Yao Ming aims to save Africa's elephants by persuading China to give up ivory

[Uncle Joe]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ex-rocket-yao-ming-aims-to-save-africas-elephants--with-china-campaign/2014/09/03/87ebbe2a-d3e1-4283-964e-8d87dea397d6_story.html

BEIJING — As a shy, nervous 22-year-old NBA rookie, Yao Ming confronted the concentrated power of Shaquille O’Neal for the first time — and came out a winner.

Now, more than a decade later and long retired from the game, the former Houston Rockets star faces a challenge perhaps as daunting as it is radically different: to wean the Chinese nation off its love of ivory and save Africa’s dwindling elephant population.

In the past three years alone, about 100,000 elephants have been poached for their tusks, according to a new study: a mass slaughter propelled by an ever-
rising Chinese demand for ivory to supply an ever-richer nation. Yet the player once nicknamed the “Great Wall of China” aims to stop that flood through the power of persuasion.

The metaphors are perhaps too easy: basketball’s gentle giant aiming to save Africa’s gentle giants; the man who built a bridge between China and the United States now trying to bridge another vast cultural divide, between his nation’s nouveau riche and the people and animals of Africa.

(snip)

Much more on the link including a short video ad.

Kudos to Yao Ming I hope he is successful in this endeavor.

[polly7]

1. Bless that man.

It kills me that ivory is worth more than such a noble species. Gentle, amazingly intelligent, feeling animals who make some of us look like cockroaches. Please, please listen, China.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I couldn't agree more, polly.

Peace to you.

[polly7]

4. Thanks, Uncle Joe ...

to you too!

[Enthusiast]

14. I missed you.

[Uncle Joe]

17. I missed you too, Enthusiast.

Peace to you, brother.

[Duppers]

6. well said, polly.

Very well said. I like the way you think.

[LeftyMom]

3. He's really using his celebrity for good.

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/yao-ming-anti-shark-fin-soup-crusader-showing-185128028--nba.html

[Uncle Joe]

7. Yes he is, LeftyMom.

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/yao-ming-anti-shark-fin-soup-crusader-showing-185128028--nba.html

Yao Ming’s presence in the fight to ban the selling of shark fin soup in China is being credited for an affirming-wave of anti-shark fin sentiment in Yao’s home country. The ancient practice of culling a shark’s fin for high-end cuisine has been derided for decades outside of China, as the shark is usually left to bleed to death in the sea instead of reasonably harvested for its entire body. The growing number of endangered sharks was affecting the food chain and delicate ecosystem balance in the Pacific Ocean.

(snip)

According to the Washington Post, though, things are changing as more and more diners from Yao’s home turf are becoming aware of just how destructive the shark fin trade had become. We reported on Yao’s participation in the fight two years ago, and in the time since we’ve seen significant and tangible change for the better. From the Post:

"Thanks to a former NBA star, a coalition of Chinese business leaders, celebrities and students, and some unlikely investigative journalism, eating shark fin soup is no longer fashionable here. But what really tipped the balance was a government campaign against extravagance that has seen the soup banned from official banquets.



“People said it was impossible to change China, but the evidence we are now getting says consumption of shark fin soup in China is down by 50 to 70 percent in the last two years,” said Peter Knights, executive director of WildAid, a San Francisco-based group that has promoted awareness about the shark trade. The drop is also reflected in government and industry statistics."

Peace to you.

[BrotherIvan]

25. Another incredibly important cause

Awesome

[Scootaloo]

9. I wish many more would take the example

The cameras are on you; surely you have something more worthy to show than hedonism and ugliness.

[Uncle Joe]

11. I agree, with your sentiments, Scootaloo.

[Enthusiast]

13. +1 an entire shit load.

[BrotherIvan]

24. + a buttload

[Duppers]

5. thank you for posting this!

[Uncle Joe]

8. Thanks for the inspiration, Duppers.

[bluebomber]

10. Best of luck to Mr. Ming

China's cultural obsession with ivory and it's supposed medicinal benefits goes back centuries; it will be really difficult for the populace to stop purchasing ivory made items, especially when they considered a symbol of prestige, showing that the owner of the ivory crafted item has achieved success.

[Uncle Joe]

15. That's true, it will be an uphill struggle but I believe it's possible and

if China can change their perceptions regarding the possession of ivory, this would make a tremendous positive impact for both elephants and rhinoceroses.

Welcome to D.U. bluebomber.

[Enthusiast]

12. God bless Yao Ming!

He might save the elephants! I always liked that guy. Yay, Yao!

[Uncle Joe]

16. Yay, Yao indeed!

It's good to see you, Enthusiast.

[Enthusiast]

20. I love elephants.

If mankind dedicated themselves to making the elephants happy and safe we would be safe and happy too. But I'm just an old hippy thinking hippy things.

[yuiyoshida]

18. Yao Ming!!! Way to go!

XIE XIE NI!

[Uncle Joe]

19. Long time no see, yuiyoshida.

Peace to you, I'm going to bed, have a good night.

[a kennedy]

21. Saw a tv show about the NBA bringing Yao to the States.....so interesting

You knew he was something special...... good for him, and thanks also for this huge undertaking.

[TacoD]

22. That's great to read, also hope he includes rhino horn when talking about ivory. Thank you Yao! (nt)

[BrotherIvan]

26. And bear & rhino for medicine

[Gothmog]

23. I hope that Yao is successful in this program

[catbyte]

27. That is terrific. I so hope he changes minds.