What is the illegal use of wildlife?

When tough soil conditions are exacerbated by long droughts, people often struggle to grow food and feed their cattle; accessing food can be difficult. Yet these rural communities live within, or close to, areas that are teeming with game and animals. As a result, they may turn to subsistence poaching, the illegal exploitation of animals and plants for personal consumption.

Poaching can also be carried out by organised groups that often work across different countries and who usually recruit locals to assist them. These groups target larger animals for the sale of ivory or rhino horn. Poaching is a serious problem and threat to wildlife and can also endanger communities by involving them in illegal practices.