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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for wild animal trade
16 results foundAuthor: Kecse-Nagy, Katalin Title: Wildlife Trade in Central and Eastern Europe: A Review of CITES Implementation in 15 Countries Summary: This report presents an overview of wildlife trade-related issues in Central and Eastern Europe, including an analysis of the region's role in global trade in wild animals and plants, examining trade trends and volumes, with a particular focus on species groups that are native to the region and listed in the Appendices of CITES. Details: Budapest: TRAFFIC Europe, 2006. 126p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 117301 Keywords: Wild Animal TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Knapp, Amelie Title: A Briefing Paper on Marking Techniques Used in the Control of Wildlife in the European Union Summary: The European Union (EU) is one of the largest and most diverse markets for wildlife and wildlife products in the world. Due to the absence of systematic border controls between EU Member States, the monitoring and control of wildlife trade in the EU is important, especially with regard to detecting illegal activities. Tools and techniques are needed to allow for the adequate identification of species in trade, their source (e.g. wild, captive bred or artificially propagated) and to identify individual specimens. This briefing paper presents a compilation and analysis of marking techniques currently in use in the 25 EU Member States, as well as a short description of identificaion and labelling techniques applicable to wildlife specimens. The aim of this paper is to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise between EU Member States, strengthen the cooperation of the different agencies involved in monitoring and control of trade in wildlife in the EU and thereby increase their efficiency, particularly in Member States where little information on these topics is currently available. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC, 2007. 35p. Source: Internet Resource; A TRAFFIC European Report for the European Commission, Brussels, Belgium Year: 2007 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118607 Keywords: Wild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: TRAFFIC Title: What's Driving the Wildlife Trade? A Review of Expert Opinion on Economic and Social Drivers of the Wildlife Trade and Trade Control Efforts in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDF and Vietnam Summary: South-east Asia is both a center for the comsumption of wildlife products, and also a key supplier of wildlife products to the world. Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Vietnam are among the south-east Asian countries that act as major sources of wildlife in trade, the trade involving a wide variety of native species, which, in many cases, are declining as a result of unsustainable, and often illegal, harvest. This study was initiated to provide a better understanding of the economic and social drivers of the wildlife trade in these four countries, and to assess the effectiveness of interventions that have been employed to halt illegal and unsustainable trade in their native flora and fauna. Details: Washington, DC: Sustainable Development Bank, World Bank, 2008. 103p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 118609 Keywords: Illegal HuntingIllegal TradeOffenses Against the EnvironmentWild Animal TradeWildlife Crime (Asia) |
Author: Verheij, Pauline Title: Reduced to Skin and Bones: An Analysis of Tiger Seizures from 11 Tiger Range Countries (2000-2010) Summary: Parts of at least 1,069 Tigers have been seized in Tiger range countries over the past decade, according to new analysis of Tiger seizures carried out by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network. Reduced to Skin and Bones shows that from January 2000 to April 2010, parts of between 1,069 and 1,220 Tigers were seized in 11 of the 13 tiger range countries—or an average of 104 to 119 animals per year. Of the 11, India, China and Nepal ranked highest in the number of tiger part seizures, the report states, with India by far the highest number of Tiger part seizures at 276, representing between 469 and 533 Tigers. China, with 40, had the second highest number of seizures, or 116-124 Tigers, and Nepal reported 39 seizures, or 113-130 Tigers. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC International, 2010. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 11, 2010 at: http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_mammals60.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_mammals60.pdf Shelf Number: 120278 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentPoachingWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Trade |
Author: Oswell, Adam H. Title: The Big Cat Trade in Myanmar and Thailand Summary: Between January 2001 and June 2010 a total of 493 big cat parts were observed at markets and during covert investigations in Myanmar and Thailand. Live big cats were also observed and recorded, including all four species of big cats that occur in Myanmar and Thailand (Tiger, Panthera tigris; Leopard, Panthera pardus; Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Snow Leopard, Uncia uncia) and one non-indigenous species (Asiatic Lion, Panthera leo persica). Both Myanmar and Thailand are signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), completely prohibiting all commercial trans-border trade of big cats (including their parts and derivatives) listed in CITES Appendix I, and requiring permits for export of species listed in Appendix II. Myanmar has been a signatory to CITES since 1997 and Thailand since 1983. All Asian big cats including Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Snow Leopard and Asiatic Lion are classified as Appendix I under CITES. The indigenous big cats are also protected by national law in both countries. All indigenous cat species in Thailand fall under the Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act B.E. 2535 (AD1992). In Myanmar, they are under the Protection of Wildlife and Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Law (State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 583/94.1994). All observations and investigations took place in border areas and in markets on the Thai/Myanmar border, Myanmar/China border and the Thai/Lao PDR border where the trade in wildlife and big cats is very active and is conducted in most cases with impunity despite national