The black rhino also plays an important part in a country’s economy as they make up a large source of income in countries like South Africa and Namibia, where ecotourism is extremely popular. They are therefore contributing to the economic growth as well as the sustainability of these countries as it produces job opportunities for the locals.
Black rhinoceroses are often seen with oxpeckers. This is an example of mutualism as both parties benefit from the other. The colourful little bird eats all the insects and parasites on the rhino and thus has a supply of food. It is also protected from predators whilst on top of the rhino. In return, the rhino benefits as it no longer has bugs. The oxpecker also flies high and alerts the rhino of impending
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Having lived in South Africa for so many years, we were made aware of the seriousness of the poaching happening. The brutal and inhumane way these innocent animals are tortured and killed for their horns is unacceptable and cruel. I have been fortunate enough to have gone on several safaris where I have been able to see these beautiful creatures flourish in their natural habitat. As one of the oldest mammals on Earth, dating back 50 million years, it is important to protect this creature from poachers to prevent their extinction. The rhinoceros is an important mammal who plays a vital role in the ecosystem, as they maintain local vegetation around them as well as having other animals rely on them. These fossil-like creatures who have braved ice ages and fought off pre-historic predators can simply not become extinct because of humans’ wrong doing. The black rhino cannot protect itself from poachers as they are helpless when it comes to the tranquilisers used. It is our duty to put a stop to the illegal trade of rhinoceros’ horns. I believe it is vital that we respect planet Earth and coexist with each and every different species as they all play a part in the
Did you know that poaching has led to most animal extinctions this century? Poaching is a continuously growing problem that will cause many problems to the environment and people. Poaching can be defined as the illegal hunting of animals on land that is not the hunters own. Poaching does not only happen in unprotected lands such as the wilderness, but it has also happened in protected lands such as zoos. Animals may soon become extinct because of the high rate of killing the poachers are doing. If animals do become extinct, life would be very different. An example of how life would be different without animals, such as tigers, is talked about by Eugene Linden when he said, “the wild tigers of old will be gone forever, their glory surviving
People around the world need to acknowledge that poaching can affect more than just the extinction of animals but can also cause many economic issues. If the average citizen was educated about poaching most likely it would not occur as often as it does now. Journals that are put into the world about poaching are very upsetting and emotional to read, but they can educate people around the world about how devastating poaching actually is. Not only are these animals endangered, but poaching can also affect the economy and disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. A Harvard University graduate reported: “The loss of these species would have harmful effects upon the overall ecosystem and the environment's ability to provide"ecosystem services"such as soil stability and water retention”(Xie). Also there are many health risks that come from wildlife trafficking; “Experts have noted that increased traffic in animals will raise the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Diseases such as Ebola, which is often carried by bats and other primates, come to mind. It is hypothesized that HIV is linked to the consumption of primate meat and that respiratory viruses may be found in smaller animals, such as civet cats”(Xie). These different diseases are very lethal to the human body and cause death if made contact
Hunting is a common controversial issue among people. Determining when killing an animal is necessary and ethical has mixed viewpoints. One type of hunting that generally creates feelings of animosity among people is trophy hunting. There are very few ethical theories and ideas that support trophy hunting. Trophy hunting is a form of hunting in which the hunter kills an animal with the main goal of taking a part or parts of that animal for a trophy. The majority of trophy hunting occurs in Africa, with big game as the most popular trophies, but trophy hunting also applies to non-exotic species as well. In this paper, I will start with introducing a recent incident involving the killing of a popular African lion, then outlining the main ethical issues with trophy hunting. Next I will analyze the trophy hunting from an anthropocentric, biocentric, and ecocentric viewpoint, and finally I will propose a few solutions that would make trophy hunting a more ethical activity. Trophy hunting has been said to provide many benefits to conservation and preservation of species but is ethically lacking; with some stronger laws and regulations trophy hunting has the potential to be both ethically acceptable and beneficial to the environment.
In the nonfiction book Ivory, Horn, and Blood by Ronald Orenstein, the author discusses his opinions on the topic of poaching elephants and rhinos. Orenstein believes that poaching is morally wrong, unnecessary, and should be stopped. He refrains from using emotional words, instead focusing on and providing startling statistics and horrifying facts.
