Vital Forest Graphics

by habitat loss and poaching

The routes of African ivory and rhino horns to Asia

Wildlife smuggling to, in and from Nepal

& ) & )

'# )

( $ &"

,+ . $

+ ,

!) +& )

"') )',+

+ )

#$ $%# )$%*

!& +) &*!+ &+ )* &+! (' !& % *,) * +!- (' !& $!&!& ' !& !& ) *!& $!& ' ) !&'* ',) ! $ !&- *+! +!'& )!*+! & $$ % && ) & $

#%

$(% ! #) &' ' $# % &' # !! " ## % # !

life areas. As a result commercial and subsistence hunting can quickly reach unsustainable levels, leading to local extinction of the targeted wildlife spe- cies. In Central Africa, species in danger not only include the larger mammals, such as elephants, rhinos, great apes and other primates, but also porcupine, cane rat, pangolin, monitor lizard and guinea fowl. Bush-meat hunting and trading has now become big business

and is one of the main threats to many of the major species in Africa. Another species under threat from poaching is the rhinoceros. Rhinoceros horn is used in traditional Asian medi- cine, believed to reduce fevers and even prevent loss of life. Other parts of the rhino, including the skin and bones, are also used for their supposed medicinal qualities. Demand for rhino horn has increased substantially in recent years.

Of the five species of rhino, three are listed in the IUCN Red List as critically endangered. Poaching is not the only way by which rhino horn finds its way to the market. In certain instances and limited to specific populations, trade in rhino horns derived from hunting of rhinoceros is allowed under CITES. However, recent investigations have shown that hunters are abusing regu- lations and entering rhino horn into commercial trade involving organized crime, corruption, abuse of diplomatic priviliges and money laundering. Intelligence gathering, regular mo- nitoring and strict enforcement are effective ways of curtailing both ille- gal logging and poaching activities in forests. The participation of local communities in these activities can facilitate implementation of laws and regulations and secure sustainability. Customs enforcement also plays a cri- tical role in controlling trade in various species.

Number of animal species per biome/ecosystem

Tropical and sub-tropical moist broadleaf forest

Tropical and sub-tropical grassland, savanna, and shrubland Deserts and xeric shrubland Tropical and sub-tropical dry broadleaf forest

Montane grassland and shrubland

Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest

Flooded grassland and savanna Tropical and sub-tropical coniferous forest Temperate grassland, savanna, and shrubland Mangroves Temperate coniferous forest Mediterranean forest, woodland, and scrub

Boreal forest, taïga Tundra

0

2 000

4 000

6 000

8 000 10 000 12 000 14 000 16 000 18 000 20 000

Source: MA 2005.

VITAL FOREST GRAPHICS 39