Who doesn’t like a watermelon sugar high? It’s a staple food of summertime. It radiates freshness with that luscious smell of sweetness, the bright red color mixing with the crocodile-like exterior and a thin white line in between.
You know, I just had a weird thought – berry with me. Human beings are very similar to watermelons. We’re red on the inside, there is a layer separating us from the outside, and if we dress in green, we become identical to the watermelon aesthetic. Let alone the fact that humans are up to 60% water… I think we’re just watermelons with brains. Fun stuff.
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Although this story is about watermelons, it’s also about an animal rescue in Louisiana that was given a bunch of them after an accident left the watermelons bleeding out on the road. It’s adorable, it’s juicy, so let’s get into it!
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An unfortunate accident had a heartwarming ending when dozens of ruined watermelons and cantaloupes were given away to rescue animals
Image credits: ellegreene2018
Accidents happen. But as stated in the very important piece of modern-day film, Hot Fuzz, “‘accident’ implies there’s nobody to blame.” Especially when the casualties are dozens of ripe, beautiful watermelons and cantaloupes bleeding their juices onto the sidewalk they lay on after a collision struck a Yak’s Produce van heading for the Louisiana Watermelon Festival in Farmerville, Louisiana, in late July.
Fortunately, no people were injured, yet they were left questioning – what were they to do with all this mangled up fruit? Cleaning everything up and then chucking hundreds of bits of fruit into the bin seemed wasteful, but an idea struck the brilliant mind of Leslie Greene, a licensed wildlife rehab specialist, when she heard of what had happened.
Yak’s Produce was to supply the Louisiana Watermelon Festival when an accident occurred, leading to the ruin of the cargo. No one was hurt otherwise
Image credits: Yak’s Produce
It would have been a huge waste, but an idea struck the brilliant mind of Leslie Greene, a licensed wildlife rehab specialist, when she heard of what had happened
Image credits: ellegreene2018
Who loves fresh summer berries (yes, a watermelon is a berry, cry me a river) but doesn’t care for their appearance? Animals, of course! And she just happened to have some exceptionally eager creatures to securely tuck the ruined cargo into their small stomachs.
She told PEOPLE, “I asked the owner of Yak’s Produce, ‘Well, hey, if y’all are not going to use all this watermelon that’s already open, can I have it for the wildlife rehab?’” The owner responded, “If it can go to another cause instead of being discarded, that would be wonderful.”
All the squashed watermelons and cantaloupes were gathered up and delivered to Leslie’s 4-acre property where she takes care of 42 animals, leading to a huge feast
Image credits: ellegreene2018
All the squashed watermelons and cantaloupes were gathered up and delivered to Leslie’s 4-acre property where she takes care of 42 animals, including beavers, raccoons, skunks, opossums, goats, horses, and more. The inhabitants of the rescue were not prepared for the feast that was awaiting them.
She tossed the fruits into their enclosures and watched them “all just go to town on it.” Getting the first bite, the beavers seemed to “absolutely love it,” the other animals munching like there was no tomorrow, the delicious sweetness filling up their hearts with mirth. “With it being so hot and humid, it’s the perfect snack,” she continued.
Image credits: ellegreene2018
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She tossed the fruits into the animal enclosures and watched them “all just go to town on it.” After the heatwave that hit Louisiana, this was the perfect snack
Image credits: ellegreene2018
The rescue itself is a little while away from the main town, housing and treating animals in need of care. Once the non-predatory animals are fully healed, Leslie releases them into the wildlife refuge, and the predatory animals are released onto a family-owned property in Homer, spanning a hundred acres.
“I love animals. I love helping them,” said Leslie. “I’ve always been a nurturer. If something or someone needs me, it makes me feel good.” But she isn’t the only one that found happiness in the animals. She posted the story on her TikTok account and it went viral, people loving on the story left, right and center.
Her followers praised Yak’s Produce for agreeing to help the animals in such a simple, yet inspiring way. It seems that this was just the beginning of their collaboration, as Yak’s stated that they’d be more than happy to help out with any produce that is no longer usable or fit to be sold. “So it turned out to be a big win for us and the wildlife,” Leslie said. “I appreciate Yak’s and appreciate all the animal lovers who did reach out to Yak’s and tell them thank you.”
