Vince

There's been a lot in the news recently to get angry about.  The recent murder of Vince, a four year old white rhino in a French Zoo is just one example of the extreme measures poachers will go to for money.

I know there will be many mixed views out there about Zoo's in general.  That they shouldn't exist, that animals should be running free, not caged up.  I agree with that entirely.....BUT.  With the world's wildlife population declining so dramatically it is important that we do all we can to help with breeding program's etc and maybe Zoo's have a role to play in that.

The bigger issue isn't whether or not Zoo's should exist or how Vince was not properly protected by being in a secure environment.  The issue is that we shouldn't need to be protecting wildlife in the first place. We need to take action to stop the demand, no demand means no sales, means no money means no need/desire to kill.  It really is that simple.

Another deeply annoying "thing" that happened recently is that the UK government decided to do absolutely nothing towards banning the UK Ivory Market.  The issue was debated in parliament in February following a petition that was signed by 107,000 people (any petitions with 100,000 signatures has to be debated in Parliament).  This was the second debate on the UK Ivory Market in two months, the first taking place in December 2016.

Unfortunately, for the second time, nothing came from the debate despite other countries leading the way with decisive action.  China have announced that they are banning the Ivory trade by the end of 2017.  Last year the president of Kenya publicly destroyed his countries ivory stockpile of more than 100 tonnes.  His action was endorsed by France and the US, but not the UK, another broken promise by the UK Government who advocated the destruction of ivory stockpiles in their 2010 manifesto.

Kenya were instrumental in pressing for international action to protect elephants at the CITES conference in September 2016.  Although the motion was blocked by the UK and other EU countries.  Yet another disappointing response from the UK Government.

To anyone that thinks wildlife protection is not apolitical issue think again.  I fail to understand why those who have the power to make a real impact choose to turn a blind eye, time and time again.