poacher

A poacher is a person who illegally hunts, captures, or kills wildlife or fish in violation of laws or licenses. Poaching typically occurs on protected land or during closed seasons, or without the required permissions. It is distinguished from legal hunting conducted under license or during permitted seasons.

Common targets include large mammals, birds, and aquatic species whose populations are protected or under threat. Methods range from traditional hunting with firearms or traps to more modern techniques such as poaching with snares, nets, or poison, and the illicit trafficking of animal products like ivory, rhino horn, and skins.

Legally, poaching is treated as a wildlife crime in most jurisdictions. Penalties may include fines, imprisonment, and the seizure of equipment, weapons, and illegal products. Laws and enforcement vary by country and region, with some offenses considered felonies or armed offenses and punishable by substantial sentences.

Conservation efforts address poaching through patrols, community-based protection, demand-reduction campaigns, licensing, and cross-border cooperation. Advanced technologies such as drones, camera traps, and DNA forensics assist investigations. Reducing poverty-related incentives and providing alternative livelihoods are also part of response strategies.

The term poaching can also apply to illegal harvesting of fish and wildlife for commercial trade, and to subsistence hunting conducted without proper authorization. The issue intersects with broader wildlife crime, international trade regulations (such as CITES), and ongoing debates about conservation and local livelihoods.