Lawrence Makili, City Councilor of the Solomon Islands, Honiara, is current recuperating after fending himself off from eight unknown assailants. Makili is an outspoken dolphin activist who has tried to stop illegal trafficking of the creatures for several years now.
He was abducted from his home at about 8:30 PM this past Tuesday. The thugs arrived in two cars and drove him a few kilometers out of town where he was beaten with the aim to kill. Makili fought back and escaped, but not unscatched, receiving a broken right arm, fractured ribs, fractured facial bone, and several other injuries.
The identities and motivations of the attackers are still unknown, but most likely pertain to Maliki's work with dolphins. Last year Maliki hit a nerve with non-supporters by tying dolphin protection with economic issues in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Times quoted him: "There are huge implications if these dolphins are allowed to leave the country...In fact, the ban on the export of dolphins has not been lifted, so it would also be illegal." He also warned, "that if we allow these dolphins to be exported, traditional trading partners such as the EU may ban the importation of our tuna."
Along with carefully monitoring the tuna industry on behalf of Earth Island Institute, he is also an active campaigner to protect forests. Despite growing hostility by his opponents, he plans to continue his work once his injuries are healed.
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1 comment:
This is terribly sad. However I also thought that it is a very interesting gig, to be a 'dolphin activist' and a 'politician'. At least he feels strongly about something. (positive, in my personal opinion)
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