OCTOBER 2010 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 10 PAGES 235-262 WWW.GLOBALRESEARCHER.COM Wildlife Smuggling

CAN DISAPPEARING SPECIES BE SAVED FROM POACHERS?

raffickers are slaughtering some of the world’s most beloved endangered or threatened animals for their

body parts — including elephant tusks, penises and bear gall bladders — to supply the booming

black market in souvenirs, trophies and traditional Chinese medicine. Other animals are shot by African T hunters to meet the burgeoning demand for “,” both to feed the hungry in refugee camps and to satisfy the tastes of city dwellers. Thousands of other animals, including exotic birds and rare monkeys, are trapped to meet the growing demand for exotic pets. Using satellite phones, helicopters and the Internet, the in- creasingly sophisticated smugglers — often part of syndicates — generate up to $20 billion annually, making wildlife trafficking the world’s third-most-lucrative illegal trade. Experts suggest two controversial solutions: ban- ning all ivory trade and “farming” and other exotic species to supply the seemingly insatiable demand for their body parts. While international conserva- tion treaties have slowed the carnage, ex- perts say tougher enforcement is needed before some of the Earth’s last wild crea- tures disappear forever.

Officials examine the body of a rhinoceros killed by poachers in Kaziranga National Park in ’s northeastern Assam state on Feb. 24, 2010. Rhinos are killed for their horns, which some cultures believe have medicinal or magical properties.

PUBLISHED BY CQ PRESS, A DIVISION OF SAGE WWW.CQPRESS.COM WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

THE ISSUES SIDEBARS AND GRAPHICS • Is CITES an effective 238 Wildlife Smuggling Spans October 2010 237 tool to combat wildlife the Globe Volume 4, Number 10 trafficking? Trafficking occurs on every • Does animal farming re- continent. MANAGING EDITOR: Kathy Koch [email protected] duce wildlife trafficking? Ivory Seizures Rising Again • Will a total ban on 239 Elephant tusk seizures doubled. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Thomas J. Colin ivory sales help save en- [email protected] dangered elephants? Internet Facilitates Illegal CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Peter Behr, 241 Wildlife Trafficking Roland Flamini, Sarah Glazer, Robert Kiener, BACKGROUND Most online endangered Barbara Mantel, Jennifer Weeks species trade occurs in the U.S. DESIGN/PRODUCTION EDITOR: Olu B. Davis Soaring Demand 246 ASSISTANT EDITOR: Darrell Dela Rosa For centuries, traders killed 242 Is That a Porcupine in animals for fashion, tro- Your Luggage? FACT CHECKER: Michelle Harris phies and medicines. Bushmeat smuggling threatens Africa’s wildlife. Early Legislation 248 Exotic Animals Fetch Vast The 1900 Lacey Act was 245 Sums the first major U.S. wildlife A live tiger garners $50,000. protection law. Chronology A Division of SAGE CITES Is Born 247 Key events since 1895. 250 In 1973, 80 countries PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER: adopted an international Traditional Chinese Medi- John A. Jenkins treaty to regulate trade in 248 cine Fuels Wildlife Traffic endangered wildlife. Tigers and other exotic Copyright © 2010 CQ Press, A Division of species are being decimated. SAGE. SAGE reserves all copyright and other rights herein, unless previ ously spec ified in Tiger Habitat Shrinks As writing. No part of this publication may be CURRENT SITUATION 252 Poachers Close In reproduced electronically or otherwise, with- Only 3,200 wild tigers exist. out prior written permission. Unau thorized Organized Smuggling 252 re produc tion or transmis sion of SAGE copy- Wildlife trafficking today is At Issue righted material is a violation of federal law linked to organized crime. 253 Are trade bans an effective car rying civil fines of up to $100,000. deterrent to wildlife trafficking? by Internet CQ Press is a registered trademark of Con- 254 The Internet has opened a Voices From Abroad gressional Quarterly Inc. vast, global marketplace 262 Headlines and editorials from CQ Global Researcher is published monthly for traffickers. around the world. online in PDF and HTML format by CQ Press, a division of SAGE Publications. Annual full- Success Stories service electronic subscriptions start at $500. 255 Some regional wildlife FOR FURTHER RESEARCH For pricing, call 1-800-834-9020, ext. 1906. To purchase CQ Global Researcher elec- policing units have joined For More Information forces against traffickers. tronic rights, visit www. cqpress.com or call 259 Organizations to contact. 866-427-7737. Bibliography OUTLOOK 260 Selected sources used. Funding Gaps The Next Step 256 More funding is needed 261 Additional articles. for enforcement, education. Citing CQ Global Researcher 261 Sample bibliography formats.

Cover: AFP/Getty Images/STR

236 CQ Global Researcher Wildlife Smuggling BY ROBERT KIENER

2,000 frozen from a fishing vessel on Gaoland THE ISSUES Island. The animals are a fa- t was a scene straight out vorite delicacy and their scales of a Hollywood horror are used in traditional Chinese I movie. Call it “Snakes (Al- medicine (TCM) as a cure for most) On a Plane.” On August everything from poor blood 26 at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur circulation to skin infections. International Airport, a suitcase • Using a helicopter, tranquil- burst open as it trundled down izer guns and a saw, poachers a luggage conveyor belt. As in South Africa hacked off the Malaysian Airlines staffers horn of the last female white picked up the damaged suit- rhinoceros in the Krugersdorp case they were horrified to Game Reserve, leaving the rhino find it packed with 95 wrig- to bleed to death. gling baby boa constrictors, two • Malaysia’s Department of rhinoceros vipers and a mata- Wildlife and National Parks over mata turtle. The notorious a four-day period intercepted “Lizard King,” Anson Wong, 1,050 endangered animals and had struck again. 111 endangered animal parts Once considered “the such as tiger claws, elephant world’s most-wanted smug- tusks and python skins. 3 gler of ,” Due to its clandestine na- Wong had been sentenced ture, no one really knows in 2001 to 71 months in a how much money wildlife U.S. federal prison for ani- trafficking generates, but es- mal trafficking. 1 As his snake- timates range up to more than packed suitcase proved, the $20 billion a year and grow- Malaysian smuggler was back ing. 4 That would make it the © IFAW at his old game. More than 5,000 tigers are being raised on special farms in third most valuable illegal Arrested at the airport for , such as this one at the Guilin Xiongsen Bear and Tiger trade in the world, after attempting to export snakes Farm. The tigers are killed for their body parts, which are used to drugs and weapons. 5 make traditional Chinese medicine. Proponents say breeding from Malaysia without a per- endangered species like tigers in captivity reduces illegal Much of the increased de- mit, Wong was eventually sen- trafficking. Conservationists say it has just the opposite effect. mand is coming from China, tenced to six months in jail which leads the world in de- and fined the equivalent of mand for smuggled wildlife $61,000. 2 products, followed by the Unit- While the Lizard King’s brazen smug- cobras to pangolins (the nearly blind ed States and the . Ex- gling attempt made headlines around endangered scaly anteaters native to perts attribute the increase to higher dis- the globe, it is just one example of Africa and Asia). posable incomes in booming China and the global problem of wildlife traf- While there are traditional wildlife traf- Southeast Asia, where animal parts are ficking. Not to be confused with the ficking hotspots, today it is a growing used in traditional medicines, and to the legal , trafficking in en- problem across the globe. News reports demand for everything from exotic pets dangered or threatened wildlife was of illegal wildlife trafficking incidents to luxury fashion items in Europe and outlawed by the 1973 Convention on abound. During just one week in July, North America. 6 International Trade in Endangered Scientific American listed 10 major cases “The economics are as easy to un- Species (CITES). Trafficking involves reported in the world’s media, including: derstand as an art auction: the rarer not only well-known endangered or • Thai authorities seized six pallets, the item, the higher the price,” noted threatened animals — such as tigers containing 117 elephant tusks reporter Bryan Christy, author of The or elephants — but also countless less- worth an estimated $1.2 million. Lizard King, an exposé on Asia’s ille- er-known species, ranging from black • Chinese officials seized more than gal wildlife trade. “Around the globe

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 237 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

Wildlife Smuggling Spans the Globe Trafficking in endangered species occurs on every continent, but it is most prevalent in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Amazon and Central America. While many smuggled animals are destined to become luxury goods, food or pets, the explosive growth in demand for Chinese traditional medicines made from exotic animal parts has fueled much of the recent increase in trafficking. For instance, the demand for tiger bones and other animal parts used in traditional Asian medicine has helped reduce the world’s tiger population to 3,200. Asiatic Black Where Commonly Trafficked Wildlife Originate Bear (unknown); bile used in Chinese (With current population of each species) medicines, paws are eaten as a delicacy.

ARCTIC OCEAN ARCTIC OCEAN ARCTIC OCEAN African Elephant Beluga Sturgeon (500,000); used for ivory (2-3 million); used for souvenirs, jewelry and caviar. carvings. Tigers (3,200); Trophies, bones used for Chinese Chiru medicines. (Tibetan antelope)

NORTH (50,000); used for wool shawls and Parrots (2 million); scarves. ATLANTIC exotic pets. TUNISIA MOROCCO CHINA

ALGERIA WESTERN LIBYA EGYPT PACIFIC OCEAN SAHARA

INDIA MEXICO MAURITANIA MALI NIGER OCEAN SENEGAL ERITREA BURKINA FASO SUDAN GUINEA NIGERIA GHANA CENTRAL SIERRA LEONE IVORY ETHIOPIA COAST AFRICAN LIBERIA REPUBLIC OGO NIN T CAMEROON BE SOMALIA Rhinos (2,500); EQUATORIAL GUINEA KENYA CONGO UGANDA GABON ZAIRE ECUADOR GALAPAGOS RWANDA ISLANDShorns used for INDIAN BURUNDI TANZANIA INDONESIA Asian Elephant dagger handles SOUTH (50,000); used for ANGOLA MALAWI ZAMBIA OCEAN (in Yemen)PERU and ivory jewelry, BOLIVIA MOZAMBIQUE PACIFIC ATLANTIC MAURITIUS in Chinese NAMIBIA ZIMBABWE MADAGASCAR carvings; also found BOTSWANA RÉUNION medicines. PARAGUAY in , OCEAN OCEAN Indonesia. SOUTH AFRICA

Radiated andARGENTINA spider tortoises (600,000); for consumption (bushmeat) and as pets; about 1,000 are illegally Bornean Orangutans (27,000); poached each week. bushmeat, pets; about 200-500 baby orangutans are poached each year from the Indonesian part of Borneo, indicating that Source: World Wildlife Fund, CITES, WildAid the mothers have been killed by poachers. nature is dying, and the prices of her • The advent of new technology, servationist Laurel Neme, author of rarest works are going up.” 7 such as the Internet and satellite Animal Investigators, which profiles Other factors contributing to the phones. the world’s first wildlife forensics lab. growth in illicit wildlife trafficking in- • Lack of enforcement funding in “Ounce for ounce, products like clude: countries across the globe. rhino horn or deer musk can be worth • Growing disposable incomes in Wildlife trafficking may trail the il- more than gold or cocaine,” she says. Latin America, where keeping licit drug trade, but it produces more Indeed, a rhino horn may sell for wild animals as pets is popular. bang for the buck. Drug kingpins “would up to $25,000 per pound, a bear gall- • Poor people, still reeling from the kill” for the kind of profits made from bladder (used in TCM as a treatment global recession, turning to killing trafficking, wrote Christy. 8 Endangered for gallstones, among other things) for wildlife as a way to make money animals command higher and higher up to $8,500, a live Orangutan for to feed their families. prices on the global market, says con- $50,000 and a lear macaw for $90,000. 9

