Ricardo A. Gimon

A3 Argumentative Essay

 

 

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Poaching worldwide is a long-standing and urgent issue that poses a threat to ecosystems and biodiversity around the world. It often results in the reduction of wildlife populations, disruptions of behavior and distribution, altering of food chains, as well as affecting ecosystem’s functions (Moore et al).  It results in resilient illegal international networks, both large-scale and small-scale, that are classified as either organized or unorganized. Depending on the makeup, different methods of prevention, detention, and regulation are required. However, large-scale solutions for this issue are difficult to implement. Focusing efforts on putting pressure on criminal organizations and governments that use corruption to fuel the illegal animal trade will be more effective at combatting poaching worldwide, rather than focusing on disorganized crime. Crime organizations have networks that allow for it to control the smuggling process from source to sink. Employing violence and/or corruption, when necessary, but always in a premeditated and strategized way. It is for this reason that these organizations are so critical in the flow of illegal animal trading since they can poach and transport large numbers of animals. Crime networks may also have contact with more buyers, therefore a bigger market. This means that their demand for goods is much higher, but so is their profit. The most efficient strategies to combat these organizations include the legalization of certain animal products, strengthening of law enforcement and promotion of international cooperation, as well as, addressing demand for illegal wildlife products through public awareness and education, and enforcing stricter penalties for buyers.

Before examining strategies to reduce rates of poaching, it is important to first distinguish the different motivations and sources of poaching. The two main categories of poaching networks are organized and unorganized networks. The first type of level is organized crime. These are groups of criminals with extensive resources and influence that mainly use corruption to carry out their operations. For example, a shipping company that smuggles poached wildlife from source to market. However, these groups never work alone, thus there is always a network of people that either give or receive illegal goods (Wyatt et al). These groups are extremely difficult to combat against, since they are established conglomerates that may control sectors of government or industry beyond that of wildlife trade. The second level is disorganized crime. This is when there are opportunistic networks of people with no prior relation to each other, acting in unison to smuggle goods (Wyatt et al). In disorganized crime, each player in the process is an individual entrepreneur that found temporary benefit from poaching. However, these people usually are not linked to larger organizations, and if so, not directly.

Organized crime is most prevalent in the more profitable markets in the animal trade. An example of this is the Pangolin trade market. This is because pangolins are hunted in Cameroon and central Africa, and transported to Asia via smugglers that are controlled by different organizations working in unison. Since the actual criminal organization could be paying a shipping company hush money or buying out a government official. Another highly expansive trade network is the illegal ivory trade that spans throughout all of Africa and parts of Asia. Ivory is highly demanded worldwide, meaning that there is never a shortage of customers. Since these organizations have such a large market, they have the most negative impact on the environment because they poach, and trade extensive amounts of animals and goods compared to disorganized crime.

Additionally, these organizations aren’t necessarily always criminal organizations. Many companies around the world actively purchase animals from the black market, for their own use. For example, in May of 2023, a smuggler was caught entering the U.S with almost three thousand macaque monkeys by order of U.S pharmaceutical companies interested in using the monkeys as test subjects. This shows that animal trafficking can take up many shapes and forms and although companies might be unaware of the sources of their animals, they are still complacent in the process. These organizations are able to navigate through smuggling and poaching laws in order to smuggle high profit goods for a low risk. Another example of this is the Totoaba fish in Baja, California which is greatly prized in Chinese medicine for its’ bladder. These fish are smuggled by cartels in Mexico into the U.S. and then into China, selling for a very high profit of almost $10,000 per fish (Riggins). This trade is classified as organized because of the cartel that controls it. These cartels have a definite structure, like ranks and hierarchies, as well as an identity. Moreover, they may employ violent means in order to resume operations, further classifying them as organized.

On the other hand, disorganized crime networks are a little more complicated. This is because each individual player in these networks, from poacher to customer, is not affiliated with an overarching body. Furthermore, these networks are often non-violent and are not territorial. They are primarily characterized by short-term operations and relationships between different participants looking to make a profit for themselves. Disorganized networks are more prevalent in the less profitable markets in the animal trade. An example of this is the Bolivian Parrot trade in South America This trade is much less profitable since most parrots being hunted, sell for cheap and are highly abundant. This means that demand for parrots is higher at the local level rather than at the international level where organized groups operate. Additionally, it's easy for a local close to wildlife populations to catch parrots and sell them to a middleman or consumer, without having to invest time and fuel. Furthermore, law enforcement in these regions is ineffective and doesn’t consider poaching a problem. Seemingly allowing and promoting locals to take animals and resources from the surrounding environment (Pires).

