Poaching and Endangered Animals Claudia Mongeau, Angela Rosica & Simon Conrad
What is poaching? Poaching is the illegal taking of wildlife and violating laws in the area by doing so Started in the 1700's in Europe 1918 Lacey act prevented interstate poaching trade in the U.S 1960: C. I.T.E.S (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is formed to conserve wildlife In the Endangered Species Act is passed, promoting the conservation of extinct animals In 1989 the Global Ivory ban is passed in hopes to save the tusks on elephants
Two African boys holding the horn of an elephant that was just killed.
African endangered species LEFT: African Black Rhino (2,500 left) LEFT: African White Rhino (20,000 left) ABOVE: African elephant (470,000 left) Africa's threatened animals
Why are these animals important? Elephants considered the 'keystone species in African landscape' Elephants shape the landscape naturally They can create more waterholes/ sources for animals and humans can use Their manure is good for fertilizer Rhinos and Elephants both attract many tourists Rhinos are "mega herbivores" they eat lots of grass, which can shape the landscape as well
Why kill them? Who is killing/selling them? Generally the poorer community kills and sells the tusks/horns of these animals One pound of ivory can cost 1,500$ on the black market, while one tusk can weigh 250 pounds Why? For what? Over all both animals are killed for their horns In some countries, like Vietnam, owning an ivory horn is a sign of wealth Used for piano tiles, decoration, jewelry, pool balls and sculptures Used for medicine in some parts of Asia
(LEFT)Ivory can be used as a form of decoration, by carving into it (ABOVE) Ivory piano keys were very common until made illegal (LEFT) Piles of ivory, being cleaned for selling
The major effects of poaching in Africa Massive population decrease Decrease in the tourism business The extinction of a key species will cause a major unbalanced ecosystem in Africa
What is being done to prevent poaching/extinction? The South African Dept. Of Environmental Affairs has placed stricter regulations on the rhino horn. China's Chief Executive, Mr. Leung making efforts to ban the import and export of ivory Ad campaigns and political cartoons (seen below) Injecting dye into the tusks and horns of these animals is helping increase the population Using drones to keep watch of the animals
Dye injected into rhino and elephant horns to prevent poaching - Barcroft TV
Drones used to prevent rhino poaching- NBC News
Current Rhino Statistics from SaveTheRhino