sorry China

Yes, it is disrespectful to the Chinese Embassy - but I think that concern pales next to the brutal ignorance and inhumanity being inflicted on the rhinoceros. It may even be too late. Now it seems that the trade in other wild animal parts, such as lion bone - for mysterious and little-understood 'medicinal' purposes - is seeing a massive increase. Where is it going to end?

We have, somehow, to persuade the big guns - the Chinese, Vietnamese, and slumbering South African authorities - to weigh in and help us understand this business (and it is one - with very high stakes). Only by a massive, very public international campaign to investigate, penalise, and re-educate, might it be possible to begin to stem the demand. Let's help them to be heroic.

And this has also to be done before the opportunists persuade governments and CITES to create so-called 'legitimate' markets for rhino horn and other wild animal products. This is dangerous nonsense, since these legal traders will not only have a vested interest in keeping prices up, but in indirectly sustaining the beliefs that stimulate the demand. On a moral level, this also defers custodianship of and access to our universal heritage into the hands of a privileged and condescending elite.. steadily turning the entire planet into a commercial commodity. (okay, I know.. that's a different debate)

It may also be necessary to apologise to the fantastically dedicated organisations that are and have been bravely fighting the scourge of rhino poaching. But this is not a separate initiative. It began as an individual outcry, but is now a message from many equally desperate individuals to the relevant authorities to recognise and properly support their work.

So - if you feel similarly inclined, go for it! Fingernails or hair would also do.
And then share it, like it, tweet it, bleat it, etc..

For South Africa: 972 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083

Or the Chinese Embassy in your country.

• Category

  Nonprofits & Activism

[frogger832]

I'm Chinese and I hate those of my race who do this. They are completely backwards, ignorant, and stupid. They don't understand the damage they are causing to the natural world. Chinese medicine is a fucking joke with no basis on any scientific rationale. The sooner my fellow Chinese understand this the better it will be for everyone. I hate to be burdened by this sort of crap. This goes out not just to Chinese medicine, but to any stupid fucks that believe in random shit with no logic.

[Peter5930]

There are 1.3 billion cattle and 24 billion chickens; hardly endangered species. In contrast, there are 29,000 rhinos, down from 70,000 in 1970 and 500,000 at the start of the 20th century, and about 600 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa alone in 2012. When a bunch of people get it into their heads to shoot rhinos and snort the ground up horns, it matters because you soon don't have any rhinos; there are only 35-60 Javan rhinos left due to poaching.

[xiJamesDuffyix]

You're not Chinese. Why did you lie?

[Doug P]

very good comment frogger832...u must try to see "africa" with david attenborough...the kalahari edition...where they do night shots of rhino socializing...it is fantastic & will bring tears to your eyes...cheers

[Teresa Strauss]

May we should boycott anything Chinese including your local Chinese take-out.

[Tanya Van Zyl]

and you have to start translate these videos and messages into vietnamese and chinese if you really want to spread awareness under these people , just saying . many of these people dont speak or understand english :)

[swimeezy]

Ah you know on second thoughts this is a great idea...I hear the mailman at Pretoria's Chinese Embassy has an aunt in the Chinese restaurant wholesale business who grates toe nails and uses them in Chicken Chow Mein and a whole lot of other recipes!

[swimeezy]

Any idea is good to raise awareness but dont think this will have much effect. As others have suggest a boycott of Chinese goods is the best way. Not only for the Rhino's but also our workforce and economy that is being decimated by consumers buying goods indiscriminately and not trying to support local, even if it costs a little more. The retailers are the worst culprits for importing Chinese products. We have taken a stand at SwimEEZY and SLICK. We dont source any of our materials from China.

[hitlerfanboy]

just boycott chinese goods.

far more effective.

[nishanthan tamil]

china stop..................