What you can do to fight poaching

 

But illegal poaching might destroy Africa's biodiversity forever.       Where do we stand?         Why are these animals killed?     Endangered animals are slaughtered so that a single body part – tusks, pelt, or bones – can be illegally sold for huge sums of money.

Hangovers   Fever   Impotence   Cancer       The demand for rhino horn is exceedingly high on the black market; and is even valued more than gold.           Jewelry   Religious Figurines   Utensils   Trinkets       Illegal ivory can fetch a high price on the black market and can make a quick profit if the products can be traded in volume.         Zebras are hunted for their skins. They are also occasionally used for meat or medicine.     Wildlife officials have observed a recent surge in trafficking of infant gorillas. They are sold for up to $40,000.     Lions are being slaughtered for their body parts, including teeth, claws, and bones.       How did this happen?   The vast majority of poaching is caused by organized crime syndicates that use high-powered technology and weaponry to track and kill many animals at once without being detected.         What does this mean for Africa?     At current poaching rates, elephants, rhinos, and other iconic African wildlife may be gone within our lifetime.       What we're doing:       Protect Wildlife: We recruit, train, and equip our scouts with advanced tools like satellite phones, GPS, and all-terrain vehicles to help them safeguard animals.         Conserve Land: In tandem with anti- poaching efforts, we establish wildlife corridors – large sections of land that allow animals to move from one national park to another.         Educate the Public: We work with conservation groups and governments to raise awareness of poaching, illegal trading, and dwindling wildlife populations.         Provide Livelihood Alternatives: We work to provide alternative means of livelihood to local communities so wildlife is not harmed in order to sustain the local economy.       That's not all. To learn about our many ongoing efforts to protect Africa, visit: www.awf.org

What you can do:       Spread the word     Share this crucial information about the poaching crisis with your friends and family.

Spread the word     Share this crucial information about the poaching crisis with your friends and family.

JOIN NOW       African Wildlife Foundation 1100 New Jersey Ave SE Suite 900   |   Washington, DC 20003 www.awf.org     |   1-888-494-5354

Photos courtesy of Federico Veronesi / www.federicoveronesi.com, AWF, Craig R. Sholley, and Peter Chira