| Poaching is one of the major threats for survival of endangered species. Poaching is a CRIME in which a wildlife animals are killed for illegally possessing, transporting or illegally selling body parts (tusks, pelt, bones) for huge sums of money. |  |
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The main motives for poaching in African rural areas are:
· Limited employment opportunities
· Limited agriculture potential
· Limited livestock production
The existence of an international market for poached wildlife implies:
· There are well-organized gangs of professional poachers entering vulnerable areas to hunt.
· There is a well organized crime assisting trafficking of wildlife body parts through complex networks
between countries.
Examples of a few endangered species threatened by poaching are:
| Rhino The rhino are hunted for their horn which is believed to have medical powers, used for traditional medicine and ceremonies. In fact, the horns are just made of keratin, the same as our hair, our fingernails and horse hoofs. Therefore rhino horns won’t cure anything although some people still believe they will. The rhino horn sells for nearly $30,000 a pound, in comparison to gold which is worth about $22,000 a pound.  Zebras The Zebras are mainly hunted for their skins, and occasionally for meat or medicine. |  Elephant The elephant ivory are carved into jewelry, figurines and more. About 70% of illegal ivory transports into China, where it is sold for $1,000 a pound.  |
 | Gorillas Infant gorillas are sold for up to $40,000. |
HELP SAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL SPECIES
There are many organizations out there working hard to save these beautiful animals. You can learn more about a few in our additional resources.
All these organizations relay on your support!
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