kertas seperti memakai kertas bolak-balik dan daur ulang
Dukung kampanye-kampanye dan kegiatan-kegiatan dari lembaga-lembaga wildlife terkait, seperti meng-add facebook TWNC
WWF Indonesia akan mengadakan "Save The Tiger Campaign" tanggal 14 Februari nanti bertepatan dengan Tahun Baru Cina yang menandakan awal tahun macan. Info bisa dilihat di WWF Indonesia
Keep in mind, that Every living things has life, but only human race has the logic. Karena itu kita sebagai makhluk hidup yang berakal budi harus bisa menghargai makhluk hidup lainnya!!

Animal Abuse part 1

2009-12-13T10:48:00.002+07:00

Pendahuluan

Hewan telah sangat berguna bagi manusia, namun tidak semua hewan yang berguna bagi manusia itu telah diperlakukan secara adil. Buat kalian yang sudah menonton film “Earthlings”, kalian pasti sudah bisa membayangkan apa yang terjadi. Namun, berikut adalah sedikit ilustrasi untuk yang belum menonton.

Ada lima kebutuhan manusia akan hewan, yaitu sebagai hewan peliharaan, untuk dijadikan makanan, untuk dijadikan pakaian, untuk hiburan, dan untuk sains. Kelima poin itu akan dibahas satu persatu di sini.

Hewan sebagai binatang peliharaan
Hewan peliharaan umumnya dapat dibeli di petshop ataupun di breeder. Hewan ini kemudian dipelihara oleh manusia. Namun, terkadang manusia menjadi bosan dan kemudian membuang anjing mereka. Anjing-anjing ini kemudian akan ditangkap dan dimasukan ke penampungan anjing. Setiap tahunnya, ada jutaan anjing liar yang ditangkap. Hewan ini dapat diadopsi, tetapi karena manusia memiliki kecenderungan untuk mengadopsi anak anjing/kucing, anjing/kucing yang sudah dewasa pada umumnya dibunuh untuk menyediakan tempat bagi anjing-anjing baru yang masuk.
Sebanyak 60.000 hewan dieuthanasi setiap harinya. Akan tetapi untuk menekan dana karena euthanasia sangat mahal, hewan juga dibunuh dengan memasukannya ke ruangan yang diisi dengan CO2, ditembak, diracuni. Beberapa hewan peliharaan juga diperlakukan dengan tidak baik seperti ditendang dipukuli. Pantaskah?

Heatstroke mengancam!

2009-09-29T17:16:00.004+07:00

Jangan sampai anjing anda terkena heatstroke! Di tengah cuaca yang tidak menentu dan juga global warming yang terus berlangsung sampai saat ini, anjing anda sangat mungkin terkena heatstroke. Heatstroke, yang berasal dari kata heat ="panas" dan stroke, adalah istilah umum dari hyperthermia yang disebabkan oleh panas berlebih.

Berikut faktor-faktor yang memungkinkan anjing anda terkena heatstroke:
1. Ventilasi dan sirkulasi udara yang tidak memadai.
2. Panas terik matahari.
3. Ketebalan bulu pada anjing
4. Obesitas
5. Ketersediaan air minum
6. Exercise yang berlebihan
7. Ras tipe brachycephalic (moncong pendek) seperti pug ataupun minipom

Suhu anjing normal berkisar antara 38-39 ⁰C. Sehingga suhu diatas 39.5 sudah dapat dikategorikan sebagai hyperthermia. Pada kasus yang berlanjut, suhu tubuh bisa mencapai 42⁰C yang beresiko mematikan sel-sel hati, otak dan intestinal sehingga mengakibatkan kematian.

Ini adalah beberapa langkah yang harus dilakukan apabila anjing kita diduga terkena heatstroke:
1. Periksa kondisi badannya, apabila dia lemas dan terbaring secara tidak wajar,
2. Periksa suhu tubuhnya. Hal ini dapat dimulai dengan menggunakan termometer steril di anusnya, atau cek telinga dan lidahnya, apabila panas berlebihan, kemungkinan anjing anda terkena heatstroke.
3. Pindahkan anjing anda ke tempat yang dingin, ber -AC ataupun kipas angin.
4. Tutup badannya dengan handuk basah untuk menurunkan suhu tubuh.
5. Segera bawa ke klinik hewan ataupun dokter hewan terdekat!

Heatstroke sangat erat dengan waktu. Jangan sampai Anda terlambat, karena nyawa anjing kesayangan Anda menjadi taruhannya.

Tips Titip Sehat

2009-09-28T11:54:00.003+07:00

Di musim lebaran maupun natal dan tahun baru, banyak orang yang lebih memilih untuk menitipkan anjing/kucing kesayangannya ke tempat penitipan anjing baik di klinik maupun petshop. Hal ini seringkali menjadi pilihan karena banyak pemilik anjing yang sering kali menghadapi kesulitan karena tenaga kerja yang mengambil cuti ataupun mudik ataupun berlibur bersama keluarga, sehingga penitipan anjing di kota-kota besar seperti Jakarta, Semarang dan Surabaya selalu ramai didatangi pelanggan. Terdapat beberapa pertimbangan yang mungkin bisa Anda telaah sebelum menentukan pet inn yang baik untuk teman kecil Anda.

1. Pastikan anjing/kucing Anda memiliki vaksinasi lengkap. Biasanya tempat rawat inap tidak mau menerima anjing/kucing yang belum divaksinasi.
2. Jaga kondisi tubuh hewan Anda. Sebelum diinapkan, biasanya dokter hewan yang berjaga akan memeriksa terlebih dahulu kesehatan hewan Anda sebelum boleh dititipkan.
3. Pilih tempat yang baik untuk menitipkan anjing anda. Disarankan untuk memilih klinik dibanding petshop atau rumahan, karena klinik biasanya memiliki dokter jaga yang teratur memeriksa kondisi kesehatan hewan Anda dan memberi pengobatan yang diperlukan.
4. Coba tanya apakah boleh melihat tempat inapnya terlebih dahulu. Lihat kandang yang akan diberikan ke peliharaaan Anda. Apakah bersih dan cukup luas. Hal yang penting dilihat adalah kebersihan. Titip sehat yang baik selalu membersihkan kandang dan kotoran minimal sehari sekali.
5. Tanya makanan yang diberikan. Kalau bisa, bawalah dog food sendiri. Jangan menganggap rugi kalau bawa makanan sendiri. Anjing/kucing yang ditinggal pemiliknya di tempat baru seringkali stress dan sulit beradaptasi dengan dog food yang baru. Hasilnya, anjing bisa sakit. Periksa merek dog food yang disediakan.
6. Di musim liburan, seringkali terjadi permintaan berlebihan sehingga tidak ada lagi tempat yang tersedia. Pesan dan konfirmasi terlebih dahulu lewat telepon dari awal, tanyakan alternatif lain seperti membawa kandang sendiri apabila tempat sudah penuh.
7. Jangan lupa berikan penjelasan yang cukup kepada petugas rawat inap. Misal, takut ketinggian, tenang bila ramai, lebih menyukai kesendirian, alergi, obat minum, ataupun terbiasa pup di kandang atau taman. Hal ini akan memudahkan paramedis yang merawatnya.
8. Jangan terlalu lama menitipkan anjing/kucing Anda. Nothing's better than home.

Save the Humbodlt Chicks!

2009-08-31T16:57:00.004+07:00

aman

Pernahnya kamu tahu mengenai Penguin Humboldt? Penguin dengan nama latin Spheniscus Humboldti atau dikenal dengan Peruvian Penguin ini berasal dari Amerika Selatan.

Status penguin ini dalam keadaan terancam, terutama disebabkan oleh karena eksploitasi yang berlebihan dari masyarakat sekitar dan juga kerusakan habitat. Jumlahnya di dunia diprediksi kurang lebih hanya sekitar 3.300 ekor (wikipedia)

Bekerja sama dengan Sea Life Park Tokyo, Jepang, kini di Taman Safari Indonesia sudah terdapat 12 ekor species penguin Humboldt untuk selanjutnya dikonservasi di Indonesia. Mereka kurang lebih berumur 10 hingga 13 tahun dan diharapkan dapat selanjutnya berkembang biak di Indonesia. Dibawah pengawasan tim medis TSI dan drh Hiroshi Takeuchi dari Tokyo, satwa pemakan ikan teri dan ikan japuh itu sudah bisa Anda lihat secara langsung di kolam yang telah dilengkapi dengan alat pengatur suhu dan kadar garam di Taman Safari Indonesia.

Disana anda bisa melihat kehidupan mereka dari dalam kolam yang dilengkapi dengan kaca. Terdapat pula paket-paket interaktif seharga IDR 30.000 sampai IDR 100.000 dan anda dapat memberi mereka makan secara langsung.

Hewan-hewan malang ini membutuhkan bantuan berupa orang tua asuh. Anda bisa menghubungi pihak Taman Safari Indonesia di 0251 8250 000

Buktikan partisipasi anda dalam menjaga kelestarian bumi dan keanekaragaman hayati yang telah dititipkan kepada kita!

Thanks,
Salam Satwa

Have yourself a trunkmade T-Shirt

2009-08-23T10:15:00.004+07:00

Kalau handmade T-Shirt sudah banyak yang punya, gimana kalo trunkmade T-shirt??

Sekarang, Taman Safari Indonesia mengadakan acara interaktif Elephant Show yang terletak di area rekreasi Taman Safari dan salah satunya adalah penjualan baju yang dilukis oleh sang gajah asia sendiri.

Dengan harga Rp.100.000,-, kamu sudah bisa mendapatkan baju yang hanya ada satu-satunya di dunia. Karena setiap baju yang kamu beli merupakan karya asli dari sang pelukis berbelalai itu sendiri. Ga percaya? Ini gambar ketika si gajah sumatra melukis (sebelah kiri)

Selain daripada itu, dengan membeli kaos ini kamu juga sudah membantu konservasi gajah-gajah liar yang terus terusir dari habitatnya karena perambahan hutan oleh manusia-manusia yang tidak memiliki kesadaran.

Motifnya ada yang abstrak, tapi yang lagi dibikin kali ini adalah motif pohon. Kalau penasaran dan ingin melihat langsung gimana dia melukis, datang saja langsung ke Taman Safari Indonesia. Elephants Show diadakan setiap jam 11.00 dan jam 16.30. Disana, kamu bisa melihat atraksi-atraksi dari gajah-gajah yang sudah dilatih dan mendapatkan pengetahuan-pengetahuan berguna, seperti mengapa gajah menjadi langka di Indonesia tercinta ini.

