It is difficult to involve ourselves in the problems of other countries when we have so many issues within our own borders that demand our attention. Today it’s the debt ceiling crisis and in the months to come, no doubt, we will be back in the throws of scorching debates over Presidential candidates and issues. As a country, we defend religious freedom throughout the world. However, I’d like to think that Americans, as individuals, have a global conscience that will reach across oceans to address problems in other countries.
In Central Africa, one such issue concerns the future of one of Africa’s most treasured and valuable assets – its wildlife. Hunted for their meat, elephants, gorillas, giraffes, lions, crocodiles, rhinos, zebras, gazelles and wildebeest are species that are victims of an aggressive and organized bush-meat campaign that has reached epidemic proportion. Organized commercial bush-meat poachers kill the equivalent of over four million head of cattle every year and sell it to the poor rural Africans who do not have the economic or physical means to acquire domesticated meat. At one point, this billion dollar industry was limited to animals with valuable horns or ivory tusks. However, in recent years, the nature of the kill has become indiscriminate placing the regions current wild-meat harvest in excess of a million tons annually.
The loss of wildlife far exceeds the maximum sustainable rate. As Africa’s biodiversity dwindles, so will its eco-tourism, a major source of revenue for the country. Additionally, the rural communities have few alternative sources of protein and income so a complete hault of the trade would be disastrous for the region.
Instead of banning the practice completely, a two part solution could include sustainable management of bush-meat hunting practices and continued anti-poaching patrols. The hunting of non-threatened species could be legalized and regulated to protect the food supply and livelihoods of the hunters. Through legalization, poaching would be less profitable and attractive.
Anti-poaching initiatives would still be necessary and require funding and trained volunteer rangers supplied with military-grade equipment. The African Conservancy supports Zambia’s Northern Province Honorary Wildlife Police Officers Unit. This unit provides food, transportation and fuel assistance to the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) Wildlife Police Officers. The unit conducts roadblocks and train searches to confiscate black market game meat and illegal firearms.
Fighting the bush-meat hunters with sustainable legal alternatives and on-going vigilant patrols is imperative as this crime knows no borders.