Two Sides of Illegal Hunting Part 1A: Cultural Expression

Illegal Hunting

(Part 1A)

Melody Tadeo

For many species, hunting is an important part of survival which naturally plays a part in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. It is a basic instinct that continues the movement of energy between biological organisms and a large part of the flow of natural food chains. It nourishes and keeps populations under control, however, as is the case with many other natural and processes this too has been over-exploited and has caused problems that many believe make it necessary to make hunting of certain species against the law.

Nevertheless, just because something is illegal that does not necessarily make it inherently wrong, and just because something is legal that does not automatically justify it. While the rules vary in scope and scale around the world, some are willing to risk the legal and environmental consequences.

(Note: This is the first part of the series Two Sides of Illegal Hunting which explores the various perspectives of parties involved in and affected by illegal hunting. Parts 1A and 1B introduce with reasons to explain why illegal hunting still happens, and parts 2A and 2B will feature consequences and reasons against it. Although this was a technical assignment, a third nontechnical reflective section will be included. Links to the full series can he found here: http://naturenimbus.blogspot.ca/p/series-two-sides.html)

Reasons Behind Illegal Hunting: Cultural Expression

Sometimes one reason illegal hunting takes place is one to gather resources to be used in cultural expression. African elephants are often killed by poachers —hunters who trespass to hunt illegally—  for their tusks, providing material for the demand for ivory for various cultural traditions. Ivory carving is traditionally done in Asia to create religious objects, and amulets are believed to bring the wearer luck and protection from harm in general, and particularly black magic. National Geographic’s investigative report published in October 2012 stated “although the world has substitutes of all of ivory’s practical uses, its religious use is frozen in amber.” An individual expresses, “[ivory] is very precious... so to be respectful [of God] one should use precious material” (Christy, Bryan, 2012). Also believed by some to bless both the giver and receiver of ivory, it is a valuable material in high demand that some use in both religion and cultural artistic expression for the bone’s aesthetic appeal. Parts of a tiger such as the whiskers, eyebrow, teeth and paw soles are also believed to hold magical abilities. These are used in traditional magic rituals and some believe they hold special powers to people who wear the teeth, protecting the wearer from curses similar to the use of ivory, and as a means of cultural expression.

An adult pangolin. All images are from the Encyclopaedia Brittanica ImageQuest Archives.

Pangolins are a scaly, ant-eating mammal and an endangered species protected by law that is used in some traditional Chinese medicine. The scales, called Chan Shan Jia, are “traditionally used in Chinese medicine to disperse blood stasis... reducing swelling and promoting discharge of pus... and for expelling wind-dampness (for pain due to... arthritis)” (The Journal of Chinese Medicine). This practice has preserved one small part of  Chinese culture in a world that many believe is becoming  increasingly “Westernized” and less culturally diverse. Not only as a cultural tradition, Chan Shan Jia has also proven to be an effective natural remedy and benefit to human health. However, although other natural alternatives to pangolin scales have been found (The Journal of Chinese Medicine) they continue to be hunted for pangolin wine for their aesthetic appeal. Their scales and skin are sometimes used in the fashion industry, a vanity some willing to pay a lot of money for which provides more incentive for traffickers (Soft Schools).

Works Cited (for Part 1)

Christy, Bryan. "Ivory Worship." National Geographic Oct. 2012: 63. Print.

The Journal of Chinese Medicine. "Pangolin." The Journal of Chinese Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.jcm.co.uk/endangered-species-campaign/pangolin/>.

Soft Schools. “Pangolin Facts”. Soft Schools. N.p., n.d. Web. December 2014. http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/pangolin_facts/108/

All images are from Encyclopaedia Brittanica ImageQuest Archives.

APP Resolves to Stop Clearing Indonesian Rainforests

On Tuesday February 5, 2013, Asia Pulp & Paper announced their new Forest Conservation Policy in favour of Indonesia’s rainforests. After much pressure from the public and NGOs who launched a campaigns against them for large-scale clearing of rainforests, their ‘Sustainability Roadmap’ plan includes ending all further development on forested land (including peat forests), reducing greenhouse gas emissions, NGO monitoring, and conflict resolution with communities affected by the development. The campaign against APP was largely publicized by Greenpeace in 2010 which was joined by numerous other organizations and rallied thousands of international supporters from the public who participated through letter-writing and online petitioning. Companies that cut ties with APP after the exposure include KFC and Mattel, and others such as National Geographic confirmed that they would not buy from them.

   It great to hear that the Indonesian Rainforests and all the animals living within them (including but not limited to orangutans, great hornbills, and Bengal tigers) are no longer threatened by APP. Rainforests also provide the planet’s atmosphere with much-needed filtration which every living thing on the planet requires. Also, some resources in the rainforest have been used for medical treatments, and reservation of those resources are necessary for people suffering from such illnesses to be treated. Still, there is much to be done before the rainforest can be considered “saved,” and heightened public awareness and pressure may incite more progress.

   Hopefully this is one of many more steps to be taken in conservation of rainforests. The campaign has raised a lot of public awareness and interest, with the orangutan and Bengal tiger shown as the faces of Indonesian rainforests. APP’s sister company under Sinar Mas, Asia Pacific Resources International (also known as “APRIL”), has been sent a letter, urging them to take similar steps to create a Conservation Policy of their own. It is evident that many consumers will pressure companies for “greener” products, and that it can be affective. With the heightened awareness through media and public participation, events like this may help give a boost in conservation.

Greenpeace activists campaigning against APP. (photo from Greenpeace.org)

References

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/press/releases/Major-breakthrough-in-protection-for-Indonesias-remaining-rainforests/

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/success-barbie-and-mattel-drop-deforestation/blog/37176/

http://www.care2.com/causes/success-giant-paper-company-agrees-to-stop-killing-rainforest.html

http://www.asiapulppaper.com/

http://www.indonesianrainforest.org/irf-news/406-animals-from-the-indonesian-rainforest.html

*This is part of a series of older environmental news summaries.