Strengthening the Implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) in and :

A TRAINING MANUAL FOR CUSTOMS OFFICERS.

This training manual was produced by Born Free USA, thanks to the support of the American people (through the Program on Biodiversity and Climate Change in West Africa (WA BiCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency (NOAA), is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the Government of the United States. Train the Trainer Instruction Manual Contents

1. Background to the Train the Trainer programme 8

2. Overall aims and objectives 9

3. Working out training needs for each country 10 and target audience

4. How the modules should be used 11

5. What resources are required to carry out training 12

6. Planning training workshops in country 13

7. Skills and knowledge required to provide 15 training to different audiences

8. Module 1: What is CITES and How Does it Work? 20

8.1 – aims and objectives of the module

8.2 – training points

8.3 – exercise

9. Module 2: Understanding the CITES Appendices 42

9.1 – aims and objectives of the module

9.2 – training points

9.3 – exercise

5 10. Module 3: Main Species Traded in the West Africa Region 66 15. Module 8: Domestic Legislation Implementing CITES 270

10.1 – aims and objectives of the module 15.1 – aims and objectives of the module

10.2 – training points 15.2 – training points

11. Module 4: Identification of Key Species in Illegal Trade, 130 16. Module 9: Wildlife Smuggling Techniques 272 including elephants, rhinos, pangolins, sharks and rays 16.1 – aims and objectives of the module 11.1 – aims and objectives of the module 16.2 – training points 11.2 – training points 16.3 – exercise 11.3 – exercise 17. Module 10: Examinations at the Border 312 12. Module 5: Customs Role in Wildlife Enforcement 204 17.1 – aims and objectives of the module 12.1 – aims and objectives of the module 17.2 – training points 12.2 – training points 17.3 – exercise 13. Module 6: Checking CITES Permits 226 18. Module 11: Evidence Management 348 13.1 – aims and objectives of the module 18.1 – aims and objectives of the module 13.2 – training points 18.2 – training points 14. Module 7: CITES Permit Fraud 252 18.3 – exercise 14.1 – aims and objectives of the module

14.2 – training points

14.3 – exercise

6 7 Introduction 2. Aims and Objectives of the Workshop Usually capacity building in controlling the illegal wildlife trade is organised regionally or in specific countries by NGOs. Whilst this is hugely important, it does limit the number of officials that can be 1. Background to the Train the Trainer Workshop trained at any one time and doesn’t always provide the skills for those attending to cascade train colleagues when they return to their places During 2017, a wildlife crime threat assessment was carried out in of work. Most countries also employ a rotation system for staff, often 7 of the 15 ECOWAS countries to gain a better understanding of moving them to a different post after anywhere between 3 months wildlife trafficking in those countries, to understand how enforcement to a year. This means it would be necessary to continually return to currently works, and to make a list of recommendations to support key areas in order to familiarise new officers arriving, which is just not existing capacity. One major common denominator in terms of needs sustainable for any length of time. in every country visited, was the lack of effective capacity building to support wildlife enforcement capability and this is likely to be a similar The aim of this workshop is to provide participants with the scenario in most of the remaining ECOWAS countries to be visited necessary skills to train other colleagues/agencies upon return to in 2019. There has occasionally been some sporadic training, but it their home countries and to provide them with the opportunity has been very limited and involved only a small number of people, to practice those skills in a classroom situation. The sort of skills and there was nothing built into any system. It is fair to say that they will learn will enable them to be flexible in their approach to knowledge about wildlife trafficking and the laws to tackle it in most training, providing basic awareness to some participants and more of these countries is therefore very limited. comprehensive knowledge to others depending on the tasks they perform. They will form a small network with those who have also CITES Management Authorities and associated agencies, along taken part in this and other workshops, with whom they can share with Customs, are at the forefront in both the administration and experiences and seek advice from. Those who are considered suitable enforcement of wildlife trade, so it is particularly important that they to carry out training in this subject will be added to a list of trainers receive the appropriate training to enable them to carry out their who may be used to assist training in other countries or regionally. work effectively.This train the trainer workshop will hopefully be the start of a process that looks to provide the skills required to address the current dearth of knowledge in this area.

8 9 3. Working Out Training Needs and Target Audience 4. How to Use the Modules

Upon return to their home countries, successful participants will The training modules cover the various requirements of dealing need to consider how best to provide their skills and who their with the legal and illegal trade in CITES species, from the aspects of target audiences should be. If we deal with the second part first, the why and how it works, to the more technical areas of enforcement. first question to ask is who actually needs wildlife training, is it just Whilst Modules such as 1 and 2 are factual and will need little Customs and Wildlife authorities, or are their other agencies that adaption in the future, most of the others will need to be either could benefit? Clearly frontline officers in both Customs and Wildlife altered to suit individual countries, such as domestic legislation, or authorities based at the border crossing points, require knowledge updated to take into consideration the ever-evolving nature of wildlife in order to effectively detect the illegal trade in wildlife during their trafficking. Trainers therefore need to keep up to date with things work. However, there are agencies such as Phytosanitary, Veterinary, like new species being added to CITES or, like the pangolin species, Security, Police officers and others that are also involved in searching being uplisted to the endangered category of CITES Appendix I; new people and/or goods and criminal investigation, who could also play an methods of smuggling and trafficking routes will also need to be important role. Those working for airlines, freight companies, couriers, noted and included in the appropriate modules. postal mail clearance, etc. could also benefit from some knowledge, as illegal trade in wildlife takes place in all those areas. Module 8 covers national legislation, and this should be added by trainers as it will need to be personalised to each country. Is it necessary to provide the same training to all of these people? The answer of course is no. There are 11 modules in this workshop, so As mentioned in 3. above, each module can be used either on its own, it is a question of selecting the most appropriate ones for the target or in tandem with others, depending what it is that participants are audience. If the audience is for instance Security officers, then maybe required to do in their jobs.There is a PowerPoint presentation for it is just awareness about the illegal wildlife trade that is required, each module other than 8,‘Domestic Legislation Implementing CITES’, so modules 1, 3 and 4 might only be needed. However, if it is for which needs to be adapted to each country’s circumstances and be Customs officers on the frontline, then they may need most of the reviewed periodically to ensure the information is kept up to date. modules. It is all a question of balancing out how much time they can allocate to the training, and what knowledge they actually need in order to be able to be effective in disrupting the illegal wildlife trade.

10 11 5. Resources to Carryout Training 6. Planning Workshops

Many of the modules are very visual and therefore a laptop computer, The first action is to draw up a list of where the training is most projector and screen (which can be just a white sheet or wall) will be required and who should be the recipients. For instance, within required. Customs it is likely to be the main international airports and container sea ports, then border crossing points; for Wildlife It is always better for participants to see and touch CITES specimens authorities it may be those who are based at these ports or airports, rather than to view images of them, so where possible, examples of or who cover them as part of their duties, and for Police is may confiscated items such as ivory, pangolin scales, snake skins, cat skins, be specialist units who are responsible for the investigation and hippo teeth, coral, etc. should be used as examples and in exercises. prosecution of wildlife cases.

Training courses should be conducted where possible jointly by At airports and ports there tends to be a multitude of authorities Customs and Wildlife authorities as this fosters the close relationship who have responsibility for dealing with passengers and cargo, so it needed between these agencies. Use of guest speakers is to be is necessary to know what their needs would be in learning about encouraged, particularly those that are experts in more specialist the illegal trade in wildlife. Where possible it is very useful to have subjects such as species identification, risk profiling and evidence multi-agency participation at training events to foster a spirit of management. collaboration and for them to get to know each other, so they have a personal contact should the need arise. It is important however that the requirements for each agency are matched so that they are receiving the right amount of information for the work they do. For instance, security officers at the airport could be matched with those customs officers who are directed to check specific passenger’s bags or cargo consignments, and maybe also with phytosanitary and veterinary officers. They would most likely need basic awareness training, which would take the minimum amount of time, but provide them with enough information to know what to do if they come across wildlife specimens. Those who have a wider role to play, such as team leaders responsible for directing searches, intelligence units and nominated wildlife liaison officers in customs, and perhaps police investigation units responsible for wildlife crime, would require training in the majority of the modules, if not all.

12 13 Agreement with the senior officials in each agency to carry out 7. Running a Workshop training will of course need to be sought, but it would be wise as well to have a plan in mind which takes into consideration their Having planned the workshop and chosen the venue for holding operational circumstances. Security at airport terminals, for instance, it, those that are going to conduct it need to be prepared to do have an exceedingly important job of keeping passengers safe and their part. Guest speakers need to get their presentations into the this cannot be compromised for the sake of training them on wildlife organisers in plenty of time in advance, so they can be checked and trafficking. Flexibility and discussion with their senior officials is the incorporated into the training programme. It should be agreed with key to getting it done. There may be training days that they have them how much time they require for their presentation so that a already allocated which the wildlife training could be piggybacked on, programme can be scheduled for the event. It is good policy to build or they may prefer it done before/after their shifts, whatever suits in ten minutes or so at the end of each presentation for questions. them best. It is almost certain that several events would need to be Something to consider is that programmes need to be kept flexible, held to cover the different officers working shifts. so if one presentation runs over because of interaction by the participants, that time is made up elsewhere or the event runs over Ideally a dedicated training room would be best to undertake the a little bit. The all-important thing is that participants go away with training, however, realistically in many places there might not be a much clearer idea of how they can do their bit to stop wildlife one of those available. For more lengthy training courses, it will be trafficking. necessary to have tables and chairs for the participants to work at, but for basic awareness training sessions, if there is nowhere suitable Participation is a critical part to learning and programmes should like that then even standing in a room or at a quiet work station therefore be built with this in mind. Participation can either be within a will be possible as long as the trainers adapt their material to the presentation, i.e. encouraging them to come up with answers/solutions, circumstances. or giving examples from their own experiences, or it can be done having more formal exercises during or at the end of a presentation. Many of the training schools for new entrants, particularly in Customs A mixture of these tends to work best. For example, rather than tell but also other agencies, do not cover their role in CITES at the participants what CITES stands for, find out first what they know border, which means that unless they receive on-the-job training about it; rather that telling them about different smuggling methods, subsequently, they will never realise it has anything to do with them. give them 5 minutes to discuss it between themselves at each table It would be hugely beneficial to the departments, new recruits and and then allow them to present their collective thoughts. They will trainers if at least awareness of the role they play in CITES was learn more this way than simply being lectured to, as it encourages covered before they are dispersed around the country to their them to think for themselves and to interact with others. Formal allocated posts. Discussions with the departmental training units exercises at the end of presentations are a good way of judging should be considered as a priority. whether they have understood a subject or not. Exercises can be

14 15 undertaken individually, in pairs, or collectively by those at each table. 8. Expectations for Those Attending this Train the Going through the answers to exercises at the end will allow trainers Trainer Workshop to provide a more detailed explanation if needed. There will be three persons attending the workshop from each If numbers attending training workshops are not too numerous, it is country, one from the Wildlife authority and two from Customs. It good practice to have the participants introduce themselves, including would be a good idea to meet/get to know each other before you where they work and any experience of dealing with wildlife trade arrive. It is expected that you will have read through all the material they have had, as it breaks the ice and they get to know a little bit before arriving at the workshop and, if possible, looked through the about their colleagues. Trainers will also need to introduce themselves presentations for each module so you are at least familiar with their and explain why the training is necessary, the objectives of the training, layouts. go through the programme and explain how it will be conducted, i.e. start times, finishing times, audience participation, etc. You will be expected to participate fully throughout the workshop and work as a team with the other two colleagues from your country. The names of all those attending, and their contact details, should be After each module has been completed by the trainers, you will be taken at the start of the training and if taking place over more than asked to give presentations along with your colleagues, for which one day, the daily attendance should be noted.This will enable trainers you will be given some time beforehand to prepare. There may and management to keep a list of all those that have completed the also be times when you have to complete some work after the day entire workshop and thereby work out who needs to go to future has finished in preparation for the following day, particularly if the events.The list and contact details of all the participants should be schedule gets behind. However, this will be kept to a minimum. copied to each person for future reference. You will be encouraged to give constructive feedback after Remember, although training is a serious business, it is essential that presentations by other groups and receive the same in return, as it is done in a collaborative way and with humour, so it is made to it is all part of the process to improve skills.Trainers will also give be an enjoyable experience as well as an educational one for those feedback individually during the week and are there to provide you participating. with any support/help you may require.

Although the workshop will be intensive, it will be carried out in a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere, so by the end you will have not only have learned a great deal but hopefully will have enjoyed the experience also!

16 17 Training Modules • It is important to emphasise - CITES came into force on 1 throughout that there are July 1975. many national authorities - A State or regional economic - what documents are required involved in CITES and that Module 1:What is CITES integration organization for legal trade in species coordination is essential. and how does it work? for which the Convention listed in each appendix has entered into force is Objectives – CITES stands for • If Customs are being trained, then it would be worth going called a Party to CITES. Convention on International • The procedure for issuing Currently there are 183 into a little more depth about Trade of Endangered Species of permits Parties (nearly every country their role in CITES permit Wild Fauna and Flora. By the of the world).All ECOWAS • The role of Customs in the end of this module, participants checking and reporting to the countries are signatories to administration of CITES should have an understanding of: Management Authority. the convention. Training notes: • What CITES means, why • There is an exercise at the - There are three working it is necessary, how and end which can be altered/ languages of CITES: English, • This module has been kept where it is administered, the added to make it more French and Spanish.All CITES number of parties who are quite simple as it is not country-specific. In the permits must be in one of signatories, and the status of necessary for most officials PowerPoint you have been those languages, although the countries participating being trained to have a deep given, questions are posed one it is also possible to use understanding of how CITES at a time and can be asked native languages alongside. • How CITES is implemented works. It can be adapted to generally of the participants. The CITES website can in member States and which individualise it to your own You can of course change it be accessed in the three authorities are likely to be countries, i.e. name your to whatever suits the way you languages. involved in the administration Management Authority (MA), would rather conduct it. and enforcement of the the Scientific Authority (SA) - Annually, international wildlife regulations trade is estimated to be and those organisations who Some facts about CITES: are responsible for enforcing worth billions of dollars • How CITES protects species: and to include hundreds of the wildlife laws. You could - CITES is an international millions of plant and also can add contact details of agreement between - the appendices to CITES specimens.The trade is governments. Its aim is to the MA, or the person(s) who diverse, ranging from live ensure that international - the criteria for each appendix can provide assistance with and plants to a vast trade in specimens of wild permits and general issues array of wildlife products animals and plants does not about the wildlife trade. derived from them, including threaten their survival. food products, exotic leather

18 19 goods, wooden musical system. Each Party to the - A specimen of a CITES-listed if the import will be for instruments, timber, tourist Convention must designate species may be imported purposes that are not curios and medicines. one or more Management into or exported (or re- detrimental to the survival of Authorities in charge of exported) from a Party to the species in the wild. In the - Because the trade in wild administering that licensing the Convention only if the case of a live animal or plant, animals and plants crosses system and one or more appropriate document has the Scientific Authority must borders between countries, been obtained and presented Scientific Authorities to advise be satisfied that the proposed the effort to regulate it them on the effects of trade for clearance at the port of recipient is suitably equipped requires international on the status of the species. entry and exit. cooperation to safeguard to house and care for it. certain species from over- - The species covered by CITES - Stricter measures may be exploitation. are listed in three appendices, taken unilaterally by individual 2. An export permit or re- according to the degree of CITES Parties; for instance export certificate issued by - Although CITES is legally protection they need. the EU requires export and the Management Authority of binding on the Parties – in import permits not only for the State of export or re- other words they have to - Appendix I includes species species listed in Appendix I, export is also required. implement the Convention threatened with extinction. but also for those listed in – it does not take the place Trade in specimens of these Appendix II (in the EU they 3. An export permit may be of national laws. Rather it species is permitted only in are called Annex A and Annex issued only if the specimen provides a framework to exceptional circumstances. B). In addition, many Appendix was legally obtained; the trade be respected by each Party, II species that are indigenous will not be detrimental to the which has to adopt its own - Appendix II includes species to EU member counties, are survival of the species in the domestic legislation to ensure not necessarily threatened listed in Annex A (equivalent wild; and an import permit that CITES is implemented at with extinction, but in which to Appendix I). has already been issued. the national level. trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilisation Trade requirements for 4. In the case of a live animal or - CITES works by subjecting incompatible with their Appendix-I specimens: plant, it must be prepared and international trade in survival. specimens of selected 1. An import permit issued by shipped to minimize any risk species to certain controls. - Appendix III contains species the Management Authority of injury, damage to health or All import, export, re-export that are protected in at least of the State of import is cruel treatment. and introduction from the one country, which has asked required. This may be issued 5. There are 1,003 species listed sea of species covered by other CITES Parties for only if the specimen is not assistance in controlling the in Appendix I, of which 669 the Convention has to be to be used for primarily authorised through a licensing trade. are animal species commercial purposes and

