Animals, a gift from God. On this very surface of Earth, we have thousands of species of animals. Huge ones, tiny ones, colourful ones and all of them are unique in their own way. Some are able to see the world from a “higher” perspective. Flying through the sky by flapping their wings, flying through the sky so freely. Some, enjoys the spectacular and mysterious view under the sea. Being part of a world that humans hardly get to see. Swimming through corals and seaweeds, make friends with Nemo and Sebastian or maybe Ariel too? But, one little sting from a tiny but extremely venomous jellyfish, might lead you to death. Oh, mark my words, never underestimate reptiles that lay down beside river for sun tanning. They might out run you and snap you with their strong jaws and razor sharp teeth, coil you up and strangle you or maybe a little injection of deadly venom. Some animals maybe deadly dangerous, it is their only way to survive this cruel and nasty world. But for some, are just here to live a happy life like us humans. Animals might not have jobs that give them serious migraines, but their lives are not as easy as it seems.
Dinosaurs, mammoths, dodo birds, saber tooth tigers, giant ground sloths. Some have been extinct for centuries. Mammoths, saber tooth tigers that once lived during the Ice Age, dinosaurs that once ruled the world during Stone Age are gone, what’s left is their fossils. All of this animals, were once living things, breathing and constantly struggling to survive. Dinosaurs had to fight among each other for food, shelter, mates. Scientist are still not sure what caused them to extinct, some said a giant meteor crashed onto the earth, causing giant tsunamis and fire across the globe. But we can be absolutely sure that human activities did not cause their extinction.
Giant pandas, leatherback sea turtles, green sea turtles, Malayan tapir, blue whales might share the same faith as dinosaurs. Humans are very selfish animals. Humans, known as Homo sapiens, are evolution of primates. Our DNA is approximately 98.4% identical to chimpanzees. We humans, are also part of the animal kingdom, but how did we became so selfish? We chop off trees because of construction, papers and lumber. Humans have destroyed a huge percentage of tropical rainforest. Millions of humans live in concrete jungles, some kids never even knew that chicken has feathers. But did we forget that the real jungle, is home to 50% of the world’s flora and fauna. Deforestation destroys wild animal’s habitat, and when their homes are destroyed, some of them might not survive. The animals often wandered into human territory. Snakes and tigers are often found in villages, these animals lack of food and shelter and apparently villages provide them all their needs. When these animals get aggressive, they are killed, leading them to extinction.
Humans hunt down elephants for their husk, snakes and crocodiles for their skin to fulfill humans’ leisure such as wallets and handbags. Have you ever heard of a documentary call “The Cove”? The Cove was documented by a marine mammal specialist, Richard O’Barry and his chew. This Academy Award winning film, documented about massive slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. It appears that a group of Taiji fishermen slaughter 23,000 dolphins annually. Every year when winter comes, dolphins migrate to warmer waters in huge packs. Dolphins are highly sensitive to sound, these fishermen would lure them by hitting gongs to a isolated cove where they are netted and killed. At that cove, dolphin trainers from all around the world come each year to “choose” their dolphins, while those who are not chosen are slaughter with spears and knife over small fishing boats for their meat. Scientists have proved that dolphin meat contains dangerously high levels of mercury which is fatal to humans as it stops enzyme reactions. The film showed how cruel and inhumanity humans can be. And to remind everyone, do not buy tickets to see dolphin shows. As dolphins are highly sensitive to sound, clapping and cheering of the crowd tortures the dolphin.
Chickens, cows, pigs are commercially reared for human consumption. Hens are caged in cages that they barely can fit in, they are forced to lay eggs in exchange for food. When chicks are born, their beaks and claws are clipped off to prevent them from hurting each other. Chickens which are old enough are thrown inside a machine to remove their feathers while they are still alive. Cows are hanged over one leg and than killed instantly by workers. Young piglets are grouped by punching certain number of holes at their ears. Their teeth are plucked out without any anaesthesia, their tails are cut off. See how cruel can humans be when it comes to the food we love? What happen to the love against animals?
Dogs, man’s best friend. Some people pamper their dogs until a stage where the dog inherit millions after their owner has passed on. Some people spend thousands on getting a dog such as Tibetan Mastiff, Chow Chow, Rottweiler. Some prefer small breeds of dogs such as chiwawas, poodles as companions. Some owners spend thousands for grooming, clothes for their dogs. Some lucky ones even have a house and a swimming pool for itself. Dogs are often used in police investigations as their sensitivity to smell, Rottweiler and German Shepard are often used. While some are trained to be guide dogs to assist blind people. Dogs are very loyal to their owners. There was a story about a dog which waited at a train station everyday for its owner. Unfortunately the dog did not know that it’s owner passed away. That dog went to the train station every morning and waited for a few months. See how much love there is between humans and animals, why can’t we love all the other animals in the same way?
Animals, they are frankly the same as us. They are heart-beating, breathing living things with feelings and emotions. Let us all start to love all the animals in this world. Let us all start putting some effort in saving endangered animals. Let us all start to change this world, into a better place where there is love and affection in the air.
