The Wildlife Farming Debate

A Tiger-skin rug captured by Anti-poaching authorities
Source: bringbackbigcats.wordpress.com

Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade seem to be unstoppable.  We live in a modern society that is more environmentally conscious than any preceding generation, yet endangered and threatened animals continue to be decimated by the wants and whims of an international market.  Conservationists and law makers are now looking to implement creative approaches to fight the ever-growing illicit industry.  One such approach that has been disputatious is legal wildlife farming.  Many cringe at the mention of those three words put together and dismiss the practice as unethical and unthinkable.  Yet some are suggesting that this bold idea may be the only realistic way to cut at the demand that fuels the poaching business.