20 21 Trade requirements for Trade requirements • The Scientific Authority Appendix-II specimens: for Appendix-III for animals and plants specimens: (sometimes there is one for 1. An export permit or re- each), will provide the non- export certificate issued by 1. In the case of trade from detrimental findings and: the Management Authority of a State that included the the State of export or re- species in Appendix III, an • The appropriate government export is required. export permit issued by the department, which is usually Management Authority of that Customs, is responsible 2. An export permit may be State is required. This may be for checking permits and issued only if the specimen issued only if the specimen specimens at export and was legally obtained and if was legally obtained and, in at import. Details of the the export would not be the case of a live animal or Customs’ procedure for detrimental to the survival plant, if it will be prepared processing permits can be of the species in the wild. and shipped to minimize found in Module 5 ‘Customs any risk of injury, damage to Role in Wildlife Enforcement’. 3. No import permit is needed health or cruel treatment. unless required by national To find out more about CITES, go law. 2. In the case of export from to their website at: https://www. any other State, a certificate .org/eng 4. In the case of a live animal or of origin issued by its plant, it must be prepared and Management Authority is shipped to minimize any risk required. of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment. 3. There are 202 species listed in Appendix III, of which 190 5. There are 34,596 species are animal species listed in Appendix II, of which 29,644 are plant species • The Management Authority is responsible for issuing permits

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Module 2: Understanding Training notes: • In order to check whether species won’t matter since the CITES Appendices a species is listed on CITES, whatever primate species has • This is quite a technical the specimen will need to been found will require some Objectives - By the end of module if you don’t yet have have been identified first. It sort of permit. this module participants of the any experience of working is essential that the scientific workshop should be able to: with CITES, and it is not name for a specimen is • If the Order or Family is necessarily needed by all known when checking listed in Appendix II, then • Have a basic understanding those who are potentially manually, as there are no it will say something like of and the role going to be involved in dealing common names listed. If you ‘except the species (or sub- it plays in identifying an with this area. For those have access to the internet, species) listed in Appendix I.’ organism to species level who have ready access to then you can check to find This means that the species/ the internet, it is much easier out what the scientific name sub-species included in • Understand what a , to use the online CITES is by keying the common Appendix I will be listed and species and sub-species checklists that are available. name into a search engine and you will therefore need to means in the context of the However, it is often the case looking through the results of check whether the specimen CITES Appendices that people on the frontline trusted websites. If you use you are concerned with is don’t have access to the the CITES Checklist website included there. If it is not • Check whether a species is internet, and if they’re in a online then common names there, then it is included listed on CITES and in which role that requires them to can be searched, however, be in Appendix II. See the Appendix check whether species are aware that different common example below (in green) listed on CITES, then they names for the same species for Primates. ‘Primates spp.’ • Understand what it means will need to know how to are often used and thus they are listed under Appendix II, if the whole order, family or use a paper hardcopy of the may not be included in the ‘(Except the species included genus is listed on CITES Appendices. terminology. It is therefore in Appendix I)’. If you look better to find out the under Appendix I (in red), • Understand the need to • A small amount of knowledge scientific name first if possible. you will see a list of species, check for annotations, about taxonomy is required starting with Alouatta colbensis. and from that, whether a to understand some of the • Quite often the entire order Any primate not listed there specimen is included in CITES terminology, i.e. you know or family is listed on CITES, will therefore be Appendix II. or not what order, family, genus e.g. if the species is a monkey, and species mean when you all primates are listed under • Know where to find an easy are checking a specimen. Appendix I or II, so in the way to check online whether Examples included in this initial stages of an inspection a specimen is listed on CITES module should help in this at the border the exact (with access to the internet) respect.

38 39 When a species is included Appendix unless the species - If the text is long, or applies to the annotation text is included in the Appendices, all parts listing is annotated to indicate a number of different species, at the bottom of the page: and derivatives of the species that only specific parts and are also included in the same derivatives are included.

- If the text concerns parts and ‘#’ followed by a number, and derivatives applying to a large the text of these annotations number of plant species, it is is shown at the bottom of the referenced with the symbol page.

• Annotations appear in - If the text is not too long and the Appendices in three applies to one taxon only, it different ways: is immediately included after the name of the species: • It is very important to read • There is an exercise at the annotations carefully to see end of the module which whether they apply in the should be given as a handout circumstances, as it can be and completed in pairs of the difference of whether a participants. specimen in listed on CITES or not. • Copies of the Appendices will also have to be provided to participants in order to undertake the exercise.

40 41 • The questions can be gone • For those who have limited • As a warm up, a few examples • The exercise can easily be through using the PowerPoint access to the internet, it is should be gone through with modified to reflect wildlife and with participants important that they have the participants to ensure trade in individual countries. providing answers as you go the latest version of the they understand the process. along. CITES Appendices in paper They should be encouraged hardcopy as the species lists to check the CITES • The exercise can easily are updated from time-to- Appendices themselves, and be modified to suit each time, and always after each to provide their answers to country’s situation with Conference of the Parties the trainer who can then regards to CITES trade. It (CoP) where the main explain how the correct seems quite daunting to begin decisions on changes are answer is achieved if they with, but with practise it made. struggle to get it right. The becomes second nature. number of examples used • The latest Appendices list can be increased depending • At the end of the module, can be found at: https://cites. on the comprehension of the how to use the CITES org/eng/app/appendices.php participants. Three examples Checklist online will be At the top right-hand side of have been included below: explained, and you will have the page there is a pdf copy the opportunity of trying it which can be downloaded • The answers to the exercise out for yourselves. onto a computer and/or a are included below and can hardcopy printed. Check from be gone through one at a • The CITES checklist is time-to-time to make sure time using PowerPoint, getting within the CITES Secretariat you have the latest version. the participants to provide website. The URL is: http:// their answers first. checklist.cites.org/#/en Module 2 Exercise • The questions should be • The CITES website can be • This exercise is to test given as handouts, with 1 used in English, as well as participants’ knowledge on copy shared between 3 French and Spanish, the three checking whether species are participants, so they can work working languages of CITES. listed on CITES and in which as a team. The printed-out Appendix, either manually version of the exercise can be or online if there are the found at Annex A. facilities to do so.

42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 Module 3: Main Species Training notes: action can be taken, whether Mammals Traded in the West Africa it be to let the specimen Region • The main purpose of this continue onwards, or to take There are several categories of module is to broaden the enforcement action. mammals covered in this module: Objectives - By the end of knowledge of enforcement Duikers, Primates, Cats, Pangolins, this module participants of the officers of the different • The module not only covers Hippopotamuses, and Elephants. workshop should be able to: species of animals and plants what animals and plants All the mammals featured occur that are listed in CITES, and look like when alive, but also in West Africa, are listed in CITES • Have a better understanding therefore require permits covers the forms that they and are seen in trade. However, about the CITES listed groups for cross border trade.They are usually traded in, such as this module is not exhaustive of animals and plants being will not become experts in skins, clothing, accessories, and so does not cover all CITES traded in the West Africa wildlife identification as a jewellery, bushmeat, listed mammal species. region. result of this module, but taxidermy, handicrafts, etc. hopefully they will be able It is important that when Duikers • Have a better understanding identify the characteristics enforcement officers find of the form that animals and of groups/families, which in items such as jewellery, • They are a small to medium plants are traded in, e.g. live, many cases should be enough handbags, etc. that they sized antelope of which skins, parts, products and to raise suspicion when can tell whether it is made there are around 22 species, derivatives. specimens are found. from an animal or plant and distributed throughout sub- therefore might be listed in Saharan African countries. • Be able to identify some of • The module does not cover CITES. the specimens found in trade all West African species listed • Whilst they are an important to order, family, genus, and in in CITES that may be traded, • The module is broken down source of protein and income, some cases, species level. only the main groups. It is into these different groups: over-hunting and habitat important to emphasise this Mammals, , , destruction has put some of • Better understand where the and to note that specimens of Marine and other animals, the species at risk. consumer markets are for wildlife found at the borders and Plants and Timber. These wildlife, in particular those should be identified so that groups are then split down • Six species of duiker are that are in illegal trade. the appropriate course of into families/species. listed on Appendix II of CITES while one species, Jentink’s duiker, is listed in Appendix I. All of these species occur in the West

62 63 African region and CITES borders, destined for local • There are at least 60 species on as pets to local villagers, permits are required for markets and cities.There is of primates in the West people in towns and for cross border trade. also evidence that they are African region, many of international trade. Young illegally exported as bushmeat which are under threat from chimpanzees are specifically • Illegal cross border trade of to expats living abroad in deforestation and over- targeted by hunters as they duikers is a problem in some other countries. hunting. can fetch a lot of money, West African countries; the particularly from overseas carcasses are smuggled over Primates • Chimpanzees are customers. Poachers usually categorised as one of the kill entire families or social • They range in size from ‘great apes’ along with groups to capture the infants. Mouse lemurs, the smallest of Bonobos, Gorillas and These are sold locally but which weighs 30 gm, to the Orangutans, and are closely are also smuggled overseas, Eastern gorilla weighing in at related to humans. They particularly to countries in over 200 kg. mainly occur in the south- Asia and the Middle East, western areas of West where the financial rewards • Primates are distinguishable Africa and are classified are much greater. from other animals because as endangered due to of their large brain, binocular deforestation and illegal trade. Bay Duiker vision (they tend to use sight They are listed in CITES rather than smell to locate Appendix I. There are 4 food, etc.) and most have recognised , but for opposable thumbs which CITES purposes, chimpanzee enables them to climb trees, is listed to species level only: grasp and hold items in a way Pan troglodytes. similar to humans. • Primates are exploited in • The entire Order Primates several ways: is listed in CITES in either Duiker bushmeat Appendix II or Appendix I, - Live animals, mainly babies, the exception to this being are collected by hunters/ mankind. CITES permits are poachers when they kill therefore required for cross the parents for bushmeat. border trade for any primate. These babies are then sold

64 65 - Primate skulls and taxidermy • They are split into two • Lion populations in the specimens are sold to categories, Big cats and Small West African region are collectors and dealers often cats. very sparse, and lion-human via the internet.The rarer the conflict is a major reason for specimen, the more money it • There are 10 species of cat their demise. Lion populations will make, and so those most in Africa, 8 of which occur in are untenable outside of endangered species are often West Africa. designated protected areas targeted. because of this problem. Infant chimps in a rescue centre • The entire Order Felidae - In some countries the trade is listed in CITES in either • They are the largest of in primate body parts for Appendix II or Appendix I, the cats in Africa and are traditional medicines and - Identification to species level the exception to this being recognisable from their local rituals is common, and of primates which have been the domestic cat which is not. uniform tawny colour which poachers will cross borders smoked is very difficult, but CITES permits are therefore has no markings; the male has to hunt specimens and also if found crossing a border required for cross border a large mane around its head. to sell to markets specialising without a CITES permit, then trade for any cat. in this. it would be illegal whatever • The main trade in lions is the species. • Big cats in Africa include: taxidermy specimens, i.e. - The biggest trade of primates hunting trophies, rug mounts, is as bushmeat. Most West Cats (Felidae) - Lion - Panthera leo or teeth and claws made into African countries have jewellery. There is also a trade bushmeat markets and many • Cats are carnivorous and - Leopard - Panthera pardus in live animals, mainly cubs. of these can be found selling adapted to stalking and Acinonyx jubatus primate carcasses at their ambushing their prey. They - Cheetah - • Lions are listed in Appendix stalls. Bushmeat is also illegally have slender, muscular bodies, (not strictly a Big Cat, but II of CITES, which means exported to other countries strong flexible forelimbs, often included) that CITES permits must be where there is an ex-patriot retractable claws for climbing issued for international trade. community and there have and holding their prey, and a All three species occur in However, there is a zero quota been many seizures in Europe strong bite. They often have a the West African region, for any parts and derivatives and North America where spotted or striped patterned albeit somewhat tenuously as of lions, including bones, skulls, primates have been involved. coat which acts as camouflage they are under major threat skeletons, teeth and claws. This when hunting or resting. from habitat destruction and is to stop them being traded poaching. for use in traditional medicines.

66 67 • Leopards occur mainly in the trade for live animals or south-western part of the their parts and derivatives is West Africa region and are prohibited, aside from those also suffering from human countries with quotas. conflict problems. They have relatively short legs, a long • Cheetahs only occur in a few body and a long tail, which West African countries now, makes them ideal for climbing suffering from habitat loss, trees where they take their poaching, the illegal pet trade, Leopard has black ‘rosettes’ Cheetah has solid black spots prey to stop predators from and human-animal conflict. stealing it from them. They Poachers target the cubs have yellow background fur, which are then smuggled to which can vary between a the Middle East in particular, light colour to a dark one, but also other countries, with black rosettes. where they are bought for large sums of money to have • The main trade in leopards is as pets and to hunt with them. hunting trophies, taxidermy specimens and skins. In some • Cheetahs have a Cheetah’s black ‘tear’ markings Lion Panthera leo (male) African countries, leopard slender body, deep chest, skin shoulder mounts are spotted coat, small rounded considered as a tribal status. head, black tear-like streaks from their eyes, long thin • Some African countries have legs and a long spotted tail. set quotas for the export They are much slighter in size of leopard skins to facilitate than leopards and lions but licenced hunting. are built for speed in order No countries in West Africa to chase down their smaller have any quotas. prey in open landscapes. The Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Leopard Panthera pardus spots on a cheetah are solid • Leopards are listed in and therefore differ from Appendix I of CITES, so those on a leopard. international commercial

68 69 • Apart from the trade in • All these species are listed • Serval skins are found in cheetah cubs, hunting in Appendix II of CITES, trade, and fur coats made trophies and skins are also therefore CITES permits are from serval can also be found found in the international required for international for sale worldwide. Servals marketplace. trade in live animals or their are also popular as pets, and parts and derivatives. whilst most of the trade is in • Three African countries have captive-bred specimens, there set quotas for the export of is also undoubtedly a market live specimens and hunting in wild-taken cubs. trophies. No countries in West Africa have quotas. • The caracal is related to the African golden cat, although • Cheetahs are listed in Caracal’s tufted ears is slimmer, more powerful and Appendix I of CITES, so the fastest cat of its size. The international commercial • The main trade in these small skin of both cats is similar trade in any live animals or cat species is in their skins, in colour but can be quite their parts and derivatives is which can often be found variable from an orangey- prohibited, aside from those in marketplaces throughout red to a dark grey, however countries with quotas. West Africa, particularly for the Golden cat often has serval. noticeable dark spots on Small cats: There are five their skin. The easiest way to species which occur in the West • Some of these cat species identify them apart, however, Africa region: have also been seen in the is by their ears. The caracal bushmeat trade. has long black tufted ears, Neck markings on a Serval - Serval - Leptailurus serval whilst the golden cat has • Servals have similar markings standard cat ears (see photos - Felis silvestris - African wildcat to a cheetah, i.e. solid black above). spots, but apart from size - Sand cat - Felis margarita (cheetahs are much larger), • The African wildcat and they tend to have long sand cat have much smaller - Caracal - Caracal caracal streaked black markings on bodies. The African wildcat their neck and don’t have the - African golden cat - weighs on average 4 kg while black ‘tears’ from their eyes. Caracal aurata the sand cat weighs 2 kg. African golden cat

70 71 Pangolins: There are eight • Pangolins are easy to swamp areas in , Sierra • There is also some hunting species of pangolin, four Asian distinguish as they have large Leone, and Cte of Pygmy hippos for their and four African. Of the four keratin scales all over their d’Ivoire. meat, but unlike the Common African species, three occur in skin to protect them, the only hippo their small teeth have West Africa. They are: mammal to do so. They are • Both species of hippo are no financial value. solitary nocturnal animals listed in Appendix II of - Tree pangolin or White- that live in tree hollows or CITES. Elephants: There are two species bellied pangolin - burrows, depending on the of elephant recognised by CITES: Manis tricuspis species. • The populations of both species are in decline within - Asian elephant - Elephas - Giant pangolin or Giant • Pangolins are heavily traded West Africa, largely due maximus ground pangolin - as bushmeat, but it is their to deforestation and over- Manis gigantea scales where the real value hunting. Human conflict with - African elephant - Loxodonta is, and these are trafficked in the Common hippo has africana - Long-tailed pangolin or vast quantities, particularly increasingly been a problem, Black-bellied pangolin - to China, Vietnam and a strong indication of habitat • The Asian elephant is listed Manis tetradactyla other parts of East Asia. loss. on Appendix I of CITES, and Identification and use of these therefore all international • Up until 2017, pangolins were animals are covered in the • Unregulated hunting of the commercial trade in them is listed in Appendix II of CITES; next module. Common hippo also occurs prohibited. however due to massive illegal and there is a significant trade trade (they have become the Hippopotamus: There are two in hippo teeth, which is used • The African elephant is most smuggled mammals in species of hippo: as a substitute for elephant listed in Appendix II for the world), they were up- ivory. More on this topic is populations in Botswana, listed to Appendix I on 2 - Common hippo - covered in the next module. Namibia, South Africa and January 2017 after CoP17. Hippopotamus amphibius, Zimbabwe, where there are International trade in the which has a widespread • Pygmy hippos are under large numbers of them, but animals and their parts and distribution in sub-Saharan major threat from only for trade in certain derivatives is now therefore Africa. deforestation thereby circumstances such as banned (unless for non- fragmenting forests and hunting trophies, trade in commercial purposes). - Pygmy hippo - Hexaprotodon leaving populations isolated. leather, etc. (See annotation liberiensis, which is limited to for elephants in the CITES

72 73 appendices for full details). Birds • The entire family of parrots • Grey parrots occur in moist For all other countries, the (Psittacidae spp.) are listed in lowland forests and range African elephant is listed in There are four categories of CITES except for Rosy-faced from through Appendix I and therefore birds covered in this module: lovebird, Budgerigar, Cockatiel to , although in international commercial Parrots, Birds of prey, and and Ring-necked parakeet. West Africa it is mainly Cte trade in them is prohibited. Other birds.All the birds featured None of these exempted d’Ivoire, , , occur in West Africa, are listed in species occur in West Africa. and that have them. • Many West African countries CITES and are seen in trade.The have populations of elephants, module however does not cover • The three species of • Grey parrots are one of but most are very small and all West African species listed in Poicephalus are listed in the most desired parrots under constant threat from CITES, so any birds that come to Appendix II of CITES and in the pet trade as they can poachers. Population sizes the attention of the authorities are widespread throughout be trained to mimic human have reduced exponentially, at the border should be checked most of West Africa. speech, are usually very calm particularly over the last to ascertain species and whether with people, and are relatively decade or so, partly due they are listed in CITES or other • There have been a large easy to breed. habitat destruction, but domestic protective legislation. number of exports of these mainly because of poaching species which are popular • Their numbers have declined for their ivory tusks. Parrots: There are four species in the pet trade around the rapidly in the last 45 years, of parrot occurring in West world, being small birds and mainly due to over-trapping • Various parts of elephants are Africa: easy to keep. for the pet trade and to used in trade, but particularly some extent, loss of habitat. their skin, tails, feet and - Jardine’s parrot - Poicephalus • They are suspected to From 1982 to 2014 over ivory tusks. More detail on gulielmi be on the decline due 1.3 million Grey parrots identification and trafficking to deforestation and were caught and entered of ivory is covered in the - Brown-necked parrot - unsustainable exploitation for international trade. Given next module. Poicephalus fuscicollis the pet trade. the high mortality rates of wild caught birds pre-export, • Elephant is one of the most - parrot - Poicephalus • Grey parrots were on and the quantity involved in trafficked species in the world senegalus Appendix II but were up- the illegal trade, the number and this is a major threat to listed to Appendix I on 2 would undoubtedly have been the survival of West African - Grey/Timneh parrot - January 2017 after CoP17. far higher than this. populations. Psittacus erithacus International commercial trade of wild-taken Grey parrots is now banned.

