Category Archives: Earth

As Sharks Face Collapse, In Defense of Animals Fights Deadly Nets & The SHARKED Act

July 23, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Watch the shark advocacy documentary, Monsters. The director, Skyler Thomas, is a featured speaker in IDA’s Sharks & Aquatic Animal Activism Webinar

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (July, 2026) — Oceanic shark populations have collapsed by more than 70% over the past 50 years, driven largely by commercial and recreational fishing, according to research published in Nature. In Defense of Animals is urging supporters to help defeat the SHARKED Act, a bill that would weaken vital U.S. shark protections, and to demand an end to deadly shark nets.

The push comes as In Defense of Animals marks its annual Respect for Fish Day, observed August 1, with a free public webinar on Thursday, July 30 at 2 p.m. PT. Featured speakers include shark experts such as Skyler Thomas, director of the shark documentary Monsters.

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In Defense of Sharks — Sharks & Aquatic Animal Activism

“Sharks are feeling, highly intelligent animals who experience pleasure, pain, and suffering,” said Lia Wilbourn, Farmed Animals Campaign Specialist at In Defense of Animals. “They are often wrongly portrayed as monstrous man-eaters, largely the result of fear-driven media and industries that profit from killing them. In reality, most shark species pose little or no danger to humans and are far more at risk from human activity than humans are from them.”

The webinar will dispel harmful myths about sharks and explain why protecting them is essential to their survival and to the health of the oceans. It comes at a critical moment: In Defense of Animals is calling on the public to oppose the SHARKED Act and to speak out against shark nets planned or already in use at beaches in Australia and at a Club Med resort in South Africa, where the nets indiscriminately kill sharks and countless other marine animals alongside their intended targets.

Skyler Thomas, director of the feature film documentary, Monsters, said, “Sharks aren’t just cool, they are massively misunderstood and underestimated by humans — not just physically, but as sentient beings. Today I realize that sharks share this in common with all other species on the planet: humans don’t give them enough credit.”

Scientific research shows that fish and other aquatic animals are far more intelligent and emotionally complex than most people assume. They can recognize individual faces, remember previous experiences, form social connections, and maintain long-term relationships. Like all sentient beings, fish have nervous systems and feel pain, fear, stress, and suffering when they are hooked, netted, suffocated, or stabbed during fishing.

The fishing industry is one of the greatest threats to ocean life and biodiversity. Fishing pollutes the seas and disrupts fragile marine ecosystems. Millions of whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, octopuses, and other non-target animals are killed each year as “bycatch” in commercial fishing nets, and abandoned fishing gear is now the largest source of plastic pollution in the ocean.

Fish also accumulate harmful contaminants, including mercury and arsenic, yet for most of us, fishing isn’t necessary for survival; leading nutrition experts agree a balanced plant-based diet meets all essential nutritional needs.

Marine wildlife populations have fallen dramatically over the past few decades, and scientists warn that continuing current fishing practices could have devastating consequences for ocean ecosystems.

Respect for Fish Day emphasizes the individuality, sentience, and complexity of aquatic animals, advocates for veganism, and builds a future where all animals are free from exploitation and unnecessary harm.

Find out more about Respect for Fish Day.

Concerned citizens can take action to protect sharks and other aquatic animals by signing alerts:

Stop the SHARKED Act to prevent more shark killings.
Speak up to End Shark Nets in Australia.
Act now to Prevent New Shark Nets at Club Med in South Africa

For the Silo, Lia Wilbourn.

Travel

Utah’s Zion National Park Has Otherworldly Landscape

July 16, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Another superb travel spotlight via our friends at ShareAmerica.

With massive, towering cliffs and deep canyons, Zion National Park consistently ranks as one of America’s most popular spots for outdoor adventure. Designated as a U.S. national park in 1919, Zion, in southwestern Utah and two hours from Las Vegas, now attracts 5 million visitors annually.

Tallest Sandstone Walls In the World

They come for red-and-white sandstone walls, among the tallest in the world, that soar to heights of 2,000 to 3,000 feet (609 to 914 meters) above the canyon floor. Zion’s immense scale and dramatic rock formations lead many to describe the park in spiritual terms. Mormon pioneers who arrived at the canyon in the 1800s gave it the biblical name Zion, meaning “sanctuary” or “refuge.”

Sandstone walls, wildlife and trails

Hikers will find numerous trails, from the near-effortless to the very challenging. Less difficult hikes like the Pa’rus, Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook provide stunning views and the chance to spot wildlife, including bighorn sheep and mule deer. The more challenging Angels Landing offers panoramic views of Zion’s iconic cliffs, including the Court of the Patriarchs, composed of three biblically named peaks: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Hiking Amazement

Hiking The Narrows trail is a signature Zion adventure. Hikers tread upriver in shallow water into a gorge with soaring cliff walls 1,000 feet (300 meters) high. Boots and hiking poles can help navigate the rocky riverbed. The Narrows is most popular in June through September, when the water is warm and river levels are low.

Another sightseeing option is the Zion Canyon Shuttle , which takes visitors from one scenic spot to the next. The shuttle operates March through November or December and is the only way to access Zion’s Emerald Pools trails, which feature waterfalls and hanging gardens.

Guided tours on horseback are available for those seeking an authentic Western experience. Zion’s Nature Center offers programs for families, including an interactive exhibit where children can explore the park’s geology, history and wildlife.

Stargazing and nature photography

Certified as an International Dark Sky Park, Zion’s high elevation and minimal light pollution make it a premier spot for stargazing and astrophotography. Expect clear nighttime views of the Milky Way, planets and distant galaxies, but bundle up because temperatures drop after sunset.

Nature photography is a Zion favorite at any time of day. The National Park Service recommends taking advantage of nature’s golden hours at sunrise and sunset to capture the changing light on the park’s vivid red cliffs.

Rocky mountains (National Archives/Ansel Adams) — Ansel Adams photographed the Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park during the early 1940s. (National Archives/Ansel Adams)

Ansel Adams documented Zion on numerous visits to the park. A series of the legendary photographer’s black-and-white images of Zion taken in 1941 and 1942 are held at the U.S. National Archives, and several can be viewed online . Adams’ photographs are still enticing visitors to experience the rugged beauty of Zion National Park.

For the Silo, Lauren Monsen/ Share America.

Featured image- Margaret Wiktor/Shutterstock.

Earth

Ancient Stones In Ontario Can Be Discovered On Family Land

July 13, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Unearthing History In the Heartland

An artifact recovered near a stream in Port Dover, ON showing mineralization suggesting a very old date of manufacture.

In southern Ontario, Canada, generations of citizens have found and collected stone artifacts from their lands. Artifacts were kept out of intrigue and interest and often displayed prominently within homes. Some were valued as family heirlooms, others placed in boxes and kept packed away on a shelf. This is where I enter the story.

Hesitation Due to the Fear Of Confiscation

Not long ago a land owner in Norfolk County told me that artifacts had been collected from his family property over many, many years. I was invited to make an examination because the owner knew they might be important to my regional archaeological study. There was a little hesitation on their part, primarily out of concern that I might confiscate the artifacts. But that is not what I do. My interest in private collections from prehistoric times is based in public outreach and education not removal.

I was able to provide the owner with a time period of the artifacts, the type of rock used in their manufacture, and their origins. You see, I believe it is important to foster trust and to empower landowners with information, thereby ensuring their collections are valued, respected and hopefully made available for scientific study.

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Bird stone effigy carving

Private collections reflect the richness of our homelands and confirm the reality of past human occupation. Trying to make sense of who primitive occupants were and how they lived is helped immensely by studying the ages and quantities of found artifacts. Artifacts date from within historic periods to as far back as when glaciers still existed in Southern Ontario. In fact, many land owners are surprised to learn that their collections are much older than a few hundred years.

At least 80% of human history is represented by stone artifacts.

Glacial striations show the immense power and progress of ancient glaciar movement- a process that brought and deposited an incredibly large amount of materials and rocks over vast distances.

The rock used is generally a sedimentary variety containing silica. The more silica a rock has, the easier it is to break apart. The geological name for the type of stone used in most tool manufacture is chert or flint. Chert formations date as far back as the age of the dinosaurs. They were scoured and scraped by the movement of glaciers and carried along until the glacier melted. What this means is that an artifact found in Southern Ontario may have originated thousands of kilometers away!

A pottery shard (fragment) and a flint knapped spear point.

In Southern Ontario, stone tool artifacts have been recovered and dated within several different main time periods and as more discoveries are made these classifications are sure to go even further back in time. Each period shows variations thought to reflect climate changes that made an impact on animal and plant species. As species changed or disappeared, new types of stone tools were manufactured to keep up with these transitions. Dating artifacts, therefore, helps to identify migrations of different people groups across our counties’ deep past.

Most landowners truly enjoy having their artifacts interpreted. Their private collections remain intact and local people become, in a sense, guardians of local history. If a family is not interested in acting as stewards, I always encourage them to donate their pieces to a local museum, to ensure that the artifacts remain in the community.

For the Silo, Lorenz Bruechert- Archaeologist

Nordic runes etched into stone slab illuminated by flashlight

There are many more mysteries to think about!

Supplemental- Ancient Runes discovered in Canadian wilderness baffle experts.

Featured image- An unclassified type of stone artifact retrieved by Jarrod Barker while consulting on farm lands targeted for Wind Farms.

Earth

Jane Goodall Legacy Campaign Aims To Ban Trophy Hunting

July 11, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Alec Baldwin and Mark Ruffalo join Jane Goodall legacy campaign as report says Americans import 57% of world’s hunting trophies

Hollywood stars and leading conservationists have joined forces to demand a global ban on trophy hunting after a new report claimed North Americans are importing more wildlife trophies than the rest of the world combined.

The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting says the United States is by far the world’s biggest importer of hunting trophies (and Canada making the top ten at number 8), with 18,249 recorded imports from protected species, accounting for 57 percent of the global trade.

The findings have prompted a new international push for an Abolition Declaration, backed by major names including Alec Baldwin, Mark Ruffalo, Priscilla Presley, Edie Falco, Bill Maher, Kim Basinger, Daryl Hannah, Isabella Rossellini, James Cromwell, Alicia Silverstone and Alyssa Milano.

The campaign was inspired by the late Dr. Jane Goodall, who called trophy hunting “unconscionable” shortly before her death and urged world leaders to act.

Speaking at an event marking the tenth anniversary of the killing of Cecil the lion, Dr Goodall said: “How on earth have we allowed this to continue for so long? Trophy hunting is unconscionable. It inflicts pain and suffering on animals for no other reason other than to boast of some ephemeral ‘prowess’. There is no material human need met by it.”

The new report says American hunters are driving demand for trophies from some of the world’s most iconic animals, including bears, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, monkeys and baboons.

It says the US is the leading importer of giraffe trophies, the top market for baboon and monkey trophies, and accounts for the majority of black bear trophies.

Alec Baldwin said: “I am proud to support The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and to sign the Abolition Declaration. Trophy hunting belongs to another era.

“It sends the message that the lives of magnificent wild animals can be reduced to a photograph, a mounted head, or a personal goal.

“At a time when wildlife populations are declining across the globe, we should be investing in conservation, habitat protection and peaceful coexistence with nature.

“I hope this declaration helps build momentum for a future where respect for wildlife triumphs over cruelty and vanity.”

The report also turns the spotlight on Safari Club International, the US-based organisation described by campaigners as the world’s largest trophy hunting group.

According to the campaign, SCI has handed out around 20,000 awards to hunters, with some prizes requiring members to kill large numbers of animals across different species, continents and methods.

Seven of the world’s top 12 award-winning trophy hunters named in the report are American. They include George Harms, said to have killed 1,027 animals; Ben Seegmiller, with 913; Leon Munyan, with 866; and Larry Higgins, with 852.

Campaigners say the awards system turns wildlife killing into a competitive pursuit, with animals measured by skull size, tusks, horns and other body parts.

The most commonly imported trophies listed in the report were bears, making up 22.3 percent of the trade, followed by monkeys and baboons at 9.8 percent, elephants at 9.1 percent, giraffes at 6.3 percent and lions at 4.7 percent.

Dr Zara Bending, Resident Expert on Wildlife Crime and International Law at the Jane Goodall Institute Global, said: “Dr Jane Goodall DBE was a longstanding supporter of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. We at the Institute are committed to continuing that legacy in her name.

“As Dr Goodall said: ‘Trophy hunting is not only cruel but it is having a negative effect on endangered and threatened wildlife. Each one of these animals is an individual, with a personality, a mind, and emotions.’”

