Britain Commits More Money To Fighting The Illegal Wildlife Trade

Poachers are pushing the iconic elephant to the brink of extinction in both Asia and Africa. The species is being targeted because their ivory tusks generate riches beyond belief. Rhino horns are thought to be a cure for cancer in the Far East despite the fact that it is made from exactly the same substance as our hair and toe nails. Regardless of that fact, the rhino horn is literally worth more than its weight in gold for organised criminals who see dealing in the contraband as being less perilous than dealing with drugs or human trafficking.

Blood ivory is profitable

Such huge profits have not escaped the attention of the continents terror outfits. Boko Haram and Al-shabaab have been killing elephants for their ivory which can fetch as much as £1,200 per kilo. The money they generate from “blood” ivory is used to finance their terrorist activities. In 2013 alone there were 20,000 elephants slaughtered which is simply unsustainable. Last year 1,293 rhinos were poached and we are at the point of no return for the continent’s largest animals.

Tigers at great risk

The jungles of Asia continue to be dangerous for the wild tiger. Their bones valued highly in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed magical properties. Tiger numbers in the wild have fallen to below 3,500 despite the fact the species is heavily protected under international law.

Britain is fighting back

Britain is leading the way in combating poachers for the survival of these species, primarily through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. The fund was launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for International Development in 2014. So far the fund has lent its financial support to 19 projects in various developing nations to help protect species that are endangered. So far £8 million in funding has already been granted and there will be an announcement of a further £5million. The money is being used to strengthen law enforcement and help cut down on demand for illegal wildlife products.

The challenge is not just environmental

During a conference held at the Zoological Society of London, Rory Stewart the Environment Minister said the illegal wildlife trade is placing some of the world’s most iconic species in extreme danger. The challenge is not just environmental with security and corruption also needing to be addressed. It is hoped the money will help to reduce the supply of illegal wildlife products as well as reduce demand.

The trade is huge business

The trade in illegal wildlife products has grown into a £6 billion a year industry which has effectively meant the criminal trade in ivory has doubled since 2007. Rhino poaching has risen by 5,000 per cent between 2007 and 2012 and it is estimated that poachers kill one rhino every 10 hours on average. In 2013 the Western black rhino disappeared and within our lifetime all species could disappear.

“The 2014 London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade greatly escalated political will to address this crisis, but greater effort is needed on the ground if we are to stop the needless slaughter of iconic species such as elephants, rhino and pangolins. ZSL and the conservation community greatly welcome Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Challenge Fund, which will provide essential resources to help curb demand, sustainable livelihoods to communities effected by illegal wildlife trade and help to strengthen the criminal justice system and enforcement on the ground.” Professor Jonathan Baillie, director of conservation programmes at ZSL, said: