Among the greatest contributors to social destabilization and environmental damage in various Central African countries is the proliferation of poaching and the resulting black market industry. Every year, poachers kill thousands of exotic animals like elephants and rhinos to satisfy international demand for animal products. Despite the current global ban on all products derived from poached animals, the illegal poaching market today affects millions of human and animal lives. Through the use of stricter international legislation, greater awareness through educational services and increased funding for African national park rangers, poaching in Central Africa could decrease, benefiting both African society and the global ecosystem. Today's modern poaching reflects the influence of former European control over areas of Africa where exotic animals are widespread. Many European colonies organized in Africa during the mid-19th century era of imperialism were established solely for the exploitation of land, resources and cheap labor for the benefit of the Europe alone. Most notably, Belgium, under the leadership of King Leopold II, established ivory trading posts in the Congo, through which the lucrative ivory trade gained legitimacy. One colony in particular, Ivory Coast, owes its name to its French founders for its reputation as an ivory harvesting province. Demand for ivory, rhino horn, and other exotic animal products increased in the mid-19th century as industrialization increased the economic power of European and American citizens. The Encyclopedia Britannica states that "rapid prosperity in Europe and North America led to an increase in demand for ivory to make...... middle of paper ......s Dying in a epic frenzy as ivory fuels wars and profits. " The New York Times September 4, 2012: A1. Print. Kabukuru, Wanjohi. " Poaching: the hidden threat to African economies. " African Business 399 (2013): 70-72. Business Source Complete. Web. March 11, 2014. Wasser, Samuel K., et al. “Combating the Illegal Trade in African Elephant Ivory with Forensics of DNA. » Conservation Biology 22.4 (2008): 1065-1071. Africa Central. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. March 27, 2014Alessi, Michael De. "Allowing limited trade in ivory will help protect elephants." Africa. Ed. Laura K. Egendorf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Views, from “Elephants, Markets and Mandates.” Fraser Forum (April 2003). Internet. March 31. 2014.