Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Pangolin Problems


Were you aware that 8 species of Pangolins roam the Earth? Well, me either. In fact, I didn't even know what a Pangolin was, until I found out some troubling news. The scaly mammal that resembles an anteater is one of the most endangered species in the world, and is at risk of going extinct. Why, you might ask?

Living in both Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Pangolins are losing their habitat and being poached for illegal wildlife trade. People are scooping these large roly-polys up, just to brag about having a Pangolin, only to sell it to someone else that can brag about having a Pangolin. They are also used medicinally; their scales mixed with bark and other wildlife elements to protect from witchcraft and evil spirits.  Furthermore, they are hunted for their meat (a delicacy in China), and their scales have been used for fashionable jewelry, thought to bring good luck and keep evil spirits away from the wearer.

Here's the deal, guys:

Trade cards, not wildlife. Whatever happened to good old fashioned stamp collecting? Or baseball cards? It's never too late to put an end to a bad habit (like KILLING AND TRADING PANGOLINS) and picking up a new hobby or past time (SOMETHING NOT SAD AND ILLEGAL).

I believe in alternative medicine, I really do. But there are plenty of other options to improve the body and soul than concocting a scale and bark brew. Plants, trees, berries, you name it.

Leave the Pangolin of your plate, and instead go for a nice hearty surf and turf meal...you know...if that surf and turf isn't on the endangered species list and/or a household pet.

Fashion trends come and go. Though I'm not the best fashionista in the world, let's just say Pangolin scale jewelry is so last century.