Increased Illegal Hunting in Parts of Asia, Africa
2020-06-29
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1In parts of the developing world, coronavirus safety measures have fueled concerns about an increase in illegal hunting of wild animals.
2Some people say the hunting is a result of food shortages and an easing of law enforcement in some wildlife protection areas.
3Yet at the same time, border closures and travel restrictions have slowed illegal trade of some high-value animal species.
4Economic problems and food shortages have created situations in which more people have been attacking rare or endangered species.
5This kind of poaching is a big concern in parts of Asia and Africa.
6On May 9, a greater one-horned rhinoceros was killed in India's Kaziranga National Park - the first such case in over a year.
7Three people were arrested on June 1.
8They are suspected of being part of an international group of poachers.
9The three had automatic rifles and ammunition at the time of their arrest, said Uttam Saikia, a wildlife warden.
10As in other areas, poachers in Kaziranga pay needy people small amounts of money to help them.
11With families losing work during the coronavirus lockdown, the poachers "will definitely take advantage" of the situation, warned Saikia.
12The case of the rhino is not the only one in India.
13Since India's government announced the lockdown, poachers have killed at least four tigers and six leopards, the Wildlife Protection Society of India said recently.
14But poachers also killed many other animals, including gazelles, squirrels, boars, and birds.
15"It is risky to poach," said Mayukh Chatterjee, a wildlife biologist, "but if pushed to the brink, some could think those risks are worth taking."
16Chatterjee works for the Wildlife Trust of India, a not-for-profit group.
17India is not the only country to see an increase in poaching.
18In Nepal, more forest-related crimes were reported in the first month of lockdown than at any time over the past 11 months.
19That information comes from a study by Nepal's government and the World Wildlife Fund.
20In Southeast Asia, the Wildlife Conservation Society confirmed the killing of three critically endangered giant ibises for the bird's meat.
21In late March, more than 100 painted stork chicks were also poached in Cambodia.
22"Suddenly rural people have little to turn to but natural resources and we're already seeing a spike in poaching," said Colin Poole, the society's director for the Greater Mekong.
23In Africa, organized poaching has not increased much, partly because many parks and wildlife reserves have continued ranger patrols.
24Ray Jansen is the chairman of the African Pangolin Working Group.
25He said bushmeat poaching had increased, especially in parts of southern Africa.
26"Rural people are struggling to feed themselves and their families," he added.
27At the same time, border closures and travel restrictions have slowed international trade in pangolins and other animals.
28But the illegal trade continues within Africa, noted Jansen.
29He added that he expected a "flood of trade" once shipping opens up again.
30Concerned about a possible link between the bushmeat trade and the coronavirus, several wildlife groups are calling for governments to enact measures to avoid future pandemics.
31Among them is a ban on the sale of wild birds and animals for food.
32Others are calling for changes to the international treaty known as CITES, which restricts the trade in endangered plants and animals.
33They say CITES should be expanded to include public health concerns.
34They note that some commonly traded animals often carry viruses but are currently not subject to trade restrictions under the treaty.
35I'm John Russell.
1In parts of the developing world, coronavirus safety measures have fueled concerns about an increase in illegal hunting of wild animals. 2Some people say the hunting is a result of food shortages and an easing of law enforcement in some wildlife protection areas. Yet at the same time, border closures and travel restrictions have slowed illegal trade of some high-value animal species. 3Economic problems and food shortages have created situations in which more people have been attacking rare or endangered species. 4This kind of poaching is a big concern in parts of Asia and Africa. 5On May 9, a greater one-horned rhinoceros was killed in India's Kaziranga National Park - the first such case in over a year. Three people were arrested on June 1. They are suspected of being part of an international group of poachers. The three had automatic rifles and ammunition at the time of their arrest, said Uttam Saikia, a wildlife warden. 6As in other areas, poachers in Kaziranga pay needy people small amounts of money to help them. With families losing work during the coronavirus lockdown, the poachers "will definitely take advantage" of the situation, warned Saikia. 7The case of the rhino is not the only one in India. 8Since India's government announced the lockdown, poachers have killed at least four tigers and six leopards, the Wildlife Protection Society of India said recently. But poachers also killed many other animals, including gazelles, squirrels, boars, and birds. 9"It is risky to poach," said Mayukh Chatterjee, a wildlife biologist, "but if pushed to the brink, some could think those risks are worth taking." 10Chatterjee works for the Wildlife Trust of India, a not-for-profit group. 11India is not the only country to see an increase in poaching. 12In Nepal, more forest-related crimes were reported in the first month of lockdown than at any time over the past 11 months. That information comes from a study by Nepal's government and the World Wildlife Fund. 13In Southeast Asia, the Wildlife Conservation Society confirmed the killing of three critically endangered giant ibises for the bird's meat. In late March, more than 100 painted stork chicks were also poached in Cambodia. 14"Suddenly rural people have little to turn to but natural resources and we're already seeing a spike in poaching," said Colin Poole, the society's director for the Greater Mekong. 15In Africa, organized poaching has not increased much, partly because many parks and wildlife reserves have continued ranger patrols. 16Ray Jansen is the chairman of the African Pangolin Working Group. He said bushmeat poaching had increased, especially in parts of southern Africa. "Rural people are struggling to feed themselves and their families," he added. 17At the same time, border closures and travel restrictions have slowed international trade in pangolins and other animals. But the illegal trade continues within Africa, noted Jansen. He added that he expected a "flood of trade" once shipping opens up again. 18Concerned about a possible link between the bushmeat trade and the coronavirus, several wildlife groups are calling for governments to enact measures to avoid future pandemics. Among them is a ban on the sale of wild birds and animals for food. 19Others are calling for changes to the international treaty known as CITES, which restricts the trade in endangered plants and animals. They say CITES should be expanded to include public health concerns. They note that some commonly traded animals often carry viruses but are currently not subject to trade restrictions under the treaty. 20I'm John Russell. 21Aniruddha Ghosal and Michael Casey reported this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted the story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 22_______________________________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24species - n. a group of similar living organisms 25rifle - n. a gun, especially one fired from shoulder level 26warden - n. someone responsible for a place or thing 27lockdown - n. enforcement of restricted movement as a security measure 28advantage - n. a kind of gain or profit 29brink - n. the edge at the top of a steep cliff - usually used to describe a point that is very close to an event thought to be very bad or (less commonly) very good 30resource - n. a supply of money, materials, or other things 31spike - n. a sudden increase in something 32patrol - n. an effort to keep watch over an area, especially by guards or police 33bushmeat - n. the meat of wild animals