Poacher: meaning, definitions and examples

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poacher

 

[ˈpəʊtʃə ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

illegal hunting

A poacher is someone who illegally hunts or catches animals, often in protected areas or outside of designated hunting seasons. This activity typically violates wildlife conservation laws and regulations, leading to significant ecological harm and threatening endangered species.

Synonyms

fleecer, hunter, smuggler.

Examples of usage

  • The poacher was caught setting traps in the national park.
  • Many elephants are killed by poachers for their ivory tusks.
  • Local authorities are working to reduce poaching by increasing patrols.
  • The documentary highlighted the plight of animals endangered by poachers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originated from the Old French 'pochet', which means 'a bag' or 'a pouch', hinting at hidden or stolen things.
  • In the 14th century, poaching referred to stealing game animals and evolved to its current meaning over time.

Conservation

  • Poaching is one of the biggest threats to species such as elephants and rhinos, as they are often hunted for their ivory and horns.
  • Anti-poaching campaigns involve using technology like drones and camera traps to track illegal activities in wildlife reserves.

Legal Framework

  • Many countries have strict laws against poaching, with heavy penalties for those caught in the act.
  • International agreements like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) aim to protect wildlife from poachers.

Cultural Impact

  • In literature and films, poachers often represent the conflict between man and nature, highlighting ethical dilemmas surrounding wildlife conservation.
  • Folk tales in various cultures sometimes depict poachers as cunning characters, while modern narratives emphasize the environmental consequences they cause.

Wildlife Impact

  • Illegally hunting certain species can lead to significant drops in their population, disrupting ecosystems.
  • The loss of a top predator due to poaching can cause a cascade effect, affecting many other species and the overall health of the environment.

Translations

Translations of the word "poacher" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caçador furtivo

🇮🇳 शिकारियों

🇩🇪 Wilderei

🇮🇩 pemburu liar

🇺🇦 браконьєр

🇵🇱 kłusownik

🇯🇵 密猟者

🇫🇷 braconnier

🇪🇸 cazador furtivo

🇹🇷 kaçak avcı

🇰🇷 밀렵꾼

🇸🇦 صياد غير قانوني

🇨🇿 nelegální lovec

🇸🇰 nelegálny lovec

🇨🇳 偷猎者

🇸🇮 brakonir

🇮🇸 ólöglegur veiðimaður

🇰🇿 заңсыз аңшы

🇬🇪 ბრაკონიერი

🇦🇿 qanunsuz ovçu

🇲🇽 cazador furtivo

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,440, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.