Learn more about the last ~100 wild red wolves that roam only 5 counties of North Carolina and how they are related to Pocahontas and Captain John Smith!
Which sustainable and animal-inspired outfit is your favorite from “12 in 12 for 12″? November 11, 2012
Red panda dress. Photo by Edward Colleli
Each of these outfits are made by 100% sustainable materials, and each represents a threatened animal in great need of conservation! To learn more about the campaign, designers, and magnificent animals, please visit: http://www.gabbywild.com/12-in-12-for-12.php
Sumatran tiger dress. Photo by Ken Kawamoto
A Most Unique Parrot: the Kakapo October 14, 2012
Kakapo Parrot (courtesy of Kakapo Recovery)
Long ago, the newborn world was exclusively filled with secrets begging to be understood. Little by little the mysteries of the natural world began to be solved. But as the tides of the sea passed on and on, many of those secrets remained sealed for future naturalists and scientists to discover while a subset of those forever remained forgotten. Imagine a species once so abundant it was disregarded until it grew so scarce it almost disappeared unnoticed. Such a species, with fewer than 130 left, is the kakapo parrot- a secret we have discovered and one that we must protect.
The kakapo are from the island landmass of New Zealand. This land, once with no mammals except three species of bat, was filled only with birds, reptiles, and insects, allowing those creatures to take the niches that mammals normally would have occupied. Therefore, as Kakapo Recovery describes it, “Instead of mice, New Zealand had bush wrens. Instead of giraffes or kangaroos, New Zealand had the giant moa. And instead of rabbits or possums, New Zealand had the kakapo.” But what really is a kakapo?
What’s a Kakapo? October 10, 2012
It’s only the largest and heaviest parrot in the world! It also happens to be the only nocturnal and FLIGHTLESS parrot on the planet! But only 127 are left… Learn more about this amazing creature in this video:
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
Bactrian Camel Info Video February 2, 2012
For the entire month of February I will be saving the Bactrian camel by sporting a pantsuit for the ENTIRE MONTH designed by Cornell Fashion Design Students, Laura Zwanziger (freshman) and Max Gengos (a recent graduate).
Enjoy this info video, meant to give you a unique perspective on this incredible animal before I begin writing about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s–cmHVxlH0&context=C3b66efdADOEgsToPDskLSvpCsRtOGfMwmrx7R4qUr
Stay Wild,
Gabby Wild
Wacky Wednesday: The Amur Leopard January 4, 2012
Happy New Year and Happy Wacky Wednesday!
This Wacky Wednesday special features the Amur leopard, of which ONLY between 35-50 are estimated to remain in the wild. That’s it. This critically endangered animal is our featured January creature in my campaign “12 in 12 for 12″. Althea Harper, incredible fashion designer debuting when she was Project Runway’s Season 6 Finalist, designed and created the dress to represent the Amur leopard.
Enjoy this 2 minute video, and spread the word for its plight!
Stay Wild,
Gabby Wild
PS If you liked the video, please “like” it on YouTube and share it with all of your animal-loving friends!
