Illegal python skins feed hunger for fashionable handbags and shoes
Python farms could be the antidote to the $1bn-a-year black market in these fashionable and expensive skins
Pets
Luxury pets, fun accessories for pets.
A major victory for whale protection efforts
World court ruling reaffirms protection of Southern Ocean whales. Commercial whaling was banned worldwide in 1986. The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica was declared a whale sanctuary eight years later, but Japan’s whaling activities under scientific programme JARPA II continued the annual slaughter of whales. In addition to whaling, Southern Ocean whales are under threat by … Read more
Monterey Bay Aquarium inspires conservation of the oceans through breakthrough ‘Tentacles’ exhibit
It’s time for tentacles. From the kraken to Cthluhu (ku-thoo-loo), the myths surrounding octopuses, squid and cuttlefishes live in our collective memory. Now the Monterey Bay Aquarium is opening the largest, most diverse living exhibit ever created to showcase these amazing animals. “Tentacles: The Astounding Lives of Octopuses, Squid and Cuttlefishes” is the most dynamic special … Read more
Why are handbag manufacturers using stingray skin?
I find it repugnant that bags and purses are being made out of shagreen. Isn’t it unethical?
Email lucy.siegle@observer.co.uk with your ethical dilemma
Japanese company named as biggest online retailer of ivory and whale meat
Conservation groups say Rakuten’s website carries 28,000 adverts for elephant ivory and 1,200 for whale products
Chile’s Marine Park Tic Toc to boost global blue whale and dolphin conservation
Blue whale conservation gets a boost. The approval by the government of Chile of the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in continental Chile is a boost to conservation efforts for blue whales and dolphins. The Tic-Toc MPA on Chile’s southern coast announced this week follows almost 15 years of work by a number of … Read more