Jurassic Crocodile is Unearthed in Oregon; 'Crocodile-like Creature' with a 'Fish Tail'
Underwater Nude Model Bitten by Shark on Photo Shoot; 'We Push the Envelope'
Freak! Malaysian Fisherman Reels in Shark with 'Webbed Feet'
American Surfer Killed In Shark Attack Off Mexico's Pacific Coast; 15-inch Wound To Thigh *Warning Graphic Photo*
BEIJING, China -- The International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org) announced today that Alibaba (www.taobo.com.cn), the world's largest business-to-business and outsource portal site for traders worldwide, has agreed to ban all online trade in elephant ivory, sea turtle, and shark fin. In addition, Alibaba has strengthened its internal control of wildlife products traded to accord to international and national regulations. Alibaba's announcement comes nearly a year after eBay, working with IFAW, agreed to ban the sale of all ivory products.
The milestone decision was made following a year long collaboration between IFAW and Alibaba's partner site, Taobao.com to raise awareness about the unsustainable and cruel trade of wildlife on the Internet. IFAW encourages netizens to report online wildlife crime activities and helps portal sites filter out advertisements of wildlife products. To date, 333 wildlife product advertisements and 5 traders registered from Cameron, USA, and Canada have been removed from the Alibaba site.
Grace Gabriel, IFAW's Asia Regional Director said, "From eBay to Taobao to Alibaba, a growing number of internet sites are taking responsibilities to protect the world's precious wildlife from the threat of trade. It is a very encouraging trend."
Ocean Conservancy Welcomes Shark Conservation Act Introduction In The U.S. Senate -November 19, 2009 14:18 EST
Researchers: Oceans' Uptake Of Manmade Carbon Slowing; 'We Cannot Count On These Sinks Operating In The Future' -November 18, 2009 22:02 EST
Scientists Unravel Evolution Of Highly Toxic Box Jellyfish; Research Could Help Lead To Antivenoms And Treatments -November 18, 2009 21:55 EST
Sharks Under Threat As Environmental Change Bites Hard; 'Slow Growth And Low Reproductive Capacity' -November 17, 2009 22:12 EST
Billfish Angler Leads 'Expedition Great White' On National Geographic Channel; 'A Life-changing Moment' -November 16, 2009 20:59 EST
Scientists Ponder The Implications As Warmer Temperatures Bring More Wind On The World's Biggest Lake -November 15, 2009 16:25 EST
Sponges Recycle Carbon To Give Life To Coral Reefs; 'It Is Quite Dark And Technically Difficult To Work In The Cavities' -November 13, 2009 18:45 EST
Scientists Ponder: How Much Water Does The Ocean Have? -November 13, 2009 17:29 EST
WW II-era Japanese Attack Submarines Discovered Off Hawaii; Technology 'Far Ahead Of Its Time' -November 12, 2009 14:41 EST
Reader Comments
2 people have commented so far.About time they caught up with the rest of the world...did they run out of endangered animals to exploit or did their conscience finally kick it?
- Sharkfin75 · Perth, Australia · Sep 18, 2009 @ 5:11am
With my increasing age and the unrelenting increase in following the sick dishonesty of politicians in bowing to the demands of business for greater and immediate profit, regardless of the consequences, I am very suspicious of such unconfirmed declarations. If you think I am wrong just take even a cursory glance of the state of the human condition today and then prove to yourself that we have made the world a better place than it was yesterday. I am 75, have enjoyed my life in this once wonderful world, but desperately pray that the born again freaks are wrong. Life deserves better than us.
- George Clarke · Stonehouse, Glos. UK · Sep 21, 2009 @ 10:51pm