Wednesday, August 5, 2015

One Small Step...

Hi folks..I'm making no apologies that I'm back on my soapbox and banging on again about something I feel so passionate about...it's been an emotional rollercoaster of anger sadness and despair...
but this morning there are happy tears with the news that there may yet be a glimmer of hope for the future of mankind...you...me and the millions of others across the world who have responded to this atrocity like never before may have started the winds of change blowing.
US Senator Robert Menendez is introducing a bill to ban all imports of trophies of parts from African lions and at risk species into the United States.
50 Democrat members are urging the US Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize it's proposed rule listing the African Lion as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the poaching and trafficking of wildlife calling on governments worldwide to take action and tackle these challenges.
And it's great news that Virgin Atlantic...Delta...Air Canada...American and United Airlines are joining British Airways and Air France banning with immediate effect the transportation of illegal animal trophies.
I'm taking the news that the government of Zimbabwe has called for the extradition of Walter Palmer with a pinch of salt...this is a country run by a ruthless autocratic corrupt administration headed by Robert Mugabe with no respect for human life let alone wildlife. Trophy hunters travel there because too many officials are willing to sell off wildlife to the highest bidder so let's not be fooled into thinking that this is a principled forward thinking government. If they are truly serious about taking action...they should follow the lead of Botswana Kenya Rwanda and Uganda and step into a new era of wildlife watching and appreciation.  Eco tourism can have a far greater economic impact than trophy hunting and could be a sustainable means of livelihood for Africans and African economies.
Change doesn't happen overnight but if we continue to speak out I believe we can make a difference...good people CAN make good things happen...changes that will benefit all of us and make this world a better place and I can't help but think of those iconic and immortal words from Neil Armstrong...One Small Step for Man...A Giant Leap for Mankind and wouldn't that be a fitting epitaph for the beautiful majestic Cecil...the Lion King who has touched hearts across the world.
See you all tomorrow with my smiley face back on again and "hopefully" a TAG
Hugs Kath xxx