74 75 • Parrots in general are very Birds of prey: are any of several feathered heads and long • Hawks are a medium size popular birds to keep and species of that hunt and feed talons to grip their prey. bird that tend to have smaller often expats will bring their on rodents and other animals Eagles hunt live prey, whereas wings and a longer tail than pet birds with them when including insects. They have keen vultures are scavengers. falcons, because they often they are working or living in vision that allows them to detect hunt in forests, so an overseas country. These their prey from a distance, as • Falcons are characterised by manoeuvrability is more can include exotic species well as powerful claws to catch long pointed wings and swift important than all out speed. from South America or prey, and strong sharp hooked powerful flight. The female is Hawks do not have a notch Indonesia such as amazons, beaks for tearing its flesh. Their larger than the male and on their bills, and they kill macaws and cockatoos, all of feet have long, curved claws bolder of the two sexes and is their prey with their claws which would require permits called talons with one claw facing therefore preferred by to move them from one backwards and three facing falconers to practice their country to another. forwards, to enable it to grip sport. Falcons have feathery their prey. plumes called ‘flags’ on their legs and a notch in their beak • The entire order which is used to dispatch prey, Falconiformes, which is particularly when they are in comprised of eagles, falcons, the air. Falcons are very fast in hawks and vultures, are listed flight; the Peregrine falcon in either Appendix I or which is said to be the fastest Appendix II of CITES, except of them all, can reach speeds for four species of New of 200 mph in a controlled Talons of a bird of prey, three toes forward World vultures that occur in dive called ‘stoop’. Falcons are The notch in a falcon’s beak facing and one toe backwards the Americas. very popular with falconers who often cross-breed them • There are approximately 70 with other birds to get the bird of prey species which best out of each species for occur in West Africa. their sport, i.e. Peregrines are often crossed with Gyre • Eagles are large heavy-beaked falcons to combine their birds with large very strong speed and agility with the feet. Eagles have a similar build larger size of the other. Vultures and other bird of prey eggs African -eating eagle catching its meal to vultures but they have fully smuggled on body

76 77 unlike the falcon which birds of prey eggs on his body, They are weak fliers but up to 270o. Although not as catches prey with its claws and two baby vultures had run quickly through the tree popular to keep by falconers, but kills them with its beak. hatched out during the canopy. they are still in demand and journey. therefore traded around the • Vultures in Africa are Old • Turacos are under threat world. Owls are also used in World and therefore all are Turacos: Genus - from deforestation for traditional African medicines listed in CITES. A particular turacos.There are 14 species in agriculture and are targeted and their parts are sold in characteristic of many this Genera, of which two occur for the international pet local markets. Owls also vultures is a bald head devoid in several West African counties trade. suffer from habitat loss from of normal feathers. For many and one which only occurs in deforestation like many other vultures, their beak is Nigeria. They are: Other birds in West Africa birds in the region. exceptionally strong and listed in CITES and seen in trade heavy for tearing hide, muscle - Yellow-billed - Tauraco include: • Ostriches, Struthio camelus, and even bone. They have macrorhynchus which occur in north, weak feet that are not very • Owls: all owls are listed in west and central Africa good at grasping since they - Guinea turaco - Tauraco persa CITES, mostly in Appendix II. including Algeria, Burkina are scavengers rather than Owls are night time hunters Faso, Cameroon, Central hunters. - White-crested turaco - and easily identifiable from African Republic, Chad, , Tauraco leucolophus (Nigeria other birds as they have Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, • Birds of prey are in demand only for West Africa) large, forward facing eyes, a Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan, by consumer markets all hawk-like beak, and usually a are listed in Appendix I around the world, in particular • All species of the Genus conspicuous circle of feathers of CITES, whereas for all Tauraco the Middle East, Europe and are listed in CITES forming a disc around each other countries the species the USA. Smuggling across Appendix II and therefore eye. This enables them to is not included in CITES at borders is common, often by can be traded with valid trap and focus sound to their all. Hunting for bushmeat, using false or falsified permits, permits. ears. Owls have forward taking of eggs and chicks, and but a favourite way is facing binocular vision eyes, cross border smuggling, as • Turacos are distinguishable transporting them in egg form unlike most other birds of well as habitat destruction, by their unique just before they are due to prey which have them on have caused a large drop featuring bright green and red hatch. In a recent case at the side of the head, and this in populations from these feathers. They have long tails London Heathrow Airport in enables them to see prey countries. the UK, a man arriving from which are rounded at the end better in the dark. Owls have South Africa was carrying 19 and have prominent crests. the ability to turn their heads

78 79 • Lesser Flamingo, classes of animals. The six groups all West African countries Phoeniconaias minor, is on most often seen in trade are are listed in Appendix I, so Appendix II and often traded crocodiles, pythons, monitor international commercial to zoos and wildlife centres lizards, tortoises, turtles and trade is banned. to add to their collections, . whether legally and illegally. • Nile crocodiles are seen the • Crocodiles: There are three most in international trade, Crocodile skin belt • African Crowned-crane, species of crocodiles which because they are large so Balearica pavonina, is on occur in West Africa, these more profitable and, in some Appendix I and is easily are: countries, can be traded identified by its tall size, black with permits. Apart from head, red cheeks and golden - Nile crocodile - Crocodylus being used for bushmeat, the crown. It is used in traditional niloticus (the West African main use of this species is West African medicines and crocodiles is a subspecies – the skin for making fashion also traded to zoos and C. niloticus suchus) items such as handbags, wildlife parks around the belts and shoes. These can Taxidermy specimen in a market world, and sold to private - Slender-snouted crocodile - be found in marketplaces collectors within the region or Crocodylus cataphractus throughout West Africa for hunted as bushmeat in some local purchase, particularly by countries. - African dwarf crocodile - tourists. Taxidermy specimens Osteolaemus tetraspis of young crocodiles are Reptiles also traded as souvenirs, • The Slender-snouted and which tourists take back, ‘Nuchals’ on the neck of a crocodile Reptiles are defined as cold Dwarf crocodiles are listed usually illegally, to their own blooded (they can only control in Appendix I of CITES, countries. their body heat by taking in which means international where their small size makes heat from the outside or by commercial trade is banned. • The Dwarf crocodile them easier to manage. being very active), have dry The Nile crocodile is a split occurs in 12 Western African Live specimens have been scaly or horny skin, and a four- listing and in some African countries, ranging from found misdeclared as Nile chambered heart. Most lay eggs countries it is listed in Senegal to Nigeria, and is crocodiles. Dwarf crocodile with leathery skin, but a few Appendix II, because they over-hunted for its meat and leather handbags can be types do bear live young. Reptiles are farmed for the skin trade. skin. They are also illegally found in many markets in are the most traded of all the However, the populations in exported for the pet market, West African countries,

80 81 particularly where there snouted crocodile is quite accessories. However, in its are tourists, and often the different to the other two finished state, it would be heads of the animals are species, and in regard to the very difficult to tell what still attached to the skin comparative size of the Nile species it was, and there is (see photo below). Also, and Dwarf; the Nile crocodile also a lot of ‘stamped’ leather like the Nile crocodile, grows up to around 5m (16ft products (from hides of other taxidermy specimens of dwarf 5in), whereas the average animals) made to look like crocodiles can be found in size of a Dwarf crocodile is crocodile. trade and tourists are often around 1.5m (4ft 9in). When found with such specimens examining whole skins, it is • Pythons are constrictor on their return home (see possible to identify them snakes, which means they photo below). from the ‘nuchals’, which kill their prey by wrapping are fleshy plates on the their bodies around their • The Slender-snouted back of their necks (see prey and squeezing them to crocodile is considered photo below), by using the death before swallowing them critically endangered and “CITES Identification Guide whole. There are two python African rock python skin in a market there are few sizeable - Crocodilians”, which can species in West Africa: • African rock pythons are populations left in West be found on your USB stick. the largest African snake and Africa. This is due to over- Once the skin is made into - African rock python - Python can grow up to 7m (23ft) in hunting and habitat loss. the finished product, it would sebae length, although the average Levels of trade are therefore require an expert to identify adult size is more like 4m likely to be small but the specimen to species level. - Royal python or Ball python - specimens would still be seen Python regius (13ft). This species can be in the bushmeat and skin • In trade, it is relatively found in most countries of trade. easy to identify whether • All python species are listed West Africa from Senegal manufactured products are in Appendix II of CITES through to Nigeria. Over- • Identification of adults of made from crocodile skin apart from one which is hunting and habitat loss are these species is relatively because of the scales.The Appendix I. Both the Rock putting pressure on some straightforward as it is belly of a crocodile gives a python and Ball python are populations, although at based on snout shape and much smoother finish than on Appendix II, so can be the moment they are not comparative overall size; the back, but both are used traded internationally with considered endangered. the snout of the Slender- to manufacture clothing the correct CITES permits. The Rock python is hunted

82 83 for bushmeat, but also its ship to the markets.There is so even when made into a skin, which is popular for a huge market for Ball python handbag or shoe, it should making fashion items such as morphs (bred for different be easy to determine which handbags and shoes, and these colours and patterns), as they species it is. items can be found widely for fetch a lot of money when sale in markets throughout sold to collectors, so unusual • African cobra species are West Africa and are popular colours and patterns are also used in the skin trade, Nile monitor – note small grain skin with tourists. There is also always especially looked for. but these are non-CITES, a trade in live animals, but so permits for international because they grow so large, • Apart from their varying trade are not required. they are not as popular for sizes, the two python species pets as the Ball python. have different skin patterns • Monitor lizards in the genus (as seen in the photos below), Varanus are the largest of • Ball pythons are called such the African lizards, have long because they curl up into a necks, powerful tails and Ornate monitor skin – similar grain but slightly larger ball when they are stressed or claws. They are almost entirely frightened, thus making them carnivorous, eating a huge easy to catch. They are very array of prey including insects, much smaller than the Rock reptiles, birds and fish. Three python, with adults growing species occur in West Africa: to a maximum of 182cm (6ft) and also are more docile. - Nile monitor - Varanus Whilst they are hunted for niloticus bushmeat and for their skins, African rock python the biggest trade is in live - Savanna monitor specimens as pets owing to or Bosc monitor - their size and good nature. Varanus exanthematicus Large numbers are exported all around the world legally, - Ornate monitor - Varanus ornatus particularly from Ghana and Togo, but there is a lot of Closeup of grain on a skin bag cross border smuggling to countries where it is easier to Ball python or Royal python

84 85 • All Varanidae (Monitor lizards) Tortoises: These are land based inhabits the southern edge species listed on CITES that are listed in Appendix II of reptiles with a hard shell in to of the Sahara. In West Africa occur in West Africa, and CITES and some in Appendix which they can retract their head they can be found in Senegal, these are: I.The three West African for protection; they should not Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, species are listed in be confused with aquatic turtles. Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Niger. - Nubian flapshell turtle - Appendix II and therefore All tortoises (Testudinidae spp.) It is easy to identify it from Cyclanorbis elegans can be traded internationally are listed in Appendix II of CITES the other two species when with the correct permits. and some in Appendix I.There adults by its size and, unlike - Senagal flapshell turtle - are four species of tortoise that the others, it does not have Cyclanorbis senegalensis • Monitors are hunted for occur in West Africa: a hinged carapace (or shell). their meat, but the skins The Kinixys tortoises have - African softshell turtle - are also used in trade for - African spurred tortoise - the ability to shut themselves Trionyx triunguis fashion accessories such as Geochelone sulcata entirely within their shells. This handbags and shoes. There is due to the hinge at the back • Sea turtles: As the name is also a large trade in live - Bell’s hinged-back tortoise - of the carapace that can close suggests they live their entire monitors as pets, particularly Kinixys nogueyi off the tortoise’s hind legs and lives in the sea, except at nesting time when they drag young ones whilst they are tail. The Serrated hinge-back themselves up beaches, dig quite small. Bags made with - Serrated hinge-back tortoise tortoise can be identified a hole and lay their eggs. Monitor skins are often found or Forest hinged tortoise - from the Bell’s hinged-back in markets within West Africa, Kinixys erosa by the upturned edges at the There are seven species of particularly in areas that rear of the carapace. sea turtles, of which five can tourists visit. - Home’s hinged-back tortoise be found around the seas in - Kinixys homeana • All four species are hunted West Africa: • It is easy to identify monitor for food, but are mainly lizards and even though it • All four species are listed in exported as live specimens - Loggerhead turtle - Caretta caretta might be tricky to do it to Appendix II of CITES, so can for the international pet trade, species level, the fact that be traded with the correct as tortoises are one of the - Kemp’s Ridley turtle - they are all listed in CITES permits, and all are seen in most popular animals to keep. Lepidochelys kempii means that it doesn’t usually trade. The Spurred tortoise matter. Monitor lizards have is the third largest tortoise • Freshwater turtles: Turtles - Leatherback turtle - grainy skin which is quite in the world, largest in Africa are primarily hunted for food Dermochelys coriacea distinctive from other (can reach 83cm (33in) in and some are captured for skins. The Nile monitor has length and weigh 231lb) and the pet trade. There are three very small grained skin.