and international laws to prohibit the trade in these species. The fact that the majority of this trade occurs in non-government controlled areas in northern Myanmar bordering China underscores the difficulty in implementing effective enforcement in these areas. If significant progress is to be made in reducing or ending the trade in big cats and other protected wildlife, the groups that control these areas and allow traders to operate must be engaged and influenced either to establish and enforce their own conservation legislation or to implement existing national laws. Non-government controlled areas in northern Myanmar play a major role in facilitating regional trade in big cats and many other endangered species. Some groups resident in strategically important areas bordering China, India and Thailand maintain significant militia forces, which enables these self-governed entities to exist and operate illegal trade in arms, narcotics, humans and wildlife. The extreme decentralization of northern Myanmar makes the situation more difficult to monitor and control. Parts and derivatives of big cats, and live animals are sourced in Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Malaysia and India and trafficked across national borders into these non-government controlled areas where they are stored, wholesaled and retailed to local and international buyers. The products are easily transported by boat or road into China and Thailand where some continue via national postal systems, road and/or air transport to domestic and international buyers and markets. The trade documented in this report poses a real and immediate threat to the survival of big cat species in Asia. Details: Selangor, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2010. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 29, 2010 at: http://assets.panda.org/downloads/traffic_species_mammals61_1.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://assets.panda.org/downloads/traffic_species_mammals61_1.pdf Shelf Number: 120295 Keywords: Illegal TradeWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Banks, Debbie Title: Skinning the Cat: Crime and Politics of the Big Cat Skin Trade Summary: The illegal trade in poached skins between India, Nepal and China is the most significant immediate threat to the continued existence of the tiger in the wild. While the importance of the problem has been recognised and plenty of information is already available, the lucrative illegal trade continues. Details: London: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA UK); New Delhi: WPSI India, 2006. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 3, 2011 at: http://www.eia-international.org/cgi/reports/reports.cgi?t=template&a=129 Year: 2006 Country: India URL: http://www.eia-international.org/cgi/reports/reports.cgi?t=template&a=129 Shelf Number: 120692 Keywords: Illegal TradeOrganized CrimePoachingWild Animal TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Sakamoto, Masayuki Title: Black and Grey: Illegal Ivory in Japanese Markets Summary: This report - Black and Grey - Illegal Ivory in Japanese Markets - takes a critical look at illegal ivory markets in Japan and argues that Japan’s domestic controls on the ivory trade are far from being adequate to ensure such trade does not threaten the elephant species. The Japanese ivory market has two faces. The first face is the “Black” market. Weak Japanese domestic trade control allows ivory acquired from illegal sources to be broadly distributed. The second face is the “Grey” market. “Legal” ivory in trade that is inevitably used as a cover for illegal sources of ivory to make their way to the market. The principal question that the report is trying to answer is: “Do domestic controls on ivory in Japan provide precautionary measures sufficient to ensure trades now proposed by the southern African countries do not accelerate poaching and increase illegal ivory in trade?” Details: Tokyo: Japan Wildlife Conservation Society, 2002. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 6, 2011 at: http://www.jwcs.org/data/030107blaclandgrey.pdf Year: 2002 Country: Japan URL: http://www.jwcs.org/data/030107blaclandgrey.pdf Shelf Number: 121975 Keywords: Illegal Ivory (Japan)PoachingWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Ng, Julia Title: Tiger Trade Revisited in Sumatra, Indonesia Summary: The Sumatran Tiger is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN 2006 Red List of Threatened Animals, as Appendix I under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and as a Protected species under the Act of the Republic of Indonesia No.5 of 1990 Concerning Conservation of Living Resources and their Ecosystems. However, despite being given full protection in Indonesia and internationally, Tiger parts are still found openly in trade in Sumatra. TRAFFIC revisited the markets of Sumatra in 2006 to conduct Tiger trade surveys, four years after the last TRAFFIC survey from 1999–2002 (Shepherd and Magnus, 2004). All intelligence information obtained on the names and addresses of retail outlets selling Tiger parts from the 1999–2002 survey were given to the Indonesian authorities, at province and federal level, prior to the report being published. Unfortunately, little or no action was taken by the Indonesian authorities against these retail outlets selling Tiger parts or the retail outlets’ owners. Results from the 1999–2002 survey were published in both English and Indonesian, the latter were then widely distributed to all Indonesian enforcement agencies. To raise awareness on Tiger trade among enforcement agencies in Sumatra, three training workshops were conducted there in 2006, two of which were Tiger focused, the third on general wildlife crime enforcement and included a component on Tiger trade. The 2006 surveys were conducted over a seven month period in 28 cities/towns in seven Sumatran provinces and nine seaports. A total of 326 retail outlets were surveyed which were goldsmiths, souvenir and Traditional Chinese Medicine shops, and antiques and precious stones vendors. TRAFFIC returned to the markets to investigate and document again the open availability of Tiger parts for sale, and to investigate further possible trade links between Indonesia and Malaysia. The information gathered in Sumatra is presented here and it is hoped it will clearly highlight the priority actions that should be taken and how resources should best be distributed in combating the trade of Tiger parts. In addition, TRAFFIC has given the findings of this report, including