Download Env Sci Wildlife Crimes Overview

Wildlife Crimes Overview
The Billion-Dollar Market
Why Do People Poach Wildlife?
• Poachers are people who illegally kill/capture
wildlife, but why?
– Thrill and power
– Collect and display trophies
– Show anger at laws or a situation
– MONEY
• This is a billion $ business that involves
millions of plants and animals
Why Do People Poach Wildlife?
• Hundreds of millions of plants and animals are
taken from their habitats each year
– Some captured for pets are exhibits
– Killed for products
• Clothing, jewelry, décor, souvenirs, and/or medicines
– Considered pests and killed to keep them out of
areas inhabited by humans
– Bushmeat
• Wildlife killed for food
• Very big in Africa (elephants, gorillas, antelope, crocs)
Is there a legal wildlife trade?
• Yes! Most animals can be legally hunted,
captured and traded by following the law
• Special permits can even be obtained to trade
endangered or threatened wildlife
– “endangered” species is close to extinction
– “threatened” species is likely to become
endangered
• The goal of this trade is usually to help
maintain a healthy ecosystem