Wildlife

Wildlife Poaching Impact on Welfare

Illegal wildlife poaching causes acute suffering to individual animals and destabilizes populations with lasting welfare consequences.

Key Facts

Snares cause suffering for days before death or rescue in trapped animals
Poaching kills an estimated 100 million animals annually across all taxa
Orphaned animals from poached parents require intensive rehabilitation
Community anti-poaching programs are more effective than enforcement-only approaches
Consumer demand reduction in end-use countries is the most sustainable intervention

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife poaching inflicts acute welfare suffering on individual animals caught in traps, nets, and snares. Animals may suffer for days before dying or being found. Surviving dependents including orphaned elephants and chimpanzees require years of rehabilitation. Addressing demand in consuming countries and providing alternative livelihoods in range communities together reduce the incentives for poaching.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wildlife products including ivory, rhino horn, or exotic pets
Support anti-poaching community programs in range countries
Donate to organizations providing snare removal and anti-poaching patrols
Engage with demand reduction campaigns in consuming countries
Support ranger welfare and compensation programs