David Attenborough fans 'devastated' by last episode of Seven Worlds, One Planet
Heartbreak has very much been the recurring theme of Sir David Attenborough's Seven Worlds, One Planet – and the finale was no exception.
Tonight's episode (December 8) detailed the horrific extent of Africa's ivory trade, with poachers putting animals such as elephants and rhinos at risk of extinction.
"Elephants have used their great intelligence to help them survive Africas driest times for millennia, but today they face an even greater threat," narrated Attenborough.
"It’s thought that as many as 20million elephants once roamed the continent but many have been killed for their tusks. Their ivory used for entirely ornamental purposes. Now just 350,000 elephants remain."
Attenborough then appeared alongside two northern white rhinos, revealing that they were the last of their kind and, since they were both female, they'd also be the last ever.
Scenes also showed a stockpile of tusks, providing an insight into the sheer scale at which animals have been killed for their ivory.
"When they die, and entire sub-species who inhabited the earth for millions of years would have disappeared forever," he said.
Once again, the series left viewers heartbroken as they flooded to social media, calling for an end to the stockpiling of ivory.
One viewer tweeted: "Heartbreaking to see how so many different species of animal are being forced into extinction all over the planet. As if global warming wasn't a big enough issue, there are still multiple countries killing animals for sport/ivory/tusks etc. Shameful."
While another wrote: "I cannot understand how people want to buy ivory? Why would you kill a beautiful innocent creature just for ivory!? And please don’t reply money. It’s absolutely disgusting. How can this be outlawed forever?"
Check out more reactions below.
Heartbreaking to see how so many different species of animal are being forced into extinction all over the planet. As if global warming wasn't a big enough issue, there are still multiple countries killing animals for sport / ivory / tusks etc. Shameful. #SevenWorldsOnePlanet https://t.co/wp4pa353Wt
— Adam Waterhouse (@adam0604) December 8, 2019
I only saw a little of #SevenWorldsOnePlanet but why is the ivory being stockpiled? Can’t they just destroy it or is there a reason for keeping it?
— Karen (@Samphireshop) December 8, 2019
Disgusting humanity don’t we ever learn?
The ivory tusks on Chinese cabinets are pointless testaments of vanity and cruelty#SevenWorldsOnePlanet— Magic Stag (@magic_stag) December 8, 2019
#SevenWorldsOnePlanet
Demand for ivory & medicine is mainly in countries like China & Thailand. Stop buying their products and no holidays there until these countries wipe out the demand for products made of endangered animals.— Juggy Bilkhu (@jsbilkhu) December 8, 2019
#SevenWorldsOnePlanet devastating to see ivory poaching still happens. Humankind.....I think not 😱😭😡
— Kim (@canitbekim) December 8, 2019
🐘 I cannot understand how people want to buy ivory? Why would you kill a beautiful innocent creature just for ivory!? And please don’t reply money 💰 It’s absolutely disgusting. How can this be outlawed forever? 🐘#SevenWorldsOnePlanet pic.twitter.com/5f6APkj7ah
— Kirsty Poole (@kirstypoole) December 8, 2019
.@BBCEarth Just watching #SevenWorldsOnePlanet . Amazing film of elephants feeding & sadly ivory poaching. Thank you Sir David, for covering the plight of the poor elephants poaching crisis. Along with the many other species fighting for survival.
— ActionForElephantsUK (@Action4ElliesUK) December 8, 2019
I can’t believe that a supposed intelligent human race still kills elephants and rhino for their ivory for ornamentation or medicinal products. Stunned at numbers. When will we learn #SevenWorldsOnePlanet
— Tracey Ainsley (@ThunderbirdWPC) December 8, 2019
Seven Worlds, One Planet aired on BBC One, but is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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