In this article, “Use them or lose them; Conservation,” the author states that trade bans are not the ideal solution for endangered species anymore; however, people are finding more effective and profitable way to protect endangered animals, like sustainable exploitation. In some part of South Africa, existence of too many elephants impacted people’s life. Currently, the government thought they should shoot some, but it does not have a good effect on saving endangered species. The trade bans have existed for almost 20 years, but it became defective with developing of the profit-making black market. In addition, trade is not the only important reasons that disrupt some species. For instance, land loss and ecosystem degradation are also serious influences on the wildlife. Thereby, we should find the foresighted and valuable ways for us. Tourism and sustainable exploitation are ideal way to protect endangered species and even take the benefits from it.
Recently, in some part of South Africa, the elephants were treated as pests. The government planned to reduce the quantity of elephants by shooting them. Certainly, it is not a good solution. Furthermore, the author mentions that the trade bans, as a tool to gather public support and limit the illegal activities about endangered species, have existed for almost two decades; however, the bans became loosened and defective, with the commercial interests developing. So, the illegal black-market is still thriving. Moreover, except for shortcoming ban, there are more reasons to disturb the wildlife, such as ecosystem degradation. In the case of South Africa, the government has to re-decide the more effective and long-term solutions. The author said tourism and sustainable exploitation are the ideal solutions at present. We can find more ways to create value with protection of animals to develop the sustainable environment.
Firstly, developing the tourism is the best way to keep the wildlife and even help the local economy prosper. The author said, “a better policy is to make wildlife more available to man.” We should keep natural environment and limit the animals activity’s area that under protected. By the way, government should put more finance and techniques to support running the work. On the other hand, people are willing to see wildlife in a nature way nowadays. In the case of South Africa, elephants are one of their major resources, they can use this advantage to work with creating the wildlife environment and attract tourists come to see them, instead of shooting them. Finally, they will not only earn money, but also protect elephants and other wildlife in a good way.
Secondly, the elephant population maybe really grew up quickly under effective protection. But other countries may not have elephants. Why don’t they sell the extra elephants to other countries? Then put them into their zoo or a wildlife zoo. To exchange the rare animals in a local area with other areas is also a good way. It is more attractive for visitors. For example, China doesn’t have too many elephants in zoos but people would like to see them. Also, pandas are our famous animal. So we can exchange these two animals with South Africa. Thereby, it potentially encourages people to visit and prosper the local business.
Developing the artificial rearing business without killing is also a profitable way to protect animals. The animals can be brought up by artificially and can be develop the related businesses by exploiting values from them. For example, Australians have ranches to raise sheep, and then they export the sheep’s wool all over the world. With the quantity of elephants in South Africa, they can create a similar business with elephants like Australia did as a legal trade. To raise them more in manmade circumstance is going to create more value for them. After that, it is possible to cut the ivory and develop the economy legally. But before that, we have to protect the endangered animals well.
All in all, even though the elephant population is increasing in South Africa, shooting is unacceptable. A sustainable environment requires people’s efforts to take care of wildlife, save them from extinction and even make them useful in a sustainable way. Besides, people’s demands cannot be reduced, but we can create values with right ways to satisfy what people want. If we can do both jobs well, we live longer.
Reference:
Use them or lose them; Conservation. (2008, April 18). The Economist, Retrieved May 26, 2009, from LexisNexis database.
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