NEVER FOOL WITH MOTHER NATURE!
APOACHER was recently killed by a herd of elephants at South
Africa’s Kruger National Park — and frankly, we’re not shedding any tears.
But America has to share some of the blame for the thriving black market in exotic animal skins and trophies that fueled the poacher and two pals to hunt endangered beasts.
Each year, 126,000 animal trophies are imported into the U.S. from Africa! Most are brought in by legit American trophy hunters or businesses that sell them for decorations. But poachers fill the demand, too.
But when it comes down to it, is there really any difference between “big game” hunters and poachers, legality aside?
Both kill innocent animals for their heads and hides and, depending on the slaughtered critter, leave the remains to wastefully rot.
The big difference is poachers sell the trophy to make a living and licensed hunters do it for fun and bragging rights, like Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer, who caused a firestorm after he tracked down and killed a beloved African lion, Cecil, in 2015, or Kentuckian Tess Thompson Talley, who bagged a rare black giraffe two years later.
However, Americans don’t have to go to Africa to get their bloody prizes — it’s a $250 million-a-year business right here at home.
We know some hunting is good for the land. Environment-destroying critters like wild pigs are too plentiful in many states and pose a danger to crops and livestock. They need to be weeded out — and they’re usually butchered and turned into food. There’s nothing wrong with eating what you kill.
But that’s a far cry from licensed headhunting with a highpowered rifle or illegal poaching.
Which brings us back to nature’s balance and the circle of life.
Those three African poachers were after highly endangered RHINOS, not elephants, when they were spotted and chased by park rangers.
The chaos spooked a nearby herd of big-eared pachyderms, who “trampled” the unlucky dude to death as he tried to escape. Perhaps there’s a notso-subtle message in this: It’s time to stamp out the animal trophy trade.