2.The trafficking in exotic wild life and wild animal parts is leading to
an ecological disaster. Write a speech to be delivered on
Environment Day on, 'Man is the worst enemy of his fellow
creatures', giving some suggestions to overcome this state of affairs.
Answers
Explanation:
TertiaryWildlife CrimeModule 1: Illicit Markets for Wildlife, Forest & Fisheries ProductsKey IssuesImplications of Wildlife Trafficking
E4J University Module Series: Wildlife Crime
Module 1: Illicit Markets for Wildlife, Forest and Fisheries Products
Introduction and learning outcomes
Key issues
Demand and consumption
Data
Supply and demand
Implications of wildlife trafficking
Legal and illegal markets
Perpetrators and their networks
Locations and activities relating to wildlife trafficking
References
Exercises
Possible class structure
Core reading
Advanced reading
Student assessment
Additional teaching tools
Published in September 2019
Regional Perspective: Eastern and Southern Africa - added in April 2020
This module is a resource for lecturers
Implications of wildlife trafficking
Although threats to wildlife and plant species come from multiple sources, such as pollution, deforestation, destruction of natural habitats and climate change, wildlife trafficking contributes significantly to the problem through poaching, harvesting, or depleting significant quantities of already endangered or at-risk species. Trafficking in wildlife, animal parts, and plants has far-reaching implications, not only for the species involved, but also for human livelihoods, biodiversity, and governance. The diverse and significant implications of wildlife trafficking, in turn, mean that the protection of wildlife, forests, and fish 'must be part of a comprehensive approach to achieving poverty eradication, food security, sustainable development, including the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, economic growth, social well-being and sustainable livelihoods' (UN General Assembly, 19 August 2015).
Endangering species
Trafficking in wildlife can diminish species populations and cause local or even global extinction. When endangered species are involved, any poaching or harvesting of that species to supply the illegal trade risks the species becoming extinct. Further worsening the problem is the fact that the demand for larger and more ornate specimens means that hunters and collectors often aim for the fittest individuals from the breeding population, with serious consequences for subsequent generations (Rosen & Smith, 2010). Moreover, many endangered species are fragile and require expert and delicate handling. The ways in which many animals and plants are caught, transported, and kept, however, frequently cause injury, death, or attrition, resulting in further losses especially when living animals or plants are trafficked (UN ECOSOC, 4 March 2003).
Ecological costs
Wildlife trafficking is related to some of the most important underlying causes of biodiversity loss (Broad et al, 2012). It can threaten ecosystem functions. Beyond endangering species via population losses, wildlife overexploitation can cause long term ecological problems such as creating sex-ratio imbalances and slowing the reproduction rate of vulnerable species. With respect to the former problem, elephant poaching of bull elephants (i.e. males with large tusks) has left a severe gender imbalance amongst African elephants. Consequently, population recovery among elephants has been slowed because it has affected reproduction rates. With regard to slow reproduction rates, species like macaws have an extremely slow reproduction rate compared to others in the parrot family. Because macaws have historically been targeted disproportionately by poachers, their populations are less likely to rebound with fewer and fewer macaws left to reproduce with.
Population decline is further problematic if keystone species are affected by illicit trade. Keystone species have 'a significant direct and indirect effect on their surrounding ecosystem and other species within that ecosystem' (Moreto & Pires, 2018, p. 19). Sharks, for example, have a key role in the oceanic system by preying upon smaller fish. Unfortunately, as a result of shark finning that has decimated shark populations globally, populations of smaller fish have significantly increased leading to a decline in shellfish (Ferretti et al, August 2010).
Furthermore, ecosystems have been altered through environmentally destructive practices to remove wildlife, timber, and fish. In Peru, for instance, the demand for forest products has led to several iconic species becoming threatened with extinction (Global Witness, 2017). With regard to destructive fishing practices, cyanide and dynamite is used at times to capture fish by stunning them; this practice can also kill many other nearby fish and destroy coral reefs that provide a habitat for many aquatic species (McManus et al, 1997).