In a groundbreaking move two captive bred cheetah brothers are to be sent to Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve South Africa in a move to rewild the 14,000 hectare area in Karoo. What an amazing thing to watch unfold, how these two animals will adjust to living as wild creatures. At 2.5 years of age they will have a lot to learn but will first go to Ashia's Cheetah Centre in South Africa's western cape before going to a wild life. The aim is to rewild the area and return it to a pristine wildlife wilderness area with the cheetahs playing a pivotal role to boost the numbers of these critically endangered animals. The brothers will leave Canterbury UK where they were born on the 6 Feb 2020 for their new life as wild cats and I wish them well and hope they thrive.

The trade in exotic animals in China has led to a coronavirus outbreak with a death toll of 17 and the probability of more in Wuhan province.These poor animals, not just endangered wildlife such as pangolins but foxes, rabbits, badgers, rats and snakes are kept in dreadful conditions and crowded conditions that harbour and cause the spread of disease to humans. The spotlight is well and truly being shone on the barbaric unacceptable way wild animals are being harvested without any regard to the potential dangers this practice poses for humans. Hardly surprising that a virulent disease has jumped the species barrier to humans but it should make this countries decision makers take decisive action to stop the awful impact this pillaging of wildlife has on biodiversity and the environment as a whole.

 China produced a staggering 60 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2010 so it's about time the country started to do something for the planet by dealing with it's problem. In a major move to address their waste issue the country announced a total ban on non degradable bags by the end of 2020 in the cities. As one of the worlds largest users of plastic they have a huge responsibility to address the problem for the sake of the world. Single use straws will also be banned by 2020. China has also been the biggest user of illegally obtained wood that contributes to the devastation of important habitats for animals. The amendment of laws is underway to address this crisis which sounds very promising but long overdue.

As Australia burns in the grip of one of the most catastrophic fire seasons ever the devastation not only affects people and their communities. Animals, many millions of them are dying in the face of one of the worst events to hit this country. Even if the wildlife survive the country is burned beyond recognition leaving food sources razed to the ground so that many will probably die of starvation. Many threatened species will disappear altogether in the wake of this disaster scientists predict and it's not hard to dispute given how widespread the fires have become. The fires have claimed countless lives already and the threat is far from over. This dreadful situation is of course being linked to climate change that so far our government has offered no adequate response to. What will it take before something meaningful is announced, how many more millions of burning animals, people and environment ?