86 87 - Green turtle - sold to tourists. Taxidermy Colour is variable, with the Chelonia mydas specimens are also popular in adult carapace being smooth the trade, particularly small in texture and light to dark - Hawksbill turtle - Green and Hawksbill turtles, brown in colour with dark Eretmochelys imbricata and many such specimens mottling. have been confiscated by • All sea turtles are listed customs authorities around - The Hawksbill is a small to in CITES Appendix I, so the world. The skin from medium sized turtle, growing international commercial turtles is also used as leather up to 91cm (3ft) and weighing Bracelets made from sea turtle shell trade is banned. to make shoes and handbags. 300 lb. It has an elongated shell and is the only turtle • After mating at sea, mature • Identifying the various sea whose plates on its top shell turtles may migrate thousands turtle species can be a bit overlap. It has a smallish head of miles to reach breeding difficult, but here are some with distinctive hawk-like sites. They lay their eggs at descriptions and obvious beak. Its general colouration night, finding suitable sand differences between them: is brown with numerous in which to dig a nest. After splashes of yellow, orange laying up to 350 soft-shelled - The Leatherback is the or reddish brown on the eggs, they back fill the hole largest of the sea turtles, carapace. Sea turtle eggs in a market with sand and return to the reaching up to 244cm (8ft) sea. The young, when they in length and weighing up - The Kemp’s ridley is the hatch out, dig themselves out to 2,000 lb. They have a soft rarest species of turtle and of the sand and head for the carapace, which is dark grey is critically endangered. The sea. in colour with white spotting adult has an oval carapace and has ridges running down which is nearly as wide as it is • Turtle eggs are often illegally the length of it. long and is usually an olive- dug up and sold in markets grey colour. for food, despite domestic - The Green turtle is the legislation to protect them. second largest sea turtle - The Loggerhead is a Hawksbill sea turtle shell Adult turtles are also hunted after the Leatherback and can relatively small sea turtle, for food, and their carapaces reach around 122cm (4ft) and with an average size of 91cm (shells) are sold in markets weigh 440 lb. It has a heart (3ft) and weight of 200 lb. It is or made into jewellery and shape shell and small head. characterised by a large head

88 89 with blunt jaws. The carapace They have two front and one - Crested - and flippers are a reddish- back facing toes, which enables Trioceros cristatus brown colour. them to climb or clamber through branches. They possess - Four-horned chameleon • The most popular species a prehensile tail which means - Trioceros quadricornis used for jewellery are the they can use it to grasp branches (Nigeria only for West Africa) Green, Hawksbill and to a like an extra foot. A chameleon’s lesser extent, the Loggerhead eyes move independently when - Spectral pygmy chameleon turtles, because their shells looking for prey and enemies - Rhampholeon spectrum Chameleon extending its tongue to catch its are almost translucent and but focus in unison when aiming (Nigeria only for West Africa) prey have interesting swirls and at a target such as a cricket. To patterns on them when capture such prey, chameleons All spp., Trioceros polished. have an elongated and fast spp. and Rhampholeon spp. projectile tongue with a sticky are listed in Appendix II of • There is a guide at the end end, which they use on the CITES, so these seven West of the module which gives unsuspecting insect from a long African species can only enter a more scientific method of distance. international trade if they identifying each species. have been issued with a valid • There are seven species of permit. Chameleon’s eyes moving independently of The main thing to remember, chameleon in West Africa: each other regardless of the species, is • The main trade in chameleons NO international trade is - African chameleon or is for pets. Thousands of allowed of any parts of, or Sahel chameleon - them are shipped around products made from, sea Chamaeleo africanus the world to be sold in turtle. pet shops and by specialist - Senegal chameleon - retailers. Chameleons are also Chameleons: They are a very Chamaeleo senegalensis used in traditional African distinctive and specialised medicines and can be seen lizard with over 200 species. - Graceful chameleon - in large numbers for sale in The species come in a variety Chamaeleo gracilis alternative markets. Chameleons for sale at a traditional medicine market of colours and many have the ability to change their colour. - Necas’s chameleon - Chamaeleo necasi

90 91 Marine and other animals from drifting away in currents. They are often the bycatch of There are three species found fishermen, but also actively There are many other animals around the West African targeted to illegally supply the listed in CITES, but four other coastline: TCM market. groups to mention, because of the amount of trade in them, are - Long-snouted - • Sharks: All sharks are non- , sharks, rays and corals. Hippocampus guttulatus bony fish with cartilaginous In addition, there are other (Senegal only for West Africa) skeletons and fins. Most CITES marine species that appear End user – dried seahorses for sale in TCM shark species are predator in trade from the region less - Short-snouted seahorse - shop hunters with sharp triangular frequently, including the African Hippocampus hippocampus teeth, although a few are Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis filter feeders with gill rakers – Appendix I), and various - West African seahorse - and large mouths. There are sawfish (Pristis spp. – Appendix I), Hippocampus algiricus 11 species of sharks listed seals, dolphins and whales. Lastly, in CITES that live in West • All seahorses are listed in scorpions (Pandinus imperator, African waters. Some species Appendix II of CITES, so Pandinus dictator, Pandinus have widespread distributions can be traded but only with a gambiensis, Pandinus roeseli – all across the entire region and legitimate permit. Appendix II) also appear in Seahorses being dried before sale some are found in only a international trade. few countries. These 11 • Seahorses are under serious species are: threat for many reasons. fobs, paperweights or • Seahorses: They are found Coral reefs and sea grasses jewellery. The biggest user of in waters around the world. - Bigeye thresher shark - are deteriorating, reducing all is the Traditional Chinese There are 45 species, Alopias superciliosus their viable habitats; the live Medicine (TCM) market, ranging in size from 1.5 to trade for aquariums means where they are sold as 35.5cm and are named for - Common thresher shark - that thousands are taken ingredients in pills and their horse-like appearance. Alopias vulpinus from the wild and shipped potions, or dried whole. They have a prehensile tail around the world to meet Seahorses are being sold in which they use to anchor - Silky shark - Carcharhinus demand; dried seahorses are West African markets and themselves to sea grasses falciformis sold as souvenirs, sometimes some have been confiscated and seaweed to stop them enclosed in Perspex or glass at airports and ports being - Oceanic whitetip shark - which are then made into key illegally exported to China. Carcharhinus longimanus

92 93 - Great white shark - both legally and illegally. Other Carcharodon carcharias shark products that are less frequently exported are the - Basking shark - Cetorhinus meat, liver oil, cartilage, skin maximus leather, and teeth or jaws.

- Porbeagle shark - Lamna • Rays: These marine animals Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharodon carcharias) nasus include both Manta spp. and Mobula spp., all of which - Whale shark - Rhincodon typus are listed in Appendix II of CITES so require a valid - Scalloped hammerhead shark permit for international trade. - Sphyrna lewini There are two species of manta rays and four species Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) Predator shark’s jaw and teeth (Porbeagle - Great hammerhead shark - of mobula devil rays found in shark Lamna nasus) Sphyrna mokarran West African waters:

- Smooth hammerhead shark - - Reef manta ray - Manta alfredi Sphyrna zygaena - Giant manta ray - Manta • All 11 of these shark species birostris are listed in Appendix II of Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) CITES and are threatened - Spinetail devil ray - Mobula by overfishing since they are japanica both directly targeted and Filter feeder shark’s mouth and gill rakers caught as incidental bycatch - Lesser Guinean devil ray - (Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus) in commercial and artisanal Mobula rochebrunei fisheries. These sharks are Common thresher shark (Alopias primarily sought after for vulpinus) - Chilean devil ray - Mobula their fins (pectoral and tarapacana dorsal), which have a high value on Asian markets, and - Bentfin devil ray - Mobula are traded in large volumes thurstoni

94 95 • Rays are distinguished by also sometimes for their • Black corals are used to their flattened bodies with cartilage. These ray body carve expensive jewellery and large triangular pectoral fins parts have a high value in ornaments. and long skinny tails (with or Traditional Chinese Medicine without spines). Rays are filter for medicines and health tonic • Red corals are made into feeders that utilise gill rakers soups, and are often exported expensive jewellery. and which have cephalic fin to Asia as dried specimens. Giant manta ray Manta birostris (ventral side) lobes on either side of their In addition, a small number • Blue, Stony and Organ-pipe wide mouths. Their skin of rays are exported live to corals can be found in markets colouring is dark on the top aquariums and zoos for use in of most countries around the dorsal side and light on the display tanks. world and are the ones most ventral underside, and may often confiscated by customs sometimes feature spots. Rays • Corals: These are marine from travellers bringing them can reach a maximum size of invertebrates that can either back without permits. several metres in diameter have a stony or soft skeleton. and can weigh several tonnes. All the hard corals are listed Manta rays are generally in Appendix II of CITES: much larger in size than mobula devil rays. Spinetail devil ray Mobula japanica - Black corals – Antipatharia (dorsal side) spp. (The entire order) • Rays are threatened by overfishing, being both directly - Red and pink corals – targeted by fisherman and Corallium (Four species listed caught as incidental bycatch. in CITES all Appendix III, set Aquarium coral reef Their meat is consumed by China) locally in West Africa or is - Blue corals – Helioporidae spp. used as bait, and their skin Chilean devil ray Mobula tarapacana (dried can be utilised as leather. gill rakers) (The entire family) However, the main demand Scleractinia spp. in international trade is - Stony corals – especially for the rays’ gill (The entire order) rakers/branchial plates and - Organ-pipe corals – Tubiporidae spp. (The entire Coral skeletons for sale in a market family)

96 97 • There is also a trade in live species, and plant species such as - Prunus africana - African corals for aquariums. orchids, cycads, tree ferns, aloes cherry or Kanda stick or Red and euphorbias. stinkwood (Nigeria only for • Note, however, that coral West Africa) fossils are not subject to the • Timber: The trade in CITES trade regulations and timber is a huge multi- - Guibourtia pellegriniana so are excluded from the billion-dollar business and (Nigeria only for West Africa) permit requirements. the ever-increasing demand • These species are all listed for wood, paper, packaging African teak Identification of corals to and other derivative items in Appendix II of CITES; species level can be difficult, but puts a huge strain on forest therefore, they can only enter whatever species it is, it will need areas. Regulated trade international trade with a a CITES permit when crossing an is undermined by illegal valid permit. international border. logging that takes place on every continent, which • There are annotations to There is a coral identification results in loss of revenue to these species, which will need guide on your USB stick which governments, loss of wildlife to be checked to see whether you may find helpful. and plants who depend Kosso or African rosewood ready for shipping there are any exemptions; on forests to survive, and however all raw timber, Plants and Timber loss of livelihoods to local which is generally how they countries that are CITES- communities who also are exported, would need a listed: There are roughly 35,800 species depend on them. CITES permit. listed in CITES and of that, over - Dalbergia spp. (there are at 30,000 are plants, but much • Most timber is for • Kosso is a timber which is least 25 species native to less attention gets paid to them international markets and native to nearly all West countries in West Africa) compared to animals. They are CITES now has a number of African countries and has however dependent on each been identified as a major trees listed in CITES, which - Pterocarpus erinaceus - other and deforestation is a species in illegal trade. There means permits are required known as ‘Kosso’ or African major cause of decline in many are no annotations for Kosso, to ship them out of the rosewood animal species. CITES-listed country. There are a number so all parts and derivatives flora for West African countries of the tree would require of trees harvested for the - Pericopsis elata - African teak include various timber tree permits. timber trade in West African or Afrormosia

98 99 • Timber is smuggled using fake permits, trafficked through leaky borders to countries where controls are more lax, false declarations (calling it another type of timber), and through corruption.

• Timber identification usually requires an expert, such as someone from the forestry department.

• Shipments of timber have also been used as a cover for smuggling other illegal items such as drugs, cigarettes and wildlife (ivory in particular).

There are a number of training presentations on the CITES website, covering the workings of CITES and a Green Customs Knowledge Series that includes some modules on identification of animals and plants. https://cites.unia.es/mod/resource/view. php?id=58&lang=en

100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 Module 4: Identification rays, and more confidence in in one piece; rather the • As with all modules, it is of Key Species in Illegal being able to identify features trade will most likely be in important to get participants Trade, including elephants, and fins of those species their parts and derivatives, involved and think of answers rhinos, pangolins, sharks listed in CITES. which are not always easy to rather than just sitting there and rays identify. listening to all the information • Recognise how all these they are being provided. Objectives: - By the end of species are trafficked, who • Pangolins are species that Asking them questions during this module participants of the the end users are, and the enforcement officers are the module is good practice workshop should be able to: sorts of trafficking routes not familiar with unless they and if they have any first-hand used to smuggle them to the have been involved in a case; experiences, encourage them • Have a better idea of how end destination consumer they are not as iconic as to share those. to identify elephant ivory, countries. elephants, rhinos or even particularly once it has been sharks. This was born out • There are a couple of carved, and to differentiate Training notes: during the assessment of exercises in the elephant between that and other types wildlife controls in various section which can be done of ivory from other species • The species highlighted in this West African countries in by getting participants to or man-made substitutes. module are those that have 2017: when asked, very few work in groups or pairs (best for some years been the ones of the officers knew what certainly for the second • Understand what rhino horn most trafficked throughout pangolins were. By the end of exercise) for 10 minutes is made from and identify the world. It is therefore this module they should have before they provide you with rhino horn from other types useful for enforcement a much clearer idea. answers or you go through of horns, particularly buffalo officers to have a better them one at-a-time and ask which it is often confused understanding of what the • It would be a good idea, if them to provide the answers with. trade is in these species, how you have actual possession (probably best for the first to identify them in all their of confiscated specimens exercise). • Know what pangolins are guises, and about the routes of any of these species, to used for in illegal trade, what traffickers use to get them to bring them along and let the • At the end of this module, they look like, and be able to the end destination. participants see and handle it is recommended to do identify their scales. them; it’s much better than an identification exercise • It is highly unlikely that looking at a picture. using actual wildlife parts. • Have a better understanding Customs and other agencies The authorities in Senegal of the trade in sharks and will see these species intact

122 123 have a large number of items • The White rhino is the chain sawing off its horns. • There are no Northern white donated by the US Fish and larger of the two and is The rest of the carcass is left rhinos left in the wild in Wildlife Service for training, more populous with around behind. West Africa, although some which can be ‘borrowed’. 20,000 specimens, over Southern white rhinos were Remember, however, that 90% of which are in South • Rhino horn sizes depend introduced into Cte d’Ivoire. CITES permits will be Africa.The species is listed on the age of the animal, So why should countries in required to send specimens in CITES Appendix I except but the horns of an adult the region be concerned? from one country to another, for the populations of South White rhinos can weigh up to even by government officials. Africa and Swaziland of around 5kg and of the Black • Criminal networks are always Ceratotherium simum simum, rhino to around 3kg. looking for new routes and • Alternatively, it would be where it is Appendix II only West African traffickers an excellent idea to have a “For the exclusive purpose of • Consumer demand for Rhino are very much involved in collection of seized items allowing international trade in horn is almost exclusively the illegal wildlife trade. from confiscations in oury live animals to appropriate and in East Asian countries, with It is known that at least own country that could be acceptable destinations and China and Vietnam being the Nigeria, Cte d’Ivoire, Togo used during trainings.This is hunting trophies.” top two markets. and Guinea have been used best practice since hands-on as either export points or exercises are far better than • The Black rhino population • Rhino horn is used in transit points for smuggling using pictures! is estimated at 4,800 animals, traditional medicines where Rhino horn in the last 5 years, of which 40% are in South myths have given rise to and possibly other countries Rhinos Africa. It is listed in CITES beliefs that consuming it can as well. For example, in Appendix I and international cure cancer, relieve hangovers November 2017, officials at • There are 5 species of rhinos trade in live specimens, or any or enhance male virility. With the Johannesburg Airport in in the world, of which 2 are of their parts and derivatives, the increasing wealth of South Africa discovered a African: is therefore prohibited. these destination countries, package destined for Nigeria consumers are able to pay that contained 1 Rhino horn - Black rhino – • Both rhino species have a large sums of money to buy plus 15 Lion claws and 19 Diceros bicornis front and back horn and it endangered species such as Lion teeth. is these that the poachers Rhino horn and this therefore - White rhino – and traffickers are after, and has created a highly lucrative • Analysis of Rhino horn Ceratotherium simum they do so mainly by killing market for traffickers. seizures between 2010 - 2017 a specimen and hacking or indicated that air was the

124 125 preferred mode of transport • Rhino horn is made up • Both species are listed in with 65% using this method, of keratin, so effectively Appendix I of CITES, except 25% by land and 6% by sea. it is compressed hair and the populations of Botswana, therefore if burnt smells Namibia, South Africa and • Identification of Rhino horn like singed hair. Unlike other Zimbabwe, where African is relatively straight-forward types of horns which have elephants are a lot more if the specimen is whole, route cavities, Rhino horns numerous, which are listed in but often traffickers will are solid throughout and Appendix II, but have strict Rhino horns smuggled by passenger cut up horns into smaller do not have ridges on the criteria of what and how sections or even grind the outside like Buffalo horn. The they can be traded. These horns into powder, making market value of Rhino horn is conditions are laid out in the it easier to carry, which can considerably more than horn annotations for elephants in make identification more from any other species. the CITES Appendices. difficult. Enforcement officers confuse horns from other Elefante • The populations of elephants species with those of Rhinos in most of the West African and sometimes unsuspecting Although there are a number of countries are very low and sub-species, CITES lists just the buyers do also. Cattle/Buffalo Solid base of Rhino horn unlike other horns are highly vulnerable to horn is the main substitute two species of elephant: poaching. used, as it has a similar shape and colour of Rhino horn. - Asian elephant – • There is illegal trade in Elephas maximus elephant tails, skin and hair • More recently it has been products such as boots, discovered that Rhino horn - African elephant – handbags and bracelets, but has been carved into objects Loxodonta africana the vast majority of trade like bracelets, bowls and discs is in their tusks, either by Chinese craftsmen before • The African elephant is the whole, cut into pieces or Rhino horn carved into jewellery and larger of the two species and it leaves Africa in an effort small objects finished products such as to avoid being detected (see both the male and female ivory carvings, jewellery and photo below). have tusks, whereas with the Chops/Hankos (Chinese and Asian elephant only the male Japanese ivory name stamps). has tusks.

