U.S. Program Helps Fight Poaching in Africa
08/20/2013
A rhino rests on a game reserve in South Africa. Some in the wildlife industry say a legal trade in rhino horn will decrease poaching levels; others argue it would have the opposite effect
From VOA Learning English, welcome to As It Is. I’m Steve Ember
Today we tell about how the United States is trying to help control poaching in Africa.
And, we take note of a very special phonograph record called “Sounds of Earth” that was launched into space on this date in 1977. We’re still waiting for a reply.
The United States recently launched a 10-million-dollar effort to help fight animal poaching in Africa. Money from the illegal trade in animal products may be supporting some militant groups on the continent. But at least one expert says the American effort alone will not be enough to solve the problem.
Johan Bergenas is with the Managing Across Boundaries Initiative at the Stimson Center, a non-profit group in Washington. He says current anti-poaching efforts have failed to stop the killing of thousands of animals every year.
He says poaching across borders is not new as a criminal activity. He notes that the killing of animals has increased over the past 12 to 18 months. And cross-border criminal groups and terrorist organizations are involved.
Johan Bergenas says Somali militants, for example, have gained from poaching. He says that for a number of years, the Kenya Wildlife Service has reported a strong link between the militants and al Shabab. American officials have shown ties between the Somali-based group and Al-Qaeda.
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