Professor Fred Bercovitch, former Executive Director of Save the Giraffes, said: “Trophy hunting is an abomination masquerading as a means of conservation.

“CITES has found that trophy hunters have killed thousands of individuals that belong to species threatened with extinction. Killing animals whose numbers are declining is antithetical to conservation.”

Dr Ian Redmond, a leading conservation scientist, said: “At a time when the number of wild animals has declined across the world, it is madness to allow tens of thousands of them to be killed for trophies.

“Trophy hunting is cruel and unethical, and does evolutionary damage to the species affected. Many of the targets are keystone species in globally important ecosystems.”

Priscilla Presley said the world had waited too long for action since the killing of Cecil the lion by American dentist Walter Palmer in Zimbabwe in 2015.

She said: “Ten years ago, the world learnt about the horrifying killing of Cecil the lion by an American dentist, Walter Palmer.

“Today it is learning about the terrifying scale of killing, even of endangered animals, that continues with the tacit blessing of governments.

“Policymakers have had ten years since Cecil was killed to act. Now they have no more excuses.”

Campaigners say trophy hunting is already rejected by the overwhelming majority of the public in the US and Europe, despite hunters continuing to import thousands of body parts each year.

They argue that wildlife watching, photographic safaris and community-led conservation provide far greater long-term benefits than allowing wealthy foreign hunters to shoot threatened animals.

Former Botswana President Ian Khama, who banned trophy hunting while in office, said: “With the decline of wildlife worldwide, and many species approaching extinction, how can there be justification in trophy hunting?”

Eduardo Gonçalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said the United States now had a moral responsibility to lead the world away from the trade.

He said: “America is the engine room of the global trophy hunting industry. The vast majority of people do not want endangered animals killed for heads, skins, tusks and bragging rights.

“This is not conservation. It is cruelty dressed up as sport.”

“Dr Jane Goodall understood that every animal is an individual. This declaration is about honoring that legacy and building a future where wild animals are protected, not turned into prizes.”

Fleur Dawes, Communications Director, In Defense of Animals, added, “Americans overwhelmingly reject trophy hunting, yet our tax dollars and import systems still facilitate it. We’ve seen the grief of elephant families torn apart, the orphaned cubs left behind after a lion is shot, wildlife communities that take generations to build and seconds to destroy.

“The age of treating sentient animals as collectibles must end, and the United States has both the power and the obligation to end it. The Abolition Declaration represents exactly the kind of moral clarity we need from policymakers. You cannot claim to respect wildlife and simultaneously issue permits to ship their skulls home as luggage.”

Travel

Route 144 Is North America’s Road Of The Year

June 20, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Packing hundreds of curves along its 109-mile length, Pennsylvania Route 144 runs north-south and almost perfectly bisects the mountainous northern half of the Keystone State. Paved nearly a century ago to provide an automobile-friendly connector to lumber and railroad towns, the road now delivers a recreational paradise. Outdoor pursuits on or near PA 144 include hunting, fishing, river rafting, hiking, off-roading, and of course, fantastic driving. 

From the southern terminus, the road begins just off I-80 in the mountaintop borough of Snow Shoe, population less than 700, where the Alleghenies start to rise. Within the first dozen miles, the route climbs to the Allegheny Plateau and enters the Pennsylvania Wilds, an area larger than the state of Connecticut. 

1983 Porsche 911SC wide aerial — Route 144 is proof there are still plenty of places to get lost right in our backyard.Cameron Neveu

The Wilds encompass some 25 percent of the state yet house only 4% of the people. Pennsylvania Route 144 passes by farms and runs through a dense forest of aromatic white pines and hardwoods before cresting on the high plateau region. The large-radius sweeping curves carved with generally excellent pavement cut through a less dense, sun-drenched area of pitch pine and scrub oak. 

1983 Porsche 911SC side blur — Blurring the trees in a 1983 Porsche 911SC along one of Pennsylvania Route 144’s many curves.Cameron Neveu

During two recent excursions, we saw abundant wildlife but not another human for miles. Pennsylvania Route 144 is the eastern arm of the state’s Elk Scenic Drive loop, so you might encounter a member of the largest elk herd in the Northeast. Or you might spot a bald eagle, as we did—they have made a healthy comeback. 

About 30 miles from Snow Shoe, the road plunges down a canyon that follows Hall Run Creek. The curves are tight here, with tons of quick left-right transitions. This is where PA 144 is most like an amusement ride, hugging steep hillsides edged by steel guardrails. The descent lasts 6 glorious miles until the road deposits you on the southern bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River. 

Stretching about 300 feet across, the mighty West Branch was once a superhighway for the harvested lumber that built East Coast cities in the early 19th century. Not long after the first steam locomotive arrived in the U.S. in 1829, the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad built a line that traversed the state along the northern bank of the West Branch. Driving over the bridge that crosses the Susquehanna brings us to Renovo, the largest town on Pennsylvania Route 144. 

1983 Porsche 911SC renovo — *Cameron Neveu*

Dramatically ringed by mountains, Renovo was incorporated by the railroad in 1866 to service a massive central locomotive service yard that once included a roundhouse. This classic boom town’s population swelled to some 4000 in the early 20th century. It was about this time that the new automobile sparked the state to build Pennsylvania Route 144 and link the various towns and villages along the route. When less maintenance-intensive diesel locomotives replaced the steamies and the railroads consolidated maintenance yards, the town started a long decline. A mere 1000 people call it home today, and sadly, even a Family Dollar sits abandoned. 

The hamlet is still a good breather stop and an interesting location for history buffs. Grab lunch at Socky’s Restaurant, which retains its vintage counter-type seating. Next door is the old Keystone Hotel, which wears a faded sign advertising “Rooms, Food, and Dancing” but is now mostly a popular cocktail bar. Peruse the grand churches and the lone standing brick workshop of the rail yard. But don’t hesitate long—there’s plenty of Pennsylvania Route 144 yet to explore. 

1983 Porsche 911SC side pan horseshoe — In this sparsely populated area of north-central Pennsylvania, you might just have glorious PA 144 all to yourself.Cameron Neveu

The road ascends out of Renovo via switchbacks lined with northern hardwoods and wild rhododendrons. The air has a fresh, fecund feel. In “The River,” Bruce Springsteen sang about a struggling blue-collar couple who would “drive out of the valley/down to where the fields are green.” It’s a great soundtrack when you’re leaving Renovo, swinging through miles of curves and occasional farms yet seeing few other people. 

The road ascends via switchbacks lined with northern hardwoods and wild rhododendrons.

Thirty-seven exhilarating miles and about an hour after Renovo, Pennsylvania Route 144 enters Germania. This small hamlet was settled by, you guessed it, German immigrants who were promised an area like their native Black Forest. The cluster of about a dozen buildings includes two well-kept churches and a cute general store with homemade chocolate whoopie pies. The old-growth hardwoods were logged out a century ago and now the town relies on tourists, many of whom explore the miles of former logging roads with ATVs. If you’re in the area this August, a raffle to benefit the Kettle Creek Music Festival and veterans offers a grand prize of “a canoe full of booze.”

1983 Porsche 911SC front — *Cameron Neveu*

A quick 7 miles north, Pennsylvania Route 144 ends at U.S. Route 6 in Galeton, where sawmills powered by Pine Creek processed the logs. History is never far away, as evidenced by the local Ace Hardware in an old tannery building, but Galeton’s tourism caters to stargazers, who come for the nearby Cherry Springs State Park. A designated Dark Sky park, Cherry Springs has so little light pollution that it’s one of the best places to view the solar system. Fitting, as Pennsylvania Route 144 is one of the best roads we’ve discovered east of the Mississippi  , and proof there are still plenty of places to get lost right in our backyards.

On the Road

1983 Porsche 911SC Sproul State Forest — *Cameron Neveu*

Pittsburgh, about 200 miles from Snow Shoe, is the closest major airport, but there are nonstop flights to State College, home to Penn State University, from Washington, Philadelphia, and Chicago. State College is only about a half-hour’s drive south of Snow Shoe and offers numerous hotels and inns.

For an authentic forest experience, book a room at the Gateway Lodge, a cozy log cabin built in 1934 and nestled in the heart of lush Cook Forest State Park. The Gateway includes a terrific restaurant and is roughly a two-hour drive from either State College or Pittsburgh. 

1983 Porsche 911SC blur curving road sign — *Cameron Neveu*

Driving Pennsylvania Route 144 can take a few hours or an entire day, depending on stops. A fine day could start with a short stroll through the “Forest Cathedral,” a stand of old-growth hardwoods a few miles from Gateway Lodge. Or, if you start in Snow Shoe, at Galeton head 100 miles west on U.S. Route 6, itself a scenic byway, for a must-see visit to Drake Well. 

In 1859, Edwin Drake sank a well along the bank of Oil Creek and discovered the first oil deposit. The ensuing oil rush spawned the modern petroleum industry. The museum has a reproduction of the original well. For us gearheads, it’s a mandatory visit. A full weekend would include exploring other rural roads. There are dozens. One thing is for sure: You will not be bored. 

How Our Friends at Hagerty Pick The Road Of The Year: Although the selection process is entirely subjective, aka at the whims of this magazine’s editorial team, they do keep a few guidelines in mind. First, the road has to be no more than a one-day round trip from a major urban center, the thinking being that anyone should be able to access the route easily as a day excursion and while perhaps visiting this urban center for work or vacation. Also, the pavement has to be in good condition. Plus, it must have some reasonably close dining and lodging amenities, and there is a lean toward roads with outlets to other roads, such that they can be run in one direction rather than merely to a turnaround point.

This story originally appeared in print in the July/August issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join the club to receive our award-winning magazine and enjoy insider access to automotive events, discounts, roadside assistance, and more

Travel

The Republic of Moldova Launches New Tool for Presenting the Country

June 18, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Invest Moldova Agency, Chișinău, June , 2026 – Invest Moldova Agency today launches the official digital platform of the Republic of Moldova: www.moldova.md. Designed as a modern identity card for the country, the platform provides a structured, easy-to-navigate presentation of the Republic of Moldova for international audiences and for citizens at home and abroad. The launch responds to the need for a clear digital space that presents the Republic of Moldova in a structured and relevant manner, in a global context where rapid access to information and clarity of message are essential.

Information All In One Place

The www.moldova.md platform brings together essential information about the country in one place, from its economic landscape and development priorities to its cultural identity, traditions, and local experiences. The content is organized to provide a quick and accurate understanding of the Republic of Moldova, for both those discovering it for the first time and those wishing to rediscover it from a contemporary perspective.

The website is available in English and is specifically tailored to international audiences, including visitors and individuals interested in learning more about the Republic of Moldova, opinion leaders, and those seeking authentic experiences, providing direct access to relevant and verified information. An important element of the official launch is the placement of a dedicated www.moldova.md banner at Chișinău International Airport, in the passport control area. With the message “You just landed in Moldova,” the banner welcomes international visitors upon arrival and provides direct access via a QR code to the Republic of Moldova’s official presentation platform.

Strengthening Moldava’s Presence

Through this initiative, www.moldova.md becomes a strategic communication and country-promotion tool, contributing to the strengthening of the Republic of Moldova’s presence in the international arena and facilitating a clear and informed perception of the country. “A strong country image is built through consistency and through an identity that is presented coherently across all international platforms.

Through www.moldova.md and the Media Toolkit, we aim to provide the Republic of Moldova with a modern presentation framework, developed based on the experience and standards applied by countries that have been implementing nation branding strategies for many years. At the same time, we placed a strong emphasis on usability and accessibility, ensuring that these tools can be used easily and effectively by institutions, partners, and communities that promote Moldova,” stated Irina Tolstousov, Deputy Director, Invest Moldova Agency.

With the launch of this platform, the Republic of Moldova enhances its international visibility and presents its country profile in a unified and credible manner, offering a clearer, more up-to-date image for global audiences and a reference point for those seeking to discover it. Learn more about the Republic of Moldova and explore the official platform by visiting www.moldova.md.

Sarmale- the heart of Moldovan cuisine.

About Invest Moldova Agency

Invest Moldova Agency is the public institution established by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and operating under the authority of the Prime Minister. The Agency is mandated to attract strategic investments to the Republic of Moldova, provide post-investment support to investors, contribute to export growth, promote the country’s image, and develop the economic diplomacy dimension.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Travel

Experience The Wildlife At Everglades National Park

June 1, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

A fun, four minute read from our friends at ShareAmerica.