126 127 • China is the main destination • Ivory is trafficked across are either small pieces of raw Elefante

for ivory, but countries like West African borders having ivory, or finished products. > 115o Malaysia, Singapore, UAE/ been poached from around Dubai,Vietnam, Hong Kong the region and from Central • There are a number of ivories and various European African countries. It is then used for carvings other than countries are used as transit stockpiled in the country of elephant tusks, and this can points to try and conceal the intended export, before being be confusing for enforcement officers, most of whom have Schreger lines: greater angle more than intended route. eventually shipped, mainly 115o = Elephant through seaports, but also little experience in this area. • West African traffickers are airports. Nigeria and Togo have Hippo, Walrus, Warthog and Mamute heavily involved in ivory been identified as the two Whale’s tooth are all used, as smuggling and there have been major countries where illegal is bone and Mammoth ivory. some significant cases in which exports of ivory take place. < 90o several countries in the region • There is a short exercise have been involved. In most of • Smaller quantities of ivory early on in the elephant these cases, the detections of are smuggled regularly by air section to see how many illegal ivory having originated passengers departing West participants can recognise from West Africa were African countries, mainly by which animals’ teeth (or not) Schreger lines: greater angle less than made in transit countries or Chinese nationals returning the specimens in the photos 90o = Mammoth upon arrival in China having to China, using transit routes come from. Obviously, it is originated from West Africa. such as Ethiopia’s Bole Airport more difficult to identify them • Elephant ivory has a unique There have, however, been or Kenya’s Nairobi Airport just from photographs, but pattern on which are called some large seizures before whose security officers have hopefully they will recognise ‘Schreger lines’ and can best the ivory has left seaports made many seizures. some of the specimens when be seen when a tusk is cut and airports in West African the identification exercise is horizontally. These lines form countries, in particular 3.8 • Identification: Whole carried out at the end. an arc, the angle of which will tonnes was found in Lomé elephant tusks are easy to be over 115o. The only other port, Togo in 2014 and in identify and most of the big • An elephant’s tusk is hollow animal that has ivory of a December 2017 enforcement shipments of ivory discovered for around one-half to two- similar pattern is the extinct officers seized 55 tusks being are in this form. However, in thirds of its length, which is Woolly Mammoth, whose smuggled into Nigeria on the terms of numbers seized by where it grows around the tusks are regularly found Cameroon border. enforcement officers around root, and is then solid to the the world, most confiscations end of the tip. buried in Russia and exported

128 129 to China. The mammoth sometimes give a ‘marbling’ species of course is not listed type effect. on CITES, so caution has to be applied when enforcement • The Common officers are checking ivory hippopotamus’s carvings. It is unlikely, (Hippopotamus amphibious however, that mammoth ivory teeth are used as a substitute Carved lower hippo canine, note the flat end carvings are going to be seen for elephant ivory.They are in African countries given that listed in CITES Appendix the raw material i.e. elephant II, so can be traded with ivory, can be found in many permits; however large countries there. quantities are confiscated by Customs authorities around • When checking a three- the world for being traded dimensional item to without any permits. determine whether or not it is elephant ivory, it is • The canines and incisors important to look at the item are the teeth collected from from all angles, particularly hippos for carving, although in areas where the ivory has they also are often sold intact been carved in a horizontal as tourist souvenirs, which Vertical Schreger lines on face plane, as this is where the makes them easier to identify. Schreger lines are most likely Confiscated hippo teeth to be seen. Quite often the • Once carved into ornaments base of a statue, for example, or jewellery they are more will be a good place to look. difficult to identify, but the hippo ivory won’t have any • Ivory cut vertically will often Schreger lines wherever have Schreger lines running you look on the carving.The down them but won’t be ends of the upper and lower crossing each other. The lines canines are quite distinctive are not very symmetrical, can in shape, so shouldn’t be Base of the statue cut horizontally shows be different widths apart, and mistaken for elephant ivory. Full set of hippo teeth Schreger lines

130 131 The incisor looks, at first Africa. Sperm whale teeth glance, like elephant ivory, but is/was used for scrimshaw a cross section would show (traditional engravings etched tightly packed concentric by whalers when out at sea lines, which could be seen during the 1800s-1900s).The better using a 10X hand lens. sperm whale species is listed in Appendix I of CITES and • Carved bone can look therefore international trade The Haversian pits on bone as seen through a 10X hand lens very similar to ivory when for commercial purposes carved into small jewellery is prohibited.There is a lot or ornaments; in fact the of fake whale teeth and way many people try to scrimshaw specimens to be illegally sell elephant ivory found in the market, mostly on the internet is by calling it made from resin. Sperm whale ‘bovine bone.’ Bone however teeth are about 18 cm long does not have any Schreger and weigh around 1kg.The lines but has what are called root end of the tooth is quite Raw whale teeth ‘Haversian pits’, where fluid a different shape to elephant flows through them. These ivory, more elliptical and Bone beads, with Haversian pits pits are best seen under a with a compressed looking 10X hand lens, particularly entrance to the cavity (see in small carvings. Bone is photo below). lighter than elephant ivory and carving it is more difficult, often leaving a rough or jagged finish. Ivory has a cold and smooth feel to it.

• Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) teeth can also be confused with the tips of elephant tusks and have been seen for sale in West Bone broach with jagged edges Sperm whale tooth with cavity Whale tooth Scrimshaw

132 133 • Warthog teeth sometimes Pangolin get confused with elephant ivory, but they only grow There are eight species of up to 26cm (10in) in length Pangolin in the world, four of and with a big curve.They which are African species. Of look similar to hippo lower these four, three occur in the canines, but they are smaller West African region: A selection of Warthog tusks and have a rounded pointed Tree pangolin end, whilst the end of a - Tree pangolin or White- hippo’s canine is pointed bellied pangolin - with a flat end on the inner Manis tricuspis curve side.Warthogs are not a CITES-listed species so - Giant pangolin - the trade does not require Manis gigantea permits. - Long-tailed pangolin or Black-bellied pangolin - • There are other natural Tree pangolin in defence mode Typical size of a warthog tusk materials which are also Manis tetradactyla ivory, or look like it, including: • A Pangolin’s body and tail is Walrus tusk, Narwhal narrow tongues which they covered by large hardened tusk, Hornbill casques and use adeptly when feeding on overlapping scales, which act vegetable ivory (tagua nut). ants and termites. as armoured protection when Also, synthetic fakes such as it curls up into a ball when • Pangolins have primarily plastics, celluloid and resins threatened. These scales are been hunted for bushmeat can be made to appear similar made of keratin, the same in the past, and their smoked to elephant ivory. These are material that human nails and carcases can be found in local all unlikely to be seen in Africa hair are made from. markets in the West African Carved Warthog tusk however. region. Live animals can also • Pangolins have short legs with be found in markets or being sharp claws, which they use sold on the side of the road to dig into ant and termite in towns. Pangolin scales nests, their main diet. They are, however, used widely in also have extremely long, Traditional Asian Medicines,

134 135 mainly for the Chinese market, • Enforcement officers have which had originated from for various ailments and received little information Nigeria.The tusks and scales therefore the trade has grown about pangolins, so are not were hidden amongst sacks of enormously in the last decade. aware of what they are or ground nuts. that there is an illegal trade • Pangolins are now the most in them. In June 2017, two • As with ivory, end destinations trafficked mammal in the shipments declared as ‘Oyster for pangolins are often world and their numbers in shells’ were exported to disguised by shipments going Pangolin scales the wild have plummeted Malaysia from Accra Airport. through other countries to drastically, so much so, On examination by the get there. This has included that all eight species were Malaysian Customs they were going through Ethiopia, uplisted from Appendix II to found to collectively contain Europe, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Appendix I in January 2017, almost 700kg of pangolin Singapore, Thailand and which means international scales. It is likely that the Vietnam, as well as others. commercial trade in them Customs officers at Ghana’s is prohibited. It is estimated Accra Airport would not have Sharks over 1 million pangolins have been able to recognise the been killed in the last decade. illegal contents unless they • Sharks belong to the had received some awareness animal group elasmobranch. • Many West African countries Sharks are large fish with Seizure of pangolin scales by Malaysian training. Customs have either seized large skeletons of cartilage and quantities of pangolin scales • In May 2017, Hong Kong connective tissue, several fins or have been identified as Customs found 7.2 tonnes (approximately 8) and a tail. the point of export for of pangolin scales in a Sharks have breathing gills scales when they have been shipping container declared (approximately 5-7) located seized in either transit or as ‘Charcoal’, which had on the sides of the head. end destination countries. originated from Nigeria. Their skin is tough with a Like ivory, it is common for rough texture. Sharks have quantities of pangolin scales • In August 2017, 5 tonnes of many rows of teeth, but the to be stockpiled in one pangolin scales along with shape and size of the teeth country before being shipped, 1,148 pieces of elephant tusks depend on the shark’s diet. so trafficking across borders were found by Malaysian Predator species have sharply Seizure of scales by Thailand Customs is common place. Customs in two containers, pointed triangular teeth that

136 137 can have smooth or serrated - Great white shark - • Many shark species have edges; filter feeder species Carcharodon carcharias suffered population declines have tiny teeth that are non- and are at risk of extinction functional. - Basking shark - due to over-fishing and shark Cetorhinus maximus finning. • There are 11 species of sharks found in West African - Porbeagle shark - Lamna nasus • West Africa’s 11 shark species ocean waters that are listed are primarily sought after Common thresher shark - Alopias vulpinus in CITES (all Appendix II): - Whale shark - Rhincodon typus for their fins (dorsal and pectoral), which have a high - Bigeye thresher shark - - Scalloped hammerhead shark value on Asian markets and Alopias superciliosus - Sphyrna lewini are traded in large volumes, especially to China and Hong - - Common thresher shark - - Great hammerhead shark Kong. Alopias vulpinus Sphyrna mokarran • Shark dorsal fins are the same - Smooth hammerhead shark - Oceanic whitetip shark - Carcharhinus - Silky shark - Carcharhinus colour on either side, which longimanus Sphyrna zygaena falciformis is most often a grey colour, although this depends on the - Oceanic whitetip shark - precise shark species. Shark Carcharhinus longimanus pectoral fins are darker on the top (dorsal) side and lighter on the underneath (ventral) side. Pectoral fins tend to be more elongated in shape than dorsal fins. There Scalloped hammerhead shark - Sphyrna lewini will be a row of cartilage visible at the base of a cut shark fin.

• There have been some recent arrests of foreign fishing vessels engaged in illegal

138 139 shark finning activities in • In November 2014, the West African region; for officials at the Port Gentil example, shark carcasses and Airport arrested 2 Nigerian shark fins were confiscated traffickers with 80kg (4 from vessels fishing in boxes) of shark fins as cargo. Liberia’s waters in November 2017, in Sierra Leone in April Rays 2017, and in Guinea in April Great hammerhead shark fin - Sphyrna mokarran 2017. In addition, there have • Rays include both Manta spp. been seizures of dried shark and Mobula spp., with manta Shark fins confiscated from a Nigerian in fins being offered for sale or rays generally much larger Gabon (2016) smuggled across borders in in body size than mobulas West and Central African devil rays. There are 6 species countries. of rays – 2 mantas and 4 mobulas – that are found in • In March 2016, Gabon officials West African ocean waters: in Port Gentil arrested 1 • Existem 6 espécies de raias – Scalloped hammerhead shark fin- Sphyrna Nigerian fisherman/trafficker lewini with 65kg (3 boxes totalling 2 mantas e 4 mobulas – que 1,069 fins) of shark fins in podem ser encontradas em águas da África Ocidental: his car; his typical route is Shark fins confiscated from a Ghanaian in to drive from Gabon to Togo (2016) Douala, Cameroon in order - Reef manta ray - Manta alfredi to illegally export his marine - (maximum size: 500cm disc species contraband. width)

• In January 2016, Togo officials - Giant manta ray - Manta Whale shark fins - Rhincodon typus at the Hilla-Condji (Togo- birostris - (maximum size: Benin) border arrested 1 700cm disc width) Ghanaian fisherman/trafficker Mobula in possession of 79kg of shark - Spinetail devil ray - japanica fins hidden in plastic travel - (maximum size: 310cm disc width) Shark fins confiscated from a Nigerian in bags who was en route from Gabon (2014) Nigeria to Ghana.

140 141 - Lesser Guinean devil Elasmobranchii. Some ray ray’s forward-facing mouth ray - Mobula rochebrunei - species tend to occupy a is located at the front of the (maximum size: 133cm disc coastal habitat while other head on the ventral side. As width) species are more ocean-going filter feeders of plankton, and migratory. rays have jutting from their - Chilean devil ray - Mobula heads two cephalic fin lobes tarapacana - (maximum size: • Rays are identifiable by on either side of their wide 328cm disc width) their flattened bodies, mouth that they can either enlarged pectoral fin roll up or spread open. - Bentfin devil ray - Mobula wings, bilateral gill slits Manta alfredi cut into sections of meat thurstoni - (maximum size: (approximately 5) located on • The skin colouration of rays 180cm disc width) the ventral side, broad head, can vary, but is usually black and skinny tail. Rays have a or greyish-brown on the • Rays are large cartilaginous diamond-silhouette due to top (dorsal) side and white marine fish that are related their disc-shaped body with on the underneath (ventral) to sharks, and together triangular pectoral fins that side. A ray’s body colour may they comprise the group are fused to their head. The be uniform or it may have light or dark-coloured spots/ patches on either side. The Mobula tarapacana cut open to expose gill rakers skin is covered in mucus.

• Rays are threatened by over- fishing, being directly targeted by commercial and artisanal fisheries, and also caught as incidental bycatch.

• To better regulate their Mobula japanica gill rakers front view international trade, all ray species were included in CITES Appendix II, effective 2017, so now require a Manta alfredi (ventral side with gills) permit.

142 143 • Parts of rays seen in trade • The main demand in officers to keep up to date in the West African region international trade for all ray with new trends as they include their meat (for human species is for their gill raker become known. consumption or used as bait), plates which are exported to their skin (used as leather), Asia as dried specimens. Gill their liver (used for oil), rakers are a food-trapping and their cartilage and their mechanism located in the branchial gill raker plates mouths of filter-feeding rays, Manta birostris gill rakers (used in traditional Chinese that functions similarly to medicine and soup). baleen in whales.

• In Guinea, smoke-dried meat • Gill raker plates from manta from Mobula thurstoni is rays are much larger in size exported to Cte d’Ivoire, than gill raker plates from Liberia and Sierra Leone, mobula devil rays. Manta ray while salt-dried meat is gill rakers are solid black or Mobula tarapacana dried gill rakers exported to Ghana, Nigeria dark brown in colour. Mobula and Togo. In Senegal, dried gill rakers may be either solid specimens of Mobula thurstoni dark brown in colour or a are exported for human combination of dark brown consumption to Ghana, Mali and white. and Togo. In Guinea-Bissau, dried specimens of Mobula • In conclusion, smuggling rochebrunei are for sale in the methods and routes for local markets. wildlife are forever changing. Mobula japanica dried gill rakers As soon as enforcement • In April 2017, a foreign vessel officers become successful in illegally fishing in Guinea’s combating the illegal wildlife waters had manta rays trade, traffickers will change (Manta spp.) onboard that their methods and routes. It were seized. is important therefore for

144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 Module 5 – Customs Role • Understand why risk - Any permits are checked - Any permits are checked in Wildlife Enforcement profiling is a major tool in to ensure they are correct to ensure they are correct enforcement’s armoury to and match information and match information This module covers the role target the illegal wildlife trade; on other documentation on other documentation Customs play in enforcing the (Requirements covered in (Requirements covered in wildlife trade legislation at the • Go about identifying potential module 6) module 6) borders, from dealing with risks in their own frontline permit checks to risk profiling work stations and setting - Examinations of specimens - Examinations are carried out for passengers, mail parcels, land profiles to target them; are carried out to ensure to ensure specimens match boundaries and sea/air cargo. they are in accordance to the the documents submitted and • Target and examine documents, and for CITES if they are CITES listed, are in Objectives: By the end of this passengers and freight listed species, meet all the compliance of the permit module, participants should be according to risk. details and conditions of the able to: permit - On completion of the checks, Training notes: the appropriate action is • Understand what Customs’ - On completion of the checks, taken (e.g. where non- role is in controlling trade in Procedures at the border the appropriate action is compliant, specimens are wildlife at the borders, both taken (e.g. where non- seized and investigation action legal and illegal; Customs are the key authority compliant, specimens are taken. Where compliant, the in ensuring international trade in seized and investigation action permit(s) are dealt with as • Understand how they link wildlife specimens is carried out taken. Where compliant, the per the required procedures in with other government in accordance to the law.Their permit(s) are dealt with as indicated in Module 6) bodies who are involved in role is fairly straight-forward and per the required procedures wildlife controls; consists of: indicated in Module 6) • Checking transit shipments:

• Recognise the need for • Checking imports to ensure • Checking exports to ensure - Where practical and time Customs to target illegal that: that: allows, shipments are checked wildlife trade at import, to ensure that the CITES export and transhipments; - Declarations are checked - Declarations are checked requirements have been met, for accuracy and that all for accuracy and that all i.e. there is a valid permit • Understand the basics of documents are presented for documents are presented for present and the specimens risk profiling for wildlife scrutiny scrutiny match the details on it trafficking;

192 193 - Appropriate action is taken for dealing with confiscated Having details within agencies complexity and volume of for any non-compliance live animals. of who should be contacted international trade, fuelled by issues. Depending on when dealing with wildlife issues technological advances that have the severity of the non- - Police, if they are responsible is essential. Contact should revolutionized global trading compliance, this could for investigations, otherwise be regularly made between practices, have significantly entail either confiscation it could be Customs agencies in order to foster good affected the way Customs or notifying the intended investigators or wildlife cooperation and understanding. administrations carry out their recipient country that the authorities that need to be responsibilities and organise shipment is going to continue contacted. Looking for potential targets their business operations. Today its journey to them. Where to check for smuggled wildlife Customs is required to provide live animals are involved, - Animal Health/veterinary specimens is altogether a extensive facilitation of trade decisions will need to be agency, responsible for different prospect, and one while maintaining control over acted on swiftly, as it might checking/issuing health that requires a good deal more the international movement of mean critical delays to the permits for live animals, planning. goods, persons and means of next leg of their journey. meat and perishable animal transport. In seeking to achieve products. Any checks or Risk Profiling a balance between these goals, It is important that Customs link confiscations of live animals Customs has been moving away with other government agencies, should be done under their International trade is a key from traditional control methods particularly when there are control to ensure there is no driver of economic growth and and adopting new thinking and compliance issues or attempts health risk. development. It raises living approaches to its tasks. Customs to smuggle have been detected. standards in both developed administrations are increasingly Important ones include: - Forestry/plant health and developing countries, adopting risk management departments should be contributes to the reduction techniques to determine where - Wildlife authority, who may contacted when timber and of poverty as well as creating a the greatest areas of exposure to have representation at the plants are involved. more stable, secure and peaceful risk exist and how to effectively border or at a central point, world. Customs administrations allocate scarce resources to should be contactable to - Agencies in other countries play an integral role in world manage these risks. This enables provide advice on: permits, when shipments are being commerce.They have the the objectives set for Customs by compliance issues, organising allowed to continue to essential task of enforcing the government to be achieved and examinations of live their end destination after law, collecting duties and taxes, the expectations of the trading animals, providing advice on irregularities have been found. providing prompt clearance of community and citizens alike to identification, and procedures goods and ensuring compliance. be met. Recently, the increased

