Poaching is the illegal hunting, fishing, trapping, or eating of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in violation because:The game or fish is not in season; usually the breeding season is declared as the closed season when wildlife species are protected by law.The poacher does not possess a valid permitThe poacher is illegally selling the animal or animal parts or plant for a profit.The animal is being hunted outside of legal hours.The hunter used an illegal weapon for that animal.The animal or plant is on restricted land.The right to hunt this animal is claimed by somebody.The type of bait is inhumane. (Food unsuitable for an animal's health, i.e. peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spaghetti, etc.)The means used are illegal (for example, baiting a field while hunting quail or other animals, using spotlight to stun or paralyze deer, or hunting from a moving vehicle, watercraft , or aircraft).The animal or plant is protected by law or that it has been listed as extinct or endangered (see for example the endangered species act for the USA or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and similar laws/treaties.The animal or plant has been tagged by a researcher.Note that only wild animals can be poached. Stealing or killing domestic animals is considered to be theft cattle rattling not poaching.Plant poaching is also on the rise. A prominent example is the removal of ginseng growing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is estimated that dried wild ginseng plants are worth more than $260-365 per pound (dried) on the black market.[Photo]Some factsThere have been many national and international actions taken against certain kinds of poaching and hunting. Hunting for ivory was banned in 1989, but poaching of elephants continues in many parts of Africa stricken by economic decline. The Philippines have more than 400 endangered animals, all of which are illegal to poach.Some species such as the sturgeon or paddlefish (aka spoonbill catfish) are listed as species of "special concern" by the U.S. Federal government, but are only banned from fishing in a few states such as Mississippi, and Texas. The species, which is being overfished for its eggs to make caviar is still allowed to be taken in all other states.
Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals. This can occur in a variety of ways. Poaching can refer to the failure to comply with regulations for legal harvest, resulting in the illegal taking of wildlife that would otherwise be allowable. Examples include: Taking without a license or permit, use of a prohibited weapon or trap, taking outside of the designated time of day or year, and taking of a prohibited sex or life stage. Poaching can also refer to the taking of animals from a gazzetted wildlife sanctuary, such as a national park, game reserve, or zoo. Most countries enforce various sanctions on the hunting of wild animals, and international controls, such as bans, restrictions and monitored trade, are all aimed at controlling poaching. However, it is important to note that hunting, under specific regulations, is in fact often permitted in designated game preserves.
Reasons for poaching
Figure 1. An African lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Such animals are hunted because of their meat and also for religious reasons. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
Humans and their ancestors have hunted for over 400,000 years. Historically, hunting has played an important role in leadership, community formation, language development, and tool use. While primitive humans relied largely upon hunting for food, the agricultural revolution (approximately 10,000 years ago) reduced the need for survival hunting in most parts of the world. Hunting has continued, however, for several reasons, and poaching remains a possibility wherever hunting is an important part of the economy or culture.
Animal products, such as hide, ivory, horn, teeth and bone, are sold to dealers who make clothes, jewelry and other materials from them. In some African and Latin American societies, animals are poached for game meat. In Congo, for example, wild monkey meat is sold in the open market, and in many parts of North America, white-tailed deer is hunted for food.
Figure 2. King Oyo of Tooro kingdom, Uganda. His seat is covered with leopard skin and his dress is made from a mixture of cloth and backcloth made from the back tree. (Source: Photograph © New vision photo)
Some animals have religious value and are used as totems and in witchcraft. For example, among the Banyoro, Baganda and Batooro of West and Central Uganda, the king traditionally sits on a leopard skin. Many tribes in Congo consider leopard skin a symbol of magic, and many witch doctors in the region use these skins to show their powers. Many animals are killed for ceremonial purposes, such as cleansing a bad omen, asking gods for rain, etc.
Animals are also believed to be a source of local herbs and have medicinal value. For example, it is believed by some Lendu in Eastern Congo that the lion’s liver cures skin diseases, and it is also used as a poison. Mbuti pygmies of Western Uganda and Eastern Congo are said to use snake poison on their fighting arrows. Animals in the developing world are also hunted as vermin by communities that leave near forests and game parks. The aim is to kill the animals and stop them from encroaching on farms.
Hunting for sport is also practiced in various nations. Though most of it is controlled, illegal sport hunting is common in developing countries. Many sport hunters keep the animals as trophies.
No matter the reason why an animal is killed, all types of hunting or poaching have led to extinction of species, and if uncontrolled many more animals will become extinct.
Methods of poaching
Snare wire
These are cable wires of different lengths which are tied on trees to trap animals. The snare is put in such a position that it traps the animal around the neck. The wire strangles the animal as it struggles to free itself. Snares are used by poachers in national parks in Kenya and Tanzania.
Spears and dogs
Figure 3. Hunters with a net wrapped on a stick and a spear on their way to hunting in Masindi District, Western Uganda. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
A more traditional method involves chasing and spearing animals with the assistance of dogs. The dogs disorient the animal and in some cases actually subdue it. A dog may have a bell tied around its necks, which startles the quarry from its hiding place.
Trap nets
The net is spread at one end of an area, and the poachers, sometimes with the assistance of dogs, chase the animals towards it. The animals get trapped in the net, and the poachers spear them.
Pitfalls
Pits are dug to trap large animals such as elephants, buffaloes and zebras. The pits are dug across the path of the animals. The pits are normally covered with grass and trees to disguise them. The animals are normally pushed towards the pit. This is done in two ways: some hunters chase the animals, while others provoke the animals into chasing them. Because the animals are heavier than the plants covering the pit, they will fall in while crossing the pit. It is here that the hunters will come and kill the animal; most of these animals are killed for their ivory, teeth and other products. Normally the hunter takes a very small part of the animal, which is then sold to dealers.
