Most large groups of African elephants could be wiped out by 2020 because they are being killed for their ivory at a rate unseen for 20 years. International pressure on poachers need to be increased and is what conservationist is demanding.

One in 12 elephants are slaughtered for tusks-higher than the rate which led to the international ban on selling ivory 19 years ago. Back in 1989, overwhelming public support stopped the illegal trade and can do so again. There are fewer than 470,000 left, down from 1 million in the 1980’s.

The world’s smallest snake has been found, just 10cm (4inches) long and as thin as a strand of spaghetti. New species Leptotyphlops carlae, a type of thread snake, was found under a rock in Barbados in the Caribbean.

Dr Hedges at Pennsylvania State University, said,

“It comes fro a group of burrowing snakes and is thought to eat ant and termite larvae. Discovery of this species may help it survive as its forest habitat is under threat. It is difficult to protect a species if you don’t know it exists.”