Amazon Animals

Poaching endangered species is a major headache in many Asian countries. Just recently, the critically endangered species, the black-shanked douc langurs were victims of poachers. Authorities in Vietnam managed to catch 2 poachers with 15 of these dead or dying monkey species with them. These two poachers used a gun to immobilize the monkeys long enough for them to catch and tie them up.

In Vietnam, although it is illegal to go poaching and killing animals in a national park, it happens in regular frequencies. Even before this 2011 incident, there were others like the 2009 incident where the poachers fled after being caught. They left behind two dead douc langurs who were shot and died from the bullet wounds.

The reasons for the frequency in poaching incidents is the lack of personnel. For every park, there are only about 5 rangers. This is not nearly enough to cover the ground and catch the poachers. Poachers are also well armed and even have hunting dogs to help them track the animals. They have no fear and will not hesitate to shoot a ranger if they feel they are cornered.

According to the forest rangers, they are outgunned and it is not getting any better. Poachers are becoming more daring and taking risks even with human life. They are also better trained than the rangers themselves. The rangers are not authorized to use guns on thieves or poachers. They are literally unable to protect themselves, much more the animals in the park.

According to Jonathan Eames who is the Program Manager for Birdlife International, the government of Vietnam is not doing enough. They need to wake up before they lose part of their heritage.  Poachers use the animals they catch to make food paste because the meat makes dishes taste better. The bones of the douc langurs are also important because they can be used to make paste or glue. In 2006, hunting was prohibited and the use of the animal parts for seasoning or glue was banned. It managed to lower the incidents but not stop it altogether. The worst punishment poachers can expect if caught is a mere 4 to 6 years in jail. It isn’t good enough to scare them from poaching.