People from at least 136 cities across six continents have marched to press their countries authorities to stop the poaching of elephants and rhinos, a practice that has almost led to their extinction. The marches were held worldwide in the cities in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia. In Europe, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Copenhagen and London also took part in the demonstration. Many rallies were also held in the cities of Africa and South America. It is estimated that an elephant is killed for its ivory every 15 minutes. We are losing a rhino for its horn every nine hours in Africa. There are fewer than 400,000 elephants and less than 18,000 rhinos left in the wild in Africa. Asian elephant numbers have plummeted to 25,000 individuals and fewer than 40 Javan rhinos, 300 Sumatran rhinos and 2,400 Indian rhinos remain in the wild. All of these species, and many more critically endangered and threatened animals like lion, tiger and pangolin, are targeted by international wildlife criminals for their highly lucrative body parts; if the slaughter is permitted to continue at present rates, these species will be extinct within the next decade or less.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 11:06:25 +0000
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