A poacher from Kenya was a one of many to illegally hunt elephants for their ivory tusks. The ivory market is hot due to a demand in China for its rarity. The limitations on ivory trading have made the item a black market commodity. The number of elephants poached in Africa is at an all-time high and if continued may be at a pace similar to the endangered American bison. Many Kenyans have made it their mission to protect the elephants due to their popularity.
Safari's spark huge tourism for the country and generate a lot of movement in the economy. The poaching of elephants undermines the legal economy and generates violence and instability amongst poaching parties. Julius Lokinyi, a well-known and successful poacher, was broke when he decided to join the Kenyan militia who protect the animals. Even Lokinyi can see the benefit to Kenya by saving the elephants.
Reflection: I think it's incredibly brave of Lokinyi to leave his poaching group to reenter society. He was ridiculed and could even be considered in danger for leaving his group. There seems to be two social casts of society in this particular situation. The Kenyans who want to partake in the economy and other who want to exploit it. I think the lack of government regulation on illegal trading may lure poor Africans into the market. However, the income for poachers is very unstable and especially for young men who don't get to take a large part of the group's earnings.
Written by: Jeff Gettleman
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