At last the news that China is taking responsibility for it's part in the horrific trade in ivory. Will it really happen or is it all a lot of hot air I wonder. The devastating impact of this horrible trade on the elephants of Africa is enormous with predictions that they will be extinct within 15 years if the poaching doesn't stop. Is there enough time left to save them from this fate despite a commitment from China, a country that must carry the weight of responsibility for supporting this nightmare. Phasing out just doesn't seem fast enough when you consider that an estimated 20000 elephants are killed every year for their tusks. 

An innovative program using prison inmates to train guide dogs for the blind is having huge success in some American jails. Everybody gets to benefit and not just the recipient of the trained dogs. It's reported that the dogs trained within the prison by prisoners have a higher rated of success than guide dogs trained outside. It's also reported that the prisoners lucky enough to have been given the responsibility of training a dog have a lower to nil rate of re offending once released. What a worthwhile and wonderful program empowering incarcerated people, giving them a sense of worth and purpose by showing trust they can care for a dog. 

What a tragedy it has come to this. The last known northern white male rhino in existence and the species last hope of survival. In 2011 the western black rhino was declared extinct, wiped out by human greed after roaming the earth for an incredible 5 million years. We ought to be outraged and ashamed that this could happen, yet here we are with the last known male white rhino in 2015 just four years later. Am I just unrealistic to wonder if there are so few left why their horns have not been removed to ensure their survival. I mean why kill them if there is nothing to take ? Is this what is going to happen to elephants too ? As another species man has a lot to answer for, mostly the unrelenting greed that has driven this tragic situation to such a sad end.