WildLeaks Launches

These contraband wildlife trade items were seized by the UK's Border Force. 

 

A group of organizations fighting wildlife crime have come together to launch WildLeaks - the first global, secure online whistleblower platform dedicated to wildlife and forest crime.

"We hope that offering a secure platform for information that will be followed up will encourage those with inside information to let us know about it."

Wildlife crime is the 4th largest transnational crime in the world, worth at least US$ 17 billion annually, after narcotics, counterfeiting, and human trafficking.

It now the most immediate threat to many species including elephants, rhinos, big cats and apes. Forest crime, which is the illicit trade in illegally logged timber, degrades forests and destroys wildlife habitats. These crimes also cause a significant human and economic toll.

Blowing the whistle on wildlife crimes, especially when criminals and corrupt government officials are involved, is a risky endeavor. But with WildLeaks a big part of that risk has been taken away.

Source: TheEcologist.org 

The coolest 'when owners resemble their pets'

Albino Baby Dolphin Captured

An albino baby dolphin was immediately singled out from the massive pod netted in last weeks dolphin drive at Taiji and taken into captivity. This baby, along with 3 others, are currently being held at the Taiji Whaling Museum. Whether they will remain there or will be sent elsewhere is yet to be determined. Animal activists are concerned for the albino's health since there is little (if any) shade provided over dolphin tanks, and the water is typically too shallow to filter sunlight and provide relief from the sun's rays. Albino animals are susceptible to sunburn and have very sensitive eyes that can be easily damaged by the bright light of the sun.

Sunday Snowday

Since most of the US is being effected by the current Arctic blast coming down from the north, here's some pictures of animals in the snow

WildAid's Top 5 Stories of 2013

#5- Ivory Busts
As the poaching crisis gained attention this year, the media reported on the ongoing smuggling efforts of illegal traders. CNN’s Ramy Inocencio reported on “one of the biggest busts of its kind in Hong Kong” when officials seized 1,120 ivory tusks and 13 rhino horns valued at more than $5.3 million.

 #4- Big Names Join Demand Reduction Campaigns
This past year saw several big names join the fight to reduce the demand for endangered wildlife products. The Clinton Global Initiative launched a campaign to save African elephants while the Obama administration sought input from NGOs, including WildAid to stop demand for products like ivory and rhino horn. The Duke of Cambridge spoke out in support of demand reduction, even in Mandarin, joining us in our latest message that also features iconic athletes David Beckham and Yao Ming.

 #3- Ivory and Terrorism
National security became the focus of several media reports as more evidence linked the trade in illegal wildlife products to groups including Somalia's al-Shabaab and Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army.

#2- Rhinos Killed in Record Numbers
Rhinos were poached at a record pace this year. Nearly 1,000 were killed in South Africa for their horns, up from a then record 668 in 2012 and 13 in 2007. The grim reports came directly from South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs and were tempered slightly in December with news that Thandi, a rhino who survived poachers taking her horn, is now pregnant.

 #1- Sharks Gain Respect 
In 2013 we saw children come together (on a beach) to protect sharks as well as some airlines pledging not to ship fins. Several states in America banned shark fin and even Hong Kong took a stand against shark in soup. However, news that China banned shark fin from state banquets two years ahead of a self imposed deadline sent a message around the globe that will put other governments on notice.

WildAid.org 

Biggest new animal discoveries of 2013

 

Thousands of species were scientifically described for the first time in 2013. Many of these were "cryptic species" that were identified after genetic analysis distinguished them from closely-related species, while others were totally novel. Below are some of the most interesting "new species" discoveries that took place or were formally announced in 2013. 

Click here for the complete list of discovered species in 2013

Salvador Dali and His Pet Anteater