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Vladimir,
Humankind's obsession with wildlife — as food,
as pets, as trophies mounted on walls — is killing both us and
them. For decades, scientists have warned
that our increased interaction with wild animals comes
with a very real risk for the transmission of zoonotic
diseases — diseases that come from animals — like
COVID-19. This disease has been devastating human
populations around the world since the coronavirus likely
became human-borne at a live animal market. But the
devastation is not reserved for humans: exotic and
endangered animal populations are plummeting as we
seek to buy them as delicacies, like the highly endangered
pangolin, or as prized pets, like a big cat forced to live in
a cage and perform for human entertainment. And let's not
forget trophy hunters — their idea of fun is flying to
different countries in order to kill a rare, often endangered
animal and bring its body back as a souvenir.
But amazingly, California is
tackling all of these issues at once with Senate Bill 1175.
This bill would totally ban the import of any wild
animal that has a high risk of zoonotic disease
transmission, protecting us from the next pandemic.
But the bill would also ban the import of certain
trophy-hunted species from Africa like lions, elephants, and
rhinos. Take away the "trophies," often the heads,
feet, horns, or hides of these animals, and the hunters
suddenly have much less incentive to partake in the cruel
sport. This common sense piece of legislation would go
such a long way in protecting the earth's endangered species,
critical biodiversity, and the health of humans. Sign the petition to tell California's
legislatures to pass it without delay!
Thank you,
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Lauren
W.
The Care2 Petitions Team |
P.S.
California's Senate Bill 1175 is an obvious win for humans and
animals alike. Sign the petition today. |
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