the names and addresses of the retail outlets found selling Tiger parts to the enforcement authorities in April 2007, and hopes that action will be taken against these retail outlets. Of the 28 cities and towns surveyed in Sumatra, eight (29%) were found to have Tiger parts for sale. At least ten percent of the total retail outlets surveyed sold Tiger parts. A conservative estimate of the number of Tigers killed, based on the number of Tiger canines found during the market surveys is 23 Tigers. From the results, it is evident that the trade in Tiger parts continues openly, and the number of Tiger canines, claws and skin pieces found openly for sale in North Sumatra province is higher compared to the 1999–2002 survey. Medan and Pancur Batu are the main hubs for the trade of Tiger parts in this province but there were no Tiger cases brought to the Indonesian criminal court in these two cities between 2004 and 2006. This indicates that enforcement efforts are lacking in these two important hubs for Tiger parts. However, for the provinces of Jambi, South Sumatra and West Sumatra, there is an indication of a decrease in the trade of Tiger parts compared to the 1999–2002 survey. Binjai, Jambi, Palembang, Padang and Bukit Tinggi recorded a drop in the open availability of Tiger parts for sale. The reason for this is unclear, but it could be that more traders are aware that the Tiger is a protected species and therefore they are more wary of whom they talk to, or there are fewer Tigers in the wild compared to five years ago, or more optimistically, because fewer poachers and traders are hunting and selling protected species. Surveys at the ports on the east coast of Sumatra did not provide any conclusive evidence that Tigers or their parts are being exported to Malaysia or Singapore. Only birds were found to be smuggled out of the Belawan and Dumai seaports. It is obvious that no amount of Tiger action plan workshops and Tiger trade surveys conducted will save the Sumatran Tiger. What is needed now is for strict enforcement to take place in Sumatra to stop the poaching of Tigers and the trade. This report therefore recommends that resources should be concentrated on effective enforcement to take place to protect Tiger habitats and combat the trade by arresting the main dealers/suppliers of Tigers and closing down retail outlets selling Tiger parts. The specific recommendations for this report are: 1) The Indonesian authorities must take prompt action against the open trade of Tiger parts in Sumatra by closing down retail outlets selling Tiger parts; 2) Other actions include monitoring of Tiger trade hotspots (such as Medan and Pancur Batu), to gather intelligence information of retail outlets selling illegal wildlife parts so they can be promptly raided; 3) Successful prosecutions of owners of retail outlets selling Tiger parts are needed. PHKA, KSDA and the relevant NGOs must raise awareness among the judiciary on the seriousness of wildlife crime and investigators should be given proper training on collecting sufficient evidence for making a strong case; 4) Better inter-agency cooperation is needed among the different enforcement agencies, such as Quarantine and Customs at the seaports and the Police to carry out the raids at retail outlets. The formation and function of the ASEAN-WEN Wildlife Crime Task Force, involving agencies such as the Judiciary, Customs, Police, Navy and Quarantine, should be hastened. Details: Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2007. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 14, 2011 at: www.traffic.org Year: 2007 Country: Indonesia URL: Shelf Number: 122057 Keywords: Illegal TradePoachingTigersWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Engler, Maylynn Title: Opportunity or Threat: The Role of the European Union in Global Wildlife Trade Summary: The European Union (EU) ranks as the top global importer by value of many wild animal and plant commodities, including tropical timber, caviar, reptile skins and live reptiles. In 2005, the legal trade in wildlife products in the EU had an estimated declared import value of EUR93 billion, and EUR2.5 billion excluding timber and fisheries. As EU membership has expanded, the magnitude of the EU market for wildlife and wildlife products has also increased. The links between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development are now universally acknowledged, for example in the Millennium Development Goals and the conclusions of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. A sustainable trade in wild species can contribute significantly to rural incomes, and the effect upon local economies in developing countries can be substantial. The high value of wildlife and wildlife products can also provide a positive incentive for local communities to conserve wild species and their habitats. Consequently, sustainable wildlife trade is potentially beneficial to species and habitat conservation, as well as contributing towards sustainable livelihoods and development. However, unsustainable and illegal trade is a major factor driving biodiversity loss and poses a serious threat to the long-term survival of species including Big-leaf Mahogany Swietenia macrophylla, Vicuña Vicugna vicugna, and sturgeon species. Illegal wildlife trade also affects the economies of developing countries: illegal logging costs developing country governments an estimated EUR10–15 billion every year in lost revenue. There is a huge and escalating demand in Member States for exotic pets, tropical timber, and other wildlife products. While the majority of this wildlife trade into and within the EU is conducted legally, continued demand for some rare and protected species means that illegal wildlife trade still occurs. From 2003 to 2004, enforcement authorities in the EU made over 7000 seizures involving over 3.5 million CITES-listed specimens; from 2000–2005, almost 12 t of caviar were seized. The effect on wild populations of rare and endangered species can be devastating: in the last four years seizures in the EU of the Critically Endangered Egyptian Tortoise Testudo kleinmanni represented around 13% of the total estimated population remaining in the wild. The demand for rare specimens and products means that black market values can be very high: certain species of tortoise can fetch EUR30 000 per specimen. Low political awareness is also an exacerbating factor behind unsustainable and illegal trade, as are high prices for wildlife and low penalties. Low penalties may also influence trade routes: countries with low penalties become the gateway for illegal trade. It is little wonder that organized crime syndicates are engaged in wildlife crime. TheEUhas accomplished many significant achievements in wildlife law enforcement. These could be enhanced considerably through greater national, regional and interregional co-ordination. A co-ordinated EU wildlife trade enforcement action plan with identified priorities, and building on growing political will would considerably strengthen the EU’s response to illegal trade. The sustainability of the trade in wildlife is another key issue to address. Four case studies in this report (tropical timber, reptiles, caviar, and Vicuña products) highlight the role the EU plays in the global wildlife trade, and how the EU could co-ordinate its external assistance actions to maximise effectiveness. The European Commission and EUMember States have made a number of laudable interventions to ensure that trade is sustainable. However, EU external interventions are ad hoc and there are no means of ensuring co-ordination or complementarity of actions from the Member States or the European Commission. A strategic approach, based on priorities identified in collaboration with range States, would enable synergies to be developed, coordination between programmes and monitoring of the effectiveness of assistance interventions. The EU has made a number of policy commitments relevant to wildlife trade. The EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy provides the broad framework for the responsible management of natural resources and requires environmental sustainability to be part of all EU external policies. The Thematic Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (ENRTP), under the Thematic Strategy, identifies broad objectives which align strongly with the objectives of the CITES Strategic Vision and with priorities identified in this report for EU external assistance. Furthermore, the EU Biodiversity Action Plan specifically calls for a co-ordinated EU response to unsustainable trade and constructive follow up to EU import suspensions. These political commitments set a positive course for the EU in taking responsibility to ensure wildlife trade is sustainable. But they are vague in terms of priorities, concrete targets and timelines required to achieve these goals, and lack specific guidance on meeting these obligations. Wildlife trade is implicitly recognized in all EU commitments to biodiversity conservation and its interface with sustainable development. Explicit acknowledgement of the steps required to achieve legal and sustainable wildlife trade came in December 2006 when the EU Council of Ministers adopted Council Conclusions calling upon the European Commission and the Member States: • To build capacity to strengthen implementation of CITES and policies for the conservation and sustain able use of wildlife in developing countries, ensuring complementarity of assistance provided, and • To reinforce efforts to combat illegal trade through a strengthened and co-ordinated response and actions for the enforcement of CITES. Details: Brussels, Belgium: Traffic Europe, 2007. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Traffic Europe Report: Accessed February 13, 2012 at: www.traffic.org/general-reports/traffic_pub_trade15.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 124113 Keywords: Illegal LoggingIllegal TradeOffenses Against the EnvironmentWild Animal TradeWildlife Crime (Europe) |
Author: Caillabet, Olivier S. Title: The Trade in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko in South-East Asia: with a case study on Novel Medicinal Claims in Peninsular Malaysia Summary: South-east Asia is rich in biodiversity. It is also a global hub for wildlife trade, both as a source and as a consumer. Wildlife trade, for use in Traditional Medicine (TM), as pets and for food, poses a significant threat to the conservation of many species in the region. The Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko is one such species potentially threatened by trade. This species is found throughout South-east Asia in both urban and naturally forested environments. It has been traded for traditional medicine for hundreds of years and more recently as a pet, mainly to the EU and North America. In 2009 a novel trade emerged in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko reportedly as a cure for HIV/AIDS. This trade spread throughout South-East Asia with a demand purportedly centred on Peninsular Malaysia. In late 2011, TRAFFIC was granted funding by WWF and Wildlife Reserves Singapore to investigate the trade related to Novel Medicinal Claims (NMCs) in late 2011 in Peninsular Malaysia and the wider trade in South-east Asia for TM. The aims of the study were to substantiate some of the claims surrounding NMCs; highlight the trade routes and trade hotspots for targeted enforcement action and; provide a regional overview of the trade through a desk top study and provide data to support a CITES Appendix II listing for this species. Informal interviews were held with private dealers and pet shops/aquaria selling Tokay Geckos throughout the peninsula. Nineteen dealers were interviewed and more than 250 Tokay Geckos were observed for sale. Several questions surrounding the recent Tokay Gecko trade spike for NMCs remain unanswered, however; following this study, some of the claims can be substantiated. There is no evidence to support the claims of an HIV/AIDS cure. Interviews with dealers in Peninsular Malaysia indicate that considerable sums of money have been paid, in particular, for large individuals weighing over 300 g. Several dealers stated that Tokay Geckos weighing over 400 g are valued above USD 1 000 000, however; TRAFFIC does not believe these claims to be true. The significance of this weight-price threshold is unclear. Price data gathered during this study are inconsistent with claims that heavier individuals are more valuable. Additionally, it is doubtful that Tokay Geckos can naturally reach 400 g. This is the likely reason why some dealers are said to have artificially augmented the weight using silicone or metal pieces. There is no evidence that such huge sums of money, as claimed by dealers in Peninsular Malaysia, have been paid for Tokay Geckos weighing over 400 g. TRAFFIC does not believe that these statements are credible. The motivations for dealers to make these claims are not known though it has previously been suggested that it could be part of an elaborate hoax. To what end, however, is not