Three “scary” animals that deserve protection
News
All animals deserve to be protected from suffering and exploitation, regardless of whether they are cuddly or even “scary”. All animals deserve the right to live a good life – not just the cute ones.
Image: Dean Sewell
Crocodiles
Each year, tens of thousands of saltwater crocodiles are farmed and killed in Australia for the skin trade. Crocodiles are sentient beings who experience pain and pleasure. They are confined in small plastic-lined concrete enclosures for years before being electrocuted and cruelly slaughtering. All to be turned into non-essential luxury handbags, belts and wallets. They are truly victims of fashion.
Pythons
Ball pythons are among the most popular species in the exotic pet trade. They are one of the most misunderstood species and these animals suffer cruelly from their capture through to a life of captivity. Millions of Ball pythons have been exported out of Africa over the past 40 years, with the largest importing markets being North America (the USA and Canada), followed by Europe (Germany, UK and France) and Asian countries, notably Japan.
Sharks
More than 100 million sharks are killed every year for the shark fin trade. While some sharks are legally caught, illegal shark finning happens when fisherman cut fins off live sharks and dump their bodies into the open ocean to avoid being caught. Indonesia is the biggest annual exporter and Hong Kong, Singapore and China are the biggest consumer market for shark fins.
Sharks, crocodiles, pythons and millions of other wild animals are captured from the wild or bred in captivity for the global wildlife trade. They deserve a life free from suffering – a life that doesn’t hurt. And you can give them that life!