Global Problem Banff National Park Illegal hunting to meet the demands of the international trade in wildife and wildlife parts is a major problem facing those concerned with the protection and sustainability of wildlife populations around the world. In some areas poaching is causing a devastating effect on wildlife. Most of the people involved in the trade of illegally hunted animals are the same people involved with organized crimes like drugs and prostitution. They want to be where the money is.
Many Canadian animals are in high demand.
Most are killed solely for their body parts. We grow them protected and we grow them big. Trophy heads of Bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, goats, and bears all fetch high prices. As do the fetusues, antlers, antler velvet, hooves and tails of deer, elk and caribou, the feathers of eagles and other birds of prey, and the gall bladders, paws, penis', claws and teeth of bears. The bile from the bears gall bladder is highly valued for use in traditional oriental medicines for the treatment of burns, fever, stomach ulcers, heart disease, cancer, liver and gall bladder problems, and hemorrhoids.