clear. Based on interviews with Tokay Gecko dealers and seizure records, the trade in Tokay Geckos for NMCs appears to have begun around late 2009 and peaked in 2010/2011. This trade now appears to be in decline. The reasons for this are unclear but could be related to a combination of improved enforcement, realisation among consumers that NMCs are unfounded or the prevalence of scams, as reported by Tokay Gecko dealers and in the media. Results of surveys and interviews with dealers suggest that the online trade in this species is populated by fake sellers. Additionally, private dealers interviewed highlighted that the trade in this species, particularly in Thailand, is dangerous and often involves robberies and hold-ups. Tokay Geckos traded in Peninsular Malaysia for NMCs appear to be originating in Thailand, as well as in Lao PDR and Myanmar. They are harvested from the wild and transported overland to Malaysia. Seizure records indicate that the Philippines is also an important origin for Tokay Geckos traded for NMCs in Peninsular Malaysia, however; no Tokay Geckos from the Philippines were encountered during field surveys. The more prominent Tokay Gecko dealers in Peninsular Malaysia appear to be concentrated close to the Thai border and also to be the source of Tokay Geckos entering the country. According to dealers interviewed during surveys, the primary consumers of Tokay Geckos for NMCs appear to be Singaporeans and local Malaysians. Some even claim use of Tokay Geckos by Europeans and North Americans for medical research. Tokay Geckos were openly sold in 11 pet shops/aquariums across the peninsula. This can be attributed to lax enforcement; however, interviews with pet shop/aquarium staff, as well as information gathered from private dealers, also suggest that there is a lack of awareness of the national law pertaining to the trade in Tokay Geckos. Several private dealers encountered during surveys had licences issued from local Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) (Malay acronym “PERHILITAN”) offices allowing them to trade in Tokay Geckos. However, according to PERHILITAN’s head of enforcement, no licences to trade in Tokay Geckos have ever been issued. Given the system in place, whereby state offices report permits issued to the PERHILITAN head office, this observation is surprising and potentially indicative of a miscommunication/lack of coordination between PERHILITAN headquarters and state offices. The trade in Tokay Geckos for NMCs is reported to have led to localised population declines of wild Tokay Geckos in Bangladesh. Regionally, however, the scale of this trade, in terms of numbers of individual Tokay Geckos removed from the wild, appears to be relatively small. This contrasts directly with the trade in Tokay Geckos for TM. The international trade in Tokay Geckos for TM is colossal. The vast majority of Tokay Geckos traded for TM originate from Thailand and Java, Indonesia. Customs import data show that Taiwan has imported ~15 000 000 Tokay Geckos since 2004, 71% of which were imported from Thailand with the remainder mostly coming from Indonesia. While this trade appears to be legal but unregulated in Thailand, the trade in Tokay Geckos from Java appears to be entirely illegal. It is important to note that Taiwan is not the sole consumer of Tokay Geckos for TM. A seizure in 2011 bound for Hong Kong from Indonesia is estimated to have consisted of 1 200 000 dried Tokay Geckos. Aside from Taiwan and Hong Kong, large quantities of Tokay Geckos are also consumed for TM in mainland China and Viet Nam. The extent of this trade is unknown but thought to be substantial. Considerable volumes of Tokay Geckos are also traded beyond Asia: between 1998 and 2004, 8.5 tonnes of dried Tokay Geckos were imported into the USA. Taking this into consideration, it is reasonable to believe that the total trade in Tokay Geckos exceed the already substantial known trade. Tokay Geckos consumed for TM in Southeast Asia are mostly harvested from the wild. In mainland China and Viet Nam, Tokay Geckos are reportedly bred in captivity to supply the local TM trade; however, the production cannot meet demand. Despite the fact that Tokay Geckos have a large geographical distribution, have high reproductive rates and can thrive in human dominated landscapes, populations are still susceptible to over-harvesting. The trade for NMCs is relatively small and does not does not appear to pose a threat to the conservation of wild Tokay Geckos. However, as mentioned, the trade for TM is substantial and could likely threaten wild populations of Tokay Geckos. This is evidenced by the reported declines of wild populations in Thailand and Java, as well as the past deterioration of populations in mainland China, Given the substantial volume of international trade in this species and the observed population declines, questions surround the legality and future sustainability of the Tokay Gecko trade, particularly for use in TM. Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2013 at: Year: 2013 Country: Malaysia URL: Shelf Number: 128379 Keywords: BiodiversityGeckosIllegal Wildlife Trade (Malaysia)Wild Animal TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Lawson, Katherine Title: Global Impacts of the Illegal Wildlife Trade: The Costs of Crime, Insecurity and Institutional Erosion Summary: Poaching of endangered species to feed the illicit global trade of wildlife - estimated to be worth between $8 and $10 billion per year excluding fisheries and timber - is rising at an alarming rate. Activity in the illegal ivory trade has more than doubled since 2007 and is over three times larger than it was during the last peak in 1998, with the street value of ivory capable of reaching up to $2,205 per kilogram in Beijing. Rhino horn can sell for $66,139 per kilogram - more than the price of gold or platinum - on the Chinese black market. This report analyses the global impacts of the illegal wildlife trade, investigating links between the illicit trade in wildlife products and the erosion of national institutions in affected countries, national and transnational security threats and the role of armed non-state actors in civil conflict. Elephants and rhinoceros are most prominent among the animals being killed to feed rising demand for their tusks and horns across the world. On the basis of the evidence provided by a detailed literature review, this report focuses on the illegal trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn originating in sub-Saharan Africa. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the illegal wildlife trade in 2012 as 'a global challenge that spans continents and crosses oceans'. This trade can no longer be viewed exclusively as an environmental concern. Although the trafficking of live animals and animal products remains a serious conservation issue, this crime threatens the stability and security of societies involved at every point along the chain. It was the rise in illegal wildlife trade that prompted Mrs Clinton to describe this phenomenon as 'a national security issue, a public health issue, and an economic security issue'. Across Africa, elephants and rhinos are being targeted by poachers and armed non-state actors - including rebel movements such as the Lord's Resistance Army - to satisfy increasing demand from growing middle classes across the world, particularly in Southeast Asia where ivory products and rhino horn are considered status symbols and used as ingredients in traditional medicine. Meanwhile, transnational organized crime groups and armed non-state actors are able to exploit institutional weakness, civil conflict and legislative loopholes in both source and consumer countries to feed this rising demand for rare commodities, acquiring vast profits. A discordance between national legislation and institutional capacities for implementation on the one hand, and multilateral environmental agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) on the other, means that national legislation often remains inadequate to support these initiatives, protect endangered species and regulate cross-border trade. Attempts have been made to enhance support for the implementation of national wildlife regulations, such as the creation of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). However, regulations stipulating which animal products can be legally traded vary greatly by country, resulting in a parallel legal and illegal trade. The legal trade in wildlife products is estimated at over $300 billion per year; a figure that can obscure the lesser but still significant value of the illegal trade. Just as important as the devastating effects on biodiversity is the evidence in this report that the illegal wildlife trade erodes state authority and fuels civil conflict, threatening national stability and provoking substantial economic losses internationally. But the true scale of the trade is unknown, as are its indirect costs in security and political implications. Restricting an analysis of the global implications of environmental crime to biodiversity considerations limits the focus to wildlife supply countries. The illegal wildlife trade involves poachers, armed non-state actors from source nations, international crime groups and institutional corruption across global network chains and a range of players involved in demand countries - from organized crime syndicates and non-state actors to legitimate authorities. To combat the threat, leaders in the international community - especially from supply and demand countries - need to collectively expand and deepen their levels of cooperation. Better and shared information will position governments to counter this transnational crime more effectively, as will enhancing the design and implementation of national and regional legislation and invoking stricter penalties against illegal traffickers and traders. Details: London: Chatham House, 2014. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2014 at: http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/public/Research/Africa/0214Wildlife.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/public/Research/Africa/0214Wildlife.pdf Shelf Number: 132624 Keywords: Animal PoachingIvoryOrganized CrimeTransnational CrimeWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimeWildlife Protection |
Author: Wyatt, Tanya Title: Corruption and wildlife trafficking Summary: Wildlife trafficking is a growing global concern. It takes place in all regions of the world with those nations with high biodiversity being the source and the consumers of the wildlife as well as transit areas and hubs for smuggled wildlife. It is a significant contributor to biodiversity loss and species extinction. Many if not most developing nations are rich in biodiversity and therefore must contend with wildlife trafficking. It is a critical concern for these nations' environment and economies. It has been documented that corruption is an essential component in the facilitation and perpetration of the illegal wildlife trade, but a comprehensive study into the scale, scope and structure has yet to be undertaken. This U4 Issue paper conducts a meta-study regarding corruption's role in wildlife trafficking from the available literature, interviews with experts and a case study of Vietnam in an attempt to highlight concerns for bilateral donors in regards to conservation, environment and law enforcement programmes. Details: Bergen, NO: U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2015. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: U4 Issue no. 11: Accessed July 15, 2015 at: http://www.u4.no/publications/corruption-and-wildlife-trafficking/ Year: 2015 Country: Vietnam URL: http://www.u4.no/publications/corruption-and-wildlife-trafficking/ Shelf Number: 136038 Keywords: BriberyCorruptionMoney LaunderingTrafficking in WildlifeWild Animal TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Felbab-Brown, Vanda Title: Enabling war and peace: Drugs, logs, gems, and wildlife in Thailand and Burma Summary: In this policy paper, Vanda Felbab-Brown explores the relationship between conflict, peace dynamics, and drugs and other illicit economies in Thailand and Myanmar/Burma since the 1960s through the current period. In both cases, drugs and other illicit economies fueled insurgencies and ethnic separatism. Yet both Myanmar and Thailand are in different ways (controversial) exemplars of how to suppress conflict in the context of the drugs-conflict nexus. They both show that the central premise of the narcoinsurgency/narcoterrorism conventional approach - in order to defeat militants, bankrupt them by destroying the illicit drug economy on which they rely - was ineffective and counterproductive. At the same time, however, in both Thailand and Myanmar, recent anti-drug policies have either generated new hidden violent social conflict or threaten to unravel the fragile ethnic peace. The leading research finding and policy implications are: While illicit economies fuel conflict, their suppression is often counterproductive for ending conflict and can provoke