Animals suffer in California fires

[Guest guest]

Animals suffer in California fires; condors may be lost

10:13 PM, July 4, 2008

 

The fires burning in Big Sur and Goleta are forcing evacuations, destroying

thousands of acres and threatening more damage. Among the victims of the

wildfires are animals--both wild, like this deer in Big Sur, and domestic. Pets

have had to be sheltered, animals have been forced from their habitat and some

condor chicks may have been lost.

 

The Salinas Californian reports on fire-related issues in central California:

 

As authorities order mandatory evacuations due to a fire that has scorched more

than 50,000 acres in Big Sur, organizations are lending a hand to owners of

animals, both small and large. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals of Monterey County is opening its doors to evacuating residents who need

a place to shelter their pets or livestock, whether it's a tiny turtle or a

large cow.

 

Beth Brookhouser, director of community outreach for the organization, said

Thursday the SPCA has rescued and sheltered roughly 227 animals affected by both

the Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur and the Indians Fire in more remote parts of

the Los Padres National Forest.

 

The Associated Press, meanwhile, reported that " so much forest has burned near

Big Sur that animals have been forced out of their habitat and onto the roads.

Buzzards flew overhead to snatch up dead rodents and squirrels, and residents

reported that they'd seen bear, deer and other big animals migrating toward the

sea. "

 

And finally, the Monterey Herald is reporting that the fate of condor chicks

near the fire zone is unknown.

 

One rare California condor chick may be dead and two others are in areas too

dangerous to be saved, as the Basin Complex Fire creeps into their once-serene

canyons. " It is horrible, but there is nothing we can do, " said Kelly Sorenson

of Ventana Wildlife Society, which monitors each bird along the vast Central

Coast.

 

Thick smoke thwarted a rescue attempt early Tuesday. " We're just waiting,

watching and hoping for the best. Our hands are tied, " he said.

 

The chicks are about 2½ months old, covered in downy gray feathers and already

the size of chickens. Too young to fly, they are confined to their nests.

 

--Alice Short

 

Photo: Robert Durell/Los Angeles Times

 

 

With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first

thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.

[Guest guest]

Hi-

 

I’m a native Californian, born and bred,

who has lived all over California from Central CA to the Mexican border.

 

I’ve spent my time living through, driving

through, running from, and suffocating in wildfires.

 

I live in Maryland now.

 

To all my dear Vegan buddies out in the Western

fires…stay safe.  Guard the furry ones. Floods and mudslide season is on its

way. (Only native Californians will “get” that.)

 

Stay safe and strong.

 

Cyn

 

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of fraggle

Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:19

PM

vegan chat; vegan-network

Animals

suffer in California

fires

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animals suffer in California

fires; condors may be lost

10:13 PM, July 4, 2008

 

The fires burning in Big Sur and Goleta

are forcing evacuations, destroying thousands of acres and threatening more

damage. Among the victims of the wildfires are animals--both wild, like this

deer in Big Sur, and domestic. Pets have had

to be sheltered, animals have been forced from their habitat and some condor

chicks may have been lost.

 

The Salinas Californian reports on fire-related issues in central California:

 

As authorities order mandatory evacuations due to a fire that has scorched more

than 50,000 acres in Big Sur, organizations

are lending a hand to owners of animals, both small and large. The Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Monterey County is opening its doors to

evacuating residents who need a place to shelter their pets or livestock,

whether it's a tiny turtle or a large cow.

 

Beth Brookhouser, director of community outreach for the organization, said

Thursday the SPCA has rescued and sheltered roughly 227 animals affected by

both the Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur and the Indians Fire in more remote

parts of the Los Padres National Forest.

 

 

The Associated Press, meanwhile, reported that " so much forest has burned

near Big Sur that animals have been forced out

of their habitat and onto the roads. Buzzards flew overhead to snatch up dead

rodents and squirrels, and residents reported that they'd seen bear, deer and

other big animals migrating toward the sea. "

 

And finally, the Monterey Herald is reporting that the fate of condor chicks

near the fire zone is unknown.

 

One rare California condor chick may be dead and two others are in areas too

dangerous to be saved, as the Basin Complex Fire creeps into their once-serene

canyons. " It is horrible, but there is nothing we can do, " said Kelly

Sorenson of Ventana Wildlife Society, which monitors each bird along the vast Central Coast.

 

Thick smoke thwarted a rescue attempt early Tuesday. " We're just waiting,

watching and hoping for the best. Our hands are tied, " he said.

 

The chicks are about 2½ months old, covered in downy gray feathers and already

the size of chickens. Too young to fly, they are confined to their nests.

 

--Alice Short

 

Photo: Robert Durell/Los Angeles

Times

 

With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first

thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.