There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
02-09-2016, 06:48 AM( This post was last modified: 11-14-2018, 07:12 PM by peter )
HUMANS AND WILD ANIMALS - SIZE OF THE 'MARKET' (a) AND 'SAFARIS' IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (b)
A - Market size
A few days ago, a report on the trade in wild animals was discussed on television. Ten minutes loaded with misery, it was. The one who wrote the report estimated that the value of the wildlife 'market' (any activity directly or indirectly related to the trade in wild animals) is about 20-25 billion dollars. A year. Those involved also often were involved in weapons, drugs and slavery. Money and all that.
The EU is an important market. The reasons are considerable wealth, no interest in research, no funds and no real legal framework to oppose those involved in wild animals and traffic. If someone is apprehended and found guilty, the result usually is a fine or something that compares.
Why is that? Well, European politicians are not that interested. Those representing the country in which I live agree a legal framework is even unwanted. The one working for Interpol, when interviewed, said there is no priority.
Something else to consider. When we think of animals walking the edge, tigers and gorillas come to mind. Wrong. An experienced ecologist said all non-human creatures are hunted and traded everywhere. The reason is all have value.
What I'm saying is this: if you had a bit of hope, bury it right now. It much worse than you think.
B - Safaris in southern Africa
Last week, I saw a documentary on canned hunts in southern Africa. A very attractive French journalist was involved. Attractive underlined, as it helped her to get access to those with firsthand information. The documentairy was gruesome.
I'll start with the good news. A well-known zoologist from Pretoria said South Africa now has at least four times the number of 'wild' animals it had as century ago. The bad news is they are as 'wild' as any domestic dog. Not at all. They are born and bred on farms. Born and bred? Yes. I'll explain.
Hunters from all over the world go the Africa. The reason is plenty of wildlife, no rules and no prisons. They kill an animal. Not seldom, the trophy is taken home. American hunters usually like 'm big. A 'farmer' is contacted by those interested in his animals and selects those that fit. They're sold to local firms involved in trophy hunting. Most of the others are sold to facilities all over the world. Zoo visitors seldom get the real deal, that is. What you see is a product 'developed' on some farm.
It's big business. In South Africa alone, not counting the others, there are over 200 legal 'lion farms' (...). There is an organisation that allegedly supervises the farms (needed to prevent problems with the law). The chairman was interviewed by the French journalist. She showed him things he didn't want to see and asked him if he had ever visited these lion farms. Sure he had, but only a few. He had other things on his mind. Than the interview was cut short, as he didn't like it one bit.
She also got hold of a man who assisted the hunters. He walked with them when they 'hunted' a male 'lion' on foot and complimented them when the male had been shot. They told them they had passed the test. But they knew that everything, from start to finish, was a fake. The male lions are farm-bred animals. They don't run when they hear shots, because they can't: many are darted just before they are 'released'.
Not saying all of those involved in this business compare to criminals. I know they have to make a living. I also know that locals get some of the money. Same for taxidermists and many others. But it is a very sad show.
Most of us are not well-informed. We think we are, but we're not. Nothing is what it seems to be. Wild animals in southern parts of Africa, no matter what they tell you, struggle. I recently saw a documentary about the famous desert lions (Kalahari). The one who made the documentary really knew his business. The part of the park he covered, had one male lion. Yes, one. And he was shot. Illegal, but shot anyhow. And then there were no more adult wild male lions in that part of the park.
c - Conclusions
1 - Wild animals are hunted nearly everywhere all the time.
2 - The wildlife market has a value of about 20-25 billion dollars. A year.
3 - Wildlife is a commodity.
4 - There's no legal framework to protect animals or oppose traders. Anywhere. The reason is no priority.
5 - As a result of 1-4, many wild animals are walking 'the edge of extinction' nearly everywhere.
6 - There's no information about what is happening out there. News agencies do not consider it important. The result is many of us know next to nothing.
7 - Many (not all) animal welfare organisations in 'developed' countries are symptom-orientated. This often results in scores of no-results presented with a lot of flair. Same for politicians who introduced laws to 'protect' animals. They didn't tell you about the circus animals that were 'euthanised' after wild animals were removed from circuses in the western hemisphere. They also didn't tell you that those involved in 'conservation' stay well clear of the real deal. The reason is simple: trainers don't fight back, but hunters and others (like those involved in arms) can and will. The actions of welfare organisations and politicians have to be considered as marketing strategies with few costs and a nice turnover.
8 - Don't allow yourself to be fooled at any time and don't underestimate the consequences of the trade in animals. It's worse than you think.
d - Solution
1 - Although there's no alternative for the economic system in use, the limits have been reached. The reason is it's about short-term exploitation only. The consequences are deposited at the plate of the State. As it's no different with living creatures, the results are disastrous. If we allow for it and wild animals go extinct, the only new 'market' left is us.
This means that some of us will exploit others to make a living. One day, all of us will be involved. Those prepared to see the world as it is know that the laws implemented after World War Two in order to prevent just that are on their way out everywhere. The reason is the 'market' says they are of no use. The 'market' wants 'flexibility'.
Who is 'they'? Less than 1% of the world population. Make that 0,1%. People you don't really want to know, but the problem is you can't avoid them. They are everywhere. The reason is they control more than half of the assets, news agencies and things like that included.
Would my proposal compare to 'socialism'? It no doubt would for those addressed. For those interested in a good life, however, it's the only option. Cconstitutions all over the planet insist that all are born equal. Some pigs always will be a bit more equal than others, but we agreed race, religion and things like that should be eliminated. This what they fought for, remember?
2 - The actions of those involved in exploitation of the natural world still can be undone. You now can swim in rivers that were severely polluted only a few decades ago. Regions that were eroded now have large tracks of forests again. The result is wolves knock on the door of some western European countries. They met with a universal 'no', but this could change in the near future. A question of training. And laws. The 'market' doesn't like laws and education, but it is the only option we have.
3 - You know my trade is tigers. Can they be saved? Russia, India and Nepal say it's possible. In Russia the decision to give it a try was taken right at the top, but it is a fact that the natural world still is important for many. Same for Nepal and India. In most other countries in southeastern Asia, the future is bleak. The reason is no political will.
e - Future
Although it may seem different, this post wasn't written to discourage you. Reality, however, can't be ignored. It is what it is and it isn't looking good. Every time I get new information, I'm surprised at the speed of the changes and the consequences. We're very close to the point of no-return.
There are exceptions to the general rule. Russia tops my table, but India, Nepal and Thailand also deserve attention and support. Some projects of some organisations really have an impact, but they can't change the tide. We have to help out and we have to act fast and decisive.
Although I understand why many only consider their bank-account when they vote, my advice is to dig a little deeper. Money isn't a living organism. It brings no life. It's an agreement and we all know that agreements collapse all the time.
I also like individuals, initiative, diversity, money and all that, but we need a framework directed at survival. We all know what happens when the State collapses and the 'market' takes over, don't we? So why not try something different, like common sense? You have any idea about the amount of money spent on arms every year? If it wasn't real, we would laugh. Humans are the same everywhere, are they not?
The only way out is new ideas on what is really important in life and act accordingly. In the end, it's very simple. We act as responsible adults or end up with 20 billion and mud everywhere. When did we forget about the real fundamentals? And when did we start to take it for granted? The great planet we inhabit, I mean. How beautiful can it get? What more do we want?