Arrows and bows
Figure 4. Snare-like trap used to trap smaller animals in the Rwenzori region. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
These are normally made out of local forest products. Some hunters such as the Mbuti pygmies of Congo are said to put poison on their arrow tips.
Other traps
Figure 5. Horseshoe-like trap used to trap smaller animals in the Rwenzori region. The trap holds the animal by its leg. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
Poachers use many other traps; most are made with local materials. An example is a snare-like trap used to trap small animals mainly used by communities in the Rwenzori area (Figure 4). The other commonly used trap in the area is a horseshoe-like trap made from iron (Figure 5). The trap is placed on the ground and the animal gets trapped when it steps on it.
Many people have been inadvertently injured by poachers' traps. The majority of the casualties are women and children who normally go into the forests to collect firewood, food, and other forest products. Stepping on a trap like the one in Figure 5 can lead to broken legs and even death.
Reasons for poaching
Figure 1. An African lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Such animals are hunted because of their meat and also for religious reasons. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
Humans and their ancestors have hunted for over 400,000 years. Historically, hunting has played an important role in leadership, community formation, language development, and tool use. While primitive humans relied largely upon hunting for food, the agricultural revolution (approximately 10,000 years ago) reduced the need for survival hunting in most parts of the world. Hunting has continued, however, for several reasons, and poaching remains a possibility wherever hunting is an important part of the economy or culture.
Animal products, such as hide, ivory, horn, teeth and bone, are sold to dealers who make clothes, jewelry and other materials from them. In some African and Latin American societies, animals are poached for game meat. In Congo, for example, wild monkey meat is sold in the open market, and in many parts of North America, white-tailed deer is hunted for food.
Figure 2. King Oyo of Tooro kingdom, Uganda. His seat is covered with leopard skin and his dress is made from a mixture of cloth and backcloth made from the back tree. (Source: Photograph © New vision photo)
Some animals have religious value and are used as totems and in witchcraft. For example, among the Banyoro, Baganda and Batooro of West and Central Uganda, the king traditionally sits on a leopard skin. Many tribes in Congo consider leopard skin a symbol of magic, and many witch doctors in the region use these skins to show their powers. Many animals are killed for ceremonial purposes, such as cleansing a bad omen, asking gods for rain, etc.
Animals are also believed to be a source of local herbs and have medicinal value. For example, it is believed by some Lendu in Eastern Congo that the lion’s liver cures skin diseases, and it is also used as a poison. Mbuti pygmies of Western Uganda and Eastern Congo are said to use snake poison on their fighting arrows. Animals in the developing world are also hunted as vermin by communities that leave near forests and game parks. The aim is to kill the animals and stop them from encroaching on farms.
Hunting for sport is also practiced in various nations. Though most of it is controlled, illegal sport hunting is common in developing countries. Many sport hunters keep the animals as trophies.
No matter the reason why an animal is killed, all types of hunting or poaching have led to extinction of species, and if uncontrolled many more animals will become extinct.
Methods of poaching
Snare wire
These are cable wires of different lengths which are tied on trees to trap animals. The snare is put in such a position that it traps the animal around the neck. The wire strangles the animal as it struggles to free itself. Snares are used by poachers in national parks in Kenya and Tanzania.
Spears and dogs
Figure 3. Hunters with a net wrapped on a stick and a spear on their way to hunting in Masindi District, Western Uganda. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
A more traditional method involves chasing and spearing animals with the assistance of dogs. The dogs disorient the animal and in some cases actually subdue it. A dog may have a bell tied around its necks, which startles the quarry from its hiding place.
Trap nets
The net is spread at one end of an area, and the poachers, sometimes with the assistance of dogs, chase the animals towards it. The animals get trapped in the net, and the poachers spear them.
Pitfalls
Pits are dug to trap large animals such as elephants, buffaloes and zebras. The pits are dug across the path of the animals. The pits are normally covered with grass and trees to disguise them. The animals are normally pushed towards the pit. This is done in two ways: some hunters chase the animals, while others provoke the animals into chasing them. Because the animals are heavier than the plants covering the pit, they will fall in while crossing the pit. It is here that the hunters will come and kill the animal; most of these animals are killed for their ivory, teeth and other products. Normally the hunter takes a very small part of the animal, which is then sold to dealers.
Arrows and bows
Figure 4. Snare-like trap used to trap smaller animals in the Rwenzori region. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
These are normally made out of local forest products. Some hunters such as the Mbuti pygmies of Congo are said to put poison on their arrow tips.
Other traps
Figure 5. Horseshoe-like trap used to trap smaller animals in the Rwenzori region. The trap holds the animal by its leg. (Source: Photograph by Magelah Peter G. © 2007)
Poachers use many other traps; most are made with local materials. An example is a snare-like trap used to trap small animals mainly used by communities in the Rwenzori area (Figure 4). The other commonly used trap in the area is a horseshoe-like trap made from iron (Figure 5). The trap is placed on the ground and the animal gets trapped when it steps on it.
Many people have been inadvertently injured by poachers' traps. The majority of the casualties are women and children who normally go into the forests to collect firewood, food, and other forest products. Stepping on a trap like the one in Figure 5 can lead to broken legs and even death.
Surge in rhino poaching devastates African populations
March 16, 2010 | By Robyn Dixon
The baby rhino, an orphan, had barely been weaned. Her horn was only a few inches long. But that didn't stop the poachers from hacking it off. David Uys, 33, had helped raise the rhino after her mother was killed by lightning. He called her Weerkind -- "orphan" in Afrikaans. He won't forget the sight of the bodies of the baby and two other rhinos, shot dead, their horns removed. "I'm not a one for talking about emotions," Uys said quietly. "But it was like seeing one of your family members dead, the brutality of it."
