Craig Boddington om tjuvjakt

Jag återpostar bilder och text från den amerikanske jakt och skytteprofilen Craig Boddington, han uppmanar sina läsare att sprida kunskapen om detta som pågår i många länder just nu. Problemet med tjuvjakten i delar av afrika är egentligen inte så konstigt, det går ut på att det finns situationer då varje inkomstmöjlighet utnyttjas. Lösningen är självklart att ordna möjlighet till legala intäkter, t.ex. i form av guidejobb för jägare som betalar med dollar. Motsvarande lösning för opieodlande afgasnka bönder är såklart att se till at det finns en efterfrågan på andra produkter som de kan försörja sig på att odla. Inga konstigheter om man tänker efter:

Fighting poaching in Burkina Faso

This is one of many, many stories that emphasize the need for hunting dollars and hunters in the continuing effort to conserve species around the world. Not only must there be dollars provided by hunters to fund anti-poaching efforts but the animals themselves must have an economic value for locals to buy in to the mission of stopping poaching.

These images are from my recent trip to Burkina Faso. In these photos we see two suspected poachers captured in Arly National Park. One of these men worked for the Department of Forestry. We also see weapons confiscated over time and small elephant tusks from a young elephant. The traps are evidence of illegal bush meat trade. These photos are characteristic of the situation across the continent. This common story is what often leads to species becoming threatened and endangered.

In addition to the money and valuation of the animals, the collaboration between enforcement, guides, outfitters, PHs and hunters is valuable. All of these people understand animals, habitat and conservation very well. All of these groups are very deeply invested in conservation. The conversations that take place generate new and creative strategies to stop poaching. Nothing can replace boots on the ground and engaging those with the most invested in solving a problem.