WILDLIFE SMUGGLING Meaning and
Definition
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Wildlife smuggling refers to the illegal transportation, trade, or movement of live animals, plants, or their derivatives, typically across international borders, violating national and international laws and regulations. This practice involves the clandestine movement of various species, including rare, exotic, or endangered ones, for commercial purposes, often driven by high demand and substantial profits in black markets.
Wildlife smuggling can encompass different forms, such as the illegal trade of live animals as pets, the trafficking of wildlife products like ivory, rhino horn, or tiger parts for traditional medicine, or the smuggling of plants and their derivatives for ornamental, horticultural, or medicinal use. It is a highly organized and sophisticated illicit activity, often involving professional networks with links to organized crime, corruption, and money laundering.
The consequences of wildlife smuggling are detrimental to biodiversity conservation, habitats, and ecosystems. It contributes to the decline of species populations, threatens the survival of endangered and critically endangered species, and disrupts ecosystems by introducing invasive species to new habitats. Additionally, it undermines the rule of law, compromises sustainable development efforts, and poses a serious public health threat, as it can facilitate the illegal trade of zoonotic diseases.
Efforts to combat wildlife smuggling involve international collaborations, the enforcement of stringent laws and regulations, strengthening wildlife conservation initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and supporting local communities in promoting sustainable alternatives to illegal wildlife trade.
Etymology of WILDLIFE SMUGGLING
The word "wildlife smuggling" consists of two separate terms - "wildlife" and "smuggling":
1. Wildlife: The word "wildlife" comes from two words - "wild" and "life". "Wild" refers to animals or plants that exist and thrive in natural habitats without human intervention, while "life" signifies the state of being alive. The term "wildlife" emerged in the mid-19th century and is used to describe all forms of animal and plant life that are not domesticated or cultivated.
2. Smuggling: The term "smuggling" has its origins in the Old English word "smugan", which meant "to creep secretly". It evolved to refer to the illegal transportation or trade of goods, often bypassing customs regulations, taxes, or restrictions imposed by the authorities.
