16) Why Wild Turkeys Are Rarely Served for Thanksgiving Dinner

There's a the traditional way to look at turkeys: As holiday food although it wasn't part of the Thanksgiving menu until the 1860s and didn't dominate the holiday meal until after WWII. There's the modern traditional way of looking at turkeys: Food from a factory farm where nowadays the average U.S. residents eat 17 pounds of turkey a year. There's the alternative traditional way to look at turkeys: organic, locally grown, free range and heritage breed turkeys, which let you enjoy a traditional holiday meal without consuming the inhumanely raised, antibiotic-injected, pesticide-laden-feed-eating turkeys. Finally there's the traditional traditional way to look at turkeys: wild turkeys.

However, here are 7 surprising facts about turkeys:

1. The Broad Breasted White Turkey is the bird sold virtually in every supermarket.
2. Many of the approximately 25,000 heritage breed turkeys raised each year are consumed around Thanksgiving
3. Turkey does have L-trytophan but not enough to make you sleepy
4. Wild turkeys were nearly wiped out from the U.S. by overzealous hunters
5. A Broad Breasted White turkey will grow to a weight of 35 pounds in just 19 weeks
6. Turkeys recognize each other by their unique voices and 20 distinct vocalizations
7. Turkey hunting is the second most popular hunting sport behind deer hunting, but few people eat wild turkeys on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Link to site: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/turkey-facts

15) Investigation finds panic led to Cambodia stampede that killed 456

Last week on the news I read about a human stampede in Cambodia that had killed over 400 people. The other only times I've heard about human stampedes is when dealing with sports events and concerts, so I was curious to follow up on the story and see what was the cause of this stampede. Authorities have now confirmed that the swaying of a suspension bridge lead to fears it would collapse and resulted in a stampede that killed 456 people at a Cambodia festival. Police fired water canons to get people to continue moving across the footbridge which lead to an island in the center of a river and that caused panic. The government said it will help to transport the bodies of those who died and pay 5 million riel to the family of each of the deceased. The three-day Water Festival in the city of Phnom Penh is held each November near the palace to honor a victory by Cambodian naval forces during the 12th century reign of King Jayavarman VII. During the festival, which includes boat races, participants pray for a good rice harvest and enough rain, and celebrate the full moon. More than 4 million people were attending the Water Festival when the stampede occurred, a number lost consciousness and fell into the water.

Link to site: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/cambodia.festival.deaths/index.html

14) Wonder Food Spreads to Middle East

A nutritious blue-green algae known as spirulina has been added to school meals in Jordan to combat chronic malnutrition and anaemia among children. The Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition which has observer status with the UN Economic and Social Council says spirulina is rich in protein and vitamin B, as well as containing beta-carotene that can overcome eye problems caused by vitamin A deficiency. A tablespoon a day can eliminate iron anaemia, the most common mineral deficiency. Almost 1 in 10 children in Jordania suffer from chronic malnutrition, or long-term protein or energy deficiency while a third are anaemic. It is interesting to see all the benefits of spirulina and how it has been added to school means in Jordan. Hopefully the U.S. follows this example soon as it continues to battle the meals served in schools and the high rates of obesity and diabetes in children these days due to malnutrition and poor meal choices. It is not that people don't know there are other foods out there that are better for them, we all make conscious choices about what we eat but children should not be given the responsibility of choosing what they eat when they are that young because the obvious choice would be junk which would affect their development.

Link to site: http://www.enn.com/agriculture/article/42040

13) Tigers Could Be Extinct in 12 Years

Tigers will become extinct in 12 years if countries where they still roam fail to take quick action to protect their habitats and step up the fight against poaching. The WWF and other experts say only about 3.200 tigers remain in the wild which is a dramatic plunge from an estimated 100,000 a century ago. Ever since our last presentation when a classmate talked about the extinction of tigers it became more real to me that this species really is in danger. You always hear that animals are in danger of becoming extinct but when you are presented with dates and numbers you don't realize how big of a threat we really are to them. This is very sad news, specially how they are being hunted down in China for traditional medicine amongst other parts of the world. Thankfully, the countries that still have tiger populations are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and Russia. "Wild tigers are not only a symbol of all that is splendid, mystical and powerful about nature" the Global Tiger Initiative said. "The loss of tigers and degradation of their ecosystems would inevitably result in a historic, cultural, spiritual, and environmental catastrophe for the tiger range countries". Hopefully things are going to start changing and people realize they need to invest time and money to protect these tigers.

Link to site: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_saving_tigers

12) Modern Insecticides' Devastating Effects

A new class of insecticides known as neoncotinoids is believed to be causing drastic population declines in bird species. Due to its effectiveness in killing insects, it has deprived birds of their basic food. Neonicotinoids, are essentially glued to plant seeds and infiltrate the entire plant. Any bug that eats the plant is immediately infected. The toxin attacks the central nervous system and causes a quick death. However, it is much less toxic to other animals. Henk Tennekes has linked the decline in bird populations in his recent book by stating that evidence shows the bird species suffering massive declines since the 1990s rely on insects for their diet. Neoicotinoids are used in a level far lower than DDT was used back in its time but since it is so efficient at killing insects, it is having the same effect. More research is needed to conclusively link neonicotinoids to avian declines. This is another clear example of how every organism is interconnected. You can't try to eliminate a problem without wondering how that will affect other organisms who might depend on that "problem" to feed themselves. However, I believe pesticides are necessary nowadays due to the number of bugs and plagues in crops being more and more resistant everyday and we have yet to see an eco friendly pesticide that does not affect other organisms at all.

Link to site: http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/42009

11) Green Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I thought it was interesting how this article talked about planning an eco-friendly feast! The first step is deciding wether or not you want a 100% vegan menu which would be the most eco-friendly meal but most people don't want tofu shaped like a turkey so the article's advice is to choose a turkey that the USDA has certified organic and free-range. Of course free-range doesn't mean free from confinement but it is better than caged..or so it might make a person feel :) If turkey is not what you like to eat, there is a link with plenty of meat-less options as well as vegetarian gravy. Visit the local farmer's market for the freshest ingredients to make your mashed potatoes! And if you can't find a local farmer's market in your area, try to purchase as many organic, in-season ingredients at the grocery store as you can. Another helpful tip is to ask people to RSVP that way you can monitor unnecessary food waste, and ask your guests to bring a reusable dish to share leftovers. Enjoy!

Link to site: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/featured/white-christmas-how-about-a-green-thanksgiving/

10) Harry Potter fans threaten India's owls

Die-hard fans are threatening India's owl population as demands for them continues to increase. Demands for owl parts in ancient rituals are also blamed and much of these owls are wanted as pets.The report's author, Abrar Ahmed started his research into the illegal trade of owls when a friend asked him to procure an owl for her son's Harry Potter themed birthday party. Traditional practitioners in India known locally as tantriks, also demand owl bones, feathers, claws and organs as well as the bird's blood and tears for ceremonial rituals. It is sad that there is an illegal trade going on and people don't realize that owls are not pets to be kept in a cage, as it happens in the movie, and that they need room to fly and hunt for food. I hope the government and local wildlife protection groups take action and educate people.

Link to site: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40002937/ns/world_news-world_environment/