A new relationship with animals, nature and each other.

Posts by Michael Mountain

  • Introducing the Whale Sanctuary Project

    This blog is taking a break for the next few months so that I can devote my energies to the Whale Sanctuary Project. Here's why.

  • Is the Sloth Sanctuary a Zoo?

    The Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica was the first of its kind for these wonderfully engaging animals, and it was a model for others that followed. But questions have arisen. And…

  • Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary

    Tafi Atome looks like a typical forest in Ghana. The monkeys have been revered in this village for two centuries. But being “sacred” is no guarantee of survival.

  • The Great Irony of Animal “Rights”

    The great irony of the animal rights movement is there is still only one species that has any rights at all: humans. But the Nonhuman Rights Project is setting out to change that.

  • Why Mass Extinction Is Part of Human Nature

    Why would a supposedly “intelligent” species behave in a way that’s bringing about a mass extinction – one that will likely take us down along with so many other animals?

    Is the Stock Market a Global Ponzi Scheme?
    Sacred Activism in the Service of Animals
    Of Humans and Persons

    Visiting the Gorillas

    When she’s not teaching psychology at Harvard University, Regina Yando, (her friends call her Sunny) takes off around the world with her husband, John, to see…

    Bibi’s Amazing Rescue

    This one happened several months ago, but the rescuer, 20-year-old Raden Soemawinata, still deserves a shout-out. It begins with Sue Drummond, who’s walking her pooch, Bibi,…

    The Unexpected Matador Hero

    “I don’t have the ‘cojones’ for this,” said 22-year-old matador Christian Hernandez on TV, after twice dropping his red cape and fleeing the infamous bullring at…

    Miracle of Love, Stork-Style

    Malena was shot by Italian hunters in Croatia. She’s a stork, and together with her mate, Rodan, was busy raising their young when the “vacationers” intervened…

    World’s Tallest Dog

    He’s 7 feet 3 inches from head to tail, and 3 feet 7 inches from paw to shoulder. And that’s good enough to make George the…

    Payback, Buffalo-Style

    Call it poetic justice. Or call her a lap buffalo. The water buffalo had been shot by a hunter, and her head was now mounted on…

    Dogs at the Groom-o-matic

    Is the recession getting you down? Can’t afford to take Fluffy and Fido to the grooming parlor? Too lazy to do it yourself? Just head on…

    Tiny Brains, Huge Feats

    Their brains are the size of a pinhead. But that doesn’t make them any the less smart. How do insects navigate precisely into a perfect landing…

    Whose Side are the Dogs On?

    Maybe he was thinking that as part of its budget-cutting austerity measures, the Greek government would neuter its spay/neuter programs for the stray dogs of Athens.…

    ‘Ugliest’ Dog Goes to Heaven

    Miss Ellie, winner of the “World’s Ugliest Dog Contest” in 2009, has gone over the Rainbow Bridge. This little sweetheart had been campaigning tirelessly on behalf…

    The Avatar Paradox

    The intimate glimpse into the pulsing center of the natural world that modern technology delivers to us is threatening the natural world as never before. By Ptolemy Tompkins For a…

    Part 3: Last Try

    May 17, 2010 I wanted to explore a possible volunteer opportunity at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport, MS. I was greeted at…