https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/24/science/poaching-conservation-rhinos-elephants.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage
There is laws to prevent the killing of endangered animals like rhinos and elephants. In South Africa, poachers have found a loophole for selling rhino horns. There is a huge market for it and it is very lucrative, so crime groups are forming all over South Africa. One of their leaders, Mr. Lemtongthai, was caught and sentenced to 40 years in prison, but the trade system is so intricate that not much can be done to stop it. Even though there are methods to control this problem, many governments are not taking action against poaching.
This article comes from the New York Times and is a very credible source. The writer, Rachel Nuwer, got to interview Mr. Lemtongthai, who did not think what he was doing was wrong. This article was posted today, and it is saddening to see that this issue is still very common. I thought that wild life organizations had somewhat of a handle on the poaching problem, but it is still a big issue.
It reminds me of when the colonists came in and killed the buffalo in the American Plains. They wiped out the populations and wasted most of the animal, similar to the poachers who only want the rhino's horn.
I honestly thought that the amount of animal poaching had decreased throughout the years and its sad to hear that its still very common and that theres not much anyone can do to stop it. -Adriana Chavez
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that the smuggling and poaching problems were reaching this level of destruction. I think that it is sad that people will completely waste an animal just for one part of it whether it be the horn of the rhino or the tusks of an elephant. I wish there was something law enforcement could do, but I can see how it is difficult to stop when some governments don't even make an effort.
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