Pihak Taman Safari Indonesia mengadakan program untuk pelatihan gajah-gajah agar dapat berguna bagi masyarakat di sekitar habitat mereka, seperti membawa barang-barang berat, membawa kayu dan lain sebagainya. Dengan hidup berdampingan dengan manusia, kita bisa bersama-sama melestarikan eksistensi mereka di dunia! Salah satu caranya adalah dengan membeli produk-produk taman safari yang keuntungannya akan disumbangkan untuk konservasi dan training gajah-gajah ini.

Sekedar info, kalau mau beli T-Shirtnya, langsung pas waktu shownya aja, karena orang-orang yang beli pas show itu bakal dikasi bonus khusus yaitu karangan bunga penuh cinta yang langsung dikasih dari sang gajah dengan belalainya. Bakal jadi kenangan indah kan?

Endangered Today : Badak

2009-07-13T12:58:00.000+07:00

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Rhinocerotidae

Dalam sesi Endangered Today pertama ini, saya akan membahas tentang badak, yang lebih dikenal dengan Rhinoceros dalam bahasa Inggris. Makhluk bercula ini tentunya sudah akrab dikenal oleh kita semua, bahkan ketika anda SD dan menemukan kartu bergambar badak di seri kartu binatang yang dimiliki oleh anda. Tapi, sejauh mana anda mengetahui tentang binatang langka ini? Yuk kita bicarakan.

Tahukah anda, bahwa badak sudah menghuni dunia ini jauh sebelum kakeknya-neneknya-buyutnya-neneknya-kakeknya-buyutnya-kakek anda? Nenek moyang badak, Hyrachyus eximus, berbentuk kecil seperti tapir tanpa ada cula sama sekali, kalau anda membayangkan yang paling gampang adalah seperti kuda kecil. Hyrachyus inilah yang berevolusi selama jutaan tahun menjadi beberapa famili, seperti kuda, tapir, dan rhinocerotidae yang kita kenal sekarang. Diduga hidup dari 15 juta tahun yang lalu, beberapa species dari rhinocerotidae ini kemudian masuk ke asia 10.000 tahun yang lalu, dan daerah yang ditempatinya antara lain adalah pulau sumatera dan jawa.

Hingga kini, hanya tinggal 5 jenis badak yang ada dunia. Pertama adalah badak putih, badak hitam, badak india, badak jawa dan badak sumatera. Dan kelima-limanya dalam kondisi langka dan sangat langka. Untuk kali ini, saya akan lebih menceritakan tentang 2 jenis badak asli dari Indonesia ini.

Badak Sumatera memiliki bentuk tubuh agak kecil dengan tubuh pendek, dan kepala agak lancip. Sebagai jenis badak yang diakui paling tua di dunia, binatang malang ini hanya tinggal terdapat 300 ekor di planet ini. Sebagian besar terdapat di sumatra,lalu sebagian lagi di malaysia dan sabah. Sebagian besar alasan mengapa badak ini semakin berkurang populasinya adalah antara lain karena perburuan liar dan penebangan hutan di pulau sumatera untuk dijadikan tanah pertanian kelapa sawit. Pihak WWF-Indonesia, mengatakan bahwa pentingnya edukasi masyarakat untuk mencegah perambahan hutan lebih lanjut daripada ini dan mengusahakan pertanian kelapa sawit yang telah ada dengan sistem intenfisikasi pertanian dan bukan dengan ekstentifikasi. Banyak masyarakat yang belum teredukasi, tanpa disadari, terus merambah hutan tanpa menanamnya kembali. Padahal, selain merusak ekosistem makhluk hidup lain, hal ini juga berakibat buruk terhadap masyarakat yang hidup di sekitar daerah tersebut. Hutan yang berfungsi sebagai daerah resapan air, semakin sedikit sehingga tidak dapat lagi menampung air hujan. Hal ini mengakibatkan banjir yang terus menerus dan daerah yang tidak dapat ditanami lagi. Contohnya dapat dilihat di Kalimantan Selatan yang sudah tidak layak ditempati lagi karena hutan sudah tidak ada lagi akibat pertambangan. Banjir terus terjadi dan masyarakat hanya hidup memikirkan banjir yang terjadi secara rutin. Dari 10 tahun terakhir, hutan di sumatera hanya tersisa kurang dari 20%. Apabila hal ini terus dilakukan, daerah cagar alam seperti way kambas, guunung leuser dan bukit barisan selatan yang menjadi habitat badak sumatera ini juga akan menghilang.

Badak Jawa, selain terdapat di pulau Jawa, juga terdapat sebagian kecil di Vietnam. Hal yang perlu anda ketahui adalah, hanya tinggal terdapat 40 nyawa tersisa dari spesies ini, dan sebagian besar terdapat di taman nasional ujung kulon. Jumlah ini bahkan lebih kecil dari jumlah siswa di sebuah taman bermain anak-anak! Berbagai cara telah dilakukan pemerintah dan organisasi-organisasi swasta untuk mempertahankan nasib hewan ini, seperti diadakannya Patroli Badak (Rhino Protection Unit) oleh yayasan mitra rhino, WWF, dan YAI, guna melindungi badak-badak ini dari pemburu yang tidak bertanggung jawab. Salah satu problem utama yang dihadapi saat ini adalah sulitnya mencegah in-breeding (perkawinan sesama keluarga) yang terjadi diantara 40 ekor badak yang tersisa ini. Dengan jumlah yang segitu minimnya, sulit untuk melakukan perkawinan normal di cagar alam. Oleh karena itu, saat ini pihak RhinoSanctuary sedang mengadakan sensus DNA melalui kotoran yang ada untuk menentukan hubungan keluarga mereka. Dan tidak seperti badak putih di Amerika yang dapat beradaptasi dengan cagar alam ex-situ seperti kebun binatang, badak jawa lebih sensitif dan tidak dapat menahan stress apabila ditempatkan di tempat yang sempit. Semua hal ini menjadi kendala yang berat dalam menyelamatkan hewan sangat langka ini.

Selain dari itu, ketiga badak lainnya juga dalam taraf mengkhawatirkan. Hal yang menjadi alasan utama mengapa penurunan ini terus terjadi adalah fakta bahwa masih banyak manusia khususnya di dataran cina, yang mempercayai bahwa cula dari binatang tak bersalah ini dapat berfungsi sebagai aphrodisiac (baca: Obat kuat). Padahal, penelitian para ahli membuktikan bahwa cula badak hanyalah terdiri dari komponen filamen dan substansi yang tak lain dan tak kurang, sama seperti rambut kita. Di Yaman, cula ini juga sering dipakai sebagai pedang yang dipakai untuk menentukan kehormatan seseorang disuatu suku. Sampai saat ini, terus ditemukan perdagangan cula ilegal di Asia. Harga per kg nya mencapai 120jt di Hongkong dan Taiwan. Suatu harga yang tidak seimbang dibanding kepunahan satu spesies di dunia.. Disamping ini adalah tindakan sadis yang dilakukan terhadap seekor badak putih di Nepal, untuk culanya. Badak yang terluka parah karena dipotong hidup-hidup itu berhasil diselamatkan setelah ditemukan oleh seorang turis tergeletak lemah di dekat danau. Bahkan, terdapat juga mitos bahwa kuku dan isi perut hewan malang ini dapat dijadikan obat alternatif.

Interesting Facts About Rhinos
1. Badak merupakan binatang yang sangat pemalu dan tidak mau berkontak dengan manusia
2. Badak memiliki jalur tetap berbentuk oval seluas kurang lebih 18 km persegi.
3. Badak birahi hanya sekali dalam sebulan
4. Badak betina mengeluarkan feromonnya melalui kuku, cula dan urin nya.
5. Badak senang berendam dalam lumpur untuk menurunkan panas tubuhnya.
6. Badak merupakan makhluk yang romantis, mereka terlebih dahulu berpacaran selama kurang lebih 5 hari, makan, minum dan berendam bersama sebelum menentukan apakah mereka pasangan yang cocok dan menikah.

Apa yang bisa kita lakukan?
1. Cegah penjualan cula badak, baik dalam bentuk ekstrak atau pil. Hal ini bisa dilakukan dengan melaporkan penjual tersebut kepada polisi atau memberikan pengarahan ke penjual tersebut terhadap fakta ini!
2. Gunakan produk-produk kayu seperti kertas, tissue, seefektif mungkin! Mulailah gunakan kertas bolak balik, selamatkan hutan dan ekosistem kita!
2. Beritahu saudara, teman, atau kenalan anda mengenai hal ini. Ubah pola pikir mereka yang tidak mempedulikan hal yang mendesak ini. Tindakan penyebaran berita ini sepintas sepele, tapi anda telah melakukan kontribusi besar dalam menyelamatkan nyawa hewan ini.
3. Sumbang dan bantu organisasi-organisasi yang bergerak dalam upaya pelestarian badak ini. Seperti misalnya melalui WWF dalam program "Adopt a Javan Rhino". Setiap dana yang anda berikan, tentu hanya anda yang dapat merasakan pahalanya nanti.
4. Copy paste article ini di notification/wall facebook, kolom chatting, ataupun email ke teman-teman anda!

~Salam satwa~

Bagi yang ingin bertanya atau memberi kritik dan saran, silahkan mengisi komentar dibawah ini.

Kredit gambar : Badak Sumatera (http://www.aazkbfr.org/images/indonesia/slides/sumatranrhino.jpg), Badak Jawa (http://www.marcecko.com/media/Rhinos/Know%20Your%20Rhinos/Javan%20Rhino%201.jpg), Cula badak (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20090205/0013729e42ea0af4a2fe25.jpg)

Pengumuman

2009-07-13T12:33:00.000+07:00

Berhubung banyaknya saran dan masukan untuk mengubah bahasa blog ini menjadi bahasa Indonesia, saya memutuskan untuk berhenti memakai bahasa Inggris. Beberapa alasan yang ada antara lain; blog ini lebih mengfokuskan untuk memberi informasi dan pengetahuan terhadap masyarakat Indonesia pada khususnya, mengenai dunia satwa disekitar kita. AnimalDigest mencakup segala jenis informasi baik mengenai hewan peliharaan, hewan akuatik, hewan liar maupun hewan ternak.

Diharapkan dengan membaca blog ini, pengetahuan kita semakin bertambah mengenai betapa tidak pedulinya manusia terhadap makhluk-makhluk hidup lain di sekitar kita.

Tidak menutup kemungkinan juga untuk anda yang berminat menjadi penulis dalam blog ini, silahkan hubungi saya.

Terima kasih dan salam satwa~

Endangered Today: Save our Hawksbill Turtle!

2009-03-26T08:08:00.000+07:00

Today's review is about Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) or mostly known as "Penyu Sisik" in Indonesia.

Hawksbill Turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle species, classified by World Conservation Union. The reasons are because of their long lifespans, slow growth and maturity, and slow reproductive rates. Many adult turtles have been killed by humans both deliberately and incidentally. In addition, the nesting sites of the turtles are also threatened by human and animal encroachment. Small mammals have been known to raid the nesting sites and dig up the turtles' eggs. Human fishing practices, like in China and Japan, who eats them for their flesh and take their shells for decorative purposes, is the biggest threat.

Indonesian Archipelago, is one of their subpopulation in Indo-Pacific Region. Sadly but true, in near future, there will be no longer hawksbill turtle anymore in Indonesia, ProFauna said that their population in Indonesia decrease for about 50% every year. The nearest ecosystem that we can found in Indonesia is in Kepulauan Seribu, only miles away from Jakarta.

VOA news stated that the waters of Jakarta Bay are heavily polluted. Garbage dumped by the city's 12 million residents into canals that crisscross the city eventually finds its way to the sea. One study has declared the bay a "dying ecosystem." But just an hour out of Jakarta by speedboat, the murky waters turn to clear blue sea around Pramuka Island.

Turtle conservationist Salim displaying a hawksbill turtle on Pramuka island (Jul 2007)

Twenty years ago the turtles laid eggs on almost all the islands here. Now their nests are found on only around 3 of the 110 islands, thanks to the pollution, and hunting.

To preserve the species, local officers collects eggs from their nests and brings them to huge water-filled storage tanks until the turtles grow strong enough to be released to the sea.
More than 20,000 people living on the six islands in the park to protect the hawksbills.

"Human beings are also a big threat to the turtles," said Salim, one of conservationist . "People are careless. They take the eggs, and turtles also die in fishing nets. It's not eagles or big lizards, but humans who are the biggest predators of the turtles."

Hawksbill Turtle's flesh and shells have high economical price in Indonesia, people buy their shells for IDR 300.000 each, for their own satisfaction such as for decoration or their accessories. Deforestation of mangroves and pollution from nearby ships that reduce sea water's quality also threaten their population. But on top of it, because plastic bags in the ocean resemble jelly fish, and sea turtles eat jelly fish, turtles like this Green Sea Turtle, eat plastic bags that clog up their digestive tract and even kill them. What a way to go people! Please realize that you are making contribution in killing them.

FYI, here's a pic of deformed turtle. It's simply because there's plastic ring garbage stuck on its stomach since it was small.

Even though Salim has spent his life trying to protect and preserve the turtles for future generations, experts are not optimistic the turtles will be able to survive much longer -- so close to the filth of Jakarta bay.

What can we do?
1. Stop buying any products made by turtle shells
2. Don't throw garbages on any other places except garbage can
3. Join local organization such as ProFauna to actively contribute
4. Cut any plastic rings before you throw them off
5. Educate your family, friends, relatives, about this issues and make them participate!

Please guys, start making simple actions right now!

"Kalo bukan kita, siapa lagi?!"

Becoming a Vet

2009-02-21T12:00:00.000+07:00

Have you ever considered Vet as your future job or study?
Here's an interview with Dr. Roger Mahr

Becoming a Vet - An Interview with Dr. Roger Mahr

Dr. Roger Mahr, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association and small animal practitioner for more than 34 years, shared his thoughts about what it's like to be a veterinarian.

Q. What inspired you to become a veterinarian?

A. I decided to become a veterinarian in the seventh grade. Although I have always been a small-animal practitioner, I grew up on a dairy farm where I helped care for our cows and calves. I helped with milking the cows morning and night. We also raised sheep, and always had dogs and cats on the farm. I participated in 4-H and FFA, and exhibited my cattle and sheep at the county and state fairs.

I was impressed with the skill of the veterinarians who came to our farm to treat our animals. Sometimes we would have a cow that was down and could not get up. The veterinarian would give a bottle of intravenous fluids and almost immediately the cow would rise to her feet. Another cow may be having difficulty giving birth to a calf. With a little help from the veterinarian the cow would soon deliver a newborn calf.

I remember the veterinarian coming when needed, no matter what time of day or night. I was also impressed with how much care and concern they had for the animals.

Q. Could you briefly describe a day in the life of a veterinarian?

A. The life of a veterinarian varies depending on the area of veterinary medicine in which he or she works. The work may be in an animal hospital where the owners bring their pets, such as dogs, cats, or birds, for examinations and treatment. If the veterinarian works with large animals, such as cattle or horses, the veterinarian may need to travel to the farm or stable.

For every veterinarian the day is never routine, and no two days are ever alike. It requires caring for both healthy and sick animals. This includes examinations and vaccinations, diagnosing diseases and injuries, and treating animals with medicine or surgery.

The workday will be quite different as well for veterinarians who work in meat- and milk-processing plants, making sure that our food is safe to eat. There are veterinarians who do research in laboratories, working to discover new treatments, procedures and medicines for both animals and people. Some veterinarians care for animals in zoos or circuses, while others teach students in colleges of veterinary medicine to become future veterinarians. So it's a profession that offers a lot of different work environments.

Q. What do you think is the most important quality a person must possess in order to become a veterinarian?

A. You first must be a good student and particularly enjoy the study of science. You must care about both animals and people, and enjoy working with both. It is important to be able to communicate well with people. Veterinarians must communicate well with the owners of their patients as well as the people with whom they work.

Q. What was the hardest thing for you to learn about veterinary medicine?

A. There is so much knowledge to learn in veterinary medicine. For me the most difficult part was learning the structure, or anatomy, and the function, or physiology, of the animal's body at the tissue cell level. In order to learn this, the veterinary student must learn well how to use the microscope and other laboratory equipment.

Q. How do you communicate with the animals? What are your techniques?

A. When an animal is presented for an examination, first, the veterinarian must talk with the owner. This is very similar to what a medical doctor pediatrician must do in examining a baby. Many questions are asked of the owner to determine what the owner has observed in the animal's actions or habits, and what care has been given to the animal, including food, water, and housing.

In approaching an animal for examination I will talk to the animal in a quiet and calming manner. With dogs, I will use the common words associated with obedience training such as "sit" or "stay." Depending on the nature of the dog, I will vary the tone of my voice in order to maintain control.

Because an animal cannot talk back to me, I must use all of my senses, including sight, touch, hearing and smell, to determine what is normal and abnormal. I must carefully observe an animal's behavior or response, and look for signs that indicate pain or discomfort.

Q. What has been your saddest case?

A. No matter the reason, the hardest thing for me is performing euthanasia of a pet to end its life. It is very sad even though euthanasia is done to end a pet's suffering. For pet owners this is always the most difficult decision that they may have to make concerning their pet.

Q. What has been your funniest case?

A. I have always been amused when some of my dog patients eagerly, and with a great deal of excitement, come into the examination room and promptly jump right up on the examination table.

Q. What is the greatest challenge of being a veterinarian?

A. Communicating effectively with the owner of an animal is the greatest challenge for a veterinarian. It is particularly difficult when the animal has a life-threatening disease or injury. It is important for the owner to understand what is going on with the condition and what the various options are for treatment. It becomes even more challenging when there is no effective treatment option available.

Q. What is the biggest reward of being a veterinarian?

A. The greatest reward for me as a veterinarian is being able to help both animals and people. It has been particularly meaningful when I have been able to save the life of a pet, not only for the sake of the animal, but also for the sake of the owner. My actions may save and extend the human-animal relationship, which means so much to both.

I vividly recall Sarge, a brown and black German shepherd, whose severely fractured leg I surgically repaired, or the turtle whose broken shell I wired back together. The owners of both of these animals were extremely happy that their pets were saved.

Q. If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering becoming a veterinarian, what would it be?

A. It is important to experience veterinary medicine firsthand by working and observing with veterinarians in a veterinary practice. This will provide a valuable opportunity to determine if becoming a veterinarian is what you really want to do.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A. There are many rewarding career opportunities available in veterinary medicine. Veterinarians work to improve both animal and human health in many ways. When considering the possibility of becoming a veterinarian, I would encourage exploring those various opportunities. More veterinarians are needed in food supply veterinary medicine, public health, biomedical research, and teaching veterinary medicine.

Veterinarians are needed to help assure that safe, high-quality food is available for the world population; contagious diseases that are transmitted from animals to people, such as avian influenza, are controlled and prevented; and new treatments for diseases affecting both animals and people are developed through animal research.

No other profession does more for the health of both animals and people.

Source: http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/e-vets/interns/become-vet/become-vet.html

Dog's Ten Commandments

2009-02-04T10:03:00.000+07:00

Hi all, I'm sharing to you a good article that I found. Every dogs lover and dogs owner should remember all of this commandments :)

Ten Commandments From a Dog's Point of View

My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Regular separation from you will be painful and can even cause depression. Think before you buy me.

Give me time to understand what you want from me don't be impatient, short-tempered or irritable.

Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back, respect is earned not given as some sort of inalienable right.

Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. I am not capable of understanding why I am being locked up. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you.

Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your tone. "You only have to look at my tail" to know that.

Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget, if that treatment is unjust or bad, it may spoil the special bond between us.

Please do not hit me. I cannot hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I don't ever want to feel the need to do that.

Before you tell me off me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food or I've been out in the sun too long, maybe my heart is getting old and weak, or maybe I'm just dog-tired.

Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and will also want care, love, and affection.

Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, Irrespective of what you do I will always love you.

Author: Stan Rawlinson Dip MTCBPT.PAACT
Copyright © 1989-2006. All Rights Reserved
Used with Author's permission

Have you seen an euthanasia?

2009-02-02T22:27:00.000+07:00

When I was browsing forum, my fellow member posted this url..
This video is definitely scary in some way.. I'm posting this vid so everybody can look and see this cruel world with tons of despicable human beings..

Have you seen it? How's your feeling?

In my personal opinion, I curse those stupid fellas of mine who doesn't concern or think further ahead. For example, my friends like to say "Wow look at that puppy/kitten! So cute.. Can I buy it? It's definitely fluffy and soft.."

But couples of years (Or even months!) they think that those doggy or cat are not cute anymore, annoyed by their pee or poo, and kick or give them to somebody else. What the? What's the impact? Just replay that video.

I really don't understand what are they thinking?

Hopefully some of people who watch this video will understand and start to realize what sin has human done to those animals..

What bible says

2009-02-02T21:02:00.000+07:00

I saw a good article from http://www.frontline.org.za/articles/animals.htm

It's from christian side, but the meaning is same. We must stop animal abuse and also animal testing.

ANIMALS IN THE BIBLE

"How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished." Jeremiah 12:4

In the course of my missionary work, which has often been spent in bush areas among wildlife, my love for animals has grown and I have sought to learn what the Bible teaches concerning them.
Often I have been asked:
"Will animals be in Heaven?"
"What does God think about 'scientific' experiments on animals?"
"What should our attitude to animals be?"

This is some of what I have found in my studies of animals in the Bible.