Because of the fluid, and often short-term, structure of disorganized networks, it is often believed that disorganized crime is a bigger threat to biodiversity than organized crime, however, this is not true. This is because organized crime focuses on profitable markets and puts pressure on specific species using larger scale operations. The problem is that if one species is absent from an ecosystem, it is likely that it will cause a snowball effect leading to possible ecosystem collapse. Finally, the reach of these networks means that operations can expand to areas that are difficult to regulate. Such is true in the Amazon rainforest, where illegal mining operations take place in areas that are too remote for law enforcement to reach, as a means to avoid detection and capture. These mines can be in areas under the jurisdiction of law enforcement; however, they may be too under-staffed or under-funded to deal with the matter. These groups in the Amazon are classiffied under organized crime because they have been known to use violence and government corruption to get their way (Greenberg). Of course, these are not groups directly participating in wildlife specific crimes, however, they still pose a threat to surrounding biodiversity via pollution and habitat loss and are a great example of organized crime networks going unchecked.

Furthermore, it is also believed that disorganized crime networks are always illegal and illicit activities. However, with reference to the definition of disorganized crime, we know that it does not just include the intentional illegal killing of wildlife for trading or personal profit. It may also include other activities that are not necessarily illegal or criminal. For example, cultural practices and subsistence hunting both fall under the disorganized crime umbrella. However, these practices are not always harmful to biodiversity since they might be putting pressure on more abundant species rather than more fragile ones. An example of this is the Ju/’hoansi San people of Namibia and Botswana, which sustainably hunt game using horses and donkeys as aids (Hitchcock). This concept of subsistence hunting is classified as being a dependence on resources that lies outside of economic interests; such a dependence could be the dietary or spiritual needs of the tribal peoples in Namibia and Botswana. Additionally, it is argued that allowing locals to access and control wildlife resources may have more positive impacts on conservation (Hitchcock).

Now, combatting organized crime groups is a very difficult task, however, there are still ways to bring them down. One of the more controversial, but promising, approaches is the legalization of animal products like ivory and Pangolin scales. Legalizing these products could allow for government control over the distribution and production of these products. Reducing the market’s reliance on illegally, and unsustainably, sourced animal products could help maintain wildlife populations at a safe level. Furthermore, legalizing these products can reduce the profit margin for these organizations, since consumers are more likely to buy cheaper products legally (Abbasi). Finally, profits earned from legal trading can be used to fund conservation efforts, salaries, and habitat preservation. In the 1960s, American Alligators were classified as an endangered species due to extensive hunting pressure. In response, the United States government legalized the species’ hunting, however, they placed strict regulations on where, when, and what alligators were to be hunted. Not only allowing the once scarce populations to recover, but also preventing them from growing too high in number where they pose a threat to their ecosystem (Powell).

Another effective strategy to combat wildlife organized crime is the strengthening of law enforcement efforts and the promotion of international cooperation. To achieve this, the funding of wildlife law enforcement agencies and training programs for personnel must be increased. This is because having more rangers on duty is effective at increasing management of protected areas, however, the welfare and professionalism of the rangers must be provided so as to prevent misconduct. Additionally, these protected areas must have a baseline amount of rangers depending on its size, since if there is too much land for too little rangers, the effectiveness of the rangers drops (Farhadinia et al.). Additionally, according to the White House National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking, the recognition to tackle these crimes would further be heard by creating international agreements and seeking legislation to recognize animal poaching as a serious issue. With the support of other countries and the share of intelligence and resources, countries could identify and interdict poachers and their operations. And, with legislation put in place, leaders involved in wildlife poaching can be prosecuted and eventually dismantle these crime networks effectively (White House).

Furthermore, another critical strategy is addressing the demand for illegal wildlife products. This would essentially involve public awareness of wildlife trafficking and displaying its negative impacts to promote responsible consumer choices. Governments and NGOs can come together to implement campaigns and educational programs to inform people of the ethical and legal consequences of buying illegal wildlife products. Tourism, online retailers, and social media platforms are also factors that can be used to bring awareness (White House). However, this approach is much less successful in reference to more established cultural practices that are deep rooted in populations. Such is the case with traditional Chinese medicine, which is one of the main contributors for wildlife trafficking. This is because TDC (traditional Chinese medicine) require many ingredients derived from animals, like Rhino horn and Tiger bones, which fuels demand for these goods. Furthermore, lack of education and manipulation of consumers often leads to consumers being easily manipulated by politicians, and authority figures into believing in false remedies using animal ingredients. For example, in 2007 a Vietnamese politician claimed he was cured of cancer because he ingested Rhino horn. Leading to a spike in Rhino hunting of almost ninety-two hundred percent in subsequent years (Friend).

