2020 has been a rough year for everyone.
We've faced inumerous fires, global warming, poaching, heavy destruction and a global pandemic. But even in these difficult times, good stories never stopped happening.
Here are some good news for our planet that will enlighten your day:
It's baby boom time!
2020 was exceptionally great for Elephant population in Amboseli National Park. Indeed, the Kenyan Park experienced a record of 140 newborn calfs this year.
Despite the devastating bushfires that destroyed part of Australia, You Yangs mountains, in Victoria state, were miraculously spared. Their koala population has grown and had the highest number of births since 2006.
In captivity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland shared some exciting numbers : a record of 57 wildcat kittens were born in the UK. They also lauched a new partnership program, called Saving Wildcats, that aims to "secure a future for the Highland tiger by breeding wildcats and releasing them into the wild"
The critically endangered Gharial Crocodile was foung breeding in Nepal for the first time in 38 years!
No more Shooting!
Even tho it may seem obviously wrong, trophy hunting of Grizzly bears in the Yellowstone area was legal till 2020. But that changed this year when a US Federal Court decided it should be illegal. That means that at least 700 bears and cubs are now safe from shooting and can relax during their winter hibernation.
No more Wildlife trade!
Let’s not forget that the COVID-19 pandemic is believed to be the direct result of the wild animal trade. What is wild should stay wild!
China took a step on that direction, making it illegal to eat and trade wild animals. And Vietnam followed. Their prime minister declared illegal any kind of wildlife trade, including animal products, banning them from markets and even from online sales. Of course, these measures took place to reduce the risk of new diseases.
No more furs!
The fashion era that imposed the need to use animals as coats is over. Already baned in some countries, fur farms still exists in so many countries.
Netherlands decided to put an end to this outreageous practice. All mink fur farms have to close till March 2021. Poland is also taking the same path. Their parliament also decided it was time to end all this suffering.
No more shows!
France finally decided it was time to stop animal cruelty for entertainment. The government announced that no more animals will perform nor be present in circuses and marine parks.
Two belugas also got rescued from an aquarium in Shanghai, where they performed in a show, to a sea sanctuary in Iceland. After a period of rehabilitation, they shall be released back into the wild, where they belong.
In Bali, a dolphin sanctuary opened for animals that were used as entertainment for humans. Their aim is to rescue, rehabilitate and release dolphins back to wild, when is possible.
Wait... Is that what I think it is?
With the world in lockdown, animals and nature started to reclaim what used to be theirs.
In 2020, it possible to spot groups of dolphins and fin whales at Calanques National Park (France), lions snoozing in the middle of the road in Kempiana Park (South Africa), pink dolphins in Hong Kong bay, a puma walking in the streets Santiago (Chile) or wild boars visiting Barcelona.
Also, 240 years ago, the white-tailed eagle went extinct in England, but in 2020, they decided to come back to the country.
After 3000 years, tasmanian devils make a comeback on mainland Australia !
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