Gone Forever Thanks To Illegal Wildlife Trade

Did you know that "Big Game" hunters are actually saving these spiecies and have brought them back to larger numbers than ever before due to the high wire hunting grounds they have set up?

Rhino permit: Can you protect a species by selling permits to hunt it?
The Dallas Safari Club sold a permit to hunt an endangered African black rhino for $350,000. ...the money will go toward protecting the species and the rhino designated for the hunt is old

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0112/Rhino-permit-Can-you-protect-a-species-by-selling-permits-to-hunt-it

The Namibian government has allowed five Black Rhino trophy-hunt permits a year since 2004. Numbers of black rhino have increased in recent years from 3,600 to 5,055

http://greenglobaltravel.com/2014/01/19/black-rhino-hunting-killing-for-conservation/

We need MORE hunting of these animals, hunters are the best conservationists out there as they have a direct vested interest; it should be leveraged more.

Oh Please.

Why should any animal be allowed to be shot and killed just to boost some dickhead's ego.
Especially when there's a huge party of people involved in a hunt. I'd have more repsect if it was one on one. 1 man against 1 animal not a mob to bring one poor animal down. .
Just because Black Rhinos numbers are increasing according to your source doesn't mean we have the right to go out and kill them for someone's warped sense of pleasure.
Disgusting.

I feel the same way about lion(fish) hunting.

Let nature take its' course.

I'd agree except for the fact that Lion Fish are an invasive species in our waters, breed at an alarming rate and have no natural predators to take its course in keeping them in check in our waters and will decimate all other fish populations in our waters and coral reef systems. They pose a huge threat.

"Lionfish are not native to the Atlantic Ocean. The venomous, fast reproducing fish are aggressive eaters and will consume anything and everything, gorging so much they are actually getting liver disease. With no known predators -- except human beings -- they can wipe out 90% of a reef.

"The lionfish invasion is probably the worst environmental disaster the Atlantic will ever face," said Graham Maddocks, president and founder of Ocean Support Foundation, which works with the government and research agencies to help reduce the lionfish population in Bermuda.

While the problem is only beginning to escalate, many in the marine preservation field are already concerned for the marine life that surrounds the lionfish.

Ecologist James Morris with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science said that while this may not be the worst epidemic the Atlantic Ocean has faced, it does have the makings of a disaster. He said the lionfish has brought a "big change in biodiversity," and it is what he called "the most abundant top-level predator on some coral reefs (in the Atlantic)."

Lionfish were first recorded decades ago and their population has grown quickly. They produce 30,000 to 40,000 eggs every few days and are sexually mature by 1 year old. Today, you can find them throughout the Amazon, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and in the waters along North Carolina.

As a non-indigenous species, lionfish are especially dangerous to the ecosystem because fish in the Atlantic lack a native instinct to stay away from them.

Invasive species are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, but are now established along the southeast coast of the U.S., the Caribbean, and in parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

How did the fish get to the Atlantic? While the exact cause is unknown, it's likely that humans provided a helping hand. Experts speculate that people have been dumping unwanted lionfish from home aquariums into the Atlantic Ocean for up to 25 years.

Since lionfish are not native to Atlantic waters, they have very few predators. They are carnivores that feed on small crustaceans and fish, including the young of important commercial fish species such as snapper and grouper.

Unfortunately, NOAA researchers have concluded that invasive lionfish populations will continue to grow and cannot be eliminated using conventional methods. Marine invaders are nearly impossible to eradicate once established.

How lionfish will affect native fish populations and commercial fishing industries has yet to be determined. What is known is that non-native species can dramatically affect native ecosystems and local fishing economies. Experts are carefully studying these invaders to better understand their role in, and potential threat to, Atlantic Ocean ecosystems.

Lionfish have venomous spines that can be very painful. Scientists are also actively studying these fish to better understand the potential threat that lionfish pose to key reef and commercial fish species. Learning more about the habits and preferences of lionfish in non-native waters also helps experts determine where to look for these invasive fish.

