Human Rights Day, but don't forget the animals

Today is Human Rights Day in South Africa.  A day for us to remember all the wrongs of the past and to celebrate setting it on the right course into the future.  Note how I'm not just saying setting it right as this country still has a very long way to go before it will be right.  At least we are heading in the right direction. 

But as we celebrate Human Rights Day we also shouldn't forget the animals.  I'm not going to go into abused pets and where not to buy them, but rather touch on wild animals.  The rhinos in this country are being slaughtered at a rate of dozens for their horns which are in high demand in the Far East because the people there think that the rhino horn in powder form will amongst others help them with their "horns".  Just the other day I saw an article saying that the rhino may be no more by 2015 if things go the way they are at the moment. 

The African penguin is also in serious trouble.  Not because they are being hunted, but due to global warming, pollution and the over fishing of our oceans the African Penguin may also be extinct withing 5 years.  Luckily we have places like the South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) right here in Port Elizabeth fighting hard for them.