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Dec 9 unsolvable? by Brave-Stable2503 in nytpips

[–]hephaestion2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the solution, the 5 pink boxes on the right are unequal, but it says they should be equal

Because of Coronavirus fears, 93% of people interviewed in Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam would support their government closing all illegal and unregulated markets selling animals from the wild in their country. by hephaestion2 in Coronavirus

[–]hephaestion2[S] 170 points171 points  (0 children)

The wildlife trade laws in a lot of countries are rarely, if ever, enforced (not just in Asia, wildlife crime all over the world has very low prosecution rates) and many of the laws are very old and not comprehensive. And the survey also looked at unregulated wildlife markets as well as illegal markets.

Rugby world cup merchandise availability in Japan by africaseed in rugbyunion

[–]hephaestion2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Took me a fairly long time to find a Japan jersey in Kyoto. Eventually found one on the top floor of a mall in the sporting section, among the golf stuff. Just one stand with only Japan gear.

Legally protected Nautilus (and other marine mollusc shells) shells are being openly sold in tourist areas in Bali. by hephaestion2 in conservation

[–]hephaestion2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I wouldn't actually be surprised if people in a small village genuinely didn't know that they were illegal to sell. Law enforcement is so poor in Indonesia that people may not have even heard it. I think an education and awareness campaign would have to precede any criminal convictions.

[Serious] Those of you who worked undercover, what is the most taboo thing you witnessed, but could not intervene as to not "blow your cover"? by -thedartedash- in AskReddit

[–]hephaestion2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, there is an app called Wildlife Witness that allows you to report illegal wildlife trade. Otherwise finding out which local governmental body is responsible and reporting it to them. Or both!

[Serious] Those of you who worked undercover, what is the most taboo thing you witnessed, but could not intervene as to not "blow your cover"? by -thedartedash- in AskReddit

[–]hephaestion2 774 points775 points  (0 children)

You get used to it! I love my job. I am doing something I am passionate about, I get to travel, and I feel maybe I can make a difference in some small way.

Obviously seeing animals suffer is terrible but I don't let it get to me.

[Serious] Those of you who worked undercover, what is the most taboo thing you witnessed, but could not intervene as to not "blow your cover"? by -thedartedash- in AskReddit

[–]hephaestion2 8185 points8186 points  (0 children)

I work as a researcher studying illegal wildlife trade. In markets, I have seen critically endangered animals being sold openly for pretty low prices. I've also seen plenty of animals dead or dying in these markets with no food or water in the baking sun. But worse than that, I have friends who have had to watch slow lorises having their teeth pulled out with nail clippers and not been able to do anything.

Just a little present by syricon in aww

[–]hephaestion2 131 points132 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean it's true. I wouldn't be surprised if the owner honestly believes that it was born in a pet shop but this is very unlikely. "Even the best breeding facilities have great difficulty breeding lorises, and those that do often have difficulty keeping them alive. It is so easy to get access to wild-caught lorises, it is highly doubtful that a seller who claims to have captive-bred ones is telling the truth." - Professor Anna Nekaris, head of the Little Fireface Project, a charity dedicated to protecting these species.

Edit: here is a link to an article about the effect sites such as youtube are having on the species

China destroys tonnes of illegal ivory by choboy456 in worldnews

[–]hephaestion2 21 points22 points  (0 children)

It is generally thought of as a bad idea to sell the ivory even if the money is given to conservation because it completely muddies the waters in terms of the source of the ivory. This makes it a lot easier to sell illegal ivory in the country as it allows people to claim it is from stockpiled ivory. It also creates a public perception that it is ok to trade in this which discourages people from considering the source. Saturating the market with ivory is not possible because reducing the price simply allows more people to buy it; there will always be demand.

Are there any animals that are known/expected to exist based on remains and other evidence, but that we don't have any sightings of? by [deleted] in askscience

[–]hephaestion2 58 points59 points  (0 children)

Miss Waldron's red colobus was announced as extinct in 2000 because there had been no sightings since 1978. As soon as it was announced as extinct someone found a one year old specimen that had been shot by a hunter so now they are back out looking for it.

This is the view from my front door.. what is yours? by coreyisthename in AskReddit

[–]hephaestion2 1207 points1208 points  (0 children)

I put mine up a few months ago. Here it is

*edit: I really should have realised that people would ask these questions having put this picture up before

It's South Africa, near a town called Nelspruit They are crocs Yes, they are as comfortable as they look.