The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

Georg Wilhelm Steller was a German explorer, botanist, zoologist, physician and pioneer of Alaskan natural history. Among the 6 animals he discovered during a visit there in 1741 are the Steller’s Jay and Steller Sea Lion. The latter, the largest of 5 extant species of sea lion in the world today, is in serious decline and scientists are at a loss to explain why. Several efforts are under way to find a cause and solution and producer Natalie Yuravlivker traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia to observe the progress. When you eat a vegetable or piece of fruit, chances are there is a honeybee to thank for the opportunity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25% of our diet is the result of pollination by the insect and the recent discovery of a rapid and widespread decline of America’s honeybee populations has scientists and beekeepers on high alert. We get a sense of how bad things are from Bret Adee, co-owner of the nation’s largest honey farm. Longview is a town in the southwest part of the state of Washington with a population of roughly 37,000. The area is famous for among other things, being home to the only bridges in the world designed and built strictly for a certain furry, four legged animal. We asked Tom Banse of Oregon Public Radio to find out more. Music: “Turtle Island” by Mike Oldfield”; “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Wynton Marsalis and Eastman Wind Ensemble

Dr. Gary Weitzman of The San Diego Humane Society helps a Washington DC woman figure out how to calm feuding felines in her household; a Maryland man is frustrated by the actions of his bird feeding neighbor, whose efforts are having unsanitary consequences; a cat in Washington DC is showing signs of an allergic reaction and its companion is wondering if the cause is dietary. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit. Special Thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker

The Bluefin tuna, renowned for its enormous size, extraordinary speed and culinary desirability has been throughout recorded history an object of fascination for scientists and a lucrative foundation for the world’s commercial fishing industries. As a result, the species is now critically endangered. In an attempt to save the Bluefin, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service recently proposed new regulations that will directly impact fishermen from Texas to Maine. Here to discuss the specifics of the proposal is Lee Crockett, director, U.S. Oceans, The Pew Charitable Trusts. When naturalists finally traced the epic migration route of the Monarch Butterfly after 38 years of research, it was called the “entomological discovery of 20th century”. Now a 3D/IMAX film called Flight of the Butterflies recounts the historic accomplishment with vivid detail. We speak with the movie’s award-winning director, Mike Slee. Music: “Kari” by Bob James & Earl Klugh; “Butterfly” by Mariah Carey

A woman in Georgia is trying to understand the unique routine her feline exhibits after using the litter box. In Washington, D.C., a pitbull’s companion needs help finding a new home for the canine Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit; “The Squid” by Mezzoforte. Special thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker.

The Rhinoceros Auklet is an Alaskan sea bird with an unusual routine and a distinctive "mooing" song. Alexis Will, a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, studies the foraging behavior of the rhino, and she sent us an audio postcard that chronicles her work. Most people have no idea what an anthrozoologist does, but many have read the work of John Bradshaw, one of the leading figures in that field of study. Dr. Bradshaw shares insights from his latest best seller, "Cat Sense." The book is a fresh and thoughtful exploration of human-cat relations, steeped in historical perspective and modern scientific research. Music: “Blackbird” by The Beatles

Dr. Gary Weitzman of The San Diego Humane Society hears the concerns of a Washington, D.C., woman whose cat has an unusual way of showing affection. A Virginia woman asks for advice in preparation for moving her 13-year-old cat across the country. Dr. Jeff Werber, founder of the Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles and an expert on long distance pet transportation, joins the conversation. Also in D.C., a Golden Retriever named Duke has abandoned his usually calm demeanor and now barks constantly, leaving his companions with a sense of urgency in the search for a solution. We also hear BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit. Special thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker

Kevin Shea, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new administrator of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, made big news last week with the institution of rules that will restrict the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits via phone, email and Internet. Non-retail pet sales are a primary source of revenue for large-scale, commercial breeding operations known as puppy mills, which are often associated with animal mistreatment. We speak to Shea about the intent and implications of the new regulations. Amy Quinton of Capitol Public Radio in Sacramento, Calif., tells the story of inventive efforts to bring the white abalone back from the brink of extinction. The sea snail is rapidly disappearing from its native habitat in the coastal waters of Northern California. We find out why and what is being done to reverse the decline. Music: “Kari” by Bob James & Earl Klugh; “Turtle Island” by Mike Oldfield

A male feline is showing signs of post-op friskiness toward a spayed female in the home of a Washington, D.C., woman. Another woman in the nation’s capital recently adopted a Mountain Cur and wants to know more about the breed. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit; “Run Like an Antelope” by Phish. Special Thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker

WAMU 88.5 News reporter Lauren Landau visits an exhibit at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art that uses high tech to showcase rare photos of Picasso, Pollock and other legendary artists with their dogs. Exotic felines are dying at In-Sync Exotics, a wildlife sanctuary in Wylie, Texas. Courtney Collins of KERA in Dallas has the story behind the tragic circumstances. Music: “Snowbird Fantasy” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman of The San Diego Humane Society hears a story of a Maryland cat who had a recent and unfortunate encounter with a kitchen blender. Since then, the feline has been showing signs of traumatic stress, resulting in troubling behavior. A Virginia woman wants advice on the best approach for acclimating a newly adopted puppy. A man in Washington, D.C., needs help counteracting his cat’s “socialization” difficulties. We also hear BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit. Special Thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker

“Pet flipping” is a national phenomenon in which lost or stolen dogs and cats are sold to new owners who have been misled about the animal’s origins. We speak with a victim of this disturbing trend, Rick Bryant, whose experience led him to form the organization Citizens Against Dog Flipping. Bruce Friedrich of Farm Sanctuary explains the mission behind the organization’s Someone, Not Something Project, which uses compelling evidence of greater intellectual and emotional complexity among farm animals as a basis for re-calibrating our understanding of them. Music: “Kari” by Bob James & Earl Klugh; “Sheep” by Pink Floyd

To declaw or not declaw? That is the question from a cat’s caretaker in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gary Weitzman offers his strong opinion on the subject. A California woman seeks clarity on the subject of Cushing’s disease and seizures in dogs. A Maryland man wonders why his cat loves him but hates everyone else. Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit; “Once Upon a Time in Africa” from Madagascar 2 Soundtrack. Special thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker

Dan "Hush" Carlisle, founder of Detroit Dog Rescue, discusses the severity of homeless canines in Michigan’s largest city, where there are an estimated 50,000 strays roaming the streets. We also hear the story of Karma Dogs, a Maryland program that uses service animals to help improve the reading skills of school-aged children. Music: “Inner City Blues” by Marvin Gaye; “You Learn” by Vitamin String Quartet

Dr. Gary Weitzman of The San Diego Humane Society has insight for a Maryland woman whose “non-aggressive” pit bull likes to make the acquaintance of other dogs by jumping on them (and their owners) during regular walks. Brian Kilcommons, dog trainer and author of "Metrodog: The Essential Guide to Raising Your Dog in the City" also offers a few words of helpful advice. Then, the companion of a Missouri dog wants to know if surgery is required after the animal’s recent leg injury. We also hear BirdNote, our weekly review of avian species Music: “Kei’s Song” by David Benoit. Special thanks to Natalie Yuravlivker

Two dogs have died after contracting a dangerous strain of canine influenza last week in Montgomery County, Md. For a better understanding of the risks involved and necessary precautions dog owners should take, we speak with veterinarian Dr. Ashley Gallagher of Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. Maryland businessman Brian Knox talks about his novel venture, Eco-Goats, which employs the four–legged mammal in an environmentally friendly approach to urban landscaping. Music: “Kari” by Bob James & Earl Klugh; “Red Dust and Spanish Lace” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Slipstream” by Bela Fleck