About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 1 (September 13, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/goveeml0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Cogesoa Reeac Servic September 13, 2021 Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking in Africa: An Overview Overview Wildlife poaching-the illegal hunting or capture of wild animals-occurs in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Africa), a biodiverse region. Poaching is a component of wildlife trafficking (i.e., illegal trade in wildlife). International demand, particularly from Asia, drives poaching and trafficking of certain high-profile African wildlife products, and threatens some species' long-term viability. The role of poaching and wildlife trafficking in reducing biodiversity and disrupting ecosystems, supporting transnational criminal and militant groups, spreading zoonotic diseases, and weakening the rule of law has prompted international concern and led some in the 117th Congress to propose legislation to address such challenges. Several analyses, including from the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), identify various economic incentives as drivers of wildlife poaching and trafficking in Africa. Subsistence poachers may hunt for consumption or local sale for comparatively small profits. Local intermediaries who transport wildlife products for onward trafficking also reportedly obtain limited profits. Organized commercial poachers, international intermediaries, and manufacturers and retailers in destination markets may engage in larger- scale, higher-return operations. Top destinations for trafficked African wildlife products vary by product, but include China and countries in Southeast Asia. Factors at the community level may also foster poaching in Africa. Tensions between conservation authorities and communities living near protected areas can impede efforts to curtail wildlife crime: residents may disregard regulations or cooperate with poachers due to perceptions that conservation initiatives yield few local benefits or threaten traditional livelihoods (e.g., hunting or agriculture). Human-wildlife conflict over crops, livestock grazing land, or human safety also contributes to poaching in some areas. Low capacity and/or corruption within customs and law enforcement services reportedly enable such activities. Species of Concern A range of iconic animals-including African elephants and rhinoceroses-are affected by poaching and wildlife trafficking. These two species are considered threatened or endangered under international conventions as well as the U.S. Endangered Species Act (P.L. 93-205, 16 U.S.C. §§1531-1544), resulting in U.S. trade restrictions on derivative products. African elephant populations range in up to 36 countries depending on herd movements, primarily in Southern and East Africa (home to an estimated 55% and 28% of the continent's estimated 415,000 elephants, respectively). Illegal trade in ivory increased in the mid- 2000s and peaked during 2010-2012, when an estimated 100,000 African elephants were reportedly killed. Elephant poaching appears to have since declined. Some scientists attribute this decline to greater awareness and enforcement of anti-wildlife trafficking laws. Within Central African countries, which reportedly experienced the highest per- capita levels of poaching a decade ago, fewer elephants may be left to hunt. The International Union for Conservation of Nature reported that as of 2020, black and white rhinoceros populations stood at 3,142 and 10,080, respectively. Rhinoceros populations in Africa are concentrated in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. According to surveys, poaching of African rhinoceroses peaked in 2015 and decreased through 2019. Rhinoceroses are poached for their horns, which are used in practices including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and as ornaments. South Africa, home to roughly 75% of the African rhinoceros population, has seen the most poaching per-capita. China and Vietnam are reportedly the top destination countries for rhinoceros horns. Several other rare and endangered species are poached in Africa, including lions, mountain gorillas, pangolins, certain tortoises, and cheetahs. These species are poached largely for their body parts and meat, which are consumed or used in TCM and ornaments. Non-endangered species also are poached. Many observers assess that the bushmeat trade and overhunting have at times led to declines in primates, antelopes, and some rodent populations. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) COVID-19 resulted in restricted travel into and out of African countries, reducing revenue from tourism and hunting licensing and, in turn, funding for management of parks and reserves. Analyses of the relationship between poaching and COVID-19 are sparse. Some conservation groups reported a rise in poaching for bushmeat (wild game for human consumption) and regional sale including in parts of East and Southern Africa, due to increased poverty and reduced monitoring. At the same time, travel restrictions may have disrupted transnational trafficking of certain species. The South African government, for instance, reported that rhinoceros poaching decreased by 33*o in 2020, due, in part, to COVID-19 lockdowns. The Kenyan Wildlife Service reported that for the first time since 1999, no rhinos were poached in 2020. Selected International Responses The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in animals and ,ips://crsreports.congress.gov 0

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most