238 CQ Global Researcher (See chart, p. 245.) Ivory is a good example of how illegal wildlife parts Ivory Seizures on the Upswing Again have boomed in price. The wholesale price of a pound of elephant ivory Customs officials around the world seized more than 16 tons of elephant ivory has jumped from about $50 in the late in 2009 — more than double the amount seized the year before. Some 1990s to more than $400 today. 10 experts think the jump may have been due to a legal sale of 108 tons of “When you think that an African tusks from sustainably managed African elephants in 2008, which may have poacher may get only a few hundred boosted demand for ivory and fueled an increase in poaching. The modern- dollars for a rhino horn that, when day peak was in 2002, when seizures amounted to 37 tons. ground up and processed into tradi- tional Chinese medicine, could be worth (Pounds) Amount of Elephant Ivory Seized, 1989-2009 over half a million dollars in the Asian market, you begin to understand how 80,000 lucrative this trade can be,” explains 70,000 Neme. “A return on investment of over 60,000 1,000 percent is not unusual.” 50,000 Given the potential for such mas- sive returns it’s not surprising that wildlife 40,000 trafficking has begun to attract orga- 30,000 nized crime and, according to some ex- 20,000 perts, international terrorists. Describing Joe AFP/Getty Images/Alexander 10,000 the growing evidence of organized crime 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 in wildlife trafficking, Peter Younger, di- rector of Interpol’s wildlife crime divi- Source: “The Globalization of Crime: A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment,” U.N. sion, based in Lyon, France, said, “Once Office on Drugs and Crime, 2010 we start to dig into these things we find that not only are they smuggling “As more massive illegal shipments Smugglers use three main methods wildlife, for example, but they’ll be of contraband wildlife are intercepted, of exporting live animals and wildlife smuggling narcotics, or diamonds or it’s clear that these trafficking opera- products: hiding them in secret com- gold bullion. . . . Once you have that tions require substantial upfront in- partments inside shipping containers pipeline open then you can smuggle vestments,” says Neme. Poachers must or luggage; using forged or stolen trade pretty much anything down it.” 11 be recruited and paid, the goods must permits to bypass customs or falsify- Officials say some militia groups, be packaged and shipped large dis- ing what’s in a shipment. Trafficked such as the Janjaweed in Sudan, have tances across numerous borders and animals are “mis-declared on customs begun poaching elephants in Chad and corrupt officials must be paid off. forms and trade permits by fraudulently have sold the tusks to Asians or trad- “Officials responsible for the issuance identifying look-alike, non-protected ed them for weapons. “Lured by easy of CITES permits and certificates have species, changing the declared num- money, the Janjaweed have expand- been threatened, harassed or bribed,” ber of items shipped, changing the ed their killing fields to endangered explained John Sellar, Geneva-based declared value of items or declaring species,” according to Newsweek. 12 CITES senior enforcement officer. wild species as captive-bred species,” “This is easy money for these groups; “Smugglers have been known to offer said a Congressional Research Ser- it’s untraceable,” says Kelvin Alie, Pro- officials prostitutes to provide sexual vice report. 16 gram Officer for Wildlife Trade at the favors in return for the issuance of Of course some smugglers try less International Fund for Animal Welfare trade authorization documents.” 14 sophisticated methods. On August 27, (IFAW). Al Qaeda-linked extremist For example, illegal ivory-trading Thai authorities at Bangkok’s interna- groups in India have also reportedly syndicates have developed a very so- tional airport discovered a baby tiger been involved in elephant and rhino phisticated structure to move the ivory. in a woman’s baggage. The cub, about trafficking. 13 Some liken the ivory “We’re talking about quantities of three months old, had been drugged trade to the illicit trade in so-called around three tons a shipment,” said and placed next to a toy stuffed tiger blood diamonds — the gems used to Younger. “Now that’s not something in the suitcase. 17 In October 2009, a finance civil wars in diamond-pro- you can stuff in a suitcase and carry Norwegian man was arrested after try- ducing countries in Africa. on an airplane.” 15 ing to smuggle 14 snakes and 10 lizards

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 239 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING into Norway. The snakes were inside facing extinction and are thus banned endangered species. Indeed, many have socks, taped to his chest. Trafficked from trade. A second group of about referred to it as “a Magna Charta for wildlife and animal parts have also 32,500 species in Appendix II — in- Wildlife,” and it is considered “the most turned up in FedEx, postal service and cluding the American black bear, the successful multilateral environmental even diplomatic luggage. 18 green iguana and the African grey par- agreement out there,” said conservationist Although policing the illegal trade rot — may be threatened if traded, so and author Neme. 19 in wildlife falls largely to individual their trade is regulated by CITES. Fi- However, as wildlife trafficking en- countries, some international agencies nally, the 170 species in Appendix III dangers even more animals, CITES has such as Interpol help investigate and are not yet threatened but have been its share of critics. nab offenders. In the United States the designated by member countries as “Has CITES had its day?” asked a Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is re- needing their trade regulated. recent BBC News headline. 20 Mark Jones, the article’s author and a pro- gram director for U.K.-based Care for the Wild International, complains that CITES has become too politicized. He and others argue that stronger mem- ber states, such as , often put economic and political pressure on smaller, weaker states to convince them to sway their votes. “The process of decision making has become intensely political,” wrote Jones, describing a recent CITES conference in Doha, Qatar, where members de- bated “down listing” some species to noncritical Appendix III status. “Parties choose to use scientific evidence to support their positions when it suits them, and refute the validity of science when it doesn’t.” 21 But CITES Secretary-General John AFP/Getty Images/Stephen Shaver A vendor displays a dried tiger claw and other animal parts, including a dried tiger penis and Scanlon says, “The CITES Secretariat black bear gall bladders, at a trading post along the Yangtze River in China’s Sichuan places the best possible science and Province. China banned the hunting of tigers and other endangered animals in 1993, factual information before the parties but poaching is still rampant in the country’s far-flung provinces. to assist them in their decision mak- ing process. But the ultimate decision is up to them. . . . As with other en- sponsible for monitoring and detect- Under CITES, member states must vironmental agreements, such as cli- ing wildlife trafficking, under the aus- pass legislation that enforces CITES rec- mate change, the science does not al- pices of the Endangered Species Act ommendations, a process that some ways prevail in all respects, and states and the Lacey Act. The U.S. Customs say has become increasingly politicized, may take a variety of factors into ac- and Border Control also police inter- and thus weakened. count when adopting their decision. national shipments for illegal items. As wildlife trafficking threatens the We should not be surprised that there Since 1973, when 80 countries adopt- existence of rare and endangered is a ‘political’ element to a conference ed CITES, the number of signatory species around the world, here are . . . that includes 175 sovereign states.” countries has grown to 175. The treaty some of the questions being asked: Conservationists accuse Japan of pres- classifies 5,000 species of wildlife into suring other states to oppose adding three groups, listed in the CITES ap- Is CITES an effective tool to com- bluefin tuna to the CITES Appendix I, pendices. The 800 species in Appen- bat wildlife trafficking? which would ban its trade. Many con- dix I — including gorillas, leopards When CITES came into force in 1975, servationists say bluefin tuna are being and the Asian elephant — are con- it was hailed by many as being ahead overfished — primarily because of the sidered to be highly endangered and of its time and a savior for the planet’s global popularity of sushi — and that

240 CQ Global Researcher the species may disappear without a ban. “How cynical was Japan’s approach to Internet Facilitates Illegal Wildlife Trafficking the tuna proposal?” asks IFAW spokesman Illegal trafficking in endangered wildlife is extensive worldwide, according to a James Kinney. “They made it a point to serve bluefin tuna at a reception!” comprehensive investigation by the International Fund for Animal Welfare Another observer noted that Japan’s (IFAW), which looked at 183 publicly accessible websites and online auctions actions set the tone for what he in 11 countries. The United States was responsible for more than two-thirds of termed, [the] “worst wildlife trade the trade in wild animal products and live animals, including , birds, meeting ever.” 22 reptiles, big cats, bears, elephants, rhinoceros, sharks, Tibetan antelopes and “Greed and short-term national in- sturgeon. One Chinese site, Taobao.com, offered products ranging from a bowl terests have been trampling over sci- made from rhinoceros horn — which sold for $23,317 — to a polar bear skin ence and conservation at the meet- rug that sold for $25,825. The trade in live exotic birds accounted for 20 23 ing,” said a Guardian editorial. percent of the illegal activity. But the sales pitches were dominated by ads for “The March meeting was a game- elephant ivory, for which poachers slaughter an estimated 20,000 elephants a changer,” notes Neme. “It was the first time in the CITES agreement process that year. Although eBay banned cross-border trading in elephant ivory in 2007, the trade decisions were based on politics site was found responsible for more than three-quarters of the ivory and nearly and commerce instead of science. The two-thirds of all illegal online animal trading. marine trade commercial interests won over the scientists when it came to high- Wildlife Trafficking on the Internet value species such as bluefin tuna.” (Among selected countries during a six-week period in 2008) CITES proponents note that it is a democratic treaty; every issue is put No. of Ads No. of Ads to a vote. Further, each member, no No. of No. of No. of for Elephant for Exotic Country Websites Ads eBay Ads products Birds matter how small or large, has an equal vote. That may be, notes IFAW’s U.S. 28 5,028 3,690 3,921 1,025 Alie, “But pro-trade nations and in- U.K. 22 551 289 285 217 dustry representatives try to weaken China 5 544 n/a 376 17 CITES by reframing it to advance trade France 11 380 249 325 10 instead of protecting wildlife.” Canada 11 244 167 178 34 Other observers complain of other CITES shortcomings, such as: Germany 14 151 39 90 28 • The lack of economic or profes- Russia 24 144 n/a 35 43 sional expertise in some countries 11 82 35 13 42 to determine the endangerment sta- Total* 126 7,122 4,470 5,223 1,416 tus of their native species. Some threatened species thus remain un- * Totals do not include data from Argentina, Colombia and Mexico listed. Scanlon disagrees, pointing out that proposals to list species Source: “Killing with Keystrokes,” International Fund for Animal Welfare, 2008 in the CITES appendices come from both countries where such species lon, there would be “a free-for-all covers only international trade, originate and from consumer na- where illegally and unsustainably policing trade in endangered or tions that observe high levels of harvested animals, plants or prod- threatened species within coun- trade. Plus, he said, the countries ucts would enter into trade in a tries is up to individual nations. receive information from conser- manner that would drive species Those who say CITES does not go vation organizations and wildlife to extinction.” far enough in enforcing and policing trade monitoring organizations. • Spotty enforcement. About 30 per- wildlife trafficking admit that the treaty • Heightened demand for species cent of the supposedly legal glob- was never intended to replace na- once they’re listed in CITES. The al wildlife trade violates either tional laws. Each member country is lising often serves as a “red flag,” CITES or national laws, according expected to enact laws guaranteeing alerting smugglers to a specie’s to the British group TRAFFIC In- that CITES regulations are enforced rarity. But without CITES, says Scan- ternational. And because CITES within that country.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 241 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

“The CITES Secretariat works close- many, is its lack of protection for an- dangered and threatened species. And ly with other agencies, such as Inter- imals bred in captivity. “CITES, after while the treaty clearly needs reform pol, the U.N. Office on Drugs and all, applies to wild life,” pointed out — such as a powerful secretariat fo- Crime and the World Customs Orga- reporter Christy. 24 Wildlife advocates cused on science — “at least it exists,” nization to support national efforts and have been alarmed by the emergence said an editorial in The Guardian. 25 to build capacity in developing coun- of so-called “animal farms,” where tries,” says Secretary-General Scanlon. breeders raise otherwise endangered Does animal farming reduce “It does this through the provision of species for sale. wildlife trafficking? technical assistance, specialized guid- Despite all its shortcomings, CITES In China, with more than a billion ance and training materials.” is still the only major tool for fighting people who view the tiger a symbol CITES’ most glaring loophole, say wildlife trafficking and preserving en- of strength, 2010 is being celebrated Is That a Porcupine in Your Luggage? Bushmeat smuggling threatens Africa’s wildlife.

uring a recent 18-day period at Charles De Gaulle Air- dangerous impacts on livestock and far-reaching consequences port in Paris, inspectors searched the bags of 134 pas- for human health,” wrote Mark Jones, program director at Dsengers on 29 flights arriving from Africa. Nearly half Care for the Wild International, a U.K.-based conservation or- were carrying some type of bushmeat — a total of 414 pounds ganization. 7 of Nile crocodiles, red river hogs, primates, porcupines, - The latest proof that the bushmeat trade has reached crisis golins and other species — 39 percent of it from species that proportions comes from the Democratic , are endangered or threatened with extinction. 1 where researchers estimate that 440 chimpanzees are being Based on inspection results, researchers estimate that nearly five slaughtered each year for local markets, representing “the be- tons of bushmeat are being smuggled into Paris each week. 2 Bushmeat is meat from wild animals that live in the forest, or the “bush,” in Africa. Originally sought by subsistence hunters, bushmeat today is sold throughout the continent, generating an estimated $50 million annually. Africans consume from 1 million to 3.4 million tons of bushmeat a year, sold primarily in urban markets. 3 The largely illegal commerce is fueled by demand from relatively prosperous, urbanized African populations and a growing African disapora that values bushmeat for its flavor, protein and “wild” status. “We see bushmeat coming into the U.S. illegally to feed de- mand from expatriate African communities,” said Leigh Henry, a senior policy officer at World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC North America in Washington, D.C. 4 Last summer federal wildlife agents raided an African art store in Chicago and seized a ship- ment of monkey heads and dead cane rats, destined for stew pots in the United States. 5 Conservation officials say the ravenous market for wild pigs, rodents — and even primates and elephants — has led to what amounts to an all-out attack on Africa’s wildlife. The bush- meat trade is “the most significant immediate threat to the fu-

ture of wildlife in Africa,” according to the Bushmeat Crisis Getty Images/National Geographic/Lynn Johnson Task Force, a U.S.-based consortium of conservation organiza- A woman cuts up monkey bushmeat at a market in Lodja, tions and scientists. 6 Democratic Republic of the Congo. While not all bushmeat comes from endangered animals, importing it is illegal in most industrialized countries. “Bush- ginning of a massive ape decline,” according to Alice Macharia, meat can . . . carry potentially devastating diseases — from director of East Africa programs for the Arlington, Va.-based anthrax to ebola, monkey pox to retroviruses — that may have Jane Goodall Institute.

