If you find a dead animal that appears to be poached, what should you do?

When encountering a dead animal that seems to have been poached, the proper course of action is to contact wildlife authorities to report the situation. Reporting to authorities is essential for several reasons. First, they are equipped to handle these situations legally and effectively, ensuring that any investigation can be conducted properly. They can gather evidence and look into the circumstances surrounding the death of the animal, which might help in addressing poaching issues and protecting wildlife populations.

Taking the animal home for processing is not only illegal in most cases, but it also compromises any evidence that could be important for an investigation. Moving on without reporting can allow the poaching activity to go unnoticed, contributing to ongoing illegal practices that harm wildlife. Posting about the situation on social media, while it may raise awareness, does not fulfill the necessary legal responsibility to report the crime and can distract from proper procedures. Contacting wildlife authorities is the responsible and necessary action to ensure proper management and conservation efforts are upheld.