Youth debate: “No to illegal wildlife trade”

On June 5, we will be celebrating the World Environment Day. The aim is to inspire more people than ever before to take up action to halt the growing strain on the planet’s biodiversity.  The chosen theme for this year is ‘Zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade.’ This year’s slogan “Go Wild for Life” encourages people around the world to spread the word about wildlife crime and the damage it does, and to challenge all persons to do what they can to prevent it. In the words of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “The booming illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding Earth’s precious biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and driving whole species to the brink of extinction. The killing and smuggling are also undermining economies and ecoystems, fuelling organised crime, and feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe.” Young professionals, university students and animal lovers debate the importance of preserving wildlife.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18485","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-31558 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"200","height":"298","alt":"Vidya Gurbah"}}]]Vidya Gurbah: “Our planet’s ecosystem can’t keep up”

Vidya is an animal lover. She states that like humans, animals also have the right to live freely in their natural habitats. Animal trade is a big business, run by dangerous international networks often operating on the same model as drug, human and arms traffickers. Animal trade experts estimate that wildlife trade runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. Poaching of elephants for ivory, tigers for skins and bones and other species have placed undue strain on their numbers. Illegal animal trade directly threatens the survival of many species.” For her, animals are in danger of extinction because of factors which are directly or indirectly caused by man: climate change, habitat destruction, illegal hunting, etc. Animals like whales, polar bears, Sumatran rhino, Asian elephant, Amur leopard are all on the verge of extinction, she says. “Our planet’s ecosystem can’t keep up with the rapid changes in temperature and climate, some species cannot adapt to the ensuing extreme weather conditions. Acid rain is another factor leading to animal extinction. It increases the acidity of the soil which affects the forests, thus devastating to animals as well as aquatic life. Some animals are losing their ability to fend off diseases and epidemics which leads to eventual extinction.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18484","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-31557 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"201","height":"239","alt":"Shabnam Ruwaydah Majie"}}]]Shabnam Ruwaydah Majie: “Stop purchasing wild animal products”

Second year student at the University of Mauritius, Shabnam argues that animal trade is a crime much like illegal drugs and arms. “Wild animals are caught and then sold as food, pets and leather. Wildlife trade directly threatens the survival of many species that are currently facing extinction. Most of them are caused by man, mostly poaching. Populations of species declined by an average of 40% between 1970 and 2000.” For her, the best thing you can do to help end the wildlife trade is to stop purchasing wild animal products. “We need to raise awareness about the plight of the world’s wildlife. Tightening and enforcing legislation: ban or limit trade of a particular species. Many countries still lack strict national legislation and/or appropriate penalties for illegal wildlife trade.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18475","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-31545","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"645","height":"133","alt":"UNEP_WED"}}]]

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18486","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-31559 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"200","height":"261","alt":"Wardasha Dinmahamed"}}]]Wardasha Dinmahamed: “We should help to avoid extinction”

24-year old Wardasha, an educator, believes that not only humans but animals also deserve respect as a good deed done to an animal is like a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as cruelty to a human being. “If animal trade is done to protect the species or to make people aware of their importance, then it should not be forbidden. In Mauritius, we have Casela and Crocodile Park, which are places of attraction and provide jobs too. There are several factors which lead to animal extinction like illegal animal trade. More animals are hunted for food and new diseases weaken some species.” According to her, animal trade is a positive way to prevent them from extinction; natural habitats are destroyed with increasing urbanisation. “We should try our best to protect animals. Each of us should help to avoid extinction by taking care of some animals or organising fundraising for the protection of animals.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18481","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-31554 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"200","height":"319","alt":"Abdoola Ashfaq Mohammad"}}]]Abdoola Ashfaq Mohammad: “Stop practices that endanger wildlife”

22-year old Ashfaq argues that deforestation and hunting of animals for medicinal or sport purposes are practices which account for the current situation. “The protection process starts with us, human beings. Educating ourselves and understanding the facts will give us a new perspective on wildlife. Donate to organisations like World Wildlife Fund, that are actively working around the world to raise awareness, encourage better laws, and educate citizens on how to take care of their environment. Strict legislations should be enacted to prevent the sale of endangered species to stop illegal wildlife trade. Investment in research and TV programs can create public awareness on the need to preserve wildlife.” He maintains that authorities should implement biodiversity conservation programmes. “As green consumers, the public must refuse, as much as possible, to purchase products made from animals. Wildlife trafficking is an unsustainable practice that leads to extinction. While conservation efforts exist, they often need our help. If the authorities, the private sector and the public play their part, we can stop practices that endanger wildlife.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18483","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-31556 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"201","height":"270","alt":"Ganessen Vencaten"}}]]Ganessen Vencaten: “Say yes to vegan life”

Ganessen, 24 years old, highlights that “Mauritius is ranked among the top countries in Africa for the export of primates and monkeys to the USA for experimental purposes. Animal trade might be very profitable but it also takes away the lives of many animals every year. For example, in Africa, rhinos are poached every year. Crocodiles, snakes and many other innocent animals are killed mercilessly every day in order to provide accessories to people. In China, there is the ‘Yulin Festival’ which results in the killing of thousands of dogs every year. Animal trade is a big source of remuneration for those involved in it. For example, nowadays, horse riding is very common in every country around the world. Animal trade is one of the most inhumane actions.” He further avers that man has always been a hunter. “Many modern hunters don’t just kill for food, they kill for profit. That’s why so many rare and protected animals are still being poached. In 1981, there were 15,000 black rhinos in Africa. Today, because of illegal hunting, there are only 4,500.” The solution, he says, is the vegan way of life and banning the use of animals for entertainment. “Going vegan means that you don’t eat, wear, or use anything that came from an animal, such as meat, milk, eggs, leather… Just by going vegan, you will save the lives of more than 100 animals every year! Animals are alive for their own reasons, not to entertain us. Animals in movies, circuses, and zoos are denied everything that is natural and important to them. They will never be allowed to hang out with their families, graze, or do anything that they would do in the wild. Refuse to support this cruelty by never going to a zoo, marine park, or circus that uses animals.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"18482","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-31555 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"198","height":"251","alt":"Benazir Bundhoo"}}]]Benazir Bundhoo: “Illegal hunting is a concern”

Benazir Bundhoo, student at the University of Mascareignes, explains that each year, hundreds of millions of animals are caught and sold as food, pets, and leather or tourist curios. “A worrying large proportion of this trade is illegal and threatens the survival of many endangered species. There are two main types of habitat: forests for terrestrial animals and sea for marine organisms. Unfortunately, a lot of animals are facing habitat loss and it is caused by human activity. Other reasons such as climate change, rise in sea levels, fires and floods also place stress on biodiversity. Lastly, illegal hunting is also a major concern. People hunt animals to make valuable objects.” She further adds: “We, as humans, should learn and work hand in hand to avoid animal extinction. Besides, government should enforce rules or laws to punish criminals who kill or hunt animals illegally. Moreover, people need to minimise the use of herbicides and pesticides, slow down when driving, recycle and buy sustainable products and never purchase products made from threatened or endangered species.”