242 CQ Global Researcher “In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has the largest population of chimpanzees in the world, the bushmeat trade . . . remains one of the greatest threats to their survival.” 8 Population growth is adding to the pressure on wildlife in Congo. The population has tripled in size to 70 million in just 30 years, making the competition for bushmeat especially in- tense. And animal habitat is shrinking as 10 million acres of Africa’s trees vanish each year due to logging, mining and de- velopment. In some places up to 90 percent of the wildlife has disappeared. Hunters have been eating their own dogs, ac- cording to John Hart, an Africa-based conservationist. 9 Congo-based pygmies, long dependent on bushmeat for their livelihood and survival, may be threatened by the growing scarcity of wildlife. While Mbuti pygmies used to sell only half of the meat they had hunted for, they now sell virtually all of it to traders who re-sell the meat in the cities. Surveys show up to a 40 percent drop in the region’s antelope population, the most commonly hunted bushmeat animal. “The forest just doesn’t produce enough to meet the demand,” said Conrad Aveling, a British environmentalist who has worked in Congo for years. By over-hunting bushmeat animals, he said, the AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell pygmies “are sawing off the branch on which they are sitting.” 10 A young pygmy hunter — his net balanced on his head — shows off his day’s kill: a forest antelope from the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in — Robert Kiener the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pygmies have traditionally been subsistence hunters, but the booming demand for bushmeat — 1 Sharon Begley, “Is that an alligator in your suitcase?” Newsweek, June 18, both in African cities and abroad — has led the pygmies 2010, www.newsweek.com/2010/06/18/is-that-an-alligator-in-your-suitcase.html. to begin hunting commercially. Now their traditional 2 “Five tonnes of illegal ‘bushmeat’ being smuggled into Europe each week,” hunting grounds have been nearly emptied of animals. Guardian, June 18, 2010, www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/18/ illegal-bushmeat-smuggled-europe. 6 3 Liana Wyler and Pervaze Sheikh, “International Trade in Wildlife: Threats Mark Jones, “Is wildlife being eaten to extinction?” BBC, Aug. 3, 2010, and U.S. Policy,” Congressional Research Service, Feb. 2, 2009, p. 14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8877062.stm. 7 4 Anneli Rufus, “Endangered species on the grill: the black market in illegal Ibid. meat flourishes in the US,” AlterNet, Feb. 15, 2010, www.alternet.org/food/145 8 “Congolese chimpanzees face new ‘wave of killing’ for bushmeat,” 668/endangered_species_on_the_grill%3A_the_black_market_in_illegal_meat_ Guardian, Sept. 7, 2010, www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/07/congo- flourishes_in_the_us. chimpanzees-bushmeat. 5 “African bushmeat seizure in Chicago,” UPI, July 25, 2010, www.upi.com/ 9 Todd Pitman, “In Congo forest, bushmeat trade threatens pygmies,” The Top_News/US/2010/07/25/African-bushmeat-seizure-in-Chicago/UPI-865112800 Associated Press, July 3, 2010, www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38076131/#. 78388. 10 Ibid. as the Year of the Tiger. But only rest of the world’s approximately 2,000 Nearly every part of the tiger is about 50 of the majestic animals are wild tigers live in , , sought as “souvenirs” or by traditional- left in the wild in all of China, putting Indonesia, Burma and . medicine practitioners. A tiger pelt can them on the knife-edge of extinction. While shrinking habitat is a major fetch $20,000, a single paw $1,000, and Less than 3,200 wild tigers exist on culprit, the biggest threat to tigers a full set of tiger bones up to $7,000. 27 Earth, with 1,400 of them in India, which is the insatiable appetite for tiger Although Appendix I of CITES bans has the world’s largest wild tiger pop- parts, which are used in many tra- all trade in tigers or their parts, tigers ulation. That is about half as many tigers ditional Asian medicines as cures for and tiger products continue to surface as lived in India a decade ago and a everything from impotence to skin on the black market. fraction of the 100,000 that lived there infections to rheumatism. (See side- While many applaud China for in the early 20th century. 26 Most of the bar, p. 248.) clamping down on illegal trade in tigers

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 243 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING and tiger products, many conserva- TRAFFIC East Asia/China Program. In “Animals, tigers included, are renew- tionists accuse the country’s tradition- 2007 there were 175 criminal cases of able resources and harvesting them al medicine practitioners of perpetu- smuggled endangered species in China, can be extremely valuable,” says Barun ating the demand for tiger parts. up from 77 in 2005. 29 Mitra, director of the New Delhi-based “All the demand for tiger parts is To help supply the growing de- Liberty Institute think tank. “A single coming from China,” said Belinda mand, China and other nations — in- captive bred tiger may fetch as much Wright, executive director of the Wildlife cluding India, Laos, Vietnam and Thai- as $30,000-$70,000. Tiger-breeding fa- Protection Society of India. “Unless the land — have begun “farming” captive cilities would ensure a supply of wildlife Chinese change their attitude, the tiger tigers. 30 The farms fall under a CITES at an affordable price and eliminate the incentive for poaching wild tigers.” Mitra also believes that prices for tiger parts would fall as “captive bred” tiger parts enter the market legally. Chinese officials agree. At a Global Tiger Forum their mantra was, “To save the tiger you have to sell it.” The Chi- nese argue that the country’s 1993 ban on the internal trade in tiger parts has cost the country more than $4 billion and trafficking has not stopped. The solution, they say, is to sell products from farm-bred tigers. 32 “Market economics favor the tiger,” says Mitra. “If we unleash the animal’s commercial potential, we might be able to use some of those returns to pro- tect and make them more secure in their kingdom.” Conservationists disagree, arguing that breeding wild animals in captivi- ty is “cruel” and that wild animals be- long in the wild. Furthermore, they claim, commercial wildlife farms in- crease the market for endangered species parts. “Research has shown that farming leads to increased poach- ing of wild animals, because they can

AP Photo/Department of Justice be laundered through the legal ani- When Customs agents pulled up this man’s pants at Los Angeles International Airport in mal farm channels,” says author and March 2009, they discovered he was trying to smuggle endangered songbirds into the country conservationist Neme. by strapping them to his legs. He later was sentenced to four months in prison and a $4,000 “In practice, smugglers establish fake fine. Exotic birds are some of the species most commonly smuggled by wildlife traffickers. breeding facilities, then claim that an- imals and plants poached from the has no future on this Earth.” 28 As loophole, because the treaty does not wild are captive bred,” 33 explained China’s economy improves, the de- regulate trade in species bred in cap- reporter Christy, who helped expose mand for tiger parts increases. “Illegal tivity or intra-country trade. In China an Asian-based wildlife smuggling syn- wildlife trade is alive and dynamic. We alone, according to the IFAW, more dicate that used fake captive breed- have noticed an increasing amount of than 5,000 tigers are being raised on ing. Researchers recently surveyed 78 trade and consumption in wildlife, in- registered tiger farms. 31 commercial wildlife farms in Vietnam cluding bear paws, tortoises, pangolins Farm operators and proponents and discovered that 42 percent of and monitor lizards,” said Xu Hongfa, claim the breeding programs will help them were regularly restocking species director of World Wildlife Fund’s reduce the illegal trade in tiger parts. from wild populations. 34

244 CQ Global Researcher The World Bank considers tiger farms counterproductive and has said Exotic Animals Fetch Vast Sums they should be shut down. “Our po- sition is that tiger farms as an animal Illegally trafficked wildlife can fetch tens of thousands of dollars on the black practice are cruel. They fan the po- market. A live tiger, for example, sells for up to $50,000. Bile from Asiatic tential use of tiger parts,” said Keshav black bears — which is used in Chinese medicine to treat fever, liver problems Varma, the bank’s New Delhi-based and gallstones — sells for 200,000 a pound. A dagger handle made from program director for the Global Tiger rhino horn — highly prized in Yemen — sells for $14,000, while rhino horn Initiative. “That is extremely danger- used in traditional Chinese medicine sells for $50,000 a kilogram (about two ous, because they would continue to pounds). A set of tiger bones, a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, 35 spur demand.” sells for up to $7,000. However, argues Mitra, “When trade is outlawed, only outlaws trade.” Estimated Black Market Prices for Selected Species But farming proponents say breed- ing animals would remove criminals Bear bile $200,000/pound from the trade. “Shutting down China’s Bear paw (price for trafficker) $50 captive breeding would reinforce the Bear gall bladder $250-$8,500 criminal monopoly on trade in tigers Clouded leopard $5,700 in China by eliminating potential alternative sources,” explained South Africa-based Chinese alligator $15,000 environmental economist Michael’t Sas- Black Asiatic bear (dead) $4,500 in Taiwan Rolfes. “Given the persistent demand Geckos from New Zealand $1,300 in Europe for tiger products and rhino horn and Gorillas $8,000 the dwindling numbers of wild tigers Ivory $1,800/kilo and rhinos — in spite of trade re- Jaguar skin $20,000 strictions — it is time to explore op- tions that would legally satisfy de- Komodo dragon $30,000 mand, save wild animals and undermine Lear macaw $60,000-$90,000 (mature breeding pair) organized crime.” 36 Orangutan $45,000-$50,000 Conservation groups such as TRAF- $100 in China FIC and others favor closing the tiger Rhino horn Up to $50,000/kilo farms, arguing that by encouraging the trade in tiger parts the farms end up Rhino horn dagger $14,000 encouraging poaching. “It costs a lot to Tiger (dead) $5,000 keep a tiger in captivity, and next to Tiger (live) $50,000 nothing to kill them in the wild,” said Tiger bones $3,300-$7,000 per set Sue Lieberman, former director of species Tiger skin $35,000 programs for the World Wildlife Fund 37 International. Sources: Havocscope Black Markets online database; “International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy,” Congressional Research Service, Feb. 2, 2009 Will a total ban on ivory sales help save endangered elephants? Throughout history elephants have Sangduen Chailert, a Thai conserva- dient in traditional Asian medicine. As been admired, loved and even revered tionist who runs The Elephant Nature the 1st-century writer Pliny the Elder as gods. They’ve also been trained as Park, a sanctuary for elderly and abused wrote, “The tusks fetch a vast price beasts of burden and worked tireless- elephants in northern . “It and supply a very elegant material for ly for their human keepers. Countless breaks my heart to hear about the tens images of the gods.” 38 others have been hunted down, killed of thousands of elephants who have Today demand shows no sign of and butchered nearly to extinction for been slaughtered for their ivory.” slowing, and the price of wholesale their ivory. Known as “white gold,” elephant elephant ivory has jumped to $5,000 “Mankind should be ashamed for ivory has long been treasured as a per pound, 39 from around $50 per the way it’s treated elephants,” says medium for carving and as an ingre- pound in the late 1990s. 40