Everglades National Park, a vast landscape of flooded grasslands in southern Florida, is a little more than an hour’s drive by car from Miami. But it’s a completely different world.

Tourists cycling past alligator on bicycle path (© Andy Lidstone/Adobe) — Tourists cycle past an alligator at Shark Valley at Everglades National Park in Florida. (© Andy Lidstone/Adobe)

Visitors to the rugged wilderness, often referred to as a “river of grass,” will find an environment like few others. It teems with birds, fish, reptiles and rare mammals.

Established in 1947, Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in North America, comprising 1.5 million acres (6,070 square kilometers). It averages about 1 million visitors a year.

Endangered and Threatened Species At Home Here

The park’s cypress swamps, sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests provide rich habitat for endangered or threatened species such as alligators, American crocodiles, the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee. The park, which is part of a much larger wetlands region, was also established to protect important habitats for wading birds, such as flamingos.

Top: Alligator on top of nest (NPS/Lori Oberhofer) Bottom, from left: Florida panther (NPS/Rodney Cammauf) and great egret in breeding plumage (© Yuriko David/Adobe) — Top: An alligator (NPS/Lori Oberhofer) Bottom, from left: Florida panther (NPS/Rodney Cammauf) and great egret (© Yuriko David/Adobe)

The park also includes the waters of Florida Bay, popular with fishing enthusiasts for the variety and size of game fish like tarpon.

Fishing in Florida Bay. Photo by SFWMD.

The most popular time to visit is during the dry season from November through April when milder temperatures attract wading birds and inhibit mosquitoes and wildlife is abundant.

Travel

Mountain Biking In Nepal Is The Bomb

May 26, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Supporting and promoting Nepal’s local tourism industry is a priority for the award-winning mountain biking specialists H+I Adventures .

Premium Mountain Biking Holiday

Throughout all of H+I Adventures’ twelve-day mountain biking holiday in Nepal, riders experience some of the world’s most breathtaking climbs, technical descents, fast and flowing singletrack, and the most spectacular views from the roof of the world.

5 Mile High Peaks!

Led by a local Nepalese guide, H+I travellers will find themselves surrounded by five-mile-high peaks and stay in teahouses run by local villagers stocked with delicious food, cold beer and great conversation. Highlights include criss-crossing the Kali Gandaki Valley, the deepest valley in the world, navigating the legendary Annapurna Circuit and the lower Mustang region, and riding through Shivapuri National Park to the historic town of Bhaktapur. A hot-spring soak in the village of Tatopani provides some well deserved respite and muscular relaxation after what has been a full week of epic highs.

“We are very much back in business, and my team and I can’t wait for the new season to begin and to welcome riders back to our beautiful country,” says Mandil Pradhan, lead guide for H+I Adventures in Nepal.

Known for combining rich cultural experiences with adrenline-pumping trails and breathtaking climbs, our friends at H+I Adventures have created enriching opportunities for travelers to engage with local communities during each tour. For example, in Nepal, H+I mountain bikers visit with Himalayan thangka artists and witness how they create the most exquisite masterpieces, which can take years to complete.

For more information visit: mountainbikeworldwide.com.

About Global Rescue

Global Rescue is a worldwide provider of integrated medical, security, intelligence and crisis response services to corporations, governments and individuals. Founded in partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine, Global Rescue’s unique operational model provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to potential threats. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to clients during every globally significant crisis of the last decade. Memberships start at $119 and entitle members to rescue and transport services to their home hospital of choice.

About H+I Adventures

H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organizers Trust Limited (ABTOT)

Travel

Acadia National Park: An Island Of Heaven On Earth

May 18, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

View of bay and islands from higher vantage point with trees (NPS/Kent Miller) — Acadia National Park’s Cadillac Mountain offers hikers views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, along with some of the earliest sunrises to hit North America. (NPS/Kent Miller)

Nestled along Maine’s craggy shoreline, the seaside wilderness of Acadia National Park offers mountain climbing and hikes, boulder-strewn beaches and coastal drives overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Acadia was designated a U.S. national park in 1929 and now welcomes 4 million visitors each year. Its 47,000 acres (19,000 hectares) of protected land make up the only national park in New England and encompass much of Mount Desert Island, the region’s largest.

The heart of Acadia is Sieur de Monts springs, a historic landmark near cultivated gardens, hiking trails and bird-watching spots. It’s also a stop along Acadia’s Park Loop Road, a 27-mile (43-kilometer) scenic drive that connects lakes, mountains and shoreline. Early bird adventurers will want to head to Cadillac Mountain — one of the country’s easternmost points — to catch one of North America’s earliest sunrises.

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound as Acadia is home to myriad animals including deer, seals, porcupines, loons and bald eagles.

Bass Harbor Head Light Station at night (NPS/Kent Miller) — The National Park Service manages three lighthouses in Acadia, including Bass Harbor Head Light Station. (NPS/Kent Miller)

While Acadia is open year-round, roads can get icy in winter. Fall brings a riot of color when deciduous trees change their leaves, drawing visitors from around the world to witness the symphony of yellows, oranges and reds.

Summer is the park’s most popular season, when Maine’s natural beauty and lower temperatures draw visitors north from major cities. The park is a four-hour drive north from Boston, which is known as the birthplace of the American Revolution and home to numerous historic sites.

Many visitors to Acadia stay in neighboring Bar Harbor, Maine, a small town known for its scenic views and fresh lobster.

For the Silo, Noelani Kirschner/ShareAmerica.

Travel

1000 Boats 45 Nations Sailing On Lake Garda Northern Italy In Largest Youth Regatta

May 7, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

With a group of keen and hungry “racing kids”, we participated in the huge sailing event that is the “Lake Garda Optimist Meeting” – a celebration of sailing for kids and families from 45 nations, where we tested our newly developed Optimist race sails. At the other end of the scale, vastly experienced “old salts” share their tips and ideas on double-headsail rigs for serious cruising. Thrown in for good measure are our new, cheerful but top quality training sails for the Hobie 16 catamaran.

May , 2026

The Rolly Tasker Sails “Optimist Team” attended the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting with four sailors, and myself- CEO Sven and former 420 World Champion Dirk as team coach. A huge event and hugely enjoyable, there also was work to be done: testing our newly developed Optimist racing sails.

World’s Largest Youth Regatta

It is the world’s largest one-design youth regatta event, with more than 1000 boats out of 45 nations at the start. Every Easter, thousands of Optimist fans from all over the world gather on the shore of Lake Garda in northern Italy – young sailors aged 9 to 15 years and their friends, families, and coaches. This gigantic sailing event is unique in its friendly, international family spirit but also known for strong competition on the water. Up to 10 races are sailed, splitting the 1000 plus boats into different groups. A real challenge for the organizing yacht club, “Fraglia Vela Riva”, which is masterfully accomplished year after year.

Testing New Racing Sails

This is the “Lake Garda Meeting Optimist”, in which I am very happy to participate. Both as a family, with my kids competing, and as Rolly Tasker Sails. Our overall team of 4 young sailors included our Thailand test sailor to test our newly developed Optimist race sails in true race conditions, also in strong winds gusting up to 26-28 knots. And we are pleased to report that these sails more than fulfilled our expectations, performing extremely well across the entire wind range.

After a great and successful regatta at Lake Garda, we are eager and motivated for the ongoing Optimist racing season both in Asia and Europe. The next step will be enabling 4 sailors from the Thailand National Optimist team to travel to Europe for the Optimist European Championship in Gdynia, Poland.

Our research and development for the best possible Optimist sails will strongly continue! For the Silo, Sven Cornelius.

Earth

Engineering Water Futures in Mining: Engineering for Certainty across the Mine Water Treatment and Lifecycle

April 21, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

When it comes to mine water treatment, simple compliance is not an option, not anymore. Why? Because the operating environment has fundamentally changed. What used to be manageable within standard regulatory frameworks is now being reshaped by a convergence of high interest rates, increasingly aggressive ESG litigation, and the physical reality of water scarcity.

The industry is now running into hard limits that make traditional, linear approaches to water management untenable. You’re seeing the rise of zombie liabilities; long-term water obligations that persist well beyond mine closure, continuously drawing capital without any return. Alongside this sits the persistent handover gap, where the transition from active treatment systems to long-term closure solutions is under-designed, underfunded, or simply assumed to “hold.”

And then there’s the cost curve that doesn’t behave the way many expect. Removing the last fractions, those parts-per-billion levels of specific substances of concern, often requires disproportionate increases in energy, process complexity, and operational control. In certain contexts, that final level of treatment can rival, or even exceed, the cost intensity of earlier-stage operations.

Taken together, these pressures are forcing a shift. Mine water is no longer a compliance exercise, it’s a long-horizon technical and financial challenge that demands far more precision, foresight, and accountability than conventional models were built to handle.

Geochemical Source Control: Designing against the Problem

In the mine water treatment industry, experts in Mine Water Treatment Solutions understand the importance of source control, as it addresses the fundamental chemistry of mining before it becomes a liability. That is where aspects of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) must be intercepted. Instead of treating the mine as a “source of dirty water,” experts treat the mine as a chemical reactor (prevention-based engineering) that can be controlled or deactivated by focusing on rock-air-water interface.

What this looks like in practice:

Oxygen limitation strategies: engineered covers or water saturation zones to suppress oxidation kinetics
Blended waste placement: pairing acid-generating material with neutralizing rock to stabilize pH evolution
Predictive modeling: tools like PHREEQC used not as academic exercises, but as decision frameworks for staging infrastructure

The value here isn’t just reduced treatment demand—it’s predictability. You’re not reacting to water quality spikes; you’re shaping them years in advance. That’s where disciplined engineering separates itself from reactive cost management.

Selective Removal & Resource Recovery: Turning Liabilities into Process Streams

Bulk treatment is expensive because it ignores nuance. When everything is treated equally, everything costs more. The shift toward selective removal is really about precision, targeting what matters and extracting value where possible.

Consider the opportunities:

Metal recovery loops: SART systems pulling copper or gold from solution streams (which can be sold to smelter) where ion exchange resins are tuned for specific ions rather than broad removal.
Salt valorization in brine systems: Fractional crystallization producing saleable sodium sulphate or gypsum. That reduces dependence on off-site hazardous disposal

This isn’t just clever chemistry—it’s strategic positioning. You’re moving from a cost center to a hybrid operation where treatment contributes to revenue. Investors notice that shift, because it fundamentally changes how water infrastructure is valued.

Hybrid Treatment Pathways: Planning for Operational Reality and Closure

The lifecycle of a water mine design has to outlive the mine. Most failures in mine water don’t happen during operations. They happen in transition; the mine closes, flows change, chemistry shifts. And suddenly the system that worked yesterday is structurally wrong for today. That’s the real design problem.

However, a resilient approach doesn’t rely on one technology, it layers capability across time:

During operations: high-density sludge systems and membrane plants absorb variability, peak loads, and production-driven fluctuations
During closure: passive systems like wetlands or biochemical reactors take over once flows stabilize and intensity drops

But the real challenge isn’t choosing technologies. It’s designing the handover between them. Because if that transition is wrong, you don’t get closure, you get long-term operational debt disguised as environmental management.

Water Quality Beyond Compliance: The Biological Dimension

Meeting discharge limits is no longer the finish line. Hitting regulatory numbers used to be the goal. It isn’t anymore. You can meet every limit on paper and still release water that quietly damages the ecosystem it enters.

That’s where things get more nuanced:

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing exposes what chemistry hides: It’s not about what’s in the water, it’s about what it does
Ionic balance matters more than concentration: Salinity, ionic ratios, small imbalances can ripple through entire ecosystems. Helps avoid high salinity or imbalances that disrupt aquatic life
Site-specific ecological alignment: One-size-fits-all discharge doesn’t work, water needs to fit where it’s going, not just pass a standard checklist. Tailoring treatment outputs to match receiving environments

For you as an operator, investor, or project decision-maker, this is bigger than compliance. It’s about avoiding legacy problems that don’t show up immediately, but hit hard when they do.
In essence, in mine water, nothing really disappears, it just shows up later, usually more expensive, and far less forgiving. The difference isn’t technology. It’s mindset. The operations that endure are the ones that stop thinking in phases and start thinking in consequences, because every shortcut taken today has a way of resurfacing when the system is least prepared to absorb it.

Earth

Time To Tackle Canada’s Plastic Pollution Problem

April 18, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Did you know that at the end of January, Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal released its long-awaited decision confirming that the federal government has the authority to regulate plastic pollution?

