For many mammals, the world is becoming a harsher place as human’s encroach on the land and hunt them for skins, horns and meat (see this utterly depressing map).
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Last week, Vietnamese-American actress, Maggie Q, visited Vietnam to promote wildlife conservation following the release of this graphic video showing the supply chain for illicit rhino horn.
The aforementioned trip was Maggie Q’s second to Vietnam in support of animal rights. In 2009, she visited the country as the goodwill ambassador for a campaign to help rescue moon bears, reports Tuoi Tre, citing VnExpress.
On her recent visit, the actress, famous for her roles in Mission Impossible 3 and Rush Hour 2, took aim at Asia's fledging rhino horn business. Though akin to eating fingernails, many believe the horns to have medicinal properties.
Asian demand and high prices (up to $100,000/kilo) for rhino horn had led to a dramatic uptick in poaching over the last 7 years. In 2007, 17 rhinos were poached in South Africa, a number that jumped to 1,004 in 2013.
Things may be looking up, however, as it was reported last year that only 2.6% of Vietnamese now buy and use rhino horn, a decrease of 38%.
Maggie Q "Party" PSA from WildAid on Vimeo.
