Fureedom Wall

On the struggle for peace

One would think that the quest for peace is, well, peaceful, but that is not always the case. More often than not, those who are willing to exploit others are unwilling to listen to pleas for justice, forcing the hand of those who are fighting for freedoms, rights, and lives.

As of this writing, a little over two months has passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. This war, which has affected not only humans but also non-human animals, is something Animal Scene covered in the past weeks. Martina Jauin Mendoza writes about how the rest of the world tries to help the animals in Ukraine, and on a related note, how a famous cat society has banned Russian cats from their competitions and shows.

The struggle for peace, however, is not always among humans alone. For instance, the wild Elks have been trying to achieve a peaceful life away from hunters — in fact, because of a unique way of evading humans, they have developed survival skills that keep them out of harm’s way. Find out how female Elks outsmart hunters in Mendoza’s article.

Not as fortunate, however, are the Visayan Leopard Cats. Given their vulnerable status after being targeted by local poachers, it’s time we took a second look at these wild felines while we still can, with reporting from Rich Briones.

And then there’s the proverbial war between those who want to keep working from home and those who want their employees back in the office. Believe it or not, animals are affected by the ongoing debate, and Gabbie Abesamis discusses the option of bringing animal companions to the workplace, perhaps as part of the new normal.

By the way, just how exactly do we say “we come in peace” to a strange Dog? Richard Leo Ramos talks about befriending canines. Perhaps after you read his article, you will no longer extend your hand for a Dog to sniff as you make their acquaintance.

In our desire for peace, may we recognize the violence in our own dayto-day decisions. Perhaps this is why I am now a vegan for four years and counting: I realized that peace starts on our own plates. Hopefully, from there, a ripple of change helps us bring about the kind of world our children deserve.