This is a much-needed win in the fight against plastic pollution, as it reaffirms the legal basis for banning single-use plastics in Canada and reopens the door to bold and ambitious federal action on plastics.

To ensure the federal government accelerates the shift away from single-use plastics, Environmental Defence wants to launch a media campaign to raise public awareness and mobilize people across the country to pressure federal decision-makers in Ottawa. The sad reality is that harmful and often unnecessary plastic is still everywhere. Even when you buy necessities, such as groceries, it is almost impossible to avoid single-use plastics. And every day that the government delays taking action, more toxic plastic pollution ends up in our bodies, our waterways, and our ecosystems, harming both our health and that of our environment.

We must send a strong, clear message to the federal government that we expect them to:

Expand the bans on single-use plastic items
Eliminate harmful chemical additives used in plastics
Require and support re-use and refill systems

We are in a critical moment to create substantive change. With enough public pressure, together we can push for the bold action needed to reduce plastic pollution, protect our health, and safeguard the environment for future generations.

With gratitude,

Karen Wirsig.
Senior Program Manager, Plastics Environmental Defence Canada
33 Cecil St, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1N1

Earth

Dangers Chasing Ontario’s Tornados and Waterspouts

April 4, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Another winter has come and gone, although perhaps slower than a lot of us would like. But happily, this means that the storm season is once again upon us in Ontario. As usual I will be back out on the roads looking for the best images of lightning and searching for Ontario’s tornadic super cells.

My name is Spencer Sills, and I am a storm chaser, some of you may remember a few years back reading about my storm chasing adventures here at The Silo and about journeys on the road to capture Nature’s fury through lenses. Not much has changed since then, still on the hunt for the elusive supercell and what fury may come with it.

“I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature”

Years ago my overall goal to capture a tornado in Ontario was successful. On July 7^th of 2014 I teamed up with Scott Burlovich of Restless Skies photography and his chase partner Harry for the day and we set out to capture some pulse storms that were flaring up in the afternoon, most of these cells were just rain makers but on the way back to my home I had noticed a wall cloud that was lit up by the sun, we pulled off to the side of the road directly South of Norwich and briefly documented a EF0 tornado in a farmers field before it lifted causing no damage since it was in a dry field. This was my only tornado of the year, in a busy season. I did however get to document several gorgeous storm cells throughout the year, including several beautiful stacked shelf clouds and a great Wall cloud early in the season that brought golf ball sized hail to the area.

A Wall cloud in SW Ontario approaches my location as the RFD cuts around with hail starting to fall.

What now? Well I hope to achieve a few goals, one of which is to continue to capture tornados in this province, hopefully in an open field away from any properties. I also have set my sights on some goals with lightning and capturing it in a different perspective, I can’t go into much detail but it will be a stunning sight if I can achieve it. As far as how I believe the season will go, I do believe it will be a slow start, April and May will bring the return of storms, but I don’t expect anything too severe until June and July once the humidity and warmth really have a chance to build in. I do however once again stress to leave chasing to the pros, if you’re interested in storm spotting, please look into Canwarn, the more spotters in the province the quicker warnings can be issued thanks to verified ground reports.

Part Two

I will be in close communication with good friends and fellow chasers, Spencer Sills and Scott Burlovich, as we tend to share a lot of information about the biggest potential storms before we go chasing. You’ll notice when you look through their photography collections that they are a couple of the best for chasing down the biggest storms in our province.

Chasing an actual storm

You might be curious on what we do when it comes to chasing the actual storm. Brian’s job is to be the driver. This is his first priority. Once we are parked and in a safe but photographic position for the storm, he is our main videographer. As for myself, I choose where I think the biggest storm will form from looking at weather models that meteorologists use as well as talking to fellow storm chasers in the area. I am also the main photographer. I do some video work and navigate us to the most photogenic side of the storm. This is usually right next to the most dangerous part of the storm but still in the safest position possible.

Rapidly Rotating wall-cloud photo being documented by Brian Chapman)

Over the years, our team has seen and recorded a number of funnel clouds, 2 confirmed tornadoes and 4 waterspouts. One of the tornadoes was near Arthur, Ontario and the landspout tornado was near Listowel, Ontario. The Arthur tornado was a really great one to document. It lasted for close to 15 minutes and we were able to see it from start to finish. The best part about it was the fact that no one was injured and it caused very little damage. Those are the kinds of tornadoes we love to see because they allow you to enjoy the pure power and beauty that they possess but without injuries or major destruction.

A second storm tried to form!

Another thing that was interesting with the tornado that hit near Arthur was the fact that it tried to form a second tornado at the same time the first one was on the ground. If that funnel had reached the ground, it would have been called a satellite tornado. They are typically smaller and weaker but not always. In Pilger, Nebraska in 2014, two EF-4’s were on the ground at the same time. Sadly they hit a town, killing 5 people and injuring 19. Those are the days I dread as a chaser and hope I never see first hand. As for the second funnel near Arthur, it didn’t quite have the energy to make it the rest of the way to the ground. This probably wasn’t such a bad thing with so many people focusing on the main, larger tornado just to its north.

Fortunately, a lot of Ontario’s tornadoes hit open areas that cause little to no damage.

There have been some exceptions, as the tornadoes that hit both Durham, Ontario on August 20, 2009 and Goderich on August 21, 2011 showed, both killing one person in each of them. That is why many storm chasers as well as dedicated weather enthusiasts in our province have a direct line to Environment Canada that allows us to contact them when we see threatening weather approaching the area we are in. It can help Environment Canada confirm what they are seeing on radar so that they can issue the proper watches and warnings accordingly. Lightning will also be a big focus for our team this year. We continue to work to get lightning photos as close as possible in order to capture the positive leaders that come up to meet the main negative current coming down from the cloud. The leaders can come from the ground, hydro poles, houses and even people.

Yes it is dangerous.

Although this may be risky and dangerous, we have worked out ways to minimize the risk to us. We stay in the car when lightning is close with the windows up. We also won’t park under a tree, not so much from the fear of a direct lightning strike but in case lightning hits and splits the tree causing it to fall on the vehicle. I remember seeing one like that when I was young and it has had an everlasting impression on me. One of the first big wind storms I chased along Lake Erie on November 1, 2013 knocked down a tree onto a woman‘s car and unfortunately she was in it and was killed. So debris is always a concern and something to be very aware of when it comes to storm chasing.

Earth

Happy Living With Canada’s Urban and Rural Coyotes

April 3, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Coyotes, like other wild animals, sometimes come into conflict with humans. Since migrating to Ontario and the eastern provinces from western Canada more than 100 years ago, coyotes have adapted well to urban environments and can now be found in both rural and urban settings. Coyotes can be found across Ontario but are most abundant in southern and eastern agricultural Ontario and urban areas.

Changes in land use, agricultural practices, weather, supplemental feeding and natural food shortages may contribute to more coyote sightings in your community.

Homeowners can take steps to make sure coyotes aren’t attracted to their property and to keep their pets safe. To reduce the potential for coyote encounters, the Ministry of Natural Resources has the following tips for the public:

Do not approach or feed coyotes

Coyotes are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. However, they are wild animals and should not be approached.

- - - - People should NOT feed coyotes — either intentionally or unintentionally. It makes them less fearful of humans and makes them accustomed to food provided by humans.
        
        Aggressive behavior towards people is unusual for coyotes, but people should always exercise caution around wildlife. Secure garbage, compost and other attractants
        
        Do not provide food to coyotes and other wildlife. Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes from becoming a problem.
        
        In the fall, pick ripe fruit from fruit trees, remove fallen fruit from the ground and keep bird feeders from overflowing as coyotes eat fruit, nuts and seeds.
        
        In the summer, protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse. Check with your local nursery to see what deterrent products are available.
        
        Place trash bins inside an enclosed structure to discourage the presence of small rodents, which are an important food source for coyotes.
        
        Put garbage at curb-side the morning of the scheduled pickup, rather than the night before.
        
        Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles. Coyotes are attracted to dog and cat waste as well as products containing meat, milk and eggs.
        
        Consider eliminating artificial water sources such as koi ponds.
        
        Keep pet food indoors. Use deterrents and fences to keep coyotes away from your home and gardens
        
        Use motion-sensitive lighting and/or motion-activated sprinkler systems to make your property less attractive to coyotes and other nocturnal wildlife.
        
        Fence your property or yard. It is recommended the fence be at least six-feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below the ground and/or a foot outward, so coyotes cannot dig under the fence. A roller system can be attached to the top of the fence, preventing animals from gaining the foothold they need to pull themselves up and over the top of a fence.
        
        Electric fencing can also help deter coyotes from properties or gardens in some circumstances. Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes may find cover and small animals to feed upon.
        
        Install proper fencing.
        
        As coyotes are primarily nocturnal, pets should be kept inside at night.
        
        Keep all pets on leashes or confined to a yard.
        
        Keep cats indoors and do not allow pets to roam from home.
    - Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

If you encounter a coyote:

- - - Do not turn your back on or run. Back away while remaining calm.
    - Use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten an approaching or threatening animal.
    - If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.
    - Never attempt to tame a coyote. Reduce risk of predation on livestock
    - Barns or sheds can provide effective protection from the threat of coyotes preying on livestock.
    - Guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs, can be a cost-effective way to protect livestock from coyotes. Guard animals will develop a bond with livestock if they are slowly integrated and will aggressively repel predators.

Managing problem wildlife

Landowners are responsible for managing problem wildlife, including coyotes, on their own property.
The Ministry of Natural Resources helps landowners and municipalities deal with problem wildlife by providing fact sheets, appropriate agency referrals, and information on steps they can take to address problems with wildlife.

Earth

Samuel L. Jackson Champions Sanctuary For LA Elephants

March 27, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES/TULSA, Okla. (March, 2026) — For more than 30 years, Billy the elephant was one of Los Angeles’ most famous residents. When the Los Angeles Zoo secretly shipped him and his zoo mate, Tina, to Oklahoma in the dead of night last May, it broke the hearts of Angelenos. Now, as Tina battles a serious, life-threatening uterine infection, Hollywood titan Samuel L. Jackson is stepping in to help bring them to the sanctuary they deserve before it’s too late.

Jackson, known for his narration of wildlife documentaries like African Cats and his recent visit to Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, has joined an international coalition led by In Defense of Animals pressuring the Tulsa Zoo to immediately release Billy and Tina. The Tulsa Zoo was recently named the No. 10 Worst Zoo for Elephants in North America for its high-mortality breeding program.

“Billy and Tina have sanctuaries willing to take them in,” said the producer and one of the world’s highest-grossing actors, Samuel L. Jackson. “Continued exploitation and denial of their freedom is making them worse, and time is running out! Join me in supporting In Defense of Animals and urge the Tulsa Zoo to retire these elephants before it’s too late.”

With Tina’s life in immediate peril, advocates say it is vital for the zoo to have her urgently assessed for transport and, if she is able to be moved, sent as soon as feasible to sanctuary. Two different sanctuaries have offered homes to Billy and Tina.

The movement to free Billy and Tina has rapidly gained global traction. Jackson is the latest of more than 10,000 people who have signed a letter to Tulsa Zoo President and CEO Lindsay Hutchison, urging her to release all the elephants, including Billy and Tina.

“It’s not surprising to any of us that Tina’s health is failing at the Tulsa Zoo,” said Courtney Scott, veteran elephant consultant with In Defense of Animals, the world’s leading international animal protection organization advocating for all elephants globally. “True compassion would be sending Tina and her longtime buddy, Billy, to an elephant sanctuary. This really is a no-brainer. Tina will receive top-notch medical care at a sanctuary, and peace which will have a direct impact on her health. Living in a large, stress-free environment is the best medicine for Tina. In fact, it’s the best medicine for all captive elephants.”

Billy and Tina are at the center of a bi-state controversy. Their clandestine move in May 2025 betrayed scores of Los Angeles activists, celebrities, city and state officials, and attorneys who fought for years to have the long-suffering elephants retired to a sanctuary. Instead, they were transferred to Tulsa to be used as commodities in a high-pressure breeding program that forces elephants into unnaturally early, rapid reproduction and invasive procedures.

Ignacia Fernández, Miss World Chile, has also joined the call, stating: “Zoos breed elephants into lives of impoverishment. Born as prisoners, treated as playthings and profit-drivers, they fade away without ever truly living… I stand with In Defense of Animals to stop zoo breeding and free elephants to sanctuaries.”

The Tulsa Zoo currently holds seven elephants, all of whom exhibit profound zoochotic stress behaviors. Video (above) captured by Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles reveals another resident elephant, Sneezy, attempting a breakout, while Billy and Tina display ongoing signs of brain damage caused by severe mental distress — swaying and bobbing endlessly.

