|
Porcupine
quills |
Curio shops
are flooded with porcupine quills. Porcupines do shed their quills
from time to time, however not enought to explain the masses of
quills available on the market. It is suspected that porcupines are
being killed to feed this growing demand for quills. Please do not
buy products made form quills or loose quills or else this animal
might soon be extinct. |
| Ivory |
Ivory is
still freely available in shops in South Africa, it is just not
legal to cross an international border with ivory. Regardless of the
stated source of the Ivory it is best to avoid ivory especially if
it comes from outside South Africa, Botswana or Namibia. |
|
Elephant-hair bracelets |
Avoid buying
elephant-hair products - don't be responsible for the death of an
endangered animal. |
|
Tortoise-shell |
Tortoise-shells offered for sale are usually not actually the
shells from tortoises, but are from sea trutles. All turtle
populations are severly endangered. |
| Snake
skins |
Although many
types are available, python skins are frequently offered for sale
although pythons are on the list of endangered species. |
| Succulents |
Please do not
collect these from the wild. Some nurseries are however licenced to
sell succulents. |
| Wood |
It is
estimated that half of the Teak and Mahogony wood entering South
Africa is leagally harvested. Therefore check that the wood product
you buy has the Forest Stewardship Council stamp of approval. |
| Honey |
Make
sure the honey you buy states "Badger-friendly". |
| |
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