Can emphasizing positive cultural connotations and mythology help bring pangolins back from the brink of extinction? This unusual-looking creature may benefit from being thought of as a sign of good luck or a symbol of hope, rather than a killable commodity.
Conservation Action Trust reports on the recent increase in elephant poaching in Botswana. Various media reports have pinned the increase on a reported disarming of Botswana’s Anti-Poaching Unit, but is this the real cause, and how can the poaching be stopped?
For millennia, vultures have aided humans in their role as nature’s clean-up crew. Now, Kenya is repaying the favor with a new rapid-response unit to combat vulture poisoning, part of an ambitious project to save Africa’s vultures.
Compassion for hoarders is not misplaced if you recognize that most of them are in desperate need of psychological help. What hoarders do not need is the type of sympathy and support that enables them to continue harboring and acquiring even more animals.
Duke University researchers have developed a new way to estimate lemur populations, providing valuable information for conservation efforts. So far, their population estimates are good news for some species and bad news for others.
The authors conclude that “Reconciling future oil palm development and primate conservation in Africa will be very challenging,” especially if palm oil demand skyrockets, as it is predicted to.
A shocking undercover investigation conducted by the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International found giraffe parts and products sold online and in stores by at least 51 dealers across the United States.
The decision to allow leopard hunting is the result of a determination by the Scientific Authority that leopard hunting in certain areas is now sustainable. This has alarmed conservationists, who contend that the DEA has insufficient scientific evidence to make that call.
There has been increased attention in recent years to small cetacean hunts in specific regions, such as dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan, made famous by the 2009 documentary The Cove. However, the often-held assumption that small cetacean hunts are rare or only occur in a few regions is unfortunately far from correct.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources released a statement on August 1st, according to which 95% of the world lemur population is “on the verge of extinction,” making them the “most threatened primates on Earth.”
CACH’s report was prepared for an upcoming colloquium to be held by South Africa’s Parliament. It lists a huge range of import bans, airline trophy bans, negative press coverage, anti-canned hunting campaigns, protest marches, tourist industry views and social media criticisms.
Are we not essentially confusing education with entertainment? Should we not be more honest in describing the role of such animals and admit they are pure photo props for monetary gain, even if the money is earmarked for the conservation of the species?