Trafficking+of+Species


 * __Global Classroms 2010: Animal Trafficking __**

The United Nations tells us that **wild animal trafficking**—the **illegal transport and trade** of wild and often **endangered species**—is the third largest illegal worldwide activity, coming after weapon and drug trafficking. Animal trafficking is a major threat to **biodiversity** because it removes thousands of species from their **natural habitats**. Humans have hunted wild animals for centuries now and have always been a contributing factor to the **decline in animal populations.** But the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought with it improvements in technology and transportation that would increase humans’ **exploitation** of natural resources. Now, more and more, we are **hunting** endangered species, an activity that **poses the** **threat of extinction.** Around 20% of the world’s mammal species are currently at risk of extinction. Also, the **exportation** of animals from an ecosystem breaks the delicate chain of life of that ecosytem and the **importation** of **invasive species** into their new homes can cause imbalances in plant or animal life as well as the spread of deadly diseases.

Although there have been many **treaties** and government agreements made to put an end to wildlife trade, people around the world continue to commit **“wildlife crimes,”** with such activities centered in different areas of underdevloped countries in **//Africa, Asia, and South and Central America//**. The animals are usually taken from these areas and sold at very expensive prices to people in industrialized, developed countries in **//North America, the Middle East, and East Asia//**.

The animals are used for all sorts of purposes ranging from **pets**, to **fashion accessories**, to **medicinal supplements**. Some common examples of uses of wild animals are elephants for ivory and jewelry, bears, snakes,and spiders for medicine, shark fin for soup, and wild birds for pets and food.

The illegal trade of wild animals also has direct negative effects on humans. The business, because it is widespread and against the law, is often dangerous for those involved and is controlled by powerful **criminals** and even **warlords** in some countries.

The most important international organizations that work with the issue of animal trafficking are **//__CITES (the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)__//** as well as **//__TRAFFIC,__//** the **//__WWF (the Worldwide Wildlife Fund)__//** and **//__Interpol (the international organization that connects police forces around the world).__//** There are many others that join in the fight against wildlife trade. While researching and thinking about your country’s stand on wildlife trade, focus on these issues: **the protection of wildlife, the decrease of demand,** and **the improvement of border controls.**


 * __QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT __**


 * 1. **Does your country benefit economically from the trafficking of wild animals? How and Why?
 * 2. **Who in your country is affected by trafficking? How? (Think of those who are both positively and negtaively affected).
 * 3. **Should developed countries be obligated to provide the money needed to stop animal trafficking? Why?
 * 4. **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Does your countr think that CITES is a successful and positive idea?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5. **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How can countries lower the demand for wildlife in the markets?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6. **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How can countries make sure that the traffickers have other ways of making money so that they don´t need to trade wild animals?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">7. **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How can your government stop criminals from crossing borders with animals?

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CyberDodo



Endangered Species WildAid

Tierramérica