"A tree that falls makes more noise than a forest that grows." - Chinese Proverb
Eight countries identified as being the most affected by the illegal trade in elephant ivory have submitted national action plans to the United Nations-backed treaty for the conservation of endangered species containing measures to combat the scourge. The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) received plans from China, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, Tanzania and Viet Nam – identified as primary source, transit and import countries affected by the illegal trade in ivory. The plans – which contain specific activities in the areas of legislation and regulations, national and international enforcement, outreach and public awareness – were requested by the CITES Standing Committee as a response to the dramatic rise in the number of elephants poached for their ivory. Data gathered by CITES-led programme known as MIKE, or Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants, found that an estimated 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in 2011. Data for 2012 shows the situation did not improve, and actual figures for last year may be much higher.
Sacred Cows and Golden Geese: The Human Cost of Experiments on Animals by C. Ray Greek, MD and Jean Swingle Greek, DVM
"In this comprehensive, compelling, and troubling book, the Greeks make one point absolutely clear: the necessity is not animal experimentation; the necessity is to stop it." – Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat
Animals deserve rights, regardless of how they taste or how convenient it is to experiment on them. Like humans, animals are capable of suffering and have an interest in leading their own lives. They are not ours to use for food, clothing, experimentation, or entertainment.
As an activist, you can educate people in your community and positively affect their attitudes and lifestyles. You just need the desire to generate positive change and to believe that your voice and actions matter...