Wildlife Poaching has it increased or decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

With no immediate end to the pandemic in sight, getting a handle on wildlife poaching is crucial. Is it increasing or decreasing? Has the pandemic been a blessing or a curse to the ever present wildlife poaching struggle?

It appears that it depends somewhat on the species and type of poaching.

Wildlife poaching for bush meat

This type of poaching is frequently referred to as ‘sustenance poaching’. Here large and small species, from the tiny Duiker to the large Elephant are killed for the pot. This type of poaching involves spearing and most commonly snaring the animal. The meat is primarily sold locally.

This type of wildlife poaching has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. As jobs froze and villages were locked down food got scarce. Simultaneously tourists and visitors decreased dramatically reducing “eyes on the ground” opening the door for easier poaching.

In some places fences have been stripped away to release the wildlife or create easier access for poachers. In reserves where the number of rangers has decreased (due to lack of funding) wildlife poaching has naturally increased.

Overall, it appears that wildlife poaching for bush meat has seen a significant jump during this pandemic.

Moses in Uganda who works with reformed poachers (providing them with alternative livelihoods) reports that hunger is the driving force behind the increase in wildlife poaching in his area.

Nikela is helping were possible to prevent reformed poachers from being enticed to return to wildlife poaching. However, as you can imagine this is a huge challenge and we’re just scratching the surface without more support.

What it takes to stop the poaching in Moses’ area:

$10 trades a SPEAR for a SHOVEL and include “How to become a farmer 101”
$50 builds ONE BEEHIVE for a newly reformed poacher
$60 provides everything that’s needed for alternative livelihood training for one reformed poacher for one month.

100% of your charitable donation goes to help Moses with his reformed poachers.

100% goes to help people and save wildlife.

Helping is easy…

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Wildlife poaching for the illegal trade

This type of wildlife poaching is rampant on the African continent. Crime syndicates stretching from Asia to Africa kill iconic species. Elephants for their tusks. Rhinos for their horn. Lions for their bones and other body parts. And of course a variety of other species like the highly endangered Pangolin for its scales.

In some areas the lock down has interrupted criminal networks, thus reducing wildlife poaching. While in other spots it has increased.

Peter in South Africa has been protecting the endangered rhino for years. For the past two full moon cycles (time of the most poaching incidents) Peter and his team have reported keeping every rhino safe in their area. Because Peter’s methods with his drones are so effective many other reserves with rhino are requesting his help. To do so Peter needs more drone equipment and parts.

Nikela wants to help with the following:

$85 for a set of two-way digital communication radios
$312 for an iPad or Tablet to fly an Air Scout drone
$903 for radio telemetry parts for an Air Ranger

Remember, 100% of your donation goes to help Peter save rhino.

Getting involved is easy…

DONATE Now