We have lots of news from animal groups.
In the wake of the devastation, Animals Asia has been doing incredible things.
Some of their foreign staff have had to be evacuated, by request of the embassies, they've had damage to their own facilities, and staff are paying out of their own pockets to help out. But none of this has stopped them from sending a team to work with the Chinese Red Cross in some of the most devastated areas.
They're working hard to help out fellow animal rescue groups including Qi Ming Pet Rescue Center in Chengdu. They're trying to find ways to get to some of the abandoned bear farms in hard-to-reach areas. And they're responding to rumors of dog-shooting. All while putting themselves back together! They're really being heroes.
You can check out their blog here:
http://www.animalsasia.org/blog/index.php?m=05&y=08&d=22&entry=entry080522-065657 (Particularly recommending the entry called "To Hell and Back".) You'll also see a donation button on the page.
In other earthquake news, the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, which many sources initially thought was OK, despite being in a hard-hit area, has actually suffered some real loss. The pandas seem to be OK, but some reports are saying that three are still missing after the quake (while others were heroically found and brought back to the sanctuary by staff who risked their lives.) And terribly, five staff members working at Wolong lost their lives in the quake.
There's a story with ongoing updates on the Smithsonian National Zoological Park website:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/ And there's also a plea for help for Wolong on the China Wildlife Conservation Association website:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/ We will keep you posted about any new news. Blessings to everyone working so hard to help the people and animals of China.
Photo by Animals Asia Foundation