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By certifying species as endangered, government programs can backfire
September 8, 2009 | 12
After Indonesia gave Javan hawk eagles special protected status in 1993, poachers began removing them from the wild for sale on the black market, as shown here.
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This radiated tortoise native to Madagascar, a red-listed critically endangered species, was found in a Bangkok marketplace for sale as a pet.
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When a journal announced the discovery of the Roti Island snake-necked turtle in 1994, excited illegal collectors nearly drove the animal to extinction.
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Tanks of endangered tortoises are illegally offered for sale at a weekend market in Bangkok, Thailand.
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This endangered yellow spotted Amazon River turtle was purchased by an undercover agent in the parking lot of a reptile show in New York State.
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A threatened North American wood turtle is photographed for evidence following a sting operation by New York State's Environmental Crimes Investigation team.
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Two eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, listed as endangered in New York State, are found hidden in a vehicle.
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Endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, originally from Canada, were captured in New York State during an international wildlife smuggling bust.
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12 Comments
Add CommentWhy does government label mouse and cockroach as rare and precious?In that case,those pests will decrease.Sorry,just a joke.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with the conclusion.The precious is the best and can let us feel noble whose desire lurks in our heart.
How disgustingly selfish and pathologically competitive humans are. Humans would be the last primate someone would "collect" and should be. Sick Sick --STOP IT YOU IDIOTS!--I know YOU read this you creeps!I dare you to grow up!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNice article except that the radiated tortoise is a land animal, not fresh water.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thissend all to the slammer. these animals have no brains, just pockets to fill.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with you. Such declerations increase the value of a paocher's catch!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt seems that the best intentions of government bodies can go awry when it comes to trying save animals in areas where people are poor and likely to use whatever natural resources they can to survive. It seems to me that one way to save rare animals is to make it worthwhile for the humans in that area to value keeping the animals in the environment. In other words, the people need jobs, education, and a future. Then they won't be poaching rare animals. This has made a difference in areas of the world where scientists have worked with the local peoples to place value on their wildlife and to establish for the people a means for them to improve their own lives. This takes a lot of planning and coordination with the people on site, not just government agencies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is an interesting article, although I'd like to see the studies in more detail. Oftentimes these types of wildlife and economics studies have serious methodological problems. For example, the study referenced suggesting people wait more time to see gharials than voles - who wouldn't? These are two very different animals and most people find crocs more interesting and charismatic than underground rodents. For a study like that to be taken seriously, it should compare the number of people who want to see a rare versus an endangers turtle (preferably ones with equal levels of charisma). Thus, don't take this article too seriously!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think one of the problems is that we have organizations who are pressuring government agencies in various countries to take x, y or z action in regards to wildlife. Unfortunately, the individuals managing these organizations may or may not be research scientists or field biologists, but they do come to the table with an agenda. Since the seventies we have seen the emergence of many such organizations who want to direct what is happening with wildlife, and their direction has been influenced by their guiding principles formed from too much exposure to the animal rights propaganda. In the U.S. we see such organizations routinely bringing lawsuits against government agencies to the point that these agencies cannot find the time to fulfill their official mandates. IMO the work of these organizations does not benefit wildlife, does not create a safe place for wildlife, nor secure a future for wildlife. What is the real accomplishment of many of these organizations? They provide an interesting and economically rewarding job for many of the organizations' leaders and staffers, acquired by encouraging donations from the concerned public. How many species will be lost due to the efforts of these 'wannabee' conservation organizations? How long will it be before respected dedicated and knowledgeable field biologists are brought into the discussion with government officials so that the best choices can be made? Saving species is a very complicated matter wherein many different aspects must be considered and these aspects are not necessarily identical for all situations.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes, if the locals are invested is preserving the endangered species, and can see making a living doing so, then that will help. Costa Rica is a good example. Still ecotourism is complicated. Should we make half the people in Kenya Game Wardens? Then they can be arresting the other half, Yes? Seriously, these issues have no solution, except the reduction of human population. Humans are crowding out all the other species, and becomming poorer and poorer (as well as less intelligent) Already 4 billion people live in abject poverty, and within a few years that number will double. There are no more resources to exploit without endangering something.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with jhboettcher in regard to the major problem being human overpopulation. And, I don't see any reasonable way to solve this problem due to the attitude of the majority of people that they have a right to make as many babies as they want! There is little awareness of the vulnerability of the human race in terms of pushing the carrying capacity of the planet to the brink. I do not see how this issue can be brought forward to various countries and be addressed in such a manner that cooperation is obtained to limit the number of children per family,world wide.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisi am shocked to know about all these species. it is god who renders life. we cant render life to any organism. so if we cant render life we do not have any right to take it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI've never seen tortoises like those. They're absolutely beautiful! I must have one before they're all gone!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhere is this market again? China?