At the Tulsa Zoo, Billy and Tina join Hank, a bull who was shuttled between four facilities and is now slated as a sperm donor for artificial insemination (AI). Billy himself has already been subjected to more than 50 sperm extractions in Los Angeles, and could face more at Tulsa. Bulls are restrained and subjected to highly invasive rectal procedures to extract the semen needed for a chance to make a ticket-boosting baby elephant.

Breeding loans are just as bad for elephants, spreading elephant TB, a leading cause of death in captive elephants. A new scientific review (see pdf below) shows frequent relocations, such as for breeding, cause transfer trauma and drastically raise the risk of premature death.

elephantreportffa Download

“We are deeply grateful to Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson for supporting our efforts to free Billy, as well as Tina and all elephants begging for freedom from the Tulsa Zoo,” added Scott. “We cannot let Billy, Tina or the other elephants die in this place of suffering, loss, and broken lives.”

Tulsa Zoo has earned a place on the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list for the second time. Its highly promoted 10-acre “preserve” was already inadequate before Billy and Tina arrived. Their visible zoochotic behaviors suggest conditions are even more harmful now — not only for them, but for the other five elephants already confined there.

“For Billy and Tina, the pattern is clear — and so is the solution,” said Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Partnerships for In Defense of Animals. “Sanctuaries are waiting. The harm is ongoing. And the chance to do the right thing is slipping away. Billy and Tina should be immediately released from the Tulsa Zoo, where elephants are treated as commodities instead of living beings. True conservation happens in the wild, not behind bars. The only ethical path forward for Tulsa Zoo is to end captive breeding and move its elephants, starting with Billy and Tina, to a spacious, true sanctuary.”

2025 List of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants:

Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas
Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kan.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, Neb.
African Lion Safari, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Denver Zoo, Denver, Colo.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, Ohio
ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque, N.M.
Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, Calif.
Tulsa Zoo, Tulsa, Okla.

Hall of Shame: Oregon Zoo, Portland, Ore.

Path to Progress Award: Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Ky.

Close-up photo of Samuel L. Jackson standing in front of a herd of elephants while on a recent trip to Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the world’s first Indigenous community-owned elephant sanctuary. The Jan. 29 caption reads, “Me & da herd!”

Samuel L. Jackson shared multiple photos of his African adventure including this one of a mother and her baby in tow at the expansive Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Feature image- Art Streiber.

Supplemental

In Defense of Animals’ list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America has been featured in The New York Times, Esquire and theDaily Mail, and supported by celebrities including Bill Maher and Ricky Gervais. It draws global attention to how zoos condemn elephants to lifetimes of deprivation, disease, and premature death. Rankings are determined based on in-person visits and data analysis of elephant mortality, health records, transfer history and enclosure conditions. This year’s list heavily weighted the intensity of breeding programs and infant mortality rates. Explore two decades of rankings at idausa.org/10worstzoos

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, people and the environment since 1983.

Earth

Underwater Bimini Road Suggests Advanced Ancient Humans

March 26, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

There is something very strange about the crystal blue waters in the Caribbean Sea, dotted with white sand islands and coconut trees, that seems to attract unsolved mysteries.

But unless the minds behind Wikipedia or mainstream science have a change of heart, the ever-mysterious underwater highway known as Bimini Road will likely remain case-closed.

Thereby hangs a tale common to throngs of mysterious places in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Florida Keys wherein ships, divers, and other witnesses speak of the unexplained—only to be scoffed at, derided, and scorned.

As with the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, and the fountain of youth, the Bimini Road joined the list of Caribbean enigmas when, in 1968, Joseph Manson Valentine, Jacques Mayol, and Robert Angove dove 18 feet underwater about a mile off of North Bimini, some 80 miles northwest of the Bahamas, and saw what they described as “pavement” on the ocean floor.

Did Nature produce flawless straight line?

A host of roughly rectangular stone slabs, they reported, rounded like loaves of bread by the sand and current over centuries, formed a flawlessly straight line. Its main feature stretched over 2,600 feet and curved like a “J” at one end. There were two smaller line features. Megalithic in size, the blocks were each 7 to 13 feet wide with right angles and seemed laid level by human hands.

A satellite view of Bimini. (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bimini_island.jpg">Public Domain</a>) — A satellite view of Bimini. Public Domain

A map of North Bimini showing Bimini Road. (Rainer Lesniewski/Shutterstock) — A map of North Bimini showing Bimini Road. Rainer Lesniewski/Shutterstock

The anomaly posed many questions to scientists.

How did it form? Was it made by man or nature? Could advanced civilizations have existed so early as to make this—in the Ice Age? Before the region sank beneath the sea 10,000 years ago? Or could nature have created something so fine-tuned? Thus began a clash of ideas.

There were two camps.

One dove down and saw a man-made road. Scientists and amateurs alike looked, and their eyes told them enough: this could not be natural.

The other camp was more skeptical. To avoid rocking the boat (figuratively speaking), they used science to explain the road to fit the foregoing research: it was natural.

As discoveries go, this one saw funded scientists fly in to investigate. Eugene Shinn from the University of Miami’s Department of Geology was foremost among them. Mr. Shinn dove down in 1978 and took radiocarbon core samples. Ultimately, he stated, it was beachrock—a mix of sand, shells, and cement—created by nature.

Megalithic blocks form a line on the seafloor off North Bimini. (FtLaud/Shutterstock) — Megalithic blocks form a line on the seafloor off North Bimini. FtLaud/Shutterstock

The so-called “consensus” of science that grew out of Mr. Shinn’s research, more or less, says this: Bimini Road formed under the surface of the island.

It was exposed by coastal erosion some 2,000 years ago. Its gaps at regular intervals were opened by natural jointing. This view is widely held and amplified on Wikipedia today.

The other camp is less uniform. Visiting Bimini Road, the notion was put forward: there was “overwhelming evidence that the road is made-made.” Their voices spoke from less lavish soapboxes: alternative media, websites, books, anecdotes. Much of it smacks of “New Age” and probably is sprinkled (or drenched) with misinformation to smear those brave voices speaking truth to orthodoxy. And there were voices whose minds changed.

Among the theorists, archaeologist William Donato suggested that Bimini Road isn’t a road; the line of stones forms a wall known as a breakwater, built to protect a prehistoric settlement from waves. This engendered its alter ego: Bimini Wall.

One of the strongest arguments for a man-made Bimini Road comes from Gavin Menzies’s (former British Submarine Commander and amateur historian) book, “1421: The Year China Discovered the World.” He writes: “Small stones are placed underneath larger ones, apparently to make the sea-bed level;” the structure “contains arrow-shaped ‘pointers’ that can only have been man-made;” and “some small square stones have tongue and grooved joints.”

Mr. Menzies, considered an outlier in both camps, believes ancient Chinese explorers anchored here and built the road as a slipway to repair a ship.

In 2022, British author Graham Hancock appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast to discuss the road. He said it was artificially “propped up” and “leveled out” with smaller rocks. “When you dive on it,” he told Mr. Rogan, “it’s impossible to believe it’s entirely the work of nature.”

And there have been accounts that got their wires crossed.

Stones ranging from 7 to 13 feet in width pave the underwater road at North Bimini. (FtLaud/Shutterstock) — Stones ranging from 7 to 13 feet in width pave the underwater road at North Bimini. FtLaud/Shutterstock

Ironically, both Wikipedia and Mr. Menzies offer polar opposite arguments but cite the same man.

Mr. Menzies noted David Zink, who explored Bimini Road in 1974, mentioning “small stones” under the larger ones being a second layer beneath the Bimini Road. Wikipedia also cited Mr. Zink but with a reversal: the conclusion about this second layer “was likely incorrect.”

Amid all the clashing, we managed to obtain exclusive insight into the debacle.

Bimini Road, also called Bimini Wall, is believed to have been built to protect a prehistoric settlement from waves. (FtLaud/Shutterstock) — Bimini Road, also called Bimini Wall, is believed to have been built to protect a prehistoric settlement from waves. FtLaud/Shutterstock

Psychologist Greg Little, author of “Edgar Cayce’s Atlantis,” revealed to the newspaper another flip-flop. He claims to have evidence of scientists altering core samples to support that Bimini Road was naturally formed. He says they admitted being pressured to do so by “all the craziness” surrounding Bimini Road, that it was “done for fun,” and it was done “to make a good story.”

To verify Mr. Little’s claims, the scientist in question was contacted directly who replied they were “not going to nit-pick over Little’s concerns.”

If true, the claim raises questions: Why would the orthodoxy mislead? What do they stand to gain by disproving ancient man’s involvement in the creation of Bimini Road?

This was posed to Mr. Little, who drew on psychology to explain:

“All contradictions to their beliefs are probably perceived as a direct threat to them professionally and psychologically,“ he said. ”The long history of science has countless examples of widely held beliefs that were proven wrong by research. But even in the face of incontrovertible proof that these beliefs were wrong, many so-called scientists refused to accept the new evidence.”

As for Bimini Road—whether it’s case-closed, as the “consensus” says, or mysterious as ever—there’s perhaps a way to know: Visit Bimini Road. Swim the crystal blue waters. Witness its wonders yourself with your eyes. For the Silo via Michael Wing & friends at theepochtimes.com.

Travel

The Top 10 European Ski Destinations

March 24, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Fancy staying on a home exchange this wintry Spring and stretching your skiing budget?

Here are the top 10 European ski destinations chosen by our friends at HomeExchange. Stay near or in a resort, borrow ski accessories for kids and save on accommodation costs. There’s really something for everyone, from Jacuzzis to sledges and beautiful views to hundreds of mountain chalets and apartments.

Val d’Isere, France

There’s a reason why Val d’Isere, at 1,850 meters, continues to be the top choice of European skiers each winter. It offers the perfect blend of challenging ski terrain for advanced skiers and learner-friendly beginners zones for those new to the snow. The resort center is lined with high-end shops, lively après-ski bars and fantastic restaurants, all housed within beautiful, stone-clad buildings.

Chamonix Les Houches, France

The diversity on offer in Chamonix these days makes it impossible to review the whole resort as one destination. At 950 meters, Les Houches is one of the closest resorts to Geneva Airport and offers kilometer after kilometer of tree-lined skiing, making it the perfect destination for families and beginners. The resort center has a village feel and is an outstanding spot from which to take in the incredible views.

Cosy chalet near Mont Blanc, Les Houches – 10 minutes from Chamonix

Klosters, Switzerland

While the ski area between Klosters (at 1,179 meters) and Davos offers lots to explore, Klosters is without doubt the more attractive base for your ski holiday. The village center is charming and affluent, but with a relaxed vibe, while the trails are popular with advanced skiers enjoying an abundance of easily accessible off-piste in the area.

Cosy chalet just 10 minutes from the ski lifts at Klosters

Les Gets, France

A resort that’s been quietly minding its own business for years, Les Gets, at 1,200 meters, is now developing into a chic, family-orientated resort that offers quick and easy access to the 650-kilometer Portes du Soleil ski area. Several piste-side restaurants offer views of Mont Blanc so it’s easy to find a sunny spot on which to enjoy an après tipple or two.

Luxury mountain ski chalet – Exceptional view

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

There’s one thing that makes these two interconnected resorts stand out, and it may not be for everyone. Crans, at 1,500 meters, and its neighbour Montana are not villages; although right on the edge of a great ski area, they’re most definitely towns with a very urban feel. This is a very sunny spot in which to base yourself and there’s varied terrain to suit all ability levels.

Farm with beautiful views 10 minutes from Crans Montana

La Rosière, France

We love La Rosière, at 1,850 meters, not just because of its high elevation and snow certainty. The ski area offers two great experiences for the price of one when you cross over the Petit St Bernard pass into Italy. Wide pistes descend for kilometers into La Thuile over the border and getting back is no hassle at all. The main village is quiet but well stocked, and the views are exceptional.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

Italian ski resorts are always authentic, traditional and charming, and Campiglio, at 1,550 meters, is no different. The car-free resort huddles on the valley floor and the center is stylish with several chic shops. The ski area spreads over 150 kilometers, and there have been several lift upgrades over recent years, making it quick and easy for you to cover a considerable distance on skis each day.

