Chinese Officials Eat Endangered Salamander

How can things change if it doesn't start at the top:

http://news.yahoo.com/china-officials-d ... 30902.html

Joe

and now you see the true position in China when it comes to dealing with animals and endangered species. This is reflected in the practices of many Chinese in other countries who think that it is important to protect their cultural dining habits over the destruction of species and habitat. Will it ever change? Do you think the people and leadership in China and foreign Chinese communities care about what you think?

The Chinese people are protein starved and have learned to eat everything and it is a hard habit to break.

a new version of 'soylent green' - wasn't that what it was called?

Here's more:

http://news.yahoo.com/caught-feasting-r ... 40090.html

Joe

Don't think the Chinese are alone in eating endangered species...right now many Western states have open seasons on Sage Grouse whose candidacy for listing was blocked by the Republicans to appease their hunting and livestock constituency. They are horrible to eat.

More:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/ ... M020150127

Joe

I don't know about other parts of the world but my own experience living in Asia, is that things are slowly (too slowly I would agree) changing. In the last few years in the Asian country I live in, social media has helped immensely in the sharing of such stories and conservation minded individuals are increasing rapidly as is education of these issues. Pastimes such as wildlife (esp bird) photography are rising rapidly and conservation groups are learning to use their new influence. Groups are standing up the old power groups (politicians, police, army, etc) and voicing their public opinion on wildlife and habitat issues. The tide is slowly turning, the sheer fact that you can read about the article in question is testament to that.

Lets hope it continues and spreads more, especially to China, whose government needs to do more.

More news from China about salamanders as cuisine:

http://news.yahoo.com/endangered-giant- ... 37474.html

Joe