In response to an online petition, American online retailer Amazon will stop selling animal specimen and hunting equipment that further fan activities that endanger animals in the wild.
New Delhi-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Wildlife SOS created the online petition approximately two months ago. To date, the petition has more than 9,000 supporters.
Wildlife SOS posted on Facebook that Amazon India has already confirmed the delisting of hundreds of items from its website. These items include animal trophies such as alligator heads and snake specimen, as well as devices such as leg-hold traps and snares.
"We had taken down over 400 products that could be used by the poachers. We wanted to ensure that our platform is not misused," said Rakesh Bakshi, legal head of Amazon India.
Bakshi was asked if the same products were removed from the international website. To this, the legal head replied that countries have different laws on the same matter.
The Wildlife SOS petition followed its rescue of a sloth bear cub named "Rose," who lost her mother as well as a limb to a snare.
Two of Amazon's senior legal representatives met the group at the agency's New Delhi headquarters. Wildlife SOS explained the "harsh truth" about the hunting products sold on the website and what they can do to the animals that accidentally get caught in the traps.
The group also told the Amazon reps about India's wildlife crime and its long-term effects on the county's natural heritage. The group also showed them a photo of Rose.
"They immediately agreed to begin taking down these items and have enlisted our help in identifying them," said Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan.
The NGO wrote on Facebook that it received a written confirmation from Amazon saying it has agreed to remove similar items in the future.
The recent news represents a big victory, not only for Wildlife SOS, but also for all the animals whose lives have been wrecked by poaching and devices related to such activities.
Many agencies are continually rolling out initiatives to help protect animals in the wild. In April, a team of scientists enrolled the help of artificial intelligence to help improve ranger patrols.
