How can poaching be stopped

Ivory trade is illegal since , and many African countries have high fines and penalties for criminals. However, there are often cases of corruption and cooperation with traffickers, as well within government authorities and politicians. Often local communities unaware about this issue and about the possibility of extinction for the elephants, cooperate with poachers in exchange of money or elephant meat.

Sometimes it takes several days of walk into the bush, then they have to kill the animal and taking back the ivory and the meat to the village. This is a difficult mission and the assistance from local people is really helpful for hunters. International ivory trade serves mostly Asian markets, in particular the Chinese one.

It's a great step forward, but to be successful it will need to be combined with a concerted effort to raise awareness and challenge traditional mindsets. Hong Kong, too, plans to close its ivory markets by The UK has also announced plans for one of the toughest ivory trade bans in the world, following a public consultation in We're calling on the government to implement the ban as soon as possible.

This is a global problem on a huge scale. Momentum is building, but other countries where poaching and trade are rife need to follow China's example, and help make a real difference for elephants in the wild. Fundraising Block. Your little contribution matters, but without all the other little contributions, the funding goes nowhere. So, if you want to really help stop poaching, what can you do?

Teaching communities the value of nature and the harms of poaching. Helping people understand how they can affect change. Making noise and reaching people. Using our voices to spread the word. It is this idea that we can use to help curb poaching now. Conservation projects need money and a lot of it. If you can build a collective, spread the word and educate others on the importance of contributing, you go from a small impact to a substantial impact.

Alone, your contribution does little, but if you get all your friends, family, colleagues, and network to also contribute, that crowdfunding platform starts to become a genuinely viable prospect.

But how do you reach people, and reach them in a meaningful way so that they feel the emotion of your plight and help to support you? It builds a connection and makes you feel involved. Finding a cause is one thing, but if you want to stop poaching, you have to go a step further.

Why should they care about the cause you are championing? Rhinos are not the only animals affected. More than 60 percent of Africa's elephant population was poached within the last 12 years. Illegal wildlife trade has a significant impact on human health as well. SARS' spread began in China's "wet" markets, where numerous wild animals are bought and sold, for use as pets, trinkets, food, or superstition. China is home to one of the most trafficked animals in the world: the pangolin.

Since , EcoHealth Alliance has been working in China to change attitudes on wildlife trade. If you've purchased anything from seafood to coffee to bedding, you've participated in the wildlife trade. Much of it is legal and regulated, but, like anything, there is a dark side and there are some things you can do to ensure you're not facilitating illegal wildlife trade.

If you're unsure where something like jewelry or clothing comes from, simply ask. Ask the vendor what it's made of, where it's from, and if its country of origin allows its sale.