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

    The Dolphin Blog

    Their lives, their intelligence and how they’re exploited. A year ago, Tilikum the orca killed one of his trainers at SeaWorld. Much has been revealed since then

    SeaWorld’s New Show

    A year after SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by the 6-ton captive orca, Tilikum, the corporation is getting ready to open a new killer-whale show at its three U.S. marine circuses.

    Making the Case

    Law professor and historian Steven Wise is preparing a lawsuit on behalf of certain animals who meet the accepted definitions of what the law considers to be a “person.” The evidence for acknowledging their status, he says, is overwhelming.

    My Visit to the Dolphins at SeaWorld

    The dolphin show was a cross between a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil extravaganza, a Disney on Ice performance, and a dolphin show.
    SeaWorld claims that it does much to educate people, especially children, about the animals in its shows and the benefits of its parks to conservation. But there was no factual information provided during the performance at all. Some factoids were provided before the show started. These were pre-recorded by children, and went along the lines of “Hi, I’m Suzie. I’m 10 years old. Did you know that SeaWorld’s dolphins can weigh up to 500 pounds? That’s more than two professional football players!”
    It was very difficult to hear these pronouncements over the noise of the crowd. As far as I could tell, most people were not even aware of them.