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The Week in Conservation for July 27, 2018

Cover Photo by Jurgen Ott

Proposed Culling of Hippos

Zambia is reinstating a plan to cull 2,000 hippos over the next five years. The plan was initially halted in 2016 but the Zambian authorities have reinstated the plan culling. A trophy hunting organization calling for this so-called “hippo management” is called Umililo Safaris. They claim that the hippo population is too large in the Luangwa Valley. However, conservation organizations argue there is absolutely no evidence that the hippo population is overcrowded. Further, hippos are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN and are a species needing protection.

Zambia reinstates plan to cull 2,000 hippos

How many hippos are too many? Proposed cull raises questions

The Myths of Trophy Hunting

Iceland Continues its Whale Hunt

The call to boycott Iceland continues as authorities this week determined the recent whale killed was in fact an extremely rare Blue Whale/Fin Whale hybrid. These are so rare that there have only been 5 reported sightings of these hybrids since 1983. Furthermore, hybridization is rare and just continues to offer proof of the extreme stress these populations are under. Non-related species very rarely mate.

Additionally, the Fin Whale is an ENDANGERED SPECIES. Again, these animals are heading to extinction and the killing of any endangered species should anger anybody that cares about wildlife. In the 20th Century it is estimated close to 800,000 Fin Whales were killed. Today, throughout the world there are less than 100,000 Fin Whales in all of our oceans.

We suggest everyone boycotts any travel to Iceland until they reinstate the ban on the killing of endangered Fin Whales.

Whale killing: DNA shows Iceland whale was rare hybrid

United States Endangered Species Act Under Threat

President Trump’s administration continues its war over regulations established by both Republican and Democratic politicians. First passed by President Richard Nixon (R) 45 years ago, the Endangered Species Act has helped preserve and save countless endangered species in North America. Republican lawmakers are urging to roll back many protections for endangered species, claiming many of these special protections are harming business (energy, mining, forestry).

We URGE all United States Citizens to contact their politicians and tell them you are absolutely opposed to any legislation that harms our endangered animals and our environment. Also please visit:

2018 Stop Extinction Challenge

The Trump Administration wants to roll back the Endangered Species Act

 

Scientists Claim Rising Meat Consumption Will Devastate Environment

Global demand for meat consumption has doubled in the past 50 years from an average of 23kg per person to 43kg in 2014. While meat consumption has remained steady in wealthier countries, emerging economies like in China is pushing the higher demand. These scientists argue raising livestock, such as beef cattle, has a significant effect on increasing carbon emissions and habitat destruction (ie. Amazon rain forest). In another study, scientists state that more than 80% of all farmland is used for livestock (also feeds for livestock) but produce just 18% of the average diets calories and just 37% of total protein intake. By reducing meat consumption individual consumers will help combat these negative effects.

Conversely, in another study scientists argue that if every citizen of the United States went vegan greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 28%. However, meatless diets can lead to deficiencies in key nutrients humans need on a daily basis. While those practicing veganism can actually eat healthy diets with all available nutrients, the United States does not currently produce enough to meet every citizen’s needs. The debate rages on!

Rising global meat consumption will devastate the environment

Avoiding meat and dairy is single biggest way to reduce your impact on Earth

What would happen if all Americans went vegan?

New Species of the Week

Maratus unicup spider

Genie’s Dogfish

 

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