Forest Service (USFS) in 30 years. The USFS has targeted Prince of Wales Island, a part of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, with a 15-year plan to log more than 42,500 acres of temperate rainforest and construct 164 miles of new roads through public lands. 

Most of the trees targeted for logging are old-growth, and may have sprouted as saplings many centuries ago. USFS authorized this massive logging project without disclosing which specific locations would be targeted or what impacts logging would have there, prompting Earthjustice to file a lawsuit on behalf of several organizations in May 2019 challenging the Prince of Wales project. 

 

The Plaintiffs are Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Alaska Rainforest Defenders, Alaska Wilderness League, National Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and Natural Resources Defense Council. 

 Today’s ruling, by a federal district judge in Alaska, grants a preliminary injunction blocking an initial sale that would have auctioned off 1,156 acres of old-growth trees. More than 10 miles of new roads would have been constructed along with this sale. If not for this court decision, USFS would have opened timber industry bids on these ancient stands of trees on September 24. 

Next, the judge is expected to issue a final ruling on the merits of the case no later than March 31, before the next logging season starts. 

  “In a victory for the Tongass National Forest, today’s court ruling has spared nearly 1,200 acres of irreplaceable old-growth rainforest from chainsaws and roads — at least for now,” said Earthjustice attorney Olivia Glasscock. 

The area targeted for clearcutting is one of the largest islands in America and home to 12 communities who use it for hunting, fishing, recreation, and a way of life tied to fish, wildlife, and forests. 

The island also attracts visitors who travel to Southeast Alaska from around the world to experience the Tongass National Forest. Prince of Wales’ irreplaceable old-growth stands provide key habitat for wildlife, including Alexander Archipelago wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer and Queen Charlotte goshawks. 

Extensive past clearcuts, however, have destroyed and fragmented important parts of this habitat, leading to struggling wolf populations and restrictions on deer hunting. 

 The areas slated for logging are not roadless areas protected by the federal Roadless Rule — a long-standing policy that restricts logging and roads, which President Trump and his administration is now seeking to undo in Alaska. 

Eliminating the Roadless Rule protections on the Tongass would pave the way for more clearcutting on the forest in the future.

On the one hand, they would surely find it wonderful that we have invited them into our homes and that we treat them not much differently than the rest of our family members. 

On the other hand, they might have a few doubts about the hats, vests and carriers in which we frequently transport them. What they would certainly respect without fail, is the way we embrace their capabilities that go beyond those of humans and use them to shape our societies. 

Their smell and hearing are highly valued by the security services and other local authorities. Their loyalty also makes them the best companions for those who have to deal with dangerous and violent people on a daily basis. 

 It is very likely that the image we have of one of these dogs is a brave German Shepherd or a strong Doberman. How about a cute puppy only a couple of months old? kolmkaru
That’s Säm, the most enthusiastic and energetic puppy of his canine officer school. The puppy lives in Estonia, where he has already been assigned a caretaker. Kristi Pai will guide the puppy in his training.

 Just looking at the pictures we can be sure that this process will not be easy at all. That puppy is capable of melting the heart of whoever is put in front of him. kolmkaru
Säm joined the training with his brother Terror, another puppy of similar lineage and breeding. The northern prefecture will be Säm’s home. 

Luckily for him, he has no problem making friends. kolmkaru
His training will include everything from recognizing illicit substances, to protecting his human companions and even, although we wish he would never have to use them, attack tactics and neutralizing suspects. kolmkaru
Although the truth is that if Säm maintains half of his characteristics when he becomes an adult dog, we are sure that any thief or trafficker will easily surrender to the charms of this little dog. 

And in case he doesn’t, it will be enough to show them pictures or videos of his training. Kindness is much stronger than violence or intimidation. Source

The poor bird had gotten stuck to the fence and couldn’t move. “The tank is heated to keep it from freezing. It is not uncommon for birds to drink from the heated tank. Apparently this unfortunate bird had gotten its feet wet and, while making its exit, had become frozen to the fence in the prevailing near zero Idaho temperatures,” explains Wilson on YouTube. 

The kind-hearted farmer approached the bird in an effort to save it. “First, I attempted to warm the feet of the frightened bird by pressing my palm against both the fence and the birds feet, while also gently restraining the bird’s flapping wings. It then seemed that warming the birds feet with my warm breath would bring quicker success. Gentle sideways motion with my thumb brought freedom for the frightened bird and a smile of satisfaction to my face… a delightful way to start a new year.” 

 Watch Wilson’s act of kindness in the video below:

 
Source

But unfortunately we’re far from this scenario as countless animals are forced to live a miserable life, far away from their natural habitats. Fortunately many of these animals are being rescued just in time, thanks to some kind, caring animal lovers. 

One of these kind-hearted people is Vicky Keahey – founder of the In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center. 

And one of the countless animals Vicky and her devoted team rescued along the years is Lambert, a lovely majestic lion. When his rescuers found him, back in 2014, Lambert was in a terrible condition. Due to starvation, the poor little soul more like a weak puppy than a strong lion, as he should have been. 

The lion cub was illegally bought by a heartless man who kept him as a pet and then he decided he don’t want the wild animal, anymore. “The previous owners obtained him illegally as a pet for their young children,” Angela Culver, media director at the In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue told Bored Panda. 

“After a short time, the family decided they could not keep him, so we were contacted asking if we could take him, which of course we were happy to do.” When arrived at the rescue center, Lambert was confused and scared, but he soon won everyone’s heart with his routine. Apparently, the lion cub found comfort in a blanket and he could not sleep without it.

  “We had heard from the previous owners that he slept in the bed with the grandfather,” Vicky told The Dodo. “So I got him a blanket, went into the enclosure and put the blanket in one of the corners. 

Thanks to the rescue team efforts, Lambert have made a full recovery and now he’s unrecognizable. But despite getting back on the track, the now adult lion still lives at the center as he would not survive in the wild. 

Even though he’s now a fully grown lion, Lambert still need a blanket to snuggle in it before going to bed. “He has 7,000 sq. ft. worth of space to run around in, which includes a covered den area for shade and protection from the weather and a sunny, grassy playground with the pool he loves to play in,” Angela Culver said.