Can religion save Africa's elephants and rhinos?

[cbayer]

http://www.times-standard.com/lifestyle/ci_21607870/can-religion-save-africas-elephants-and-rhinos

Jason Straziuso/The Associated Press
Created: 09/22/2012 02:19:48 AM PDT




NAIROBI, Kenya -- Standing before a pile of charred elephant ivory as dusk covered the surrounding savannah, Christian, Muslim and Hindu religious leaders grasped hands and prayed. Let religion, they asked, help “God's creatures” to survive.

Poachers are escalating their assault on Africa's elephants and rhinos, and conservationists warn that the animals cannot survive Asia's high-dollar demand for ivory tusks and rhino horn powder. Some wildlife agents, customs officials and government leaders are being paid off by what is viewed as a well-organized mafia moving animal parts from Africa to Asia, charge the conservationists.

Seeing a dire situation grow worse, the animal conservation group World Wildlife Fund is enlisting religious leaders to take up the cause in the hopes that religion can help save some of the world's most majestic animals.

”We are the ones who are driving God's creatures to extinction,” said Martin Palmer, secretary-general of the Britain-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation.

more at link

[Politicalboi]

1. Finally, something good about religion

But these folks are going to need money over prayers. I hope someone with a lot of money helps this cause. It's worth fighting for. IMO this is worth war. Money and superstitions should NEVER endanger any animals. And I would say I would rather see dead poachers on the ground than elephants.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. The article has stood the problem on its head.

Religious artifacts are the driving force in the illegal ivory trade. The silence of the Vatican and other religious institutions is disgusting.

[cbayer]

3. Agree. I posted the NatGeo article last week.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/121845953

The good news here is that religious groups are starting to make noise in opposition.

[skepticscott]

4. And yet another lame attempt

to grab credit for religion for making a few peeps about an issue that has been a problem for many, many decades. Where were the religious groups on this 30 years ago, and why do they and religion deserve credit for any of this, when they had to be cajoled into it even at this late date?

[dimbear]

5. Better chance: cheap Viagra. n/t

[cbayer]

6. You might be thinking of rhino horns....

or not.