We all can play a role in stopping the illegal wildlife trade

With the unexpected popularity of the Netflix docuseries “Tiger King,” it seems timely to reconsider a story out of South Africa that emerged a while ago compliments of Newsweek, headlined, “Three Poachers

Eaten by Lions After Breaking Into Game Reserve to Hunt Rhinos.”

Although not a recent event, it certainly takes the spotlight away from the humans and places it squarely on the animals, where Tiger King’s emphasis should have been all along.

Three men were said to have entered the Sibuya Game Reserve

in Kenton-on-sea to hunt rhinos in July 2018, according to the park’s owner, Nick Fox. They were identified by their remains — three pairs of shoes, wire cutters, high-powered hunting rifles outfitted with silencers, and a type of ax commonly used to remove rhino horns.

“The only body part we found was one skull and one bit of pelvis; everything else was completely gone,” Fox said. He called the incident “sad” but said it should send a message to other poachers who risk their lives to hunt game.

Fox said he had received a large number of calls from people concerned about the fate of the lions. “They won’t be killed,” he promised. “The status quo will continue.”

The status quo is what worries me. Up to $150 billion is spent in the illegal wildlife trade every year, making it one of the five most lucrative global crimes. Animals are hunted to extinction for their horns, skin and teeth. Poaching is no small potatoes. Take rhino poach

ing alone: One animal is killed every 10 hours for their horns. South Africa has 80 percent of the world’s population, but around 1,000 are killed each year. Elephants, arguably one of our most popular animals, have seen numbers plummet; 15,000 are killed each year, which works out to 96 each day.

As for lions, there were 200,000 a century ago; now only 20,000 remain. They are poached for their body parts, bone, teeth, claws and skin, which are traded, mainly in Asia. It is feared poaching could have as much of an effect on lions as it has had on wild tigers, whose numbers in the wild are fewer than those held captive in private homes or roadside zoos.

What’s needed is a multifaceted, multinational approach to prevent the deaths of these animals. Support can come from many sources: first, welltrained and well-equipped rangers on the ground to defend animals against the poachers who seek to destroy them. Then a secure habitat, like the parks and reserves, and monitoring so scientists can keep track of the animals.

Also important is for local communities living near the animal habitats to see and feel and understand the benefits of conservation, so they feel protective of the animals and not turn to poaching or encroaching on their habitat. Education is key, not just in Africa but also in Asia, where the animal parts are in demand.

Finally, captive breeding or intensive management for the rarest species is vital to maintain genetic diversity.

Everyone can play a role. Donate to a conservation or wildlife charity. Contact legislators about bills protecting wildlife and their habitats. Don’t buy or wear animal parts. And cheer for the underdog. Or cat. Lion or tiger.