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POACHED was one of the most intense books I’ve read in recent years.

It is by no means an easy read. But I am still so thankful Nuwer chose to write it, traveling around the world to meet those on the front lines of species preservation as well as species destruction, bravely shining a spotlight.

From the African grasslands to the jungles of Asia, a wide variety of wildlife poaching and trade is explored here. The section about exotic wildlife restaurants, which proudly serve some of the rarest animals on earth upon plates to high-rolling customers, was the stuff of nightmares. I won’t soon forget this book.

As an aside, I was thankful the author seems to care about individual animals� welfare as well as the continuing survival of the species, something that animal advocates know isn’t a given in the conservation world.

Take your pick of any serious issue you care about. Are the people who are contributing to this problem all evil? Probably not. They are simply trying to get what they want, when they want it, and either don’t know or don’t care what it takes to get that desired thing to them. In the case of endangered species trafficking, the demand is from people who want to show off their wealth/status or benefit from the perceived medical powers of products made from endangered species.

For some consumers of endangered species products, the answer is simply education. This book cites a survey from China that indicates that some ivory buyers are under the impression that elephants naturally shed their tusks and re-grow them, in the manner of deer antlers. Others are much tougher nuts to crack. The endangered species products are appealing because they are rare. As the animals hurtle toward extinction, their parts become investment opportunities. The book discusses a variety of innovative campaigns that have been waged by conservation groups, including those that play on status and manhood and don’t talk about the animal victims at all. Obviously, however, PSAs can only accomplish so much.

The and the zoo where were shared around the world as cute and amazing viral images. Many wildlife trafficking fronts also play upon the natural appeal of wildlife, offering to enthusiastic paying customers. What most tourists don't know is those tigers, as soon as they outgrow the manageable cub stage, are killed for rugs, tiger bone wine, and even exotic meat. Nuwer writes about visiting a menagerie in Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle that directly supplies a restaurant that serves tiger steaks to wealthy thrill seekers.

Although the author ends on a high note and sprinkles positive stories of animal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation throughout, it’s easy to close the book with a feeling of despair. There is a tremendous amount of disagreement on how best to combat the illegal wildlife trade, and plenty of bribery and inertia to ensure that enforcement comes slowly, if at all. There is evidence that values are changing with each new generation, but will the species be able to hold out until then? Also, the suffering of individual animals caught up in the trade is unspeakable, and is just as important as species preservation.

At the same time, the worst thing we can do is throw up our hands and turn our backs on the crisis. Don’t think you can do anything about it? You can. If you travel, pay special attention to the things you buy to ensure you aren’t accidentally purchasing endangered species products, avoid cub petting/animal selfie businesses—and encourage people you know to do the same. Research wildlife charities and support those that you find most ethical and effective. And vote smart! Endangered species protections are being slowly chipped away by who are beholden to trophy hunting interests. Research where the candidates stand on wildlife before you cast your vote!