Leatherback Freed Off The East Coast Of Canada!!

My dad just read out a fantastic news article to me which was written in todays Toronto's Sunday Sun newspaper and I wanted to share it with you:

SYDNEY, N.S. -- The coast guard has freed a tangled leatherback turtle caught in fishing gear off Inverness, N.S., after a local resident spotted some bobbing buoys in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Chris Basker called the department of fisheries and oceans and they called the coast guard. Capt. Bill Hardy of Sydney, N.S., said they found a pair of buoys attached to an anchor and a large leatherback turtle with its right front flipper caught in the rope.

"We estimated it was 600-700 pounds," he said. "I reached over with my pocket knife and cut him loose. He took off like a shot. We were ecstatic."

-The Sunday Sun

Isn't that just wonderful to read a HAPPY story rather than a sad one. For once I hear of a turtle being saved and having a happy ending rather then 'an autopsy will be performed to find out how much plastic was floating in its belly' or 'the poor innocent turtle had no chance once the fishermen speared its side and sliced open her belly searching for eggs'. Yes I know I can be quite cynical sometimes but there are more often sad stories than happy endings AND THIS WAS DEFINITELY A HAPPY ENDING!! Who knows......maybe it was one of the girls I was fortunate enough to meet and protect while volunteering in Panama!!

**Please note that the above picture does not represent the story that took place in Nova Scotia, rather it was taken in 1995. Credit goes to: Nova Scotia Turtles but describes the same situation of a leatherback tangled in net**

Fill The Hill Canada!

Tomorrow, Saturday October 24th 2009, thousands of Canadians will be descending upon Ottawa (Canada's Capital) to "Fill The Hill" in support of the Canadian government taking a direct and responsible approach in Copenhagen this December. Unfortunately I cannot personally make it but I will be there in spirit. Around 2pm there will be a flash dance and Sharkwaters own Rob Stewart will be present filming the event and interviewing individuals for his upcoming documentary called "Rise Again". I hope everything goes GREAT tomorrow and I pray the rain will hold off!!!

Al Gore Is Coming To Toronto!!

I am very excited to announce that one of my favourite Eco Warriors, Al Gore, is coming to my hometown of Toronto on November 24th!! Woo Hoo!! This is super exciting, however I am disappointed to find out that he will only be speaking at a forum which will be only open to certain companies because it pertains to "Business and the Environment". Nevertheless he is still coming and I will definitely be putting on my boots and mitts and hopefully find him somewhere in my beautiful city and get a "pic with". Haha thats what I call a picture of me with a celebrity. Anyways keep your fingers crossed for me. I am sure it will be a mission but I will try my very very best! Wish me luck!!

And Life Goes On.........

Since my last post there has been some death and new life occurring around me. Unfortunately Gisele did eventually pass away from her Upper Respiratory Infection that she valiantly fought. Even though her life was so short I do continually tell myself that she did experience love and a warm home rather than dying by herself in a cold stainless steel cage. During the last couple of weeks I also celebrated my 25th birthday!! Ughhhh I am getting so old and not looking forward to what the future holds in terms of wrinkles! hahaha I have to say out of all the wonderful gifts I received my favourite of all was the little black kitten swarovski crystal my dad bought for me in honour of Gisele and all of the other black animals who never get adopted and die so quickly in shelters across the world. In other good news I had the opportunity to go back to animal control last night and rescue three precious 4 week old babies who were going to be euthanized immediately because they require a little extra care. They are so teeny and sweet I still dont know the sexes yet and have not named them! Once they get a little bit bigger I will post some more pictures!! I guess in one way Gisele passed yet gave room for more life!

xoxoxo

nicole