ANIMALS AND GOD

God created all the animals (Psalm 104).

"Then God commanded, 'Let the earth produce all kinds of animal life; domestic and wild, large and small, and it was done. So God made them all, and He was pleased with what He saw." Genesis 1:24, 25

All animals belong to God (Psalm 24:1).

"All the animals in the forest are Mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are Mine and all living things in the fields."
Psalm 50:10, 11

God cares for the animals (1 John 4:16).

"Look at the birds flying around . . . your Father in Heaven takes care of them" Matthew 6:26

"He gives animals their food and feeds the young ravens when they call." Psalm 147:9

The Bible describes the Angels around God's throne as having features and characteristics like those of a lion, a bull and an eagle (Ezekiel 1). God Himself is likened in Scripture to a lion, a leopard, a bear (Hosea 13:7, 8), and to an eagle (Deuteronomy 32:11).

Jesus is described as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29
Jesus identified Himself with all the innocent animals who had been sacrificed for the sins of mankind and declared that His was the final sacrifice. Jesus abolished animal sacrifices and so Christianity has always rejected the need for further bloodshed of animals (Hebrews 9:12, 26).

"For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins. For this reason, when Christ was about to come into the world, He said to God:

You do not want sacrifices and offerings, but You have prepared a body for Me. You are not pleased with animals burnt whole on the altar or with sacrifices to take away sins. Then I said, 'Here I am to do Your will, O God.'" Hebrews 10:4-7

The Scriptures reveal God's anger against man's sinfulness. God condemned the type of wholesale slaughter of animals in Judaism as a cover-up for their disobedience
(Psalm 40:6-10).

"I gave your ancestors no commands about burnt offerings or any other kinds of sacrifices, when I brought them out of Egypt. But I did command them to obey Me, so that I would be their God and they would be My people. And I told them to live as I commanded them, so that things would go well for them. But they did not obey Me or pay any attention. Instead, they did whatever their stubborn and evil hearts told them to do and they became worse instead of better." Jeremiah 7:22;24

There is only one way of salvation and that is through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the Lamb of God who died to redeem sinful mankind (Revelation 5:12, 13). He died with the result that no other animals need die . . . for man's sinfulness.

Jesus is also known as "The Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5) and it is interesting to notice that He was born in a stable among animals rather than in an inn among sinful people (Luke 2:7), that He rode a lowly donkey in triumph into Jerusalem on that great day of the feast (Matthew 21:5) and that He is prophesied to return again in glory as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, riding on a white horse (Revelation 19:11).

The Holy Spirit is symbolised by a dove (John 1:32), and He chose to reveal Himself as like a pure and gentle bird (Matthew 3:16) at Jesus' baptism.

The Bible records at least one occasion when God spoke through an animal (Numbers 22:28-33). Balaam's donkey showed greater spiritual perception than the prophet himself did.
Obviously animals matter to God because the presence of animals in Nineveh is recorded as a reason for God's mercy in not destroying that sinful city.

"How much more then, should I have pity on Nineveh, that great city. After all, it has more than 120000 innocent children in it, as well as many animals." Jonah 4:11

ANIMALS IN HEAVEN

A controversial question is whether it is God's plan for animals to be in heaven or not. Many Christians believe that heaven just would not be heaven without animals. Certainly I believe that the Creator of millions of different species of animals, birds, insects and fish is a God who loves variety and prizes His creation. I cannot believe that Heaven will only be populated by angels and saints. From a careful study of the Bible I have become convinced that Heaven will be richer in vegetation and animal life than the most paradise-like part of earth could ever be. Where people get the idea of harps and clouds from, I don't know. God has a far greater plan than we can imagine.

"This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head." Ephesians 1:10

"Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats, calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them. Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do . . . The land will be as full of knowledge of the Lord as the seas are full of water." Isaiah 11:6-9

"Search in the Lord's book of living creatures and read what it says. Not one of these creatures will be missing and not one will be without its mate. The Lord has commanded it to be so; He Himself will bring them together. It is the Lord who will divide the land among them and give each of them a share. They will live in the land age after age, and it will belong to them for ever." Isaiah 34:16, 17

When the revealed Word of God teaches us that God's eternal plan is for "all creation" to be brought together under Christ then it includes all wildlife too. When God says "everything", He means everything - animals included.

When He says that they will live for "age after age", "forever", this means eternal life. Only one place will last forever, and that is Heaven.

That great book of worship in the Bible - the Psalms - reveals that all God's creation have contact with God (Psalm 93). All God's creatures praise Him (Psalm 145:10). It is only mankind who needs forgiving and saving and teaching as to how to worship (Psalm 36 & 51), the animal kingdom worships God continually and naturally.

"Praise Him, hills and mountains, fruit trees and forests; all animals, tame and wild, reptiles and birds." Psalm 148:9, 10

"Be glad, earth and sky! Roar sea and every creature in you: be glad fields and everything in you! The trees in the woods will shout for joy." Psalm 96:11, 12

The last book of the Bible presents the final climax of the ages when all creation faces the Creator. First the four living creatures (the animal-like angels around God's throne as described in Ezekiel) praise God, then the twenty-four elders, then the redeemed people of God, then the angels (Revelation 4:6 - 5:12), until finally the great scene is described when all living beings present their worship to Almighty God.

