The Defaunation Bulletin Quarterly Information and Analysis Report on Animal Poaching and Smuggling N°22

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The defaunation bulletin Quarterly information and analysis report on animal poaching and smuggling n°22. Events from the 1th July to the 30 of September 2018 Published on November 29, 2018 Original version in French

1 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Carried out by Robin des Bois (Robin Hood) with the support of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, the Franz Weber Foundation and of the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition, France

reconnue d’utilité publique 28, rue Vineuse - 75116 Paris Tél : 01 45 05 14 60 “On the Trail“, the defaunationwww.fondationbrigittebardot.fr magazine, aims to get out of the drip of daily news to draw up every three months an organized and analyzed survey of poaching, smuggling and worldwide market of animal species protected by national laws and international conventions. “ On the Trail “ highlights the new weapons of plunderers, the new modus operandi of smugglers, rumours intended to attract humans consumers of animals and their by-products.“ On the Trail “ gathers and disseminates feedback from institutions, individuals and NGOs that fight against poaching and smuggling. End to end, the “ On the Trail “ are the biological, social, ethnological, police, customs, legal and financial chronicle of poaching and other conflicts between humanity and animality. Previous issues in English http://www.robindesbois.org/en/a-la-trace-bulletin-dinformation-et-danalyses-sur-le-braconnage-et-la-contrebande/ Previous issues in French http://www.robindesbois.org/a-la-trace-bulletin-dinformation-et-danalyses-sur-le-braconnage-et-la-contrebande/

Non Governmental Organization for the Protection of Man and the Environment Since 1985 14 rue de l’Atlas 75019 Paris, France tel : 33 (1) 48.04.09.36 - fax : 33 (1) 48.04.56.41 www.robindesbois.org [email protected] Publication Director : Jacky Bonnemains Editor-in-Chief: Charlotte Nithart Art Directors : Charlotte Nithart and Jacky Bonnemains Coordination: Elodie Crépeau and Elisabeth Lavarde Writing: Jacky Bonnemains and Jean-Pierre Edin Research and assistant editor: Elodie Crépeau, Irene Torres Márquez, Elisabeth Lavarde and Manon Lefebvre Cover illustration: Ornamental Forms from Nature ©2009 Dover Publication Translation English edition “On the Trail “: Elisabeth Lavarde, Marietta La Barbera, Jacky Bonnemains

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 2 Contents Dear readers,

We asked you for your opinions and suggestions. Seahorses 4 We would like to thank all those - about fifty correspondents to date - who have taken the time Corals 4 and liberty to reply to our letter. Abalones 5 Your feedback confirms that «On the Trail» is appreciated by those in customs, ministries, Giant Clams and Conches 7 universities, national parks, and CITES bodies Sea Cucumbers 8 who analyze and are trying to slow down wildlife Sea Urchins 9 trafficking, habitat destruction and corruption. «On the Trail» is also appreciated by national and Fishes 10 international NGOs. Marine Mammals 15 Our readers perceive «On the Trail» as a transversal knowledge tool («it is important to see what is Marine Turtles 17 happening elsewhere»), a training tool, a synthesis Various Marine Species 19 and decision-making aid. Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles 21 To date, comments have been received primarily from Southern Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Snakes 26 North America, Europe, Oceania and even less so Sauria 28 from Asia and South America. Some of you tell us that reading «On the Trail» can Crocodilians 30 lead to a certain «depression». By its very nature, Various Reptile Species 31 the world of poaching and smuggling is a cruel Amphibians 34 place. On the other hand, we note with wonder that everywhere and always there is a worldwide Insects of Arachnids 34 unflagging resistance and this is, for us, an antidote Birds 35 to discouragement. Your suggestions are studied in detail and will be Pangolins 50 taken into account as far as possible. Pangolins and Elephants 55 Primates 56 Vicuñas 61 Felines 62 Wolves and Indian Wild Dogs 72 Bears and Red Pandas 72 Hippopotamuses 74 Giraffes 75 CITES Appendices Deer 75 Convention on International Trade in Endange- Rhinoceroses 77 red Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Rhinos and Elephants 85 182 Member States Elephants 86 Appendix I : species threatened with extinction. Other Mammals 103 Trade in specimens of these species is permitted Multi-Species 106 only in exceptional circumstances and under import and export permits. Donkeys 125 Appendix II : export permit required in order to avoid utilization incompatible with the species survival. Import permit if required by national law.

Appendix III : species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. In the case of trade from a State that included the species in Appendix III, an export permit of that State is required.

3 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Seahorses

Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are listed under CITES Appendix II. EUROPE

GERMANY

TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI

53 dried seahorses From Viet Nam. In a traveller’s July 13, 2018 Munich Airport Seizure (250g). luggage.

Corals

ASIA

CHINA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 30 necklaces and brace- August 14, Qingdao Seizure lets in ”red coral” beads In a postal parcel. 2018 (336.3g). Checkpoint of August 26, the Nam Thi 2 fragments of ”red coral” Seizure In a Chinese traveller’s luggage. 2018 river, Viet Nam (450g). border September 10, Hangzhou Seizure 4 jewels in ”red coral” (45g). In a postal parcel. 2018

INDIA Police raid in the objects of wor- ship store run by Madhukumar (29 years old) at the RMC market. Pretrial detention of the August 11, Seizure / 130 corals (order Bangalore suspect. 2018 Arrest Alcyonacea). Corals harvested in the Bay of Bengal. Used in decoration, alternative medicine, as lucky charms. 20 live corals (Goniopora Upendranath Goswami (26 Dum Dum, spp., Favites spp., Symphyllia years old) was looking to sell September 29, Seizure / West Bengal spp.). Race against the them to aquarists. Coming 2018 Arrest State clock, to be released within from Thoothukudi in Tamil 48 hours or they die. Nadu (2000 km).

THAILAND Raid at the Chatuchak market on the stalls of Supattra Sa 38 corals from Scleractinia Kaam (24 years old), Sikharin July 17, 2018 Bangkok Seizure order, 18 from Alcyonacea Siriboon (30 years old) and on order. stand B539 in the absence of the owner.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 4 EUROPE

ITALY TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI End Naples 7 corals Catalaphyllia In the luggage of one Italian trav- September international Seizure spp., Caulastraea spp. eller from the Bahamas. 2018 airport and Goniopora spp.

NETHERLANDS End In the luggage of 2 French pas- September Netherlands Seizure Corals. sengers from Tanzania. 2018

Abalones

Haliotiss spp. AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY VALUE GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Edwin Wait (51 years old) released on bail 475 abalones (50 5400 US$ July 11, 2018 Humansdorp Sentence of 215 US$. Riaan Smit kg). (108 US$/kg) (49 years old) stays in prison. - Table View: 3150 - 53,100 US$, - 2 suspects, 22 and 27 Table View, abalones, years old, Swellendam - Swellendam: 1633 - 21,200 US$, - 2 suspects, 58 and 64 July 18, 2018 Seizure / Arrest and abalones, years old, Melbosstrand - Melbosstrand: 908 - 8900 US$. - 1 suspect 22 years old abalones. (5 runaways). - Milnerton: 4297 - 18,000 US$, - 1 Chinese national Milnerton and abalones, (about 20 years old), July 18, 2018 Seizure / Arrest Cape Town - Cape Town: 74 - 1000 US$. - 2 arrests. abalones. More than 8266 abalones, 12 mobile 4 suspects between 29 July 20, 2018 Cape Town Seizure / Arrest 325,000 US$ phones and drying and 42 years old. equipment. 2 men 50 and 39 years A ”big quantity of July 20, 2018 Cape Town Seizure / Arrest old, 1 woman 36 years abalones”. - old. Hidden under tarpau- lins in the back of the July 24, 2018 Strand Seizure / Arrest 5030 abalones. 72,000 US$ car. 1 man (39 years old). 3 men, 24, 28 and 39 Near 20,000 July 26, 2018 Plumstead Seizure / Arrest 144,000 US$ years old. abalones

5 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY VALUE GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 1522 shucked abalones in plastic bags August 1, 2018 Goodwood Seizure / Arrest in the trunk and be- 57,600 US$ 1 man 23 years old. hind the seats of a car. 37 bags full of abalo- August 9, 2018 Milnerton Seizure / Arrest - 3 arrests. nes in 2 cars. Arrest of Ibrahem Abdalla Atieh Alnaimat, Shen Hongyu and Tu Somerset Fresh and dried Dugn. Release of the August 2018 Seizure / Arrest 190,000 US$ West abalones. first under bail (11,400 US$). Detention on suspicion for the other two.

South Africa, August 9, 2018, Milnerton South Africa, August 12, Cape Town

Abalones’ One 20-year-old Chinese worth: August 12, Dismantling of 2 national and a 30-year- Cape Town Arrest 410,000 US$ 2018 drying workshops. old Zimbabwean. and 720,000 US$ Oliver Reginald 60 kg in 1 package 137,000 US$, Destination Hong August 2018 Tambo Seizure declared ”personal 2280 US$/kg Kong. International effects”. Airport On the road be- 350kg of abalones tween Cape Town and August 26, in plastic bags in a Johannesburg. Winburg Seizure / Arrest 36,980 US$ 2018 bakkie. One 32-year-old suspect arrested, 1 runaway accomplice. September 8, A ”large quantity” of Cape Town Seizure / Arrest 20,620 US$ 1 arrest. 2018 abalones. 2064 abalones in a fake car September 12, compartment, in Cape Town Seizure / Arrest 70,000 US$ 1 arrest. 2018 fake speakers, then in a clandestine drying workshop.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 6 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY VALUE GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Seizures in 2 cars, one house and one 4 arrests. Actions of the workshop for pro- canine squad and the September 13, cessing and pack- Global value: Cape Town Seizure / Arrest DAFF (Department of 2018 aging fresh, dry and 310,000 US$. Agriculture, Forestry shelled abalones, and Fisheries). cash, mobile phones, drying equipment. Operation ”Little Rhino”. 20 years in pris- Global Profit: September 19, on for Morne Blignaut Port Elizabeth Sentence Abalones’ poaching. 2 millions 2018 (48), arrested in 2016. US$ Verdict pending for his five accomplices.

ASIA CHINA 4 arrests : 2 drivers Man Kam To (a woman 53 years checkpoint 240,000 US$, old and a man 32 September 13, between 316 kg dried Seizure / Arrest 760 US$ per years old) and 2 other 2018 Hong Kong abalones in 2 cars. kilo passengers (2 men, and Mainland 20 and 49 years old), China released on bail.

Giant Clams, Conches, Mediterranean Slipper Lobsters and Noble Pen Shells

ASIA

CHINA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Kunming Changshui 1 giant clam, 5.36 kg In a luggage from Kuala Lumpur, Mid-July 2018 Seizure international (Tridacnidae, Appendix II). Malaysia. airport - 4 giant clams (4,272 g) and 2 worked giant Gongbei July 22 and clams (160g), Tridacnidae, frontier post Seizure 2 seizures in passengers’ luggage. 29, 2018 Appendix II, from Macao. - 1 conch Cassis cornuta (1,444 g). 2 half-shells of giant August 24, In the luggage of 1 Chinese pas- Zhanjiang Seizure clams (3.46 kg), 2018 senger from Cambodia. Tridacnidae, Appendix II. Xiamen Gaoqi In the luggage of 1 Chinese August 28, 1 giant clam (Tridacnidae, international Seizure traveller from Papua New Guinea, 2018 Appendix II). airport via Hong Kong.

7 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE September 5, 26 giant clams Dongxing Seizure 146,350 US$. 2018 (Tridacnidae, Appendix II).

SRI LANKA August 11, Puttalam 1960 conches (genus Seizure / Arrest 1 single arrest. 2018 District Strombus).

EUROPE

ITALY Sicilian ”Champion” of apnea Archipelago di Seizure / 2 Mediterranean slipper fishing, member of the FIPSAS July 17, 2018 La Maddalena Arrest lobsters Scyllarides latus. (Federazione Italiana Pesca National Park Sportiva e Attività Subacquee). Protected August 28, Natural Marine Seizure / 1 40-cm long noble pen 1 ”tourist” diver-plunderer from 2018 Area of Capo Arrest shell Pinna nobilis. Piedmont. Carbonara September 1 noble pen shell Pinna Olbia port Seizure Arrest of 1 tourist. 26, 2018 nobilis.

Sea Cucumbers

Class Holothuroidea. Isostichopus fuscus is listed under CITES Appendix III in Ecuador.

AMERICA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Blessings Inc. and its owner David Mayorquin (41 years old): 973,490 US$ in damages for the Lacey Act Sea cucumber traffick- Rewards Fund and the Magnuson ing between Mexico, the Stevens Fishery Conservation United States of America and Management Act Fund. September San Diego Sentence and Asia (total value US$ Blessings, Inc.: 237,879 US$ in ad- 17, 2018 17.5 million). See ”On the ditional fine. Trail” no. 17 p.6. David Mayorquin: 40,000 US$ in compensation to the Mexican government. No fine for Ramon Mayorquin (77 years old).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 8 MEXICO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Mexico city 137 sea cucumbers Bound for Portland, Oregon July 2, 2018 international Seizure Isostichopus fuscus (3.205 (USA) airport kg). In a postal parcel. September 2, 172 Isostichopus fuscus Ensenada Seizure 3 fishermen. 2018 aboard the Ana I.

