Poaching not only endangers animals across our planet, but also creates hardships and dangers for communities living near to poached species.

Poaching is defined as the illegal killing or taking of wildlife. Often, this horrendous act is done for financial gain by the selling of animal parts or species on the black market. In fact, according to sources including the US Customs and Immigrations, it is estimated that the illegal wildlife trade accounts for around 10 to 20 billion dollars into the black market each year. However, there are also less obvious concerns that arise in nearby communities and globally as a result of poaching.

The trafficking of wildlife parts has proven to increase the transferring of zoonotic diseases; ones that are spread between animals and people. This is due to the lack of cleanliness, care, and transport conditions of wildlife and their parts as they are processed and moved from country to country. Not only are poachers considered criminals by law for the very act of killing innocent wildlife, but they simultaneously show no regard for human populations who come into contact with such poached parts.

For example, poached fruit bats in Africa have lead to outbreaks of the deadly Ebola virus. Another way poaching can result in the spread of disease is by eliminating the predators who might otherwise prey on ill or virus carrying species; such as rodents, ungulates, or other older and diseased mammals. Offsetting predator population balances amongst already endangered and dwindling species can cause trophic cascades and collapses across ecosystems. Leading to the potential for further conflict with humans, as resources are lost and animals become more dependent on human products and livestocks for food.

Native wildlife species also play a vital role in the ecosystems in which they reside. Many smaller rural communities rely on these unique ecosystems to support their way of life; by sustainably hunting and gathering animals and plants to eat in a sustainable manner. Poaching however, can lead to the rapid decline of one or more animal species in short amounts of time, causing the ecosystem to become unbalanced and burdens of hunger and financial stress to be placed on communities.

An additional detrimental effect of poaching is the ruin it brings to the economy of the region. Many countries, especially in Africa, rely on the tourism industry to fuel their economy. The concept of ecotourism is dependent on visitors being drawn to and paying sometimes large amounts of money to witness highly endangered species in the wild. In fact, according to Conservation Mag, ecotourism in Africa supports 24 million jobs and drives almost 10% of it’s economy. Realizing this, groups of anti poaching rangers are also on the rise in Africa; as animals and environments are continually being destroyed by poachers. In sum, fewer natural areas filled with rare species means a reduced desire for ecotourism, subjecting local economies and citizens to poverty.

Overall, poaching is a widespread global epidemic that cannot be overlooked or underestimated. Its horrible effects are felt by ecosystems, economies, communities, and most profoundly by the animals who lose their lives. The fact that animals are the primary victims of poaching and humans still suffer greatly as a result, shows how interconnected our world truly is. The consequences of poaching should serve as a reminder of how humans and animals need to coexist – as what harms one in turn harms the other.

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