Help the poor animals!!!
By Ella Giauque
Help us stop this TERRIBLE poaching!!!!!
-WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THESE ANIMALS ARE SAFE!!!-
-THEY DESERVE TO LIVE-
-HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ANIMALS THAT ARE POACHED-
-THE MAIN TOPIC-
Poaching started in 1979 and had a humungous impact on the continent of Africa.It also has had a huge effect on the world. How, you ask, it effects the environment, local communities, and wildlife populations. Sadly, every twenty-six minutes, an elephant or a rhinoceros is poached. This "sport" is very illegal, and will keep you in prison for six years! On the right, there is an image of ivory,( but made into "jewelry".)Approximately, every one out of poachers are arrested each year. There used to be over five-hundred thousand rhinos, but in the past fifteen years, we've lost almost all of them. Ivory is very expensive, a single pound of ivory sells as much as $1,500! The animals that are being poached the most, include, tigers, elephants, gorillas, parrots, rhinoceros, sea turtle, lemurs, the Javan rhinoceros, and the most poached animal in the world, the pangolin.
Rhino horn has been highly prized by several cultures for over a thousand years and trade records suggest that the intercontinental trade in African rhino horn to the Far East has existed for centuries. Their horns are prized as a status symbol, used in the handles of traditional Yemeni daggers. Many myths surround the use and utility of rhino horn, but practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine still use powdered horn to attempt to relieve high fevers. Rhino blood, urine, and skin is also collected for use in some folk medicines, but acquiring rhino horn is the main goal of African poachers.Who are the buyers of tiger and leopard skins?"Animal poaching" is when an animal is killed illegally. It usually occurs when an animal possesses something that is considered valuable.
With only a couple thousand tigers left in the wild several Asian nations have turned to large-scale captive breeding techniques to supply their commercial farming industry. These businesses, especially within China, provide consumers with tiger skins, bones, and "medicinal" tiger bone wine. Although trade in tigers is prohibited internationally, as well as domestically within many countries, there is a persistent black market for fresh tiger meat for the rich.What wildlife species are being targeted by poachers?
In Africa and Asia the high-value targets are elephants for their ivory tusks, rhinoceros for their horn, and leopards for their beautiful skins.
Unique poaching targets in Asia include the Asian black bear which is captured and harvested for years for its bear bile and considered to be an essential traditional folk medicine. Bear paw, along with tiger parts, shark fin, sea turtles, pangolins (scaly anteaters), and manta ray are fashionable delicacies in Asia and the South Pacific and many are inhumanely farmed or illegally hunted. Many countries believe that the rhino horn is an important ingredient for many medicines. This is false. Rhino horn has the same medicinal effect as chewing on your fingernails aka none.
In 2012, 668 rhinos were poached in South Africa. As of January 2013 it increased to 946, these animals were being poached at a rate of 2 per day. Send them a note to thank them for their work.
At the beginning of the 20th century there were a few million African elephants and approximately 100,000 Asian elephants. Today elephants are now considered endangered, there are about 450,000-700,000 African elephants and 35,000-40,000 Asian elephants.
Typically the largest adults, with the biggest tusks are poached – putting the matriarchs of elephant herds at the greatest risk. Poaching is hunting without legal permission from whoever controls the land. Legal hunters kill tens of millions of animals per year. Big-horned sheep antlers can cost $20,000 on the black market. Wildlife officials are noticing a recent increase in poaching infant gorillas. Baby gorillas are sold for up to $40,000 each. Since 1960, the black rhino population has decreased by 97.6% due to poaching. Conservationists estimate that between 30,000 and 38,000 elephants are poached annually for their ivory. Despite protests, bear farming is still practiced in several countriesIn China, nearly 10,000 bears are kept in farms where they are regularly drained of bile (while alive) through devices implanted in the animals.
Below, there is an image of an ivory bracelet.
Rhino horn has been highly prized by several cultures for over a thousand years and trade records suggest that the intercontinental trade in African rhino horn to the Far East has existed for centuries. Their horns are prized as a status symbol, used in the handles of traditional Yemeni daggers. Many myths surround the use and utility of rhino horn, but practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine still use powdered horn to attempt to relieve high fevers. Rhino blood, urine, and skin is also collected for use in some folk medicines, but acquiring rhino horn is the main goal of African poachers.Who are the buyers of tiger and leopard skins?"Animal poaching" is when an animal is killed illegally. It usually occurs when an animal possesses something that is considered valuable.