NICARAGUA August 26, Illegal underwater Deadly drowning of Lesther Puerto Cabezas Death 2018 diving. Williams, a 38-year-old poacher.

ASIA CHINA Xiamen Gaoqi 49.6 kg of semi-dried sea In the luggage of a Chinese na- July 16, 2018 international Seizure cucumbers. tional coming from Vancouver. airport

INDIA On a tip-off, interception of At sea, between 1190 kg of dried sea cu- 1 boat bound for Sri Lanka. 2 Vedhalai and July 20, 2018 Seizure / Arrest cumbers. Wrapped in 26 sailors, P. Malaiyandi (39 years raikayarpat- bags. old) and S. Kasim Mohamed (32 tinam years old) placed in custody. Around 150 kg sea cu- September 17, Off Mandapam Seizure cumbers in 8 bags. 1 Escape of the crew. 2018 boat.

SRI LANKA 30 sea cucumbers, 5 July 9, 2018 Off Point Pedro Seizure / Arrest 15 arrests. crafts. In the 210 sea cucumbers, 2 July 17, 2018 Mandaitivu Seizure / Arrest 14 arrests. crafts. lagoon area Rodhapadu, September 14, 1480.5 kg dried sea cu- Puttalam Seizure / Arrest 6 arrests. 2018 cumbers, 3 crafts. district

Sea Urchins

EUROPE France DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY TYPE / QUANTITY / GROUNDS Off cape 336 sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus poached, the survivors September 12, Senetosa, Seizure were released into the sea. 2018 Corsica 1 pleasure craft.

ItalY Marine Protected 1000 sea urchins, immediately released into the sea. Poaching July 23, 2018 Seizure area of by 2 divers. Seizure of equipment. Plemmirio

9 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Fishes AFRICA

MOROCCO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Mohammed V 78 kg glass eels (Anguilla Bound for Doha. In plastic bags, Early July international Seizure anguilla, Appendix II), or in the luggage of 3 travellers airport 156,000 glass eels.

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE Aboard the tuna boat Vema, op- erated by Spanish-Senegalese Around 2 t blue sharks interests. September Off shore Seizure (Prionace glauca) and cut- Usual port of landing: Walvis Bay, 22, 2018 out fins. Namibia. Joint operation by the maritime authorities and Sea Shepherd. © Profepa

Early July, Mohammed V international airport, July 14, 2018, Manaus International Airport – Morocco Eduardo Gomes, Brazil

AMERICA

BRAZIL July 6, 2018 Tefé, 500 km 6 Arrests. At the confluence of 363 kg arapaima (Arapaima upstream from Seizure / Arrest the Tefé and Amazon rivers. For gigas, Appendix II). Manaus sale in 2 markets. Manaus In plastic bags in 2 suitcases. International Bound for Tabatinga at the bor- July 14, 2018 Airport – Seizure / Arrest 550 fishes for aquarists. der with Colombia. Eduardo Suspicion of international traffic. Gomes 2 arrests. More than 80 kg fish In a restaurant. (Arapaima gigas, Appendix São Félix do Indictment of the manager (48 July 18, 2018 Seizure / Arrest II, Pseudoplatystoma fasci- Araguaia years old) for poaching protected atum and Cichla ocellaris). fish with prohibited means. 1 freezer.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 10 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Manuel Claudio Silva: 7600 US$ 800 kg of arapaïma (Ara- July 23, 2018 Manaus Port Seizure / Arrest fine. In the hold of the Barão do paima gigas, Appendix II). Juruá. 58.66 kg fishes, mainly1 arrest. Fishing, marketing and Early August arapaima (Arapaima gigas, transport of arapaima are al- Icaraíma Seizure / Arrest 2018 Appendix II) under the au- lowed under strict size and sea- thorized size. sonality conditions.

COLOMBIA 5 to 40 US$ a fish. At the bus 400 exogen fishes andstation. shrimps for aquarists, in- 1 Ecuadorian from Cali, bound August 23, Guadalajara de Seizure cluding Epalzeorhynchos for the department of Quindío. 2018 Buga frenatum, Pangio kuhlii and In 16 plastic bags allotted in Neocaridina davidi. several suitcases in the luggage compartment of one line coach.

MEXICO Mexico city 21 “aphrodisiac” totoaba Early August From Mazatlán and bound for international Seizure swim bladders (Totoaba 2018 China. In a postal parcel. airport macdonaldi, Appendix I). 16 totoaba swim bladders Bound for New York, USA. In a Mexico city (1.27 kg, Totoaba macdon- postal parcel. August 8, international Seizure aldi, Appendix I) and 6.25 Global seizure in Mexico of 806 2018 airport kg swim bladders of one swim bladders since the begin- unidentified fish species. ning of the year. Wanted by the police. Oscar ”N”, aka El Parra, supposed Suspicion of totoaba swim to be a traffic kingpin. Arrest Mid- bladders (Totoaba macdon- warrant issued in January 2018 September San Felipe Arrest aldi, Appendix I) trafficking for homicide. Also involved in 2018 in the port of San Felipe. drug trafficking. Carlos Eduardo ”N” and Edgar Alejandro ”N”, his bodyguards.

PERU 30,000 US$ on the international market. A man travelling from 199 zebra pleco (Hypancistrus Santa Rosa to Iquitos aboard a Iquitos, Maynas July 5, 2018 Seizure zebra, Appendix III in Brazil), passenger ship, the MF Golfinho Province fishes for aquarists. VI, on the Amazon. In plastic bags full of water inside a red suitcase.

11 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois ASIA CHINA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE International traffic inRetail price: 8000 US$/kg. totoaba swim bladders Departure: Gulf of California Guangxi Zhuang (Totoaba macdonaldi, (Mexico). Transit in Viet Nam. A Early August Autonomous Arrest Appendix I). 434 swim father and his son. They would be 2018 Region. Border bladders (80kg) between members of a network responsi- with Viet Nam April 1, 2018 and June 13, ble for smuggling 2621 other 2018. swim bladders. No more shark fins on 40 to 90 US$ the shark fin dish. September the menu in the Maxim’s WildAid calls Paramount Hong Kong Good news 20, 2018 restaurant chain as of Catering, Lei Garden, Fulum to do 2020. the same. 38,220 US$, 20,100 US$/kg. In a Hong Kong 1.9 kg dried totoaba parcel from Los Angeles. Over 10 September international Seizure swim bladders (Totoaba times more expensive than the 22, 2018 airport macdonaldi, Appendix I) current black market quotation of ivory.

INDIA August 28, Orang national Seizure / 1 barca snakehead 145 US$ for a 100g portion. Jiabur 2018 park Arrest (Channa barca) of 1 kg. Rahman. © Northeast Now

636,000 US$. Arrests in 2 warehouses of the Global Impex Trading Company of Sarafat Ali, owner of the company, his brother Hameed Sultan, director R. Ahmed Asik and ware- September 1, Sewri and Seizure / 8 t fins from aroundhouse manager R. Shivaraman. 2018 Veraval Arrest 16,000 sharks. Shipment bound for Hong Kong and Singapore. One container en route to Hong Kong has been recalled. Suspicion about 3 previous shipments. Fishing off Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 12 INDONESIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Ultimate seizure of the pirate ship STS-50 with all its equip- Illegal fishing. STS-50: 8 ment and fishing gear. August 2, flags in 4 years, Russian Sabang Sentence Sentence of the captain to a fine 2018 owner, partly based in of 13,900 US$ or, failing payment, South Korea. to 4 months’ imprisonment. See ”On the Trail” no. 21 p.11.

MALAYSIA Operation of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. On 5 t of marine animals, in- Off the coast of 3 foreign trawlers. Vietnamese End August Seizure cluding 230 tiger sharks Sabah State crews. Sharks kept alive for un- (Galeocerdo cuvier). known reasons in freshwater tanks converted to ”aquariums”. In a container loaded in Chennai (India) and bound for Hong September 4, Kong. Malaysia Seizure 4 t shark fins. 2018 This seizure follows the raid on warehouses in India on the 1st. Declared as ”dried ray skin”.

TAIWAN 30 t of silky shark meat September 5, Kaohsiung Seizure (Carcharhinus falciformis, Onboard the Jin-chang 6. 2018 Appendix II).

EUROPE

FRANCE 6 sentences : - 2 months in prison and confis- cation of fishing gear. - 2 months suspended prison and exclusion from the professional fishermen’s association for 1 year. Glass eels poach- - 2000 € fine and seizure of September 4, Nantes Sentence ing (Anguilla anguilla, equipment. 2018 Appendix II). - For 3 other poachers, a fine of 600 € each and seizure of the equipment. In total 3800€ of damages to the 5 plaintiffs, including Robin des Bois, for moral and ecological damages. See ”On the Trail” no. 21 p.11.

13 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois IRELAND

TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Arrest of Virxen da Blanca. Charges against the captain for finning at sea. A 335,000 € sure- 1.25 t shark fins, 164 t ty is required for the release of 150 nautical miles September blue shark (Prionace glau- the boat. On September 10, she south of Mizen Seizure / Arrest 1, 2018 ca) and 98 kg mako shark was in the Azores. Head (Isurus oxyrinchus). Contestation by the Spanish ship-owner: unavoidable cutting off of the anal fin to facilitate the evisceration of sharks. © BH/Vessel Finder

Burela Port (Galicia, Spain), Jun 20, 2016

ITALY 86 kg of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Fine of nearly 39,400 US$. Fish July 3, 2018 Siderno Seizure / Arrest and 20 kg of swordfish given to charities. (Xiphias Gladius) onboard a pleasure boat. 3 Atlantic bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus), buoys Early 1 nautical mile off and a net. September Seizure Coast guard intervention. Torre del Greco 1 survivor released into 2018 the sea, donation of the 2 dead to charity.

RUSSIA Poaching and transport 83,720 US$. 1 former police offi- of sturgeon. In June 2017, cer, 47 years old: 3.5 years in jail. Early July Khabarovsk Sentence 312 sturgeon fillets and 2 accomplices: respectively 1 2018 209 half litre plastic boxes year and 1 year and 2 months filled with black caviar. in jail. 8 dead sturgeons and Fish and eggs found ”by acci- Early July 5kg of black caviar Astrakhan Oblast Seizure / Arrest dent” in the reeds by the poach- 2018 (Acipenseridae, ing brothers. Appendix I or II). Attempt to sell 160 US$ 640 US$ per kilo. End July 250 g of black caviar Nizhni-Novgorod Sentence 1 arrest in June 2017, 140 hours 2018 (Acipenseridae, of compulsory work. Appendix I or II).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 14 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE

20 kg of black caviar End July Komsomolsk-on- 7380 US$ (370 US$/kg). Seizure / Arrest (Acipenseridae, Appendix 2018 Amur A 34-year-old railway man. I or II). Early 40 kg of Kaluga black Komsomolsk-on- 1 male, 27 years old. In 80 half August Seizure / Arrest caviar (Huso dauricus, Amur litre plastic boxes. 2018 Appendix II). FSB operation. Caught More than 1 t of stur- red-handed. Mid- geon and more than Partial dismantling of 1 caviar September Krasnoyarsk Seizure / Arrest 50 kg of black caviar gang. Poaching in Yenissei river, 2018 (Acipenseridae, transport by river, sale planned Appendix I or II). to tourists.

Marine Mammals

ASIA

CHINA

TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Xiamen Gaoqi Mid July 100 seal genitalias In the luggage of a Canadian na- international Seizure 2018 (Phocidae). tional coming from Vancouver. airport

JAPAN 43 Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostra- ta, Appendix I with reser- By the whaling ships Nisshin vation from Japan) and 134 August Maru, Yushin Maru and Yushin North-West Pacific Whaling Sei whales (Balaenoptera 2018 Maru n°3. Use of the full quota borealis, Appendix I with (see “On the Trail “ no. 21 p.15). reservation from Japan) harpooned during the yearly ”scientific mission”.

EUROPE ICELAND One blue whale in the Hvalur company slipway according Mid July Hvalfjordur fjord Whaling to NGOs, one hybrid blue whale/fin whale according to the 2018 whalers and a forensic laboratory.

15 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Closure of the annual Minke whaling (Balaenoptera acu- torostrata, Appendix I with Disastrous economic situation July 30, Iceland Whaling reservation from Iceland) for the whaling company IP- 2018 in the coastal waters. 6 Utgerd Ltd. specimens caught out of a 262 quota. Closure of fin whaling (Balaenoptera physalus, Appendix End I with reservation from Iceland) off Iceland: 146 in the bag September Iceland Whaling hunt including 1 dozen pregnant females and at least 2 2018 ”hybrids” blue whale/fin whale.

NETHERLANDS Mid July Netherlands Seizure 1 whale vertebra. From Mexico. 2018

UNITED KINGDOM Removal from the Thomas Cook travel agency’s catalogue July 29, United Kingdom Good news of two water parks, SeaWorld, in Florida, and Loro Parque in 2018 Tenerife, starting next summer.

