“Conservation group Wildlife Alliance rescued 333 animals, including an endangered pileated gibbon, in 12 provinces during the month of July,”
The Wildlife Alliance, partnered with the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) and the Cambodian Forestry Administration, have formed the “dream team”. They have been doing some truly inspiring work in Cambodia fighting the wildlife trafficking issue head on since 2001.
“Wildlife Alliance joined in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade in Cambodia in 2001, in partnership with the Cambodian Forestry Administration. The Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team began fighting the trade in the markets, restaurants, and roads of Cambodia, arresting traders and rescuing wildlife which continues to this day.”
It would have a huge impact on wildlife trafficking if every country could implement something like the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team. Since 2001, Wildlife Alliance has rescued 56,000 animals from poachers and illegal wildlife traders. Can you imagine if every country was capable of doing this? With awareness, knowledge, and proactive thinking, it may be possible.
The Illegal Wildlife Trade in an issue that is threatening thousands species of animals all over the world.
This article written by Jessica Aldred of The Guardian reviews 2013 : “the year wildlife crime became an international security issue.” It really sums up this intense global matter and paints a vivid picture of how it is impacting not only the animals, but our safety as well.
The Illegal Wildlife Trade
“The world is dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. Ivory estimated to weigh more than 23 metric tons—a figure that represents 2,500 elephants—was seized in the 13 largest seizures of illegal ivory in 2011. Poaching threatens the last of our wild tigers that number as few as 3,200.”
– World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Hot Spots
As wildlife crime increases, this complicated situation escalates. Here in North America, we aren’t directly exposed to illegal wildlife trade and therefore don’t see the repercussions directly. The criminals involved in this business are severe. It takes a lot of man power to set up international networks, and wildlife (including live or parts) are being shipped overseas just as illegal drug and arms trafficking operates. It is estimated that this business is worth billions of dollars, money which funds other illegal activities and threatens the health and safety of every country involved.
“DEMAND DRIVES CRIME
Rhino horn, elephant ivory and tiger products continue to command high prices among consumers, especially in Asia. In Vietnam, the recent myth that rhino horn can cure cancer has led to massive poaching in South Africa and pushed the price of rhino horn to rival gold.”
As WWF explains, demand for these illegal animal parts is supplying fuel to the fire. As if habitat destruction wasn’t enough, many of these animals are now faced with the threat of poaching for their parts.
“Illegal wildlife trade is driven by high profit margins and, in many cases, the high prices paid for rare species. Vulnerable wild animals are pushed further to the edge of extinction when nature can’t replenish their stocks to keep up with the rate of human consumption.”
Many of these animals, such as Bengal Tigers, Black Rhinos, Tamarins, African Elephants, Amur Tigers, Snow Leopards, Green Turtle and hundreds of species of birds already had weak numbers, but now they face extinction.
The areas that see the most wildlife crime are South America (birds), Africa (rhino, elephant, big cats) and Asia (elephant, big cats).
Other areas such as Japan, Indonesia, South America, and China are involved in illegal trade of marine life, including shark, dolphin, whale, turtle, and fish.
This article published by The Guardian last year explains the impact of illegal wildlife trafficking in Africa. The article, Ivory Demand explains why the issue is so complicated and who it is directly affecting.
What Can We Do
Many of these desired parts (ivory, wild meats, pelts, teeth, turtle shell, feathers, eggs, etc.) are ending up in Asia, making this issue more complicated.
“Corruption, toothless laws, weak judicial systems and light sentences allow criminal networks to keep plundering wildlife with little regard to consequences. These factors make illegal wildlife trade a low risk business with high returns. The poachers—often poor locals—are the usually the only ones caught, leaving the real masterminds and their network safe and operational with the ability to strike again.”
Awareness, international treaties (such as CITES), donations and petitions can help slow down the illegal wildlife trade before it’s too late.
Please take a moment to read WWF’s Buyer Beware page so you can be part of the solution.
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