With only a couple thousand tigers left in the wild several Asian nations have turned to large-scale captive breeding techniques to supply their commercial farming industry. These businesses, especially within China, provide consumers with tiger skins, bones, and "medicinal" tiger bone wine. Although trade in tigers is prohibited internationally, as well as domestically within many countries, there is a persistent black market for fresh tiger meat for the rich.What wildlife species are being targeted by poachers?
In Africa and Asia the high-value targets are elephants for their ivory tusks, rhinoceros for their horn, and leopards for their beautiful skins.
Unique poaching targets in Asia include the Asian black bear which is captured and harvested for years for its bear bile and considered to be an essential traditional folk medicine. Bear paw, along with tiger parts, shark fin, sea turtles, pangolins (scaly anteaters), and manta ray are fashionable delicacies in Asia and the South Pacific and many are inhumanely farmed or illegally hunted. Many countries believe that the rhino horn is an important ingredient for many medicines. This is false. Rhino horn has the same medicinal effect as chewing on your fingernails aka none.
In 2012, 668 rhinos were poached in South Africa. As of January 2013 it increased to 946, these animals were being poached at a rate of 2 per day. Send them a note to thank them for their work.
At the beginning of the 20th century there were a few million African elephants and approximately 100,000 Asian elephants. Today elephants are now considered endangered, there are about 450,000-700,000 African elephants and 35,000-40,000 Asian elephants.
Typically the largest adults, with the biggest tusks are poached – putting the matriarchs of elephant herds at the greatest risk. Poaching is hunting without legal permission from whoever controls the land. Legal hunters kill tens of millions of animals per year. Big-horned sheep antlers can cost $20,000 on the black market. Wildlife officials are noticing a recent increase in poaching infant gorillas. Baby gorillas are sold for up to $40,000 each. Since 1960, the black rhino population has decreased by 97.6% due to poaching. Conservationists estimate that between 30,000 and 38,000 elephants are poached annually for their ivory. Despite protests, bear farming is still practiced in several countriesIn China, nearly 10,000 bears are kept in farms where they are regularly drained of bile (while alive) through devices implanted in the animals.
Below, there is an image of an ivory bracelet.
-HOW IT STARTED-
Most poaching happens in Zimbabwe, which is a country in Africa. The second country with the most poaching is Kenya, which is also in Africa. More than half of the worlds poaching happens in Africa because there are a lot of rare animals there.Hunting is the main source of protein for many tribal people, and is central to their identity. But where control of their land has been taken from them, such as when an area is made a national park, hunters suddenly become poachers with devastating results.
The difference between poaching and hunting is one of permission. Poaching is hunting without the approval of whoever controls or owns the land.
Tribal hunters can become “poachers” overnight, when governments declare their land a national park or conservation area without the tribe’s knowledge or consent.
The hunters are then left two options: break the law, or let their families go hungry.
Governments often disproportionately punish local tribal hunters trying to feed their family, when in fact, organized gangs of commercial hunters are what really undermine conservation, not local people hunting for their food.
The difference between poaching and hunting is one of permission. Poaching is hunting without the approval of whoever controls or owns the land.
Tribal hunters can become “poachers” overnight, when governments declare their land a national park or conservation area without the tribe’s knowledge or consent.
The hunters are then left two options: break the law, or let their families go hungry.
Governments often disproportionately punish local tribal hunters trying to feed their family, when in fact, organized gangs of commercial hunters are what really undermine conservation, not local people hunting for their food.
-ELEPHANT SKIN JEWELRY-
Skin poaching of Asian elephants, a crisis unfolding in Myanmar, could crush the species.... In the past, ivory poaching has had a limited impact on Asian elephants because only adult males grow tusks, and even then it only happens 25 percent of the time.
Over the last three to four years, poachers have begun taking the elephant’s skin and turning it into ruby red jewelry. The skin is also ground into powder and sold as medicine (which is no curing substance).With about 50,000 left in the wild overall, Asian elephants are 10 times more endangered than African savanna elephants and half as common as African forest elephants. Unlike their well-known African cousins on the open savanna, Asian elephants prefer the seclusion of the thick jungle. Yet this insulation appears unable to protect from a new wave in poaching that is poised to wipe out the 2,000 remaining Asian elephants living in the wilds of Myanmar.
