The wildlife trade is the third largest illegal trade in the world, rivaled only by guns and drugs. Every year up to 30,000 primates, 2 to 5 million birds and 10 million reptile skins are traded.
Strong beliefs in obscure parts of traditional Chinese medicine fuel the development. According to ancient custom, animal parts are imbued with "magical" properties. For the superstitious, eating the flesh of a tiger provides the animal's strength.
Despite scientific studies proving these beliefs wrong, the trade of animals and animal parts continues largely unchecked, fueled by desire, greed and corruption.
The problem seems insurmountable; one way of curbing the rampant killing and to decrease the demand for rare animals is by educating future generations and removing antiquated and false beliefs.
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.
Victor Chau -- Beijing, China
Apr 18, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Very moving indeed. I have seen many other videos on a similar topic but this is truly moving and succinct. I'm going to send this to my friends in China and Hong Kong.
H. Z. R. -- Canada
Apr 1, 2009 at 4:55 PM
This documentary is powerful and touching; not only does it show proof of this illegal trade, but it also explains the reasoning and logic behind it. Patrick Brown's work is highly commendable. These people should be stopped, for if things continue on in the way they are now, what will there be left to trade?
Casey O'Malley -- Rhode Island, USA
Mar 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I did a huge project about the black market back in jr. high school. No one in my class really believed me when I explained the things that are going on. Now with more evidence to prove that this market thrives, there must be something we can do to stop it.
Matt -- Canada
Feb 5, 2009 at 11:10 PM
This was a very powerful documentary. It really showed the disgusting truths in their full light. I wish there was more that we could do...
malorie -- new jersey
Feb 2, 2009 at 11:54 PM
im saddened and outraged by these images and thank patrick brown and his team for bringing this to public light. i cannot sit while this happens. i will be contacting my local government as well as my university to raise awareness. to change is to be the change.
Melissa Davidson -- Des Moines, Iowa
Jan 16, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Honestly, I can not believe a human being can do this to our creation of life. It is to bad that we can not put a stop to this or give a really hard punishment to those that kill these defenseless animals. I just can not get over what I have seen.I have a hard time understanding though why we haven't done more to stop this. Our politaical leaders need to see some of these videos and they need react on these issues before there are no more than a picture to look at. I find this very horrifing. I wish I could help... Because I would.
giulian -- canada
Jan 11, 2009 at 7:57 PM
the work that you do is truly inspiring and moving!
Michael -- Australia
Dec 29, 2008 at 9:15 PM
It is a pity some of the customers do not get mauled by tigers!
Sonia -- Paris, France
Dec 15, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I must say that the documentary was impressive, even though I was aware of what was happening, the pictures chocked me a great deal. It seams that people have a total lack of compassion for animals, I was horrified by the slow death of the crocodile. This is important to be shown to as many people as possible, I'll send it to my friends, hopefully others will too. Thank you for showing us what's happening and I wish you courage in your further works.
Joe -- Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Nov 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Wow, what a truely eye-opening project. I couldn't help but wipe a tear from my eye as I watched.
Jessica -- los Angeles CA USA
Oct 26, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Great video, Its really too bad that most of this that is happening is due to lack of education, as well as self-survival for the little guys, the ones who suffer the consequences when caught, not so much the wealthy, who are creating the demand. One day I hope to get my hands in on helping situations like these, in the mean time Im working on becoming a zoo vet. The world needs more people like you!
Fenrari Whiteward -- Tallahasee, Florida, United States of America
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Though exceptionally contriversial and in the new age of medical advances as well as popular education on the matters of conservation; the practices of using animal parts for their mystical abilities is likely to stay forever. Even without any creditibility, the placebo effect given to the user is often more than enough of a reason for the purchase of such goods.
Alex. -- Canada
Sep 9, 2008 at 8:28 PM
This documentary is trurly moving . It really inspires me to get involved more with world issues that are of such great importance but overlooked by many people.
Saurabh -- India
Aug 13, 2008 at 5:00 PM
The work just reeks of excellence. **Applaud**Although I have to agree with the views of some who condone the tone of the documentary.As support I say why dont you dedicate just 5 months (not 5 years) of your time to research the trends in usage of Oil by the west and its effect on global warming and the environment as a whole. I am not saying go deep into it. Just pick 20-25 sample American families and study their pattern of using JUST their vehicles.No study of the use of electricity or the waste of it. The way capitalism works or takes away. I'd like to see that done in the same investigative way as this was done.
Alexander Cabrera-Bonilla -- Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
Aug 5, 2008 at 5:37 PM
I can't thank Patrick enough for the work he is doing. The way you've captured this issue is amazing, to dedicate this much time to such a horrible problem and show the many facets of the problem is to be truely applauded. I wish I knew more on how to get involved. Thanks.
Azar Mendoza -- Los Angeles
Jul 16, 2008 at 1:05 AM
This is such a powerful documentary with such a bold statement. We are givin enough of self knowledge to know right and wrong. The creatures are too precious to be calculated for a profit! I feel sickened by the lack of humanity that these countries possess. A network of this sort needs to be penalized and shut down, I know even in the United States this occurs. I am flabbergasted by what people will do to gain a dollar, its BLOOD MONEY. A mafia type network which endangers what was put on this earth with us. Educaton and awareness is key and it pisses me of when I see us spilling blood over oil and power when we are loosing something more vaulable! Something like that we cannot get back and that is what's importnant. This just breaks my heart...i'm speachless, that is why I refuse to vote in the U.S....I have lost hope
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
Producer: Eric Maierson
Executive Producer: Brian Storm
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
