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ANGOLA: ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE HIGHER THAN ARMS SMUGGLING. |
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United Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP) and Interpol has revealed through a report on Environmental Crime that inability to prevent and halt wildlife/environmental crime will make it impossible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On such a world recognized day, with the slogan "Go Wild for Life", world's environmentalists and conservationist were all in to develop strategies to fight illegal wildlife trade in the World. With Angola as the leading illegal wildlife trade country in Africa, UNEP celebrated World Environmental Day in Angola.
A report by UNEP, shows that 100,000 African elephants were killed (by poachers) between 2010 and 2012 – this also tells how crucial it is for environmental and conservation investors to consider Africa as a top place to develop eco-tourism and other related initiatives that will enhance the closure and end of the poaching revolution. According to Karren Allan, a reporter from Luanda, a project termed "Okavango Wilderness Project" and Angola's National Geographical Society expeditionary team have been studying the illegal trade of wildlife. The Okavango Wilderness Project is already proposing a reserve of about 175,000 kilometer square - a monitored but yet protected/reserved field where wildlife will have a better habitat to live and grow without being threatened by poachers. More so, such developments is accompanied with high infrastructural and administrative costs. The project also stated that there are existing wild regions with lots of wildlife which can be protected before it gets very late. The leader of the National Geographical Society had mentioned that fighting the illegal wildlife trade is ideally a cause of conservation and sustainability. Additionally, he revealed the cost of some bush meat in the country. According to him, a monkey costs 6 USD while it costs 60 USD to purchase a cut of snake.
In recent times, through support from international agencies and the Government of Angola, commenced an initiative to recruit soldiers and military personnel as wildlife guards in an effort to end the wildlife trade while promoting conservation. Culprits found trading/smuggling ivory are to face a 3 years jail sentence which has been backed by law, however, the initiative is not yielding its full potential – citizens says. According some citizens and history, bush meat became a favorite during the times of war in Angola. People will resort in bushes and feed on bush meat after the war, they see no reason to restrain from consuming bush meat. The concept of conservation is not well understood by citizens and the income generated from trading bush meat is so lucrative such that it wouldn't be easy to just end the era. Per UN and Interpol report, illegal wildlife trade is cumulatively functioning on a larger industrial scale and is possibly dominating arms smuggling. |
 
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11 Comments
Minjoo Mentor, I have published the report as an article on one of Africa's largest online platforms. We should all do the same. http://africabusiness.com/2016/06/12/angola-illegal-wildlife-trade-higher-than-arms-smuggling/
Posted 20-06-2016 21:34
@Adam, yes! There is a need to target hunters and poachers. The best way to do that is to provide them with an alternative source of livelihood. Like Heonjun is saying, most of these animals are killed for unnecessary reasons. Some for festival celebration and for superstitious purposes. There should be strict laws governing hunting.
Posted 20-06-2016 21:30
It is sad that these problems keep happening when i see so many are trying their best to eradicate this ill custom. More and more efforts, hopefully, will save animals from getting killed for stupid and trivial benefit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Posted 20-06-2016 15:51
Joshua, the government and NGOs need to do a lot of work to completely get rid of illegal trading. Highlighting the issue like Joshua just did, will bring alarm to community. Extinction of these various species will only result disaster to humans. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Posted 18-06-2016 16:13
A loss in animal biodiversity severely impacts its surroundings and in the process, we as human beings. A key aspect to target is the hunters and poachers as their main cause of killing animals is by getting a salary to help support their families. In giving them a more appealing alternative, this crisis can be solved. Thank you for the report!
Posted 17-06-2016 08:27
Arushi Madan, you're so right. We need to repost, republish and share this post as much as we can. Thank you.
Posted 17-06-2016 07:17
Syed Ahmed, mu biggest fear is extinction of all existing species. I know some species are somehow inevitable but we really need to pull all strings to conserve endangered species. Extinction cant be the thing we leave behind for the next generation.
Posted 17-06-2016 07:16
It is sad to note such alarming level of wild life trade in Angola. Authorities are trying their best to put an end to it, hope the people behind the crime(wild life trade) get some sense and stop killing animals for materialistic pleasures. Thanks for emphasising the issue. We need to share this serious concern as many times as possible.
Posted 17-06-2016 04:33
The dwindling population of the animals are an alarming concern that the government, private sector as well as all other relevant stakeholders should get try to solve immediately. If the current rate of decline continues these animals will reach close to extinction.
Posted 17-06-2016 04:01
Ayimo Etim, exactly. To end the illegal trade, Gov't must commit to supporting NGOs to have a lot of conservation education programmes. Thanks foe reading, colleague.
Posted 16-06-2016 22:43
Mr Joshua, it is obvious that most people living at the rural areas lack simple knowledge about the merits of natural forest to human well being and what would be the negative impact of their illegal trade of wildlife. The really need to be educate on this issues.
Posted 16-06-2016 21:21