8 Major Threats to Biodiversity and Ecosystem

5. Illegal hunting and wildlife trade

Illegal Wildlife Trade, which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, is third largest illegal business (first and second are drug and weapon trade). Illegal hunting has brought many species near the verge of extinction and the most recent example is northern white rhino.

Earlier this year, media were flooded with pictures of four remaining northern white rhinos alive, which are protected by armed men. In the 1960s population of northern white rhinos was around 2.000, but it was reduced to four because of illegal hunting. Biologist made enormous efforts to save the animal from the extinction but as things stand now, their future is bleak. Unlike northern white rhinos, the population of southern white rhinos has been successfully protected, but in recent years illegal hunting has once again jeopardized the survival of the species.

Rhinos are targeted by poachers because one kilo of their horns reaches price of $60.000 on the illegal market. In Asian cultures, there is widespread belief that rhino horns can cure every disease – from cold to cancer. Additionally, rhino horns are perceived as a status symbol. Different sorts of efforts, from raising awareness among locals about the importance of preserving rhino population to strict laws against illegal trade, have been made, but they didn’t bring desired effects.