Turmoil and confusion are the order of the day in immigration laws of late. Many people are experiencing visa issues, hold ups at airports, and certain groups within the United States feel their status threatened and may be forced to leave.
Members of the animal kingdom are also experiencing a blow from the government’s strict travel bans.
Just take it from Susie, a Canadian goose, who depends on the flyways south every six months for survival from the chilly Canadian winter. Susie laments, “If I can’t access the warmer weather, I can’t continue working throughout the year. If I can’t work, I can’t provide. This is a real problem for me and my kind.” The flyways are currently under heavy taxes, in an effort to prevent any migration into the US from our northern neighbor.
A wall was promised, however upon realization that the birds could simply fly over, this plan was quickly scrapped in favor of the tax.
Meanwhile, the proposed wall on the southern border is gaining momentum, given the upsurge in Mexican painted turtles plodding their way into the southern US.
Now under heavier surveillance, their slow progression is buying time for Congress to approve the necessary funds to finish the wall. Recently, members of the House were shellshocked when their initial vote failed to gain the majority.
Even though the majority of Mexican turtles are simply seeking better lives for their families, stop and shell searches have increased. Harold, the aging patriarch of one turtle clan said “this treatment is ridiculous. These border patrol agents - where do they think I could be hiding contraband?”
Within the United States, certain marginalized groups are experiencing growing fear and trepidation in their communities. A group of elephants at the San Francisco Zoo expressed deep concerns: “We’ve been in America since the Civil War, when we immigrated from Siam (present day Thailand) to help President Lincoln. This is our home but we’re not sure now if we’ll be sent away.”
In a nearby enclosure, a young lion cub who was born here but whose parents are from Africa, is worried about their immigration status. Originally from Kenya, the lions may now be required to show their birth certificates before being allowed out of their cages.
Help the animals>>
Celebrate the diversity found in zoos and animal sanctuaries. This will help these groups feel that they are welcome and valued members of our society. Befriend a marginalized animal in your neighborhood.
