National Treasure: Book of Secrets

In this follow up to the box-office hit “National Treasure,” treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) once again sets out on an exhilarating, action-packed new global quest to unearth hidden history and treasures. When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben’s great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s death. Determined to prove his ancestor’s innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations - but to the trail of the world’s most treasured secrets.

Mutts and Moms

What is a tiger?

Tigers, or panthera tigris, are large carnivorous feline mammals. They are identified by their orange and black striped coats. As the largest wild cats in the world they can weigh up to 550 pounds, grow to 6 feet long, plus a 3-foot-long tail.

Tigers hunt alone and often at night, preying on both small animals, such as wild pigs, and large animals like deer, elk, or antelope. They live in a variety of habitats across Asia.

What are the different kinds of tigers?

There are five remaining subspecies of tigers. These are:

Bengal tigers live mostly in India, with some found in areas to the north. It’s estimated there are no more than 2,500 to 3,000 wild tigers remaining in India. The famous white tigers are a color variant of Bengal tigers but are rarely found in the wild.

Siberian or Amur tigers live in coniferous, scrub oak, and birch woodlands of eastern Russia, with a few in China and North Korea. Fewer than 400 of these tigers still live in the wild. This subspecies of tigers are the largest in size.

Indochinese tigers live mainly in Thailand, though some live in Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and peninsular Malaysia. Approximately 1,200-1,700 of these tigers still live in the wild. Because they live in very remote areas, very little is known about these tigers in the wild. Scientists only recently began to study them.

The South China tiger is now found only in eastern and central China. Shockingly, only 20-30 of these tigers are thought to still exist in the wild. These tigers are the smallest in size, with males weighing 330 pounds and measuring 8 feet from head to tail.

Sumatran tigers are found only on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. About 400 of these cats are thought to live in the island’s five national parks. The coat of the Sumatran tigers is the darkest of all the tiger subspecies.

Where do tigers live?

Although most tigers live in warm places like India and southeastern Asia, Siberian tigers live in very cold climates such as North Korea, eastern Russia, and China. These tigers have thicker coats to keep them warm.

Tiger habitats include a variety of forests, such as tropical evergreen forests in southern Asia to coniferous woodlands in Siberia. Unlike most cats, tigers love water and often swim to cool off in streams or rivers.

Tigers leave behind “pug marks” (or pawprints) and scientists count these marks to estimate how many tigers are living in an area. They also take photos of tigers with camera “traps” which are triggered automatically when an animal walks within their range.

How many tigers are there?

There are only about 5,000 tigers left across Asia. Scientists estimate that 100,000 tigers existed in 1900. That means that 95% of the world’s tigers disappeared during the 20th century.

Why are tigers endangered?

Every day tigers face increasing threats from humans and these dangers won’t go away by fixing just one part. The three biggest threats right now are:

Habitat destruction, such as illegal logging in Indonesia, mining in India, and conversion of land for agriculture all across Asia, destroys the tigers’ natural homes. As their living area decreases, tigers also have less food available to them. With less natural prey, sometimes tigers are forced to leave their habitats for nearby farms where they eat livestock or even kill a human out of desperation for food. Humans often retaliate by killing tigers.

Poaching is a continuous problem that has been in the news as recently as early February 2005. Tigers are illegally killed by poachers for their body parts. Traditional Eastern medicine has used tiger parts such as tails, teeth, eyes, and brains for over 1,000 years. Although there is no scientific proof that these cures are effective, these beliefs are part of a cultural tradition, making it difficult to change minds.

Population fragmentation threatens future generations. Tiger populations get broken up as humans move into the areas where tigers live. Their groups get divided up, giving them less of a variety of mates. Over time, inbreeding occurs, which weakens the gene pool of each group.

Are some kinds of tigers already extinct?

Yes. Sadly, the Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers have all become extinct in the past 70 years. These three sub-species of tigers faced the same threats that today’s remaining tigers face. Unfortunately, little is known about them. In fact, no photos are known to exist of a live Bali tiger, and only one of a Javan tiger.

Because we’ve seen these tigers disappear forever in our lifetimes, it means we must all work as hard as we can to save the five remaining species.

What is being done to help the tigers?

There are many organizations dedicated to helping tigers. They work both locally and globally to preserve habitats, curb poaching, educate the public, and persuade governments to cooperate in these efforts.

One of the most influential tiger activists for the past 24 years is Bittu Sahgal, a good friend of Muttscomics.com. Bittu is the publisher and editor of “Sanctuary Asia ” magazine and website. In 1984, his organization launched “Cub ” magazine, for readers age 8-15. And his Kids for Tigers organization operates throughout India to educate young kids about the plight of the tiger and motivate them to action.

