Tigers are one of the animals it is illegal to trade.
The illegal trading of endangered animals is a growing problem, threatening many species with extinction. The U.S. State Department estimates the illegal animal trade to be around $10 billion a year, with the animals being used as pets, food and for unique animal parts such as ivory. For example, elephants and rhinoceroses were the target of poachers trading in ivory, and animal traders frequently sell tigers as exotic pets.
International Treaties
One of the most comprehensive treaties regarding the illegal trade in animals is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as CITES. Ratified in 1973, 154 countries have signed onto the treaty. It restricts and regulates the trade of 5,000 different animal species, and bans the sale and trade of 800 more. Countries are allowed to impose sanctions on nations that are seen to promote illegal trade, and the treaty gives member nations guidelines for cracking down on poachers and illegal animal traders.
Animals at Risk
The rhinocerous is on animal species at risk.
Many animals are prized for their exotic nature, or for various parts or meats. According to the World Research Institute, for "tigers, rhinoceros, and Asian bears, illegal trade has been overwhelmingly the biggest threat to their survival over the last 20 years." Tigers, leopards, cheetahs and hundreds of other animals are threatened by the illegal animal trade.
Problem Regions
Problem regions include the border areas of China and many eastern European nations. Some of those nations have not signed international treaties regarding the illegal trade in animals, and have become hot spots for the activity. The United Nations has helped lead efforts to combat animal trading in sub-Saharan Africa, Thailand and Indonesia.
Policing Efforts and Prevention
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa have fought back against poaching and animal trading for economic regions. According to the U.S. State Department, Kenya makes more than $1 million per elephant per year by bringing in tourism on safaris-where people want to see elephants as part of their trip. The CITES treaty has also met with success, giving countries a framework to combat animal trading. Recently, the World Wildlife Foundation led successful efforts to combat otter trading in southeast Asia.
Advocacy Groups
There are many advocacy groups that help combat illegal animal trading. The World Wildlife Foundation and the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking both provide funding and support to combating animal and wildlife trafficking. The World Resources Institute serves as an information organization, publishing numbers and statistics on animal trading. The U.S. State Department also helps combat animal trading within the United States and is an official partner in several efforts to combat illegal animal trading.
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