I am no animal conservationist, but common sense tells me this is very wrong.
In my line of work back home in Singapore, I have seen environmentalists, biologists, marine biologists in their field work and through them, I was taught the fragility of our Earth’s ecosystem.
Sharks are precious animals in the food chain in marine life. Without Shark as a predator, the food chain down the line would be off balanced.
As a Chinese myself, I understood how the shark fin industry has seriously damaged the shark population. I am standing for no shark-fin in wedding dinners/banquets.
BUT, this is seriously very very wrong.
Like the live tortise/animals in a keychain souvenir in China, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT support such animal/ specimen souvenir trade whenever you travel.
Live Tortoise sealed in a keychain (Picture taken from Google) |
Such “souvenirs”, in my opinion, are equivalent to murder.
Turning the tables around, how would you feel if the human body of your children were suspended in a glass casing and sold as souvenirs on a shelf?
I doubt anyone would be sane if he/she would tell me “it’s okay~” to do so.
(Picture taken from Google) |
Travelling is all about understanding different way of life, learning different cultures, to enjoy the environment and be in awe with Mother Nature’s /God’s greatest creations.
While it would be nice to carry a piece of memory from our vacation home with us, such souvenirs should be condemned and should not be supported.
Taking a leaf from World Wildlife Organisation:
When the buying stops, the killing can too.
Protect our Earth and its delicate balance,
Hi Pingerrain, I had no idea people can be that cruel. I'm not an environmentalist as well, but these animals fate are so sad. I think for souvenirs I'm okay with just some figurines or paintings.
Hi Anonymous,
Yes it's pretty sad. I usually love to just buy magnets and figurines (although some are mass produced in China). When I was in Haiti, I preferred very much to buy local handicrafts. They are much more meaningful to bring home than such horrible gifts.