Protect the Wolf

Please take a moment to sign this petition asking President Obama to permanently protect the Gray Wolf from hunting and trapping. Currently, he has suspended President Bush's decision to allow hunting of this magnificent species, but he has yet to make this permanent. By signing this petition, you will be letting our government know that the Gray Wolf is important to our nation.

The Gray Wolf is still considered at high risk for extinction, and under the original Endangered Species Act, would not be allowed to be hunted. Thanks to many wildlife society efforts, the Gray Wolf has increased in numbers over the past couple of decades. However, their numbers are not yet strong enough to be certain that hunting will not critically endanger them once again. This petition is aiming for 25,000 signatures. Currently it is at less than half that number. Please sign today. Our resident blogging wolf will express her thanks, if I can can explain what this petition means to her during our next discussion.

-The Interpreter

Steve Irwin Day

Today is Steve Irwin Day. I, along with all the animals I speak on behalf of, invite you to wear khaki and make a donation to a wildlife group of your choice. A suggestion of course is the amazing Wildlife Warriors and their Steve Irwin Day fundraiser drive to help in humane whale research and stop harmful whaling worldwide.

Take a moment to remember Steve Irwin today. A man who showed the world that one person CAN make a huge difference for wildlife. A man who taught a generation the love and fascination animals can bring into one's life. A man who had a mission, and pursued it with every ounce of energy in his soul.

The animals thank you, Steve-O.

- The Interpreter

Survival Odds Tragically Demonstrated

He was Sick, Ma'am. The littlest of the Boy-Puppies. Mother kept him close and warm, but yesterday he stopped moving.

I always liked him. He was small, but do not think that slowed him down, Ma'am. And even though he always tried to stand on his own and act like a big tough Loner, he would still curl up with me for day naps. He liked me.

But he caught Sick, and resting did not make him better. I remember when my Brother caught Sick when we were younger. It was scary, but it ended up okay. This time, Sick is just scary. There is no okay.

Mother is sad. Puppies are confused. And I miss little Boy-Puppy.

He does not walk in our Pack anymore.

Please excuse me, Ma'am. I must go help Sister with the Puppies. Mother is resting.


(Interpreter's Note: He will indeed be missed. Rest in peace, little friend. You will never be forgotten.)

Repairs

Smashed, smashed, all smashed!

Nest buried. Tunnel gone. Smashed!

Those Big Things were here. The Big Things With Pointy Things On Their Heads. They ran! And now Home is smashed.

Must dig new Home. New Tunnel. New Nest. And must hurry! No time for seeds today!

Concerning the Amur Leopard

I realize that our friend, the female Amur Leopard, has not given an update in quite some time. I was, ah, hoping to wait until she had several hefty meals in her before I returned, seeing as how our conversation ended last time.

I do realize that it has been a few months, now, and that excuse is beginning to run thin. I promise you, I will get back in touch with her soon. Er... that is, once I can convince my nerves to calm down.

Apologies for the delay. The update will be soon, I promise.

Yours,
The Interpreter

Returned Pride

Yes, that's right. Those are ladies you see with me.

Four ladies. All of them choose me.

Three came from the troop I had been trying to move in on. I could not take control of their group, but these ladies left to find me anyway. I can tell, they have not had children for a long time. They were not happy with their Silverback. He was so old, after all.

So now, they join me, and I have my own ladies. My newest lady found us just last week. She was alone. At first, we were all worried to bring her in. Was she sick? Dying? We did not know.

But she is healthy. Just, very sad. She sits to the edges of the group most days. But she is still young enough to have children, so she is welcome here.

Yes, things are going well. Very well.

Moving Along

Puppies are much more playful now, Ma'am. Even when I no longer wish to play, they insist.

I have begun helping with small hunts, when Mother allows me. I usually have to stay in the back, and just do some running, but I hope to help bring something down soon.

I caught my own squirrel the other day, Ma'am! It was very exciting, though it was not a very fast squirrel. Sister says I just surprised it, as anyone could have. I choose then to not share it with Sister.

I must go now, Ma'am, to help watch Puppies while the hunt takes place. I am not invited this time. I believe I could be of help in the hunt, but when I try to tell someone, they say I would be of more help with the Puppies. Well, maybe they are right and maybe they are wrong. And maybe they will come back with empty mouths without my help.

Oh, but I guess I hope they do not, because I am hungry, Ma'am!