How Coronavirus is causing an increase in poaching
With Coronavirus affecting people across the globe, there has been a noticeable knock-on effect for several species as a result of poaching and deforestation. In this article, I will cover the impact of Coronavirus on poaching across the globe, and what we can do to prevent it.
These effects have been seen predominantly in less economically developed countries where poverty has made people more vulnerable during this pandemic. Tigers in India, the big 5 in Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) and birds in Southeast Asia are just a few that have been targeted.
Reduced employment is making people desperate
Without jobs to provide income for themselves and their families, many individuals living in rural areas are becoming more desperate for money and food. This means that extreme measures like poaching are becoming more inviting as a survival method. People either kill for food, or they kill to provide income from trophies or medicinal remedies. Last month in Kenya, there were multiple arrests made for those hunting antelope as bushmeat. While in Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia, 3 critically endangered Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea) were poisoned in an attempt for food. This incident alone was responsible for wiping out 1% of the global population as there are only a few hundred remaining according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
Poachers thrive without tourism
Organised poaching is expected to increase during the pandemic as a result of the reliance of conservation efforts on the tourism industry. In Africa, the tourist industry is worth more than $30 billion and normally employs over 4 million people. Unfortunately, with travel restrictions in place, fewer tourists are seeking safari experiences which has led to redundancies, job losses, and the temporary closure of National parks across Africa (including Kruger National Park in South Africa and Virunga in the Democratic Republic of Congo).
The result of this is far fewer people on the land – just a few rangers now monitor thousands of acres! With vigilance lessened and the reduced presence of law enforcement, the deterrent for poachers is nowhere near as strong meaning that criminal networks can take advantage of the situation and encroach into areas that they normally wouldn’t.
For rhinos, this has meant that since borders closed as part of the lockdown, nine have been killed in South Africa, while there have been six reported dead in Botswana. Though poaching is somewhat common in these countries, these cases are particularly unusual because they occurred in areas usually considered to be safe zones due to tourism.
What can be done?
In an attempt to mitigate the threat in Botswana, critically endangered Black Rhinos in the Okavango Delta are being evacuated to an undisclosed location for protection from poachers. On April 27 the Botswana Government also mentioned that they had been “intensifying anti-poaching surveillance methods in the last month,” and 5 poachers had been killed in April in 2 incidents. Despite moderate showings of success and no new cases reported since mid-March, it is important to be aware that the situation could worsen.
With an increasing number of COVID-19 cases being declared in Africa, it is beginning to look like it could become the new epicenter of the pandemic. This has the potential to push millions more people into poverty, which could lead to a spike in bushmeat poaching as a cheaper alternative to buying meat. This could also lead to increased poaching of endangered species, and despite border closures and reduced trafficking, trophies and other products will be stockpiled.
The government needs to increase the presence of rangers and increase surveillance, however, this is becoming more and more difficult while humans are at such risk of the virus. Our wildlife seems to be just an afterthought and it will suffer the consequences if we do not reevaluate the value of nature. As Hugo van der Westhuizen from the Frankfurt Zoological Society says, “Nature cannot be recreated once it is gone.”
Before you go
Thank you for reading my thoughts on the impact of Coronavirus on poaching. If guides, itineraries and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
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