October 2 to October 8 is celebrated as World Wildlife Week. Let us take a look at some of the animals that are poached almost to extinction. Why are these animals illegally killed? Most often, the animal possesses something that is considered valuable, for example, fur or ivory.
Many a time, it is the mistaken belief of the curative properties of a horn or bone that causes the animal to be hunted down. It is believed that the horn of the rhino and the bones of the tiger can cure ailments. They are used in many medicinal concoctions, and sold.
The elephant is sought after for its tusks. These ivory tusks have aesthetic value and are often used in making highly priced artefacts. Many animals are hunted down simply as trophies.
Today, there are fewer than 75,000 Tibetan antelope ( chiru ) left in the wild. They are an endangered species. The chiru are killed for their soft and warm wool known as shahtoosh , which is woven into shawls. International trade in these products is now prohibited.
But even marine life is not safe from poaching. Sturgeon or Paddlefish are poached for their eggs which are used to make caviar. The Porbeagle, a type of shark that lives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are killed for their meat, and to be used as fertilizer. Another type of shark known as the Spiny Dogfish is valuable for its meat. They live in coastal waters and usually travel in schools. The European eel is killed for its meat and there is a global demand for it. The blue whale has been hunted almost to extinction. Sea turtles are poached for their meat and eggs.
The list is endless. No animal is safe. This World Wildlife Week, let us take a stand to protect and conserve wildlife.
