Finding a Solution to Game Poaching in the Amazon Rainforest

Rachel Zhang
Writing 60
Professor Charlene Keeler
March 2, 2023
Research Project 2
Advocacy Project: Finding a Solution to Game Poaching in the Amazon Rainforest
Introduction
The game hunting boom of the 1930s-40s in the Amazon rainforest paved the way for disastrous and devastating ecological imbalances identified in the CP. An estimated 23 million animals were killed between 1904 and 1969 for their hides and skins. Exports worth more than US$500 million were made (Peres et al. 1). The practices resulted in biodiversity loss through the decline or extinction of certain species of animals, which can have cascading effects on the rest of the ecosystem. Disruption of ecological balance is another adverse effect. Hunting disrupts the balance of predator and prey relationships, leading to overpopulation of some species and declining in others. Besides, hunting and the trade of wild animals lead to the spread of diseases from animals to humans. The activity also destroys habitat as hunters’ clear land for their activities and disturb ecosystems. It has also affected the livelihoods and cultural practices of indigenous communities who rely on hunting for subsistence. Endangered species are menaced with extinction. Threat to the survival of endangered species, such as jaguars, tapirs, and primates, which are already threatened by habitat destruction and other human activities, continues.
This advocacy project proposes an action plan to reduce or cease hunting in the amazon significantly. The advocacy plan seeks to sensitize the public, trigger policymaking, and have a significant percentage of individuals and groups buy the idea. A seven-step solution s proposed, involving the following: strengthening law enforcement; increasing public awareness; supporting alternative livelihoods; working with local communities; strengthening laws and regulations; collaborating with international bodies; and using technology. Each of these steps is reviewed in the following section of the literature. Further, this project expounds on how each of the plans is executed.
Fig 1: Proposed Action Plan
Literature Review
This literature reviews works discussing the seven steps proposed in this multi-model project. The project reviews the steps taken, the consequences, and the shortcomings, along with recommendations. Legal frameworks have been tried to protect against hunting in the Amazon rainforest. They include criminalizing the practice. For example, the Bolivian government introduced Law 1333 of 1992, which made it illegal to hunt, fish, or capture animals in the forest using explosives. Once found guilty, one was subject to serving three years (Crime 1). Forgotten, forsaken, and ignored laws are some of the challenges facing the conservation of the Amazon rainforest. Harrop (1999) highlights the issue of forgotten laws from the insight of the rules that had been in place before, which needed to be advanced with evolution to improve the forest's biodiversity. Despite lawmakers and scientists acknowledging that the forests are at risk, they take time to implement enforcement. Nonetheless, Kimerling (1991) emphasizes that the law conflicts with or fails to consider or offer alternatives to those whose livelihoods depend entirely ...