The Endangered Ganges River Dolphin May 20, 2012

The Bible states (Leviticus 19:14): “You shall not curse the deaf nor place a stumbling block before the blind.” Does this commandment to the Jewish people apply only to humans or could it also be transferred upon other creatures?

Photo of Ganges River dolphin by Mansur (BCDP Wildlife Conservation Society)

Most reading this post are animal lovers, but there are some individuals (whom most of us cannot begin to understand their reason) who incur evil onto others, including animals. And there are those who incur evil onto others negligently or in denial of the reprecussions of their actions. Both groupings of people, I believe, have placed many stubling blocks before the perfectly graceful, endangered, and functionally blind Ganges River dolphin.

Save the Chinese Giant Salamander! May 15, 2012

For the entire month of May I have been dressed as an amphibian-like gothic fembot that represents the Chinese giant salamander in an effort to raise awareness and funds to prevent its extinction. The dress, designed by Luis Valenzuela, creator of EcoArtFashion, is made of completely environmentally fabrics in an effort to promote to the world the need to live as sustainably as possible in order to preserve our planet.

Every morning as I strap on my dress and feel how I can hardly breathe in the tight corset, I further feel for this critically endangered creature. Although they can breathe through their lungs (especially the wee ones), these salamanders breathe much more efficiently through their skin. Such is a huge problem when mining has polluted the waters they live in (Central, south-western, and southern China in the mountain stream tributaries of the Pearl, Yellow, and Yangtze Rivers) and severe deforestation has resulted in soil erosion causing increased runoff and siltation in streams. This reduces water quality and limits the uptake of oxygen through their skin…

Just from this, you can understand the damage wreaked on the environment is far from simply the Chinese giant salamander’s problemme.

But with a focus on this creature, why should we care? Other than the fact that it is the world’s largest living amphibian, it also considered a “living fossil”, having last diverged within the family Cryptobranchidae ~170 million years ago (yes, that’s during the Jurassic Period). This ancient creature greatly affects the gentle balance in the food chain with which it is a part of, enjoying delicacies of its rivers such as Aquatic insects, frogs, crabs, shrimp, and fish.

For more information about the Chinese Giant Salamander, view this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ee6CwInkgQ

Together The Gabby Wild Foundation, Inc. 501(c)(3) in association with the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE of Existence are saving the Chinese giant salamander from extinction. To save the salamander, donate here: www.gabbywild.com

The Gabby Wild Foundation, Inc. is a tax-deductible organization within the United States, for all those interested in how to save when it comes to filing taxes.

Stay Wild,

Gabby Wild