* HAPPY 4th of JULY! *

Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!

- Brooke

Zoos - A Digression from Cetaceans

ABOVE: One of the two polar bears currently on exhibit at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. (Taken from http://www.ColumbusZoo.com)

Yesterday, I took a trip to the Columbus Zoo with my parents to celebrate Father's Day. While I didn't happen to see any cetaceans, I did see many other animals. Some of my favorites included the otters, gorillas, and the polar bears (a new exhibit.)

Seeing all of these wonderful animals was admittedly a bittersweet experience for me. At one point, while exiting the polar bear exhibit, I turned to my dad and asked, "Do you think those polar bears are happy?" He paused a moment and then responded with, "No."

I didn't have to say anything further. His reasoning was clear. Had the polar bears been given a choice, they would probably want to live in their natural habitat. After considering this, my mother then chimed in with another point. The polar bears we had seen were born in captivity. They had never known anything other than the lifestyle that they are currently living.

So, my question is: who is right? ...Or is there a right answer? Are zoos ethical? Is there a gray area where it may be ethical to keep animals in a zoo as long as they were born into captivity?

I'd like to see some comments on the issue!

Please share your opinions!

Fun Whale Fact

The blue whale is possibly the largest animal to ever live on earth. The longest blue whale ever recorded was 108 feet! Can't envision just how big that is? Here's a graphic comparing a blue whale to a human.

(Taken from wikimedia.com)

For more information on the blue whale and other cetaceans, visit the American Cetacean Society.

Update on the Gulf

This Monday, June 21st, from 8 to 10 pm, Larry King will be hosting a telethon for the Gulf Coast. It is called "Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help." The benefits coming from this telethon will go to such agencies as The United Way, the National Wildlife Federation, and The Nature Conservancy. A number of stars will be there and there will be updates on what is going on in the coast. This is a problem that still remains, and will continue to remain for a long time. Larry King said, on the issue of getting help to the coast NOW, "I understand bureaucracy and that some things take time, but when you're out of work, you don't need help tomorrow, you need help today... We're going to raise all we can to help the people and also the Wildlife that need it now."

Here's a short description of the three charities that you can choose to donate to when you call in (taken from larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com):

HELPING COMMUNITIES with UNITED WAY

United Way is offering help to the families along the Gulf that are facing financial, educational and health-related challenges as a result from the economic disruption from this Oil Spill. The United Way Gulf Recovery fund will provide emergency assistance, such as help with food, rent and utilities, and support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild these lives and these communities. www.unitedway.org/gulfrecovery

SAVING WILDLIFE with THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

The National Wildlife Federation Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund supports efforts to find and save oiled wildlife, and help recover their delicate ecosystems that make up their nesting and breeding grounds.www.nwf.org

RESTORING THE GULF with THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

In response to the Gulf Coast oil spill, The Nature Conservancy has launched their Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration, expanding their efforts for long term recovery for the Gulf of Mexico and habitats along the coast, including salt marshes, oyster reefs, marshlands, beaches and estuaries. www.nature.org

Tune in MONDAY, JUNE 21st, to donate! More information to come about other ways you can get involved!

Random Dolphin Fact #1:

About 3/4 of all dolphins taken into captivity are female. Once taken into captivity, their lifespan will be significantly shortened when compared to the lifespan of a wild dolphin.

How you can help!

One of the first questions many people ask when they hear about the problems facing dolphins and other sea mammals is "what can be done to help?" Surprisingly, few people realize how many opportunities are available to increase the quality of life for endangered, threatened, and at risk sea creatures! Here are five ways that you can help improve the quality of life for oceanic wild-life!

1) Adopt a dolphin

For as little as $25, you can symbolically "adopt a dolphin" through the programs linked below! All money donated to these programs will go to help fund dolphin research and species conservation! ** Remember: before donating any amount of money to a program that works directly with sea mammals, be sure to investigate the nature of their involvement. The programs listed on this site are all "safe" programs! Many others that work with ocean life do more harm than good! **

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - $25, $50, and $100 adoption kits (*Whale and other animal adoptions also available!*)

Oceanic Society - $40 adoption kits

Ocean Conservation Society - $50 adoption kits

2) Send a letter

Send a letter to President Obama, Vice President Biden and Japanese Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisak urging them to take action regarding the slaughter and abuse of dolphins in Japan!

3) Make a pledge to stop going to dolphin shows

Dolphin shows may look like a lot of fun to those who go - but to dolphins places such as Sea World and Marineland are cruel and unnatural. Sign a petition right now saying that you will not attend shows featuring trained or captive dolphins and/or other cetaceans.

4) Watch The Cove

Rent the movie The Cove and educate yourself about the horrible treatment of dolphins in Japan. Remember: knowledge is power!

Then...

5) Spread the word

The most significant thing that you can do to help end the suffering of cetaceans across the globe is to spread the word to family, friends, and others in your community. Introduce them to the programs listed above and tell them to visit our blog to gain more information!

Now, go and GET INVOLVED! =)

- Brooke

Hope for the future of coral

Coral is in trouble. With increasing temperatures, oil spills, and human interference, it is obvious why. Increased temperatures cause bleaching in coral, which is leading to destruction of a lot of coral. As global climate change increases temperatures, it can be expected that these negative impacts will continue. However, new studies in growing coral offer hope for the future. Watch this video to learn about the new efforts in coral growth!

Watch CBS News Videos Online