new forms of conflict. Prioritization and sequencing of government efforts to end conflict and reduce illicit economies is crucial. So is recognizing that suppressing poppy at the cost of exacerbating logging or wildlife trafficking is not an adequate policy outcome. Learning the right lessons is acutely important for Burma/Myanmar, which, after the overwhelming victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung Sang Suu Kyi in the November 2015 elections, is entering a new political order and a new phase in peace negotiations with ethnic separatist groups. Although the Myanmar military will not give up its influence on the ethnic peace processes, Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD will become far more involved in the negotations, having drawn important support from the contested ethnic areas allowed to participate in the election. At the same time, the NLD and Suu Kyi (whatever her formal title in the new government will be) will need to carefully structure and calibrate their relationships with external donors and trading partners, such as China and the United States, many of which will seek to shape policies toward drugs and other extractive and illegal economies, including logging, mining, and wildlife trafficking. Details: Washington, DC: Center for East Asia Policy Studies at Brookings, 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: East Asia Policy Paper 7: Accessed February 8, 2016 at: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2015/12/thailand-burma-drugs-wildlife-felbabbrown/policy-paper-7--webv5.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2015/12/thailand-burma-drugs-wildlife-felbabbrown/policy-paper-7--webv5.pdf Shelf Number: 137783 Keywords: Illegal TradeTrafficking in WildlifeWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Paquel, Kamila Title: Wildlife Crime in Poland. An In-depth Analysis for the ENVI Committee Summary: Wildlife crime is not a priority for Polish authorities involved in environmental and criminal legislation and enforcement. Despite a decreasing number of seizures of illegally handled CITES species that is ascribed to trainings provided to CITES enforcement bodies and an increased awareness of wildlife crime among the Polish society, there is no evidence that the scale of wildlife crime in Poland has been reduced. Recent findings by regional NGOs indicate that Poland is a leading country in terms of the volume of illegal on-line trade in protected fauna and flora in the Central and Eastern part of the EU. There is, however, very little information in this regard collected by the public enforcement authorities involved in wildlife protection. In terms of illegal imports and (re)exports of wildlife, Poland is mainly a destination country, but it is also a territory of transit and, to some extent, of origin. The actual scale of wildlife traffic is not certain. However, it is estimated that the Customs Service only discloses some 10-15 % of illegal traffic of protected species. Illegal markets of traditional Asian medicine, avifauna (including birds of prey), exotic wood, and wildlife suitable for aquaria and terraria are growing. In this context, wildlife crime can be considered a significant problem in Poland, and its scale is believed to grow proportionately to the increase in economic welfare of the Polish society and the demand by Asian minorities in Poland. Limited capacities of enforcement authorities, a lack of a holistic vision, and inadequate legislation further aggravate the problem. Apart from CITES-related offences, the number of illegal poaching instances reported in Poland every year is significant and increasing. While national legislation implementing EU law relevant to wildlife protection is in place, Poland is struggling to ensure adequate human resources in terms of volume and skills to counteract wildlife crime effectively. This may partly explain why wildlife crime is not among the major issues law enforcement entities are dealing with in Poland. Due to limited resources, these bodies do not have the capacity to follow all threads linked to wildlife crime and effectively counteract it. Moreover, some technical barriers are reported to hinder CITES enforcement. For example, enforcement officers in Poland often have difficulties with establishing the legal origin of captive-bred specimens originating from breeding operations across the EU. The difficulty is considered to stem, among others, from non-harmonised formats of documentation used as a proof of legality of the species' origin. In terms of judicial action, in the majority of CITES-related cases, Polish courts close the cases in an early phase or impose low penalties unlikely to deter commercial perpetrators. This is likely to stem from an overly rigid system of sanctions for CITES infringements embedded in the Polish Penal Code, which categorizes any breach in this respect as a crime and thus creates a risk of congestion of criminal cases in the already saturated Polish courts. According to stakeholders CITES implementation in Poland would be better if the law was more reflective of the wildlife crime specificity and trainings were provided to the judiciary sector. In what can still be largely considered a learning process, Poland's efforts against wildlife crime are based on education and public outreach. A number of dedicated trainings have been provided to public enforcement bodies dealing with wildlife protection. To tackle the demand side, awareness-raising is promoted in seminars organised in schools at different levels, as well as by glass displays in airports, border posts and other public places. In both, training and education, the role of conservationist NGOs (namely WWF Poland and PTOP 'Salamandra') has been prominent, often compensating for the constrained capacity of the public authorities in the area of wildlife crime prevention and control. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578960/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578960_EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Poland URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578960/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578960_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 138726 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife Trade Organized Crime Trafficking in Wildlife Wild Animal Trade Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crimes Wildlife Smuggling |
