The planet’s elephant population is plummeting, and they may go extinct within the next 20 years, thanks in large part to China’s lust for ivory.
Source: www.thedailybeast.com
GR: If we can’t protect the elephant from ourselves, light fades for all the thousands of species required for a healthy Earth ecosystem.
“Report reveals the extent of poaching and poisoning and calls for tougher sanctions, writes Tracy McVeigh.”
“A new report claims the scale of the problem is being hidden and that gangs are making large sums of money from illegal activities such as hare-coursing, raking in up to £10,000 a month in one case, while poaching of fish and deer is common and as likely to happen in urban parks as in the countryside.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
GR: Killing and capturing wild animals has a direct effect on a few species. Roads, houses, and pollution have indirect effects on all species. The first is intentional, the second is accidental. Which do you think is the most harmful?
Rhinos Without Borders is on a mission to move rhinos to safe havens in Botswana in order to save them from the poaching crisis and they need your help!
“Three down, seven to go. 100 rhinos will be relocated to a new safer life and YOU can help make this happen. Of the first batch of 10 rhinos due for relocation in 2015, 3 have already reserved their places via a unique campaign – please help Dereck and Beverly Joubert help save the remaining 7. This is a unique opportunity for ALL OF US to get involved personally, rather than leave everything to the authorities and NGOs. Your donation (even just $1) will help more than you could imagine. Every donation earns rewards and enters you into a draw for some really grand prizes. This has to be the most innovative campaign ever to save the rhino from poachers. 3 down, 7 to go! (Africa Geographic)”
GR: One dollar to save 100 rhinos? Everyone please contribute. We must recognize, however, that following through with continued monitoring and protection is essential. Wild animal relocations are difficult. New habitats with new resting places, new food, new water sources, and new dangers coupled with the stress of the move…. Better make it two dollars.
Go here to make your donation.
“This relocation operation will take place with an assertive and elaborate anti-poaching force and strong commitment to save this species. This initiative is about taking rhinos from existing, high density populations which are attracting more and more poaching, and releasing them into the wild within a country that has low densities of rhino and the best anti-poaching record on the continent. It also secures rhino breeding diversity and provides a nucleus of stock in a different location, so that these animals are not all concentrated in one location.”
Source: africageographic.com
Like other forms of illicit trade, wildlife trafficking undermines security across nations. Well-armed, well-equipped, and well-organized networks of criminals, insurgent elements, and corrupt officials exploit porous borders and weak institutions to profit from trading in poached wildlife.
Record high demand for illegally traded wildlife products, coupled with inadequate preventative measures and weak institutions, has resulted in an explosion of illicit trade in wildlife in recent years. That trade is decimating iconic animal populations. Today, because of the actions of poachers, species such as elephants and rhinoceroses face the risk of significant decline or even extinction.
Over the past five years, tens of thousands of elephants have been slaughtered by poachers and criminal networks in Africa. In 2013, more than 1,000 rhinos were killed in South Africa alone, and the pace of killing is on track to surpass this record in 2014. Urgent action is needed now and the United States is providing leadership and commitment to protecting our world heritage and endangered wildlife.
Source: allafrica.com
GR: U. S. leadership may not be enough. Animal parts are in such high demand in Asia that illegal trade will continue . Celebrity leadership is increasing and may be the only tool we have for changing cultural behavior.
by Alicia Graef July 31, 2014
“While we’ve been focused on the poaching crisis that’s threatening the future for charismatic animals like elephants, rhinos and tigers, another species now faces the threat of extinction thanks to human appetites and could disappear before most people even hear of it.
“The pangolin, which includes eight species who live in Africa and Asia, are unique little creatures in a number of ways. They’ve been described as walking artichokes and because they’re insectivores they’ve been dubbed “scaly anteaters.” These toothless animals are also the only mammal covered in true scales, which are made of keratin, and the the fact that they walk like a miniature T. rex only adds to their charm.
Source: exposingthebiggame.wordpress.com
GR: Guess who’s motivating the poachers: The Chinese and Vietnamese are eating the little animals out of existence.
Source: Condofire
“ALL ivory is blood ivory. An elephant is poached for its ivory every 15 minutes; that’s 96 elephants that are killed daily. Between 35,000-52,000 elephants are killed each year for ivory, and unless all ivory trade is banned worldwide, elephants will be extinct in the wild in 10 years or less.
“Your irresponsible website post supports this killing and justifies the illegal slaughter of this highly intelligent, self-aware and emotionally sentient keystone species for trinkets! Please find an alternative listing for a 14th wedding anniversary gift and immediately remove the inaccurate, misleading sentence: “Many pieces of beautiful jewelry showcase ivory shed naturally from animals. Look online for options.” Stop supporting and promoting the slaughter of elephants for ivory jewelry!
“A crocodile takes a swim in Everglades National Park — but not all is rosy. There’s still work to be done to maintain populations worldwide.
Source: www.mnn.com
GR: It is time for emergency measures: CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, http://www.cites.org) needs more power and must incorporate the IUCN Red List (http://www.iucnredlist.org). Moreover, the United Nations must encourage members to adopt regulatory standards for biodiversity protection.
Target: President Barack Obama and U.S. Government Goal: Save the last remaining rhinos from poachers before these amazing animals go extinct *This petition is in collaboration with Care2, thereby allowing all signatures to appear in a single…
From the petition description: “The Western black rhino species has been declared extinct and the two other rhino species found in Africa are close on its heels towards disappearing from the face of the planet. All this for a lucrative black market where poachers make millions of dollars from people who buy the illegally traded rhino horn, falsely believing it can cure cancer and other ailments.
“Amidst this bleak news, there is a ray of hope. The U.S. government is making moves to list rhinos as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing closes a loophole that was being abused by traffickers, and strengthens the anti-poaching efforts being undertaken by African governments and conservation partners such as the African Wildlife Foundation.”
Source: forcechange.com
By Albert Pule
“Pretoria — A male white rhino has been poached in the Kingfisher Section of the Kruger National Park (KNP).
“According to section ranger Richard Sowry, shots were heard by tourists and reported to the authorities.
“Four shots were heard at about 6.05pm by tourists on Sunday from a nearby camp and they alerted us to the incident.”
“Sowry said since rhino poaching has become rife, his team is working hard to protect the endangered species and cases of rhino poaching take priority. He said since the beginning of the year, only six arrests have been made in his section.
“Since the beginning of the year, over 380 rhinos have been poached in the KNP.
“Meanwhile, three people were arrested on Tuesday at Tshokwane camp, in the south of KNP, for suspected poaching. “One of the suspects was wounded by rangers and investigations are currently under way,” said SANParks’ Acting Head of Communication Reynold Thakuli.
“Warrant Officer Linda Luther said a case of poaching will be opened and investigations will commence.
“A water bottle lid was found next to a rhino carcass and Luther said it will be crucial in the investigation. “This will be sent over to the laboratory for DNA analysis to see if we can link the suspects to another case of poaching,” she said.”
Source: allAfrica.com
GarryRogers Nature Conservation 