For the love of Pangolins

Images from African Geographic

If you didn't already know, I have a soft spot for pangolins. I don't know whether this is because they defend themselves by curling up into a ball or if they are just so under appreciated in the animal world. The pangolin undergoes a heavy amount of poaching and to learn more about them click here.

The reason I have told you about my love for them, is because on the 23rd April the largest case in pangolin smuggling since 2008 was stopped before it could leave Sumatra where it was due to head to China. Along with the haul being stopped, the smuggler was also caught.

Lion Bones Are Not For Sale

I have read many a story about how, now, due to tigers being so far and few between that the East Asian trade, especially of course China have turned towards Lions!
In the past year the sale of Lion bones have rocketed. Now private breeders of Lions who not only sell poor Lions for hunting where they release the animals 3 days before and then track the poor creature and kill it and now selling the bones of the animals after it has been killed for up to $5000. This trade has reached a level unacceptable. There is around 5000 captive lions along with the 2000 that live in national parks in South Africa. This means Lions are a much easier target than Tigers.
South Africa are yet to place a ban on Lion bones trade which is crucial for them to be able to survive. Rhino trade has already caused the species to become extinct in many areas.
Although educating China that there pointless medicines have no healing effect but are just destroying the nature around us is the most important thing its crutial that South Africa stop the sale of Lions!
No money is worth a species so beautiful and majestic. Not one penny!!

To read more Click the links below:
http://forcechange.com/64275/protest-the-use-of-lion-bones-in-chinese-medicine/
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/boost-for-war-on-lion-bone-trade-1.1601337#.Ungf-_m-068
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/apr/16/south-africa-lion-bones-trade