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one-time deal. Only the poacher benefits. But if the shark is left in the ocean, then many people
benefit—the tour guide, boat driver, and the people who run the restaurants and hotels in the
area. The impact of poaching sharks can be felt in the ocean and on land!”
Gabriella sighed. “I bet poaching elephants has just as much impact on the ecosystems in
Africa and Asia.”
Jesse dug into his pocket for some money. He put it into a donation box below the poster.
“I’m sure it does.”
Rhino Poaching
A rhino is safe from ivory poachers, because their horns are not made
of ivory. In the past, it was believed that they were made of hair but recent stud-
ies by scientists at Ohio University found that the horns are made of a material
similar to horse hooves.
However, rhinos are still
poached; their horns are
believed in some cultures
to have magic powers
and are used in carvings.
In some places, biolo-
gists capture the rhinos
and remove most of their
horn surgically. It is hoped
that the animals won’t be
killed by poaches if they
have no horn to steal.