Lionfish are:
1) Voracious predators being shown to eat native fish and crustaceans in large quantities, including both ecologically and economically important species like grunts, snapper, nassau grouper, and cleaner shrimp
2) Not known to have any native predators
3) Equipped with venomous dorsal, ventral and anal spines, which deter predators and can cause painful wounds to humans
4) Capable of reproducing year-round with unique reproduction mechanisms not commonly found in native fishes (females can reproduce every 4 days!)
5) Relatively resistant to parasites, giving them another advantage over native species
6) Fast in their growth, able to outgrow native species with whom they compete for food and space

Non-native marine fishes can pose a major threat to marine fisheries, habitats, and eco-system function. Increased reports of non-native species and the successful invasion of lionfish in Atlantic waters have proven the need for early warning and rapid response to confirmed sightings. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), has been working with Federal, State, and local partners as well as divers and dive operators, public aquaria, and foreign fisheries departments to enact rapid response protocol and removals and to assist with scientific investigations related to non-native marine species.

Indo-pacific Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) have been documented along the entire US East Coast from Florida through Massachusetts, east to Bermuda and south throughout the Caribbean. The expansion has been extremely rapid and exponential in scope.

See this link for additional info and map: http://www.reef.org/lionfish
How you can help:
•If you see or capture an invasive lionfish, please report your encounter in our Exotic Species Sighting Form.
•If you are conducting a REEF survey and encounter a lionfish (or any non-native species), please report the species as a write in species on the back of the REEF scansheet. Whenever possible, please include an extra sheet of paper with extended details about habitat the fish was in, behaviors noted, other species it associated with, and approximate size. Also indicate if you have photo/video of the fish. Be sure to enter this information when entering your survey data onto the websit and please report your sighting through our exotic species online reporting form as well.
•Participate in a REEF Lionfish Research Trip.
•Attend a Lionfish Workshop for more information and to obtain a permit to collect lionfish in the SPAs.
•Sign up for a Lionfish Derby to remove lionfish from the reefs while entering to win great prizes.
•Ask for lionfish at your local restaurant. (see who's serving here)

Thanks. I found out that Iguanas are also an invasive species, so I'll pull out my trusty 22 cal. pellet rifle and start hunting away.

Is there a bounty for the tails?

Why do you have to be so confrontational and take a learning experience to the extreme?
I don't appreciate it and if you don't have anything to add besides stupidity, try to refrain from posting. Good Grief!

Learn from the reefs of the Pacific.
Last time I was there, 90% of the reefs were not wiped out.

Nature always attains a balance. It's too late to do anything about the Lion Fish now.
We should be focused on restricting pot fishing and other wasteful fishing methods instead.

Oh Please.

Why should any animal be allowed to be shot and killed just to boost some dickhead's ego.
Especially when there's a huge party of people involved in a hunt. I'd have more repsect if it was one on one. 1 man against 1 animal not a mob to bring one poor animal down. .
Just because Black Rhinos numbers are increasing according to your source doesn't mean we have the right to go out and kill them for someone's warped sense of pleasure.
Disgusting.

There was a real easy solution - Have the WWF or other foundation bid against the Safari Club. Gets money directly to the host nations DNR and saves a Rhino. I guess putting their money where their mouth is confusing

You do realize they select the animal (Typically one thats not involved with breeding

What right does anyone have to put a price tag on any animal to encourage a group of people with guns to hunt down and kill 1 defenseless animal so they can mount it on a wall for their warped ego display?

If you compare trophy hunters to serial killers they are very similar in mentality.

Similarities Between Trophy Hunters And Serial Killers

First off, I should make the distinction between these two terms.

Serial killers kill humans; trophy hunters kill any animals other than humans.

Compelled to keep a trophy souvenir from their victims
The killing is addictive and leads to more killings
They seek fame, attention, and notoriety
The kills are premeditated (who, what, where, how)
The killing gives a surge of adrenalin ("thrill kill")
Stalking the victim gives a feeling of excitement
Killing becomes a compulsion (addiction)
The killing is seen as a "sport" or "game"
There's a down time ("cooling off" period) between killings
Gives the killer a feeling of power, dominance, and control over their victim
They are titillated by "the hunt" and fantasize about the kill
Many document their kills via photos and/or videos to gratify themselves later

The difference is only that serial killers do not normally hunt in massive groups to bring down a solitary target at a time. These people are worse than serial killers, IMO.

