From the Inbox: Countdown to Lion Extinction: Act now to help stop it

Take Action to Stop the Poisoning of Lions Carbofuran – a pesticide the Environmental Protection Agency considers too toxic for use in America – is poisoning many of the planet’s few remaining wild African lions. Sign our petition urging the prime ministers of Botswana, Rwanda, and Kenya to ban the import and use of and support new protections for lions in these countries. Carbofuran (also called furadan) – banned in the U.S., but still widely available in East Africa – is a key threat pushing lions to extinction. Many of the world’s remaining lions can still be found in Botswana, Rawanda and Kenya. Help us send 50,000 messages to the heads of these countries! Dear Friend, I just got back from Africa, where I met with some of the world’s top lion conservationists, and I can tell you from first-hand experience: the extinction threat to these mighty beasts is real. Just 50 years ago, it is estimated that nearly a half a million lions could be found in Africa. Now lion experts say that as few as 16,000 remain – a staggering decline of more than 95%. [1]If we don’t take dramatic action right now, Africa’s lions could disappear by the beginning of the next decade. Take action now. Help stop the import and use of a poison that’s driving lions to extinction by signing our petition to the heads of state in Botswana, Rwanda and Kenya. Right now, carbofuran – a product that the Environmental Protection Agency says is too toxic to be used in America – is threatening the majestic African lion with extinction. A quarter teaspoon of carbofuran can kill an individual lion. Less will paralyze this mighty beast for up to a week, leaving a lion or lioness to starve to death or be killed by other predators. A dollar’s worth can kill a whole pride – plus scores of other species that feed on toxic carcass. [2] Sadly, this awful poison is still sold in stores or used illegally in many African nations to intentionally poison lions and other predators. Speak out for new lion protections and help stop the import and use of carbofuran in East Africa. Sign our petition right now. On Wednesday, we’ll deliver our petition for lions to of the heads of state in Botswana, Rwanda and Kenya. We need to collect at least 50,000 new signatures before then. Will you help?Sign our lion-saving petition now, and then forward this message to a friend.We have a moral obligation to do everything we can to stop the extinction of the king of the beasts. I hope you’ll help by taking action today. Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund P.S. Since December, more than 47,000 caring people like you have signed the petition of our sister organization, Defenders of Wildlife, urging an end to the import and use of carbofuran and new protections for that country’s lions. To save these mighty beasts from extinction, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is broadening the scope of the fight for the survival of Africa’s lions. Please take action now. References [1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/12/AR2009101202403.html [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLaLUyH4-vo&feature=player_embedded