Giraffe at New Jersey zoo dies of complications after dental procedure

A well-loved 11-year-old giraffe was having problems eating and the zoo veterinarian hoped to give him a better quality of life.

Photo via Wikimedia by GFDL / CC  BY-SA 3.O

11-year-old Hodari was an 18-foot-tall Masai giraffe, living at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. He died on Wednesday from complications during a dental procedure.

Hodari underwent surgery on Wednesday afternoon after exhibiting what Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said was “strange behavior.” Vets had found Hodari was finding it difficult to eat and decided to put the giraffe under anesthesia and operate on his teeth.

Zoo veterinarian Dr. Jon Bergmann said they believed the surgery would give Hodari a better quality of life and improve his general health. They hoped it would allow the giraffe a chance to thrive at the Turtle Back Zoo. However, Bergmann did say they knew there were risks when putting an animal of the giraffe’s size under anesthesia, but said they also knew fixing his teeth would be beneficial to the animal.

DiVincenzo said when Hodari went under anesthetic for his initial exam, there were no negative effects. It was the second time the giraffe went under that complications arose. Veterinarians will be performing a necropsy to determine the exact cause of Hodari’s death and results are expected to take around a month.

Hodari the Masai giraffe was born at San Diego Zoo and moved to Turtle Back with three other giraffes in December 2015 to live in the zoo’s three-acre Giraffe House. 

According to a post by the zoo on Facebook, Hodari was a beautiful animal who quickly became a fan favorite. They said they, and his fans, will miss him terribly.

Dogs and cats suffer in the wake of Superstorm Sandy

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, on top of the devastation to the city and the toll on the people in the area, thousands of pets from New York City and surrounding areas are missing.

While the storm raged, many people were parted from their pets. The Humane Society of the United States reported that around 15 million dogs, 14 million cats and 1.5 million horses were in the path of Hurricane Sandy's wrath. 

In many cases, owners had to part with their pets when they evacuated their homes, while others tried to find accommodation where they could take their pets with them. Often the Humane Society collected pets for safekeeping, while the owners were evacuated to safety. But many were lost during the ordeal. 

Shortly before the storm hit, New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg announced that all the city shelters were pet friendly and that around 70 pets had already arrived. However, since Sandy passed through, there are thousands of pets desperately in need of shelter, as their homes have been destroyed, or cannot safely be occupied at present.

Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets

Yonkers, NY - found wearing raincoat, male - please call 201-981-3215.

 

There are also many dogs and cats who simply panicked and ran when the storm hit and various lost and found pages are being set up on the Internet, including a Facebook page, Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets. 

Their "about" reads, "Posting photos of lost or found pets in the areas affected by Sandy, as well as posting animal shelters in need and temporary shelters that allow animals. We are animal lovers and advocates trying to help with networking to get animals reunited with their families." 

Their photo feed of lost and found pets can be viewed here. Craigslist is also getting many posts. 

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that New York and Long Island shelters became temporary homes to only around 400 animals, which is worrying to many desperate owners that cannot find their pets. 

In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie announced on Friday that a rescue hotline has been set up for residents who had to leave their pets behind when evacuating. The number is 1-855-407-4787 and the hotline is open 24 hours a day. There is also a statewide pet hotline available: 1-866-407-4787.

 

There are many moving stories doing the rounds including one in Suffolk County. ASPCA chief Roy Gross told Long Island Press, “We had one couple who just left the shelter, they lost their house and their car, all they had left was each other and their little Pomeranian dog.” 

“They kept thanking us over and over for everything,” he added. 

Gross said that the agency has been staffing Pet Friendly Shelters around the clock since Sandy hit and asked for help: "Our biggest need is for supplies; dog and cat food; blankets; bowls leashes and volunteers," Gross said, adding that volunteers are also needed to help staff the Mobile Animal Hospital (MASH Unit) where dogs and cats are being sheltered. Volunteers will then be trained to staff the shelters in the event of another disaster. 

 

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336155#ixzz2BFM7tMnJ

Occupy Sandy Relief NYC: OWS helps victims of the superstorm

In the wake of devastation by Superstorm Sandy, OWS is getting involved, using its grassroots strength to help those affected and to organize relief efforts. 

As stated on their home page, "Occupy Wall Street & 350.org have teamed up with Recovers.org – a people-powered disaster relief platform – to help coordinate response to Hurricane Sandy in NYC." 

With around 750,000 New Yorkers without power, large areas of New York City remain under water and at least 18 people have been killed. The OWS volunteers started in the Lower East side and have been moving through New York's five boroughs with members of international environmental organization 350.org and recovers.org, a disaster aid group. 

OWS is using the social media to coordinate its efforts, with the help of local churches and city agencies. Anyone wishing to get involved should tweet using the hashtag #SandyVolunteer. If you need help, tweet using the hashtag #SandyAid. 

There is also a Facebook page to help coordinate efforts as well as a Twitter page. Volunteers are also out on the streets, giving aid where possible and finding those in need, and passing the information on to Recovers.org. 

OWS is calling for people with "experience in or tools for medical and psychological services, electrician work, plumbing, construction, financial or legal services, debris and tree removal, childcare, transportation, senior services or language skills," who can sign up at one of three sites in the Red Hook in Brooklyn, Astoria in Queens and in the Lower East Side in Manhattan.  

A pay portal has been set up for anyone wishing to make financial donations in the recovery efforts. Also drop off points have been established throughout Brooklyn, where people can donate food, water, flashlights, batteries, candles and other necessities.  

Drop off points are as follows:  

Red Hook - Red Hook Initiative, 767 Hicks St  
Park Slope - Residence, 258 15th St, apt #2  
Sunset Park - St. Jacobi Church, 5406 4th Ave  
Williamsburg - Residence, 75 Powers St. #2, 11211  
Bedstuy - Residence, 136 Jefferson Ave, apt 2 11216  
Harlem - Residence, 47 Saint Nicholas Avenue #4d, btw 112 and 113 

In other response news, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office has suggested the NYC Service be employed, which is a government initiative coordinating volunteer efforts on a year-round basis. 

Bloomberg wrote on Twitter, "We've seen an enormous outpouring of support from people who want to volunteer & contribute." Volunteers will be notified once opportunities become available. 

Bloomberg also praised New York City's first responders, for their "heroic efforts to protect New Yorkers" during the storm. "I can’t say enough about the extraordinary work of our first responders at the FDNY and NYPD, EMS, hospital workers, and more," he said. 

In his speech, Bloomberg says that it will take some time to get things back "on the path to recovery." He admits it could take up to five days to have the city's transportation system running again. He also quoted Governor Andrew Cuomo as saying, "It was as bad as anything I have experienced in New York." 

The American Red Cross is coordinating blood donations, collecting financial donations and seeking volunteers to staff its shelters. The Daily Mail has several striking photographs of the devastation in the city.

Read more and watch videos: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335860#ixzz2ArshU52o

Alert as 26 nuclear plants in Hurricane Sandy's path (video)

The projected path of Hurricane Sandy could impact as many as 26 nuclear plants. Arnie Gundersen, the chief engineer of energy consulting company Fairewinds Associates, warns of the dangers.

 

As the Frankenstorm hits the east coast, leaving millions without power, Gundersen warns that even if engineers at plants from North Carolina to New England say their plants have been shut down and are safe from disaster, this could already be too late... read full article and watch video of the interview.