Bittu has dedicated his life to make Indians aware of their disappearing natural heritage. We encourage you to learn more about him and his valiant efforts here.

Another excellent organization is Satpuda Foundation. They works very site specific and problem specific. Because they are out “in the field” everyday, they know the reality of the problems very well. They have also learned how to get results by applying available resources.The strength of the Satpuda Foundation is that it works directly with committed and young conservationists and local NGOs (Non-Government Organizations.)

The Satpuda Foundation works closely with Nature Conservation Society, Amravati. If you’d like to donate money to a tiger charity, muttscomics.com recommends this amazing group, headed by Kishor Rithe. To learn how to give, click here. Every penny helps!

Where can I learn more?

You can learn LOTS more about tigers from some amazing internet sites here.

WKRP star Carol Bruce dies at 87

Carol Bruce, an American character actress best known as the acerbic Mama Carlson on WKRP in Cincinnati, has died. She was 87.

Bruce died last Tuesday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in suburban Woodland Hills, Calif., a spokesman confirmed Monday.

Actress Carol Bruce, in an undated photo from her family, was a stage and Broadway star before going into TV in 1970s.
(Bruce family/Associated Press)

Bruce was born Shirley Levy in Great Neck, N.Y., and showed talent as a teenager.

She had an early career on the musical stage, beginning as a Montreal nightclub singer and moving on to Broadway, where she was part of the original cast of Louisiana Purchase.

Irving Berlin was reported to have created a role in the musical for her distinctive sultry voice.

She was signed by Universal Pictures and made her screen debut in the 1941 Abbott & Costello vehicle Keep ‘Em Flying, followed by Behind the Eight Ball.

Carol Bruce, Actress on Film, Dies at 87

Carol Bruce, Actress on Film, Stage and TV, Dies at 87

By ALISON J. PETERSON

Published: October 16, 2007

Carol Bruce, a promising stage actress and singer from the 1940s who became best known late in her long career as Mama Carlson, the ruthless station owner on the television comedy “WKRP in Cincinnati,” died on Oct. 9 in Woodland Hills, Calif. She was 87.

Photofest

Carol Bruce in the 1970s.

The cause was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to an announcement by the Motion Picture and Television Fund.

In her recurring role on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” Ms. Bruce was the tough, business-minded owner of a radio station managed by her son, Arthur Carlson, played by Gordon Jump. She played the role, originated by Sylvia Sidney in the pilot episode, from 1979 until the show ended its run in 1982.

Ms. Bruce made guest appearances on more than 25 television shows, including “The Golden Girls,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Knots Landing,” “The Twilight Zone” and “Party of Five.”

She first earned public attention and critical acclaim in 1940 on Broadway in “Louisiana Purchase,” a satirical Irving Berlin musical about politics in the South. She left the show early when she signed a contract with Universal Studios.

In 1941 and 1942 she made three movies for Universal: “This Woman Is Mine,” “Behind the Eight Ball” and “Keep ’Em Flying,” an Abbott and Costello comedy about the Army Air Corps. Later in her career she appeared in “American Gigolo” (1980) and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987).

She also continued to work occasionally on Broadway, appearing in a revival of “Show Boat” in 1946, “Along Fifth Avenue” in 1949, and “Henry, Sweet Henry” and “Do I Hear a Waltz?” in the 1960s.

Ms. Bruce was born Shirley Levy on Nov. 15, 1919, in Great Neck, N.Y. She worked as a saleswoman and model at Namm’s department store in Brooklyn, and then started her performing career as a nightclub singer in the ’30s. She eventually performed at Café Pierre, the Waldorf-Astoria, the Plaza and other rooms.

She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Berk; a daughter, Julie Nathanson-Coryell; two grandsons; and two great-grandsons.

Putin Caspian allies restrict sea access

TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (UPI) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and four Caspian Sea neighbors voted Tuesday in Tehran to restrict access to the sea to themselves.

Putin arrived Monday and met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Tuesday participated in the summit with Ahmadinejad and the presidents of energy-rich Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

“We have agreed that only vessels sailing under Caspian countries’ flag can use the Caspian Sea,” Putin said at a news conference after the meeting ended, Interfax reported.

Prior to the summit, Russia’s Novosti news agency reported Ahmadinejad said he wanted to “resolve the issue of its controversial nuclear program in the nearest future,” but didn’t elaborate.

Russia has resisted U.S. efforts to increase sanctions against Iran based on its uranium enrichment programs that could potentially create weapons. Russia is also at odds with the United States over Washington’s plans to build missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic.