Center for Biological Diversity News Release WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity released transition recommendations today detailing key actions the incoming Biden administration can take to address the extinction crisis and climate change without waiting on a divided Congress. The report starts by recommending that President Biden rescind every single Trump executive order and other […]
50 Critical Environmental Reforms President Biden Can Enact Without Congress — Natural History Wanderings
Wildlife Crime
Tiger At Rest — Monochromia

Tigers have become extinct in Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos in the past 15 years due to poaching for trophies, capture or exotic dining. Habit loss plays a part, too!
A hundred years ago, there were about 100,000 tigers in Asia, now down to an estimated 3900 in the wild. British overlords took tens of thousands, hunting them from elephants, in colonial times in the earlier part of the twentieth century.
TM
The BBC reports The wildlife charity the RSPB says it has been “overrun” by reports of birds of prey being illegally killed since the lockdown started six weeks ago. Species of raptors (birds of prey) that had been targeted include hen harriers, peregrine falcons, red kites, goshawks, buzzards and a barn owl. The wildlife charity […]
via ‘Surge’ in illegal bird of prey killings since lockdown — Natural History Wanderings
Thomas Gray, science director with conservation group Wildlife Alliance, which operates in Cambodia, says that snares — simple traps made of wire and rope — have become the single biggest threat to ground-dwelling animals in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos over the last decade. But the tragic thing about snares, says Gray, is that “they take […]
via ‘Barbaric’ snares are wiping out Southeast Asia’s wild animals — Pattaya News – PattayaToday
Last month, with information from an informant, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (Cambodia’s multi-agency wildlife law enforcement unit which is run with technical and financial support from Wildlife Alliance) investigated an ivory carving shop in Phnom Penh. The WRRT, accompanied by local police, local Forestry Administration officials, and the Deputy Prosecutor of Phnom Penh Court, […]
via Phnom Penh Ivory Shop Owner Arrested — Wildlife Alliance
This year, Wildlife Alliance is celebrating ten years of zero elephant poaching in the Cardamom Rainforest. This monumental achievement is a result of the direct protection Wildlife Alliance has provided. In the early 2000s, the Cardamom Rainforest was a hotspot for elephant and tiger poaching. Between 2000 and 2006, 37 wild Asian elephants were poached […]
via Celebrating 10 Years of Zero Elephant Poaching — Wildlife Alliance
Customs Authorities in Hong Kong have seized the world’s largest ever haul of contraband shark fins.
via Massive Shark Fin Bust In Hong Kong! — Wild Open Eye – Natural Vision, News from Wild Open Eye
Last Post for a While…but remember the Gorillas
During this troubled time we are going to take a break from our regular wildlife and environmental postings. In the meantime, we are concerned about the ability of the covid-19 virus’s ability to jump to the gorilla population and the populations of other great apes.
Uganda, and hopefully other African countries, is closing to the piblic the reserve where that country’s population lives. With only an estimated 1000 mountain gorillas in the wild any additional protection is most welcomed. Other risks to all gorilla populations in Africa include illegal ‘bush meat hunting’…
Last month the Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament calling for ‘an end to the killing of wildlife on grouse moors and elsewhere in Scotland’. Below is some background information from OneKind on why they’re calling for the Scottish Parliament to conduct a full review of the animal welfare […]
via Calling for an end to wildlife abuse on Scottish grouse moors — Raptor Persecution UK
Raptor Persecution UK was one of a number of organisations giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee last week on the proposed increase in penalties for wildlife crime. The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections & Powers) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on 30th […]