CONSERVATION NEWS
May 23rd is World Turtle Day® 2019
Turtles, along with Elephants, Rhinos and more need our protection!
Story and photo: https://www.worldturtleday.org/
American Tortoise Rescue launched World Turtle Day to increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of smuggling, the exotic food industry, habitat destruction, global warming and the cruel pet trade. It is a very sad time for turtles and tortoises of the world. (See slide show here.)
Biologists and other experts predict the disappearance of turtles and tortoises within the next 50 years. Adults and children can do a few small things that can help save turtles and tortoises for future generations.
Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it increases demand from the wild.
Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured.
If a tortoise is crossing a busy highway, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going – if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again (but be safe yourself!).
Write letters to legislators asking them to keep sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off road vehicles and to prevent offshore drilling that can lead to endangered sea turtle deaths.
Report cruelty or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.
Report tiny turtles less than four inches sold at pet stores and street vendors or used as prizes at carnivals and other events. Their sale has been illegal since 1974.
ATR’s ultimate goal is to stop the illegal trade in turtles and tortoises around the world. The first priority here in the U.S. is to ask pet stores and reptile shows to stop the sale of hatchling tortoises and turtles without proper information for the buyer. For example, many people buy sulcata tortoises as an impulse buy because they are so adorable when they are tiny. The breeders and pet stores frequently do not tell the buyers that this tortoise can grow to 100 pounds or more and needs constant heat throughout the year since they do not hibernate.
ATR also educates people and schools about the real risk of contracting salmonella from water turtles. Wash hands thoroughly every time you touch a turtle or its water, and do not bring turtles into schools or homes where children are under the age of 12.
Some of the highlights to make World Turtle Day special, include:
Everyone can join the party at home, at a pub or at work! ATR created a World Turtle Day Party Pack that can be accessed for free here http://bit.ly/1YwebJR
Like the World Turtle Day page on Facebook and join thousands of fans who are enjoying selfies, baking and other contests and prizes in honor of World Turtle Day.
Follow @WorldTurtleDay on Twitter where last year it trended at the top when thousands of people tweeted #worldturtleday to spread the good word about turtles.
Sick slaughter of 2,000 hippos as Zambia accused of cashing in on cull!
Hippos are under increasing threat from poaching, wildlife trade and sport hunting, and there are only approximately 130,000 wild hippos remaining.
EXCLUSIVE: Locals say the hippo population in Zambia's Luangwa Valley is under threat with claims government 'cull' is actually a trophy hunting package deal money-spinner.
An unidentified hunter poses with a felled hippo in Zambia
Deep in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, pods of hippos are happily grunting at one another, the sound echoing across the river.
But soon, the Luangwa waters may run red with their blood – after the government announced 2,000 of them will be culled.
And trophy hunting operators look set to cash in, charging bloodthirsty tourists to help with the state-sanctioned slaughter.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove is said to be considering a ban on the import of trophies from “canned” lion hunting, where the animals are confined for a greater kill chance.
It is believed he will then look at banning imports of other hunting trophies.
Ranger Report - Q1 2019
With your support, Nsefu.org is making a difference in Zambia.
Rifles and Snares taken from poachers that will no longer kill wildlife!
We had 27 arrested in which…
7 from Kakumbi Village.
7 from Nsefu Village.
6 from Mnkhaya.
3 from Jumbe.
2 from Msoro.
2 from National Park.
As it stands…
7 are Pending in Court.
2 have been Acquitted.
18 Convicted.
Recovered Items…
14.2 kg of Ivory.
47 kg of Buffalo Meat.
1.5 kg of Puku Fresh Meat.
2 full Carcasses of Dried Impala Meat.
182 kg Fresh Hippo Meat.
5 Homemade Shotgun.
1 Muzzle Loading Gun.
1 Greener Shotgun.
21 Shells (Ammunition).
Nsefu.org at the SDCCU Festival of Arts in North Park
The Nsefu.org team out and about in North Park!
We’d like to thank all those who stopped by our booth to say hello and learn more about our conservation efforts in Zambia.
Nsefu.org joins The Global March for Elephants & Rhinos with events in Zambia, San Diego & Honolulu
Nsefu.org shows its support for Elephants, Rhinos and other endangered species.
Nsefu.org in Honolulu
The Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation (Nsefu.org) joined forces with the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos with events taking place in Zambia and San Diego on Saturday, May4th. Joining us for the event in San Diego was Elephanatics, Arte for Elephants, Sea Shepherd San Diego, and Lions, Tigers and Bears. Also, the Nsefu.org team in Honolulu held a march on Friday, April 26th.
A message from The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos…
“We’re building a movement on behalf of Earth’s last wild elephants and rhinos. Our signature event is the global march, when people around the world unite with one voice to raise awareness, generate global media attention on the crisis, and demand governments take action to stop the poaching of elephants and rhinos and protect our endangered wildlife.”
The Zambian Global March for Elephants & Rhinos
The Global March for Elephants & Rhinos in San Diego