"And then I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea - all living beings in the universe - and they were singing: 'To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honour, glory and might, forever and ever'."
Revelation 5:13

In the light of these Scriptures, I firmly believe that our loving almighty Creator intends all His creatures to enjoy heaven with Him forever. The only part of creation that will be missing from Heaven, according to the Bible, are those sinful human beings who neglect the great salvation that God has revealed in the Bible and provided through Christ. So while all the animal victims of scientific experiments will be in Heaven, the same cannot be said for all the hardhearted vivisectionists and ivory poachers.

ANIMALS AND MAN

Millions of wild animals die painful, lingering deaths in vicious traps every year. Not for food - for furs! Millions more are bred on fur farms and slaughtered for fashion.

Then the beauty industry inflicts untold agony on almost a million animals every year for perfumes, lipsticks and other cosmetics. There are adequate synthetic alternatives, but such is man's inhumanity towards animals that the slaughter continues.

In the name of science, millions more animals suffer in laboratories worldwide every year.
In the first chapter of the Bible, God made mankind responsible for His animals (Genesis 1-28). All animals are God's animals (Psalm 50:10) and we are answerable to God for our treatment, care and protection of them.

"For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by Him. Each one will receive what he deserves, according to everything he has done, good or bad, in his bodily life." 2 Corinthians 5:10

What does God think of men battering baby seals to death so that some women can wear glamorous fur coats? What will God do to scientists who burn, infect, cripple, blind, shock, radiate, starve, asphyxiate and dissect cats, dogs, mice, monkeys, rabbits and other innocent victims for 'research' and often just trivial curiosity? How could we expect God to ignore the slaughter of magnificent elephants just to provide ivory ornaments, bracelets and necklaces?

When Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God, how can we remain unmoved at the killing and skinning of newborn karakul lambs to provide fur garments? He has provided us with cotton and the ability to make synthetic materials like nylon. We can shear sheep of their wool in summer. How can fashion justify the butchering of baby lambs for their skins?

God identifies Himself with bears, lions and leopards. What Christian can approve the killing of these majestic wild animals for fur coats and carpets? God gave animals fur to keep them warm. He gave us the brains to make synthetic materials from plants. Why don't we use them more?

All animals belong to God. What gives us the right to torture them to satisfy our curiosity in the name of "science"?

We are answerable to God for our treatment of animals. What are we going to say about trapping animals for furs, forcing them to do unnatural acts in circuses, confining and abusing them for our amusement? How can smokers justify the torture and killing of thousands of dogs and monkeys in "tobacco research"?

"A good man takes care of his animals, but wicked men are cruel to theirs." Proverbs 12:10

The Bible says that God has fixed a day in which He will judge the whole world with justice (Acts 17:31). It is well to remember that although man was created in the image of God, the whole message of the Bible is that all mankind has fallen into sinful rebellion against God.

"They are quick to hurt and kill; they leave ruin and destruction wherever they go. They have not known the path of peace, nor have they learnt to fear God . . . Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence." Romans 3:15-17, 23

On the other hand, the Bible indicates that all animals are acceptable in God's sight. They never degenerated into rebellion against God. While all human beings need forgiveness and salvation, all animals are already in a right relationship with God. We should remember this and be
humbled.

In the light of the clear teaching of Scripture concerning creation and mankind's responsibility for it, we should treat animals with the love and concern of those who must give an account of our conduct to God.

We must recognise that the welfare and protection of animals is an essential part of our Christian responsibility. I would challenge all Christians to make plain their opposition to such cruel practices as vivisection. We must determine to do all in our power to bring about the speedy abolition of all such mistreatment and tortures of animals. (I recommend the work of Animal Voice Postnet Suite 191, Private Bag X29, Somerset West 7129. E-mail: avoice@yebo.co.za Web: www.animal-voice.org; the Animal Welfare Society, Animal Anti-Cruelty League, Beauty Without Cruelty, the SPCA and other animal protection societies.) Support your local SPCA, visit animal welfare groups, adopt some of the animals who are needing a home. Volunteer your time to help.

No Christian should be a party to this evil abuse of God's creation. I would call on all those who seek to love and obey God to resolve never to buy or wear real fur or ivory. It is our responsibility to carefully boycott all cosmetics which are a result of cruelty to animals. (There are enough synthetic alternatives listed by Beauty Without Cruelty, PO Box 23321, Claremont 7735, South Africa, Tel: 021- 671-4583.)

We must all do what we can to secure the well-being of all animals who, with ourselves, inhabit the earth and so fulfil the creative joy and purpose of Almighty God.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless."
Proverbs 31:8

Dr. Peter Hammond

All artwork by Cindy Botha

Welcome!

2009-02-02T20:55:00.001+07:00

Welcome to my new blog; Animal Digest.

First and foremost, I would like to clarify that the meaning of Animal Digest here it's not this but I originally get the idea from Reader's Digest. I hope there's no further miscomprehension about this.

While studying Veterinary Medicine in Bogor Agriculture University, I hope this blog will represent me as a true animal lover and newbie veterinarian.

I'll post some original articles and my thoughts towards any news or topic related to animals, and also some useful articles and trivia about animals throughout the net.

I barely started as a blogger, so your comments and thoughts means a lot for me. So don't hesitate to give me some comments or post some in chatbox.

Together we can make a peaceful earth with harmonization between animals and human being..

VISION:
To educate people about the importance of harmonization between animals and humans.

AUTHOR NEEDED:
Are you an animal lover? Do you love to write? Please contact me by email or facebook. You can educate and give information to people who needed by being author in this blog.

Regards,
Rio Aditya