1. Elephants: Poachers target elephants primarily for their ivory, found in their tusks. Ivory is highly valued in illegal wildlife trade for carvings, decorative items, and jewelry.
2. Rhinos: Rhinos are poached for their horns. Rhino horn is erroneously believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in some Asian countries, leading to its high demand in the black market.
3. Tigers: Tigers are poached for their skin and body parts. Their pelts are used to make rugs and other luxury items, while their bones are illegally traded for use in traditional medicine.
4. Lions: Lions are targeted for their body parts, including claws, teeth, and skin, which are used for decorative purposes and in traditional medicine.
5. Pangolins: Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world. They are poached for their scales, which are believed to have medicinal value in some cultures.
6. Great Apes: Great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, face poaching for the illegal pet trade and research purposes.
7. Sea Turtles: Sea turtles are poached for their meat, shells, and eggs. Their shells are used to make jewelry and other decorative items, while their meat is consumed in some cultures.
8. Birds of Prey: Birds of prey, such as falcons, hawks, and eagles, are often taken from the wild for falconry or illegal pet trade.
9. Bears: Bears are targeted for their fur, meat, and body parts like claws and teeth. Bear bile is also sought after in traditional medicine markets.
10. Abalone: Abalone is a type of shellfish highly valued for its meat and shell. Illegal harvesting and poaching of abalone occur to meet demand in luxury seafood markets.
It's important to note that poaching is a serious crime that threatens wildlife populations and ecosystem stability. Efforts to combat poaching involve international collaboration, strengthening law enforcement, demand reduction, and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of illegal wildlife trade.