Leslie posted the story on TikTok and it went viral, people loving on the story and Yak’s Produce company for their act of service
Image credits: ellegreene2018
All the positivity that came of this situation got Leslie’s rescue and Yak’s collaborating, the latter promising to donate any food not fit for sale
Image credits: ellegreene2018
Heatwaves have a harsh impact on all wildlife and, according to a recent study by Justin R. Eastwood et al., increased early-life heat exposure from a warming climate may affect the animals’ later-life history, potentially cutting down populations and limiting efforts for conservation. So what can be done for the animals?
The Conversation noted some of the easiest and best ways to help animals through a heatwave. By providing water sources, such as putting out a shallow dish of water with some marbles or stones so that butterflies and bees can climb out if they fall in, or investing in a birdbath will significantly help wildlife nearby.
Image credits: ellegreene2018
And now you’ll have a lovely section of the tiniest and cutest animals of the rescue, including beavers, raccoons, skunks, opossums, goats, horses, and more
Image credits: ellegreene2018
You can provide natural or make-shift shelter. A pile of logs in a shady corner will have places for insects to hide (and present a tasty snack bar for larger wildlife). Also, leave any plants uncut.
They’ll provide shelter as well as food, if they’ve gone to seed. In addition to that, you can leave leaves, fruits, seeds and roots as sources of food for different animals to eat.
Image credits: ellegreene2018
Heatwaves have a harsh impact on all wildlife, but there are ways to help our little friends get through them more easily
Image credits: ellegreene2018
The last thing you should consider, especially if you’ve got a dog, is the heat of the asphalt. Treehugger explains that asphalt can reach temperatures much higher than the air and burn your pet’s paws. To tell if the pavement is too hot, place the back of your hand on the ground. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog.
Vets recommend that you walk your dog in the early morning or late evening hours and on grass as much as possible. If you live in an urban area with little access to green space, you may want to invest in booties to cover your dog’s paws to prevent damage.
Image credits: ellegreene2018
From supplying water sources, food, and shelter, to making sure the asphalt isn’t too hot for your pets to walk on, it’s the little things that make a difference
Image credits: ellegreene2018
At the root of it all is the factor of climate change. The United Nations (UN) have given out tips as to how we can all contribute to stopping global warming. From saving energy to taking public transport to eating more vegetables and throwing away less food, there are definitely steps we can all take.
Although Mother Nature is incredible in its adaptability. But according to the WWF, not all plants and animals will adapt. There are several examples of species that have begun to adapt to climate change already.
But increasingly, it’s a different story for many. Given the speed of climate change, it’s becoming impossible for many species to adapt quickly enough to keep up with their changing environment. And, as habitats are destroyed by roads, cities and dams, moving becomes increasingly difficult. For those that can’t move or adapt, the future doesn’t look so positive.
Image credits: ellegreene2018
The fight to stop global warming is still en route, with the UN providing a list of things each of us can do to contribute
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The main point to note – it’s lifestyles of the rich and famous that are contributing most to the decline of the world. According to a study shared by The UN, “a range of estimates point to a strong correlation between income and emissions, with a highly unequal global distribution of consumption emissions.”
“Such studies estimate that the emissions share of the top 10 per cent of income earners is around 36–49 per cent of the global total, whereas the lowest 50 per cent of income earners account for around 7–15 per cent of all emissions.”
Image credits: ellegreene2018
Deep-rooted changes led by groups across civil society, as well as governments worldwide, are needed to ensure this happens in a way that preserves people’s well-being
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Until the governments of the world agree that this is a significant issue, putting laws and regulations in place to govern not only companies and factories but also the major individual contributors to overall pollution (private jet owners, I’m looking at you), it’s difficult to say whether we’ll be successful in saving our home.
Change.org has over 600 petitions currently awaiting support and I’ll link to them here.
Image credits: ellegreene2018
We wish all those involved in the story all the best for the future! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Image credits: ellegreene2018
We’re glad that the little animals had a little watermelon feast and that a sad situation was turned into something inspirational and heartwarming. We wish all those involved all the best for the future and hope that no more watermelons need to be hurt in the process.
Let us know what you thought of this story in the comments below, and I’ll see you all in the next one! Oh, and don’t forget to upvote and follow the author as it gives me strength and power. Alright, byeee!
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