In The News

Seattle PI: Paul Allen Boosts Anti-Animal Trafficking Initiative onto the November Ballot

---

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Photo by Erik Dinnel

The Seattle P-I detailed Initiative 1401 in its coverage of the initiative’s signature collection announcement:

“Allen launched the campaign when the Legislature refused to act: The measure is focused on a list of 10 endangered animals: Elephants, rhinos, lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, marine turtles, sharks, manta rays and pangolins.

The filing of I-1401 came amidst heightened international concern that poaching is endangering signature species on land and sea.

…

‘I know how serious the situation is: Marine turtles have been around for millions of years, but they could be gone from our oceans in the next few decades,’ Mark Plunkett, conservation manager at the Seattle Aquarium, said at the I-1401 announcement.

‘Every year, 100 million sharks are slaughtered, and the population of rays is in massive decline. The Seattle Aquarium supports I-1401 because we know it will make a real difference in protecting endangered animals, including the growing list of aquatic species that are facing the threat of extinction.'”

Read the full story here.