Hemley, Ginette. International Wildlife Trade: a CITES Sourcebook. Washington, D.C.: World Wildlife Fund, 1994. Print. The book called International Wildlife Trade by the World Wildlife Fund is a full text on the illegal international trade of wild animals, specifically focusing on species such as the tiger, bear, rhino, and elephant. While it mainly describes the trade experienced world wide, the book also directs the reader’s attention to the problem occurring in the United States as well. In the United States alone, this illegal industry profits approximately 1.2 billion dollars annually while worldwide, the income from the trade is over 10 billion dollars. More specifically, the text analyzes individual wildlife species. The first animal that is described is the rhinoceros, which is native to both Africa and Asia. Throughout the past forty years, the population of rhinos has dropped by 90% because people hunt this endangered species especially for their horns and also their hides, hooves, and various other body parts. The next animal that is commonly found in the industry is the Tiger, a large cat that prominently lives in Asia. These animals are being hunted for their bones, skins, heads, and other body parts to make novelties such as souvenirs and other cultural medicines. A tiger pelt itself can sell for as much as $8,000 in an Asian country. The elephant is also a victim of the illegal exotics trade due to the high demand for their ivory tusks. Currently there are an estimated 600,000 African elephants remaining, while in the 1970s there were 1.2 million. The final highlighted animal that is in danger is the bear. They are specifically killed for their gallbladders since they can be sold for extraordinarily high prices on the international market because they are thought to have traditional medicinal purposes. On average, a gallbladder can be sold from 800 to 3,000 dollars.
Smith, Katherine F., and Michael Behrens. "Reducing the Risks of the Wildlife Trade." Science 324.5927 (2009): 594-95. Science Mag. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://www.sciencemag.org/content/324/5927/594.full>. This journal article called “Reducing the Risks of Wildlife Trade” describes how the industry is affecting the overall health and spread of disease across nations. This trade has made the spread of disease extremely easy with the constant importation of animals. Not only are animals contagious amongst each other, but they also pose the risk of infecting humans with zoonotic diseases such as the monkeypox virus. In 2003 there was a sudden outbreak of the virus that resulted in 72 human cases, which were due to contact with pet prairie dogs. These African rodents were imported into the United States for the pet trade and were the sole cause of the problem. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a low that prevented the trade and importation of African Rodents into the United States. This law, along with so many others is necessary in reducing the risks that the wildlife trade presents.
The TRAFFIC Report (2011): 1-6. WWF. World Wildlife Foundation, 2011. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://www.worldwildlife.org>. This document is an online news journal that is published by the World Wildlife Foundation encompassing the issue of the illegal animal trade. Twice a year, in the Spring and Summer, a newsletter is put out that describes news stories and current events regarding this topic so that its readers can become more informed and ultimately assist in taking action. For instance, in the Spring 2011 publication there are multiple articles based on the idea of striving to recover species that are rapidly becoming endangered. The front page describes a new Global Tiger Recovery Program that was endorsed this past November in hopes of doubling the tiger population by 2022 since their population has plummeted so quickly in recent years. In order to implement this plan, addressing the illegal trade with enforcement is definitely key. Another article in this issue was one that spoke about how the United States has recently donated over 600 items to the Dominican Republic to help with the handling and inspection of wildlife. The United States is hopeful that this act will encourage the improvement of law enforcement in regard to wildlife trade. These are just a few of the countless articles that this organization compiles each year in hopes of better educating the public so that action can be taken to better enforce the laws in place.
Wyler, Liana Sun, and Pervaze A. Sheikh. CRS Report for Congress. Publication. Print. The document called “International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S Policy” is from a CRS (Congressional Research Service) report from Congress. It goes into detail of an overview of the $20 billion industry better known as the illegal wildlife trade. The document goes into great detail about the retail value of different sought out parts of wildlife species, the danger of spreading pathogens via import and export of animals, and how the United States is making an effort to put an end to the industry. Transporting animals between countries is a perfect way to spread extremely contagious and harmful illnesses such as Heartwater Disease, Avian Influenza, SARS, and Monkeypox. Each time an animal is brought into a new country, they also bring a high risk of carrying one of the diseases listed above along with countless others. It is also described how crime investigations are being issued on those suspected of this illegal act. Specific laws such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992, and numerous others have also been issued in past years, which prevent these acts from legally taking place, which makes it easier to prosecute those at fault.
