A Synopsis:
- China’s legislative committee passed a comprehensive ban on not only trade but also the consumption of wildlife, as a response to growing indications that the COVID-19 outbreak stemmed from a coronavirus found in wildlife sold for consumption.
- The ban extends to endangered species and all wild animals that are traded for consumption. This essentially lays the groundwork for a possible permanent ban on wildlife trade in a country that is a major destination for wildlife contraband.
- Conservationists say this could be a big boost in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade as well as better enforcement of current laws.
According to the World Health Organization, almost three-quarters of all epidemics in recent decades have spilled over from animals.
2020 Underwater Photography Winners Announced
A school of friendly rabbitfish under a jetty
By Nicholas More
Crabeater seals swim around an iceberg.
By Greg Lecoeur
A young whale exhaling
By Paolo Isgro
Couple in India Protects Land Helping Wild Tiger Population
Over the last 20 years, a couple in India has been buying tracts of land next to a Tiger Reserve and simply letting the forest grow back.
“We allowed the land to recover and now after 20 years it has become a lush green patch of forest which is frequently visited by all kind of animals, including tigers, leopards and wild boars,” said Aditya Singh.
At present, India has 50 tiger reserves. The tiger reserve next to the Singh’s land is among the country’s biggest and most famous tiger reserves, with an estimated population of about 60 tigers.
Read more here.
Rare Sea Angel Slug Spotted Off Russian Coast
An underwater documentary crew has released footage of some of the incredible (and unusual) creatures swimming beneath the surface of Russia’s White Sea. Captured here is the iridescent sea angel, a type of swimming sea slug. You never know what you will find under the ice!
