On April 5, EcoWatch reported on a rule change proposed by the Department of Interior (DOI) that the Center for Biological Diversity warned could remove protections for more than 300 threatened species. Later that day, CNN obtained an internal document of the draft from Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) and reported Friday that the proposed.
“The white gold of jihad.” “Case proven: ivory trafficking funds terrorism.” “How killing elephants finances terror in Africa.” Just a few years ago, headlines like this were commonplace, as conservation campaigners looking to draw attention to the slaughter of elephants and other wildlife touted the involvement of terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab in Somalia and Boko […]
A U.S. Geological Survey analyst at a premier science lab told investigators that tight deadline pressures and short staffing drove the faking of several
Canadian citizen Kai Xu was trying to return to Windsor in the Canadian province Ontario, when he was caught with 51 turtles inside his sweat pants last month, according to recently unsealed court doc
Canadian citizen Kai Xu was trying to return to Windsor in the Canadian province Ontario, when he was caught with 51 turtles inside his sweat pants last month, according to recently unsealed court documents. The reason for stuffing his pants with this many animals isn’t clear at this point, but officials investigating the incident believe that he was trying to sell the turtles to markets in Asia, where the reptiles are a popular treat.
Last year the world reacted in shock when Namibia announced plans to auction off 170 live elephants to the highest bidder.
Despite criticism, the plans have continued to move forward and that may just be the start. Tucked away in a Feb. 1 press release justifying the auction was a rehash of the country’s oft-repeated desire to also sell ivory. The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s stated:
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Namibia has major stockpiles of valuable wildlife products including ivory which it can produce sustainably and regulate properly, and which if traded internationally could support our elephant conservation and management for decades to come.”