Download Introduction Definition of Key Terms

SIMUN X
Forum:
Environment Committee
Issue:
Measures to combat the poaching of endangered species
Student Officer: Yashvi Gattani
Position:
Head Chair of Environment Committee
Introduction
Poaching is the illegal practice of hunting, capturing, taking or killing wildlife. Thousands of species
around the world are threatened every day by the practice of poaching. There are over three thousand
animals globally that are recognised as endangered, and this number is growing. The practice of
poaching violates local, national, and international laws. Poaching is the second leading cause of
extinction second only to habitat destruction.
Biodiversity in the world is increasingly becoming an issue. Poaching is pursued for a number of
reasons. Specific species are viewed as economic commodities. Animals (or fauna) are poached for
their fur, tusks, antlers, and internal organs. Trees, plants, and flowers (or flora) are poached for
resources such as timber and blossoms. Once a poacher obtains valuable wildlife, they are sold on
illegal trade markets where they are resold. Most importantly, humans are the main cause of poaching.
Definition of Key Terms
Poaching
Poaching is the practice of illegal hunting, killing, capturing or taking of wildlife violating local or
international wildlife conservation laws. Poaching is usually practised for one of three reasons namely,
sport, monetary gain, and/or subsistence survival. Endangered species are very often the target species
of poachers; this is because the restrictions on the harvesting of endangered species mean that they
have a very high value on illegal markets.
Target Species
A target species is any species that is intentionally hunted, killed, captured, or harvested by
individuals who practice poaching.
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Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as
its physical environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit. The ecosystem concept remains
important when assessing the impact of the poaching of endangered species.
Endangered Species
An endangered species is any species of flora or fauna that faces the risk of extinction. Many
endangered species are victims of poaching or the adverse effects that poaching can have on an
ecosystem. Endangered species also have a much higher trade value than unprotected species.
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting ecologically fragile, pristine, and natural sites.
Revenue from ecotourism usually benefits the sites that people visit.
General Overview
In recent years the world has witnessed the most drastic increase in illegal wildlife trade. In 2011
alone, over 23 metric tons of illegal ivory was seized around the world. This figure represents a loss of
around 2,500 elephants. The practice of poaching unnaturally changes the population of a species within
its ecosystem, meaning that not only is the species harmed, but an entire ecosystem may face threats
from other harmful environmental factors including but not limited to altered niches of animals that once
shared a symbiotic relationship with the poached animal. Moreover, poaching invites the detrimental
addition of invasive species to an ecosystem, and can cause an interruption of nature to such an extent
that human lifestyle can by adversely affected if poaching continues.
Illegal wildlife trade often goes unnoticed. Every time a country either knowingly or unknowingly
exports illegal wildlife, another country will ultimately import the illegal wildlife. The cyclic nature of trade
poses many challenges when attempting to resolve this issue. That being said, there have been many
successful attempts to reduce the adverse impacts of illegal wildlife trade. The most successful attempts
have been made by non-governmental organisations that have focused on building international
inter-governmental cooperation to attempt to enforce regulations regarding illegal wildlife trade and by
raising public awareness for this increasingly important issue.
International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF)
IAPFS’s mission is to “protect and preserve wildlife in volatile regions” by educating, researching, leading,
and raising awareness. The IAPF has started many initiatives to protect endangered species from
poaching. Some of these initiatives include the IPAF Drone program which involves sending unmanned
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aircraft (drones) over poaching hot spots. The drones build evidence against poachers who are operating
in remote and largely inaccessible areas. Other initiatives include training individuals as part of the IAPF
Anti-Poaching Ranger Program.
TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC’s mission is to be a “wildlife trade monitoring network, that works to ensure that trade in wild
plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.” Much like the IAPF, TRAFFIC has started
many programs in an attempt to conserve nature by ensuring that animals and plants are not illegally
traded.
World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)
WWF is a non-governmental international organisation that works to protect endangered species around
the world. Much of WWF’s work is to protect species from poaching and illegal trafficking. WWF was
founded in 1961 and remains one of the world’s most successful organisations dedicated to the
conservation of endangered species.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
CITES is an international convention to protect endangered species. CITES works to ensure that the
trade of all specimens of wild animals and plants does not harm the natural populations of the specimen
in the wild. CITES was open for signatories in 1973 and entered into force in 1975. Currently, CITES
protects the trade of over 34,000 plants and animal species, and has been approved as in accordance
with the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Founded in 1948, IUCN is the oldest conservation organisation in the world. IUCN is supported by more
than 1,200 member organisations, including over 200 governments and over 900 non- governmental
organisations. IUCN’s initiatives are updated every four years as part of their “global program” and
approved by member organisations every four year cycle. IUCN is famous for its creation of the Red List,
a list of the world’s most endangered species. Being the world’s largest global conservation organisation,
IUCN also has Official Observer Status at the United Nations General Assembly.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
UNEP’s mandate is "to be the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental
agenda, that promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimensions of sustainable
development within the United Nations system and that serves as an authoritative advocate for the global
environment."
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Timeline of Events
Date
Description
October 1948
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature is founded
April 1961
The World Wildlife Fund for Nature is founded
1963
The first IUCN Red List of Endangered Species
June 1972
UNEP is founded
July 1975
CITIES has come into effect
September 1995
UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks
October 2001
UN report tropical nations lose more than 15 million hectares of forests
March 2013
The most recent CITIES meeting of the Conference of parties
July 2013
ECOSOC resolution ‘International cooperation in preventing and combating illicit international trafficking in
forest products, including timber, wildlife and other forest biological resources’ is written
September 2013
UN High Level Event on Illicit Wildlife Trafficking occurs
UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Event
Listed below are UN resolutions and actions that pertain to the protection of endangered species:
●
World Charter for Nature, 28 October 1982 (A/RES/37/7)
●
United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, 10 December 1982 (A/RES/37/66)
●
United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, 8
September 1995 (A/CONF.164/37)
●
United Nations Fund for International Partnerships/United Nations Foundation Programme, 18 May
2000 (A/54/664/Add.3)
●
Crime prevention and criminal justice responses against illicit trafficking in endangered species of
wild Fauna and Flora, 28 July 2011 (E/RES/2011/36)
●
The United Nations support of the CITES convention, the most recent conference occurring 3-14
March 2013
●
International cooperation in preventing and combating illicit international trafficking in forest
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products, including timber, wildlife and other forest biological resources, 24 July 2013
(E/RES/2008/25)
●
High-level Event on Illicit Wildlife Trafficking, 26 September 2013 (DSG/SM/708)
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