194 195 What is a risk profile? Passengers - Cover-load (declared goods) - Details of driver and their nationality The World Customs - Nationality of traveller - Type of specimens found Organization (WCO) Risk International mail and courier Management Compendium - Whether incoming, departing - Quantity found defines it as the “description or in transit - Origin/destination of package of any set of risks, including a - Concealment method, if there predetermined combination - Route to end destination is one - Name and address (are they of risk indicators, based fake or real? hotel addresses on information which has - Type of specimens found - Route to end destination are often used) been gathered, analysed and (export or transhipment) - Quantity found (commercial categorized”. Risk profiling - Description of goods on or private use) - Company/individual details is used all the time to target Customs declaration (false or genuine names / revenue fraud, drugs, weapons - Concealment method, if there addresses?) - Specimens found and human trafficking, but eryv is one seldom for wildlife, although the - Shipping agent details (to see - Concealment if any process is just the same. Risk - Airline (some may be if there is any connection to profiles can be used for all types favoured over others) others) - Courier company (is it of traffic, such as sea, air, road one often used to smuggle and mail/fast parcels, since the - Action taken (confiscation, - Airline or vessel (is there a goods?) principals are the same. fine, prison sentence) particular one used more than others?) - Action taken Information to build profiles - Where the specimens were to target wildlife trafficking obtained Land borders • Information on trends can can come from many sources, be obtained from the World including: - Any previous records of the - Any appropriate details from Customs Organization individual above (WCO) CEN ENVIRONET • Previous detections of wildlife system, where non-nominal smuggling in your country Cargo (air and sea) - Whether it is an individual details of CITES seizures are a good start. Information or a road haulage company are held for all countries to extract from them could - Import, export or in transit involved reporting to it. Details of include: from another country

196 197 seizures in other countries be approached via the procedures and allows profiles can help to build a picture appropriate Customs/police to be set to target risk. There are of the potential for targeting channels. usually risk profile or intelligence wildlife trafficking in yourown teams who are responsible for country. It is also possible • Open source searches on the setting profiles on ASYCUDA that seizures in transit or internet can reveal a huge and also for passenger selection destination countries reveal amount of information on and it will be necessary to engage that the originating country what the current trafficking with them in order to get wildlife was in fact your own, trends are. Significant trafficking on their radar. without having been aware seizures of wildlife are usually of it before. The Regional reported to the media and Traffickers will always seek out Intelligence Liaison Officer contain useful information what they perceive to be the (RILO) can help with this such as cover-loads, weakest exit point to get their via the link person in your routes, species, quantities, commodity to the consumer own country. The RILO for nationalities etc. markets and wildlife smuggling is West Africa is based in Dakar, no different. It is up to Customs Senegal. • Wildlife and environmental to undertake their role in NGOs working in West enforcing wildlife controls in • Other agencies in your own African countries often have a professional and thorough country may hold information useful information on wildlife manner in order to try and that they had not thought of trafficking and are usually very ensure that their exit/import sharing. Wildlife authorities receptive to approaches for points are not targeted by wildlife often receive information assistance. traffickers. from other countries, the CITES Secretariat, NGOs, etc. All ECOWAS countries use which could be tapped into. the computerised customs management system ASYCUDA • Interpol holds nominal (Automated SYstem for information/intelligence CUstoms DAta).The system on wildlife trafficking cases handles manifests and Customs and should have offices declarations, accounting in each country. They can procedures, transit and suspense

198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 Module 6: Checking CITES Training notes: (Special Conditions) indicates - It should clearly indicate Permits that a copy is permitted. whether it is for an export, re- • Permits are issued by the export or import with a “X” Objectives - By the end of Management Authority (MA) - that there have been no in the appropriate box. It can this module participants of the of the country exporting/ alterations, i.e. rubbings out only be one of these. workshop should be able to: importing the CITES or changes/additions to any specimen. For exports and information. If there have - The full names and addresses • Have a clear idea of what re-exports, the specimen been alterations, have they of the exporter and importer CITES permits look like and must be accompanied by a been countersigned by the must be on the document how/when they are used. valid permit and it is usually MA and endorsed with their and the name of the country the Customs at the point of security stamp? exporting/re-exporting it. • Follow the completed boxes departure that has to check on any permit and understand that all is okay with both the If there is a problem with any - There is a box where the what each one means, shipment and the paperwork. of these requirements, the date the permit is valid until regardless of which language MA needs to be consulted is located, and this should be it is in. • Before conducting a immediately and before the checked along with the date documentary inspection, shipment is cleared from the permit was issued (usually • Recognise when information a general scrutiny of the Customs control. box 13 near the bottom). An on a permit is incorrect and document should be made to export/re-export permit can what action to take. ensure: • Most of the boxes on a only be valid for a maximum CITES permit are self- of 6 months from the date • Understand which - that the permit is written explanatory and covered in of issue, so the ‘valid until’ information is important in one of the three working the presentation, however date must be within that time when checking a shipment languages of CITES (English, there are some key ones frame. It can be less than 6 and recognise when it is French or Spanish), or worth highlighting here. months, but not more. Import wrong. accompanied by a complete permits can be valid for a translation into one of those - Each permit must have a maximum of 1 year from the • Endorse a permit when languages. unique number that identifies date of issue. satisfied it is correct and it to the specimens it was know what to do with the - the permit is an original, not issued for. This should be - Security stamps are not used permits subsequently. one of the carbonised copies found at the top of the permit, by all countries, and those or a photocopy unless Box 5 usually at the very top of the countries that use security permit. paper to print permits on for

212 213 instance are not likely to use the IATA Perishable - Kno wing what species the descriptions can be found in them, but where they are used, permit is for and how many Annex A. the stamp number should be Cargo Regulations; or, specimens are covered by the written in the appropriate box in the case of non-air permit is of course important - The number of specimens (usually box 8).This number and it is worth taking time to being exported, re-exported should be checked against the transport, with the check this aspect. Both the or imported must not security stamp itself which CITES Guidelines for common name and scientific exceed the amount listed should be in the same box that name must be entered on on the permit, so a detailed the MA endorses the permit. the Non-Air Transport the permit (usually boxes examination may be required of Live Wild Animals 7-11). In order to conduct to determine this.There can - The Special Conditions box and Plants” an examination, some be less specimens, however, so (usually box 5) should be background research using a if the import permit is for 50 checked to see whether the - It is important that when live species identification manual specimens and there are only MA has written anything in animals are involved, that they or by keying the name of 20 in the shipment, then that there which needs checking. In are checked to make sure they the species into Google for is okay, but you must specify the same box should be this meet these conditions.There instance, should be done to this change when endorsing statement: will be more detail on this in find out what the species is the permit at the bottom. Module 10, when examination supposed to look like. - The Source code is a letter “If for live animals, at the border is covered. - The description of the that indicates the source of this permit or the specimen, e.g.W = Wild - The Purpose of the specimen, e.g. Live, Skin, Horn, taken, C = Animals bred in certificate is valid transaction box features a Bone, Wood, etc. should be captivity, R = Ranched, etc.A only if the transport code letter that indicates what indicated (usually in box 9) the specimen is going to be and you should also check if full list of these code letters conditions comply used for, e.g.T = Commercial, P there are any identification is included in Annex A at the with the IATA Live = Personal, H = Hunting trophy, marks indicated in the box, i.e. end of this module. etc.A full list of these letters is seal or microchip numbers. - If the permit is a re-export, Animals Regulations; included in Annex A at the end These should be checked then the country of origin if for live plants, with of this module. against the specimen to ensure they match and are of the specimens will be the ones the permit was indicated (usually in box 12), issued for. A list of the main along with the original permit

214 215 number and date issued. If against the Valid until box permit. The exact number of the specimens have been re- at the top of the permit), specimens found during the exported to more than one signed and stamped by the examination of the shipment country, then the country issuing authority. It is in this should be noted in the boxes of last re-export will also be box also that the security marked A, B, C, etc. which included (usually box 12a), stamp is usually to be found if correspond to the boxes along with the certificate used by the country. If one is where the species are listed Security stamp with signature and seal through it number and date issued. used, the number should be in the main body of the checked against the number permit. Any boxes not used - Most permits have space to quoted in box 8. It is also should be cancelled out, so time use only, so even if a list 3-4 species on them, often important that the authorising they cannot be added to at a smaller number of specimens marked A, B, C, etc. Any of officer’s signature and official later date. The permit should than the permit has been these spaces not used should seal cancels the stamp by then be signed, dated and the issued for are in the shipment, have been cancelled, usually extending over it as well as official stamp used to endorse the original document should with lines through them, by the permit. This should make it. There should be two or be endorsed and returned the issuing authority. This peeling off a previously used three carbonised copies to the MA and must not be prevents an unscrupulous stamp in order to forge a new of the permit, and these returned to the exporter/ trader from adding species CITES permit more difficult, should be endorsed also. The importer to be used again. on to the permit after the as only half of the signature/ relevant copy of the permit export permit has been seal would be seen on it. should be kept and returned • It is important that time is issued to them. to the MA so they can record taken to check the permits - Just before the specimens it as having been used. and the goods thoroughly, - The ‘Issued by’ box should be are to be exported, the as the person endorsing it is checked to make sure it had permit must be endorsed - Once the permit has been verifying that the permit is been completed by the MA at the bottom to say that endorsed, the original copy valid, and that the specimens correctly. It must be dated Customs are satisfied that should go with the rest of the are exactly as the permit (this date should be checked the shipment conforms to the documents accompanying the states they are. Caution shipment. must be taken by Customs to check permits carefully - If it is an importation, then since CITES permit fraud is the specimens should be one of the major ways to checked against the CITES smuggle wildlife, as it gives the Permit endorsed by Customs prior to export permits. Permits are for one- appearance of legitimacy.

216 217 Annex A • Flower N Reintroduction or Appendix I plants artificially introduction into the wild propagated for commercial Description of Specimen • Hair purposes P Personal • Live • Horn A Plants that are artificially Q Circus or travelling exhibition propagated in accordance with • Trophy • Leather product Resolution Conf. 11.11 (Rev. S Scientific CoP15), as well as parts and • Skin A full list of codes can be derivatives thereof, exported obtained via this link: T Commercial under the provisions of Article VII, • Egg paragraph 5 (specimens of species https://trade.cites.org/cites_ Z Zoo included in Appendix I that have trade_guidelines/en-CITES_ • Caviar been propagated artificially for Trade_Database_Guide.pdf Source code non-commercial purposes and • Oil specimens of species included in Transaction code Letter used on CITES permits Appendices II and III) • Bone and certificates to indicate the The reported purpose of the source of the specimen they C Animals bred in captivity in • Meat transaction is shown as a one- cover, as follows: accordance with Resolution Conf. letter code: 10.16 (Rev.), as well as parts and • Ivory W Specimens taken from the derivatives thereof, exported B Breeding in captivity or wild under the provisions of Article • Wood artificial propagation R Ranched specimens: specimens VII, paragraph 5 • Chips E Educational of animals reared in a controlled F Animals born in captivity (F1 environment, taken as eggs or or subsequent generations) that • Claw G Botanical garden juveniles from the wild do not fulfil the definition of • Coral H Hunting trophy D Appendix-I animals bred ‘bred in captivity’ in Resolution in captivity for commercial Conf. 10.16 (Rev.), as well as • Dried plant L Law enforcement / judicial purposes in operations included parts and derivatives thereof / forensic in the Secretariat’s Register, in • Feather U Source unknown (must be accordance with Resolution justified) M Medical (including biomedical Conf. 12.10 (Rev. CoP15), and • Log research)

218 219 I Confiscated or seized Annex B – Sample permit specimens

O Pre-Convention specimens (may be used with other source codes)

X Specimens taken from the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any State

220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 Module 7: CITES Permit • Permit fraud is one of the • Permits should not be - Water mark missing from Fraud best ways traffickers can endorsed by Customs countries who use security move their wildlife specimens, or other officials until paper for their permits. Objectives - By the end of because if they can make the the specimens have been this module participants of the shipment appear legitimate, corroborated against the - The signature of the workshop should be able to: then the risk of detection is information on the permit. authorising official is very much lowered. incorrect (has been forged). • Understand that permit fraud • There is an exercise at the is a major factor in wildlife • Permit fraud is very common end of this module where - There is no security stamp trafficking and happens in many of the participants have to identify for those countries that CITES Parties (member mistakes on example permits use them. • Understand genuine mistakes states). Some examples are (some of which are ones that as opposed to fraudulent quite easy to detect, while were actually used), which - The security stamp has practices others, like those issued will test the knowledge they been taken from another through corruption, are much have learned. permit. Check whether the • Have a clear idea of the types more difficult. MA signature and stamp of permit fraud and how they There are four types of cover both the stamp and are perpetrated • If officers have any doubts fraudulent permits which can be document as it should. about a permit, they recognised, including those that • Be able to recognise in many should contact their CITES are non-valid for various reasons: - Any simple mistakes on cases when a fraudulent Management Authority (MA) the permit suggesting the permit is being used for advice. • Counterfeit permits completion by someone not familiar with their completion. Training notes: • Checking permits should - The wrong type of paper not be rushed, or errors has been used to print the • Falsified permits • Module 6 covered CITES will not be picked up. If document on, so it feels or permits, what they look like unsure, officers should looks unusual. - The document is a photocopy and how they are completed. always consult their more rather than an original. In this module we are going experienced colleagues. - An unofficial stamp or MA to look at how CITES permits seal has been used. It will - (Note: In particular cases are used fraudulently. show signs of being a copy photocopies may be used, (e.g. details missing or crudely but this must always be finished). stated on the permit and the

236 237 photocopy must bear the - An ink spot is present - Details have been completed • Invalid permits original signature and seal of without reason, which often in a non-standard format the authority designated to indicates the use of a thinner. (Fig. 4). - The use of permits with validate it.) an expired validity date. - The document contains - The security stamp number - The printing is unusual in alterations which are not does match Box 5b. - The use of permits appearance (e.g. different authenticated by the MA whose contents (i.e. character types on the same official that issued the - Unused boxes have not been quantity or description document, the ink is not document (must be signed crossed through. of the specimens) does uniform in colour, etc.). and stamped next to the not correspond to alteration by MA). - A security stamp from the specimens contained in another certificate has been the shipment (e.g. there are used (Fig. 3). more specimens shipped than the permit has been - Information on the permit is issued for. Note: it is quite incorrect (e.g. the appendix acceptable for there to be for species listed is incorrect, fewer specimens shipped the scientific name is than the permit is issued for). incorrect or missing, the MA details are wrong, the validity - Must be a CITES certificate, date is longer than that not a veterinary health allowed, e.g. over 6 months certificate, Customs seal, etc. Fig. 3 - Signature and seal do not extend on for an export/re-export (Fig. 5) to the certificate. permit and over 1 year for an import permit). - Appendix I specimens must be uniquely marked, e.g. tag, microchip, closed ring, and the number must match the one on the permit. Fig. 4 – Box 2 Valid Until date entered in non-standard format

238 239 - Checking the permit • Fraudulent permits - The document itself looks information against other genuine, but there are errors documentation, e.g. air waybill - A permit that is genuine, but on it which may indicate (airplane), invoice, bill of fraudulently obtained. the person was not entirely lading (ship) might reveal familiar with the process, e.g. discrepancies. - An official may have been the appendix for the species is bribed to issue a permit, or incorrect, spellings of scientific - Alterations made on the provide blank permits. names, personal details, etc. permit and not countersigned are incorrect. and stamped by the MA. It - The permit might look could be an oversight, but the genuine, but the signature of If there are any doubts about the permit would not be valid. the authorising official may identity of the specimens, and have been forged. there is not adequate information - Permit not endorsed at to make an accurate identification, export by Customs or other - The species concerned the shipment should be detained responsible body. would not under normal and the MA consulted for advice. circumstances be granted a permit, e.g. ivory, pangolin scales, chimpanzees, rhino horns, grey parrots, etc.