 

Lastly, organized wildlife crime can be combatted by stricter penalties and consequences on wildlife crime along with improved forensics strategies. Stricter penalties act as a deterrent by significantly raising the risks associated with wildlife crime, making it a less profitable market.  Improved forensics strategies such as DNA analysis, and digital tracking can be used to trace products back to their source and to identify the individuals involved. Furthermore, anonymous tipping and infiltration operations are key in revealing these networks. For example, the founder of Earth League International (ELI), Andrea Crosta, launched a website called WildLeaks for anonymous reporting of wildlife trafficking. Through the website, ELI received information on twenty rhino-trafficking networks with ties, not only to several embassies, but also to government officials (Friend). Highlighting the immense scale of these organizations and the importance of reducing their influence in these regions.

In conclusion, organized crime plays a significant role in driving biodiversity loss through illegal wildlife trafficking. These criminal networks, whether large-scale or small-scale, employ strategic and premeditated methods to exploit and profit from the illegal wildlife trade. Often controlling the entire smuggling process, from source to sink, and even having accomplices working in sectors of the government and industries. It is especially prevalent in more profitable markets, such as the illegal rhino horn, ivory, and pangolin trades, which have a global reach and high demand, putting significant pressure on wildlife populations, and especially on more fragile and lucrative species. Additionally, corporations, even if unintentionally, may be involved in some sort of illegal trafficking and contribute to the problem by purchasing poached animals from the black market for their own use.

 

Confronting organized crime requires multifaceted strategies, including the legalization of certain animal products, strengthening law enforcement and promoting international cooperation, addressing demand for illegal wildlife products through public awareness and education, and enforcing stricter penalties for buyers. Additionally, conservation efforts and community engagement also play a crucial role in protecting natural habitats and at-risk species.

 

Finally, while organized crime networks pose the most significant threat to biodiversity due to their large-scale operations and extensive reach, it's important to note that disorganized crime networks also play a role in wildlife trafficking, particularly in less profitable markets. These networks consist of individuals looking for short-term profit, often with no direct affiliation to larger criminal organizations. Depending on the context, disorganized practices may have less severe impacts and may coexist with conservation efforts, possibly allowing for more sustainable interactions with wildlife. However, this approach to addressing wildlife crime should also consider the complexities of both organized and disorganized activities in different regions and ecosystems. Hence, the fight against wildlife crime must address both categories of networks, each with its own set of challenges and solutions. Ultimately, the preservation of biodiversity requires global commitment, effective policies, and international cooperation to push back against the illegal wildlife trade and its detrimental impact on ecosystems and wildlife populations.

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

 

Wyatt, Tanya, et al. “Differentiating criminal networks in the illegal wildlife trade: Organized, corporate and disorganized crime.” Trends in Organized Crime, vol. 23, no. 4, 2020, pp. 350–366, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-020-09385-9.

 

Farhadinia, Mohammad S., et al. “Economics of conservation law enforcement by Rangers across Asia.” Conservation Letters, vol. 16, no. 3, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12943.

 

Challender, Daniel W., and Douglas C. MacMillan. “Poaching is more than an enforcement problem.” Conservation Letters, vol. 7, no. 5, 2014, pp. 484–494, https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12082.

 

Pires, Stephen F., et al. “Organized crime or crime that is organized? the parrot trade in the Neotropics.” Trends in Organized Crime, vol. 19, no. 1, 2015, pp. 4–20, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-015-9259-7.

 

Moore, J. F., Uzabaho, E., Musana, A., Uwingeli, P., Hines, J. E., & Nichols, J. D. (2021). What is the effect of poaching activity on wildlife species? Ecological Applications, 31(7). https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2397

 

Friend, Tad. “Earth League International Hunts the Hunters.” The New Yorker, 15 May 2023, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/05/22/earth-league-international-hunts-the-hunters.

 

Greenberg, Chris. “Inside the Fight against Illegal Mining in the Amazon.” Greenpeace International, 10 Apr. 2023, www.greenpeace.org/international/story/59123/amazon-rainforest-mining-illegal/.

 

Hitchcock, Robert K. “Traditional African wildlife utilization: Subsistence hunting, poaching, and sustainable use.” Wildlife Conservation by Sustainable Use, 2000, pp. 389–415, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4012-6_18.

 

“Alligator Harvesting: Hunting as a Regulatory Tool for Species Management.” The Florida Bar, www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/alligator-harvesting-hunting-as-a-regulatory-tool-for-species-management/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2023.