G.D. Falksen's Blog, page 73
June 29, 2019
June 28, 2019
A Wilderness of TigersIt is 1921, the Great War is over, the old...
A Wilderness of Tigers
It is 1921, the Great War is over, the old word is dead, and Paris is a wilderness of tigers.
This
is the first announcement of the next Th book, Book Six: A
Wilderness of Tigers. Our story opens on a Europe struggling to recover
from the horrors of the First World War. The old order finds itself
threatened by the embers of revolution, lit by the bonfire of Bolshevism
but nurtured at home by poverty, privilege, and greed. The victorious
powers cling to their crumbling empires while malice festers across
Europe. Meanwhile, as Russia claws its way free from the mire of civil
war, it turns its gaze outward, thirsting for a new empire of its own.
And
in the shadows, the world’s true masters watch and wait. Their power
struggles are timeless, their patience eternal. Scions and Basilisks
alike know how to enrich themselves on human misery, and the new decade
promises both wealth and power to those immune to the pangs of
conscience.
After four long years of war, Doctor Varanus would
like some peace and quiet to continue her research. But then, when has
her life ever been peaceful or quiet?
From Wildside Press, Fall 2019
June 27, 2019
Urgent Kakapo Disease Situation
There has recently been a devastating outbreak of aspergillosis among the critically endangered kakapo parrot.
Kakapo conservationists had a record-breaking year of 70 new kakapo chicks, only to be hit with a sudden, severe illness that has already killed 7 birds (there are only 142 adults and 72 chicks in the entire population).
The staff of the Auckland Zoo and Department of Conservation have responded heroically to this challenge, but there is only so much they can do with their current staffing and funding. They need our help!
What can you do?
DONATE. Department of Conservation biologists have made it clear that their usual funding is not enough to deal with this unprecedented situation and have flat out asked the public for donations.
This page has information on how to donate.
**Zoo People**: As of June 3rd the Auckland Zoo was still asking for additional staffing support from the zoological community: “at least one additional avian-experienced veterinarian, three zoo veterinary nurses, and three avian experienced keepers”.
I don’t know if they are still looking, but if you know someone in the Australasian zookeeping community (or who is willing to travel to New Zealand) who fits those qualifications and might be available to help please tell them to contact the Auckland Zoo!
