A) For my research topic I will be exploring poaching of large mammals and it's affect on biodiversity. The audiences I would like to reach are the people in charge (government officials to further the legislation of my cause) and the people who don't understand what a problem poaching really is.
B) Rhino poaching is more prominent than ever before and law enforcement is lacking. Some governments do not restrict the trade of illegally poached items (like rhino horns and ivory) at all. I would like to examine what measures could be taken to slow, or even eliminate, poaching in order to restore biodiversity.
C) These audiences are important to reach because the unaware are the people who can influence the government through protests and the government can listen to them and make moves to stop poaching. Everyone should care about this issue because the loss of one species affects the entire ecosystem. Sometimes the loss of a species we have never experienced has great effect on our lives and we don't even realize it.
D) One solution is to burn stockpiles of ivory, but researchers say that will not stop poaching. Tracking devices sometimes help in keeping endangered species alive and protected, but this is not the best solution. I believe stricter laws, more enforcement, and harsher penalties are the real solution.
E) I believe this is a matter of great importance. Not only are poachers pushing endangered species off the edge of existence, they are doing it with little ramifications from government or outside vigilante sources. I believe the preservation of biodiversity is important enough to get people involved in this cause, and I hope to gain support through this project.
F) For government representatives I will make a photostory/ powerpoint presentation with cold hard facts, dramatic music, and striking photographs to ensnare the limbic brain. This will move people to take a stand against illegally simplifying biodiversity. For the unaware I will make a poster promoting a protest that will make the general public more aware of the huge problem we have in poaching. It's affective because everyone loves a flashy poster. I mean duh.
20, October. "Tracking Devices Could Be Used to Deter Chesapeake Bay Poachers - Edgewater-Davidsonville, MD Patch." Edgewater-Davidsonville, MD Patch - News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals. Patch Network, 20 Oct. 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. <http://edgewater.patch.com/articles/tracking-devices-could-be-used-to-deter-chesapeake-bay-poachers>.
All Africa Global Media. "Burning Ivory Will Not Stop Poaching." Menafn.com. 17 Oct. 2011. Web. 5 Nov. 2011. <http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid=%7B782d718f-67e3-4efa-8a3f-a468ff4a48a2%7D>.
Corcoran, Bill. "Demand for Rhino Horn Drives Poaching to Highest Level Yet - The Irish Times - Fri, Nov 04, 2011." The Irish Times - Breaking Local and International News from Ireland. Irish Times, 4 Nov. 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. <http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/1104/1224307038319.html>.
Duffy, Rosaleen. Nature Crime: How We're Getting Conservation Wrong. New Haven, CT: Yale UP, 2010. Print.
Khalianyane, Limakatso. "Protest Against Rhino Poaching." Joburg, My City, Our Future. Johannesburg, 01 Nov. 2011. Web. 5 Nov. 2011. <http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7376&catid=88&Itemid=266>.
Maclaurin, James, and Kim Sterelny. What Is Biodiversity? Chicago: University of Chicago, 2008. Print.
Miller, G. Tyler., and Scott E. Spoolman. Living in the Environment. [Pacific Grove, Calif.]: Brooks/Cole, 2012. Print.
News, Pumza Fihlani BBC. "BBC News - Could Legalising Horn Trade save Rhinos?" BBC - Homepage. BBC News Africa, 30 Oct. 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15355494>.
Press, , Associated. "Vietnam Loses Fight to save Its Rare Javan Rhinos after Last Animal Believed Poached for Horn - The Washington Post." The Washington Post: National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-loses-fight-to-save-its-rare-javan-rhinos-after-last-animal-believed-poached-for-horn/2011/10/25/gIQAO04KEM_story.html>.