In the past, ivory poaching has had a limited impact on Asian elephants because only adult males grow tusks, and even then it only happens 25 percent of the time. Skin poaching is much more problematic than killing elephants for their ivory because it’s indiscriminate — it targets adult males, adult females and calves.
Asia’s rapid population growth and habitat loss, caused by development and mass agriculture for crops like rice and palm oil, has spawned a pattern of human-elephant conflict — both inside and outside of Myanmar. Asian elephants are known to consume crops and, when threatened, destroy human homes. In May, a 12-year-old Rohingya refugee was killed when an Asian elephant attacked a temporary housing settlement in Bangladesh.
Over the last three to four years, poachers have begun taking the elephant’s skin and turning it into ruby red jewelry. The skin is also ground into powder and sold as medicine (which is no curing substance).With about 50,000 left in the wild overall, Asian elephants are 10 times more endangered than African savanna elephants and half as common as African forest elephants. Unlike their well-known African cousins on the open savanna, Asian elephants prefer the seclusion of the thick jungle. Yet this insulation appears unable to protect from a new wave in poaching that is poised to wipe out the 2,000 remaining Asian elephants living in the wilds of Myanmar.
In the past, ivory poaching has had a limited impact on Asian elephants because only adult males grow tusks, and even then it only happens 25 percent of the time. Skin poaching is much more problematic than killing elephants for their ivory because it’s indiscriminate — it targets adult males, adult females and calves.
Asia’s rapid population growth and habitat loss, caused by development and mass agriculture for crops like rice and palm oil, has spawned a pattern of human-elephant conflict — both inside and outside of Myanmar. Asian elephants are known to consume crops and, when threatened, destroy human homes. In May, a 12-year-old Rohingya refugee was killed when an Asian elephant attacked a temporary housing settlement in Bangladesh.
-TRAGETIES-
Rhinonoceros are in danger all because of poaching. Here is a graph of rhino poaching from 2006-2016:
(Note: Sorry for only having 2006-2016 :)
(Note: Sorry for only having 2006-2016 :)
-WHY ARE THEY POACHED?-
Pangolins: Two species of which are endangered and all of which are protected by international treaty -- are trafficked by the thousands for their scales, which are boiled off their bodies for use in traditional medicine; for their meat, which is a high-end delicacy here and in China; and for their blood.
Sea turtle: Nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as endangered. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental capture in fishing gear. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites.
Rhino: Rhino horn is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but increasingly common is its use as a status symbol to display success and wealth. Poaching is now a threat in all rhino range states, however as South Africa is home to the majority of rhinos in the world, it is being heavily targeted. More than ever, field programs are having to invest heavily in anti-poaching activities.
Gorilla: Gorillas are also frequently maimed or killed by traps and snares intended for other forest animals such as antelopes. Gorillas are also sought after as pets or trophies and for their body parts, which are used in medicine and as magical charms.
Tiger: The bones are smuggled almost exclusively to China, used in tiger bone wine—a pricey traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tonic thought to impart the tiger’s great strength and vigor. But almost every part of the tiger is valued in TCM. Most of the skins end up in China, too, used for high-end luxury décor.
It’s rarely poor locals that are poaching tigers—it’s organized gangs. Tigers are part of a massive wildlife trade that’s run by sophisticated international crime syndicates, the same trade that’s wiping out elephants, rhinos and so many other species. It’s a 19 billion dollar a year business.
Elephants: Poaching caused a decline of African elephants from 1.3 million to 600,000 individuals between 1979-1987. Mortality was unusually concentrated among the largest adults with the biggest tusks. Old matriarchs (the oldest adult females that provide the social glue in elephant herds) were particularly vulnerable. Their tusks are large and their groups were easier to find than solitary adult males.
Many family groups lost their matriarchs, compromising their social, competitive and physiological functioning. The youngest offspring often perished with their mothers, causing a disrupted age structure. Many older offspring were orphaned, only to range solitarily or in atypical groups of unrelated females. Documenting the long-term consequences of social disruption caused by poaching on the African elephant is crucial to the conservation and management of this species.
Lemurs: Secondary Tongue. Under a lemur's main tongue sits a smaller tongue made of stiffer cartilage. This is the grooming tongue, used as they clean other lemurs. ... The lemurs can move the insects into their mouths as they groom their friends for a tasty snack. poachers go for this amazing part of the lemurs' body.
