Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Understanding and solving the South-East Asian snaring crisis
Author(s)
Thomas NE Gray, Michael Belecky, Hannah J O'Kelly, Madhu Rao, Oliver Roberts, Andrew Tilker, Mia Signs, K Yoganand
Published
2021
Publisher
The Ecological Citizen
Abstract
Snaring is one of the simplest but most destructive hunting techniques. Snares, cheap to produce and easy to set in large numbers, are the predominant form of hunting across large areas of South-East Asia. Snares are indiscriminate, wasteful, and cruel. For terrestrial species in South-East Asia, the increasing use of snares – principally to feed urban demand for wildlife meat – is among the most significant causes of population declines. Across eleven protected areas in the region, the authors document ranger patrols removing a total of 371,056 snares between 2005 and 2019. However, owing to the low detectability of snares and the large size of many of the region's protected areas, which are invariably understaffed, the number of snares removed is likely only a small fraction of total snares present. To effectively address the drivers of snaring, governments and civil society organizations need to urgently improve the effectiveness of anti-poaching patrols generally, and specifically strengthen legislation to allow law enforcement officers and rangers to deter snaring within protected areas. Robust and evidence-based behaviour change programs to reduce commercial demand for wildlife meat should simultaneously be developed.
Keywords
Biodiversity; Conservation; Protected area; Sixth mass extinction; Wildlife trade
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB26363