Facts about illegal wildlife trade
Over the past 40 years alone, nearly 52 percent of the world’s wildlife has become extinct. As per scientists, the planet is in its sixth period of mass extinction. Besides the climate changes, pollution, and deforestation, the illegal wildlife trade is playing a massive role in species extinction. VETPAW reviews some illegal wildlife trade facts to be aware of.
1. The illicit market is worth $20 billion a year
It is estimated that 7000 species of wild animals and plants are traded illegally every day. Some of the known victims of the wildlife trade are corals, elephants, rhinos, rosewood, parrots, and pangolins but many more unknown species are being illegally traded as well. The species that becomes a target of this illicit trade eventually becomes endangered and threatened with extinction. As their supply falls, their prices rise, and so does their plight.
2. The biggest driver of extinction
The African elephant population has fallen by half since the 1970s due to ivory poaching. Their population is estimated to go extinct in the next 10 years if serious steps are not taken. Rhinos, elephants, and other keystone species have been living on the planet for millions of years but may become extinct due to human activities.
3. Humans have led to the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and plants
Over years of deforestation, habitat destruction, poaching, hunting, and overexploitation of resources, a majority of wild mammals and plants have already gone extinct. And the countdown continues as greed and ignorance continue to feed the destruction of wildlife.
4. Fourth most lucrative illegal trade
Wildlife trade ranks right after drugs, human trafficking, and the arms trade in the list of illegal lucrative businesses across the world.
5. Three rhinos are poached every day
Even though science has proven the ineffectiveness of rhino horns in traditional medical treatments, the demand for the horn continues to soar. The lack of awareness and the blind superstition in certain areas of the world continues to drive the killing of rhinos.
6. Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked wildlife
More than one million pangolins have been traded in the last ten years for their scales or their meat.
7. The price of ivory continues to soar
The African elephant population is swiftly dwindling owing to its undeterred poaching. As the supply falls, the price of ivory continues to rise. Over the past 25 years, the wholesale price of ivory in China has risen from $3/lb to $950/lb. The US is the second-largest market for ivory.
8. Over 1,000 rangers killed in the last decade
In their endeavor to protect wildlife, many rangers in national parks and reserves have lost their lives at the hands of poachers. The highly profitable business of poaching has made the killing of wildlife as well as humans a common incident.
9. Transnational organized crime drives the trade
Transnational (cross-border) organized crime has enabled the percolation of high-value wildlife products into the supply chains and economies. Illegal wildlife products are not only sprouting for sale in foreign black markets but also being tolerated in regular, domestic markets and on e-commerce sites. Strategies are being applied to deal with these incidents.
This illegal trade can be controlled by refraining from purchasing wild animal products, and by spreading awareness about the plight of wildlife. VETPAW continues to spread awareness in the fight against poaching.
VETPAW - Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife
Founded in 2013, VETPAW is a non-profit organization and a community of US war veterans dedicated to protecting African wildlife and training local African rangers in the war against poaching.
