Did you know that there is a term for large animal species that have high symbolic value? These animals are called "Charismatic Megafauna". Charismatic species include elephants, pandas, humpback whales, and tigers, among others. These animals usually have world-wide popularity and are often seen as the face of conservation programs because of their recognizability. The sad part is that despite these animals being beloved by millions, they are also some of the most vulnerable and endangered animals on the planet because of hunting, human conflict, and trafficking. There is a theory that because these species are so visible in media, that it gives the false sense that they are still plentiful - which, unfortunately, is untrue. ๐ท: Fire by Chris Dutle
Reposted from @biehlthehutt (@get_regrann) - We need to stop defending individuals, groups or corporations who support animal exploitation.
For example, instead of criticizing activist for making someone feel uncomfortable when they publicly shame them with anti-fur stickers, we should highlight what the animals whose remains are attached to the jackets went through and how those people encourage the fur trade. Instead of pointing out how horrible it was for farmers when activists occupied their farm, we should pay more attention to what is actually happening inside. There are numerous videos (taken at non-violent actions such as @meat_the_victims) showing the horros of factory and livestock farming. But what gets the most attention is how farmers live in โconstant fearโ of further actions now and how activists dared to break the law by trespassing.
Those are just one of many examples where it becomes apparent how strongly homocentrism and speciesism are rooted in our society. This is especially concerning considering the rise of ag-gag laws which try to criminalize activists for exposing animal cruelty. Under such laws, not those who have committed cruelty to animals get punished, but those who investigated undercover and brought to light the gruesome truths. This is deeply worrying and disturbing.
As a final note: Defending the oppressd does not aim at intentionally "harming" or harassing others. Animal rights activism should be non-violent and I'm not implying that some people (e.g. some farmers or slaughterhouse workers) aren't victims of the system too in some sense or another. But constructive dialog is only possible without trying to whitewash those responsible for suffering and to finally start dismantling speciesism by pointing out the nonhuman suffering instead of mainly focusing on - often minor - inconveniences experienced by their oppressors (such as getting a sticker, getting called out, getting occupied, loss of profits etc.) #antispeciesism#abolitionism#animalrights#aggag#animalliberation#animals#veganism#vegan#govegan#269#activism#justice#totalliberation - #regrann
Semana que vem vou ficar de babรก ๐๐
To com saudades dos meus sobrinhos! ๐ ๐
Quem aรญ tb amaaaaaa gatinhos? #catlover
Na verdade amamos todos os bichinhos nรฉ. Uma das minhas paixรตes, ainda quero poder ajudar muitos๐๐ป๐ #animallovers#cat#cats#dogs#animals
Beautiful. Duckweed on the back let's us know they were recently in the water. I love the little details like that give us a slightly better glimpse at what an individual animal has been up to.