Luxurious apartment 5 minutes from ski lifts with fantastic view over the Dolomites

Courchevel Moriond 1650, France

Rebranded way back in 2011 to recognize the differences between its more blingy neighbor higher up the valley, Courchevel 1650 is now an attractive, unpretentious resort with a stack of new facilities, including Aquamotion, a huge center for water sports that opened in December 2015. And let’s not forget: On your doorstep you’ll find the largest linked ski area in the world. The 600 kilometers of the 3 Valleys network never disappoint.

Selva, Val Gardena, Italy

Seasoned skiers, this one’s for you. At 1,563 meters, Selva serves up challenging ski terrain on both sides of a valley, accessed by both gondolas and quick chair lifts. The village center is packed with charm and character and there’s also a collection of well-maintained beginner slopes and progressive tree-lined runs enjoyed by families.

Geilo, Norway

No list of top 10 ski resorts is complete without mentioning Norway and the town of Geilo, at 800 meters. It is one of the country’s most popular resorts. It’s a small, well-equipped town that’s invested heavily in new runs, new lifts and new facilities. Between January and April you can also ski until 8pm on flood-lit slopes. Photo Credit: Geilo, Norway

For the Silo, Alexandra Origet du Cluzeau/ HomeExchange.

About HomeExchange

Founded by Ed Kushins, a pioneer of the “collaborative consumption” movement, HomeExchange has facilitated over one million home swaps since 1992. It was featured in 2006 in the cult movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law.

Earth

Water Is Not For Sale- Say No To Privatization

March 23, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Water Is A Fundamental Human Right…..Right?

I’m sure you’d agree that access to water is a fundamental human right. In Ontario, with our abundance of fresh water, it may seem that water security is not an issue. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

The province’s new Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act (WWPCA), which was shoehorned in omnibus Bill 60, paves a dangerous path towards water privatization in Ontario. While the province insists water privatization is not its intent, the Act has no limits on private ownership. In fact, the Act would enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to designate corporations under the Business Corporations Act to have control over water and wastewater systems.

Privatization Agenda?

These changes are yet another example of Premier Ford’s privatization agenda, prioritizing corporate interests over essential public services.

Water is a public good and a human right. We can’t sit back and allow this government to make it a commodity. Environmental Defence continues to urge the Ontario government to amend the WWPCA to ensure that water and wastewater services remain public. With your support, we will mobilize the public and raise awareness, calling on the provincial government to stop water privatization and safeguard water sources. How you can help us.

History shows the risk of privatization.

Since the early 2000s, hundreds of attempts to privatize water management worldwide have failed. Municipalities, including Hamilton, Ontario, have tried privatization before, resulting in significant environmental and financial consequences. Privatization often means less transparency and accountability, and could lead to higher water bills, contaminated drinking water, and polluted lakes and rivers.

Water privatization spells an uncertain future for water security in Ontario. Now’s the time to stand up and send a clear message that Water is Not for Sale!

For the Silo, Rebecca Kolarich /Environmental Defence.

Travel

Yellowstone: The World’s First National Park

March 19, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

People walking on boardwalk around Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park (© Vaa Eriksen/Adobe) — The Grand Prismatic Spring is among the Yellowstone sites created by underground volcanic activity. (© Vaa Eriksen/Adobe)

With its fluorescent natural wonders and diverse wildlife, Yellowstone National Park attracts 4.5 million visitors each year.

The world’s first national park was created on March 1, 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. The law decreed that the headwaters of the Yellowstone River be “dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” The decision led to the creation of the National Park Service, which now protects more than 400 sites across the United States.

What are Geysers?

Sprinkled amid the hot springs are the rarest fountains of all, the geysers. What makes geysers rare and distinguishes them from hot springs is that somewhere, usually near the surface in the plumbing system of a geyser, there are one or more constrictions.

Geysers are hot springs with constrictions in their plumbing, usually near the surface, that prevent water from circulating freely to the surface where heat would escape. The deepest circulating water of the system can exceed the surface boiling point of water (199°F/93°C). Surrounding pressure increases with depth, much as it does with depth in the ocean. Increased pressure exerted by the enormous weight of the overlying water and rock prevents the water from boiling. As the water rises due to heating, steam forms and expands, increasing pressure in the constricted plumbing near the surface. At a critical point, the confined bubbles actually lift the water above the surface vent, causing the geyser to splash or overflow. This decreases pressure on the system, and violent boiling results. Tremendous amounts of steam force water out of the vent, and an eruption begins. Water is expelled faster than it can enter back into the geyser’s plumbing system, and the heat and pressure gradually decrease. The eruption stops when the water reservoir is depleted or when the system cools.

There are more geysers in Yellowstone than anywhere else on Earth. Old Faithful, certainly the most famous geyser, is joined by numerous others big and small, named and unnamed. Though born of the same water and rock, what is enchanting is how differently they play in the sky. Riverside Geyser, in the Upper Geyser Basin, shoots at an angle across the Firehole River, often forming a rainbow in its mist. Castle Geyser erupts from a cone shaped like the ruins of some medieval fortress. Grand Geyser explodes in a series of powerful bursts, towering above the surrounding trees. Echinus Geyser spouts up and out to all sides like a fireworks display of water. And Steamboat Geyser, the largest in the world, pulsates like a massive steam engine in a rare, but remarkably memorable eruption, reaching heights of 300 to 400 feet.

Vastness of Yellowstone

While mostly in Wyoming, Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres (8,900 square kilometers) extend into neighboring Idaho and Montana. The massive park covers an area larger than the U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

People watching geyser erupting (© Wasin Pummarin/Adobe) — Spectators watch an Old Faithful eruption. (© Wasin Pummarin/Adobe)

Yellowstone was established to protect an extraordinary collection of 10,000 thermal features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles and boiling mud pots created by underground volcanic activity. With 500 geysers, the park has more than half of all the world’s erupting hot springs.

While waiting for Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser, is a Yellowstone tradition, the park also boasts abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. With the largest concentration of mammals on the U.S. mainland, Yellowstone is home to bison — the U.S. national mammal — as well as black bears, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose and mountain goats.

You may also glimpse predators, such as one of the 1,000 grizzly bears known to inhabit the area, along with lynx, wolverines and wolves.

Bison licking calf (© Michael Underwood/Adobe) — A mother bison cares for her calf. (© Michael Underwood/Adobe)

Bird lovers will relish the opportunity to see 300 species of birds. The park service provides a checklist for bird watchers hoping to spot them all.

While Yellowstone offers something in every season, services are limited from early November through late April. Bad weather can change road conditions at any time, so check operating dates and conditions before visiting.

For those unable to visit, Yellowstone’s 10 webcams offer glimpses of the park. So whether you’re planning to feel the mist from an Old Faithful eruption or looking for a brief virtual escape, Yellowstone offers an experience unlike any other. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Featured image- Daphne Zheng via Getty Images

Earth

Canada Must Still Reassess Glyphosate Roundup Herbicide Links To Cancer

February 25, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

It’s been nearly nine years since we published the article below and the water surrounding glyphosate use in Canada is still murky. Roundup is currently being used in an official capacity in certain situations by government agencies such as by the Ministry of the Environment to fight the invasive species Phragmites. Let’s review the earlier article:

Top Scientists Warnings

Dear friends across Canada, top scientists warn the most commonly used herbicide in the world probably causes cancer. Monsanto is demanding the World Health Organization retract their ground-breaking report. And experts say the only way to ensure the science is not silenced is if the public demands action, now. The regulatory system is renowned for being secretive and captured by the agro-chemical industry. But we have a unique moment right now — Canada is officially reassessing glyphosate, with similar processes underway in the US, Europe, and Brazil. And the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and El Salvador are all looking at a ban. [However, it must be noted that as of today’s posting, Canada Health’s Food Safety Inspection statement is that glyphosate formulations ARE safe CP]The threat is clear — this poison is used on our food, our fields, our playgrounds, and our streets. Let’s get it suspended.

Join the urgent call and tell everyone

Monsanto is up in arms. Glyphosate brings in $6+ billion per year. It is the basis of RoundUp, the chemical cornerstone of Monsanto’s Genetically Modified empire. The company says the WHO report ignored studies showing glyphosate is safe. But these scientists are 17 of the world’s top oncology experts, not a bunch of crazies. They comprehensively reviewed independent studies, excluding those done by companies seeking product approval. Regulators rely mainly on tests done by the companies trying to sell the poisons!

Secret Information Makes Reporting Murky

Key results are kept from the public because they contain ‘commercially confidential information’, and 58% of the scientific panels in the EU Food and Safety Agency are linked to the sector. It’s nuts, but that is the system we have. And that’s why it’s going to take all of us to make sure this crucial independent report isn’t ignored. Some countries have already put bans on glyphosate. Now with the EU, the US, Canada, and Brazil all reviewing it, we have an incredible chance to turn the tide worldwide.

Sixty years ago Monsanto’s pesticide DDT was everywhere until the seminal book Silent Spring showed it could cause cancer — a decade later it was banned. If this could cause cancer, let’s not let it be sold for ten more years. Let’s demand emergency precautionary action now.

Join now and spread the word: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/monsanto_dont_silence_science_loc_cn/?bsOTIab&v=57275

We’ve done it before — helped win a moratorium on bee-killing neonicotinoids in the EU and stop a Monsanto mega seed factory in Argentina. Now let’s protect our health and make sure we aren’t being used as lab rats. This could be a breakthrough moment in the fight for the safe, sustainable agriculture our world needs. With hope, Bert, Marigona, Antonia, Oliver, Alice, Emily, Danny, Nataliya, Ricken and the whole Avaaz team.

More information: New study points to link between weedkiller glyphosate and cancer (FT) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8b79a572-cf14-11e4-893d-00144feab7de.html#axzz3XOmCcv9c

Supplemental

Weed Killer, Long Cleared, is Doubted (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/business/energy-environment/decades-after-monsantos-roundup-gets-an-all-clear-a-cancer-agency-raises-concerns.html

The Real Reason to Worry About GMOs (Mother Jones) http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/03/bittman-right-its-not-gmos-its-how-theyre-used

Earth

Beach Raking Threatens Habitat- Help Protect Wasaga’s Piping Plover

February 13, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Did you know that the majority of Ontario Wasaga beaches are no longer protected, including critical piping plover habitat? That’s because the Ontario government recently removed Wasaga’s beaches from the Provincial Park and are giving them to the municipality despite fierce opposition from Ontarians, including many of you.

Wasaga’s beaches are the birthplace of 70 percent of all Ontario-fledged piping plovers that have survived to adulthood since the species returned to Ontario in 2007. This irreplaceable habitat is now at immediate risk from destructive mechanical beach and sand dune raking planned by the Town Council for as soon as this spring.

Emergency Order

Although Wasaga’s beaches are no longer in a Provincial Park, there is still a way to protect the piping plover. The Federal government can and should issue an Emergency Order under the Species at Risk Act to protect this endangered shorebird from the destruction of the places where it eats and raises its young.

While this solution seems obvious, ensuring the Federal government does the right thing is not guaranteed. That’s why we urgently need your help. We want to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign to mobilize Ontarians to push the federal government to fulfill its responsibility and protect Wasaga’s critical piping plover habitat. Will you help us?

Mechanical Raking Of Beaches

Time is running out. The Town of Wasaga Beach has already purchased mechanical raking equipment and announced a development plan that would bring beach clearing and raking to known piping plover nesting and feeding sites.

Mechanical beach raking destroys the natural debris piping plovers need to nest, forage, and hide from predators. Evidence from other Ontario beaches shows that once raking occurs, plovers often fail to return. With only three other active breeding sites left in Ontario, the loss of Wasaga would be catastrophic.

Environmental Defence has successfully fought and saved the homes of this bird before. After years of advocacy, we stopped the illegal bulldozing of piping plover habitat at Saugeen Beach (formerly known as Sauble Beach), and we will use our experience to fight the habitat destruction now threatening Wasaga. We know that only the immediate action of the federal government stands between the loss and the survival of the endangered piping plover on Wasaga’s beaches. The time for action is now.

Tourism Balance Can Be Established

The Town of Wasaga Beach is, and can continue to be, both a thriving home for endangered piping plovers and a world-class tourism destination. Together, we must demand that the federal government issue an Emergency Act under the Species at Risk Act and prevent the irreversible loss of Wasaga’s piping plover habitat. We hope we can count on your support by clicking here.

For the Silo, Tim Gray.

Earth

The Next Era of Nuclear Arms Control

February 7, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

A picture containing text, sign

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Here is a recent Substack post from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the next era of nuclear arms control.

The Cold War

During the Cold War, few negotiations proved as complex as those between the United States and the Soviet Union to limit and reduce their vast nuclear arsenals. They required trust between adversaries who had little reason to believe each other’s words, and they relied on intricate, constant systems to verify compliance. American statesmen persevered and reached a series of agreements first with the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation that left the United States safer.

