Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking

A revelation of a book: Rachel Nuwer pulls back the curtain of dry statistics to reveal the illegal and sordid world of wildlife trafficking as well as the valiant efforts to stem the tide. A firsthand account that is hard to put down.’ —Thomas E. Lovejoy, President, International Union for the Conservation of Nature – USPoaching has reached crisis proportions, and Rachel Nuwer pursues this story to places few journalists go. The result is a vivid and urgent book.’ —Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth ExtinctionOur planet’s most iconic species — particularly African elephants — are facing devastating declines because of poaching. This is an important book that should inspire all of us to action.’ —Paul G. Allen, Microsoft Co-founder and philanthropistFellow animal-lovers, don’t be deterred: This is not a book of despair. It will make you angry as hell — but then give you hope. Read about the brave people fighting the poaching syndicates. Learn what’s working, what’s not, and why. This extensively researched, personal, and riveting book is badly needed. Read it and act!’ —Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an OctopusA compelling, lively, and highly informative read.’ —ScienceNuwer finds rays of hope in the park rangers and other conservation experts who are dedicating their lives to saving some of the earth’s most majestic creatures.’ —Scientific AmericanA deep, disturbing look into the illegal wildlife trade [that] offers a firsthand account of the battle between traffickers and conservationists.’ —Science NewsA must-read.’ —The RevelatorNuwer’s intimate look at different poaching industries is educational and overall heartfelt.’ —Library JournalNuwer’s engaging and immersive reporting style … illuminates and animates the larger forces driving the trade that’s wiping out our remaining wildlife.’ —SierraNuwer, a conservation biologist turned science journalist, traces at first hand the front lines across the globe in her hard-hitting, wince-inducing report.’ —NatureRemember the kid in your classroom who was passionate about stopping poaching and saving the elephants? Rachel Nuwer is that kid, now grown up and writing devastating, deeply impactful pieces.’ —Kelly Gibbons, Thrive Global, Women to Watch in 2018’Nuwer writes with breathless urgency about some of the most poached animals on the planet … Poached overflows with information — Nuwer definitely did her homework — while remaining readable for non-scientists.’ —Kaitlyn Stack Whitney, Edge EffectsJournalist Rachel Love Nuwer presents an incredibly wide-ranging and thorough investigation of the drivers of this trade, its victims and measures to combat it … The scope of her coverage is both impressive and depressing. This book does not make for comfortable reading, but it is an important story that needs telling.’ —The Inquisitive BiologistNot only is the book thoroughly researched, featuring interviews with hunters, conservationists, traders, collectors and users of illegal animal products, but it has a quirky, personal touch.’ —The RefreshPoached describes all kinds of heart-wrenching and harrowing moments, but Ms. Nuwer often strikes a lighthearted tone, finding eccentric detail to splash in … by focusing on the humans at all points of the trade, Ms. Nuwer is able to offer something rare: a window onto the feelings and beliefs that drive it.’ —Jennie Erin Smith, The Wall Street JournalPoached gives readers an up-front look at the vulnerability of endangered animals that are worth more dead than alive … But these anecdotes aren’t just for shock value. Nuwer also documents the political, cultural, and economic factors driving wildlife trafficking … her takeaway is abundantly clear: This business has major consequences … Nuwer … show[s] how obsession, especially when profit is involved, can be a dark force.’Poached is an incredible, globe-trotting tour … It is remarkable how willing some people are to openly talk to her … it is an important story that needs telling. Nuwer remains remarkably cool and non-judgemental, even in the face of corruption, cruelty, and callousness … Nuwer convincingly shows just how complex and multi-faceted this problem is, how many cultural divides it crosses. I believe her approach is probably the best to try and win as many hearts as possible to her cause.’Nuwer’s eye for … details allows important space for empathy … Her passion for the animal world is keenly felt, but her desire to understand people is perhaps even greater … Nuwer’s writing style strives to keep the reader’s attention without restoring to the mawkish or extreme. Part travelogue, part undercover investigation, her tone is direct but never dry. Borrowing from the thriller genre, she builds tension by accumulating evidence, embracing twists and setbacks, and bringing new places dramatically into being … Her gutsy, spirited energy appears indomitable. It allows her to shine a light on dark places, and in doing so she becomes exactly the kind of hope the animal kingdom so desperately needs.’It’s easy to criticise the poachers, but we have no understanding of the desperation of the poor in Africa and Asia — and Nuwer does not turn away from that, nor from the excruciating realities of the trade. 4.5 STARS’The most important book published this year is Poached … Brilliantly researched, Poached exposes the full horrific absurdity of the global trade in endangered animals as well as portraying the heroes doing what they can to save them before they vanish forever.’ —Weekend Australian, `Books of the Year’

Rachel Love Nuwer is a freelance science journalist, writing for the New York Times, Scientific American, Audubon, National Geographic, and more. She regularly reports on wildlife for Smithsonian magazine, and publishes two columns, ‘Last Place on Earth’ and ‘What If?’, for BBC Future.