A century ago, the lion population of Africa thrived as these animals were able to roam freely across the continent. However, owing to a multitude of factors such as poaching, trophy killings, loss of habitat area and conflicts with humans- the population of the African lion today is just 10% of what it once was. The need to address this rapid decline in lion populations is vital in ensuring that these animals are present for future generations to enjoy, whilst not impeding the access for the current generation. Lions, being a non-market public good without well-defined property rights results in society’s inability in managing this resource effectively (Shogren and Taylor, 2008); to overcome this, a market must be established which
Whether we like it or not animals really make the world go around. Like cows who just by breathing create oxygen, to other animals who with their migrations that leave paths throughout are foothills. And yes even fertilizing the land with their discharge. Although these creatures who have been roaming the lands long before any of us , have been altered with our interference of hunger and need which has now made hunting a billion dollar company. Like most companies you would expect viewpoints to clash causing controversy. A podcast by the name of the Rhino Hunter brings this up showing how the auctioning off of rare animals is beneficial. They in fact action a “older Black Rhino, that with age was Hurting others”. This idea along with other
Trophy Hunters don’t always hunt the endangered species; they also hunt species that are overpopulated so the population of that species can stay under control. Dr. Michael H Knight and Dr. Richard Emslie, the chairman and the scientific officer of IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group state “the killing of two old white rhino in 2012 paid for 49% of a $377,000 high-tech security fence”(Knight, Emslie). The hunt helped the reserve pay for a fence that could save the animals on the reserve from many dangers like poachers. Also, the rhinos that were killed were old. Since the rhinos were old, they might not have been able to fend for themselves anymore so killing the old ones were the best choice and because the hunters took two of these rhinos lives, they caused all the other rhinos on the reserve to now have protection. According to Jada F. Smith, a news article writer for the New York Times says “we found many troubling examples of funds’ either being diverted from their purpose or not being dedicated to conservation in the first place”(Smith). This is why we have the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It makes sure that all the money from trophy hunting gets dedicated to a cause that helps protect endangered animals. Even if we didn’t have that organization and the hunters didn’t pay, then they wouldn’t be able to hunt the species they’re going after. Trophy hunting can help with many things concerning conservation and protection of an endangered species if it’s done the right
critically endangered. In 2000 there were only six rhinoceros that were poached and killed. Last
They are ungulates, which means they have hooves and are related to horses and zebras. A group of them is called a herd or a crash. They have a symbiotic relationship with oxpeckers – a bird that eats ticks off the rhino and squawks loudly when danger approaches. Symbiotic means two animals that help each other. Rhinos are herbivores - some like grass, others like the leaves from trees and bushes. They are one of the most endangered animals on earth. There are rhinos with one horn and some with two. Rhinos are intelligent, have a good sense of smell and hearing, but poor eyesight. Some rhinos have a prehensile upper lip. Prehensile means the rhino can grab things like when you use your fingers. They use their lip to pull small pieces of leaves from thorny bushes. Can you pick up a pencil with only your upper
To begin with trophy hunting should not be allowed. The animals should be protected. In Junior Scholastic it say that “A million people have signed a petition asking Zimbabwe to stop issuing hunting permits to kill animals .” In the Associated Press passage it states that “ Only 20,000 lions are left in the wild.” Animals can’t protect themselves so humans should help protect them.
Recently, the poaching controversy has gained more attention in the news and media due to the killing of Cecil the Lion back in 2015. But what exactly is poaching and why is it illegal? Poaching can be defined as the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals. Animals are captured and killed for their parts and products that are eventually sold on the black market and to cartels to make medicines, trinkets, and other products. Animals are typically poached for personal gain and value.The the illegal poaching trade in Africa alone has accumulated a worth of $17 billion dollars a year and it keeps growing. Ivory, fur, skin, and bones especially are in high demand and places/people are willing to pay high numbers for these products, so it is no surprise that people continue to hunt them. Due to poaching, the tiger is one of the most endangered species in the world . Tiger parts, such as fur, skin, and bones, are seen as a luxury and are used as commerce on the black market and secretly throughout Asia. Although China has participated in the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, the laws are commonly ignored and it remains the primary destination for tiger parts. Elephants are also on the brink of extinction and the number hunted per year keeps increasing. Despite international ivory trade being banned in the 1990s, it is still sold on the black market and sought after in Asia; once again, China being the biggest demander. According to Kideghesho in Sage Journals , “widespread poaching coupled with inefficient law enforcement in Tanzania was manifested in the dramatic decline of the elephant population to less than 30% of what it was in 1979, a drop from 316,000 to 85,000 by 1987.” Rhinos are also greatly sought after in Africa. In
Thesis Statement: My purpose today is to inform you on the illegal poaching on elephants and the ivory trade.
Animal poaching has a bigger price tag than the trophy sitting on the shelf. Poaching is causing iconic animals of many continents and of our oceans to become endangered or even extinct. These animals that people have come to love and fantasize over may be gone before we are (Africa). Elephants, rhinos, lions, and zebras are the animals thought of the most when it comes to animal poaching, but many animals are poached. They are killed for only one quality, like their horns or skins and the rest of the animal is left behind. Poaching is a massive business that is ran by international networks, it’s estimated to make hundreds of millions of dollars (World). Not all wildlife trade is illegal, but it becomes a crisis when an increasing amount of illegal poaching is done and it directly threatens the survival of species in the wild (World). Since 1960 97.6% of the Black Rhino population in Africa has been poached and lions are extinct in seven African countries (Africa).
There are organizations around the globe designed to stop elephant poaching. Their intent is to sway people’s opinions to help with the world-wide problem. Only a global ban on the sale of ivory would take the heat off of these massive creatures. Solutions might include, addressing the involvement of international criminal institutes by means of strong law enforcement at both national and international levels along the full extent of the supply. Closing down domestic (national) markets in ivory, would also be beneficial. Countries could embrace the trade ban, and educate consumers in order to stem the demand for ivory (Bloody Ivory; January 11, 2013).
The plight of the rhinoceros is not unlike the all-too-familiar danger that the elephant faces. Illegal trade is greatly responsible for the endangerment of the species. Valued for their ivory horns, over 90% of the five rhino species have disappeared, while the rest continue to dwindle. The worth of one rhinoceros horn is $44,000, and the demand remains high in the countries of China, Taiwan, South Korea and in the Middle East. In East Asia, the horns are regarded as powerful medicinal tools, known to cure everything from nosebleeds to food poisoning. In a powdered from, the horn is thought to be a powerful aphrodisiac. Similarly, the animals? genitalia are also considered extremely valuable.