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The lure of ivory and loss of habi- soon started fetching better prices at not be sufficient funds toward conser- tat have devastated elephant popula- the source,” and elephant poaching in vation for the elephants,” she said. 49 tions. From 1.2 million in the 1970s Africa “has been increasing at an alarm- Other African nations, including there are fewer than 500,000 elephants ing rate.” 43 Indeed, in Kenya alone Botswana, claim ivory sales will help today. 41 Alarmed by the wholesale elephant poaching jumped from 47 them pay for existing poaching en- slaughter of elephants in the 1970s killed in 2007 to 204 last year. 44 forcement. Continuing the ivory ban, and 1980s, CITES listed the Asian ele- “The correlation between this rise they argue, will only lead to more phant on Appendix I and added the in elephant poaching and ivory seizures trafficking. more numerous African elephant in and the one-off sale of stockpiles by But many experts argue that had 1990. It also totally banned the inter- CITES can no longer be ignored,” ex- the ban never been instituted, national trade in ivory in 1989. plained Africa-based IFAW program di- African and Asian elephants would The ivory ban was widely hailed as rector James Isiche. 45 probably be extinct today. Last De- a victory for elephants. “That was a Further, DNA evidence has shown cember Sierra Leone lost its last ele- great success for CITES,” says IFAW’s that traffickers are mixing in illegally phants and there are fewer than 10 Alie. “Virtually all poaching stopped, obtained ivory with sanctioned ivory: left in Senegal. 50 most of the ivory trade disappeared Some tusks sold “legally” to Asian “The ivory ban has saved lives,” and elephants began recovering.” In buyers did not come from the CITES- says Thailand’s Chailert. “The world’s fact, many elephant populations in- approved countries. 46 elephants’ survival depends on keep- creased to the extent that today in Other African nations, such as Tan- ing it in place.” some regions overpopulation is be- zania and Zambia, also oppose the coming a concern. ban. At the recent CITES meeting in Although conservationists hailed the Doha, both countries proposed one- ivory ban, some African nations con- time sales of their ivory stocks, most- BACKGROUND sidered it unfair to prevent the sale ly from elephants that died from nat- of legally obtained ivory, especially in ural causes. Tanzania argued that it countries that said they were being should be permitted to sell its ivory such good stewards of their elephant to raise funds for an elephant con- Soaring Demand populations that overpopulation was servation program and to support “de- becoming a problem. Bowing to pres- velopment activities of communities sure from those countries, CITES al- living within the elephant ecosystems.” hile illegal wildlife trafficking lowed Botswana, Namibia, South Africa Zambia also argued against the ban. Wis a relatively new phenome- and Zimbabwe — nations CITES Both were turned down, however, in non, its roots date back to the cen- deemed to have effective elephant part because of their poor elephant turies-old animal trade, which ulti- conservation programs in place — to conservation and policing efforts. 47 mately was so overexploited it had carry out a one-time auction of stock- “Despite a ban on domestic sale, to be restricted. Ivory, tiger skins, piled tusks in 2008. The 231,000 ivory is easily obtainable and avail- rhino horns, furs and exotic bird pounds of ivory sold earned the four able in volume” in Zambia, according feathers were traded for hundreds of countries more than $22 million. 42 to a recent report by the Environ- years between Asia, Europe and the But many conservationists and mental Investigation Agency, a Lon- United States. wildlife experts claim the auction rein- don and U.S.-based organization that As writer Ben Davies noted, “In vigorated the ivory trade by fueling investigates the illegal wildlife trade. 1663 one shipment of ivory between demand for ivory, opening the flood- “EIA investigators found that Zambia Siam [modern-day Thailand] and gates for poachers who were ready to . . . is host to some of the world’s Japan reportedly totaled 3,000 kilo- feed the revived illegal trade. “The most sophisticated ivory traders and grams. Later shipments were signif- sudden availability of a significant networks.” 48 icantly larger. In 1821, 18,000 kilo- amount of ivory revitalized a market Judith Mashinya, Zimbabwe-based grams of ivory was exported from that had disappeared,” said noted program manager of Africa Resources Siam to China by eight ships which Kenya-based conservationist Richard Trust, a community development or- additionally carried unknown quan- Leakey. “Now, there is no way that ganization, also argued for ending the tities of wildlife parts including legal ivory could satisfy demand in ban. “Zimbabwe has lots of econom- rhino horns, elephant skins, buffalo this enlarged market. Illegal ivory, con- ic problems now. If we are not al- skins and leopard skins.” 51 sequently, found a new outlet and lowed to sell this ivory . . . there will Continued on p. 248

246 CQ Global Researcher Chronology

1993 1890s-1960s 1970s-1990s After tiger populations are deci- As dwindling wildlife becomes International treaty to control mated, China bans trade in tiger evident, nations begin limiting wildlife trafficking goes into ef- bones. the trade in exotic animals. fect. All trade in elephant ivory is banned. Poaching of elephant, 1999 1895 rhino and tigers heats up. CITES allows Botswana, Namibia Society is and Zimbabwe to sell 49 metric formed in United Kingdom (U.K.). 1972 tons of ivory to Japan in a one- India outlaws the hunting or har- time “experimental” sale. 1900 vesting of protected species. President William McKinley signs • Lacey Act, prohibiting trade in illegally 1973 hunted wildlife. U.S. Congress passes the Endan- gered Species Act, which identified 2000s The illegal 1911 1,950 endangered or threatened wildlife trade grows increas- North Pacific Fur Seal Convention species. . . . Eighty countries de- ingly more sophisticated as the regulates seal overexploitation. velop the Convention on Interna- Internet offers new avenues for U.K. passes Protection of Animals tional Trade in Endangered sales of banned items. A grow- Act, making animal cruelty a Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ing enforcement network ad- crime. (CITES), which seeks to eliminate dresses the illegal trade. the trade in endangered and 1918 threatened wildlife around the 2005 U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act globe. Eventually, 175 countries Several governments and non- regulates hunting and trade in sign onto the treaty. governmental groups establish the birds and makes it a crime to Coalition Against Wildlife Traffick- “take” migratory birds, their eggs, 1975 ing (CAWT) to publicize interna- feathers or nests. CITES enters into force; bans trade tional poaching and help train re- in Asian elephant ivory. gional enforcement groups. 1940 Convention on Nature Protection 1985 2007 and Wild Life Preservation in the Elephant poaching leads CITES par- Under pressure from International Western Hemisphere is signed to ties to establish ivory-monitoring unit. Fund for Animal Welfare, eBay urge nations to establish national bans international sales of products parks, wilderness areas and nation- 1988 made from elephant ivory. al reserves. U.S. Congress passes African Ele- phant Conservation Act, which pro- 2008 1968 vides financial assistance for ele- Four southern Africa countries legally African Convention on the Conser- phant protection programs. auction off 108 tons of elephant vation of Nature and Natural Re- ivory they say was sustainably culled sources (Algiers Convention) calls Late 1980s-1990s from their herds. for African countries to conserve In India and China, a growing the continent’s natural resources, demand for tiger parts used in 2009 including its endangered species. traditional Chinese medicine Brazilian airport police confiscate It is ratified in 1973. (TCM) results in the killing of 1,000 live spiders being smuggled thousands of tigers. out of the country in a suitcase. 1969 Endangered Species Conservation 1989 2010 Act becomes effective, prohibiting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Infamous wildlife trafficker Anson the importation into the United Laboratory opens to help investi- Wong, “the Lizard King,” is charged States of species “threatened with gate wildlife trafficking. . . . CITES with wildlife smuggling in Malaysia. extinction worldwide.” bans trade in African ivory.

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Continued from p. 246 believe crushed tiger bone can cure Commercial interests often trumped Seemingly inexhaustible stocks of everything from boils to rheumatism. conservation concerns. As one observer wildlife were decimated to supply the (See sidebar, p. 248.) Folklore also said at the time, “Some thin-skinned per- fashion industry and the practitioners helped to fuel the trade in exotic an- son might question the killing of this large of . imals: Many Asians, for example, still number of elephants to provide . . . recre- “From 1870 to 1920, tens of mil- believe that eating tiger parts will be- ation, but on second thought . . . all an- lions of birds died around the world stow strength. imals have been created for man’s spe- to adorn high-fashion hats and cloth- The demand for ivory, used for cial use, and for his good, and this ing, with over one million skins of ei- centuries for artistic carvings, soared includes the elephant and his ivory.” 55 ther herons or egrets, the species most in the 1800s when it became covet- severely damaged, sold between 1897 ed as an industrial commodity — a and 1911, according to a single Lon- precursor to plastic. Ivory was fash- Early Legislation don auction record,” according to au- ioned into everything from combs to thor Neme. 52 buttons to billiard balls. Between s America expanded westward, A 1597 Chinese medicine text, Pen 1850 and 1910 Britain imported 500 A settlers devastated much of the coun- Ts’ao Kang Mu, listed elephant tusks, tons of ivory a year. In 1922 alone, try’s wildlife, either by over-hunting or skin, bone and bile as key ingredi- some 4,000 elephants were killed just destroying habitat. Wolves were virtual- ents in various medicinal concoc- to supply the U.S.-based billiard ball ly eliminated from New England by tions. 53 Even today, many Chinese industry. 54 1800 and in much of the West a cen- Traditional Chinese Medicine Fuels Wildlife Traffic Tigers and other exotic species are being decimated.

he disturbing video shows a wildlife trader dumping a bag Of the 3,200 wild tigers left on the planet, fewer than 50 filled with hundreds of tiger bones onto the ground and are in China, and India has fewer than 1,400 — down from Tshops in China selling an array of traditional medicines, 100,000 in the early 20th century. 4 Alarmed by the disappearing such as Tiger-bone Plasters and Tiger’s Bone Rheumatism Pills. 1 tiger population, the Convention on International Trade in En- Another grisly video shows street vendors in Myanmar sell- dangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) outlawed ing bear paws and gall bladders and a warehouse where catheters the trade in tiger parts in 1993. are used to “milk” bile from the gall bladders of live, caged “Most experts agree that the trade in tiger bone for medicinal Asian black bears. 2 purposes was a major factor fueling a tiger conservation crisis in Tiger bone, bear bile, deer musk and rhinoceros horn are the 1980s and 1990s,” according to the World Wildlife Fund. 5 Al- just a few of the thousands of animal ingredients in tradi- though China banned the harvesting of tiger bones and outlawed tional Chinese medicine (TCM), used for more than 3,000 all trade in tiger parts in 1993, tiger smuggling continues. years to treat everything from arthritis and impotence to bac- In 2007 China lobbied the CITES governing body to remove terial infections. its ban of the trade in tiger parts, arguing that tiger farming TCM has spread throughout East and Southeast Asia, where could supply the demand for tiger parts needed for traditional it is used by both the local Chinese and non-Chinese com- medicine. But conservationists objected strenuously. munities. The popularity of traditional medicine combined with “Reopening any legal trade in tiger parts would be an enor- rising incomes in Asia have boosted the demand for animal- mous step backwards for tiger conservation,” said Leigh Henry, part ingredients in the past two decades. Experts say TCM is senior policy officer for TRAFFIC North America. “A legal mar- leading to the decimation of the populations of some of the ket in China would muddy the waters for enforcement officials world’s most exotic and endangered animals. and provide smugglers with a convenient cover for laundering Perhaps the most threatened are tigers, which represent wild tigers, since farmed and wild products are indistinguish- strength and vitality in Asia. “Tigers began to disappear,” said able.” 6 The proposition failed. National Geographic writer Geoffrey Ward. “It was eventually Continued pressure from governments and conservation or- discovered that they were being poisoned and shot and snared ganizations prompted China’s TCM industry recently to remind so that their bones and other body parts could be smuggled manufacturers of the ban on using parts from endangered out of India to supply the manufacturers of traditional Chinese species in traditional medicines. At a recent symposium in Bei- medicines.” 3 jing, Huang Jianyin, deputy secretary of the World Federation

248 CQ Global Researcher of Chinese Medicine Societies, urged manufacturers to look for substitute ingredients for animal parts. “Tiger conservation has become a political issue in the world,” he said. “Therefore, it’s necessary for the traditional Chi- nese medicine industry to support conservation of endangered species, including tigers.” 7 Conservationists welcomed the comments and reiterated their call for an end to tiger farming. “The existence of tiger farms and increasing illegal trade in tiger products is seriously threat- ening this precious species, said Ge Rui, Asian regional direc- tor of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. “In [this] Year of the Tiger, we should be doing more.” 8

