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By LAURA CANNON, 12 Kumeroa Hopelands School, Woodville
 

  Stop and take some time to think what it would be like if you were an animal – an elephant for example – that was in danger because someone wanted to hunt you down and kill you for something like your tusks.

People are doing this, but not just to elephants.

It’s happening to lots of different animals.It’s called poaching and poaching is illegal.

Poaching can endanger them and eventually make them extinct.

People can be fined for doing this but it’s still happening!

 
Why do people poach?

Some people poach because an animal’s skin, hides, and other parts can be used for food, clothing, jewellery, and to make money.

Some people poach just for the fun of it! 


What animals are poached?
 
There are lots of animals that are poached.

Tigers are poached because their eye is believed to help cure epilepsy; teeth are used to treat rabies and asthma; and their whiskers are applied to a person’s tooth to ease a headache.

Tortoises are poached because their shells are mixed with tiger bone powder and other herbal extracts to ease a stomach, head and back pain.
 
Dolphins are poached because they are eating 
all the fish; sharks are poached for their fins; and elephants are poached for their tusks.

Other animals are poached for their fur; or simply to be eaten.


What can be done to stop it?

We all need to become more aware about the conservation of animals.

There are lots of zoos that have something to do with conservation.

One of them is Australia Zoo.
 
Australia Zoo is against poaching and they breed lots of animals that are endangered.

They love animals and you can help them by adopting one.
 
Australia Zoo does a lot to help prevent poaching – so can you!
 		    
  
What can you do?

Never buy any product that you think is made from a poached animal.
 
If you don’t buy it, the poachers can’t sell them, so if there is no market for the products, the
poachers will stop making them.
 
You could learn more about animals that are poached.
 
Do some research and find out where people are poaching.
 
Log on to australiazoo.com.au where you can find information about all sorts of things.

We have to do something about this poaching otherwise in years to come we will be living in a place with no animals at all!

To find out more about poaching, log onto Google and write the word ‘poaching’. There are heaps of informative websites.

Want to know more about poaching?
Check out www.worldwildlife.org/trade.

  


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