The wildlife trade is driving extinction for many species. Earth is currently in the midst of the sixth mass extinction — so many species are at risk of being gone forever. And yet, the illegal wildlife trade still thrives, with poachers relentlessly killing animals and consumers paying ludicrous amounts of money for products that are derived from animals. Elephants are killed for their ivory tusks, rhinos for their horns, pangolins for their meat and hard scales, hawksbill sea turtles for their shells, and sadly many more animals for their body parts that only they really need.

It’s difficult to put an end to this illegal trade with poachers making so much money from the death and pain of so many animals. There are programs with rangers who defend wildlife and even laws to protect animals, but it doesn’t seem to stop them. There is one methodical approach that can eventually make an impact and lead to revolutionary change — teaching children in schools about endangered wildlife and the illegal trade that threatens them.