— Robert Kiener

1 “WWF Wildlife Trade — Shops selling wildlife products,” World Wildlife Fund, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nnf6RoUvTI&feature=player_embedded. 2 “Grisley Wildlife Trade Exposed,” National Geographic, www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jjtEJHQluCQ&feature=fvw. 3 Richard Ellis, Tiger Bone and Rhino Horn (2005), p. 2. 4 Ibid. 5 “Traditional Chinese Medicine,” WWF, www.worldwildlife.org/what/global

markets/wildlifetrade/traditionalchinesemedicine.html. Reuters/Will Burgess 6 “Lifting Chinese tiger trade ban a death sentence for wild tigers, say wildlife A woman in Guangzhou displays traditional Chinese medicinal experts” Science Daily, March 13, 2007, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/ 03/070312231736.htm. products made from powdered tiger bone. While Chinese around 7 “Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference,” the world celebrate “The Year of the Tiger,” conservationists say Science Daily, March 15, 2010, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/1003 China’s appetite for aphrodisiacs and other tiger-bone elixirs is 12164653.htm. helping to decimate the world’s wild tiger population. Only about 20 8 Yang Wanli, “Thirst is building for ,” China Daily, March 1, wild tigers survive in China, and fewer than 3,200 exist on Earth. 2010, http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90860/6905319.html. tury later. The Atlantic gray whale was of 1900, the first far-reaching federal “The Lacey Act had an immediate extinct by 1750. By the beginning of wildlife protection legislation. Named impact on the rampant commercial ex- the 20th century the Eastern elk, sea after its sponsor, Iowa Rep. John F. ploitation of wildlife by giving game mink, giant deer mouse and others had Lacey, the act prohibited trade in any wardens a powerful enforcement tool,” become extinct. 56 Other animals, such wildlife that had been illegally hunted, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the buffalo, had been almost slaugh- transported or sold. Director Jamie Rappaport Clark said. 58 tered to extinction. The measure made it a federal Later, the United States passed the 1918 In South Africa the blue antelope crime to poach listed animals in one Migratory Bird Treaty Act, regulating went extinct in 1799, the South Africa state and carry them over state lines hunting and trading of wild birds and giraffe in 1830, the Cape warthog in to sell in another. Early cases provide their parts, and in 1935 extended the 1900. Portugal’s Portuguese Ibex dis- snapshots of the immensity of the traf- Lacey Act to cover wildlife imported appeared in 1892, Iceland’s Great auk ficking problem at the time. For ex- into the United States. in 1844 and the red-throated wood rail ample, 48 men were charged in 1901 The British government made the went extinct in Peru a year earlier. 57 with illegally shipping more than 22,000 first effort to forge an international With devastation came concern. In ducks, grouse and quail into Illinois. treaty to regulate wildlife trafficking. At the United States, for example, the early In another case, New York wildlife of- the turn of the 20th century the quaint- 1900s ushered in a new conservation ficials recovered more than 4,000 ille- ly titled 1900 London Convention De- ethic and legislation to match. Presi- gally traded game birds in a Brook- signed to Ensure the Conservation of dent McKinley signed the Lacey Act lyn cold storage unit. Various Species of Wild Animals in

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 249 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

tile hide traders to turn to turtle skin, lizards and snakes, continuing their record of massive overexploitation,” ex- plained the Endangered Species Hand- book. In the 1950s and ’60s the Amer- ican alligator and many other crocodile species nearly became ex- tinct, with 6 to 8 million skins trad- ed each year. “One Brazilian state ex- ported 5 million hides in 1950 [and] 12 million black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) skins were taken from the Ama- zon basin.” 60 In the early 1950s China’s State Council passed laws and regulations related to “the Protection of Rare An- imals and Plants.” By the late 1960s, Brazil and many other South Amer- ican countries had prohibited the ex- port of wildlife. In England the World Wildlife Fund was created in 1961 by a group of like-minded conser- vationists intent on conserving the world’s wildlife. And in the United States, concern with the possible ex- tinction of the whooping crane and other wildlife led the government to enact the nation’s first list of threat- ened animals, which led to enactment of the Endangered Species Preserva- tion Act of 1966. It established a list of endangered species and allocated AFP/Getty Images Malaysian wildlife officers display some of 280 endangered pangolins — scaly anteaters funds for habitat acquisition. that curl up into a ball when threatened — seized in the southern state of Johor, along with In 1969 the U.S. law was beefed three suspects believed to be part of an international trafficking ring. The pangolins up to prohibit the importation of for- were being smuggled to restaurants in China, where they are a delicacy. eign wildlife that was threatened. And it mandated that the Unites States hold Africa Which Are Useful to Man or In- the Organization of American States or an international conference on pro- offensive was never implemented be- the Organization for African Unity. 59 tecting the globe’s threatened wildlife cause not enough countries ratified it. With few restrictions in place, the and encourage foreign countries to Regional treaties have met with sim- international trade continued un- conserve threatened fish, wildlife and ilar failure. “The problem of gaining full abated. For example, the South plants. This effort would eventually support from all parties and adequate American caiman was so abundant lead to the first international treaty to enforcement has proven to be a persis- in the 1950s that millions were killed defend threatened and endangered tent one,” noted Neme. Two regional and exported to the United States species, or CITES. treaty proposals — the 1940 Washing- and Europe to supply the shoe, ton Convention on Nature Protection handbag and luggage industries. De- and Wild Life Preservation in the West- mand grew so much that African, CITES Is Born ern Hemisphere and the 1968 Algiers Australian and Asian crocodiles soon African Convention on the Conservation came under pressure. hroughout the 1960s representatives of Nature and Natural Resources — were “The depletion of wild crocodiles Tfrom many U.N. member countries never effectively implemented by either which began in the 1950s caused rep- concerned about the globe’s disappear-

250 CQ Global Researcher ing wildlife met and drew up lists of • Appendix III — At least one member nations develop their own en- endangered animals and plants and pro- member country has asked other forcement methods. In 1995 the Coali- posed ways to enforce an international CITES participants for help in con- tion Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) treaty. By the early 1970s, 39 govern- trolling its trade. was launched to raise the profile of in- ments and 18 nongovernmental organi- No animal or plant listed in any ternational wildlife crime. It offers in- zations had agreed upon a draft text. of the three CITES appendices can ternational training courses about wildlife On March 3, 1973, 21 countries signed be traded unless accompanied by enforcement and has been attempting the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which was both a conser- vation and a trade treaty. It established legal guidelines and a licensing and permit procedure for the trade of threatened or endangered wildlife, their products and plants and derivatives. “Legal CITES trade is based on two preconditions: a legal acquisition find- ing and a finding that the trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild,” author Neme explained. 61 Although CITES is legally binding on the signatories, it does not take the place of national laws. Each party to the convention must enact its own na- tional laws to ensure that CITES regu- lations are followed. In the United States, for example, CITES restrictions are en- © IFAW Souvenirs made from endangered species — including an elephant-foot stool with a forced via the Endangered Species Act. zebra-skin cover, ivory jewelry and an elephant-skin boot — are just some of the In Malaysia smugglers, such as “Lizard hundreds of illegally trafficked items seized every year at Heathrow International Airport King” Wong, can be prosecuted under from travelers trying to smuggle the products into Britain. Malaysia’s International Trade in En- dangered Species Act. While some countries, such as permits issued by both the country to bolster regional enforcement initia- Germany, have comprehensive legis- exporting the wildlife and the coun- tives. The coalition’s members include lation that allows for full implemen- try importing it. CITES does not en- Canada, India, the United States, the tation of CITES regulations, not all force or prescribe criminal penalties United Kingdom, Chile, Australia and countries do. Many African nations for violations, but it can punish fla- several conservation organizations. have weak or nonexistent wildlife traf- grant treaty violators by informing In December 2005 the Association ficking legislation. members states to suspend trade in of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Under CITES, member states vote CITES-listed species with these “rogue” formed a regional wildlife enforce- on whether trade in various species states. Violators have included Singa- ment network, ASEAN-WEN, which is must be halted or regulated; selected pore, Rwanda, Liberia, Nigeria, Mau- open to representatives from police, species are then listed in one of three ritania and others. Recommendations customs, wildlife-enforcement and other categories: to suspend a nation are made by the groups. It has been hailed by many • Appendix I — Threatened with Conference of the Parties and the as a successful model for future re- extinction and banned from trade Standing Committee. They remain in gional wildlife enforcement bodies. except in “exceptional circum- place until a country moves from Regional cooperation and training are stances.” noncompliance to compliance. more important than ever. As demand • Appendix II — Not immediate- To succeed, CITES depends on ef- for their disappearing product grows, ly threatened with extinction, but fective enforcement. In the 1990s sev- traffickers are getting more sophisticat- trade is strictly regulated. eral organizations were created to help ed and more daring every day.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 251 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

Other recent seizures also point to Tiger Habitat Shrinks as Poachers Close In more sophisticated and organized crime involvement in wildlife trafficking. Last Wild tigers once roamed over much of Asia, but in this Year of the Tiger, fewer May, American and Thai officials bust- than 3,200 still exist on Earth, with 1,400 of them in India. That is about half ed a sophisticated, international ivory as many tigers as lived in India a decade ago and a fraction of the 100,000 smuggling ring that spanned three that lived there in the early 20th century. Tigers are threatened not only by continents. 63 Interpol recently admit- loss of habitat, but also by the surge in demand for tiger bones and other body ted that the Russian mafia has been parts used in traditional Chinese medicine. involved in the illicit trade of caviar from endangered Beluga sturgeon,

RUSSIA and Asian gangs have moved into trad- ing rhino horns. 64 MONGOL IA The recent seizure of 2,000 frozen pangolins by Chinese customs au-

NORTH KOR EA thorities also confirmed that big

SOUTH KOREA money is being spent by organized CHINA crime: The boat’s crew had received

PA KIS TAN instructions from smugglers via satel- NEPA L BHUTAN lite phone and were transferring their cargo at sea. “The use of satel- BANGLADESH MYANMA R lite phones and trans-shipment of LAOS INDIA cargo at sea are indicative of the in-

THAILAND creasingly sophisticated methods

VIETNAM CAMBODIA being used by the organized crimi- nal gangs involved in wildlife crime,” Legend said James Compton, TRAFFIC’s Asia Historic Tiger range Pacific coordinator. 65 MALAYS IA Tiger’s current range “The money associated with nar- cotics, human trafficking is huge. They

have so much money they don’t know INDONES IA

01,0002,000500 what to do with it,” said CITES’ Sel- Km lar. “They can’t wash it fast enough. Source: World Wildlife Fund They’ve obviously been looking into areas where they can get into — ivory is one, caviar is another.” 66 Be- evidence that organized crime is tak- cause the chance of getting caught ing notice. smuggling wildlife is so small, crim- CURRENT Shortly before Wong’s reptile- inals view it as a “safe” way to laun- crammed bag burst open, Malaysian der money. SITUATION police had discovered 42 stolen ve- Catching smugglers is difficult, be- hicles and a mini-zoo of exotic and cause enforcement staffing is woefully endangered animals such as albino inadequate. Interpol has only a hand- pygmy monkeys, leopard cats and ful of personnel who investigate wildlife Organized Smuggling thousands of rare birds, including trade. In Ecuador, which supplies much endangered Birds of Paradise. The of the illegal wild bird trade, only nine stolen cars indicate that wildlife traf- police officers monitor wildlife traffick- nson Wong’s boas-on-a-conveyor- ficking is linked to organized crime, ing. “We do not lack laws against the Abelt escapade is a reminder that according to Elizabeth John, South- trade,” said Maria Fernanda Espinosa, professional wildlife trafficking is not east Asia spokesperson for TRAFFIC. former director of Quito-based Interna- slowing down, but also that traffick- “The police should start looking at tional Union for Conservation of Nature ers have little fear of detection or pros- wildlife trafficking as a serious crime,” in South America. “But there is a lack ecution. And now there is mounting she said. 62 Continued on p. 254

252 CQ Global Researcher At Issue:

Areyes trade bans an effective deterrent to wildlife trafficking?