Fig. 5 – Forged seal but used a Customs one not the MA’s

240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 Module 8: Domestic Training notes and to - investigate CITES offences Legislation Implementing include in the country (if not Customs or wildlife CITES presentation: authority, then which agency does this in your country) Objectives – Before and during • It is important that Customs the training, those attending the and those working in the - undertake controlled workshop will: wildlife authority understand deliveries with another what the legislation is that country • Have identified the relevant they are working under and domestic legislation that what enforcement powers - whose responsibility is applies to the implementation they have in relation to that it to store and dispose and enforcement of CITES in legislation of confiscated wildlife their home countries specimens? • It is not necessary to cover • Have researched and all aspects of the legislation, - any other relevant laws/ understood the key sections but to focus on those that legislation which applies to of the law that applies in their front-line officers need to the illegal trade in wildlife departments’ daily work operate under and should (e.g. non-CITES protected include powers to: species, etc.) • Have developed a Powerpoint presentation that covers the - stop and search imports, legislation relating to the exports and transit for Management Authority and people, vehicles, freight and Customs roles post/courier

• Conduct a (no more than) - enforce CITES legislation 15 minute Powerpoint presentation during the - seize/confiscate CITES listed workshop on their countries’ specimens legislation - arrest for CITES offences

254 255 Module 9: Wildlife high, the penalties are usually Evading Internal and External The method that is probably Smuggling Techniques low if they happen to get Border Controls most frequently used at border caught.This often makes it posts is concealment.Therefore Objectives - By the end of more attractive. There are various ways people when you inspect vehicles, this module participants of the smuggle wildlife to get through containers or persons it is workshop should: • Whatever the commodity, Customs controls, and these important that you conduct a smugglers have the advantage include: systematic search to ensure no • Have a good idea of the over Customs in that they spaces that could be used for different ways wildlife is have all the time they need • Hiding specimens on the concealment are overlooked. smuggled to think of ways to avoid person (body packing) their goods being found, and Body packing • Have a good idea of the they don’t even need to be • Hiding specimens within main species of animals being anywhere near them when carry-on or checked-in • This is a surprisingly popular smuggled they enter the control area. If baggage or personal effects way for traffickers to smuggle you can think of any possible wildlife, both live animals • Know how live animals are way to hide it, then smugglers • Concealed in cargo and derivatives. Some of the often smuggled into/out of of illegal wildlife specimens transported by air, sea or techniques are as follows: countries have almost certainly thought train of it before you. - Containers/bags which are • Know the different methods • Sent by parcel post or strapped around various traffickers use to conceal • New smuggling techniques courier parts of the trafficker’s body wildlife specimens will inevitably develop to to secure them counter law enforcement • Using disguises to mislead Training notes: detection efforts. Good Customs - Bags that are hung from the collaboration and information neck or body of the trafficker • Concealed within vehicles • In the minds of a smuggler, sharing is vital in order to wildlife is just like any other counter this. - Specially made/adapted commodity that they can • Using false or falsified clothing worn as the make money out of, except documents trafficker goes through the whilst the rewards can be Customs controls • Falsely declaring goods

• Corrupting officials to facilitate smuggling

256 257 • These methods are favoured Example 1. Eggs being smuggled Example 2. Snakes and other Example 3. There have been for smuggling rare birds eggs, on the body. Not a very reptiles are usually transported several cases recently where as heat from the body keeps sophisticated but an effective way in bags, but some smugglers then purpose built vests have been them warm and therefore of smuggling the eggs as it keeps tape the bags around various used to conceal as much as 26kg alive. Once through controls, them warm. parts of their body. Rare plants of ivory under outer garments. As the eggs are then transferred have also been smuggled using long as there is no metal fastenings to incubators where they are this method. used in the vest’s construction, hatched and the birds are hand then they are likely to pass reared before being sold. through security scanners without hindrance using this method.

258 259 Baggage Over 50kg Rhino horns were Example 2. A sedated Tiger was has a built in double bottom found in a suitcase by Vietnamese found in a suitcase by Thai airport used to smuggle ivory. The weight • There is a lot of space within Customs on a flight from Nairobi. security as the woman was trying would give it away once the baggage to carry through The suitcase did not appear to to take it onboard insider her suitcase contents were removed. illegal wildlife. These can be have an owner. carry-on luggage. hidden within legal items or simply packed inside without • Live animals are also These birds of prey were concealment, knowing that transported this way, both wrapped in cloth then put the chances of being stopped in carry-on and checked- into basket tubes before being at busy airports is low, as are in baggage, despite the smuggled in a suitcase. There have the penalties if caught. potential harm that could been several instances of this come to them. Reptiles are with birds of prey, parrots and • Elephant ivory and rhino very often smuggled this way, small finches. horns are very often but birds and mammals are transported in baggage, as frequently transported in Example 3. Just as is done to it gives the smuggler more suitcases as well. smuggle drugs, suitcases and control over what are very holdalls can be adapted to carry valuable items. There is little wildlife products.This example attempt to conceal them. If the trafficker notices a bag is being looked at by Customs, they will often abandon it and run off.

Example 1. Check-in baggage with 105kg of ivory in transit from to Cambodia via Bangkok Airport where it was detected.

260 261 • There are some tell-tale signs - People who are nervous - Use your senses to pick up tea, frozen beef and dried to look for when stopping often sweat, and they may any unusual signals, i.e. if fish. Usually wildlife products someone as they are passing have a dry mouth or dilated someone is carrying wildlife have been hidden either through Customs controls: pupils there may be some unusual amongst the freight in similar smells, animal type noises or boxes/sacks as the declared - Inappropriate, oversized or - They avoid eye contact when movement coming from the goods, or at the back/under bulky clothes, which may be you talk to them passenger or their luggage the freight, meaning the concealing something illicit container/lorry will have to underneath. - They act nervous when - Their movement might seem be entirely unloaded to get you talk to them, i.e. cough very restricted if they are to it. Example 4. The young girl below repeatedly to clear their body packing fragile or large was stopped because she was throat, or their voice cracks or heavy items • Creating a false compartment wearing warm clothes on a hot when they speak to you within a container, particularly day and her torso looked bulky Cargo those used on ships. The way compared to the rest of her - Their hands or mouth shake to detect whether there features. She had taped ivory with fear Traffickers wishing to smuggle is a false compartment is jewellery to her body. large quantities of wildlife either through scanning the - People often fidget with specimens such as ivory tusks container, or simply taking their clothing or jewellery, and pangolin scales will generally the inside measurements frequently adjusting them do so within cargo. There are and comparing them to the when waiting or talking to several methods they use to try outside. See Example 1. you to pass their illicit goods through controls undetected: • Traffickers will usually use - They talk very quickly when indirect routes to get their asked questions, without • Declaring the cargo as wildlife specimens to the thought something which would intended end destination, in explain the weight and does order to try to avoid raising - They delay responding whilst not draw the attention of the suspicion of enforcement trying to think what to say enforcement officers. Some agencies. Malaysia, Dubai/ that you will believe, or may of the descriptions used have UAE, European countries, repeat the question asked of been: scrap plastic, foodstuff, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, them before answering charcoal, glass, ground nuts, Hong Kong,Turkey and other

262 263 countries have been used as • Live animals and some animal Example 1. Container scanned Example 2. Pangolin scales transit countries, when the parts/derivatives are often at import in China reveals a declared as ‘oyster shells’. Note end destinations are likely shipped using CITES permits concealment within the back of the indirect route taken to the to be in East Asia, e.g. China, which are fake, falsified or it containing a large number of end destinations. Vietnam, Laos, etc. See fraudulently issued. This type elephant tusks. Example 2. of document fraud can be hard to detect, particularly • Concealments within if corruption has been timber has been one of the involved. Pangolin scales, most popular smuggling chimpanzees, grey parrots methods for wildlife. It has and other species have been the appropriate weight, is trafficked using this type a common product being of fraud. Customs must transported internationally check permits carefully and for many African countries, challenge any that appear to 400kg Pangolin scales declared as oyster and for enforcement be wrong, altered or issued shells seized in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur authorities is not easy to for species that would not International Airport in transit from Ghana to China examine due to its bulk. normally be given permits, Inevitably, it means emptying i.e. chimpanzees, gorillas, the container and checking all pangolins, grey parrots, etc. the timber. Ivory and pangolin scales have been found concealed within specially adapted timber and in the middle/back of containers. See Example 3. 300kg Pangolin scales seized at Malaysia airport. Route: DRC - Turkey - Thailand - Laos

264 265 Example 3. Timber is a popular Vehicles Once a decision has been made Example 1. A simple cover-load for ivory traffickers as to search a vehicle, time should concealment of a baby it is accounts for the weight and To try to deter all but the most be taken to look at what spaces chimpanzee hidden amongst is difficult to examine properly vigilant enforcement officers, there are on the exterior and sacks of clothing. Live animals without emptying out the traffickers who transport their interior where concealments (mammals) are often sedated to entire contents from a shipping contraband across borders will could be made. This will mean keep them immobile and quiet. container. Here is an example try to make it as difficult as removing any baggage, cargo where ivory has been inserted possible for them to detect it. and passengers for a thorough into hollowed out timber. Traffickers will conceal goods search, so the full structure of within vehicles that are used to the vehicle can be accessed. go through land border entry/ Start with either the exterior or check points, either by utilising interior and search it thoroughly spaces already available or by before moving on to the other creating them. Wildlife is no part. Look in known spaces such different than any other type of as inside door linings, central smuggled goods in this regard, as consoles, under seats, inside you will see from the examples wheels and tyres, etc., but also below. spaces that might have been created such as false floors in trucks, spaces created between the back seat and boot, extra fuel tanks, etc.

266 267 Example 2. This truck had a Example 3. A false compartment - Sender and recipient details Countries of destination, false floor built into it in which was made between the boot are usually false and hotels weight, types of goods pangolins had been hidden. space and rear seat of this car, or PO boxes are often used declared, and name/addresses concealing a large number of live as the address for recipients should all be factored into a parrots in cages. with just a mobile phone risk profile. number to contact them. This makes it difficult for enforcement to trace the traffickers if packages are intercepted, another reason they use this method.

- Contents are often described as ‘personal effects’, ‘clothing’, ‘ornaments’ or something Parcels that explains the weight of the parcel. - Courier/parcel post is a popular way of smuggling - The fast speed that mail wildlife specimens, both live parcels are sent means that and derivatives, particularly Customs seldom have much with the huge rise in the time to select and open ones number of people buying they might be interested in, goods via the internet. and those being exported receive scant attention as - Although individual quantities there is little or no revenue tend to be smaller than other involved. methods of trafficking, the amount can add up when - Risk profiling is essential several parcels are sent, with if Customs are going to the advantage of being able to succeed in intercepting illegal reach any part of the world wildlife being trafficked using directly. this mode of transport.

268 269 Example 1. These live pancake Example 2. Ivory is often sent Disguise tortoises were sent by post from via mail/courier. In this instance, Tanzania to Belgium, and similar ivory necklace beads were sewn Another ploy used by ones were also sent to the UK. into the piping on two shirts, traffickers is to disguise The tortoises were ordered via proving that concealment is still wildlife products to look like the internet. part of the smugglers’ tools to something innocuous, in order avoid detection. The package to fool enforcement officers was declared as clothing and the into thinking everything is okay. route was Nigeria – UK – China. Again, this is very similar to the methods used to smuggle narcotics. Some of these disguise attempts are very professionally done, while others not so:

270 271 Example 1. A common method Example 2. In this case, ivory Scanning of smuggling is to conceal had been painted black and was specimens within wooden or found within boxes of shoe tags. • Where possible a scanner plaster statues. Usually the weight At first glance, the objects do should be used to look of the items will provide a clue not look like ivory, but close for concealments within that everything is not as it seems. examination and the weight were artefacts such as statues, Whenever possible, scan the tell-tale signs that the object ornaments, speakers, etc., to items and the concealment will were in fact ivory. avoid unnecessary damage if be revealed. they turn out to be genuine artefacts.

• Normally it is fairly obvious on the scanner monitor if there is something inside, but it is worth spending some time viewing it to see what it is likely to be.

• Module 11 covers evidence management, but to reiterate, photos of the screen showing the concealment should be taken plus when the extraction takes place.

• Gloves should be worn and notes taken of the whole process as soon as a potential offence comes to light.

272 273 Example 1. The scan of a Example 2. This statue was in Example 3. These speakers ‘bronzed statue’ which was being transit from Burundi through packed inside a suitcase were taken from the UK to China, Belgium to China and when found to have a number of revealed two rhino horns inside. scanned showed there was an reptiles concealed within it, ivory tusk inside. which can be seen clearly on the scanner.

Two computer speakers containing 2 snakes and 3 turtles

Three food containers concealing 14 iguanas, 10 frill-necked lizards, 2 tree monitors and 2 turtles

Keep up to date with smuggling When you make a detection of trends through the World smuggled wildlife, do not keep it Customs Organization (WCO), to yourself, share with all your Interpol and/or open research on colleagues on the frontline and the internet. Smuggling methods advise the WCO/Interpol through are always changing and just the appropriate channels. The only as enforcement catches on to way to defeat wildlife traffickers current practices, traffickers move is through cooperation between to new ones. government agencies and by sharing information/intelligence.

274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 Module 10: Examinations animals by aircraft and the • Regar dless of whether the directed on to their final at the Border consequences if these are smuggled specimens are destination, or routes via less breached concealed or not, traffickers obvious countries involved in Objectives - By the end of will try and make the shipment wildlife trafficking. this module participants of the Training notes: seem legitimate, so that workshop should be able to: Customs suspicions will not Intelligence/profiling teams would • The sheer scale of people be raised. There are various usually undertake credibility • Understand checks that and goods flowing into and ways they do this and although checks when deciding what need to be done prior to out of a country is vast and some are covered in other should be examined and these examinations ever increasing. Trying to pick modules, it is worth repeating: would include things like: out illegal goods from what • Know how to set up and is predominantly legal is a - Forged, falsified, or real • Checking out information conduct an examination of daunting task for Customs permits issued through false on documents, e.g. names, live animals to tackle, which is why risk information or corrupt addresses, phone numbers, profiling is such an important officials may be used to try etc. since often false ones • Understand the risks to tool in their armoury. It is to export/import specimens are given. health when examining live used widely for revenue ‘legitimately’. Checks animals, untreated skins and evasion, drugs and other types should be undertaken with • Looking at the goods bushmeat of prohibited/restricted goods, the licensing authority if declared; does the destination and there is no reason that suspicions are raised. for them seem strange, i.e. is • Know what sort of wildlife trafficking can’t equally there a need for them in the precautions need to be taken be tackled this way. - The declared goods and other country? to mitigate health and safety accompanying documents risks • Having selected either a will probably not in • Does it make economic sense passenger, freight or parcel themselves draw attention looking at the value against • Know what to look for to check, the examination to what the real purpose of the shipping costs? when examining live animal should be thorough and the shipment is. shipments methodical, making sure there • Does the routing seem a little are no concealments with - The routing to the real end strange, i.e. are there more • Know the principals of the the contents of suitcases, destination is quite likely not direct routes? International Air Transport boxes, etc. or in the packing to be obvious. Freeports Association (IATA) guidelines material itself. are a favourite place to ship • Is the end country well for the carriage of live to, from where they can be known as a user of wildlife?

296 297 Examinations of live animals • It is not advisable for Customs • It is very important that • Before an examination takes officers to undertake live animals are examined in a place, there are a few things The international trade in live animals examinations without secure, quiet environment, so that need to be sorted out animals or bushmeat takes place an expert with them to assist. both the animals and humans and available to use where in probably all West African The expert should be able to: are kept safe. It is quite likely necessary: countries, either legally or not. that there are no purpose Reptiles, birds and mammals - Handle or make animals built facilities for inspections - Check all the documentation are traded to East Asia, Middle available for viewing when of wildlife at border points, and the outside of the boxes/ East, Europe and North America requested but even a simple uncluttered bags to find out more of in particular, many of them room with space enough to what is supposed to be in being CITES species. Primates, - Assist with identification open up bags and boxes in them. This will enable you pangolins, grey parrots and would suffice. to decide how they should bushmeat are hunted/captured - Provide advice on the status be opened, e.g. if there are across borders and brought of the species • If live animals are found snakes and scorpions in back to supply the markets in or going to be examined, the shipment, great caution their own countries. In order to - Act as an expert witness in there needs to be a minimal is needed, but if there are determine what species they are court if required number of people in the tortoises, then they pose and thereby what legal protection location that is going to be little danger. Customs attending should be they have, if any, specimens need used. Tempting though it is checking paperwork, noting down to be examined. Sometimes the for people to get their phone - Look up the species using species, specimens numbers, etc. animals can be seen clearly in out to take pictures, the identification material, and asking relevant questions cages without having to open more stressed the animals whether it be a manual, in a when comparing what the expert them up, however, they are often get, the more likely either book or from the internet. says with what was on the transported in closed boxes or they, or someone there is If the animals do not look documents. bags, and these will need to be going to be injured. Animals like the ones declared when opened to see what is inside. The will often attack if they feel checking these sources, then following is some guidance on threatened! Quiet and calm further enquiries will be how this should be done: over the proceedings should needed. be the way to carry out an examination.

298 299 Face masks should be worn Arachnids (spiders and when in the same room as live scorpions) - can bite, can birds, mammals, unprocessed give a very nasty sting or, as in skins or bushmeat, in order to the case of tarantulas, irritate avoid picking up any zoonoses the eyes by flicking hair off its or viruses.A large net should abdomen when under threat. be used to capture any small Health and safety equipment mammals or birds straying from Birds - apart from the used in examinations their containers. ability to bite (some like parrots, bite very hard) or • There are a number of scratch, they have diseases diseases and viruses that are that can spread to humans, transferable from animals to e.g. psittacosis, Newcastle’s humans and animals can also disease, botulism and inflict serious injuries if health aspergillosis. and safety precautions are not followed. Some of the Mammals - they of course things to watch out for are: can bite or scratch and pass - Permits and other documents such as birds of prey, large on some serious diseases, should be on hand to parrots, etc., thicker gloves Reptiles - many can bite, such as Rabies, Marburg, check as the specimens are would be needed. Disposable some are venomous, those Tuberculosis and Hepatitis A/B. examined. gloves should be discarded/ with claws can scratch, and Bushmeat is said to have been processed appropriately often they have salmonella on the cause of the outbreak of - Health and safety equipment when the work is done. their skins. the deadly virus Ebola and appropriate for the task Other equipment would there is a great concern in the should be available. It is include: snake sticks for all Amphibians - frogs in World Health Organization important that anyone different types of snake, particular can be highly (WHO) that other animal handling live animals, even particularly those that are poisonous, have salmonella on viruses will spread to humans harmless ones like tortoises, venomous, and clean plastic their skin, and carry bacteria which have no vaccinations to should have disposal gloves bins to put them in so that from water. protect them. on. For more harmful animals they cannot escape.