OCEANIA

NEW ZEALAND July 24, Dargaville Poaching 1 leopard seal (Hydrurga 4 young people aged 15 to 16 2018 leptonyx) shot dead at close suspected. range on the beach. Greg Lasley

Hydrurga leptonyx

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 16 Marine Turtles

Marine turtles (families Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) are listed under CITES Appendix I, including Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp’s Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea).

AFRICA

MAYOTTE TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Papani and Testimonies from villagers: Charifou pierced eggs, bowels found on Chronic poaching of sea July 2018 beaches, Poaching the beach, mutilated shells, trac- turtles. Department of es of arribada on the beaches - no Mayotte departure marks. Transport at the back of 1 seized car. 5 arrests and 4 sentences: 6 August 18, Seizure / 1 150 kg green turtle Mayotte months to 1 year in prison, fine 2018 Sentencing (subsequently released). of 1000€ for one and 2400€ to be paid jointly to the plaintiff. Cut in half, eviscerated. Wreath September 6, of eggs on the Moya beach sup- Mayotte Poaching 1 turtle. 2018 posed to be ”surveyed”. Meat: 40€/kg on site.

AMERICA

MexiCO Between Escape of the trafficker as the po- Pinotepa July 19, 2018 Seizure More than 200 eggs. lice approach. In a bag thrown Nacional and out. Salina Cruz 30,000 Ridley’s turtle Santiago eggs. In garbage bags 5 arrests on the highway to Salina August 2018 Seizure / Arrest Astata and fertilizer bags inside Cruz. 2 cars. San Pedro 35,441 Ridley’s turtle 3 arrests following a routine road August 2018 Seizure / Arrest Huamelula eggs. check. 300 dead Ridley turtles Tuna fishermen suspected. Santa María Other bad August 2018 in an abandoned fishing 113 turtles in the sanctuary of Colotepec news net. Puerto Arista. Between Tapanatepec, 1968 turtle eggs in one August 29, Tuxtla Seizure / Arrest coach and 100 on sale on Alaín M., 45 years and Laureno R. 2018 Gutiérrez and the public thoroughfare. Tonala September 11, 2200 Ridley’s turtle eggs. Oaxaca Seizure Poacher unknown. 2018 In three bags.

17 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 6292 Ridley’s turtle eggs. Departure of the bus: Michoacán. September 23, In 4 cardboard box- Tecomán Seizure To Tecomán (400 km). 2018 es inside the luggage PROFEPA filed a complaint. compartment. 800 eggs and 6 fins (30 September 24, Santa María kg of meat) of Ridley’s Too late for artificial incubation. Seizure 2018 Tonameca turtle in 2 bags left on Burying on site. the beach. 2200 Ridley’s turtle eggs September 30, San Pedro Too late for artificial incubation. Seizure in 2 abandoned bags on 2018 Huamelula Burying on site. the beach.

August 2018, San Pedro Huamelula, Mexico NICARAGUA Take of Pacific Ridley turtles on their arrival on Early August San Juan del the beach. After laying Poaching 4 arrests. 2018 Sur in captivity, skinning on the spot, sale of meat and eggs.

SALVADOR San Alfredo, September Misael Córdova Avilés, 22 years La Libertad Seizure / Arrest 122 eggs. 2018 old. Department

ASIA SRI LANKA August 20, 22 kg of sea turtle meat, Near Arippu Seizure / Arrest 2 arrests. 2018 5 nets, 1 dinghy.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 18 Various Marine Species

AFRICA Mozambique TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI A large quantity of September seahorses (Hippocampus 1 Chinese national about to re- Mozambique Seizure / Arrest 2018 spp., Appendix II) and turn to his country. shark fins.

AMERICA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA By-catches of vaqui- Ruling of the United States Court tas (Phocoena sinus, of International Trade ordering Appendix I) in Mexican United States the government to enact legis- July 2018 Good news fishermen’s gillnets tar- of America lation banning the import from geting totoabas (Totoaba Mexico of seafood products macdonaldi, Appendix I) caught with gillnets. in the Sea of Cortez.

MexiCO Strong sea smell from 1 81 seahorses (Hippo- suitcase. A Chinese citizen Mexico city campus spp., Appendix Seizure / coming from Belize. Destination July 19, 2018 international II) in 2 bags, 2 bags of sea Sentence Shanghai. Sentence of 2 years’ airport cucumbers and 2 others imprisonment commuted to a of swim bladders. fine of 7000 US$.

ASIA CHINA 100 kg shark fins officially declared but suspected of having been cut off In a shipping container. From July 5, 2018 Hong Kong Seizure protected species and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). 220 kg of dried and un- declared sea cucumbers. Total value: 44,600 US$. 662 nautilus (Nautilidae, Decoration business. 2 seizures September Xiamen Seizure Appendix II), 2.8 t corals. in May revealed by customs in 2018 Total value: 878,140 US$. September.

SRI LANKA 1084 sea cucumbers, Off Point July 3, 2018 Seizure / Arrest 2 conches (genus 6 arrests. Pedro Strombus), 2 crafts. Panayeddipiti 35 sea cucumbers and Sea Area, 36 conches (genus July 11, 2018 Seizure / Arrest 6 arrests. South East Strombus), 2 crafts and Coast fishing gear.

19 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois EUROPE

GERMANY TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Destruction by crushing of 2500 corals, conches and true September Rosenheim Good news conches (nearly 1t), from the Customs’ seizures at Munich 2018 Airport.

France Illegal fishing in theStéphane Avedissian, 40 years Calanques National Park old, professional fisherman, of sea urchins, corbs, David Rogliano: 18 months groupers, basses. Sale to suspended prison and 3 years private individuals, shell- probation. fish sellers and restau- 2 other defendants: 15 months July 11, 2018 Marseille Sentence rants at prices of 6 US$ suspended prison and 3 years per dozen sea urchins, probation. 17 US$ per kilo of grou- Damages for NGOs that have per, corb and bass, 2 to 3 filed civil claims (from 2300 to times less expensive than 11,500 US$). the legal market. No prosecution for the receivers.

NETHERLANDS 16 corals and 2 giant July 2018 Rotterdam Seizure clams (Tridacnidae, In a merchant ship. Appendix II).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 20 Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles

AFRICA

MADAGASCAR TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Mid-August 79 spider tortoises (Pyxis During a roadside check. Release Fianarantsoa Seizure 2018 arachnoides, Appendix I). after first aid.

AMERICA BRAZIL In hidden bags on the banks of the Rio Araguaia waiting for the Cantão State 128 tortoises and a 1-km traffickers to pick them up. July 2018 Seizure Park long net. Conviction in 2017 for similar offences (300 turtles) to a fine of 495,100 US$. Operation ”Tabuleiros” since July 16. Were to be sold on the markets of Manaus (750 km) for human July 2018 Jutaí Seizure About 220 tortoises. consumption. Released into their natural habitat. Suspects fleeing at the approach of the police. August 27, 202 red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius, Appendix São Cristóvão Seizure 2018 II) including 2 dead.

ECUADOR Aged from 1 to 6 years (between 123 Galapagos giant tor- Galápagos 6 and 30 cm and between 200 g September 27, toises (Chelonoidis niger, National Park, Theft and 2 kg). Probably intended for 2018 Appendix I) in a breeding Isabela Island the pet market. Ecuador’s alert to center. all CITES member countries.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Poaching and selling David Sommers, 62 years old. of more than 3500 di- Poaching in New Jersey. July 10, 2018 Philadelphia Indictment amondback terrapins Selling in Pennsylvania and in (Malaclemys terrapin, Canada. Appendix II). Attempt to smuggle 10 Huaqian Qu and Renfeng Gao, spotted turtles (Clemmys China Eastern Airlines crew, sen- July 23, 2018 Los Angeles Sentence guttata, Appendix II) and tenced to a fine of US$5500 each, 14 box turtles. See ”On to leave the country within 3 days. the Trail” no. 21 p.20.

21 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois MEXICO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 35 turtles, box turtles and turtles of the ge- Sale on social networks. July 6, 2018 Mérida Sentence nus Rhinoclemmys and Fine: 11,200 US$. Kinosternon (Testudinidae spp. Appendix II). 5 African Spurred Tortoise At a private home. (Centrochelys sulcata, Species native to the African July 6, 2018 Cuernavaca Seizure Appendix II), thirsty, mal- Sahel. Adult weight: up to 60kg nourished, almost aban- for females, 100kg for males. doned. 1 female, 4 males.

ASIA CAMBODIA In a bag on the back of a Chambak, August 5, 2018 Seizure 6 turtles. motorcycle. Takéo Province Wildlife Alliance Ranger Patrol. Aboard a boat. Spotted by a Wildlife Alliance August 19, Trapeang Seizure 7 turtles. Patrol. Arrest of 1 man and re- 2018 Rung lease on a written commitment not to do it again.

CHINA Gongbei 1 African spurred tortoise port of entry, In a private car from Macau. July 11, 2018 Seizure (Centrochelys sulcata, border with Appendix II) of 11.4 kg. Macau 3 alligator snapping tur- Qingdao tles (Macrochelys tem- In the luggage of a passenger on August 8, 2018 Seizure cruise port minckii, Appendix III in the landing. United States) alive.

INDIA In a jute bag. From Uttar Pradesh. Petrapole, 21 Indian softshell tur- Srikanta Haldar (37), Arbind July 4, 2018 border with Seizure / Arrest tles (Nilssonia gangetica, Kumar (40) and the sponsor Bangladesh Appendix I). ”businessman”. Tiruchirappalli In the luggage of 1 passenger Several baby turtles with a July 26, 2018 international Seizure (who fled) from Colombo on a total weight of 12.4 kg. airport Sri Lanka Airlines flight. Theft of eggs from natural envi- ronments and artificial incubation for 50 days. August 5, 2018 Visakhapatnam Seizure 1125 specimens. Planned destinations: Singapore and Malaysia via Kolkata and Bangladesh. Narayan Ved (35 years old), 11 black softshell tur- August 12, Bareilly, Uttar conveyor from Uttar Pradesh Seizure / Arrest tles (Nilssonia nigricans, 2018 Pradesh State to West Bengal. Paid 30 US$ for Appendix I) from 2 to 4 kg. transport.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 22 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Joint action by the Forest Services and the Wildlife Welfare August 13, Sale of turtles of protected Association. Police custody of Thane Justice 2018 species. Salim Khan (23 years old) and Shah Alam Shaikh (38 years old) at the head of 2 aquarium shops. Suspicion of traffick- Request for extradition by ing in several hundred Thailand of Manivannan Sagar, State red-crowned roofed tur- August 14, Murugesan, a Singaporean na- of Madhya Justice tles (Batagur kachuga, 2018 tional, identified since 2012 as Pradesh Appendix II) and money an international turtle trafficker. laundering. See ”On the Currently in prison in India. Trail” no. 19 p.21. Repeated smuggling of Indian star tortois- Arrest of Tapas Basak, aka Rony, August 18, es (Geochelone elegans, taking advantage of his bail to Kolkata Arrest 2018 Appendix II) and black engage in trafficking again via pond turtles (Geoclemys Bangladesh. hamiltonii, Appendix I). On arrival of a train from the North-East, intervention of the 43 Assam roofed tur- DRI (Directorate of Revenue September 4, Chennai Seizure / Arrest tles (Kachuga sylhetensis, Intelligence). 2018 Appendix II). Captured in the Brahmaputra basin. Lodging for survivors at the Vandalur Zoo. Arrest of a woman at the 523 Indian star tortois- September 5, Lokmanya Tilak railway termi- Mumbai Seizure / Arrest es (Geochelone elegans, 2018 nal. From Andhra Pradesh to Appendix II). Mumbai. © Times of India

July 26, 2018, Tiruchirappalli International Airport, September 5, 2018, Mumbai, India India

44 Assam roofed turtles (Kachuga sylheten- September 8, Chennai Seizure sis, Appendix II), subse- Heading for Sri Lanka. 2018 quently entrusted to the Chennai Zoo.

23 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Bomb alert aboard the Kalka 50 turtles (Indian black Mail: tracking of 1 suspi- turtles, Melanochelys triju- September 17, cious package by a traveller. Aligarh Seizure ga, Appendix II and Indian 2018 Intervention of bomb disposal roofed turtles, Pangshura experts at Aligahr station. In the tecta, Appendix I). package, turtles. September 29, 750 turtles, later released In 2 bags. Kanpur Seizure / Arrest 2018 into the Ganges river. Mohammad Waseem.

