Globally, the wildlife trade is the third largest illegal trade. A driving force is the ancient belief that animal parts contain "magical" properties. Although science has largely disproved these superstitions, the trade continues.
Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.
Dr. Gamal, Arab Federation for Wildlife Protection -- Cairo, Egypt
Apr 3, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Thank you so much for this great video, wishing that someday we can find these animals more free. we have to cooperate with each other to stop this crazy trade.Thank you for the extraordinary images that provided the essential details of the issue .
london garry -- boston MA U.S.A.
Mar 22, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I am an African-American and after viewing the clips on Africa and all the things happening in that country. I am ashame that I have complain about anything
Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue -- Tampa, FL USA
Mar 10, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Black Market moved me, and given all of the abuse I have witnessed in the US pet trade in tigers, lions and other exotic cats, that is really saying something. Bravo on a job well done! We are working hard to end that trade and our only opposition comes from those who profit off the lives of these captive cats. The legal domestic trade in live cats fuels the trade in their wild counterparts because inspectors cannot distinguish one from the other, making enforcement virtually impossible. Thank you for this bold piece and hopefully one day soon we will live in a world where there is no market for wild cats and none in cages either.
J Herman -- Saskatchewan, Canada
Mar 8, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Besides being seen of the internet, which is well done, this needs to be shown on TV. More people need to be AWARE as to what is going on to these animalls . How they are being treated for human - consumption, remedies. They need our help, for their only voice is the cry of pain.
Antonio Rodrigues -- Lisbon, Portugal
Mar 6, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Thank you for this, Patrick. Thanking someone for dedicating 5 years of their life to raise our awareness isn't saying much, and I feel, as always in these matters from far away, impotent and useless, when I know I am not, nor is anyone else in the world. I am a firm believer that a single person can make a huge difference and you are proof of it - even if only potentially, at this point. But other than avoiding practices that involve animal killing and spreading the word, what can I do? Where does one begin? I am a member of severall pro-animal institutions and it never seems to be enough. Not that you have the answers, but some pointers perhaps, specifically regarding the exotic animal trade, which seems to be your field of expertise. Thank you again for your vision and your work, and for how beautifully it was done.
Angry-Al -- Brick; N.J., USA
Mar 3, 2008 at 7:17 PM
It is utterly disgusting how the human race treats the world. Even in the 21st century stupidity abounds. I feel that the only way to stop these cruel acts against these innocent creatures, here and abroad, is to do the same to them and leave them as an example and warning to others as to what will happen to them too if they do not stop! Their justifications for this is no excuse.
Melissa Smith -- Dallas, Texas, USA
Mar 3, 2008 at 5:26 PM
That video was very moving. I am an animal lover and i have tried to do everything i can for a teen.
Patrick Brown -- Thailand
Mar 1, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Hi Alex - I'm sorry that you feel that the tone of this documentry is from an arrogant western point of view. I personally feel there is nothing wrong with traditional Chinese medicine. Western medicine, in some cases, is 100's if not 1000's of year behind some of the traditional Chinese medicines. Using root, leaves, berries and bark has proven both to work in western and Chinese traditional medicine, but I would like to challenge anyone to find research/data thats says that the use of Rhino horn or snake blood is going to make you a better lover, or that bear bile is going to cure you of a simple common cold. Then we can really start to debate, the truths and false information about the 3rd biggest illegal trade in the world. Killing endanger animals is wrong, quite simply wrong and it must stop or our grandchildren will only be able read about these great animals in books. Patrick
Alex -- Detroit , Mi , USA
Feb 9, 2008 at 6:44 AM
This was done very well indeed. But, i am a bit put off by the tone of the documentary. Why do we assume that our western standards should apply to ever culture and country on the planet? While our medical and scientific practices are vastly diffrent, how could we argue the effectivness? How can we (western culture) be so arrogant to assume that there medicine and traditions are based in follie when here in the states we have one of the most unhealthy populations in the world.
Christopher Poggio -- Toronto, Canada
Jan 25, 2008 at 2:37 PM
What a disgrace for mankind. If we are unable to thwart the genocide of humans, what chance do we have to stop the slaughter of animals.
Jen -- Long Beach, CA, USA
Dec 29, 2007 at 5:34 PM
An extremely POWERFUL photo essay!! It made me feel uneducated yet eager to tap into this subject that many of us are aware, yet unaware of. Thank you for the extraordinary images that provided the essential details of the issue (especially the last image of the monkey with his hand out)!
Tony Sernack -- Sydney Australia
Sep 12, 2007 at 6:27 PM
Vitally important message supported by very strong images and dedicated investigative photojournalism. Man resembles only one other organism on earth, the virus, we degrade and destroy everywhere we inhabit but unlike the vrius have the capacity to for a symbiotic relationship ...if only we choose it before it's too late.
RSM
Aug 14, 2007 at 3:49 PM
Hell of a photo essay. One of the best I have seen...GREAT WORK. Excellent message.
Fred Green -- London , UK
Aug 10, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Keep up the great work. Blown away by your passion for your subject matter. Look forward in seeing more of your work.
Stephanie -- Houston, TX, USA
Jul 13, 2007 at 9:55 PM
I am totally impressed with your work and Patrick Brown's photography is beautiful.
Photography: Patrick Brown
Producers: Brian Storm, Eric Maierson
Graphics: Tim Klimowicz
Support: The 3P Foundation, WildAid, Panos
Special Thanks: Adam Oswell, Ben Davies, Nic Dunlop, Oli Pin Fat, Jim Pollard, Roland Neveu, Tiane Doanna Champassak, Jodi Bieder, Gerhard Joren, Jack Picone, Teru Kuwayama, Balazs Gardi, Steve Galster, Tassanee Vejpongsa, Tim Redford, Mark Bowman, Helen Kudrich, Marcus Bleasdale, Stuart Isett, Evelyne Chevallier, Ryan Pyle, Andrew Marshall, Barbara Herrmann, Andy Fisher, Samuel James Taylor, Denise Ofelia Mangen, Mrigen Barua, Parteek, Mangal Man Shakya, Edwin Wiek, Henrik Tived, Kylie Clarke, David Dare Parker, Brad Rimmer, Denise Sumpf, Georgina and Sam Brown
