Poachers Take Advantage of Wildlife Park Security Woes
By Nick June 11, 2008
Poaching in Assam state, remote northeast of India, has become rampant since early this year, specifically at the Kaziranga National Park where at least 8 rhinoceroses belonging to the endangered one-horned breed have reportedly been killed.
These illegal hunters supply animal horns to the international black market where there is high demand for these animal body parts because of their medicinal value. According to wildlife experts, horn price tags of up to $10,000 are not uncommon in China and other Southeast Asian countries.
The efforts to counter poaching have proven futile as a result of the forest guards’ inability to authoritatively stand up against these illegal activities. This shortcoming is attributed mainly to poor working conditions. Morale among the guards is low due to miserable compensation, lack of training and arms, and their feeling of being ignored and neglected by their officials. Guards patrolling in barefoot clad in dilapidated raincoats, armed only with old rifles, is a common sight in these wildlife parks. Unless the government intervenes to correct the situation, the poachers will always be able to sneak their way into parks without fear of an able adversary.
Global conservationists have estimated that there are less than 3,000 thick-skinned, one-horned Indian rhinoceroses left in the world, majority of which are in northeastern India.
Topics: Animals |
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