INDONESIA Back to their country of Seized in January 2018 from the origin, Papua, Indonesia, hand luggage of an Indonesian August 29, Boven Digoel Good news for 596 pig-nosed turtles passenger on a flight from 2018 Regency (Carettochelys insculpta, Jakarta to Hong Kong. Appendix II). Fine: 2550 US$. © International Animal Rescue Animal © International THAILAND Seizure at the airport of 2 suitcases filled with turtles from August 23, Madagascar. Bangkok Seizure Dozens, at least. 2018 Finger pointed at the private company in charge of security at Ivato airport (Madagascar). Owned by an individual in cen- Rescue of 2 pig-nosed tur- tral Bangkok, fed dog food and September 12, tles (Carettochelys insculp- Bangkok Good news salad leaves, harbored for life 2018 ta, Appendix II), exogen in by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. Thailand. © WFFT

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 24 EUROPE

SPAIN DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY QUANTITY / DETAILS / VALUE 80 specimens in the province of Valencia and 46 in the province of Alicante, for a total of 126 turtles for sale, including 2 Valencia protected species (Greek turtle, Testudo graeca, Appendix I July 2, 2018 and Alicante Seizure and Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni, Appendix II) and 1 Provinces invasive species (red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans). 4 people heard, 3 indicted. Operation Coahuila. More than 750 eggs and 1100 turtles, including 44 Chinese red-necked pond turtles (Mauremys nigricans, Appendix II), 38 crevice tortoises (Malacochersus tornieri, Appendix II), 36 Chinese three-striped box turtles (Cuora trifasciata, Appendix II), 31 Chinese box turtles (Cuora flavomarginata, Appendix II), 25 Pan’s box turtles (Cuora pani, Appendix II), 21 keel-backed turtles (Cuora mouhotii, Appendix II), 10 Annam leaf turtles (Mauremys annamensis, End August Balearic Islands Seizure Appendix II), 8 Kleinmann’s tortoises (Testudo kleinmanni, 2018 Appendix I), 7 yellow-headed box turtles (Cuora aurocapita- ta, Appendix II), 5 Leyte pond turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis, Appendix II), 4 bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii, Appendix I), 4 radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata, Appendix I) and 1 coahuila turtle (Terrapene coahuila, Appendix I). Total value: 600,000 € (700,000 US$). 3 questionings and 3 in custody. Start of the operation in February 2017. A pet shop in Barcelona was used as a cover. © Guardia Civil

FRANCE Mid- 56 Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Appendix I) stolen September Ajaccio Poaching from the A Cupulatta animal park. 2018 80 Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Appendix I) and 7 September 13, Greek turtles (Testudo graeca, Appendix II) in poor condition. Arles Seizure 2018 ONCFS intervention. In a private individual’s apartment and cellar.

ITALY 7 Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Appendix I). July 22, 2018 Porto Cesareo Seizure At one private home. 16 Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Appendix I) Early August Milan Good news discarded in a box in a city park, given to the care of ENPA 2018 (Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali).

25 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Snakes

AFRICA KENYA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Illegal detention of 10 African python skins Peter Mutuku Nzikoi: 7 years in July 16, 2018 Machakos Sentence (Python sebae, Appendix prison or a fine of 19,700 US$. II).

AMERICA BOLIVIa Early 20 cascabel rattles- Santa Cruz 1 catcher recruited by 1 Chinese September Seizure / Arrest nakes (Crotalus durissus, Department expatriate. 2018 Appendix III in Honduras).

BRAZIL September 28, Seizure / 2 boas constrictors (Boa Recife 1 arrest. 2018 Sentence constrictor, Appendix II).

COLOMBIA In a postal parcel at the sorting office. Bogota, wildlife terminal: 5 1 reticulated python packages in 1 week with a wild- July 5, 2018 Bogotá Seizure (Python reticulatus, life specimen inside. Appendix II). 5 wild animals rescued daily in the streets according to the Ministry of Environment. © Secretaría de Ambiente

Early 1 boa constrictor (Boa Flagrante delicto of skinning, 1 September La Macarena Seizure / Arrest constrictor, Appendix II). 3 arrest. 2018 m long, 15 kg. Salitre bus station. One boa es- Mid- 1 boa constrictor (Boa caped from the wildlife traffic on September Bogotá Good news constrictor, Appendix II). the rise in the capital. Wrapped 2018 up in the motor of a coach.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 26 ECUADOR TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 8 boas constrictors (Boa constrictor, Appendix 1 arrest in flagrante delicto. Near San II) alive (6 adults and 2 Clandestine trade in boas based July 19, 2018 Jacinto del Seizure / Arrest youngsters), 18.6 kg of on superstitions. Búa meat in 406 bits dipped 5 to 10 US$ per bit of meat. in alcohol, 5.45 kg of fresh meat and 16 skins.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Miami Inside an external hard drive in a 1 live python (Pythonidae July 8, 2018 international Seizure passenger’s luggage. spp., Appendix I ou II). airport Destination: Barbados. © TSA

ASIA CHINA 1 albino Burmese py- September 29, Suzhou Seizure thon (Python bivittatus, In a postal parcel. 2018 Appendix II).

INDIA 14 cobras (Elapidae), 4 colubrids (Colubridae), Raid from the Forest 3 Indian sand boas (Eryx Department with the NGO August 7, 2018 Mathura Seizure johnii, Appendix II). Wildlife SOS around the Shree Subjected to the mistreat- Krishna Temple. Snakes are tak- ment and mutilation of en care of by the NGO. snake ”charmers”. August 12, 1 Indian sand boa (Eryx Malegaon Seizure / Arrest Abhijeet Jadhav (28 years old). 2018 johnii, Appendix II). Ganesh Patil (25 years old), 1 Indian sand boa (Eryx Nilesh Baing (34 years old) and August 27, Navi Mumbai Seizure / Arrest johnii, Appendix II), 1.10 m Avishkar Mhatre (27 years old) 2018 long and weighing 2.5 kg. at Panvel bus station. From Pen. Selling price: 21,850 US$.

27 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Beat hunting of snakes by Yanadi tribesmen. Daily salary of the catchers, 9 Krishna 23 venomous snakes US$. August 29, District, State Other bad news killed, 47 non-venomous Snake and bite proliferation af- 2018 of Andhra released. ter floods. Unilateral initiative Pradesh of communities blamed by the Department of Wildlife. Call to order. Snehal Prabhakar Kharat (52), 1 Indian sand boa (Eryx September 8, Anand Mhaske (47), Abidkhan Dwarka Seizure / Arrest johnii, Appendix II), 1 car, 1 2018 Patan (50) and Kshitiz Tulshiram phone. Patil. In a bag. Destination planned: September 25, 1 3-kg Indian sand boa Mumbai. Moradabad Seizure / Arrest 2018 (Eryx johnii, Appendix II). Sakib, Noman and Azeem under questioning.

EUROPE SPAIN La Laguna, 1 boa constrictor (Boa con- For sale in a pet store. Prohibited Mid-July 2018 Canary Seizure strictor, Appendix II). since March 2018. Islands

Sauria

AMERICA

MexiCO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 49 iguanas of the genus Ctenosaura (4 species at In 2 cardboard boxes. Mid-August San Pedro Seizure / Arrest CITES) and green iguanas 1 suspect in a line bus from El 2018 Huamelula (Iguana iguana, Appendix Coyul to Salina Cruz. II).

Tijuana In 2 boxes of 30 cm x 40 cm. 40 August 28, 80 green iguanas (Iguana international Seizure specimens per box. 2018 iguana, Appendix II). airport Origin: Mexico City.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 28 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Protected natural area of September 9, the gorges of 18 green iguanas (Iguana In a backpack. Seizure / Arrest 2018 the Santiago iguana, Appendix II). One arrest. and Verde rivers

PARAGUAY Exhibition on Facebook of the skinning of 1 Julián Orquiola: 70,000 US$ July 25, 2018 Paraguay Sentence Argentine black and white fine. tegu (Salvator merianae, Appendix II) still alive.

ASIA

INDIA Dhirendra Kumar Gupta, Sunil Lynching of 1 Bengal mon- Singh, Devendra and Rakesh itor lizard (Varanus bengal- July 22, 2018 Greater Noida Arrest Sahani charged with, among ensis, Appendix I) and exhi- other offences, cruelty to bition on social networks. animals. September 1, Near Amar Sarkar (54), trying to Seizure / Arrest 5 geckos (genus Gekko). 2018 Kurseong smuggle them into Nepal. 49 hemipenis of moni- Shahid, Naushad, Kema and tor lizards (Varanus spp., Sudha. September Appendix I or II), mobile Chikmagalur Seizure / Arrest It is not eatable, it is displayed 26, 2018 phones, vehicles and var- in the house to attract opu- ious equipment. See ”On lence and maintain health. the Trail” no.17 p.24. © Frederick Noronha

September 26, 2018, Chikmagalur, India Ghumot

Following a complaint from a resident, the organizer of the ”Ghumat Arti Contest” was re- Use of monitor lizards skins minded by the Deputy Forest September Bandora, Goa (Varanus spp., Appendix Good news Conservator that monitor liz- 30, 2018 State I or II) to cover ghumots, ards are protected by law and percussion instruments. that goat skin has the same acoustic properties as monitor skin.

29 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois INDONESIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Sentani 1 living monitor lizard In a pierced pipe, declared as July 10, 2018 international Seizure (Varanus spp., Appendix I ”clothing”. airport or II).

OCEANIA

AUSTRALIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI More than 110 Australian endemic saurians seized during 20 operations (8 Seizures in July, 8 in Review of the Australian Border August, 4 in September). Force over the last 3 months. July, Among them: shingleback In postal parcels reported as August and Melbourne & lizards (Tiliqua rugosa), “toys, clothing and shoes for Seizure September Sydney Eastern Pilbara spiny-tailed children or babies, school bags, 2018 skink (Egernia epsisolus), bags of chips, cereal boxes”. eastern spiny-tailed gecko Bound for China, firstly Hong (Strophurus williamsi), blue Kong, Indonesia and Russia. tongue skinks (Siliqua spp.) and gidgee skink (Egernia stokesii).

Crocodilians AFRICA

BURUNDI 1 adult crocodile, victim of a poaching attempt, Healed then released into September Rusizi National taken care of by the Good news Lake Tanganyika. A first in the 18, 2018 Park OBPE (Office Burundais country. pour la Protection de l’Environnement).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 30 AMERICA

MexiCO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI San Pedro 1 Morelet’s crocodile Sent from Pachuca de Soto, August 02, Garza García, Seizure (Crocodylus moreletii, Hidalgo State. In a package at 2018 State of Appendix I) 27 cm long. FedEx. Nuevo León 1 young American croc- August 21, Acapulco Seizure odile (Crocodylus acutus, At a private home. 2018 Appendix I) 70 cm long.

ASIA

INDIA Lynching of 1 young al- August 15, Kendrapara Other bad bino saltwater croco- Arrested by forest rangers. 2018 District news dile (Crocodylus porosus, Appendix I), 1.7 m long.

INDONESIA 292 saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus, Appendix I) and Retaliation of several hundred New Guinea crocodiles villagers after the death of one July 14, 2018 Klamalu Lynching (Crocodylus novaeguineae, woman snapped up by a croc- Appendix I) were slaugh- odile while harvesting in the tered to the last in a com- farm’s area. mercial and conservation breeding farm.

Various Reptile Species

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / GROUNDS DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY DETAILS / MODUS OPERANDI Mid- 3 flap-necked chameleons (Chamaeleo dilepis, Appendix II) North West September Seizure / Arrest and 1 Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis, Appendix II). Province 2018 Arrest of two repeat offenders. Mid- Snakes, turtles and other animals. A new raid on the wide flea North West September Seizure / Arrest market of cruelty and looting on the road to Sun City (see ”On Province 2018 the Trail” no. 11 p.91). 5 arrests. September 27, Roadside sale of one chameleon and one tortoise in January Rustenburg Sentence 2018 2018. Phemelo Kwele: 6 months in prison or a fine of 420 US$.

31 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois AMERICA

ARGENTINA TYPE / QUANTITY / GROUNDS DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY DETAILS / MODUS OPERANDI 4 boas (Boidae spp., Appendix I or II), 1 green iguana (Iguana Castelar, August 25, iguana, Appendix II), 11 plastic boxes and cages. Sale on Province of Seizure / Arrest 2018 Facebook. Buenos Aires Arrest of a 34-year-old man also involved in bird trafficking.

MexiCO Tijuana 10 Morelet’s crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii, Appendix I) and Early August International Seizure 1 emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus, Appendix II). Parcels 2018 Airport from Mexico City. In the mailroom sector. August 3, 2018 State of Good news Burning of a seizure made in April 2017 in El Carmen Tlaxcala Tequexquitla: 7 Mexican spinytail iguana skins (Ctenosaura pectinata), 41 skins and 191 eggs of green iguana (Iguana iguana, Appendix II), 4 skinned iguanas, 1 American crocodile skin (Crocodylus acutus, Appendix I) and 1 skinned specimen, 1 snake skin, 12 turtle eggs, 1 stuffed Manta ray (Manta birostris, Appendix II) and 1 skinned raccoon. August 28, Mexico Seizure / Arrest 74 turtles, 23 crocodiles, 13 green iguanas (Iguana iguana, 2018 Appendix II), 1 snake and 20 fish. On the Morelos market. Arrest of a 36-year-old male. September 5, Mexico Sentence Illegal detention of 130 green iguanas (Iguana iguana, 2018 Appendix II), 5 Morelet’s crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii, Appendix I) and 37 turtles in June 2017 (see ”On the Trail” No. 17 p.27). 1 year in prison, suspension of civil and political rights, fine and damages.

