A poacher is someone who hunts or catches animals illegally. While legal hunters follow rules about which animals they can hunt, when they can hunt them, and how many they can take, poachers ignore these laws. They might hunt endangered elephants for their ivory tusks, catch fish during protected seasons, or trap animals on land where hunting isn't allowed.

Poaching threatens species with extinction. When poachers kill rhinoceroses for their horns or tigers for their skins, they push these rare animals closer to disappearing forever. Many countries have rangers who patrol wildlife preserves, trying to catch poachers before they can harm protected animals. These rangers risk their lives protecting creatures that can't defend themselves against guns and traps.

The word poach also means to cook something gently in simmering liquid. When you poach an egg, you crack it into barely boiling water so the white sets around the yolk. You can also poach fish, chicken, or pears. This cooking method has nothing to do with illegal hunting. Though the words sound identical, context makes the meaning clear.