The Student News Site of University Prep

The Puma Press

The Student News Site of University Prep

The Puma Press

The Student News Site of University Prep

The Puma Press

Saving Our Animals

I have always considered myself an advocate for animals. I have been aware of animal poaching for a while, but I didn’t know the extent it is affecting animal populations around the world. A couple years ago, I learned about the illegal killings of rhinos going on in Africa and Asia to harvest their horns for supposed medicinal purposes. I was shocked to see the horrifying pictures of rhinos with their horns cut of and the staggering numbers in which they were being killed. I wrote a compelling speech for my English class about the issue Ever since, I have followed the efforts toward saving the rhinos. I didn’t know, however, that many other animals, like the rhino, are on the brink of extinction for the same reasons. I only just learned of that this year. I found out about the initiative because I had to volunteer on a campaign for my Civics class.

After doing some research about the campaign I would be working on, I learned that Initiative 1401 protects tigers, elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, turtles, sharks, rays and pangolins, all of which are endangered, against poachers. The poaching of exotic animals may seem far removed from Washington, but trafficked animal parts enter the United States in large numbers. Between 2010 and 2014, United States Fish and Wildlife agents made 50 seizures of illegal animal parts in Washington State.

The initiative, if passed, will criminalize this trafficking. This means that the possession, trade, or sales of any animal parts, such as ivory, pelts, and meat, will be illegal. Right now animal trafficking is illegal on the federal level, but there is no law in Washington that prevents animal parts coming in and out of its ports. If enacted, a person convicted of trafficking would face a maximum penalty of $10,000 and up to five years in prison. However, the law exempts certain uses, including antiques used for education, scientific or museum purposes, items distributed after an owner’s death, musical instruments, and where trade is allowed by federal permit or law.

The United States has the second largest industry for ivory and other endangered animal parts. There are only about 250 rhinos left in the wild. In as few as 10 years, the entire tiger population could go completely extinct, and the little-known pangolin may be gone before the world even gets a chance to know what it is! However, Washingtonians have a chance to take a stand against poachers and save the ten endangered species on their way to extinction!

By making I-1401 a law, Washingtonians will make a huge impact not only by reducing the amount of animal parts going in and out, but by leading a good example for the rest of the world to follow suit. Personally, I don’t want my grandchildren learning about elephants and tigers through books because they no longer exist, and I’m sure most of the world would agree. Most people, though, lack the knowledge of the severity of this crisis and are unwilling to act on it. By voting to pass Initiative 1401, we are one step closer to saving lives.

By: Hannah Zundel-Davis