Making a green statement in a fashionable way

Today I was pleasantly surprised when I found these cute T-shirts at Target. Of course they're fashionable, but what's great about them is the fact that by wearing them, you can share with others the importance of being kind to the environment without even saying a word.

In the first picture, for instance, you find a really cute tee with the message "Recycle Today for Tomorrow." It reminds us of how crucial it is to recycle everything we can so we can help our planet by reusing and disposing properly of materials that are harmful to the environment. The shirt makes it clear that we must do this NOW if we truly want to be able to enjoy our planet in the future, and conserve it so that future generations get to enjoy it as well.

In the second picture, you can also see another cute T-shirt, this one with a great phrase that reads "Green is Good."

On the other hand, the bottom picture shows two other T-shirts that also contain inspiring phrases and/or images. By wearing them, you can share with others the importance of recycling by wearing, for instance, the T-shirt on the right, which features the international recycling symbol. On the left, you can also see the one where Kermit the Frog asks that you to "Stay Green". (In case you can't find this last one, look in the Lingerie department since there is also a sleepshirt with the same design).

By the way, all these shirts are made of 100% cotton and only cost $9.99!

Check them out and wear these or any other shirts with eco-friendly messages so you can spread the green message and "pass on the green."

P.S. Sorry guys, but I have not found shirts with similar messages for men. But don't worry, as soon as I do, I'll post them as well. Keep checking back!

Photo shows illegal hunting of gorillas continues

Just yesterday, I posted what could be described as a lovely picture of thriving gorillas who are cared for by a successful conservation program.

In contrast, the picture you see above, also from Reuters, is not a pretty one. It shows four dead mountain gorillas that were illegally killed in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the week of July 26. The photo was released just yesterday, August 8, by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

I know the photo is perhaps too graphic, but it depicts reality and I thought it was important to put context in the situation that is affecting gorillas today. Yes, there are things being done to protect the species but the reality is that gorillas continue facing an uphill battle in order to survive.

The gorilla is one of the most endangered species in the world. According to the WWF, this is due to the fact that gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching for the bushmeat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola. And although the capture or killing of gorillas is illegal, it continues to take place, as the picture demonstrates.

Mother gorilla and baby in Prague zoo proof of successful conservation efforts

In this photo from Reuters, Gorilla Kijivu holds nine-week-old baby gorilla Tatu in her arms. Both live at the Gorilla's Pavillion at Zoo Praha, also known as Prague Zoo. The picture was taken this Tuesday, August 7.

Besides being home to Kijivu, Tatu and another female. Shinda, the zoo also takes care of four orphaned gorillas in the conservation station Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) in Cameroon. The stories behind all the gorillas who live there are pretty much the same: their parents and relatives were killed by hunters and they, the young survivors, were rescued from being sold as pets.

Among the rescued orphans are Chella, Jumbo and Pitchou. According to the zoo, Chella was found in a car boot next to the body of his dead mother when he was only 2 years old. He was then confiscated by local authorities who only provided him with beer for drinking and minute amounts of food during three long weeks. When he eventually arrived at the LWC, he suffered from great dehydration and malnourishment. He is now 17 and is the dominant male in the group.

Jumbo had fallen prey to a hunter when he was only a baby. According to the zoo, the hunter was trying to sell the little gorilla to a woman named Lena Perazzi because she knew that such purchase would cause more hunting of gorillas in the wild. Instead, Ms. Perazzi contacted the LWC and saved the baby's life.

For more on the stories of the gorillas who live at the LWC and more information on gorilla conservation, visit the Limbe Wildlife Center's website .