300 301 Any animals products that animals internationally should have not been processed have a copy. Photocopy must be treated with caution the relevant pages for the and appropriate personal examination to be conducted protective equipment (PPE) and keep them for another used for examinations. time.

Injuries and diseases can be • The guidance covers the Wearing PPE for handling Rhino horns avoided with Personal Protection Seizure of African bushmeat in USA following requirements, Equipment and a good standard although the list is not of hygiene, i.e. do not eat food, - Is the species identification International Air Transport comprehensive: smoke, or use a handkerchief correct Association (IATA) guidelines during an examination, and wash on the transport of live animals - Proper marking of boxes – hands immediately afterwards. - Any markings mentioned need ‘live animals’ labels, and on the permit should match • Provides guidance to airlines, some indication which side up • Be very wary about opening those on the animals (e.g., suppliers and exporters on the box has to be. boxes containing animals, as rings, microchips, etc.) how every live animal should they often escape from bags be packed in order to be - Construction of the container and other containers inside - Do the quantities align with transported by air. Failure meets the required standard them, particularly reptiles. the permit – there can be less to do so can end up with an and has adequate ventilation. Very slowly lift the lid, making in the shipment, but not more airline being prosecuted. sure you see whether there - The size of the box has to are any loose ones in the box - Check the container to • These standards have been be suitable for the species before taking it off. make sure there are no adopted by CITES and and size of the animals concealments built in. Large permits are invalidated if they being transported inside. • Check the specimens to the or dangerous animals to have not been met. The guidance provides invoice and permits to ensure deter inspections have been comprehensive descriptions they agree. Some of the things used as a cover for smuggling • The book of guidance is very and diagrams of what these to look out for are: drugs and diamonds or comprehensive and expensive should be. endangered animals hidden to buy from IATA, but all - Is the packing according with below. major airlines who transport IATA (see below)

302 303 - Layers in between a box space should be immediately which allows some animals to obvious, and so the shipment be ‘stacked’, have to be robust should not be allowed to enough to prevent crushing continue and seized if this is those underneath (see the case. example 1 below). Example 1. A box containing - Food and water have to be reptiles has been layered with a provided to animals where thin piece of plywood separating required. Some animals, like them. However it is too thin and reptiles, do not require food the large reptiles in bags on the and water, but generally birds top layer have crushed those and mammals do. The IATA underneath. guide will state which species do require sustenance either during the flight, or if in transit, at the airport it is passing through.

- Containers of any poisonous or dangerous animals must be clearly marked that this is the case.

- Common sense should indicate when things are really not right during an examination. Animals that are clearly suffering; boxes that are obviously inadequate for the task, or where animals are packed into a small

304 305 Example 2. Four large monitors Exporters are well aware that have been crammed into a bag inspections are rarely carried out that is too small for even one to at the place of export as there is travel in. often not the expertise to do so, so it is easy for them to ‘smuggle’ species through controls. Examinations should be carried out to risk and if Customs are expected to authorise animal shipments through endorsing CITES permits, then they need to be part of the process.

Examinations should be conducted thoroughly and methodically, making sure that Example 3. These eagles there are no concealments either travelled in boxes with small in the contents of what is being airholes that were too small searched, or the item/container and only on one side (the vents itself. should go around most of the box).When placed on the aircraft Given the fragility of live with vents against other boxes, animals, examinations should the birds were not receiving be conducted as quickly and enough air.The air holes were efficiently as possible thus only covered by thin ‘chicken minimising any stress. wire’ which caused injury to the birds and could have injured anyone who got too near.

306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 Module 11: Evidence the first place, having to possibly There are a number of things to • Is it likely a criminal Management deal with live animals and also, as consider and processes to adopt investigation will be launched much of the trade is international, that will assist you in deciding and do you have a protocol This module will cover the dealing with foreign enforcement your course of action should in place with the relevant following subjects in evidence agencies. However, the processes you find something that might be authority? management: in investigating offences should subject to import/export control: be the same as with any other • If being exported at an • Securing evidence at the type of serious crime. The key • Have you identified the airport or port, can a detection point is to ensure the integrity of illegal wildlife, and if so, are controlled delivery be evidence from detection all the they protected by national organised? • Packaging evidence way to the court room (chain of legislation, or if identified at a evidence). Even if a court case or port/airport, by international Once a detection has been made, • Recording detection actions conviction does not always take legislation (CITES)? you should decide what scale of and decisions place, the evidence secured from investigation is justified. Each case it could well play a part in future • Is there any documentation, is judged on its merit. • Controlled deliveries investigations, both at home and such as a permit with the abroad. goods or person? Consider: • Forensic evidence 1. Securing Evidence at the • Was there an attempt to • Is the wildlife specimen of It is very important that wildlife Detection Point conceal the goods, e.g. mis- significant quantity or rarity? crime is treated like any other described on the documents, form of serious crime, in that The Detection lied to by person travelling • Is there a good chance of a enforcement aims should be to with the goods, hidden within conviction and is the penalty dismantle networks of criminals You have decided to search another object or within likely to justify the expense and not to just take out the a person, vehicle or cargo. other goods, etc.? and effort? lower-level couriers or smugglers Regardless of what is being who get paid very little for their searched, searching should be • Is it likely that only one • Is the person known to role. Yes, there are potentially carried out systematically so that person is involved? enforcement for previous more difficulties in dealing with nothing is missed. criminal acts? wildlife crime, such as knowing an offence has been committed in

330 331 Securing Evidence • If the wildlife specimen is possible and do not let them • If investigations are ongoing, believed to be concealed have an opportunity of using limit who you speak with Points to remember when within another object, x-ray them. about the case and avoid the gathering evidence: it first if you can, in order not media until it is safe to do to cause any damage to the • If they are travelling with so without compromising • Control the crime scene – do object unnecessarily. anyone else, consider them a the case. Publicising the case not allow access to the scene suspect as well and carry out is good for your agency and by anyone who is not strictly • Look for any clues in the same procedural search. good as a deterrent, but necessary to the investigation documents, in/on packaging, Separate the suspects so should not be at the expense and account for anyone or within the same container/ they cannot confer with of trying to catch the big guys entering or leaving the crime box. each other. involved in the particular case scene. under investigation. • If persons are present with • Note down any significant • Avoid possible contamination the goods, they must be kept statements made by the – wear gloves and other under control to ensure no person(s) present, or anyone protective clothing as evidence is lost or tampered travelling with them. necessary. Do not smoke, eat with. Do not allow them or drink anywhere near the contact with any potential • Do not forget that computers scene. evidence already found as and electronic storage possible forensic evidence devices may also be at the • Keep the number of persons may be compromised. suspect’s home/workplace. involved to a minimum. • Look for evidence on the • Conduct a search of house/ • Preserve evidence for suspect and any vehicle they business premises for further forensic processing, e.g. are in, e.g. diary, receipts, evidence. If the person is a fingerprint development. Do mobile phone, camera, notes, foreign national, consider not handle potential evidence travel documents, maps, informing the relevant law unnecessarily. etc. Remove any electronic enforcement agencies in that equipment like phones, country and/or applying for computer, hard drives, assistance from that country. etc. from them as soon as

332 333 2. Packaging Evidence • Wet items should be air dried • A record should be kept of - extraction from any before packaging everything found, said and concealment if taking • Once you have decided to done. place, particularly if x-ray is seize any item as evidence, log • Fragile items should be unavailable the date and time, and where packaged so as to minimise • Chain of evidence must be each item was found and by the risk of damage occurring maintained at all times. Any - the wildlife items themselves, whom in storage movement of evidence must including close ups of any be logged, and removal of distinguishing marks • Each item should be sealed • Sharp items should be seals and resealing must be in a tamper proof (evidence) packaged in such a way that recorded. - include a size scale, such as bag or container risk of injury is reduced a ruler or tape measure in • Photograph the procedure photographs • The bag or container should • Guns should be made safe from start to finish: be marked with some form before packaging by unloading • The memory card of the of unique serial number and a and uncocking - where wildlife specimens photo digital camera should case reference number were found be retained as evidence, 3. Recording Detection Actions sealed in an evidence bag and • Package, seal, sign and date and Decisions - vehicles, boxes, bags, suitcases recorded in your notebook. each item seized in a separate they arrived in Duplicates can be made of bag/container An accurate contemporaneous these for working copies, record of everything that occurs - any labels, names, marks on whilst the original will be • Provide a description of the once an investigation has started the outside submitted as evidence. item on the outer packaging is essential to providing credible and an exhibit number, usually evidence to a prosecutor or - outer/inner packaging the finder’s initials followed court. Ideally keep a master log by a back slash and a number, of events. - any contents e.g. IK/1 • Notebooks should be - manner of concealment • Store in a secure place used from the moment of detection. - any documentation

334 335 Case Study 1

A package was intercepted by Customs at a border point. They considered the package suspicious because of the routing (Nigeria to China) and because the addresses of the consignor and consignee were both hotels. An examination of the beads revealed that As can be seen in this case study, they were made of ivory. Close up images were taken of them which clearly showed the detection was photographed the Schreger Lines, thus demonstrating they were made from elephant ivory. at each stage to provide best Then the contents of the package were evidence to the prosecutor and Immediately after the detection was made, extracted and photographed. Notice again court. In this instance the case evidence gathering began. First, the outside the inclusion of a scale and case file number. of the intact package was photographed. A was dealt with only by way of ruler was included to provide scale to the a seizure as the package was package, and a casefile number added which was allocated to it. unaccompanied.

Finally, the goods themselves were extracted, Next, a close-up photo was taken of the examined and photographed.The goods label showing the routing, consignor and consisted of several cotton shirts adorned consignee addresses, and a description of the with a cloth piping on the front, within which goods inside, purportedly clothing. were found ivory beads.

336 337 4. Controlled Deliveries at the Undertaking controlled deliveries is • Find out whether they need • The same level of monitoring external border (airports or a way to stop them. to have all the goods or is required of the ‘receiving’ ports) whether a sample amount agency when the shipment To effectively carry out a will do (it depends on their arrives. The technique of controlled controlled delivery you need to legislation). delivery is used when a shipment consider the following: • Decision needs to be made of illegal wildlife is detected and • Check the shipping where the interception allowed to go forward under the • ensure you have good documents or computer for should be made: at the point control and surveillance of law communications with the schedule, routing, etc. of arrival or after it has been enforcement officers in order country(s) the illegal wildlife picked up and delivered. to secure evidence against the is going to/through or from • Try to avoid letting the agent/ organisers of the illegal wildlife (it may transit through more airline or shipping company • Remember, goods used in shipment. than one country) know what you are doing. controlled deliveries are evidence and the chain of In order to break up organised • ensure that the national • Reconstruct the shipment evidence must be maintained, wildlife crime networks, it legislation allows you to do it exactly the way it was found so accurate records of is necessary to prove their (refer back to the photos you movements are essential. involvement in a criminal offence. • that you are confident the took to check for accuracy), If we only take out the goods shipment can be kept under using material of the same • The information should be or just the courier, then the control to end destination size and weight if goods have shared with the enforcement network remains intact and is been removed. agencies in the originating able to continue to operate. • that you are able to plan and country. execute the onward delivery • Keep surveillance on the within time constraints shipment until loading onto • Report the findings to the aircraft, vessel, lorry, train, Interpol via the Ecomessage Actions to take: etc. has been completed. system, and also to the WCO.

• Make contact with overseas • Notice of its leaving should colleagues to see whether be passed immediately to the they want to proceed. Ensure control agency in the next you have 24/7 contact details country of destination. in case of emergency.

338 339 Case Study 2 Case Study 3 5. Forensic Evidence All information obtained should be passed on to the appropriate Forensics is used to solve all intelligence unit. sorts of crime and wildlife crime should be treated no Basic forensic labs can check for: differently. Even though there may not yet be a laboratory that • fingerprint matches on can perform specialist wildlife smuggled goods, packaging, forensic research in West Africa, suitcases, etc. this may change in the future. • hair and fibre matches Shipment from Zambia to China via UK Shipment from Zambia to Malaysia described For example, there are wildlife - Consignment described as ‘Soap Stone as Malachite (400kg) forensics laboratories now in Carvings’ (470kg) but in fact contained ivory • computer evidence (emails, tusk pieces East Africa and Southern Africa, located in Kenya and South research material, contact Africa, respectively. Furthermore, details, etc.) basic forensic expertise might • mobile phone evidence be available for wildlife crime (phone numbers, texts, cases. Therefore, it is useful to photographs, emails, etc.) understand how forensic analysis can contribute to the evidence • soil sample or bloodstain collection. matches Contact made with Chinese Customs Most of the ivory was removed but a small Gathering some types of forensic investigators who agreed to adopt the sample left in. The container was repacked • hand writing matches controlled delivery case. Consignment was with bricks and cement to make up the evidence can be expensive, so photographed and repacked as it was found weight. should usually be considered for and was shipped on schedule. In the end, the • gun/bullet ballistics matches main organisers were arrested and jailed for more serious cases. The results 6 years. from forensics work can not only provide crucial evidence for a case, but may also be crucial for other cases in the future, either in West Africa or internationally.

340 341 Specialist forensic labs may be international cooperation. But Example 2 Example 3 required to: there are hopeful cases that show how the new field could have In South Africa, the University of Thailand now has a DNA • identify species a profound impact for better Pretoria has compiled a genetic registration system for all enforcement. database of DNA samples domesticated elephants so • check contents of medicines from black and white rhinos that they can be genetically Example 1 throughout the country. Based distinguished from their wild • identify poisons/pesticides on a human database used in counterparts, which ivory traders Dr. Wasser led a team that American law enforcement, sometimes illegally launder as • identify cause and time of created a genetic database called the Offender Data domesticated for the purposes of death from 28 large seizures of ivory Information System (ODIS), the Thai domestic ivory market. tusks between 1996 and 2014. the university created a rhino • check sexes and ages of By statistically matching the database, “rhODIS.” It can help animals genotypes of known elephant match recovered rhino horn to populations to 16 loci on genetic individual rhinos and poached • check familial characteristics samples from seized tusks, Dr. rhinos, by comparing the genetics Wasser’s team was able to • match DNA of smuggled item of the seized horn to the show that most elephants were to a corpse/skin, etc. (see samples in the database. In 2012, killed in just four areas of the Example 1 below) data from this rhODIS helped African continent. And most put a Zimbabwean trafficker • match soil samples on of the major seizures came behind bars for 10 years, when smuggled goods to specific from just two regions: savanna prosecutors proved that three country/area elephants poached in south- horns found in his possession eastern Tanzania and neighboring were genetically linked to a In many countries where Mozambique, and forest poaching incident in which a endangered wildlife are poached elephants poached in Gabon and white rhino female and calf had or traded, forensics science is neighboring areas of Congo and been killed. just beginning to gain traction. the . Experts universally lament the lack of funding, equipment, and

342 343 Case Study 4 The person concerned was an – one male and one female, from antique dealer and claimed he two zoos. was taking the statue on behalf of a Chinese dealer. Findings from forensic analysis showed the following: But what else could be found out through forensic analysis and • no fingerprints linking any The items concealed within the plaster cast other enquiries? person with concealment were extracted. A passenger was stopped at an airport en - species? • the horns were from a male route to China and his luggage inspected. His suitcase was found to contain an object White rhino described as a ‘Viennese Bronze culpture’. - sex of animal? • the tissue recovered from the - fingerprints? zoo matched the horns

- how the horns had been • the rhino had died, and its removed? horns had been removed with the intention of selling - possibly match the horn to an them by persons working individual animal? at the abattoir which had

The statue was x-rayed to check for been asked to dispose of the concealments, which revealed objects hidden It was considered that the rhino carcass. inside the statue. horns were unlikely to have been smuggled in from Africa and that The antique dealer was the animal they came from was implicated and charged with probably very old; the horns offences. A prosecution file was showed signs of being rubbed, prepared and the case taken possibly on wire or metal? to court. He was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months’ However, a check with a stud imprisonment. book held for the species Further investigation showed that the object indicated that two rhinos had was not made of bronze, rather it was made And a pair of rhino horns was revealed. from plaster and painted a bronze colour. died in the previous two months

344 345 Useful Contacts

- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory:

http://www.lab.fws.gov/

- TRACE (Tools and Resources for Applied Conservation and Enforcement) Wildlife Forensics Network:

http://www.tracenetwork.org/

- CITES Secretariat in Geneva (Controlled Delivery Guide):

[email protected]

- Interpol:

Information about the Interpol Ecomessage system:

https://www.interpol.int/ Crime-areas/Environmental- crime/Ecomessage

346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 ABOUT WA BICC The West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC) program is a five-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to improve conservation and climate-resilient, low-emissions growth across West Africa. Although regional in scope and design, WA BiCC focuses on targeted geographical areas to improve governance and policy over critical natural and human systems.

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