Everything has its season though and yesterday, New START expired.

Arms control advocates and many voices in the media have tried to cast the expiration as a sign that the United States is initiating a new nuclear arms race. These concerns ignore that Russia ceased implementing the New START treaty in 2023, after flouting its terms for years. A treaty requires at least two parties, and the choice before the United States was to bind itself unilaterally or to recognize that a new era requires a new approach. Not the same old START, but something new. A treaty that reflects that the United States could soon face not one, but two, nuclear peers in Russia and China.

China Arsenal

China’s rapid and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal since New START entered into force has rendered past models of arms control, based upon bilateral agreements between the United States and Russia, obsolete. Since 2020, China has increased its nuclear weapons stockpile from the low 200s to more than 600 and is on pace to have more than 1,000 warheads by 2030. An arms control arrangement that does not account for China’s build-up, which Russia is supporting, will undoubtedly leave the United States and our allies less safe.

President Trump has been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that future arms control must address not one, but both nuclear peer arsenals.

Our call for multilateral nuclear arms control and strategic stability talks, presented today in Geneva, reflects the principles President Trump has laid out.

No Longer A Bilateral Issue

First, arms control can no longer be a bilateral issue between the United States and Russia. As the President has made clear, other countries have a responsibility to help ensure strategic stability, none more so than China. Second, we will not accept terms that harm the United States or ignore noncompliance in the pursuit of a future agreement. We have made our standards clear, and we will not compromise them to achieve arms control for arms control’s sake. Third, we will always negotiate from a position of strength. Russia and China should not expect the United States to stand still while they shirk their obligations and expand their nuclear forces. We will maintain a robust, credible, and modernized nuclear deterrent. But we will do so while pursuing all avenues to fulfill the President’s genuine desire for a world with fewer of these awful weapons.

We understand that this process can take time. Past agreements, including New START, took years to negotiate and were built upon decades of precedent. They were also between two powers, not three or more. However, just because something is hard does not mean we should not pursue it or settle for less. No one understands that difficult deals are often the only ones worth having more than President Trump, who has repeatedly underscored the awesome power of nuclear weapons and his desire to reduce global nuclear threats. Today in Geneva, we are taking the first steps into a future where the global nuclear threat is reduced in reality, not merely on paper. We hope others will join us.

Marco Rubio was sworn in as the 72nd Secretary of State on January 21, 2025. The Secretary is creating a Department of State that puts America First.

Earth

California Sanctioned Slaughter Will Eradicate Catalina Island Deer

February 5, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

“Sham restoration sets a deadly precedent for California’s wildlife” – In Defense Of Animals

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Mule deer fawn on the Channel Islands. Photo: NPS

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. (Feb. , 2026) — In Defense of Animals is expressing profound outrage and sorrow following the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) decision to approve the Catalina Island Conservancy’s deadly, controversial, and unpopular plan to eradicate the island’s entire mule deer population. Despite widespread public opposition and a previous victory that forced the abandonment of a helicopter-gunning scheme, state officials have now greenlit a ground-based massacre that will pay professional sharpshooters to hunt down and kill every one of the island’s deer.

Opposition being ignored

This decision ignores the pleas of thousands of residents and the objections of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who previously led the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to oppose the Conservancy’s killing plan. It also disregards the expert caution of L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, who has stated that removing the deer could actually increase fire risks by allowing vegetation fuel loads to grow unchecked — directly contradicting the Conservancy’s primary justification for the slaughter.

“Today is a dark day for California’s wildlife and a betrayal of the public trust,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director for In Defense of Animals. “The Conservancy has rebranded a massacre as ‘restoration,’ swapping helicopters for ground squads to make the bloodshed more palatable to the public. But the result is the same: the senseless violent death of a beloved herd that has lived peacefully on the island for a century. We are heartbroken that the state has chosen bullets over biology and compassion.”

Mule Deer Generations On Island

Mule deer have been living on Catalina Island for over one hundred years and have integrated into the ecosystem. Despite this, the approved plan allows the Conservancy to hire private contractors to systematically kill the deer over several years, beginning with a fenced “pilot zone” of 10 acres near the Airport in the Sky before expanding to a 105-acre zone and eventually the entire island. While the Conservancy claims, without scientific proof, that the deer threaten native plants and increase fire danger, In Defense of Animals argues these claims are ideologically driven rather than actually proven.

Jack Gescheidt, Wildlife Consultant for In Defense of Animals, condemned the approval as a symptom of a larger industry problem.

“This plan is a sad product of the restoration industry, which often expends huge sums of public dollars to exterminate entire species under the tragically ironic guise of ‘conservation,’” said Gescheidt. “The mule deer integrated into Catalina Island’s ecosystem decades ago. Scapegoating them for climate change and drought-driven vegetation loss is scientifically dishonest. It is madness to authorize and finance wildly expensive and bloody animal extermination campaigns that do nothing to solve the larger ecological problem that is being ignored — the climate crisis. Just leave the deer alone.”

Deer Being Blamed

In Defense of Animals notes that the deer are being blamed for ecological changes driven primarily by human development and climate change. The Conservancy aims to protect “native” vegetation; yet the deer have lived peacefully on Catalina Island for nearly 100 years without suddenly threatening the entire ecosystem. No third-party scientific studies have validated the group’s “invasive” claims.

Furthermore, the Conservancy has made wild, inaccurate estimates of the mule deer population to justify the slaughter. Their estimate of 1,700-2,000 deer was based on a 2021 spotlight survey that extrapolated data from a small subset to the entire island. Islanders, who live nearest the deer, estimate the population is actually between 400 and 800.

“These exaggerations are typical of the ‘exterminate-to-restore’ mentality that falls back on controlling, managing and almost always killing wild plants and animals,” added Gescheidt.

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In Defense of Animals has long championed the rights of wildlife on Catalina Island. Photo: In Defense of Animals

In Defense of Animals has been defending the Catalina Island wildlife for years. It is part of the island’s citizen group, The Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer with the joint aim of protecting the island’s wild mule deer from any killing or interference, including hunting or sterilization. Over 13,600 In Defense of Animals supporters wrote to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Governor Gavin Newsom, and other officials asking them to oppose this brutal plan.

In Defense of Animals is now calling on its supporters to voice their continued opposition to the Conservancy and state officials.

Levinson called for further action, saying, “We urge the public to keep contacting state officials to tell them this lethal, sham ‘restoration’ sets a deadly precedent for wildlife management across the state.”

For the Silo, Jack Gescheidt.

Earth

How Termites Challenge Darwinism Theory of Evolution

January 9, 2026 The Silo 1 Comment

Modern science lacks a unifying, interdisciplinary theory of life. In other words, current theories are unable to explain why life is the way it is and not any other way.

Dr. David Grinspoon writes about Charley Lineweaver’s review of “Scientists Debate Gaia,” a collection of essays gathered from an American Geophysical Union conference and by the published by MIT press. Charles H. Lineweaver is a Senior Fellow at Australia National University’s Planetary Science Institute.

He explained that James Lovelock (shown) proposed the Gaia hypothesis, in which Earth is an organism or system capable of self-regulation. He wondered: Can the existence of life be recognized from the chemical composition of a planet’s atmosphere? What would the Earth be like now, if life had never evolved on it? Would there be oxygen in the air? Would the surface temperature be hot like Venus or cold like Mars? In the mid-60’s, NASA consulted James Lovelock to assist in developing instruments for the Viking spacecraft to detect life on Mars.

He concluded that it wasn’t necessary to send a spacecraft to Mars. All you needed was to determine the composition of the Martian atmosphere –- if life was there, the atmosphere should be in chemical disequilibrium as it is on Earth. Recent observations, have detected methane on Mars indicating life.

Determining what life is and how to recognize it is the Holy Grail of astrobiology. To make progress, we need to explore the Martian subsurface and analyze the atmospheres of the nearest terrestrial planets. Lovelock’s Gaian chemical equilibrium test for the presence of life is fundamental to these efforts. Both NASA and ESA are putting their astrobiological money into interferometric infrared spectroscopy to look for the traces of chemical disequilibrium in planetary atmospheres as the primary biomarker.

Don't be fooled by your perspective- we all live on a rotating ball traveling through space! — Don’t be fooled by your perspective- we all live on a rotating ball traveling through space!

Lovelock thought that terrestrial life didn’t just passively produce chemical disequilibrium. There seemed to be some element of control or regulation. In 1978, he published a book called “Gaia” that described how the entire biosphere behaves like a living creature suggesting our Earth is alive.

Gaian science and astrobiology have very similar programs. Astrobiologists look at the stars and ask “What has life done to the planets out there and how can we recognize it?” Gaian scientists have been looking at the Earth for decades asking “What has terrestrial life done to our planet and how can we recognize it?” Astrobiology and Gaian science often remain separate fields of inquiry. Astrobiology attracts mainly astronomers and biologists, while Gaian science attracts atmospheric chemists, geologists and concerned ecologists.

The thin Martian atmosphere is mainly composed of carbon dioxide. Planetary scientists have studied the atmosphere of Mars for any signs of gases such as methane that could be generated by life. In this collection, Gaian scientists believe that over the past four and a half billion years, the Sun’s luminosity has increased by about 30 percent, but the temperature of the Earth’s surface doesn’t seem to have followed in step. Lovelock hypothesized that the biosphere regulates the Earth’s surface temperature. There are two obvious ways to do this: Regulate the albedo (light reflected by the planet) and/or regulate the abundances of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Lovelock invented the parable of Daisyworld to demonstrate that the biosphere could regulate the albedo. A nice Gaian extension of this idea is J. Scott Turner’s analysis of the thermo-regulation of termite colonies. So if a termite ecosystem can evolve to do it, why can’t a big one like the Earth? Thus, Gaia does what good scientific ideas are supposed to do. It extends and extrapolates a fundamental theory, from individuals to groups to ecosystems, up to the entire biosphere.

The central debate of this book is: How can Gaia (Earth) be selfish? How can it do anything “for” itself? Will it protect itself from human destruction of the environment by causing earthquakes, earth lights, an ice age, or a great flood?

Tyler Volk’s book “Gaia’s Body” “Gaia is Life in a Wasteworld of By-products.” He proposed that the atmosphere is one giant waste dump. Life produces wastes, and these wastes build up and affect the environment. They become intolerable for some forms of life, but then along come new forms of life who take advantage of these waste products. Volk’s point is that poop just happens. Thus the effects of the biosphere’s wastes are certainly “by” but not necessarily “for” the biosphere..

Volk suggests using cycling ratios to measure “by and for the biosphere” and to determine how beneficial for life something may be. A cycling ratio is the amount of an element cycling through the Earth and biosphere, divided by the amount that would be cycling through the Earth in the absence of life. Volk estimates the cycling ratio of carbon to be about 200 times more carbon flowing through the veins of Gaia than would be cycling through an Earth without life from plate tectonics and volcanism.

A collection of observations by the Earth Observing System flagship Terra were stitched together into a seamless true-color mosaic of every square kilometer (.386 square mile) of our planet.

Dorion Sagan and Jessica Hope Whiteside’s “Gradient Reduction Theory: Thermodynamics and the Purpose of Life” discussed the second law of thermodynamics as the purpose of life. Agnostics looking for purpose in their lives would do well to digest this chapter with Lovelock’s suggestion that agnostics worship Gaia to fill their religious vacuum. There is grandeur and universality in this thermodynamic view of life that can be applied to life anywhere in the universe.

I’d like to see Gaian scientists recognize that Gaia is part of a larger whole – that the Earth is not a closed system and that Gaia has a mother. We begin to wonder whether our Galaxy is a life form called Galactea. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

“It is a must read for any life form that is even pretending to look for extraterrestrial life. /

– See more at: http://www.astrobio.net/ Note: It’s logical Mother Earth or Gaia feels totally threatened by environmental abuse from Earth’s humans and that those humans who are not loving to Mother Earth may be removed.

*Main image for this post courtesy of http://fourthdimension-celestialdreams.blogspot.ca

Supplemental-

Phylogenetic Analysis Forces Rethink of Termite Evolution | Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology OIST

Earth

Green Economy Creating Abundance of Opportunities for Businesses Worldwide

December 13, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

Earth

Poland Signs Fur Ban Law to End Reign as EU’s Largest Producer

December 6, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

WARSAW, Poland (Dec., 2025) — In a monumental victory for animals and a devastating blow to the global fur trade, Poland has officially enacted a ban on fur farming. The legislation, signed into law by President Karol Nawrocki, marks the end of an era for the European Union’s largest remaining fur producer.

