Running Head: TRADING IN WILD ANIMALS

Trading in Wild Animals

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Introduction

Nowadays wildlife trafficking involves illegal cartels or rebels who are very

organized and thorough in their line of business. In most cases, these militia groups or cartels

breach borders and also get their networks outside their continents. They get supported

financially by unknown bodies and use sophisticated technological know-how to achieve

their operations. In most cases, these criminals are always well equipped and armed, and use

very advanced techniques to resist or avoid arrest by authorities (Mirema E, 2014). The

wildlife cartels and militia groups are ready to explain anyone trying to resist their plans

including killing them. In the process, many wildlife officials have lost their lives mercilessly

(Bekoff M, 2011). Activities of wild animal trades have led to the destruction of nature,

dwarfed economic prosperity of affected countries and undermined cultural heritage and the

rule of law. The worst bit of wild animal trade is that the funds gotten from these illegal

activities are used to fund dubious projects like armed conflicts and militia groups terrorizing

peaceful communities in these affected countries.

Research has also shown that these gangs and cartels bribe police officers, and other

influential government officers to enable them to continue with their illegal activities. Nature

is being robbed of its beauty through corruption (Karesh W, 2014). I believe its about time

we act on wildlife crime by empowering our wildlife officers and help the government

combat this menace allowing identification of these gangs and eliminating their activities

henceforth. Harsh penalties should be put on any criminal found guilty of wild animal

trafficking or trade. Public awareness campaigns can correctly work in the fight against wild

game trafficking (Ramsay B, 2011). In conclusion, the African elephant and the white rhino

can be protected from wildlife trade and poaching through advanced technology where each
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animal is easily identified digitally, and game wardens are well equipped to help them reduce

wildlife smuggling.
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References:

Bekoff, M., & Pierce, J. (2012). Wild justice: The moral lives of animals. University of

Chicago Press.

Ramsay, B. J. (2011). Commercial use of wild animals in Australia. Bureau of Resource

Sciences (BRS), Department of Primary Industries and Energy.

Karesh, W. B. (2014). Wildlife Trade and Global Disease Emergence-Volume 11, Number 7

July 2005-Emerging Infectious Disease journal-CDC.

Nellemann, C., Henriksen, R., Raxter, P., Ash, N., & Mrema, E. (2014). The environmental

crime crisis: threats to sustainable development from illegal exploitation and trade in wildlife

and forest resources. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).