Help the Amur Leopard!

Help the Amur Leopard!

Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Amur Leopard. The Amur Leopard is not well-known around the world, but is still important to the world’s ecosystem. They are found in Far East Russia, and can do amazing talents, like jumping high and running fast. They live in the temperate forests and weight about 70-100 pounds.

Unfortunately, the Amur Leopard is critically endangered. That means that pretty soon in the near future, the Amur Leopard will be extinct in the wild. This subspecies of leopard benefits the ecosystem in many weights. They prey mainly on deer, which is good because the deer population wouldn’t increase too much, crowding the habitat and preventing other species of plants and animals to live there. The Amur Leopard is poached for their beautiful coat of spots and suaveness. Also, habitat loss causes the leopards to lose a home. Their population is declining quickly, and needs our help. And without food, they would target livestock, provoking farmers to shoot them.

How can you help? You could:

1.      Donate. The WWF helps the Amur Leopard.

2.      Start a petition. Get people to sign it.

3.      Boycott Amur Leopard products. The leopard’s bones are used as Chinese medicine and their furs are used as unnecessarily over-achieving fashion.

Help the Amur Leopard!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the African Wild Dog!

Help the African Wild Dog!

The African wild dog. Seems pretty self explanatory to me: a wild dog residing in the regions of Africa. 

Lycoan pictus, or the African wild dog, doesn't completely resemble dogs, even though its name seems to associate it with canines. In fact, the differences among regular, ordinary dogs and the African wild dog even span across physical appearances. One of the most important physical differences is that while normal dogs have five toes on each foot, the African wild dog only has four on each. Strange, but true.

In a way, somebody might argue that the African wild dog is more similar to the wolf rather than the dog. These reasons would most likely be based on the African wild dog's social structure. Just like wolves, African wild dogs travel in packs led by a pair of "leaders" from among the tight knit group. The pack will hunt antelope and other wild beasts, even sometimes livestock, together. To be successful in keeping away from danger and gaining food in order to survive, these wild dogs will communicate through touching, their movements, and sound.

The African wild dogs use to hunt in larger groups, but because much of their species has been slipping away off the face of Earth, they are decreasing in pack size. Much of this is due to habitat loss. Yet, they are also killed by farmers, who are scared that the dogs will feed on their livestock. One other factor to their disappearance is their chance of receiving diseases from domestic animals. 

Instead of just standing there and allowing the last of the African wild dogs to dwindle down into nothing, we can all participate in the preservation of these unique creatures. You can donate to the African Wildlife Foundation. Your donation will spread awareness of the African wild dog's status in the wild and promote the solving of conflicts between humans and African wild dogs. With your aid, we can all benefit the African wild dog and allow it to strive for many forthcoming generations!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Bluefin Tuna!

Help the Bluefin Tuna!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Bluefin Tuna. The Bluefin Tuna is a type of oceanic fish that is endangered since the past few decades. The three species of Bluefin Tuna are Atlantic, Pacific and South. The Atlantic is the most endangered type of Bluefin Tuna. They swim really fast and dive thousands of feet down. They make the ocean unique. However, because of us, they are declining.

          In Japanese restaurants, the Bluefin Tuna is a popular food for sushi and sashimi. They are eminent for their indescribable taste in seafood.  But they’re just seafood. But an important factor is that they are an important predator for fish in the ocean. They balance the system of the fish food chain. Without them, the food chain would be corrupted.

          Because people love the Bluefin Tuna so much, fishermen overfish and pirate fish (illegal fishing) the Bluefin Tuna. Because of the overfishing, the Tuna have become endangered. All three species of Bluefin Tuna are declining. Everyday, the population for the Bluefin Tuna decreases. Eventually, the population will be down to 0.

          But there are ways to help them. You could:

1. Donate. The Ocean Foundation started a fund called the Tag-a-Giant Fund. It’s about helping the Bluefin Tuna.

Link: https://www.oceanfdn.org/donate?project=tagagiant-fund

2. Start a petition. Get people to sign it.
3. Spread the word. Tell people about the Bluefin Tuna crisis.
4. Stop eating so much Bluefin Tuna. You might not know it, but in Japanese restaurants, they serve many dishes with Bluefin Tuna. Also, don’t buy their meat at the markets all the time.
5. If you fish the Bluefin Tuna, don’t! They need your help, and you could make a difference.

Help the Bluefin Tuna! They deserve to live on this planet!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Stop Sexual Abuse

Stop Sexual Abuse!

       Hello, this is IGL and this post is about sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is the assault against a person unwillingly sexual, like rape. Most of the time, sexual abuse happens to girls. And most of the time, the rapists are familiar to the victim. Rapists also threaten their victim not to tell by causing fear.

          Sexual abuse cases are successful because of fear and embarrassment. The abuser threatens the victim not to tell by causing something to happen when the case is exploited. Embarrassment is when a person feels like when someone knows, they will have doubt in them. For example, if a teenage girl is raped and becomes pregnant, she would fear that her parents would be disappointed in her.

          Audrie Pott was a teenage girl that was sexually abused. She was at a party when she became drunk and fell unconscious. Three of her schoolmates decided to rape her and post inappropriate pictures on the internet. The next day, the pictures go viral and everybody in the school knows about it. A few days later, Audrie hung herself.

          Audrie’s family founded an organization, the Audrie Pott Foundation, after Audrie’s death. The foundation gives free scholarships to art and music, important and valuable aspects to Audrie’s life.