ASIA CAMBODIA 207 turtles, including at least 10 live soft-shell turtles (Trionychidae), 17 two-banded monitor lizard heads (Varanus Preah Netr August 7, 2018 Seizure / Arrest salvator, Appendix II) with a total weight of 96 kg. Ban Pharak Preah District (28 years old) and Yan Yeng (39 years old). From Thailand to Siem Reap.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 32 CHINA TYPE / QUANTITY / GROUNDS DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY DETAILS / MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Man Kam To control post Among others: 881 lizards, 39 turtles, 36 snakes. In a truck between September 27, heading to mainland China. Hong Seizure / Arrest 2018 Value: 19,200 US$. Kong and Release of the driver (64 years old) on bail. mainland China

EUROPE SPAIN 20 live animals, mostly reptiles: 1 rattlesnake and other snakes, 1 Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis, Appendix I) with one paw and tail cut out and 1 scorpion. Farmed mice Cornellà de used to feed the reptiles. July 17, 2018 Seizure / Arrest Llobregat 1 male, 43 y/o, arrested. According to Europol, first discovery of a Komodo in illegal captivity within the European Union. Theft of a Komodo dragon from the crocodile farm of Pierrelatte, France, see ”On the Trail” no. 11 p. 17.

France 21 snakes including 7 boas, 8 pythons and 1 monitor lizard End left abandoned in dreadful conditions. September Montauban Justice Start of the trial for the owner of the reptiles who was in pris- 2018 on at the time of the incident.

OCEANIA

AUSTRALIA Between May 2015 and February 2016, an attempt was made to export 12 pygmy spiny-tailed skink (Egernia de- pressa) to South Korea, 4 shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa) to Indonesia and to import 11 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis, Appendix II), 3 emerald monitors (Varanus prasinus, August 31, Appendix II), 6 Varanus macraei (Appendix II) and 10 man- Sydney Sentence 2018 grove monitors (Varanus indicus, Appendix II) from Indonesia. By postal parcel, in thermos or wrapped in napkins inside plastic bags. Neil Andrew Simpson: 23 months in prison, released on September 4 for good behaviour after 1 year and 11 months of pre-trial detention.

33 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Amphibians

AMERICA

BOLIVIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI One young Titicaca water End August El Alto Seizure frog (Telmatobius culeus, One street vendor. 2018 Appendix I).

PERU In a trade fair. About to be killed, Desaguadero. 32 live Titicaca water August 14, pressed and sold as an ”energy Border with Seizure frogs (Telmatobius culeus, 2018 drink”, understand aphrodisiac. Bolivia Appendix I). See ”On the Trail” n°18 p.28.

Insects and Arachnids

AMERICA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Illegal import and sale on Facebook of emperor Wlodzimie Lapkiewicz, 29 years scorpions (Pandinus old, multiple repeat offenders. imperator, Annex II), Last package designated as August 16, centipedes, spiders, ”plush toys for my friends’ Metuchen Arrest 2018 mantises, from Cameroon future baby”. and Tanzania between 70 US$ the scorpion, 2 spiders 2015 and July 2018, with for 25 US$, between 15 and 60 at least 1 transit through US$ the centipede. France.

MEXICO 4 dead Mexican redrump On the grill, in the restaurant August 14, Mexico Seizure tarantulas (Brachypelma va- ”México en el Paladar”, San 2018 gans, Appendix II). Juan Market.

ASIA

SINGAPORE Early August Import and breeding of Tam Jiaming fined 9400 US$. Singapore Sentence 2018 tarantulas. See ”On the Trail” no. 20 p. 33.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 34 Birds

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 1 African white-backed September 11, Kruger Good news vulture (Gyps africanus, Rope tied around the legs. 2018 national park Appendix II) released.

GuinEa Hearing of Mamadi Kéita. 2 Senegal parrots September 5, Formal commitment to ac- Guinea Seizure (Poicephalus senegalus, 2018 knowledge the offence and not Appendix II). to repeat it. © Misiones Online © Misiones

September 5, 2018, Guinea August 6, 2018, Pichanal, Argentina

AMERICA

ARGENTINA In 2 polypropylene bags, in the August 6, 4 toucans (family Pichanal Seizure back of the car. 2018 Ramphastidae). 1 man and 1 woman. San 10 monk parakeets Feathers dyed with a chemical September 29, Fernando, (Myiopsitta monachus, Seizure to make them ”more exotic” 2018 Buenos Aires Appendix II) in a precarious and more expensive to sell. Province state.

35 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois BRAZIL TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 5 yellow-bellied seedeaters (3 alive and 2 dead) (Sporophila nigricollis), 2 red-cowled cardinals (Paroaria dominicana), On the Wilson Finardi Rio Claro, Etat 3 green-winged saltators July 4, 2018 Seizure / Arrest Highway (SP-191). de São Paulo (Saltator similis), 1 ultramarine One arrest after a chase. grosbeak (Cyanocompsa brissonii) and 4 kg of six-banded armadillo meat (Euphractus sexcinctus). 1 cacholote (genus Pseudoseisura), 1 red-cowled cardinal (Paroaria domin- July 6, 2018 Teresina Seizure / Arrest icana), 3 lined seedeaters Italo Ferreira da Cruz arrested. (Sporophila lineola), weapons with deleted numbers and ammunition. 93 birds : parrots (Amazona spp., Appendix I or II), pas- 11 arrests in pet shops and Curitiba serines (genus Turdus), at private homes as part of a Early July 2018 Metropolitan Seizure rufous-collared sparrows global operation against ille- Area (Zonotrichia capensis) and gal captivity. green-winged saltators (Saltator similis). 7 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 1 parrot (Amazona July 9, 2018 Rondonópolis Seizure / Arrest 1 arrest. spp., Appendix I ou II), 4 cages, 1 trap, 1 gun. 4 birds, including dont des double-collared seedeaters Nossa Senhora (Sporophila caerulescens), das Dores, In a forsaken house. Behavior July 10, 2018 Seizure rufous-bellied thrush- State of still wild. Freshly caught. es (Turdus rufiventris) and Sergipe yellow-bellied seedeaters (Sporophila nigricollis). 5 red-cowled cardinals (Paroaria dominicana), 2 campo troupial (Icterus jamacaii), 2 grey pileated finches (Coryphospingus pileatus), 3 Manoel do Bonfim M. Silva, 54 white-throated seedeaters July 14, 2018 Pombal Seizure years old. Subsequent sum- (Sporophila albogularis), 1 moning to court. scaled dove (Columbina squa- mmata), 1 copper seedeater (Sporophila bouvreuil) and 1 rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris). 10 green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), 6 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 2 yellow-bellied Three men in a car on the MG- Esopinosa, seedeaters (Sporophila 122 road. From Passos (Minas July 16, 2018 State of Minas Seizure / Arrest nigricollis), 1 red-pileated Gerais State) to Valente (Bahia Gerais finch (Coryphospingus cuc- State). ullatus) and 1 double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 36 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI

Between 70 green-winged saltators Road check: 5 men interrogat- July 18, 2018 Quatis and Seizure / Arrest (Saltator similis) and 9 cages. ed on minutes and released. Porto Real Balneário 4 double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens) and July 18, 2018 Seizure Camboriú 2 green-winged saltators (Saltator similis). São Miguel do 5 chestnut-bellied seed finches (Oryzoborus angolensis), re- July 20, 2018 Seizure Tocantins leased immediately. Almost 500 birds : cardinal-tanagers (genus Paroaria), ultra- Between July marine grosbeaks (Cyanocompsa brissonii), parrots and par- Senhor do 24 and 28, Seizure akeets (Psittacidae, Appendix I ou II), double-collared seed- Bonfim 2018 eaters (Sporophila caerulescens), passerines (family Turdidae) and chopi blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi). 1 blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva, Appendix II), 5 red-cowled cardinals (Paroaria dominicana), 1 yellow-bellied July 25, 2018 Aracaju Seizure seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) and 1 bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). Rescue of 1 Western barn owl (Tyto alba, Appendix II) by children on the street. 70 birds including 2 São José do Seizure / July 25, 2018 great-bellied seed finches Fine: 12,133 US$. Rio Preto Sentence (Oryzoborus maximiliani). 25 birds including 4 tanagers (genus Thraupis), 2 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 2 copper seedeaters (Sporophila bouvreuil), 3 lined seedeaters (Sporophila line- Repeated offence. Birds ola), 3 yellow-bellied seed- caught in the last 2 months. July 27, 2018 Maruim Seizure eaters (Sporophila nigricollis), All released in a protected 1 double-collared seedeater area. (Sporophila caerulescens), 3 passerines (family Turdidae), 1 campo troupial (Icterus jamacaii) and 1 ultramarine grosbeak (Cyanocompsa brissonii). Sara Diwojra Cukierman, 70 4 birds including 1 ara (Ara years old, double charge of July 30, 2018 Río de Janeiro Seizure spp., Appendix I ou II) illegal possession of animals stressed and plucked. and ill-treatment. 52 wild birds, ultramarine grosbeaks (Cyanocompsa brissonii), saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), lined seedeaters (Sporophila lin- Assis July 31, 2018 Seizure / Arrest eola), red-cowled cardinals (Paroaria dominicana), Brazilian Chateaubriand tanagers (Ramphocelus bresilius), rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) and chestnut-bellied seed finches (Oryzoborus angolensis). 3 arrests. Fines.

37 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 45 birds : cardinal-tanagers (genus Paroaria), ultramarine grosbeaks (Cyanocompsa brissonii), double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), diademed tan- At three so-called breed- End July 2018 Caixas do Sul Seizure agers (Stephanophorus dia- ers. Falsification of rings and dematus) and green-winged registers. saltators (Saltator similis). Release of most of them, handover of the others to the local Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (Cetas). 2 lined seedeaters (Sporophila lineola), 1 green- winged saltator (Saltator si- At 1 private home. August 1, 2018 Jardim Alegre Seizure milis), 1 saffron finch (Sicalis Minutes and release. flaveola), 1 red-pileated finch (Coryphospingus cuc- ullatus), 1 trap and 4 cages. Road check on the BR-135. Purchase: 9.6 US$ each in Jaiba 53 green-winged saltators August 2, 2018 Montes Claros Seizure / Arrest (Minas Gerais), sale: 100 US$ (Saltator similis). in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia or Sao Paulo. 2 arrests. 1 black-bellied whis- tling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis, Appendix III in Honduras), 2 Razor- billed curassow (Mitu tu- berosum), 1 Russet-backed oropendola (Psarocolius angustifrons), 2 red-billed One man, fine: 8,100 US$ toucans (Ramphastos tu- Seizure / for illegal trade in protected August 3, 2018 Manaus canus, Appendix II), 1 par- Sentence birds. rot (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II), 2 white-eyed conures (Aratinga leucophthalma, Appendix II), 1 blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus, Appendix II) and 1 hawk-headed parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus, Appendix II). Campo Belo, 49 green-winged saltators August 8, 2018 State of Minas Seizure (Saltator similis), 10 traps Five men, repeat offenders. Gerais and 4 cages. 6 double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), 4 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 4 green- São Pedro da Arrest of 1 individual (61 years August 9, 2018 Seizure / Arrest winged saltators (Saltator si- Aldeia old). milis), 2 parrots (Pionus spp., Appendix II), 5 blue-black grassquits (Volatinia jacarina) and 19 traps. 89 birds, including 3 seriemas (family Cariamidae), 1 August 17, Caruaru and Seizure blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva, Appendix II) and 1 2018 Garanhuns chachalaca (genus Ortalis). 40 cages.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 38 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Almost 100 birds including double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), August 17, Jundiai Seizure / Arrest saffron finches (Sicalis flaveo- 2 arrests. 2018 la) and rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis). 20 cages. Capture and selling of pi- August 19, Conselheiro Seizure / onus parrots (Pionus spp., 1 woman, fine: 20,000 US$. 2018 Lafaiete Sentence Appendix II). 500 birds, yellow-bellied seedeaters (Sporophila nig- Police check on the BR-101. ricollis), white-throated see- Seizure inside a Chevrolet deaters (Sporophila albogu- crossover, in crates, covered August 22, Viana, State of laris), campo troupial (Icterus with a white sheet. Seizure 2018 Espírito Santo jamacaii), rufous-collared Purchased less than 0,50€ sparrows (Zonotrichia cap- each in Cruz das Almas and ensis), red-cowled cardinals Santo Estevão for resale in Rio (Paroaria dominicana) and de Janeiro. 10 turtles. 35 birds : yellow-bellied seedeaters (Sporophila nigricollis), ultramarine grosbeaks 1 60-year-old man, in a coach (Cyanocompsa brissonii), on the BR-116, bound for Belo September 1, Between Itaipé Seizure green-winged saltators Horizonte bus station. 2018 and Betim (Saltator similis), saffronWas to receive 72 US$ on ar- finches (Sicalis flaveola) and rival as middleman. rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis). Operation ”Aegis” against traf- 1 double-collared seedeater fic on motorways. (Sporophila caerulescens), A 34-year-old male. In one September 8, 1 ultramarine grosbeak Itatiaia Seizure / Arrest suitcase on board a coach. 2018 (Cyanocompsa brissonii), 3 Departure from São Paulo hooded siskins (Spinus mag- and destination Mantena, in ellanicus) and 2 Amandava. Minas Gerais (1000 km). 1 parrot (Amazona spp., Information on the Linha September 10, Campos dos Seizure Appendix I ou II), 1 rifle and Verde. 2018 Goytacazes ammunition. At 1 private home. 23 birds : chestnut-bellied seed finches (Oryzoborus angolensis), saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), violaceous euphonias (Euphonia viola- September 10, Planaltina, Etat In 4 private properties. Illegal Seizure cea), rufous-bellied thrushes 2018 de Goiás captivity. (Turdus rufiventris), Yellow- chevroned parakeets (Brotogeris chiriri, Appendix II) and green-winged saltators (Saltator similis). Purchased on average 20 US$ in farms, sold between 120 Ivinhema Mid- 116 parrot nestlings and 145 US$ in São Paulo. and Novo September Seizure / Arrest (Amazona spp., Appendix I As part of a network of col- Horizonte do 2018 ou II) in 2 operations. lectors, gatherers and distrib- Sul utors, 3 arrests including one repeat offender.

39 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 53 saffron finches (Sicalis September 15, 1 arrest. Release of birds in Glória do Goitá Seizure / Arrest flaveola) and 140 bags of 2018 view. charcoal. 187 wild birds including 12 boxes in the trunk. Espinosa, parrots (Aratinga spp., September 16, 2 arrests. Paid 121 US$ for State of Minas Seizure / Arrest Appendix II) and Hyacinth 2018 the delivery. Unidentified Gerais Macaws (Anodorhynchus hy- recipient. acinthinus, Appendix I). © Polícia Militar

7 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 2 pale-breasted thrushes (Turdus leucome- September 18, São João da Seizure / las), 2 double-collared seed- 1 man, fine 1454 US$. 2018 Boa Vista Sentence eaters (Sporophila caerulescens) and 1 red-pileated finch (Coryphospingus cucul- latus). Released in the wild. Available for sale on social September 19, State of 14 parrots (Amazona spp., Seizure / Arrest networks 145 US$ each. 2018 Pernambuco Appendix I ou II). Jefferson Souza de Moraes. 2 blue and yellow macaw nestlings (Ara ararau- In a cardboard box on board a September 22, Itu, State of na, Appendix II) and 1 motorcycle. Seizure 2018 São Paulo blue-fronted amazon nest- Questioning of a 27-year-old lings (Amazona aestiva, male. Appendix II). 2 parrots (Amazona spp., Appendix I or II), 2 chestnut-bellied seed finches (Oryzoborus angolensis), 1 ultramarine grosbeak September 22, Seizure / (Cyanocompsa brissonii), Uberlândia 1 woman, fine: 6680 US$. 2018 Sentence 1 white-eyed conure (Aratinga leucophthalma, Appendix II) and 9 turtles (Chelonoidis carbonarius or Chelonoidis denticulatus, Appendix II).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 40 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 248 birds including yellow-bellied seedeaters (Sporophila nigricollis), ultramarine grosbeaks (Cyanocompsa brissonii), September 24, On the market. Runaway Itabaiana Seizure parrots (Amazona spp., 2018 vendors. Appendix I ou II), macaws (Ara spp., Appendix I ou II) and 3 turtles (Chelonoidis carbonarius or Chelonoidis denticulatus, Appendix II). 217 wild birds, including parrots (Amazona spp., Appendix A 44-year-old male checked September 26, I ou II), saffron finches (Sicalis on SP-310 by the traffic po- Araraquara Seizure 2018 flaveola) and yellow-bel- lice. Questioned and released lied seedeaters (Sporophila pending the trial. nigricollis). 6 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 1 hooded siskin (Spinus magellanicus), 2 double-col- September 26, Santa Seizure / lared seedeaters (Sporophila At a private home. 2018 Gertrudes Sentence caerulescens), 1 rufous-collared Fine: 1163 US$. sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) and 1 lined seedeater (Sporophila lineola). 8 double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), 7 blue-black grassquits September 26, Seizure / (Volatinia jacarina), 5 saffron A man. Rio das Ostras 2018 Sentence finches (Sicalis flaveola), 4 Fine : 2900 US$. buffy-fronted seedeaters (Sporophila frontalis), 1 trap and 10 cages. 30 double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), 3 Alegre, State September 27, green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), 2 rufous-collared of Espirito Seizure 2018 sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis), 1 campo troupial (Icterus ja- Santo macaii) and 1 blue-black grassquit (Volatinia jacarina). 1 blue-fronted amazon For sale on WhatsApp 123 September 28, Seizure / Recife nestling (Amazona aestiva, US$. Kaio César Gomes Soares 2018 Sentence Appendix II). fined 2475 US$. © CPRH

41 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois COLOMBIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Thanks to the nose of Batman, 2 spectacled parrotlets a German shepherd. July 3, 2018 Ibagué Seizure / Arrest (Forpus conspicillatus, A woman, in the bus station, Appendix II). bound for the northwest of the country. 3 rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis), 7 saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), 2 parakeets (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II), 1 owl In one house. Questioning of August 2018 Bogotá Seizure (Athene spp., Appendix II), 1 the occupant. Ruddy-breasted seedeater (Sporophila minuta) and 1 shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis).

ECuador Illegal detention of 1 1 year in prison and a fine of green-winged macaw (Ara 1544 US$. chloropterus, Appendix II), 1 In 2014, another sentence Early July 2018 Guayaquil Sentence blue and yellow macaw (Ara for deadly shooting at one ararauna, Appendix II) and condor: 6 months in prison 2 mealy amazons (Amazona and fined 5000 US$. farinosa, Appendix II).

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Operation ”Dakota Flyer”. Sales in pawnshops in 5 Midwestern States or on the Internet. Sentences between March and Trade and smuggling of 35 July 2018 of 19 people, includ- species of protected birds ing 12 men, 5 women and 2 or parts thereof, in particu- pawnshops. lar bald eagles (Haliaeetus South Dakota Sentences: up to 6 months’ jail, Mid-July 2018 Sentence leucocephalus, Appendix II) State up to 2 years’ probation, and/ and golden eagles (Aquila or up to 6 months’ house ar- chrysaetos, Appendix II). rest; restitution to the National Birds from all continents ex- Wildlife Foundation ranging cept Antarctica. from 900 US$ to 20,000 US$, special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund ranging from 10 to 125 US$, fines up to 5,000 US$. Charges with trapping and 07/23: Hovary Muniz, 15 smuggling more than 400 months in prison From July 23 State of migratory birds within the 07/30: Juan Carlos Rodriguez, to August 10, Sentence Florida United States from Cuba. 6 months in prison 2018 See ”On the Trail” no. 21 08/10: Miguel Loureiro, 9 p.33. months in prison

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 42 MEXICO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 2 scarlet macaws (Ara macao, Appendix I), 3 military macaws (Ara militaris, Appendix Displayed in a lounge and gar- I), 1 blue and yellow macaw July 4, 2018 Jojutla Seizure den’s hotel. (Ara ararauna, Appendix II) Inquiry after the manager. and 4 salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis, Appendix I). 1 military macaw (Ara militaris, Appendix I), 1 scarlet macaw Administrative procedure to- July 9, 2018 Apodaca Seizure (Ara macao, Appendix I) and wards the ”owner”. 1 blue and yellow macaw (Ara ararauna, Appendix II). 3 orange-fronted parakeets (Aratinga canicu- Villa de July 12, 2018 Seizure laris, Appendix II) and 1 Released far from the city. Álvarez black-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei). 13 house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), 1 northern car- On the Los Cavazos open air dinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), 4 July 15, 2018 Santiago Seizure market. clay-colored thrushes (Turdus Released into the wild. grayi) and 1 altamira oriole (Icterus gularis). 27 dehydrated and injured songbirds and ornamental birds: 6 black-headed grosbeaks (Pheucticus me- lanocephalus), 6 elegant euphonias (Euphonia elegantis- 9 cardboard boxes in a suit- sima), 5 large hooded beaks case. Already 4 dead at the Mexico city (Hesperiphona abeillei), 4 yel- outset. July 16, 2018 international Seizure low-faced grassquits (Tiaris Value: 200 to 500€ per bird. airport olivaceus), 2 northern mock- 1 Mexican. ingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), Bound for Paris, France. 2 russet-crowned motmots (Momotus mexicanus), 1 trans- volcanic jay (Aphelocoma ul- tramarina), 1 lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria). 166 songbirds and ornamental birds, including 162 exoge- nous birds that will not be released : slate-colored solitaires (Myadestes unicolor), brown-backed solitaires (Myadestes occidentalis), alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria, Appendix II), northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), August 5, rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri), plum headed par- Coquimatlán Seizure 2018 akeets (Psittacula cyanocephala, Appendix II), red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus, Appendix II), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), scarlet-chested parrots (Neophema splendida, Appendix II), golden-mantled rosellas (Platycercus eximius, Appendix II), rosyfaced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicol- lis) and Fischer’s lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri, Appendix II). 2 collared araçaris (Pteroglossus torquatus), 2 white-fronted amazons (Amazona albifrons, Appendix II), 1 mealy am- August 11, Mexico city Seizure azon (Amazona farinosa, Appendix II), 1 emerald toucanet 2018 (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) and 1 orange-fronted conure (Aratinga canicularis, Appendix II).

43 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Detention in march 2017 of 2 blue-headed parrots (Pionus menstruus, Appendix II), 1 red-lored 1 year in prison, 4960 US$ in August 27, Mexico city Sentence amazon (Amazona autum- damages, suspension of civil 2018 nalis, Appendix II) and 1 rights. green-cheeked amazon (Amazona viridigenalis, Appendix I).

ASIA CHINA 55 boxes in the luggage of 38.6 kg of swallow bird July 6, 2018 Shanghai Seizure a passenger arriving from nests, or about 3000 nests. Indonesia. Release into Hanzhong Reserve of 28 injured, neglected and Early August Shaanxi good news cared of Japanese Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon, Appendix I) 2018 Province chicks. Shenyang End 10 boxes of swallow nests, Taoxian In the luggage of 1 traveller September Seizure total weight: 8.8 kg, or international from Thailand. 2018 about 700 nests. airport

IndIA Peacock feathers, legs Palanichamy (60 years old), and meat (Pavo muticus, money lender on the vegeta- Chinnaka- Appendix II or Pavo crista- July 6, 2018 Seizure / Arrest ble market and Babu (55 years manpatti tus, Appendix III in Pakistan), old), in flagrante delicto of cut- snare traps, electric lamps ting up and plucking peacocks. and 1 handmade rifle. Five men arrested for carrying a Poaching or attempted prohibited weapon. Evidence: Jankalyan poaching of flamingos July 15, 2018 Arrest shots taken by an eye witness Nagar (Phoenicopterus ruber, with weapons in hand when Appendix II). approaching birds. Jogulamba 24 peacocks (Pavo muticus, Suspicion of poisoning by Gadwal and Appendix II or Pavo crista- July 27, 2018 Other bad news seeds treated with pesticides. Nagarkurnool tus, Appendix III in Pakistan) Autopsy in progress. Districts found dead. ”Those who had poisoned the Poisoning of 47 peacocks peacocks will be arrested as August 4, Madurai (Pavo muticus, Appendix II these birds are protected under Other bad news 2018 District or Pavo cristatus, Appendix the wild life protection Act. The III in Pakistan). punishment for killing them is up to seven years of imprisonment”.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 44 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI For meat and feathers. Arrest of Vahanbhai Kamsubhai, escape of 3 accomplices. 4 flamingos (Phoenicopterus A first in the sanctuary: kite ruber, Appendix II) including poaching with lines coated 1 seriously injured, 1 west- August 8, Nal Sarovar with crushed glass. An alter- Poaching ern swamphen (Porphyrio 2018 Bird Sanctuary native to nets. Injury to birds porphyrio), 1 painted stork in their flight to escape. A (Mycteria leucocephala) seri- scheme already used in the ously injured. Saurashatra sanctuary to trap common cranes. See ”On the Trail” no. 12 p.30 and no. 8 p.25. 5 peacocks (Pavo muticus, Suspicion of retaliation for September 4, Appendix II or Pavo crista- Arachalur Poaching crop damage. Burial of carcass- 2018 tus, Appendix III in Pakistan) es after autopsy. including 3 adult males. Arrest of Odha Hakabhai. 4 run- September 6, Nal Sarovar away accomplices. Poaching as Seizure / Arrest 40 birds, including 27 dead. 2018 Bird Sanctuary often happens in the RAMSAR site (120 km2). Only 5 guards. 30 alexandrine para- September 9, 2 traffickers arriving from Jammu Seizure / Arrest keets (Psittacula eupatria, 2018 Pendjab by coach. Appendix II). In 4 metal cages on the roof of the coach. 600 parrots or parakeets Deepak (20 years old), on September District de Seizure / Arrest (Psittacidae, Appendix I or board the Pilibhit-Delhi bus 15, 2018 Parbhani II). line. Birds trapped around Pilibhit, sale planned in Delhi. Dead egrets (genus Kothimangalm, September Egretta) and black-crowned State of Seizure / Arrest 3 poachers in custody. 16, 2018 night herons (Nycticorax Tamil Nadu nycticorax). 12 day laborers from West Poisoning of 15 male Bengal working on the up- peacocks (Pavo cristatus, September keeping of the Narmada ca- Gagodar Arrest Appendix III in Pakistan), 26, 2018 nal. Rumor about the ability 15 females and about 40 of peacock feather powder to pigeons. cure hiccups.

IndonEsia 55 birds, 50 of which Transport in 54 canvas bags. Gunung August 18, were released, 3 kept as 3 hunters: SS (51 years old), L Leuser Seizure / Arrest 2018 evidence and 2 died. 6 (36 years old) and H (33 years national Park cages, 9 nets. old).

45 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois IRAN TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Several suspects arrested. Falcons hunting (Barbary falcon, saker falcon, kestrel, goshawks, lanner falcon) is punishable by a fine of up to 1 saker falcon (Falco cher- 14,300 US$. September rug, Appendix II) with Dargaz Seizure / Arrest Their breeding and trafficking 2018 pierced eyes, 1 hunting ar- are punishable by 3 years in senal, skins, 1 stuffed duck. prison and a fine of up to 470 US$. Average selling price of 1 falcon: 11,900 US$ in the Persian Gulf.

PHILIPPINES 76 common hill minas (Gracula religiosa, Appendix Escape of Joseph Quintayo II), 125 blue-naped parrots while deserting his 5-year-old July 11, 2018 Quezon Seizure (Tanygnathus lucionensis, son on the spot. Placement Appendix II), 1 Palawan of the child in the city’s social hornbill (Anthracoceros centre. marchei, Appendix II).

SINGAPORe Origin: Malaysia. Hidden in a paper bag, in the Attempted import of a front box of a 2-wheel vehicle black hornbill nestling July 18, 2018 Singapore Sentence registered in Malaysia. (Anthracoceros malayanus, Syed Muhammad Bin Syed Appendix II) in May 2018. Hassan and Mohammed Bin Ali: 2930 US$ fine each. © AVA ©

THAILAND Sale on Facebook 380 US$. Mueang 49 birds including 36 yel- Questioning of a trafficker’s July 25, 2018 and Pak Tho Seizure / Arrest low-throated bulbuls family: Nettinee Taweewan, Districts (Pycnonotus xantholaemus). Mana Bunnag and his wife Mintra Thanyang. Shipping of birds in the luggage compartment of sched- uled coaches. August 9, 2018 Taling Chan Seizure 11 cages containing birds. Search of Arporn Khamsuk’s house (45 years old). Said to be in connection with a wildlife trader on the Internet.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 46 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE August 30, Khlong Luang Sale on the Internet. Seizure About forty protected birds. 2018 District Search and seizure. Sale on Facebook. 22 songbirds and multicol- September 12, Harikalla, arrested with birds Bangkok Seizure / Arrest ored birds of 6 protected 2018 on him and in his hotel room, species. waiting for a buyer.

VIET NAM 1 crested hawk-eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus, September 29, At roost on a motorcycle in the Vung Tau Seizure Appendix II). 2018 backyard of a sushi bar. Subsequently transferred to Cat Tien National Park.

EUROPE

GERMANY Stuttgart 1 grey parrot (Psittacus Brought from Turkey in mov- August 2, 2018 Seizure airport erithacus, Appendix I). ing boxes.

BELGIUM Destruction of about twen- City employees fallen under End July, 2018 Verviers Poaching ty swallow nests hung on suspicion. an annex of the Town Hall.

France On appeal, sentence of the Poaching of finches and ”shovel man” and his brother ortolans. Violent attack on to a fine of 400 € for violence LPO (Ligue de Protection and 1700 € of damages to the July 5, 2018 Pau Sentence des Oiseaux) activists, in activists of the LPO and a tele- particular Allain Bougrain vision team for breaking of Dubourg, president of the equipment. See ”On the Trail” association. n°17 p. 38. 8 live European goldfinch- La Charité sur es (Carduelis carduelis) Selling price: between 80 and End July, 2018 Seizure Loire and cages, subsequently 200 € per bird. released. Opening of waterfowl hunting in the marshes. 10 offences including shooting of a protect- 1 little grebe (Tachybaptus ed bird, shooting of 2 during August 21, Vendée Sentence ruficollis) and 2 Eurasian prohibited hunting period, 2018 Department coots (Fulica atra). filling of water bodies during periods of water use restric- tions and unauthorized work in wetlands. The only Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus, Appendix II) born in the September Sarrians Poaching Drôme sub-division this In care in 1 LPO clinic. 2018 year found wounded by shot pellets in the Vaucluse sub-division (about 60 km).

47 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Pyrénées- The hunter: ”When I was about September 23, Seizure / 1 little bustard (Tetrax tetrax, Orientales to shoot, I didn’t know what it 2018 Sentence Appendix II) killed. Department w a s ”.

ItalY More than 50 birds belonging to protected species, Rome and including European gold- July 2018 Sabina Seizure finches (Carduelis cardue- Operation ”Ali Azzurre”. Region lis), serins (Serinus serinus) and 15 European rollers (Coracias garrulus). 2 European goldfinches (Carduelis cardue- July 26, 2018 Carpi Seizure lis) and 1 calendra lark At 1 private home. (Melanocorypha calandra) in cages. Packed in 3 plastic boxes in the back of a car. Hidden under 110 European goldfinches empty cages. August 18, (Carduelis carduelis) includ- Value: 5000 € in the whole or Misterbianco Seizure 2018 ing 2 dead without tagging. 45€ per bird. Questioning of the pet shops director. Survivors released the same day in the open country. 29 European goldfinches End August Favara Seizure / Arrest (Carduelis carduelis), later re- 5 arrests at the agricultural fair. 2018 leased into the wild. Found shot to the ground. Opening of the hunt: 1 September 1, Castiglione Feeds on snakes. Sexual matu- Poaching short-toed eagle (Circaetus 2018 della Pescaia rity at 7 years old. One egg per gallicus, Appendix II). clutch, uncertain hatching. Early 3 seizures: 10, 7 and 11 September Villapiana Seizure / Arrest European goldfinches3 arrests. 2018 (Carduelis carduelis). In a cage, inside the trunk of 35 European goldfinchesa tourist’s car on his way to September 10, Cagliari Seizure (Carduelis carduelis), later re- Naples, hot spot for the gold- 2018 leased into the wild. finch big business. Value: 10,000€, 280€ per bird. More than 50 protected Value: 500 € one European birds, including 15 European roller, 200 to 300 € one kestrel, rollers (Coracias garrulus), 150 € one hawfinch, 30 to 80 € hawfinches (Coccothraustes one elegant goldfinch. coccothraustes), European September Latium Joint operation of CITES and Seizure / Arrest goldfinches (Carduelis cardu- 2018 Region Europol carabinieri. elis), serins (Serinus serinus), 2 arrests. kestrels (Falco spp., Appendix Destination planned: I or II) and western jackdaws Netherlands, Germany, (Corvus monedula). Some of Belgium. them still young. 51 European goldfinches September 16, (Carduelis carduelis) and 6 Arrest of 3 peddlers at the Palermo Seizure / Arrest 2018 serins (Serinus serinus), later Ballaro market. released into the wild.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 48 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI 1 common kestrel (Falco tin- nunculus, Appendix II) in 1 cage, ammunition, 1 home- September Jumble at the junk shop. Tarento Seizure made bomb, 1 firearm, 2 2018 Owner’s vanishing. wild power connections dating back 20 years, 1 knife 25 cm long.

26 European goldfinchesDuring 2 operations, TS (51 September Palermo and Seizure / Arrest (Carduelis carduelis), in 1 years old, repeat offender) and 2018 Lercara Friddi barn and on 1 balcony. CF (50 years old). Somma 3 European goldfinches End Vesuviana, (Carduelis carduelis) in an September Seizure In 2 operations. Campania aviary and several dead 2018 Region common teals (Anas crecca). End 5 African sacred ibises 1500 € fine and refunding of September Ravenna Sentence (Threskiornis aethiopicus) legal costs to 4 NGOs including 2018 killed with a gun in 2015. WWF and Liberia Caccia.

Portugal 7 European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), 5 grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus, Appendix I), 4 Eurasian Albergaria-a- siskins (Spinus spinus), 2 July 16, 2018 Seizure In a clandestine dog breeding. Velha green-winged macaws (Ara chloropterus, Appendix II), 1 galah (Eolophus roseicapilla, Appendix II) and 2 parrots (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II). 210 birds: European goldfinches (Carduelis cardu- August 5, 2018 Porto Seizure / Arrest elis), passerines (family 2 arrests, during at the Bird Fair. Fringillidae) and common waxbills (Estrilda astrild).

UNITED KINGDOM Paul Barnes, 58 years old: 393 Intentional nest disturbance August 15, US$ fine, 2623 US$ court costs Workington Sentence of a pair of ospreys (Pandion 2018 and 40 US$ damages. haliaetus, Appendix II). Farmer and guide on a reserve.

49 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Pangolins Johannesburg Wildlife© Veterinary

The four African pangolin species (Manis gigantea, M. temminckii, M. tetradactyla, M. tricuspis) et the four Asian species (Manis crassicaudata, M. culionensis, M. javanica and M. pentadactyla) are listed under CITES Appendix I. Hospital AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Recovered from the hands 1 adult male Temminck Early July 2018 Johannesburg Good news of poachers, cared of and pangolin. released. Throwned down from the Early July 2018 Hoedspruit Seizure / Arrest 1 pangolin. window during the car chase. One arrests, 2 fugitives. In a plastic bag in a taxi. Expected selling price: 1,500 US$. Surprise Moyani August 1, 2018 Rustenburg Seizure / Arrest 1 male pangolin. Nkomezulu (25 years old) and Tlhobogang Daniel Mantsho (34 years old) released on bail of 2,500 US$. Treatment of pneumo- Mid- Centurion, nia by Johannesburg Seizure of a female September Gauteng Seizure Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. pangolin. 2018 Province Recovered and freed 15 days later Favorable follow-up. Wrapped in a wire mesh, in a bag, in the trunk of a vehi- September cle. 17,000 US$ on the global Pretoria Seizure / Arrest 1 live adult pangolin 2018 black market according to a Pretorian media. 4 arrests.

CAMEROON Dismantling of 1 international network, 6 arrests including 2 Central African nation- als, 3 on the run after their previous release on bail. August 18, Scales collection from hunt- Douala Seizure / Arrest 718 kg of scales. 2018 ers-gatherers in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, exfiltration in Nigeria via Cameroon. Alleged smuggling into Viet Nam. September Akwa Seizure / Arrest 400kg of pangolin scales. 4 arrests. 2018 4 people stopped, including 1 police officer. Delivery September of bribes amouting to 710 Yaoundé Seizure / Arrest 270kg of pangolin scales 2018 US$ to ”facilitate” the transport from the south of the country.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 50 COTE D’IVOIRE TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE In 63 bags, in July of 2017 (See 3000 kg of pangolin scales. ”On the Trail” n°18 p.37). Value on the local market: 78,000 US$ (26 US$/kg). Yao Kouassi July 23, 2018 Abidjan Sentence Sébastien, Angha Agnan Joseph, Assi Seka Jocelin, Kanga Raymond: 12 months in jail and a 530 US$ fine each at first instance.

NIGERIA Satellite In the flat of one Chinese na- August 2018 Town, State Seizure 17 bags of scales (738 kg). tional. Value on the Asian mar- of Lagos ket: 570,000 US$ (770 US$/kg).

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO According to Freeland, arrests of 5 scales traffickers caught in the act on June 28th at the border of the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo : Zhang Republic of Ming Yang, Chinese, Emmanuel July 19, 2018 Arrest 1.8 tons of pangolin scales. the Congo Agbo, Aboubalar Nasiru and John Paul Obiakor, Nigerians and Ted Allan Otta Obongui, Congolese. They are linked to Kaba Mamadi, Guinean, a leader in wildlife traffic. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p.44.

ZIMBABWE Elders’ advocacy for pangolins, (harakabvuka in local dialect), Zimunya, Bonus of 10,000 US$ of- in the Mongabay newspaper: July 2018 Manicaland Other bad news fered by the Chinese beat- “For us, pangolin is more than Province ers for a living specimen. just an animal ; it is part of our culture.”

Rescue of 1 female pango- August 22, Zimbabwe Seizure lin her left hind paw being Prognosis engaged. 2018 cut off by a trap. Value: 5,000 US$. Stephen Moyo (78 years old), Sipho August 28, 1 female pangolin weigh- Bulawayo Seizure / Arrest Mbulawa (42 years old), Fundile 2018 ing 4 kg. Moyo (33 years old) and Mehluli Ngwenya (32 years old).

51 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois ASIA

CAMBODIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Wildlife Alliance rangers patrol August 11, Koh Kong 1 pangolin weighing 4.8 kg met a man on a motorcycle Seizure 2018 Province in full health who dropped a bag and fled into the forest. Cardamom In a plastic bag. Wildlife August 23, Chain, 1 living young pangolin, 1 Alliance rangers patrolled at Seizure 2018 Koh Kong motorcycle. night. Spotting of a poaching’s Province campsite.

CHINA Pangolin considered as an ingredient for traditional Chinese July 2018 China Good news medicine is going to be removed from schoolbooks. Daluo border crossing, In a polystyrene box, in an off- Menghai 1 adult Sunda pangolin July 17, 2018 Seizure road car. Released 3 days later County. weighing 6.8 kgs, 1.3 m. into the wild. Border with Myanmar In 284 bags containing officially “plastic raw materials.” July 20, 2018 Hong Kong Seizure 7.1 tons of pangolin scales 450,000 US$ (63 US$/kg). From Nigeria, to Guangdong province. 1 pangolin of 40 cm and weighing 1.3 kg.

