Renowned Conservationist Shot and Killed

​worldanimalnews.com/r-p-leading-elephant-conservationist-wayne-lotter-tragically-killed-tanzania/

I can't think of more tragic news than this to report on but it is important to share it because it shows the true dangers of animal activism. A prominent and renowned conservationist named Wayne Lotter was shot and killed in Tanzania on the way back to his hotel. Wayne was heavily involved with conservation groups and also helped initiate the PAMS foundation which is a group that aims to offer conservation and anti-poaching support to governments in Africa. His loss is one that is felt within the international animal conservation community.

The PAMS foundation has worked tirelessly to support governments in catching, charging, and convicting poachers in Africa boasting an 80% conviction rate. The work of this group is so important in Africa where animals like rhinos, elephants, and lions face relentless poaching from money hungry poachers who sell their parts for loads of money. These poachers quite literally risk their lives for money without ever thinking about the fact that they could eventually push these animals to extinction and be left with absolutely no source of income because of their actions.

Poaching is a serious problem in Africa and groups like the PAMS foundation work relentlessly to help eradicate poaching. Mr. Lotter was a prominent face in the African anti-poaching community and his work put him in danger repeatedly. In fact, he received death threats on multiple occasions, likely from angry poachers who wanted him out of the way. Unfortunately, not everyone can see that poaching is leading these animals to extinction and frankly, they simply don't care because the financial gain is too great.

What this story teaches us is that animal activism is much more than protesting outside of factory farms. It's much more than debating vegetarianism on the internet or standing downtown in a cube of truth displaying gruesome images of animals being slaughtered. Animal activism is what Mr. Lotter did everyday, literally putting his life at risk to prevent the slaughter of endangered animals. Animal activism is caring so greatly for animals that you willingly put yourself at risk to defend them. I commend and respect the work he has done individually and through the work of his PAMS foundation and I only hope to be as effective and renowned as he was one day.

For more information, check out the original story from World Animal News at the top of the page and if you can, donate to the PAMS foundation on Wayne's behalf. 

R.I.P

HAPPY VEG