Who’s the Dangerous Animal?
The world’s presidents, global superstars or witnesses of serious crime often need armed security guards, but sadly we live in a world where our wildlife needs it too – 24/7. Jo Johnston looks at the plight of the African rhino and the people protecting them.
words: Jo Johnston
photos: Stepan Vrzala
Cars, petroleum, crude oil, computers – some of the most-traded goods in our world today. But under the radar of most sound-minded people there is a fouler trade operating in a highly organised way that’s also worth billions. The illegal wildlife trade is growing and valued at £15 billion a year. The World Wildlife Fund says it’s the fourth biggest illegal trade in the world.1
It consists of trade in animal parts, such as ivory, skin and bones, animal meat, exotic animals for pets, or body parts for use as ‘prizes’ by members of the vile trophy hunting industry – who actively promote the slaying and execution of animals for ‘sport’.