Nevertheless, Jack decides to become incredibly frugal with his money, choosing not to pay for a wilderness tour. While his father does appear to accept it, Jack misguidedly focuses on how homosexuality will make his son’s life more difficult than showing support. Noah is not interested in sports like his father wants him to be. Zoe doesn’t want to go to college and would prefer to find her own path. Unfortunately, the mood quickly gets off to a bad start when Lauren discovers that Jack might lose his job and that the family might have to worry about money for the first time in their lives. They are a dysfunctional bunch hoping a vacation to Kenya will prove to be the solution. The family is comprised of lying, selfish, oilman dad Jack Halsey (Philip Winchester), his rebellious stepdaughter Zoe (Isabel Bassett) dating slightly older hippie stoner Billy Mason (Chris Fisher), gay son Noah (Michael Johnston), and diabetic wife Lauren (Rebecca Romijn, the only competent actor of the bunch although even she’s not that great here). As a result, the script spends a good portion falling back on generic family drama that seems determined to paint everyone as an asshole at some point before giving them a redemption arc. It’s far from that.Ĭhief among the problems is that due to a shoestring budget pathetically rendering hyenas, rhinos, and other majestic African beasts (in broad daylight for most of the running time nonetheless, which worsens the visuals) to where the sight of them is comical.
Still, that doesn’t mean the movie is any good. The end credits make clear she deeply cares about endangered animals, thanking anyone out there trying to make a difference. They aren’t making these cautionary wildlife tales (the filmmaker also released Rogue last year, which saw a military group led by Megan Fox of all people picked apart by a tiger) as an excuse to go on vacation as many others would. Bassett this regarding Endangered Species: she and her daughter Isabel Bassett (she shares a screenwriting credit and has a starring role) are passionate about protecting animals. Then, as two of them go in search of rescue, a bloody, vicious encounter with a leopard and a clan of hyenas incites a desperate fight for survival. But as they venture off alone into a wilderness park, their safari van is flipped over by an angry rhino, leaving them injured and desperate. Jack Halsey takes his wife, their adult kids, and a friend for a dream vacation in Kenya. al, 2020).Starring Rebecca Romijn, Philip Winchester, Jerry O’Connell, Michael Johnston, Isabel Bassett, Chris Fisher, Brenda Ngeso, and George Glenn Ouma.
Additionally, the government will no longer allow the use of pangolin scales in traditional medicine, a big win given that an estimated 195,000 pangolins were trafficked in 2019 for their scales alone (Challender, et. In June 2020, China increased protection for the native Chinese Pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla) to the highest level, which closed an important loophole for consumption of the species in-country. The four species found in Asia: Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).Īll eight pangolin species are protected under national and international laws, and two are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.įour species live in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) and Temminck's Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii). There is also demand in the United States for pangolin products, particularly for their leather to be used in boots, bags, and belts.Įight species of pangolins are found on two continents. If touched or grabbed it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out.Īlso called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet, pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world-with demand primarily in Asia and in growing amounts in Africa-for their meat and scales. A startled pangolin will cover its head with its front legs, exposing its scales to any potential predator. These solitary, primarily nocturnal animals, are easily recognized by their full armor of scales. What’s scaly from tip to tail and can curl into a ball?