poaching- ian freiderick
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The Poaching of Exotic Animals
Ian FriederichPerspectives on Nature and the Environment
Rhinoceros horns- $93,000 per kg
Poaching at a Glance
• Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals
• Simple as taking an animal without a permit• Using a prohibited weapon/ trap • Stealing an animal from a zoo/ sanctuary • Common in developing countries• Poaching leads to extinction
Why poach animals?
Reasons
• Hides ,meats, and bones are sold to dealers• Clothes, food, and jewelry production• Religious significances/ shaman usage• Collectors
“Uses” for Poached Animals Parts
• Ivory from elephant tusks: jewelry, flatware handles, piano keys, sculptures
• Leopard skin: said to give kings magical powers when placed upon his throne
• Tiger Penis: Used in Asia as a pain killer or aphrodisiac
• Lion Meat: said to give superhuman strength and increase sex drive
Most Commonly Poached Animals
• Elephant• Rhinoceros • Leopard• Tiger• Lion• Panda
Elephant Poaching methods
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zKDFjAHkes
Means of Acquisition
Technology/ Equipment
Model 50050 Cal.
Deterring Poachers
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZS-e0FjYbM
• Scientists safely remove horns as a means of discouraging poachers from killing the entire animal solely for the horn
Major Poaching HotspotsAfricaAsia North AmericaSouth America
Public safety
• Tourists, scientists, law enforcement have been killed by poachers
• Poachers pay depends on results: they arent concerned with only harming animals
• Generally closely linked to drug/ arms trafficking organizations
• Travel with reputable safari guides and inform US State Dept. of all travel plans
The Culprits
• Subsistence farmers: kills animals that threaten to destroy season’s crops
• Local tribesmen: kill animals for religious or medicinal purposes
• Renegade clans: hired by government officials, private firms, western entrepreneurs, warlords to acquire rare animal parts
What can you do?
• You personally? Nothing realistic. • Donating money to your favorite wildlife
protection and conservation organization helps, but does little to fundamentally stop international poaching
• The best thing would be to join one of these organizations and volunteer as an anti poaching ranger. Good luck with that.
An Expert Opinion
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZxgHik8uI0
Government & Private intervention
• FBI, National Guard, local law enforcement• Environmental Investigating Agency • US Fish and Wildlife Service• State divisions/departments of wildlife • African Wildlife Foundation, International Anti
Poaching Foundation, African Conservancy • Train, equip, deploy “anti-poaching rangers”• Provide free education and recruit volunteers
Consequences
• Developed and developing countries use police and military to deter poachers
• Domestically: depending on the state and crime; up 10 years in prison and $120,000 fine
• Internationally: depends on country and crime– Philippines: $21,000, 6 years in prison (step stone)– Congo: $6,000-$8,000; 1-2 years in prison (minor)– China: tiger-related poaching is punishable by
death
Expected Learning Outcomes
• Students should be able to… – Define poaching– Recall commonly poached animals– Recall uses of given poached animal parts – Recall the major poaching locations
Questions? (Not Philip or Mathew)