The difference is only that serial killers do not normally hunt in massive groups to bring down a solitary target at a time. These people are worse than serial killers, IMO.

The difference is that serial killers don't pay 350,000 to kill & provoke the creation of animal preserves where money motivates protection of the animals.

Oh, and serial killers don't pick out the aggressive old bulls that are harming the populations chances by attacking the younger males.

your emotion based reactions devastate your argument.

Quite frankly, I don't care what you think, LF.

What right does anyone have to put a price tag on any animal to encourage a group of people with guns to hunt down and kill 1 defenseless animal so they can mount it on a wall for their warped ego display?

So the Namibian government doesn't get to say how they manage their resources?

The Namibian government got $350,000 to improve habitat and combat poaching (IMO - this should be where your anger should be directed) for the culling of an old Bull.

Curious as to what HSI has actively done to support the Black Rhino herd

Why don't you look it up?

It's disingenious to kill something to protect it.
Let nature take it's course as CI would say.
Let's pay to hunt you down and kill youwhen you get old.
We can donate the money to conserve young people.

My point is that we continue to put a price on these animals heads for slaughter or capture and it is simply not right. The fact that someone is willing to pay that much to slaughter that animal just to hang it on their trophy wall is fundamentally wrong and it should not be allowed.

We won't be happy until we kill or capture every single wild-life species on the planet.
We're doing a pretty good job of it right now.

I tried to find something/anything, figured that since you're promoting HSI, you'd have a better idea

If you could kill 1 non breeding Black Rhino to save 10 from poachers/improve the herd, would that be a worthwhile trade? Namibia offers 5 permits to hunt a Black Rhino, yes its a canned hunt but the money generated serves a better purpose than bloviating on a message board or asking that one sign a petition

The entire discussion misses the forest for the trees as poachers take multiple more Rhinos that the legal government hunt. Maybe starting with some common ground (poaching) HSI & SCI can actually combine to improve the situation

Quite frankly, I don't care what you think, LF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnTWxpTQt4

The savannahs, grasslands and forests of Africa and Asia once teemed with elephants and rhinos. Huge and majestic, these species are iconic among wild animals. So it’s unimaginable that in our lifetime, they could disappear forever. But that possibility is very real.

Already at risk from habitat loss and climate change, elephants and rhinos also face another fatal threat: poachers’ greed. These organized and ruthless criminals hunt down the endangered animals, hack off their tusks and horns and sell them to the highest bidder who will make them into jewelry, trinkets or useless tonics. The defaced animals slowly bleed to death.

HSI is fighting back, but we urgently need you on our side. Please, join us today as a Wildlife Defender – our special community of monthly donors dedicated to protecting wildlife – and help us make sure elephants and rhinos will never disappear.

Each month, your gift will support our lifesaving efforts – from raising awareness to decreasing consumer demand that drives the wildlife trade, to campaigning for stricter regulation of these products, and so much more.

Slaughtering animals to produce adornments is barbaric and this illegal industry is wiping out wildlife populations by the tens of thousands every year. We must act now to save them.

Please help us fight back—become a Wildlife Defender today! As a Wildlife Defender, you'll receive special email updates on our campaign to protect elephants and rhinos from poaching, and all the ways your gift is helping other wild animals around the world.

We hope you’ll join us in fighting for the future of these important species!

To donate see this link: https://donate.hsi.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=104&ea.campaign.id=26319&recurring=true&ea.tracking.id=email&ea.url.id=283254&ea.campaigner.email=ifBTtJW5QDzOOIxXRSfRFjTH0kHiu5Hp&ea_broadcast_target_id=0

Sincerely,

Andrew Rowan
President and CEO
Humane Society International

Each month, your gift will support our lifesaving efforts – from raising awareness to decreasing consumer demand that drives the wildlife trade, to campaigning for stricter regulation of these products, and so much more.

