Plastic is fast becoming an environmental catastrophe of massive proportions. Tons and tons of it every day dumped into and washing from some of the largest rivers in the world that end up in the ocean. Marine life suffers of that there can be no doubt but we suffer from it too by eating the fish that have ingested small particles of plastics. What can be done to curb the rate of this shocking problem ? For one thing I question the amount of plastic in the packaging of many of the goods and foods that we buy. Why does there have to be so much when there wasn't before ? It's absurd how much has to be cut away layers of it peeled back to actually unpack the item you've bought. Foam food trays covered with plastic wrap sometimes several layers of it. Then there are all the containers of food and drink that once came in glass bottles and the list goes on. We need to start using a lot less of it. Much of the time it's completely unnecessary anyway. Perhaps we as consumers have to start rejecting items with excessive plastic wrapping but ultimately governments of some countries need to address waste control at the very least. Manufacturers also need to be made to use less plastics in the goods they distribute and perhaps the oceans will look less like a tip.

 This is the face of the illegal wildlife trade that seems an almost insurmountable problem to overcome. A massive cultural shift is needed to slow it down and eventually manage it but currently it is such a huge problem it is difficult to believe it would ever be eliminated.

There appears to be no limit to how animals are exploited for profit. The growing use and promotion of leopard bones is a worrying trend in China that must be stopped. Lion bones, tiger bones, now leopard being used in wines that are promoted as a tonic for all sorts of stupid beliefs that have absolutely no basis in fact, it's all just myth and nonsense. When will some of these countries so something serious to end the suffering and plundering of wildlife ? Only a total ban on the importing and exporting of body parts is good enough. 

African wild dogs are endangered in many countries within Africa due to persecution snaring and habitat loss. In a remarkable effort these amazing highly intelligent animals have been part of a reintroduction program to reestablish their species in Mozambique after decades of absence. One of Africas most successful predators the large packs that once existed have been shrinking but in war ravaged countries like Mozambique these wonderful animals have disappeared altogether. It is so encouraging to know that efforts to reintroduce animals at risk of extinction are being made.

The rarest cat in the world probably is the Amur leopard and certainly it is one of the most beautiful. That these magnificent animals are making a comeback is genuine cause for celebration considering that their numbers plummeted to around 30 not that long ago proving that conservation efforts are making a tremendous difference. This amazing big cat is without a doubt truly a wonder of nature with it's gorgeous patterned dense coat and extraordinary long tail. Living in some of the most hostile environments on earth in south east Russia this cat has to be a survivor and it makes my heat sing to think that with dedication and effort we can make a difference to the wild world by protecting it for creatures like these.

Britian has just announced it's toughest legislation to ban the trade in elephant ivory in a bid to show a serious committment to ending the wretched trade. If elephants are to have a chance other countries must follow including Australia and ban the trade in absolutely anything made of ivory. This should include antiques rare and unique old items regardless of their worth if we are really serious. Even Kenya has announced life sentences to anyone caught trading in ivory but it also gets down to people on holidays visiting foreign countries and being tempted to buy some trinket made of ivory. That a beautiful huge animal has been slaughtered for it should make anyone think twice.