Leopard: Leopards are solitary animals that will hunt by using a combination of stealthy ambushes and immense strength to catch prey as much as five times its own size. Its intricate spots and spot groupings on its body give it impeccable camouflage and the use of clever tactics has earned the leopard its reputation as the “prince of stealth.” This contrasts sharply with the cheetah which openly stalks its prey and uses a burst of incredible speed to catch it. Leopards are mostly poached for their fur which has great value for "buyers".
Sea turtle: Nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as endangered. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental capture in fishing gear. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites.
Rhino: Rhino horn is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but increasingly common is its use as a status symbol to display success and wealth. Poaching is now a threat in all rhino range states, however as South Africa is home to the majority of rhinos in the world, it is being heavily targeted. More than ever, field programs are having to invest heavily in anti-poaching activities.
Gorilla: Gorillas are also frequently maimed or killed by traps and snares intended for other forest animals such as antelopes. Gorillas are also sought after as pets or trophies and for their body parts, which are used in medicine and as magical charms.
Tiger: The bones are smuggled almost exclusively to China, used in tiger bone wine—a pricey traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tonic thought to impart the tiger’s great strength and vigor. But almost every part of the tiger is valued in TCM. Most of the skins end up in China, too, used for high-end luxury décor.
It’s rarely poor locals that are poaching tigers—it’s organized gangs. Tigers are part of a massive wildlife trade that’s run by sophisticated international crime syndicates, the same trade that’s wiping out elephants, rhinos and so many other species. It’s a 19 billion dollar a year business.
Elephants: Poaching caused a decline of African elephants from 1.3 million to 600,000 individuals between 1979-1987. Mortality was unusually concentrated among the largest adults with the biggest tusks. Old matriarchs (the oldest adult females that provide the social glue in elephant herds) were particularly vulnerable. Their tusks are large and their groups were easier to find than solitary adult males.
Many family groups lost their matriarchs, compromising their social, competitive and physiological functioning. The youngest offspring often perished with their mothers, causing a disrupted age structure. Many older offspring were orphaned, only to range solitarily or in atypical groups of unrelated females. Documenting the long-term consequences of social disruption caused by poaching on the African elephant is crucial to the conservation and management of this species.
Lemurs: Secondary Tongue. Under a lemur's main tongue sits a smaller tongue made of stiffer cartilage. This is the grooming tongue, used as they clean other lemurs. ... The lemurs can move the insects into their mouths as they groom their friends for a tasty snack. poachers go for this amazing part of the lemurs' body.
Leopard: Leopards are solitary animals that will hunt by using a combination of stealthy ambushes and immense strength to catch prey as much as five times its own size. Its intricate spots and spot groupings on its body give it impeccable camouflage and the use of clever tactics has earned the leopard its reputation as the “prince of stealth.” This contrasts sharply with the cheetah which openly stalks its prey and uses a burst of incredible speed to catch it. Leopards are mostly poached for their fur which has great value for "buyers".
-HOW MANY?-
-THE TIMELINE OF POACHING-
STARTING
1979 is when poaching started. Poaching has been illegal for hundreds of years, but it was during the Late Middle Ages that poaching became a punishable offense. During this time, the right to hunt was limited to landowners and nobility. Peasants usually did not have weapons, skills or the extra time to hunt, so in order to provide food for their families they devised another way to bring meat to their tables, including snares [source: NationMaster]. While hunting was reserved for the privileged, it was illegal to buy and sell wild animals. It remained illegal to do so until the mid-1800s. Gangs of poachers formed outlaw bands and sold animals through the black market. Buyers of black-market food even included wealthy people, who could not or chose not to hunt on their own. I think we need to change the world and make it better for all people and animals.
7/12/1979WHEN IT BECAME ILLEGAL
In 1900, the new European colonial states enacted game preservation laws that forbid most Africans from hunting. Subsequently, most forms of African hunting, including hunting for food, were officially deemed poaching. :) Despite the law, poachers are still out there... . We need people who care about these endangered animals. :(
9/23/1900FUTURE
When I predict poaching will stop. :)
1/1/2050I'm watching you...
'Cause if you poach, I'll give you a licking... (# spanking)
-SOLUTIONS-
- We could put a tracking device on every elephant (and other poached animals)
- We could put cameras all over the world so we can keep an eye on the animal 3. Another way is you can show this website to your friends!!!
-AWESOME CAT-
-OTHER-
-RATE-
Once you are done looking at this website, please share it to your friends and family! :D Also, if you could rate this between 1-5 stars, what would you rate it?
-CHANGE-
You have the power to change the world for these amazing creatures! :D
