endangered
Giant Panda’s Sudden Death in Thai Zoo Sparks Anger in China
A giant panda on permanent loan to a zoo in Thailand since 2003 has unexpectedly passed away on Monday, sparking outrage in China where it originated.
Local media reports that the 19-year-old male panda, named Chuang Chuang, collapsed after eating bamboo Monday afternoon in Chiang Mai Zoo, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Pandas, which generally live 14-20 years in the wild, live up to 30 years in captivity, according to WWF.
Japan’s ‘Sushi King’ Pays $3.1 Million for Endangered Bluefin Tuna
A Japanese sushi tycoon paid a whopping $3.1 million to take home a giant bluefin tuna from an auction in Tokyo on Saturday.
Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of restaurant chain Sushi Zanmai, paid the record price for the 278-kilogram (612-pound) fish, which was caught off Japan’s northern coast.
Chinese Mountain Cats in the Wild Caught on Video For the First Time
In a very rare moment, an infrared camera set up in Chindu County recently captured a small Chinese Mountain Cat family in the wild.
This is the first time a family of Chinese Mountain Cats (Felis bieti) has been filmed on video in the wild, according to CGTN. The animal is listed as a second-class protected wild animal in China, as well as an endangered species — truly one of the rarest types of cat in the world.
Wildlife Experts Reveal the Dark Side of Japan’s Obsession With Otters
Japan’s continued obsession with otters has left wildlife experts concerned about the future of the species.
The overwhelming demand from Japanese customers who seek the exotic animals as pets fuel illegal otter smuggling in Asia, Inverse reports.
China Seizes Biggest Shipment of the Most Trafficked Endangered Animal in The World
This is the pangolin.
Some species of this scaly mammal indigenous to Asia and Africa are already extinct. All the remaining eight pangolin species are now under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Each species is now properly listed as being threatened with extinction.
Chinese Farmer Arrested for Killing More Than 100 Endangered Toads For Dinner Party
A farmer from Hangzhou, China was arrested after police caught him hunting and killing more than 100 toads.
The 48-year-old farmer, surnamed Chen, intended to serve the toads at a dinner party. In his defense, the man said that he did not know that killing toads was an illegal act. It is unknown exactly which species of endangered toad he was hunting.
China Arrests ‘Pangolin Princess’ Who Loves Eating Endangered Animals
A Chinese woman dubbed the “Pangolin Princess” for her appetite for endangered animals was arrested and now faces 10 years in prison after she posted images of her meals online.
A Weibo user shared screenshots of posts from another user named “Zhanfangdeduoduo” in 2011 and 2012, showing a bowl of “Eight animal stew,” which included nationally-protected animals such as the pangolin, swan and snake cooked for five hours, according to Shanghaiist.
Chinese Villagers Brutally Slaughter Endangered Sea Turtle For Food
An endangered giant sea turtle was brutally butchered and sold to villagers in China’s Guangdong Province.
The leatherback reptile sold like hot cakes in just two hours. Pictures and footage of the gruesome scene have spread on social media.
Giant Pandas to Be Reconsidered for a Lower Risk Level as Their Population Increases in the Wild
Panda lovers rejoice!
The beloved giant panda is being considered for a lower vulnerable species status as their population in the wild increases. Giant pandas first appeared on the list of endangered species in 1990.