Author: Fajardo Del Castillo, Teresa Title: Wildlife Crime in Spain. In-depth Analysis for the ENVI Committee Summary: Spain is a relevant entry point to Europe as well as a country of origin and transit of wildlife crime with trade routes introducing illegal timber from Latin American and Barbary Macaques and elephants and rhino trophies from African countries as well as trade routes of eels, raptors and ivory to the Middle East and Asia. Recent police operations point to the existence of criminal groups, with organized crime infrastructures and their modus operandi. The internet is increasingly used for selling rare species outside the legal market. As examples of good practice, the Spanish Environmental Police, (SEPRONA), is one of the few specialized forces in Europe fighting environmental crime as well as its CITES Management Authorities which implement CITES and EU legislation. SEPRONA has developed and implemented day-to-day strategies against wildlife crime. Its agents have engaged in significant major wildlife crime operations, some of which have been perpetrated by organized criminal groups, however, the examined case law shows a limited number of convictions and lenient punishments due to difficulties in providing the required evidence and the resistance of judges to consider environmental crime as serious. Spain also has a specialized Prosecutor's Office that cooperates closely with CITES Management Authorities and SEPRONA. Both SEPRONA and the Spanish CITES Management Authorities cooperate with authorities of other Member States and third countries on a regular basis as well as in coordinated operations that show the importance of institutional contacts of the CITES Authorities as well as the institutional networks and agencies, such as EUROPOL and INTERPOL. This cooperation contributes to overcoming the limits of the CITES Convention and EU Regulation that in the opinion of the experts interviewed are fragmented and lack clarity. Moreover, the legal instruments at domestic and European level to fight against organized crime do not envisage environmental crime or wildlife crime, and can hardly be applied to fight them since they are destined to fight serious crimes. It is the opinion of the Spanish Management Authorities as well as the Prosecution Office that a specific legal instrument to fight wildlife crime would be most useful to overcome these problems. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578962/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578962_EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Spain URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578962/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578962_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 138727 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife Trade Organized Crime Trafficking in Wildlife Wild Animal Trade Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crimes Wildlife Smuggling |
Author: Illes, Andrea Title: Wildlife Crime in the United Kingdom. An In-depth Analysis for the ENVI Committee Summary: The illegal trade of wildlife is a major problem in the UK, which is a significant transit and destination country. There is a very wide range of species affected by the illegal trade, including reptiles, endangered birds and their eggs, caviars, corals, ivory from elephant and hippo and horns from rhino. The number of seizures is high; between 2009 and 2014 UK Border Forces made 2 853 seizures in total1. Nevertheless, wildlife crime covers not only illegal trade in wildlife but other illegal actions, such as poaching. Within the UK, the other most common wildlife crimes include badger persecution, bat persecution, deer and fish poaching, hare coursing and raptor persecution (NWCU, 2014). Links between wildlife crime and organised crime groups have also been identified. Organised crime and illegal wildlife trade is known to be linked to rhino horn thefts and trade, to trade in raptors and bird eggs, and to the repeated sale of traditional medicine products (Sollund and Maher, 2015, p. 24), while poaching and raptor persecution are sometimes linked to organised crime groups. At the same time, the efforts to combat wildlife crime in the UK are wide-ranging and numerous actions taken provide good practice examples that could be followed in other EU Member States. The UK government has undertaken a large number of capacity-building and cooperative actions both within the UK and with international actors. Some of the most prominent examples include the organisation of the high-level London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade where the London Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade was adopted, the establishment of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, which supports projects in the developing world focusing on the reduction of demand for endangered species, and the Government's support for the Global Tiger Initiative Multi Donor Trust Fund and the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). Furthermore, numerous awareness-raising campaigns have been launched with the involvement of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). The current domestic regulation on CITES, the Control of the Trade in Endangered Species (COTES) Regulation, is under review with the aim of further strengthening enforcement. There is a well-established institutional set up with various governmental actors involved in wildlife crime related issues. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) within the UK Police Force and the UK Border Forces specialised CITES team based at Heathrow Airport play an important role in tackling wildlife crime. Furthermore, the UK Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW UK), a multi-agency group comprising representatives of statutory bodies and NGOs involved in wildlife law enforcement in the UK, is also a key player. Finally, national and international NGOs, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC and the World Society for the Protection of the Animals (WSPA) also contribute to ending wildlife crime in the UK and to raising awareness of the issue. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578963/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578963_EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578963/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578963_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 138728 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife Trade Organized Crime Trafficking in Wildlife Wild Animal Trade Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crimes Wildlife Smuggling |