Illegal Wildlife Trade
Animals Endangered
Certain Animals That Are Being Exploited
- Turtles- Testudines
- Tigers- Panthera Tigris
- Crocodiles- Crocodylidae
- Sharks- Selachimorpha
Turtle's
Turtle's are located everywhere except for Antarctica. Turtles have become popular as tourist attractions, turtles provides jobs and income to seaside communities throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Turtle soup exists as a luxury dish in many cultures. Turtle fat is also used as a main ingredient. Plastrons, the parts of the turtle shell that cover the animal from the bottom, are widely used in traditional Chinese medicinal practice. It is known that Taiwan imports hundreds of plastrons every year. Also turtle jelly is becoming popular in Hongkong, Macau and mainland China. Turtle activists have really tried to speak to the public and expressing what can people do to save turtles.
Tiger's
Tigers are found in a wide range of habitats in Asia and the Russian Far East. Poaching for fur is the main cause the tigers population decline. Tigers are used as a medicine in China and are in great need. Some tigers are simply kept as pets, about 12,00 tigers are currently being kept as private pets in the USA alone, which is more than the world’s entire wild population, tiger's are wild animals and need the wilderness, instead tigers are forced to roam around small landscapes to support themselves, looking for prey. Tiger activist's have really tried hard to save these animals by putting up protected areas such as reserves to prevent poachers from killing them.
Crocodile's
crocodiles are large aquatic tetrapods that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, America and Australia. crocodile farming is a legal business nowadays. Farmers are legally allowed to farm crocodiles and sell the skins and meat from their stocks. Crocodile meat is consumed mostly in countries like Australia, Ethiopia, Thailand, South Africa, Cuba and also in some parts of the United States. Not only this, crocodile leather is used to make goods, such as wallets, handbags, hats, purses and shoes. Per the World Conservation Union these leather goods are earning ten times the amount in retail sales. All this growing global demand for crocodiles has turned their farming into a profitable industry. Crocodile skins alone provide $200 million annually in sales. Crocodile activist's are monitoring nesting areas and larger populations. They are protected by the state and international laws, it is illegal to touch, feed, harass, or harm any crocodile.
Sharks
Endangered Species Act
- No hunting
- No research on animals unless government approved
- Animals shall not be owned by any humans unless approved by government
- Animals shall not be sold for business purposes.
- Animals should not be taken away from their home: leave them ALONE!
Any one found breaking this law or act shall be prosecuted facing a lifetime of jail and 100,000 dollar fine.