So they are physically doing nothing to stop the illegal exploitation of these animals. With all the millions they raise working with a NGO/Government DNR on anti poaching activities

So they are physically doing nothing to stop the illegal exploitation of these animals. With all the millions they raise working with a NGO/Government DNR on anti poaching activities

Welcome to large scale charities! most of them collect a lot of money and hardly any goes to the actual "cause"...

here's some examples:

the percentage of money raised that went to the supposed cause:

Kids Wish Network (2.5%)
Cancer Fund of America (0.9%)
Children's Wish Foundation International (10.8%)
American Breast Cancer Foundation (5.3%)
Firefighters Charitable Foundation (8.4%)
Breast Cancer Relief Foundation (2.2%)
International Union of Police Associations (0.5%)
National Veterans Service Fund (7.8%)
American Association of State Troopers (8.6%)
Children's Cancer Fund of America (5.3%)

I bet this silly (and ultimately completely useless, especially compared to the example I gave, which has increased Rhino populations from 3,300 to 5,500+) campaign posted above fits right into this list...

Bill Honoring Slain Elephant Could Help Fight Ivory Trafficking

Earlier this summer the heartbreaking story of Satao, one of Kenya’s most well-known and beloved elephants, made headlines after he was killed by poachers in Tsavo East National Park. Now legislation introduced in his honor could impose trade sanctions on countries that continue to facilitate the bloody ivory trade.

Among ongoing efforts to fight the poaching crisis, last week Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio introduced the Targeted Use of Sanctions for Killing Elephants in their Range (TUSKER) Act, in honor of Satao – who was known as a tusker for his enormous tusks – in an effort to impose consequences on countries that aren’t upholding their commitments to shut down the trade and protect elephants.

Sadly, Sateo’s tragic death was one among tens of thousands of elephants who continue to die because of the world’s seemingly insatiable demand for ivory. A recent study published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences found that the demand is responsible for the deaths of 100,000 African elephants in just the past three years alone.

Not only has this devastating loss raised concerns that we could see these magnificent animals disappear from the landscape within our lifetime, but also about how the ivory trade is continuing to threaten global security and support criminal activity.

DeFazio stated:

As many as 40,000 elephants were slaughtered in 2013 alone for their tusks and over 1,000 park rangers have been killed trying to protect endangered wildlife. The illegal wildlife trade funds the operations of gun, drug and human trafficking crime syndicates. It also funds extremely dangerous terrorist groups that threaten regional stability in Africa and national security in the United States. We need to choke off the access to the market. My legislation sends a strong message– if countries permit this illegal trafficking, there will be economic consequences.

According to a statement, numbers from the White House National Security Council and information from the UN Security Council shows elephant ivory contributes between $7 billion and $10 billion a year to the global illegal trade and funds organized criminal and terrorist organizations, including Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, the Janjaweed in Darfur and the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab.

Conservation and wildlife advocacy organizations are applauding the bill’s introduction and hope further efforts from the U.S., which is the world’s second largest market for ivory behind China, will help stem the the flow of ivory and encourage tougher poaching laws and trade regulations in countries that are involved in the trade. The bill will now be heard by the House Natural Resource Committee, which will hopefully move it forward.

“The international illicit ivory trade is being driven by dangerous organized crime syndicates in Africa and Asia and must be stopped. Elephants continue to be slaughtered at record levels; heroic park rangers are literally laying their lives on the line to keep them safe; and national security in the most vulnerable parts of Africa is made more fragile. Congressman DeFazio deserves the full support of all Members of Congress for tackling this significant issue head-on,” said Adam Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA.

Meanwhile, elephant and rhino advocates from around the world are getting ready to speak out on October 4 for the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos in an effort to raise global awareness about the poaching crisis, to call for a global ban on the trade of wildlife parts and to demand governments take serious action to stop wildlife crime.

Check out the the March for Elephants and Rhinos to find out more about how to get involved.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/bill-honoring-slain-elephant-could-help-fight-ivory-trafficking.html#ixzz3DZpb4CLe

Activists in More Than 100 Cities to March Saturday Against Elephant and Rhino Poaching

If killing continues at current rates, advocates say the iconic animals could be eradicated from the wild in two decades.