Use Your Resources

On July 20th I had the fantastic opportunity to attend Traffic's Wildlife Superheroes workshop, right here on the island of Penang.

I was fascinated by the turnout - almost no young people. I was happy to see the older generation getting involved, but sad to see so few of "my own" there. I am assuming they were too busy trying to get toy Minions from McDonald's (seriously, what is up with that?). I personally think slow lorises are cuter, but then again, most people don't know what a slow loris is.

But I'm getting distracted. 

The workshop really was fantastic. Aside from getting to spend a morning learning about something I love, I enjoyed learning new little details about the trade. There were amazing pictures of men with snakes in suitcases and birds around the ankles, and we even got to see dummy egg-smuggling shirts and underwear (that's dedication). These articles of clothing, used to smuggle reptile and bird eggs, have little individual pockets sown in for each egg. 

A South American example of an "egg smuggling shirt." Picture from The Independent.

One resource they shared with us, however, I think is useful for every Wildlife Warrior to have: Species Identification Sheets! We need to use the information we have access to - we need to be informed. If we don't know it when we see it, what good is seeing it at all?  They may seem a little dry and boring, but they are quick and easy to use. You can identify species and their derivatives, learn local names for the species, and discover laws that protect the species. These are useful things to know even if you are just walking around and spot something suspicious. (On a side note, if you see this, be sure to call the anonymous 24-hour wildlife crime hotline, 019-3564194.)

The sheets can be downloaded here.

If you're interested in these workshops, three more will be held within the year (including in KL and on Penang's mainland). More information is available on Traffic's Facebook page.

Wildlife Superheroes Wanted!

If you are in Penang next Saturday (20th July) make sure to drop by Disted and hear first-hand from Traffic South East Asia about one of the industries destroying local biodiversity.

Hope to see you there!

Breaking News!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/02/us-obama-wildlife-trafficking-idUSBRE96117Y20130702

This fantastic piece of news was released earlier this month. In new legislation, Obama hopes to curb trade in materials such as rhino horn and elephant tusk.

The United States is applauded for its commitment. Following statements regarding the wildlife trade earlier this year by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, this pragmatic first step will be appreciated by wildlife everywhere. (Go here for more on what Clinton said at the time: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/200355.htm) 

With connections between major terrorist groups and trafficking finally being acknowledged, it is a hope that support for the program will continue to grow.

While it focuses mainly on African issues with the trade, it is important to remember that most demand comes from the Pan-Asian region. Through educating this community about the "work" they are supporting, we all can play a role in curbing the illegal wildlife trade.

Irrational Fears Part 2

Somewhere in here, imagine a couple thousand more sharks. (Actually, between the two images you're only seeing about 600 sharks. Please do a lot of imagining.)

Twelve people is actually a high per year, as scary as that is. The total for all shark attacks in record numbers only a few hundred. You're more likely to die from alcohol than a shark attack. As the internet meme goes, though, "I too would attack anyone wandering into my house wearing only a speedo."

Revealing swimsuits aside, shark finning is a serious issue and a major player in the wildlife trade.

Essentially, finning is the practice where boats troll for sharks, and upon finding them, lift them out of the water and cut off only what is valuable - the fins. This is equivalent to having your arms and legs cut off - you're incapacitated at best. Once this is done, the shark is thrown back into the water (no one wants the rest of it, and why keep the evidence?) to drown. Since, you know, without arms or legs, it can't really swim anymore.

This fins are then thrown into giant freezers in hot spots around the world, such as Hong Kong, where they are then sent out to the world's top restaurants. Or they are dried and cured, to be sold at a market. Regardless, they all go for consumption.

The main culprit is the infamous Chinese dish, shark fin soup. Most restaurants now only serve a prosthetic plastic version, but some restaurants still carry the real deal. A true symbol of luck and prosperity, this is a dish many are unwilling to give up. As more of the world finds itself in a position to consume things it never could afford before, demand for traditional emblems such as shark fin soup rages and roars.

If we want to save the shark species of the world, we need to get over our fear of sharks and our ideas about shark fin soup. Eating shark can't be cool anymore; it can't remain a symbol of good.

Here are some stats to chew on in the meantime.

Irrational Fears Part 1

People are surrounded by irrational fears - spiders, for example.

What is the average house spider, barely the size of your pinky fingernail, going to do to you? Life is not a science-fiction movie. He will not turn into a giant monster and chase after you. In fact, he's great pest control; he's taking care of all the bugs you don't want in your house. You're unlikely to miss those, anyways.

While some fear is instinctual, some fear is taught. An issue I have been struggling for days, after witnessing the sudden death and mutilation of a snake at the hands of man.

I don't have a very good appetite for these sorts of things. It had begun before I could say anything, and before it was over, I had burst into tears.

To me, the act I had witnessed was barbaric. To the people around me, the act I had witnessed was normal, maybe even a fun sort of intermittent entertainment.

A large Indochinese Rat Snake. Photo credits to Ecology Asia.

The snake killed was a rat snake. A perfectly harmless animal in my eyes; it isn't even venomous. Less than two feet long, the young animal had unwittingly ventured into a truck of grain, probably hunting the rats it was named for.

But why are people so afraid?

Because they are taught to be. Now, everyone has self-preserving natural instincts, but these are easily overcome by most who want to. Some people are scared of heights, and they still climb. Some people are scared of speed, and they can still drive quickly. So why can't people get over their fear of snakes?

It's a cultural thing. If Hollywood hasn't created the image of menacing monster already, than Old Wives Tales have.

If we want to see people getting over their fear of snakes, we need to teach them about the ones they should be afraid of. People don't need to run away from rat snakes - they need to run away from cobras and kraits.

Next time I see a snake, I just want it to still be alive.