Correct Option
The correct option is (d).
Explanation
Illegal wildlife trade is driven by the demand for specific animal body parts such as hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns, and feathers. This illicit trade poses a significant threat to biodiversity and is regulated globally by CITES and domestically by laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Statement-wise Analysis
The following animals are frequently cited in conservation literature as victims of poaching for specific body parts:
- 1. Tiger: Correct. Tigers are extensively poached for their skins (hides), claws (nails), teeth, and bones, which are used in traditional medicine and as trophies.
- 2. Lion: Correct. Lions are poached for their skin, claws, and bones. Lion bones are increasingly entering the illegal market as a substitute for tiger bones.
- 3. Black buck: Correct. This antelope species is poached primarily for its skin and spiral horns.
- 4. Ostrich: Correct. Ostriches are poached for their skin (which produces high-quality leather) and feathers. While not found in the wild in India today, they are explicitly listed in standard geography and conservation texts regarding global poaching concerns.
- 5. Peacock: Correct. Peacocks are poached for their feathers and meat. While the collection of naturally shed feathers is permitted under certain Indian laws, illegal killing to harvest fresh feathers and for meat remains a threat.
Since all listed animals are targeted for the trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, or feathers, all statements are correct.
Key Takeaway: Poaching is not limited to mammals for fur; it encompasses birds and reptiles targeted for leather (skin), feathers, and other derivatives like nails and teeth.