JEFFREY FLOCKEN BARUN S. MITRA D.C. OFFICE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, LIBERTY INSTITUTE FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE NEW DELHI, INDIA

WRITTEN FOR CQ GLOBAL RESEARCHER, WRITTEN FOR CQ GLOBAL RESEARCHER, SEPTEMBER 2010 SEPTEMBER 2010

espite trade bans and restrictions, many wildlife species ithout trade bans, exploited animals such as rhinos, today are more threatened than ever before. So we tigers, elephants, sea turtles and great whales would d have the paradox of extremely valuable wildlife, such as w likely be extinct today. For wildlife threatened by tigers or rhinos, threatened with extinction while economically commercial exploitation, trade bans are effective and necessary less valued farmed animals, like chickens and cows, are thriving. when taking a precautionary approach to conservation. Com- By banning the wildlife trade, it is driven underground, often bined with strong law enforcement and high penalties, such with the aid of corrupt officials. This gives us the second paradox: bans can halt the worst effects of wildlife trade on species Trade restrictions increase the prospect of illicit profit, which at- under duress and provide an opportunity for recovery. tracts the worst elements to take the risk and reap huge benefits. The precautionary principle states simply: “When in doubt, For decades, efforts have focused on saving wildlife such as don’t do it.” Like a doctor’s oath to “first do no harm,” the tigers, elephants, rhinos and others, yet these animals remain on principle requires halting exploitation if it could threaten en- the edge of extinction. On the other hand, commercially bred dangered wildlife. and traded animals, such as crocodiles, thrive. More than a mil- Bans work. In 1989, experts believed that if ivory trade contin- lion crocodiles are harvested and traded for their skins each ued, elephantsyes would be extinct by 2010 — this year. But as a year across the noworld, from Australia to the United States. The result of the ban on ivory sales, elephant populations began to availability of freely traded crocodile skins has virtually wiped recover. Similarly, tigers might very well be extinct today if the out crocodile poaching in a country like India, where the ani- world community had not banned the trade in tiger parts and mal still remains endangered and may not be farmed or traded. derivatives in 1987 and if China had not banned its domestic Poachers stop poaching because they can simply not compete, trade in 1993. Wild tigers are barely hanging on today, but their in terms of price and quality, with legally traded animals. continued existence allows hope for future recovery. Today, a dead tiger could fetch from $30,000 to $60,000, for But too often decisions regarding international wildlife trade its skin, bones and other organs, which are used in traditional are based on short-term profits rather than long-term conservation Chinese medicinal products. Similarly, rhino horn powder is said and sound science. Trade bans can be controversial, and some to be more valuable than gold to Chinese consumers. interests seek to subvert them before a species has recovered. Yet wildlife in its natural environment can be a very valu- Recent sales of stockpiled elephant ivory, which were ap- able resource for the surrounding community and the country. proved under an international wildlife conservation treaty, have In the United States, environmental recreation — including na- damaged the integrity of the 1989 ivory trade ban. Scientists ture trails, bird watching, camping, etc. — generates more say proposals to sell ivory stockpiles correlate strongly with than $100 billion a year. Fishing and hunting contribute anoth- increased elephant poaching and higher black market prices er $20 billion. With proper ownership and management, the for ivory. These ivory stockpile sales have created confusion in potential economic benefit from the wildlife and natural envi- the market place and caused enforcement difficulties by pro- ronment could be immense for Africa and Asia. viding opportunities for illegal ivory laundering. Unfortunately, it is fashionable today to preach the non- Tigers could face a similar situation. At the urging of wealthy economic values of nature, while some of the poorest peo- “tiger farm” owners, Chinese officials have considered lifting the ple in the world languish in abject poverty amidst amazing country’s 1993 tiger trade ban, which had successfully reduced environmental wealth. This is clearly unsustainable. When the use of tiger bone in traditional medicines. But the world’s top people do not gain from the wildlife around them, they have tiger experts agree that a legalized tiger trade in China would al- little interest in managing those resources properly. Thus, the most certainly mean the end of wild tigers in just a few years. single biggest threat to wildlife is the conflict between man Trade bans are an essential part of wildlife protection and animal. strategies for endangered species. Coupled with effective en- Commerce can easily save our wildlife by eliminating that forcement and supported by strong political will and public conflict. Commerce and conservation are not mortal enemies commitment, wildlife trade bans can, and do, save species — as often portrayed; they can easily complement each other, if

if theyno are allowed to work. only we allow it.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 253 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

Continued from p. 252 “We are dealing with unprecedented Appendix I wildlife products (79 per- of resources, and that means it is not high levels of organized crime. . . . cent) or live animals (21 percent). a conservation priority.” 67 The picture We have worked hard as a country, (See chart, p. 245.) More than half of is the same in many other countries. to bring this species back from the the listings (57 percent) were classi- To combat the increasingly sophis- brink of extinction and we will con- fied as “possible violations” because ticated criminals, more nations must tinue to defend it even if we become they made a claim of compliance but follow South Africa’s example, say the last man standing.” 68 failed to provide any supporting doc- wildlife experts. Shocked by a so- umentation. Another 34 percent con- phisticated, well-organized poaching tained no reference to compliance or attack that used helicopters and high- Poaching by Internet documentation. Only 7 percent were powered rifles and claimed 185 rhi- deemed to be legally compliant. 69 nos in the first eight months of 2010, rading in protected wildlife — in- The trade was dominated by ele- the country is fighting back. Authori- Tcluding ivory carvings, endangered phant products and live exotic birds. ties plan to create a national high-tech parrots, nearly extinct salamanders and However, as the report noted, “In- wildlife crime unit that will include thousands of other wildlife and prod- vestigators also found that the In- both members of Interpol and staffers ucts from endangered species — is ternet was a conduit for a variety of other categories or protected wildlife including primates, big cats, reptiles, sharks, rhinoceros, sturgeon and others.” 70 Ivory items are forbidden for sale in the United States unless they can be shown to be antiques or legally imported. But they regularly pop up on online selling sites like Craigslist. “It’s very easy to comb through Craiglist’s ads and find ivory items for sale that are most probably pro- hibited by law,” says IFAW’s program manager Todd. “Policing these list- ings and proving whether or not the ivory item is legal or illegal is close to impossible.” Although large online auction sites such as eBay and China’s taobao.com © IFAW/D. Willetts © IFAW/D. have prohibited trade in ivory and live Hundreds of ivory tusks from African elephants were returned to Kenya after being seized by Customs officials in Singapore. More than 16 tons of elephant ivory were seized wildlife, sellers do their best to keep worldwide in 2009 — more than double the amount seized in 2008. one step ahead of the law. Some, for example, use less obvious descriptions such as “made from the teeth of the world’s largest mammal.” from South Africa’s organized crime booming on Internet auction sites, chat Another ruse, explained IFAW’s Bar- unit. It will use DNA forensics, heli- rooms and elsewhere. bara Cartwright, is: “I put up an ad for copters and tracking devices to help “The Internet has offered wildlife a chimpanzee, you call me, and then pursue the killers. traffickers a ready-made marketing we talk about what I really have.” 71 “Perhaps it is no longer appropri- tool to sell their illegal wares,” says Both police and conservation ate to refer to this spate of illegal author and conservationist Neme. “It’s sources admit the Internet is now killing of rhinos as poaching, given a vast, global marketplace that is grow- one of the main challenges facing the levels of sophistication, violence, ing and is very hard to police.” CITES. “The Internet is becoming the precision and the money behind it,” In an 11-country investigation of dominant factor overall in the glob- explained David Mabunda, chief ex- 183 publicly accessible websites, IFAW al trade in protected species,” said ecutive of South Africa National Parks. found 7,122 ads offering either CITES Todd. “There will come a time when

254 CQ Global Researcher country-to-country trade of large ship- ments between big buyers and sell- ers in different countries is a thing of the past.” 72

Success Stories

nternational cooperation is crucial Ito cracking organized crime syndi- cates that smuggle wildlife. For ex- ample, Interpol recently coordinated a global investigation that nabbed $13.6 million worth of illegal animal and plant products destined for use in traditional medicine. Operation Tram included national wildlife en- forcement authorities, police, customs and specialized units from 18 coun- tries on five continents. 73 “This level of cooperation is good news in the war against trafficking,” says IFAW’s Alie. Recently formed regional and local wildlife policing units are also joining forces. Cambodia’s new Wildlife En- forcement Coordination unit will work with its local enforcement division, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team, to inves- tigate trafficking. It’s part of the suc- cessful ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network. Set up by 10 ASEAN coun- tries in 2005, the group last year fi- nally formed its Special Investigation Group, a cross-border interagency in-

vestigation team that includes Interpol AP Photo/HO/WildAid and other partners. Thai officials exhibit a collection of body parts from endangered animals, including tiger skins Wildlife experts say that despite and bear paws, seized in a raid at a house in northern Bangkok, where police some encouraging regional successes, also found several live tigers, bears and orangutans. the war against trafficking needs more cooperation and funding. “The inter- methods. Attempts to plug the gaps “There will be a level playing field national coordination of the efforts to and to deliver assistance have tended and . . . a new era of wildlife law protect wildlife and to support na- to be haphazard.” 74 enforcement is introduced: an era tional authorities is woefully inade- Many hope the partners of the where those who rob countries and quate and often overwhelmed by the recently formed International Con- communities of their natural resources demands placed upon the very few sortium on Combating Wildlife Crime will face a determined and formida- individuals involved,” explained CITES — Interpol, CITES, the World Bank, ble opposition,” said Willem Wijn- enforcement officer Sellar. “At the na- the World Customs Organization and stekers, former secretary-general of tional level, the front-line staff suffers the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime CITES. “It is high time that more wildlife from a lack of legal authority, equip- — can bring a new internationally criminals end up behind bars, where ment, training, inter-agency coopera- coordinated effort to combating they belong.” 75 tion and access to modern policing wildlife crime.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 255 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING OUTLOOK

Funding Gaps

plethora of high-profile non- Agovernmental organizations — in- cluding TRAFFIC, the World Wildlife Fund and the International Fund for Animal Welfare — continues to re- search and publicize illegal wildlife trafficking that threatens millions of en- dangered animals. Partly as a result of its investigations, eBay has clamped down on ivory sellers, more nations have enacted national wildlife laws and anti-trafficking efforts have been strengthened. AFP/Getty Images/Saeed Khan But why aren’t individual nations doing more? “One of the biggest prob- lems in fighting wildlife trafficking is the lack of funding that nations have committed to solving the problem,” ex- plains conservation writer Neme. Conservation experts say wildlife traf- ficking will only grow unless more na- tions increase funding for wildlife research and enforcement, institute and strength- en national trafficking laws and educate the public about the long-term effects of the illegal trade. “Governments need to make bigger investments in enforcement and education,” notes IFAW’s Alie. “Hap- pily, there is more impetus coming from increased public awareness.” Optimists cite several recent ex- amples of international cooperation as a sign that wildlife trafficking en- AFP/Getty Images/Andrew Yates AFP/Getty Images/Andrew forcement is being taken more se- Facing Threats riously. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Leopards and Komodo dragons — the world’s largest lizards — are disappearing Service has conducted enforcement- due to illegal hunting and habitat loss. As threatened or endangered species, training programs in Africa, South- they cannot be traded under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered east Asia, Mongolia and other re- Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international treaty with more than gions. The Department of Justice is 144 member countries. Leopards are medium-size cats found throughout much educating foreign judges and pros- of Asia and Africa. Meat-eating Komodo dragons grow to 10 feet in length and are ecutors. And governments and NGOs found on a few Indonesian islands north of Australia. The CITES treaty bans trading have joined forces to help set up, in some 800 species, including gorillas and Asian elephants. educate and train regional wildlife enforcement personnel.

