The battle for survival is so apparent in this short film of a group of lions taking on a croc for the rights to an elephant carcass. What a thrill for the people filming it to have witnessed such a thing unfolding. The awesome power of two of Africa's top predators going head to head is jaw dropping.

Urinary blockage is one of the most serious and frightening illnesses for your cat. In my experience male cats seems to be more prone to it and it's a terrible thing to see them desperately trying to pee and not being able to. In the past I had two male cats that were both afflicted and looking back on it I see that stress was probably a contributing factor. Neither of them felt relaxed about doing their business in the garden because of a noisy neighbour so they hung on which created really concentrated pee so that crystals form in the the urinary tract leading to a blockage. It's a very painful thing for your cat so a very quick response is vital otherwise your cat could die, it's as simple as that. Take your cat to the vet immediately if you see him or her straining to pee.

What a brilliant idea this cat exercise wheel is. Just the thing for an active indoor cat. Wish I had somewhere to put one for our Fergus who has a real tendency to run to fat. He likes his food in fact he's a complete pig and if I didn't watch what he eats he would one of those awful obese cats I'm sure. Inactivity is part of the problem but I also think it in his genes. This wheel looks pretty hip really.

I am really thrilled to have been selected for the biennial WASA Wildlife Art Awards in Victoria. This is the first time I have exhibited so it's wonderful to be part of such a prestigious art exhibition showcasing the best of Australia's wildlife artists, and wow I am one of them ! My painting of the African wild dogs about to embark on a hunt was quite a challenge to paint so it's great to have some recognition after the effort and work of creating. Really looking forward to the show and to see if I win anything. I guess it's not about winning really, it's about recognition among my peers, the other people who devote their art lives to the celebration of wildlife for the same reasons I paint it. Because we care about it.

Researching my next painting of an Amur Leopard I came across this interesting article about a rare 'strawberry' leopard sighted and photographed in South Africa. What a beautiful animal it is. Reading the article I hoped that this absolutely stunning animal does not fall victim to the wretched trophy hunters who kill wildlife for the sheer fun of it. Can there be anything more depraved and pathetic a human being than one who kills innocent and endangered wildlife. I doubt it. The fact that it goes on in the face of all the pressure on wildlife currently  is nothing short of tragic. 

Ocelots truly have the most remarkable coat pattern. Sadly this makes them a target for the pet trade and of course they are hunted for their skins. It's hard to understand why more isn't being done to protect these and so many other small cat species from the wretched pet trade. Honestly domestic pet shelters are full of animals that need a home so why do people want to keep an animal that has every right to live it's life in the wild. Why are laws not in place to protect wild animals from stupid people who have no idea how to care for them properly.