Lately, it came to my knowledge that animals are exchanged
across the globe as diplomatic gifts.
A symbol of harmony and good relations
among the two nations, it has indeed been a ritual since old times when such
was a gesture of gratitude, in the times of kings and queens. For instance, the
world has seen China, offer pandas on loans to nations like US, UK, Japan and
Malasia.Past has known that long back in history from 625-705, Empress Wu Zetian from Tang Dynasty gifted a pair of pandas to Japanese Emperor.
Not just
the bamboo-loving big mammals but also aquatic animals like Chinese Sturgeon,
which is an endangered species like Pandas and holds the label of national treasure
under the Chinese Government.
I wonder what they think about the ‘Tiger Trade’ and if they
intend on gifting the Striped Wild Cat across the globe too, may be as mark of
protecting an endangered species and hence hurdling them across the world in hope of expanding their population. After, almost eradicating the population of tigers
in its own country China hasn’t ceased to open up the illegal ‘Tiger Trade
Route’ and get its supplies from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Burma (where
Tiger poaching is legal) Nepal and India. The population has been curing itself
with medicines made from tiger bones, blood and other potential body parts that
can give one, as claimed, a long and strong life. With the import of the ‘raw
materials’, how can the export not be. There is a surge n demand of ‘Tiger
Products’ from US and UK, the same countries that once took on lease, pairs of
baby Pandas to nurture and sustain within their Zoos for public display.
Worlds would definitely turn upside down if China
acknowledges Tiger as its national treasure and the people, who openly sell
these medicines, would go berserk over their lost businesses, probably their daily
bread. But there are merely any chances for that, because if China can openly
defy the rules of a conventional law, that vaguely exists as a pact among the Asian
countries, to prevent the on slaughter and illegal trade, there are no chances
left for Tigers to find a safe reserve, even if the protection is a petition
from the humans of the world. Coming to the point the Asian countries including
Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Nepal and paradoxically China, came forth to sign
a petition against exploitation of Endangered species via Trade across
countries namely CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. I am surprised if the world is not.
A far cry human, did you hear that far cry from the jungles
that once breathed of its inhabitants. The cry resembles more of a growl of
anguish from an animal who laughs and cries at the strange behavior of human
race. Owning an animal in a way that makes it a reflection and representation of
a country’s importance and power all over the world makes it relevant only in
terms of being a beneficiary and that is clearly witnessed.
Though the Pandas
really don’t care unless they have sugarcane to chew on, be it US or UK, Zoo or a Forest, it matters when exploitation crosses the limits. Although presently under
no direct influence of the dire consequences that can drastically affect the Natural Resources of our already degrading planet, future races are definitely going to watch and wail
when the scars that are left to bleed now, will turn into wounds that would
barely be curable. And then, you can play around with the protected Pandas
confined in special nurseries.
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