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