As you look around at the wonderful wildlife that exists on this earth, you soon have to wonder what is happening to their numbers.

Illegal poaching is an issue in many parts of the world.  It was brought out in reports from Africa regarding poaching of elephants and rhinoceros.  After attention was brought into focus, the elephant along with the Black & White Rhino numbers did increase.  However, poaching has continued. Although proposals to raise the animals to satisfy the ivory trade were brought forward, the conservationists feel that this would only intensify the issue in regulating the poaching of the animals.  Even though Africa may seem distant, Lake Tahoe is not.  

Right here in the U.S., there are people poaching bears for their gall bladders due to a belief that they have a medicinal purpose.  The Bear Education Aversion Response Team, reports that the bear poaching has been going on for thousands of years and is a multi-million dollar market.  Although bear hunting is legal during bear season, the poachers do not take the entire bear carcass from the woods, they only slice the body open just large enough to remove the gall bladder and then fit it neatly into an ice chest.  The carcass is left behind.  What does this really say about this portion of mankind and their lack of concern for our wildlife?  Are you aware that there are militia groups whose activities are actually funded by poaching?  This is just a little "food" for thought.