Photo Credit: Kristian Schmidt/WildAid
While many former NBA stars go on to become analysts or coaches, Yao Ming has decided to dedicate himself to a worthy cause. Ming has teamed up with Animal Planet for a special, “Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming”. Ming travelled to Africa to raise awareness about the possible extinction of elephants.
In Africa, 25,000 elephants are killed each year for their ivory tusks. In ten years, elephants are expected to become extinct. There are tribal villagers who depend on elephants for their livelihood. Ming commented on the dire situation saying, “The huge price motivates poachers to persist. And if we buy ivory, it makes all of us killers as well.”
Ming wants to put an end to the ivory trade that occurs in his native country China. Ivory is used for many different things including gifts, guns, and jewelry. The show premieres Tuesday, November 18 at 10 PM CT.