The victory comes after intense international pressure, including a campaign by In Defense of Animals, which rallied supporters to write thousands of letters to President Nawrocki and Marshal of the Senate Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. While initial reports suggested leadership might block the ban, the overwhelming global outcry helped ensure the measure was signed into law.

The timing of this legislation sends a shockwave through the fashion industry, arriving just days after activists across the U.S. rallied for Fur Free Friday, and as major fashion institutions, including Vogue, increasingly pivot toward coverage of ethical, cruelty-free alternatives.

Anti-fur demonstrators rally outside the Louis Vuitton flagship store in Beverly Hills, California, on Fur Free Friday, Nov. 28, 2025

“This is a watershed moment in the history of animal protection. By dismantling the fur industry in its largest European stronghold, Poland has effectively dealt a devastating blow to the global fur trade,” said Katie Nolan, Wild Animals Campaign Specialist for In Defense of Animals. “Just last week, Americans marched for Fur Free Friday, and today, we see the results of that global momentum. Whether it is the pages of Vogue or the halls of the Polish Parliament, the message is clear: the future of fashion is fur-free.”

Poland’s exit from the industry holds significant weight for the American market. As the European Union’s largest producer, the country’s ban will drastically reduce the volume of animal pelts available to global fashion houses, disrupting the supply chain and accelerating the industry’s decline in the United States and abroad.

Beyond economics, the ban addresses severe public health risks that transcend borders. Polish fur farms have recently been identified as hotspots for COVID-19 and avian influenza, posing a global threat that this legislation helps mitigate. This victory also reinforces the ethical momentum building stateside, aligning with legislation already passed in California and bans in major fashion cities to further isolate the few remaining supporters of the fur trade.

The new law mandates a phase-out of the industry, ending the confinement of millions of mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs. These animals, in particular the semi-aquatic mink, have historically been forced into barren wire cages, denied their natural needs, and subjected to gruesome deaths via gassing or electrocution.

In Defense of Animals celebrates this victory with its supporters and coalition partners who refused to let this ban die in the US Senate.

Travel

Festive Village Returns to Burnaby Village Museum — Presented by Concord Pacific

December 4, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

The Burnaby Village Museum will once again transform into a glittering, festive village this winter, as Concord Pacific returns as the presenting sponsor of the beloved Festive Village celebration. From November 22, 2025, to January 2, 2026, families can step back in time to the 1920s and experience the sights, sounds, and nostalgia of an old-fashioned Christmas, free of charge.

For several years running, Concord Pacific Developments has proudly supported the event, helping to make it one of the most anticipated family-friendly celebrations in Metro Vancouver. The partnership has allowed the museum to expand programming, enhance light displays, and continue offering free admission to thousands of visitors each season.

“For so many Burnaby families, making a trip to the Festive Village event is a beloved holiday tradition,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to spread some holiday cheer and support those in need at this time of year.”

Spread across 10 acres, the Burnaby Village Museum feels like stepping onto the set of a holiday film. Its cobbled streets, vintage storefronts, and decorated period homes glow under thousands of lights. Visitors can wander through the General Store, peek into the historic post office, or stop by the Chinese Herbalist Exhibit, a beautifully authentic recreation of a traditional medicine shop that tells the story of Burnaby’s early Chinese communities.

The Festive Village event is one of Burnaby Village Museum’s most popular events. “It really transforms the whole site into this magical town. We’re lucky to have Concord Pacific as our presenting sponsor,” says Jane Lemke, the Museum Curator.

One of the main attractions is a scavenger hunt based on the 12 Days of Christmas song that takes families across the whole site looking for different clues inside some of the 38 exhibits. Lemke says her favourite clue is the 12 Ladies Dancing exhibit – “a popular selfie site for many of our visitors.”

The 1912 carousel is always a centerpiece for families. The carousel was originally owned by the Lone Star Circus before making its way to the Happyland amusement park, the precursor to Playland at the Vancouver Exhibit Grounds, in 1936. In 1989, the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel Society bought the carousel, restored and rebuilt it, and it found a permanent home at the Burnaby Village Museum.

The five-week celebration kicks off with Bright in Burnaby, the official tree-lighting ceremony, featuring live music, carolers, and a visit from Father Christmas. The event also supports the Burnaby Christmas Bureau, with proceeds from carousel rides matched by Concord Pacific to help buy toys for local children in need.

This year’s Festive Village festivities will include eco-art installations, live theater, caroling, crafts, and performances by roving entertainers dressed as elves, bakers, and holiday characters. Guests can grab a hot chocolate or treat from Mai’s Café (formerly the Ice Cream Parlour) or one of several food trucks parked along the heritage streets.

For Concord Pacific, the ongoing partnership with the Burnaby Village Museum reflects the company’s broader commitment to community, culture, and family-focused events across the region. Known for supporting local traditions such as the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival and the Honda Celebration of Light, the developer’s support for Festive Village helps ensure the event remains accessible to everyone.

“Festive Village captures the joy and togetherness that make this season so special,” said a representative from Concord Pacific Vancouver. “We’re proud to continue our support for an event that connects families and celebrates Burnaby’s history.”

Whether it’s your first visit or a yearly tradition, Festive Village at the Burnaby Village Museum is one of those rare events that feels timeless. It’s a place where history meets holiday magic—and thanks to Concord Pacific’s continued sponsorship, it remains open and free for all to enjoy.

For the Silo, Liam Barker.

Event Details

Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026 (closed December 24 & 25)
Location: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free (donations to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau encouraged)
Tip: Arrive early or take transit—parking fills quickly! For hours, updates, and accessibility info, visit our friends at burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.

Earth

44 Years Of Marine Protection With Jimmy Buffett Save the Manatee Club

November 6, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

It’s been 44 years since Save the Manatee Club was created by Jimmy Buffett, the renowned singer/songwriter, and former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator, Bob Graham, to raise public awareness about the threats to manatees and their aquatic habitat. With support from you, we can continue to make a big difference.

Even Florida Congressman Buchanan has been working hard to ensure that Manatees remain on the endangered species list-

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Buchanan Files Formal Protest to Manatee “Survival” Plan

WASHINGTON – In a formal objection letter sent today to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-FL, urged the agency to withdraw its plan to strip the manatee of the highest protection afforded under the Endangered Species Act.

The public comment period on the agency’s proposal opened Jan. 7 and closes this Thursday.

Buchanan’s letter is a formal challenge to the proposed downgrading of the manatee from “endangered” to “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The manatee has been listed as an endangered species since 1966.

Buchanan expressed his strong opposition, noting that the agency’s analysis is based on outdated information. Buchanan pointed to the FWS’s failure to take into account manatee deaths since 2012, as well as the unpredictable nature of threats facing these creatures. He noted that 16% of the Florida manatee population died in 2013 as a result of a massive bloom of red tide algae as well as a mysterious ailment that killed a number of manatees along the state’s east coast.

“I’m concerned that weakening protections will lead to a decline in the manatee population,” Buchanan said. “Manatees are iconic residents of Florida. We should be doing all we can to ensure the survival of these gentle giants.”

Buchanan has previously written to the Fish and Wildlife Service to emphasize that any push to weaken protections for the manatee would be “misguided and premature.” In 2014, following a three-year period in which 1,600 manatees died of cold weather or red tide, Buchanan called on FWS to maintain federal protections for manatees.

Manatees face a variety of threats to their existence, including watercraft collisions, habitat loss and red tide. Additionally, the warm water springs manatees depend on during the winter months for survival are disappearing.

Buchanan also noted that the FWS underestimates the negative consequences that a downlisting will have on importantprotections that have helped limit manatee deaths. Despite the agency’s assertion that a downlisting would not affect federal protections for the manatee, Buchanan noted the plan is “already exposing dangers” and that a move from endangered to threatened could cause a broader reassessment of state and local protections for the animals.
Just days after the proposed rule was announced, the Brevard County commissioners approved a resolution requesting that the Florida Legislature review slow-speed zones currently in place for boats and called for a reconsideration of the state’s Manatee Sanctuary Act, which established protections for manatees and their habitats in several counties, including Sarasota and Manatee.

“The manatee population has started to rebound because of the protections put in place by the Endangered Species Act,” Buchanan said. “But based on the data provided, it’s clear that we can’t assume that manatees are safe – so I’m urging caution.”

Full text of Buchanan’s letter below:

The Hon. Daniel Ashe
Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of Interior
1849 C St. NW, Room 3359
Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Director Ashe:

I write in strong opposition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (the Service) proposal to downlist the West Indian manatee under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from endangered to threatened status. This decision is based on outdated information and underestimates the effect that a downlisting will have on protections that have helped limit manatee deaths. As a result, I urge you to withdraw this proposed rule.

Manatees are special for many Floridians. In addition to being the state’s official marine mammal an entire county – which I represent – is named after these gentle giants.

Just 25 years ago, there were barely over 1,000 manatees in the state of Florida. That number is now estimated to be around 6,000. The Service points to this as good news and rightfully credits the species’ listing as endangered under the ESA for this increase. The ESA has worked to help manatees overcome multiple threats to their existence. These challenges are not static, nor are they predictable. The Service should be taking a precautionary approach when it comes to the recovery of the manatee, and in light of the following concerns, the Service should withdraw its down listing proposal and retain the manatees’ endangered status.

The basis for the Service’s proposal to reduce the status of manatees is said to be an analysis of the population’s viability. It is cited in the proposal as “Runge, 2015.” However, the Service’s proposal acknowledges that this analysis contains outdated data and information. For example, adult survival rates are based on data only through the winter of 2008-2009 and, elsewhere, the most recent information cited in the report is from 2011-2012.

Since the years used in the analysis, manatees have suffered a catastrophic die-off in the Indian River Lagoon that the U.S. Geological Service Representatives have stated cost the lives of five percent of the manatees on the U.S. east coast. During that same time, toxic algae (red tide) killed a record number of manatees on the state’s west coast. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the statewide death toll of manatees was 803 as of 2013; or around 16 percent of the state’s entire population. Yet none of this information was considered in the Service’s outdated analysis.

In addition, in its analysis, the Service assumes that the current level of mortality in each category (e.g., watercraft collisions, cold stress, red tide, etc.) will stay approximately the same indefinitely. However, this is unlikely. The likelihood of deaths from both red tide events and from unknown pathogens has not been adequately analyzed when projecting the future for manatees. Additionally, as noted by the Service itself, there will be a continued loss of artificial sources of warm water in the winter and, as a result, manatees in the Southwest and Northeast regions of the state will show “long-term decline” as a result of the loss of these warm water winter refuges.

In its January 6, 2016 press release, the Service stated that “[t]he proposal to down list the manatee to threatened will not affect federal protections currently afforded by the ESA.” If all protections will remain the same, it is not apparent that a change in the listing status is necessary. In fact, down listing the manatee may open the door to future erosions of protections for these unique animals.

The Service cites the existence of federal and state laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act as sufficient in providing the animals with the protections they need. Yet there is no guarantee that such other laws will remain in place to protect the species even if manatees are downlisted under the ESA.

Approximately fifty manatee protection areas are set up by federal, local, and industry leaders and many of these areas or their protective restrictions can be altered or removed if a downlisting goes forward. For example, despite the Service stating in its proposal that on the east coast of Florida “watercraft-related mortality is the major threat to this population,” five days after the proposed reduction in protections, the Brevard County commissioners approved a resolution requesting that the Florida Legislature review slow-speed zones for boats to determine whether they are effective or still necessary. The resolution also called for reconsidering the need for the Manatee Sanctuary Act, stating that it has “become a hindrance to effective manatee management.”

Manatees are iconic residents of Florida. Their presence drives a robust tourist industry.

Their unhurried progress in my state’s waters is a reminder to us all to slow down and appreciate the world around us. Manatees deserve better than a premature determination that they have recovered when so many threats still face them and cloud our understanding of their future. I urge continued endangered status for manatees under the ESA, and ask you to immediately withdraw the Service’s proposal to downlist manatees to threatened status.

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Save the Manatee Club is an international nonprofit organization. Funds from our adoption program go toward emergency rescue response for sick and injured manatees, and for waterway signage, public awareness and education, research and more. Read about our manatee conservation efforts at: savethemanatee.org/smcinfo.

Thank you!

For the Silo and the manatees, Janice Nearing

Adopt-A-Manatee! Go to www.savethemanatee.org/adoptpag.htm