          The American Foundation For Healing is a foundation that helps children and adolescents that has had first hand experiences of sexual abuse. AFFH aids people in believing in themselves and staying physically and mentally healthy. 
          There are so many people in this world suffering. But there are ways for you to help. You could:

1. Spread the word and educate people around.
2. Start a petition to help victims of sexual abuse
3. Donate to organizations such as the Audrie Pott Foundation or the American Foundation for Healing.
4. If you have been sexually abused, remember to stay strong and move on with life. 
5. If you know someone that has been sexually abused, remind them that there are people out there that love them and can help them. 
6. If YOU are the abuser, stop. 

Help stop sexual abuse!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL 

Obesity & Nutrition

Obesity & Nutrition

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about obesity and nutrition. Eating excess calories causes you to become obese. In this century, obesity is one of the most morbid disorders of the world. Obesity also causes many other diseases you could get including diabetes and heart attacks. It also hurts their confidence and trust on their appearance.

          Symptoms for obesity include difficulty of exercising, a large body, being lazy, and difficulty of breathing, muscle pain, early puberty, and knock-knees. It is difficult to exercise because of easily becoming tiresome. This leads to lethargy, or laziness. When obese, the muscles are weakened, making it hard to move. The fat pressures the muscle so it is hard to function properly or strongly. Fat produces estrogen and testosterone (hormones). With excess hormones, you receive puberty earlier. Knock-knees are when the legs are straightened, the knees ouch at an awkward angle.

          Effects include cancer, heart disease, muscle difficulties, back pain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, breathing problems, strokes, organ diseases, and many more. Psychological problems include depression, stress, and low self-esteem. New studies show that pregnant and obese women have a higher chance of giving birth to a child with autism. ADHD is also more common in obese or overweight children.

          To have a better weight, exercise and eat healthier. Exercising is an important step to maintaining a better weight. Exercise daily like jogging or maybe jumping jacks. Exercising always helps. The next step is to eat healthier. The food pyramid consists of food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, meats & beans, milk products, and extras. Grains include bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and oats. Eat 6-11 servings a day. The vegetable group includes leafy greens, carrots, corn, and broccoli. Eat about 3-5 servings a day. The fruits include nectars, citruses, berries, melons, apples, and bananas. Eat 2-4 servings a day. The oils include castor oil, sesame oil, and nuts. Eat about a handful of nuts a day. The oils are usually included in vegetable servings. The meats & beans group include seafood, chicken, beans, and eggs. Eat about 2-3 servings a day. The milk products include yogurt, cheese, and milk. Eat about 2-3 servings a day. Extras are the unhealthy foods including ice cream, lollipops, butter, chips, and cake. Use the extras sparingly.

          Many countries in the world have a high number of people that are obese. According to studies in 2012, the country with the highest number of people obese is the United States. The US’s percentage of obese people is 33.8% of the population. Mexico is next (30%) and New Zealand after (26.5%). Since 2010, the percentage of child obesity in the US has increased a great amount. Since 1980, people from ages 6-11 have increased from 7% to 18%. Teenagers have increased from 5% to 18%.

          September is the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. The yellow ribbon stands for obesity. Make sure you wear the yellow ribbon in September.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1.     Spread the word

2.    Wear the yellow ribbon in September

3.    Bond with children or adults that are obese

4.    Make your own body healthier.

Help stop world obesity!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Code Red

Code Red

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about Code Red. Code Red is when a dangerous or suspicious person is on campus of a school. Sometimes, people take there anger out on little children in school. This is a major crisis in our society today. But there are ways to becoming safe of Code Red.

1.       LISTEN to your teacher in the situation.

2.     Lock the doors immediately.

3.     Stack heavy items against doors. This includes desks, chairs, and backpacks.

4.     Be quiet (shut up).

5.     Create a barrier in a small area in the classroom with desks or tables.

6.     Get everybody (including you) inside the barrier.

7.     Call 911--or any other emergency dial tone your country has--if the office didn’t already.

8.     Wait until the office declares it is safe to come out.

9.     Inform your parents (if they care) when you get home.

After following these directions, you will be safe and sound!

But if this is a major event in your school, there are still ways of spreading awareness. You could:

1. Spread the word
2. Start a petition
3. Bond with children in need if injured or hurt during a code red they had

Follow these directions and tell the world of Code Red!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Puerto Rican Crested Toad!

Help the Puerto Rican Crested Toad!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Puerto Rican Crested Toad. The Puerto Rican Crested Toad (Peltophryne lemur) is critically endangered. The amphibian lives in the rocky areas of forests of evergreen. It is threatened because of the growing human population and the introduction of a new species.

         The Puerto Rican Crested Toad one was thriving on the island of Puerto Rico and Virgin Gorda. This toad is the only native toad to Puerto Rico. But they are now declining. The first reason because of the decreasing population is because of habitat loss. They bred in small ponds in the forests. People drained these ponds for agricultural and urban uses. The last population of the toad is in the south of Guanica National Park.

          The next cause is because of the introduction of the Marine Toad. The Marine Toad (Bufo marinus) was brought to manage the grub population that destroyed the sugar canes. Sadly, the marine toad is a lot bigger (7 in.) than the Puerto Rican Crested Toad (2.5-4.5 in.). They fight for breeding areas, food, and shelter. The Marine Toad also eats the Puerto Rican sometimes. Other species of mammals also prey on the Puerto Rican Crested Frog.

          The AZA Species Survival Program (SSP) helps the toad by breeding them and releasing the tadpoles back into the wild. Miami Children’s Zoo also had a birth of tadpoles. The tadpoles were then given to Guanica National Park.

          There are many ways to help the Puerto Rican Crested Frog. You could:

1.     Spread the word. You could write an article to the newspaper or tell someone you know.

2.    Start a petition. Start a petition to have people help the toad.

3.    Donate to the SSP.

 

https://npo1.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=4946

4.    Help at zoos that need help for the Puerto Rican Crested Toad.

Help save the Puerto Rican Crested Toad!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL