We all need a change once in awhile! While ThatHelps is usually providing ways for you to advocate for wildlife, this opportunity is about appreciating them and putting a smile on your face. 😊

Affinity Photo’s Comedy Wildlife Awards competition provides us all with a chance to boost our mood! (And, if you're a photog you can get in on the action for next year's competition!) there’s even the potential to win a cash prize too.)

🐾 Take a peek at the winning photograph AND boost your mood while taking in the beauty of our world's wildlife:  https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/

📸: Takashi Kubo

We're sure that you had a busy week, and you might have missed the great news! We're thankful to all of you here on ThatHelps as you continue to join opportunities and advocate for good. Your voice makes an impact!

Here's the quick summary:

✔️ Tap "Join" above.

🎉 More than 1,000 endangered animals seized in May 2024 by smugglers are now on their way back home, thanks to anti-trafficking efforts! For more on the 48 lemurs, 30 primates, crocodiles, and rare tortoises that are going home: https://www.indy100.com/news/endangered-lemurs-wildlife-trafficking-madagascar

🐠 14 endangered species will now be protected thanks to grassroots efforts spanning the last 16 years! Puerto Rico is designating a 77 sq mile reserve that will protect species including the Greater Carribean Manatee. The reserve also hosts one of the largest Elkhorn coral colonies.

Interested in learning more?! https://www.ecowatch.com/puerto-rico-new-marine-protected-area-endangered-species.html

⚕️ Advocates (along with so many of YOU here on ThatHelps!) are rejoicing after decades of work has paid off. Two cancer-causing materials used in our homes and workplaces have now been banned by the EPA. TCE, a cancer-causing chemical that is common in manufacturing and can be found in water sources, as well as perchloroethylene, or PCE, a solvent used in industries such as dry cleaning, manufacturing and automobile repair have been banned as of Monday.

PS - A MAJOR THANK YOU to all that joined an Opportunity in our Clean Water interest category asking the EPA to expand their list of contaminants. It helped!!

Interested in learning more?! Check out https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/09/health/epa-tce-pce-cancer-causing-contaminants/index.html

📸: Shutterstock

Despite increased efforts to tackle the surge in poaching, nearly 110,000 elephants have been killed in the last 10 years—highlighting the need for urgent international action to address the crisis.

African and Asian countries are reeling under a poaching crisis. Ruthless criminal networks are plundering the wild to supply skyrocketing demand for rhino horn, illegal ivory and tiger parts. 

👉 Join with WWF in urging governments—particularly those of demand countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and the U.S.—to strengthen law enforcement, invest in more boots on the ground and commit to long-term demand reduction efforts.  Add your name in support: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/839/966/625/

📸: WWF