256 CQ Global Researcher High-tech tools will also play a greater see “Crisis in Darfur,” CQ Global Researcher, role in investigating the illegal trade. For Notes September 2008, pp. 243-270. example, DNA can pinpoint the origin 13 Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark, “Poach- ing for Bin Laden,” Guardian, May 5, 2007, of elephant tusks, enabling investigators 1 Bryan Christy, “Asia’s Wildlife Trade,” National to distinguish legally sold ivory from www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/may/05/ Geographic, January 2010, http://ngm.national .animalwelfare. smuggled ivory. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife geographic.com/2010/01/asian-wildlife/christy- 14 John M. Sellar, “International illicit traf- Service’s Forensics Laboratory is leading text. ficking in wildlife,” The Police Chief, June 6, 2 the world in developing high-tech meth- “Six months for international wildlife traf- 2007, http://policechiefmagazine.org/maga ods to combat trafficking. ficker in Malaysia,” CAWT, Sept. 17, 2010, www. zine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&arti While stricter enforcement and hefti- cawtglobal.org/home/2010/9/17/six-months- cle_id=1203&issue_id=62007. er penalties are helping to combat traf- for-international-wildlife-trafficker-in-malaysia. 15 Ibid. ficking, many conservationists agree html. 16 Wyler and Sheikh, op. cit., p. 7. 3 that education is the best defense John Platt, “Unfair trade: a week in the 17 Thanyarat Doksone, “Baby tiger found world of illegal wildlife trafficking,” Scientific against the continued slaughter. “Once stuffed in bag at Thai airport,” Associated Press, American, July 20, 2010, www.scientific Aug. 27, 2010, http://news.yahoo.com/ people value the sustainability of fu- american.com/blog/post.cfm?id=unfair-trade- ture populations, the calculus changes s/ap/20100827/ap_on_fe_st/as_thailand_tiger_ a-week-in-the-world-of-2010-07-20. luggage. so animals are worth more alive than 4 Liana Wyler and Pervaze Sheikh, “Interna- 18 76 “Spider alerts customs officials to smuggler dead,” explained Neme. tional Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Pol- who had 24 illegal pythons and geckos taped Changing behaviors is challenging. Poachers, rural poor and government officials in developing counties must realize that they can earn more by conserving animals than by killing and “All the demand for tiger parts is coming from China. selling them. Costa Rica, for instance, has built a thriving eco-tourism busi- Unless the Chinese change their attitude, ness by carefully preserving its exot- ic wildlife species. “It is not enough the tiger has no future on this Earth.” to tell people what to do; they must be convinced that it is in their own — Belinda Wright, executive director, best interest,” noted a World Bank re- Wildlife Protection Society of India port. “[They] need to know why they should change their behavior, and how they may do so without having to incur major losses.” 77 A new Cambodian eco-tourism pro- icy,” Congressional Research Service, Feb. 2, gram offers a tantalizing glimpse into to his body,” Daily Mail, Oct. 27, 2009, www.daily 2009, p. 1. http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34 what many hope will be more com- mail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1223122/ 395_20090202.pdf. Norway-smuggler-taped-14-snakes-10-lizards- monplace in the future. In the rugged, 5 Charles Bergman, “Wildlife Trafficking,” Smith- body.html. mountainous, heavily forested region of sonian, December 2009, www.smithsonianmag. 19 Laurel Neme, Animal Investigators (2009), Mondulkiri, the Cambodian government com/people-places/Wildlife-Trafficking.html. p. xx. 6 has begun an eco-tourism development Wyler and Sheikh, op. cit., p. 3. 20 Mark Jones, “Has CITES had its day?” BBC 7 project. Forty-five former wildlife hunters Christy, op. cit. News, April 6, 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 8 have been recruited to lead visitors on Ibid. 2/hi/science/nature/8606011.stm. 9 eco-tours and help the environment re- Wyler and Sheikh, op. cit., p. 6. 21 Ibid. 10 cover from years of trafficking. Ibid., p. 8. 22 Zak Smith, “Japan sets tone for worst wildlife 11 “Before, whenever I saw an animal Lea Terhune, “Wildlife trafficking is a seri- trade meeting ever,” Switchboard, March 25, ous problem, lucrative business,” America.gov, in the forest, my first thought was to 2010, http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/zsmith/ June 16, 2008, www.america.gov/st/energy- shoot it,” said one of the guides, for- japan_sets_tone_for_worst_wild.html. english/2008/June/20080616142333mlenuhret0.8 23 mer poacher Chran Thabb. “I don’t do “Endangered species: last chance to see,” 286859.html. Guardian, March 23, 2010, www.guardian.co. that anymore. The animals would be- 12 Sharon Begley, “Extinction trade,” Newsweek, uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/23/endangered- come extinct, and I want the next gen- March 1, 2008, www.newsweek.com/2008/ species-cites-doha. 78 eration to see them.” 03/01/extinction-trade.html. For background, 24 Christy, op. cit., p. 85.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 257 WILDLIFE SMUGGLING

25 “Endangered species: last chance to see,” may-stifle-rise-in-organised-crime-poaching/ to ease ivory-trade ban,” The Christian Science op. cit. story-e6frg6zo-1225844460784. Monitor, April 10, 2010, www.csmonitor.com/2000/ 26 Ibid. 37 Richard Black, “End of the tiger tale?” BBC 0410/p1s3.html. 27 Ibid. Also see Wyler and Sheikh, op. cit., News, June 13, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/ 50 Jason Straziuso, Michael Casey, William p. 6. hi/science/nature/6745497.stm. Foreman, “Ivory trade threatens African ele- 28 Jacobs, op. cit. 38 See “Natural History” at www.archive.org/ phant,” The Associated Press, May 15, 2010, 29 “Wildlife on menu spurs smuggling,” China stream/naturalhistory03plinuoft/naturalhistory www.msnbc.com/id/37167109/. Daily, June 24, 2009, www.china.org.cn/en 03plinuoft_djvu.txt. 51 Ben Davies, “The Culture of Killing: A His- vironment/news/2009-06/24/content_180018 39 Robin McKie, “Asia’s greed for ivory puts torical Perspective,” Wildlife1, www.wildlife1. 73.htm. African elephant at risk,” Observer, Jan. 17, org/culture-of-killing.php. 30 “Asian nations urged to shut private tiger 2010, www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ 52 Neme, op. cit., p. XVII. farms,” The Associated Press, Jan. 28, 2010, 2010/jan/17/illegal-ivory-trade-poachers-africa. 53 Richard Ellis, Tiger Bone and Rhino Horn www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/28/ 40 Wyler and Sheikh, op. cit., p. 8. (2005), p. 13. tiger-farms. 41 Ibid. 54 Laurence A. Marschall, “Ivory’s Ghosts,” Nat- 31 “Farm vegetables, not tigers,” Internation- 42 Ibid. ural History, April 2009, www.naturalhistory al Fund for Animal Welfare, www.ifaw.org/ 43 Richard Leakey, “Why is poaching for ivory mag.com/09283/ivory-s-ghosts (review of John ifaw_canada_english/join_campaigns/fight_ increasing?” Wildlife Direct, July 24, 2009, http:// Frederick Walker, Ivory’s Ghosts: the White Gold illegal_wildlife_trade/tigers/farm_vegetables_not richardleakey.wildlifedirect.org. of History and the Fate of Elephants). _tigers.php. 44 “Kenya seizes tonnes of illegal elephant 55 Ibid. 32 “Breeding tigers in farms for their parts tusks,” Reuters, Aug. 23, 2010, www.reuters. 56 For background, see Kenneth Jost, “Pro- could kill the species in the wild.” Economist, com/article/idUSTRE67M36N20100823. tecting Endangered Species,” CQ Researcher, April 19, 2007, www.economist.com/node/90 45 Pete Browne, “Amid legal ivory trade, illegal April 19, 1996, pp. 337-360. 40384?story_id=9040384. sales grow,” The New York Times, Aug. 25, 2009, 57 For background, see Tom Arrandale, “Dis- 33 Christy, op. cit., p. 86. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/amid- appearing Species,” CQ Researcher, Nov. 30, 34 “Red flag on wildlife farms,” Wildlife Con- legal-ivory-trade-illegal-sales-grow/. 2007, pp. 985-1008. servation Society, May 21, 2009, www.wcs. 46 Ibid. 58 “Nation marks Lacey Act centennial,” U.S. org/new-and-noteworthy/red-flag-on-wildlife- 47 Alan Cowell, “Bid to relax international Fish & Wildlife Service, May 30, 2000, www. farms.aspx. ban on the sale of ivory is rejected,” The New fws.gov/pacific/news/2000/2000-98.htm. 35 “Asian nations urged to shut private tiger York Times, March 22, 2010, www.nytimes. 59 Neme, op. cit., p. xviii. Also see Peter H. farms,” The Associated Press, Jan. 28, 2010, www. com/2010/03/23/world/africa/23ivory.html. Sand, “Whither CITES? The evolution of a guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/28/tiger- 48 “Open season: The burgeoning illegal ivory treaty regime in the borderland of trade and farms. trade in Tanzania and Zambia,” Environmental environment,” European Journal of Interna- 36 Michael’t Sas-Rolfes, “Wildlife farms may Investigation Agency, March 2010, www.eia- tional Law 8, no. 1, 1977, www.ejil.org/pdfs/8/ stifle rise in organized crime poaching,” The international.org/cgi/reports/reports.cgi?t=tem 1/1424.pdf. Australian, March 24, 2010, www.theaus plate&a=198. 60 Endangered Species Handbook, Animal tralian.com.au/news/opinion/wildlife-farms- 49 Farah Stockman, “Elephant economics: battle Welfare Institute, www.endangeredspecies handbook.org/trade_reptile_crocodiles.php. 61 Neme, op. cit., p. xx. About the Author 62 Dinesh Kumar, “Raid proves wildlife trade- organized crime link say activists,” The Robert Kiener is an award-winning writer whose work Malaysian Insider, July 14, 2010, www.the has appeared in the London Sunday Times, The Christian malaysianinsider.com/mobile/malaysia/article/ Science Monitor, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, Time raid-proves-wildlife-trade-organised-crime-link- Life Books, Asia Inc. and other publications. For more than say-activists/. two decades he lived and worked as an editor and cor- 63 Jan Cartwright, “International sting nabs respondent in Guam, Hong Kong and England and is now ivory traffickers,” USAID, May 29, 2010, based in the United States. He frequently travels to Asia and www.usaid.gov/press/frontlines/fl_apr10/p06_ Europe to report on international issues. He holds an M.A. thailand100412.html. 64 “Smuggling wildlife: from eggs in a bra to in Asian Studies from Hong Kong University and an M.Phil. geckos in underwear,” AFP, Aug 5, 2009, in International Relations from Cambridge University. www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeq M5jg1fwNCHcKHxumLxICiZE5TwO-KQ.

258 CQ Global Researcher 65 “Huge pangolin seizure in China,” TRAF- FIC, July 13, 2010, www.traffic.org/home/2010/ 7/13/huge-pangolin-seizure-in-china.html. FOR MORE INFORMATION 66 “Smuggling wildlife: from eggs in a bra to CITES Secretariat, International Environment House, 11 Chemin des Anémones, geckos in underwear,” op. cit. CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland; 41-(0)22-917-81-39/40; www..org. 67 Bergman, op. cit. Oversees the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 68 “South Africa vows to fight rhino poach- Fauna and Flora to ensure that international wildlife trade does not threaten the ers to ‘last man standing,’ ” NatGeo Newswatch, survival of various species. July 30, 2010, http://blogs.nationalgeographic. com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/07/south- Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT); www.cawtglobal.org. A interna- africa-to-fight-rhino-poachers-to-last-man-stand tional coalition of governmental and nongovernmental groups seeking to improve ing.html. wildlife law enforcement, reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife and help 69 Ibid. governments combat the illegal wildlife trade. 70 “Killing with Keystrokes,” International Fund for Animal Welfare, www.ifaw.org/Publications/ Environmental Investigation Agency, P.O. Box 53343, Washington, DC 20009; Program_Publications/Wildlife_Trade/Campaign_ (202) 483-6621; www.eia-international.org. An independent organization dedicated Scientific_Publications/asset_upload_file848_496 to protecting the natural world from and abuse. 29.pdf. 71 Alexis Madrigal, “Want a chimp? Endan- Global Tiger Initiative, c/o World Bank, 1818 H St., N.W., Washington, DC 20433; (202) 473-1000; www.globaltigerinitiative.org. Sponsored by the World Bank; an al- gered animals for sale online,” Wired.com, liance of governments, international agencies, civil societies and private companies Oct. 21, 2008, www.wired.com/wiredscience/ seeking to save the world’s tigers from extinction. 2008/10/ebay-shuts-down/. 72 Michael Casey, “Internet is biggest threat International Fund for Animal Welfare, 290 Summer St., Yarmouth Port, MA, to endangered species, say conservationists,” 02675; (508) 744-2000; www.ifaw.org. Seeks solutions to animal welfare and con- Guardian, March 21, 2010, www.guardian.co. servation challenges. uk/environment/2010/mar/21/endangered- species-internet-threat. Save the Tiger Fund, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1133 15th St., 73 “World cops target traditional healers over N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20005; (202) 857-0166; www.savethetigerfund.org. smuggled wildlife,” The Independent, March 6, A partnership between the ExxonMobil Foundation and the National Fish and 2010, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health- Wildlife Foundation; awards grants for tiger conservation. and-families/health-news/world-cops-target- traditional-healers-over-smuggled-wildlife-191 TRAFFIC International, 219a Huntingdon Rd., Cambridge CB3 ODL, United 7547.html. Kingdom; 44 (0)1223 277427; www.traffic.org. An international wildlife trade moni- 74 John Sellar, “How serious is wildlife crime?” toring network that works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not Freedom from Fear, Sept. 6, 2010, www.free a threat to nature conservation. domfromfearmagazine.org/index.php?option= com_content&view=article&id=230:how-serious- Wild Aid, 744 Montgomery St., Suite 120, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 834-3174; www.wildaid.org. An international nonprofit organization that works to reduce de- is-wildlife-crime&catid=49:issue-6&Itemid=186. 75 mand for threatened and endangered species products and increase public support “CITES Promises New Era of Law En- for wildlife conservation. forcement,” goallover.org blog, www.goallover. org/cites-promises-new-era-of-law-enforcement/ Wildlife Alliance, 1150 17th St., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20036; (202) 6317. 223-6350; www.wildlifealliance.org. Collaborates with governments and communities 76 Neme, op. cit., p. 197. to prevent poaching and illegal habitat destruction in Southeast Asia and the 77 “Going, Going Gone: The illegal trade in Russian Far East. wildlife in East and Southeast Asia,” World Bank, July 2005, http://siteresources.world World Wildlife Fund International, Ave. du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Geneva, Switzerland; bank.org/INTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/ (41) 22 364 9111; www.panda.org. A global conservation organization comprised of a Resources/going-going-gone.pdf. network of more than 90 offices in over 40 countries. 78 “Cambodia: Poachers turn gamekeepers in eco-tourism projects,” IRIN News, Nov. 24, 2009, www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=87170.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 259 Bibliography Selected Sources

