sources:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Baur
   
   
2. http://www.farmsanctuary.org/living-old/gene-baur-speaking-tour-upcoming-events/
   
   
3. http://time.com/39854/10-questions-with-gene-baur/
   
   
4. http://vegfoodfair.blogspot.com/2009/07/gene-baur-changing-hearts-and-minds.html
   
   
5. http://kericronin.com/2011/08/10/a-night-with-gene-baur/
   
   
6. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gene-baur/
   
   
7. http://www.runnersworld.com/celebrity-runners/gene-baur?page=single
   
   
8. http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/15/03/p5351900/canada-hemp-foods-announces-new-distribution-partner-sponsors-inaugural
   
   

The Majestic Helemeted Hornbill

Hornbills are found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. The helmeted hornbill is the largest of the birds within the hornbill family. These birds get part of their name  from the helmet-like shape perched on the upper part of their bill. Males fight each other for territory by ramming into each other with their “helmets”.    The real name for the helmet shape is casque. It’s made of keratin, the same substance that comprises human fingernails and rhino horns.  

Many people know about the terrible threat to elephants and rhinos who get poached for their valuable tusks, but not much is said about how endangered this bird is for their poached "helmets", so fewer people are aware of the threat to their existence. They are protected in China and on the endangered list, but it's not doing much good because it doesn't stop the illegal trade. It's interesting that China's desire and demand for “hornbill ivory” or "golden jade" as it’s called, is nothing new. Since before the Ming Dynasty, hornbills have been used for carving.  

These unusual birds make very human sounds. People often describe it sounding like someone laughing hysterically.  They eat mostly fruit, especially figs, but they also eat insects. There’s a leathery wrinkled patchy part on  their throat; blue for males and red for the females, but the rest is mostly covered in feathers.

"Females nest in tree hollows, sealing the entrance with mud while she incubates her unhatched eggs. A little hole is left for the male to pass food to her while she's on maternity leave. Once the eggs hatch she breaks out and reseals the entrance again, this time leaving a hole for the pair to feed their chicks." source

The people of Borneo practice a sect of the hornbills, that are considered "messengers of the spirits and symbols of virility". The Senufu people of Africa consider the hornbills as a messenger of "the supreme god" and a "symbol of fecundity".  The people of Punan believe that a giant helmeted hornbill guards the river between life and death.

Like all of our magnificent creatures that are threatened with extinction, our greatest hope to help them is through education, awareness, and love. 

How can we help helmet hornbills and the environment at home?

1. We need to teach ourselves more about what is going on with these birds. Look up more about what is happening to their habitats.

2. We can help by not throwing things on the ground like plastic bottles and cartons. Instead throw it in the recycle bin and help the planet too!

3. We could try viable and biodegradable products...also by never buying products made from endangered animals!

4.  Another way to help the environment is to turn your lights off and go outside. Maybe while you're outside you can start a group in your community to raise money to help save the endangered animals.

5. Never buy ivory - old or new. It creates a demand every single time you buy it. Demand is what drives supply. Also, never buy something made with rhino horns or from birds. 

Gongbei Customs District had intercepted a precious animal product smuggling case at the beginning in 2013, in which 76 Helmeted Hornbill skulls were found in an inward passenger’s luggage. The passenger, a Yu, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined RMB 20,000. Full article.

I've had Moe for about 4 1/2 years now. We got him when he was a baby. He’s very picky and only eats certain things; carrots, peppers, and spinach, and that's about it. He eats his guinea pig food but he's even picky with that too. He'll squeak every single morning on queue to get your attention to let you know it's time for his breakfast. He's very noisy and also very timid, but once you're holding him, he loves it when you rub his chin. I found Moe on Craigslist from a school teacher who couldn't keep him anymore.

 I found Squirtle, my other guinea pig, in a local pet store (not one of the big chain stores) and they get their guinea pigs from local, loving breeders. I got him when he was 5 months old. 

He has really developed a personality. Now Squirtle, unlike Moe, eats everything; spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, you name it, he'd probably eat it. He's a little garbage disposal! 

He squeaks a lot for attention and when he does, it's very loud, but once you hold him he's all good. I can hold Squirtle and he'll just get all comfy under my chin and it just makes me so happy because he feels safe with me. I guess what I really love about animals is the fact that they're genuine and honest with you no matter what.

Furby is my chinchilla. He is very ornery, but also will cuddle you if it's on his terms. He likes hay, apple wood sticks, and even pop tarts, but only every once in a while. 

He likes to jump around a lot and go really high and then falls down. Chinchillas are really fragile, so I get worried sometimes when he jumps too much. He likes to playfully nibble on fingers and also will bark if he doesn't get his way. Furby came from a friend of ours who found out they were allergic to chinchillas!

These are my babies and they make me feel safe. They're all so full of energy and humor, and I love them so much. 

 My pets have always been an important part of my life. They’ve seen me at my worst and my best. They’ve been there to comfort me when I needed a friendly and understanding soul to talk to and hold. Some people have different reasons for wanting or having pets. For me, I guess it's the fact that my pets give me a purpose and a reason to get out of bed. They complete me and make me smile and laugh just to be around them.

I have yet to find a better feeling than making an animal feel good. And there's something deeply fulfilling about knowing that, even in a complicated and often unkind world, you've managed to create a pocket of perfect security and bliss for at least one small creature.