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Wildlife Crimes Overview. The Billion-Dollar Market. Why Do People Poach Wildlife?. Poachers are people who illegally kill/capture wildlife, but why? Thrill and power Collect and display trophies Show anger at laws or a situation MONEY
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Wildlife Crimes Overview The Billion-Dollar Market
Why Do People Poach Wildlife? • Poachers are people who illegally kill/capture wildlife, but why? • Thrill and power • Collect and display trophies • Show anger at laws or a situation • MONEY • This is a billion $ business that involves millions of plants and animals
Why Do People Poach Wildlife? • Hundreds of millions of plants and animals are taken from their habitats each year • Some captured for pets are exhibits • Killed for products • Clothing, jewelry, décor, souvenirs, and/or medicines • Considered pests and killed to keep them out of areas inhabited by humans • Bushmeat • Wildlife killed for food • Very big in Africa (elephants, gorillas, antelope, crocs)
Is there a legal wildlife trade? • Yes! Most animals can be legally hunted, captured and traded by following the law • Special permits can even be obtained to trade endangered or threatened wildlife • “endangered” species is close to extinction • “threatened” species is likely to become endangered • The goal of this trade is usually to help maintain a healthy ecosystem