Illegal hunting, also known as illegal poaching, is a major threat to wildlife conservation. It is the quick removal of wildlife from their habitats, often for profit, without taking into account the effects it has on the animals or their ecosystem. There are countless species targeted by illegal hunters and poachers and the harm caused to their populations is quickly expanding. The severity of the problem is such that it is considered to be one of the main reasons behind the extinction of several species over the years.
Poaching has been taking place since pre-historic times but today; it is more dangerous than ever before. Wildlife trade, for instance, has grown to become the world’s fourth largest illicit trade, following behind drugs, human trafficking, and arms dealing. An estimated 26,000 elephants were slaughtered in 2016 and over 7,000 rhinos in South Africa were brutally mutilated, simply because of their valuable ivory and horn. Most of this poaching is done illegally and the impact is already being felt, resulting in the extinction or near-extinction of several species, such as the Dodo Bird and the Passenger Pigeon.
One of the greatest reasons why illegal hunting is so dangerous is that it disrupts the natural balance of life. With these animals removed from their natural environments, the balance of prey and predator is misaligned, which can lead to tremendous destruction. For example, a mid-size herbivore such as a deer has the capacity to consume up to five pounds of foliage in a day. With the exclusion of these animals from their natural habitats, there will be too much vegetation, which will result in desertification and deforestation in some areas, negatively impacting the well-being of several other species living in those areas.
Wildlife conservation is essential because it helps preserve species that are vital to the environment. The destruction of any species, however small, can lead to irreversible damage that could take decades to heal. For instance, the loss of an apex predator such as the tiger could lead to a chain reaction that will decimate the entire ecosystem of that particular habitat. As the top predator in the food chain, the tiger will function to keep the population of herbivores in check. In its absence, large herbivores like deer will start to overgraze, leading to competition with smaller herbivores for resources. This competition will eventually lead to the extinction of several others species.
Furthermore, illegal hunting has an effect on the economic situation of many countries. For example, the poaching of elephants for their ivory has led to international sanctions, resulting in several countries being banned from conducting export and import activities, thereby hurting the economy of these countries. Countries such as Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe rely heavily on revenue from wildlife tourism, which is heavily impacted when wildlife is illegally hunted or poached. The illegal hunting and poaching of wildlife will not only affect the animals but also the economy of countries and their people who depend on these animals for tourism and trade.
Finally, illegal hunting can lead to the spread of diseases. Animals carry numerous diseases, some of which are harmful to humans. For example, the Ebola virus that broke out in Africa in 2014 started from fruit bats, which are hunted for bushmeat. The virus then spread to humans through contact with animals. This is one example of the devastating consequences that can occur when illegal hunting is allowed to persist.
Measures are being taken to curb illegal hunting and poaching, but it is the responsibility of every individual to be conscious and responsible for their actions. One immediate solution includes the education of communities in areas where poaching is common. Education will enlighten them about the harmful effects of such activities on the species being poached, the environment, and the community around them.
Law enforcement has also been key in combating illegal hunting, poaching, and wildlife trade, by increasing penalties for offenders and tightening up borders to limit the illegal movement of wildlife products. Scientists and researchers have taken an even more holistic approach, by implementing technology to track and monitor animal populations, studying animal behavior so that poaching trends can be identified and stopped.
In conclusion, illegal hunting is a major threat to wildlife conservation, causing harm to entire ecosystems and endangering the very fabric of our ecology. The impact reaches far beyond just the animal populations themselves and ultimately, impacts human economies, health, and well-being. Being conscious and responsible for our actions, and learning to educate and protect wildlife is the first step in safeguarding the environment for future generations. While there is still much work to be done, there is hope for a future in which human and animal populations work in tandem to restore and preserve the world’s wildlife populations.
