Confronting Central Africa's Poaching Crisis International Efforts Target Abuses of 'Bushmeat Trade'

This article brings to light the astoundingly huge problem that is the poaching of endangered species in Africa. This underground organization that trades in the exotic meats and hides on the black market. These poachers used to be a few gangs of under-equipped individuals who would sneak past park rangers and into nature reserves to kill these rare and innocent creatures for money. However the situation has now escaladed into a much bigger issue. Modern day poachers are military trained anti-tank and machine gun wielding groups that literally are "blowing the heads off of elephants" and bribing park rangers. These are disciplined groups that are raking in millions each year. Most surprisingly the restaurants and market vendors who are buying and selling these poached products are located, not just in Africa, but also in places like America, Europe, and Asia.

My reaction to this article was one of shock. I had no idea that these "new age" poachers were military trained and using high powered weapons to accomplish their work, I also had no idea how much these poachers were making. The fact that people all over the world, even in large restaurants in places like here in the United States! I guess I always assumed that exotic restaurants her would never be buying poached animal meats and that was pretty upsetting to me.

Questions:

1.) What are the exact numbers of animals who are killed by poachers each year?
2.) How many poached animal meats and parts are sent to places like the U.S. and Europe each year?

Works Cited:

Nielsen, John "Confronting Central Africa's Poaching Crisis International Efforts Target Abuses of 'Bushmeat Trade" NPR 27, January, 2010