“Fools said I, you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you.
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence.”

-The Sound of Silence by Paul Simon

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A snow leopard (Panthera uncia) at the Toronto Zoo.

People often praise awareness-raising campaigns, like those in zoos. People praise the awareness-raisers. People are sure that, if only people knew more about endangered species we could save them. People tell me that since so many people know about snow leopards and tigers and care for them, they cannot possibly go extinct because someone will do something.

This is a lie.

People all over the world know about the plights of endangered species. People know about climate change and the threats it poses. If prevailing theories are held true, endangered species should have been saved already and we would have already made the switch to renewable energies...but we haven't.

Some of the most well-funded tiger reserves in India are being cleared of their tigers and despite coverage in the media, the trend continues. This isn't isolated. We love to know about what should be done, but we hardly ever act it out.

What matters in action. What matters is for people like yourself to stand up with your knowledge and to wield it, as a warrior arms himself with the sword and shield. Lest we see the day devoid of life, the silent spring... ashamed that we were always waiting for the hero when it had always been ourselves.

So, when you tell people, don't just tell people what is happening, tell them what they can do about it....and lead by example.

For information about how you can help snow leopards. Visit the Snow Leopard Trust ([link])