FACT: The current situation of poaching has hit crisis levels in many countries around the world.

FACT: Numerous wildlife species are facing extinction.

FACT: Volatile economies, relaxed laws and a lack of international awareness are resulting in the senseless extermination of countless animals every year.

Pressure on various countries around the world to increase penalties for convicted poachers and to prevent illegal ivory trade has had limited effects. The 2008 lifting of sanctions to allow the sale of 109 tons of ivory has reinvigorated the black market, particularly in Asia. This has opened the floodgates for a wildlife slaughter that until witnessed, is inconceivable.

While pressure is applied from the top end, the war rages on the ground. Heavily armed poachers dominate large areas with complete disregard for anything in their path. Any break down in anti poaching efforts from a region sees the rapid depletion of vulnerable species. Unfortunately with many of these targeted species living in unstable regions there is often little or no resources available to counteract the threat. Animals within areas that are able to maintain anti poaching efforts through external funding generally flourish as poachers are dealt with.

There is a desperate need to establish and maintain a presence on the ground in regions susceptible to poaching. Only through maintaining an assertive authority can we hope to protect what is left until governments intervene and alternate methods are established. Anti poaching methods have proven to be highly successful, but only when maintained through sufficient funding, the correct application of available resources and commitment on the ground.

Many are now concentrating heavily on climate change as the world’s focus shifts. The IAPF is confident the issue of poaching will eventually be addressed - We are however concerned about the time it will it take to receive the attention required and at what consequence?

The time to act is now. If we think education is costly, try ignorance.