The Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation apprehended a person trying to sell elephant pearls. The incident was part of a sting operation to combat wildlife trafficking.
What's happening?
Near the Mahiyanganaya Indigenous Village, one person was preparing to sell what HIRU News described as the "largest single haul" of elephant pearls in Sri Lanka. The outlet valued the pearls at around 300 million Sri Lankan rupees (over $3.38 million).
According to HIRU News, people from many wildlife offices coordinated a sting operation to seize the elephant pearls.
What officials found, however, was more than just the pearls.
Leopard skin and oil, elephant tusks, animal traps, Karuwala wood, and the Damba plant were also found in the seized haul, per the outlet. The person is now in custody and must appear before the court following further investigations.
And unfortunately, illegal wildlife trade is a widespread issue, with issues stemming from supplement companies in Mexico to tiger smuggling across Asia.
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Why is it important to stop wildlife poaching?
Elephant pearls are not genuine pearls, but they resemble the ones you'd find in an oyster or mussel. According to the Sunday Times, some people believe the pearls may have healing and good luck properties, which may contribute to the trade.
Aside from the elephant pearls, poaching of this wild animal is common for many other reasons. For example, the tusks — which are made of ivory — are often in high demand for jewelry, decor, and traditional medicine, per the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Poaching wild animals like the elephant can lead to many issues that affect entire communities. On a cultural level, elephants can be symbolic, while in the physical world, they help with seed dispersal and shaping the environment, per IFAW.
Additionally, innocent people and park rangers may end up in the crossfire of wildlife crime, as the World Wildlife Fund reported. These devastating impacts can lead to injury or death.
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We should pay for all of it 👍 Not to mention, wildlife smuggling may introduce invasive species that crowd out native biodiversity or zoonotic diseases that can harm people, pets, and local animals.
For instance, illegal trade can raise the risk of diseases like Ebola or bird flu and increase the number of invasive species per country, according to the National Resources Defense Council.
What's being done about elephant poaching?
Although wildlife trafficking is a significant problem, many groups are working to stop it.
For instance, the IFAW encourages educational campaigns about the dangers of wildlife trafficking, especially in areas where it's common. Additionally, the group provides training and equipment to local communities to help end poaching.
Meanwhile, WWF works to improve conservation efforts of elephants and other threatened species. By connecting with potential buyers of illegal products on social media and working with local tourism agencies, the group can help reduce poaching.
You can also get involved by reporting suspicious activity and supporting conservation initiatives.
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