Consequences of Deforestation: A Global Problem

Q: Name the groups from Guatemala who illegally enter the protected rainforests of Belize. What is their end goal?
A: There are farmers, loggers, poachers, and wildlife traffickers who sneak across the border. They seek to harvest trees and catch or hunt wildlife for money.

Q: What are some of the dangers that result from wild animals being forced into closer contact with humans?
A: Wild animals can become more aggressive as they search for food in populated areas. Wild animals can also carry disease and increase the risk of pandemics.

Q: In both Belize and Indonesia, what were the significant challenges in enforcing conservation laws?
A: The border between Belize and Guatemala had no patrol; there was simply a path entering the country. The trespassers were on horseback, but the conservation police were on foot. The area of the forest was very large to patrol. In Indonesia, the animals were being sold on the black market for cash, which cannot be tracked. In both places, the profits from these illegal practices were blinding people to the potential risks.