Books McKie, Robin, “Asia’s greed for ivory puts African elephant at risk,” Observer, Jan. 17, 2010, www.guardian.co.uk/en Christy, Bryan, The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Pas- vironment/2010/jan/17/illegal-ivory-trade-poachers-africa. sions of the World’s Greatest Reptile Smugglers, Twelve, 2009. Researchers report a massive surge in illegal ivory trading. A freelance writer and former reptile collector explores the More than 14,000 products made from the tusks and other illegal reptile trade and offers a compelling look into the per- body parts of elephants were seized in 2009, an increase of sonalities involved. This book reads like a true-life crime drama more than 2,000 on their previous analysis in 2007. that ends with the arrest of a notorious wildlife smuggler. Platt, John, “Unfair trade: A week in the world of illegal Ellis, Richard, Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn: The Destruction wildlife trafficking,” Scientific American, July 20, 2010, of Wildlife for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Island Press, www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=unfair-trade- 2005. a-week-in-the-world-of-2010-07-20. A noted environmentalist offers a well-researched, detailed The reporter provides a fascinating view of a “typical week” examination of what the demand for animal parts used in in the global wildlife trafficking world. traditional Chinese medicine is doing to wildlife populations around the globe. Reports and Studies

Laufer, Peter, Forbidden Creatures: Inside the World of “Killing With Keystrokes: An Investigation into the Illegal Animal Smuggling and Exotic Pets, Lyons Press, 2010. Wildlife Trade on the World Wide Web,” International Fund An investigative journalist examines the world of wildlife for Animal Welfare, 2008. smuggling by presenting first-person portraits of both the This well-researched investigation into sales of illegal wildlife sellers and buyers of often-endangered species. items on the Internet discovered more than 7,000 animals and animal products available online, the largest portion of it sold Neme, Laurel, Animal Investigators: How the World’s First to Americans. Wildlife Forensics Lab Is Solving Crimes and Saving En- dangered Species, Scribner, 2009. “Open Season, the Burgeoning Illegal Ivory Trade in Tan- A conservationist profiles the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- zania and Zambia,”Environmental Investigation Agency, 2010. vice’s Wildlife Forensics Lab by focusing on several case stud- By conducting undercover investigations in Tanzania and ies and provides an excellent, well-researched and reported Zambia the EIA confirms an illegal ivory trade is taking place overview of the global illegal wildlife trade. in both those nations.

Articles “The State of Wildlife Trade in China,” TRAFFIC, 2008. An NGO that monitors illegal wildlife trafficking examines “World cops target traditional healers over smuggled emerging trends in China’s wildlife trade, focusing particular- wildlife,” The Independent, March 6, 2010, www.inde ly on trade in threatened and at-risk wildlife. The report also pendent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/ details the impact of China’s trade on globally important bio- world-cops-target-traditional-healers-over-smuggled- diversity “hotspots.” wildlife-1917547.html. Interpol says $13.6 million worth of illegal animal and plant Nijman, Vincent, “An overview of international wildlife products were seized in a month-long drive carried out by trade from Southeast Asia,” Biodiversity and Conserva- forces around the world. tion (2010), www.springerlink.com/content/h2484mj16 755071q/fulltext.pdf. Bergman, Charles, “Wildlife Trafficking,” Smithsonian, This comprehensive academic paper analyzes the illegal December 2009, www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/ trade of six animal groups on a country-by-country basis Wildlife-Trafficking.html. throughout Southeast Asia. An in-depth investigation of wild bird smuggling in Ecuador, one of the world’s “hotspots” for animal trafficking. Wyler, Liana, and Pervaze Sheikh, “International Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy,” Congressional Re- Christy, Bryan, “Asia’s Wildlife Trade,” National Geographic, search Service, Feb. 2, 2009. January 2010, http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/ Although somewhat U.S.-centric, this readable, well-re- 01/asian-wildlife/christy-text. searched report provides an excellent overview of the ille- The conservation writer investigates the largely-hidden Asia- gal international wildlife trade. based wildlife smugglers.

260 CQ Global Researcher The Next Step: Additional Articles from Current Periodicals

Bushmeat “Environmental Conference Aims to Protect Rare Species,” Vietnam News Agency, Nov. 25, 2009. “Congolese Chimpanzees Face New ‘Wave of Killing’ for Vietnamese environmental police are being trained by Bushmeat,” Guardian Unlimited (England), Sept. 7, 2010. CITES experts to spot illegal wildlife trade. Local taboos about eating bushmeat have broken down in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, threatening the coun- Jolly, David, “U.N. Group Rejects Protections for Sharks,” try’s chimpanzee population. The New York Times, March 24, 2010, p. A12. CITES delegates have voted down three of four proposals Grierson, Jamie, “Why the Earth May No Longer Be a Plan- to protect sharks from poachers, handing victories to Japan, et of the Apes,” Belfast (Northern Ireland), Feb. 18, 2010. China and other countries opposed to the involvement of The illegal wildlife trade and commercial bushmeat hunt- international authorities in the regulation of ocean fish. ing are bringing nearly half of the world’s primates to the brink of extinction. Ivory Sales

Ihucha, Adam, “Poachers Kill Four Giraffes in Game “Southern Africa Seeks CITES Approval for Sale of Ivory Park,” The Guardian (Tanzania), Jan. 12, 2010. Stocks,” Southern African News Features (Zimbabwe), Poachers have killed four giraffes in a Tanzanian national March 18, 2010. park, reflecting a growing appetite for bushmeat in the region. Southern African countries are seeking to legitimize the sale of their ivory stocks at the latest round of CITES talks. Redfern, Paul, “Future of Mountain Gorilla Trips in Danger,” The East African (Kenya), May 31, 2010. McCarthy, Michael, “UK to Oppose Proposed Sale of Ivory Mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic From Tanzania, Zambia,” The Post (Zambia), Jan. 28, 2010. Republic of the Congo are facing endangerment due to the Great Britain is expected to vote against the proposed sale growing bushmeat trade. of stockpiled ivory from Tanzania and Zambia, which con- servationists fear would lead to an increased slaughter of Chinese Medicine African elephants.

“China to Work With India on Curbing Tiger Poaching,” Walker, John Frederick, “Selling Ivory to Save the Ele- The Hindu (India), Sept. 4, 2010. phants,” The Washington Post, Oct. 17, 2009, p. A15. China and India have agreed to cooperate on sharing in- An estimated 37,000 elephants are poached every year telligence on the illegal trade in tiger parts, which tradi- across the African continent in pursuit of their ivory tusks. tionally make their way into therapeutic Chinese medicines.

“Chinese Customs Officials Seize Thousands of Dead CITING CQ GLOBAL RESEARCHER Pangolins,” Guardian Unlimited (England), July 13, 2010. Sample formats for citing these reports in a bibliography Chinese authorities have intercepted one of the largest ever include the ones listed below. Preferred styles and formats hauls of illegally smuggled pangolins, which were likely to be incorporated into medicines or exotic dishes. vary, so please check with your instructor or professor. MLA STYLE Jacobs, Andrew, “Tiger Farms in China Feed Thirst for Parts,” The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2010, p. A4. Flamini, Roland. “Nuclear Proliferation.” CQ Global Re- Despite a government ban on the trade since 1993, a ro- searcher 1 Apr. 2007: 1-24. bust market for tiger bones thrives in China, prized for their alleged healing and aphrodisiac qualities. APA STYLE Flamini, R. (2007, April 1). Nuclear proliferation. CQ Global CITES Researcher, 1, 1-24.

“CITES Toughens Up on Illegal Wildlife Trade Online,” CHICAGO STYLE Al Bawaba (Jordan), March 23, 2010. Flamini, Roland. “Nuclear Proliferation.” CQ Global Researcher, Stricter measures to control the spread of illegal wildlife trade over the Internet were endorsed at the latest CITES April 1, 2007, 1-24. meeting in Doha, Qatar.

www.globalresearcher.com October 2010 261 Voices From Abroad:

PHAM VAN LINH ing been bought online. A BELINDA WRIGHT that traders mix ivory from Conservative government wild elephants with ivory Vice Chairman, Party would create a code of Executive Director, Wildlife from domestic ones, so it is Central Committee’s Com- practice for online retailers Protection Society India difficult to separate them.” to ensure they’re not facili- mission for Publicity and Bangkok Post, April 2010 tating the sale of illegal China must change Education, Vietnam ivory and we should rein- “All of the demand for force our borders with a new tiger parts is coming from JULIUS KIPNG’ETICH Tourists must be educated UK Border Police force, China. Unless the Chinese Director, Kenya Wildlife “Raising awareness among which would take action to change their attitude, the tiger Service travelers regarding wildlife combat smuggling and ille- has no future on this Earth.” protection laws will be es- gal trade of all kinds.” sential in halting the illegal The New York Times Chinese responsible and unsustainable trade that The Independent (England) February 2010 for poaching is pushing many species to- January 2010 “Poaching has risen wards extinction in Vietnam WATANA VEPAYAPRASIT sharply in areas where the and across Southeast Asia.” HAJI YAHYA BIN HJ Chinese are building roads. Director, Wildlife and Flora Is that a coincidence? Nine- Vietnam News Agency IDRIS Conservation Division ty percent of the ivory con- May 2010 Controller of Royal Brunei Thailand fiscated at Nairobi airport is Customs and Excise in Chinese luggage. Some WILL TRAVERS Tough to distinguish Chinese say we are being CEO, Born Free Founda- All suffer “Trade in ivory from wild racist, but our sniffer dogs are not racist.” tion, England “Everyone is affected by elephants is illegal. The wildlife crime. Illegal activi- challenge which authorities Sunday Telegraph (England) Legal sales make it worse ties damage our environment face in enforcing the law is March 2010 “Far from lessening the as well as endanger many market’s demand for ivory, of the species that inhabit the evidence suggests strong- our planet. In wildlife crime, ly that legitimate sales of ivory the direct victim is the plant only make the dealers want or animal that is exploited, more. The last so-called ‘one- rather than an individual or off’ sale of stockpiled ivory group of people.” was just over a year ago and Borneo Bulletin (Indonesia) all the indications are that April 2010 this only made the poachers eager to get in on the act.” HA CONG TUAN The Express (England) Deputy, General Depart- February 2010 ment of Forestry, Vietnam

NICK HERBERT The entire region is Environment Secretary, affected England “The wildlife illegal trade is threatening many wild Problems at home need species of animals and plants, to be addressed not just in Vietnam but also “At home, we need to the region.” tackle the domestic trade, Vietnam News Briefs which often comes across April 2010 our borders unchecked, hav- Hagen