Released into the wild after be- Yanping August 7, 2018 Good news ing recovered by the police on District the side of a motorway tunnel.

7.26 tons of pangolin In 3 maritime containers load- scales, during 3 succes- ed with ”granite”. 50 US$/kg in July and sive seizures in July and Canton Seizure Africa, 820 US$/kg in China. 4 August 2018 August (2.26 + 2.6 + 2.3), or suspects arrested: Liang, Liu, 12,000 to 18,000 poached Wu and Du (30 to 40 years old). pangolins. In 90 packages wrapped in August 30, cooking foil, in 4 suitcases. Macao Seizure / Arrest 100 kg of pangolin scales. 2018 1 resident of Hong Kong on arrival at Macao. In the trunk of a car that was September 4, Nanning Seizure 4 live pangolins. registered abroad. Driver ran 2018 away.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 52 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE September 19, Fangcheng- Hidden in a car. Probable origin: Seizure 16 live pangolins. 2018 gang Viet Nam. © Dongxing Customs© Dongxing

INDIA July 6, 2018 Maligaon Seizure / Arrest 1 living pangolin. 3 arrests. Radhesyam Yada and Herot August 25, Sundergarh Xalxo by the forest rangers. Seizure / Arrest 1 adult pangolin. 2018 District In their broken down SUV. 3 accomplices escaped. Following a multi-month investigation by the Shivamogga Wildlife Division, gang break-up. 2 brothers, Uttamsab and September 4, Rajabhakshi, and “Ganesh” and “Krishna” were arrested. Halugudde Arrest 2018 Involvement of more than 50 families of nomadic hunter-gatherers. Bringing to light of several opulent bank accounts from international traffic.

MALAYSIA In bags inside the trunk of a car. Bukit Kayu Meat: 62 US$/kg, Hitam, main Scales: 495 US$/kg, border 65 live pangolins, weighing Total value: 18,500 US$. 1 ex- July 2, 2018 crossing Seizure / Arrest from 3 to 10 kg per military, 57 years old, in charge between individual. of transport from Jitra to Viet Malaysia and Nam or China. Payed 445 US$ Thailand for the trip.

NEPAL Killed 2 years ago according to August 27, The skin and scales of 1 Bhameshwor Seizure / Arrest Hom Bahadur Thapa (53 years 2018 pangolin. old).

THAILAND By Thai customs officials on a line coach registered in Border of Malaysia with no passengers August 25, 162 live pangolins and 10 Malaysia- Seizure / Arrest other than pangolins. In the 2018 kg of scales. Thailand Penang Province (Malaysia). Destination provided for: Sado, Songkhla Province (Thailand).

53 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois VIET NAM TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Cuc Phuong Release by Save Wildlife Rescued from trafficking and July 1, 2018 Good news National Park Viet Nam of 25 pangolins. taken care of by the NGO. Terminal The driver of the SUV smashed Ferry of Mễ 116 pangolins weighing a July 9, 2018 Seizure into two police cars and then Sở, Van Giang total of 530 kg. fled on foot. District 2 wounded and weakened Locked in a bag inside a box. July 15, 2018 Hai Phong Seizure pangolins found by police Collected by Save Viet Nam’s in a park. Wildlife. Noi Bai In a package from Nigeria. International More than 300 kg of scales Destination: a man called July 18, 2018 Seizure Airport, in 9 bags. Luong Thi Canh, but no clear Hanoï address. 4 frozen pangolins (total In a minibus towards Tam Ky. July 31, 2018 Hội An Seizure weight 20.5 kg). Zhang Xuan Bao’s questioning. Search of a warehouse belon- 121 live pangolins, 21 dead ging to Pham Van Tuan in the September 6, Saisie / scaled pangolins, 7kg of Mong Cai hamlet of Cau Voi. Discovery of 2018 Arrestation scales. 6 cars, 10 motor- a big traffic of pangolins bound cycles. for neighbouring China. Interception by the police after 1 road accident. At the time of 2 live pangolins, one 3.4 kg, September 12, Đức Trọng Saisie / purchase 416 US$, at the time the other 1.2 kg. Released 2018 District Arrestation of sale: 472 US$ according to into the forest afterwards. the accused, Nguyen Van Quan (49 years old).

September 12, 2018, Đức Trọng District, Viet Nam

July 1, 2018 Cuc Phuong National Park, Viet Nam

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 54 Pangolins and Elephants

AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI KwaZulu- 1 live pangolin, elephant Natal, End of August tusks, 1 prohibited weap- Operation coordinated by Mpumalanga Seizure / Arrest 2018 on, ammunition, poaching Rhino Team 9. 28 questionings. and Limpopo tools and a car. Provinces

GABON Illegal detention of 2 ivory Imenou Franck: 12 months in August 2, 2018 Lambaréné Sentence tips, an elephant tail and prison and 360 US$ of fine. See pangolin scales. ”On the Trail” n°21 p.48. dEmocratiC REPUBLIC OF THE Congo

Burning of about 1 ton of ivo- Nsele ry and about 1 ton of pangolin September 30, Valley Park, scales. Release of 5 grey parrots Good news 2018 Kinshasa by President Joseph Kabila in Province front of several officials and ambassadors.

ASIA

CHINA Shanghai- 13.4 kg of pangolin scales, Mid-August Pudong In the bags of an arriving Seizure 140 g of worked ivories 2018 International passenger. and the skin of 1 python. Airport

INDIA Shivamogga Satish, Basavanna 4 kg of elephant tusks, 16 and his brother Ravi snared by July 2, 2018 Tarikere Seizure / Arrest kg of deer antlers, 11 kg of forest rangers posing as buyers. pangolin scales. Two members of the group escaped.

VIET NAM Seizure by customs on arrival of a Turkish Airlines flight. Shippers: GMJ International 805 kg of pangolins scales Logisticsmakia & Cathage Noi Bai September 28, in 20 parcels and 193 kg Import and Export Ltd. from International Seizure 2018 of ivory cut into slices in 4 Kano in Nigeria. Airport, Hanoi packages. Receivers: Nbc Viet Nam Development Company Limited & Vamc Ieco Ltd Thou, in the Son Son District.

See also the chapter “Rhino and Elephants”, seizure in Angola at the end of July.

55 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Primates

Gorilla (Gorilla spp.), chimpanzee (Pan spp.), orangutan (Pongo spp.) are listed in CITES Appendix I. Macaques (Macaca spp.) are in Appendix II except the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) and the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) listed in Appendix I.

AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Baboons (Papio spp., Constantia, Appendix II) hunting. Cape Town, 7 in 1 year, since hunting li- Early July 2018 Other bad news Accused of always find- Western Cape cences were issued to 2 farms. ing a trick to infiltrate Province plantations. Aged 8 weeks or so. Lone, hun- gry and thirsty, transported 1 female baboon (Papio End July 2018 Beaufort West Good news to a rehabilitation centre in spp., Appendix II). Gauteng through a solidarity network. 1 monkey about 10 months Poisoned by 1 pesticide of the Salt Rock, old dead, 2 other monkeys Temik type. August 12, KwaZulu- Poaching about 2.5 years old and Reward of 70 US$ promised by 2018 Natal 10 months at the point of a resident for any information Province death in a landfill. allowing to identify the culprit. © Liberia Chimpanzee© Liberia Rescue

August 12, 2018, Salt Rock, September 28, 2018, Monrovia, Liberia KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

CAMEROON Concealed in a cardboard box Attempt to sell 1 baby inside a cage, at the back of a July 2018 Douala Seizure / Arrest chimpanzee. bike. 2 arrests.

LIBERIA Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue September 28, 1 young female operation. Monrovia Seizure / Arrest 2018 chimpanzee. Attempted sale on the street. 1 arrest.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 56 REpubliC OF THE Congo TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Gave the alert himself by running away and causing panic in the communities. Transfer to the dedicated shel- September 3, A male gorilla about 15 Dolisie Seizure ter of Tchimpounga. 2018 years old out if it’s cage. Police custody of Colonel Ikounga Rémy aka Ayayos pros- ecuted for illegal possession of a highly protected species.

AMERICA

BRAZIL Santa Cruz do Sul, State of 1 capuchin monkey (Cebus spp., Appendix II), 1 cockatiel July 19, 2018 Seizure Rio Grande (Nymphicus hollandicus). do Sul

COLOMBIA 1 18-month-old male According to the Ministry of white-fronted capuchin Environment, global seizure of (Cebus albifrons, Appendix August 2018 Bogotá Seizure 3000 wild animals converted II), captive since the age of into pets since the beginning 2 months. Unlikely to be of the year. released. 1 female white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus, Appendix II), about 30 Operation ”Libres y en casa”. September 5, years old, kept captive for Bogotá Seizure Transferred to the Institute for 2018 26 years and 1 abandoned Animal Welfare and Protection. Douroucouli (Aotus spp., Appendix II) wandering in the streets.

PERU With a neck chain on the run for 3 days on the rooftops before Castilla 1 young male white- entering a house. Release July 31, 2018 district, Piura Good News fronted capuchin (Cebus considered after quarantine. province albifrons, Appendix II) A highly sought-after species as a pet.

SALVADOR Chained and housed in an old 2 female spider monkeys circus trailer. (Ateles spp., Appendix I or July 5, 2018 Conchagua Seizure Belonging to Circo Real Italiano. II) and 1 adult male in very Ban on animals in circuses since poor condition. 2013. © LPG/Juan Carlos Díaz © LPG/Juan Carlos

57 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois ASIA

CHINA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Origin: a clandestine breeding in Henan. Between 900 and 1660 US$ per animal. Jiangsu Seizure of 17 monkeys from Out of 36 monkeys aged 3-4 July 5, 2018 Seizure Province 17 private individuals. months recently sold, 20 died due to long-distance delivery, malnutrition or an inadequate living environment. 35 arrests, buyers and sellers. Rescue of a baby Assam On sale on the street, entrusted July 31, 2018 Jinghong Good News macaque. to the forest police. Nanyang, September 27, 1 slow loris (Nycticebus cou- borderpost to Seizure In a cat cage in the back of a car. 2018 cang, Appendix I). Myanmar.

INDONESIA - ORANGUTANS

July 1, 2018 Wajok Hilir Exfiltration Evacuation of an orangutan. From the village to a sanctuary. 1 male, about 20 years old, In the irrigation canal of the Tanjung screened with 7 bullets, palm oil company ”PT Wana July 2, 2018 Poaching Hanau slashed, 1 finger cut, string Sawit Subur Lestari”. marks on the legs. Two suspects arrested. For each of the 4 accused: 7 months in prison, a fine of Poaching of an orangutan 3470 US$ and an additional July 3, 2018 Sangatta Sentence (130 bullets). 2 months in prison in case of non-payment. See ”On the Trail” no. 21 p.52. Kampong Released after 6 years of cap- Fatimah, young female July 10, 2018 Baro, Aceh Seizure tivity in the home of a retired orangutan. Province soldier. Nyaru Menteng 11 adult orangutans and 2 Release in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya July 2018 Orangutan Good news babies. National Park. Reintroduction Centre For the two accused, Muliyadi bin Landes and Tamorang bin Poaching and beheading of July 12, 2018 Buntok Sentence Ribin: 6 months in prison and an orangutan. a 34 US$ fine. See ”On the Trail” no. 20 p.58. Cornered on the edge of oil 2 orangutans (1 female palm plantations. Habitats frag- July 14, 2018 Kuala Satong Exfiltration about 35 years old and 1 mented by clearing fires. baby about 10 months old). Transfer to the mountains of Gunung Palung.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 58 © Ferryanto © ISTIMEWA

July 1, 2018, Wajok Hilir, Indonesia July 28, 2018, Tanjung Pasar, Muara Pawan District, Indonesia © BKSDA and BOS

July 2018, Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Centre, Indonesia © OIC © OIC

July 10, 2018, Kampong Baro, August 3, 2018, Geulagang Gajah, August 18, 2018, Aceh Province, Indonesia Indonesia Tanjung Glumpang, Indonesia © Sabah © Sabah Wildlife Department

September 11, 2018, Kinabatangan River, Sandakan District, Indonesia 59 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Transfer to the SOCP (Sumatran Orangutan Illegally housed in the Conservation Program) res- Pematang Siantar Zoo after July 17, 2018 Batu Mbelin Good news cue center of 1 female 15- having being caught in Dairi 20 year old and her 4-5 year Regency. old male baby. Ie Jerneh, Removed from an oil palm 1 male orangutan about 30 July 27, 2018 Aceh Exfiltration plantation and released into a years old. Province forest. Removed from an oil palm Tanjung plantation by IAR (International Pasar, Muara 1 baby orangutan brought Animal Rescue) Indonesia July 28, 2018 Good news Pawan to a rescue centre. and BKSDA (Balai Konservasi District Sumber Daya Alam, Nature Protection Agency). Geulagang Removed from an oil palm Gajah, plantation by the Sumatran 1 female orangutan about August 3, 2018 Southwest Exfiltration Orangutan Conservation 15 years old. Aceh Program (SOCP) and the local Regency BKSDA branch. Shots fired at an orangutan August 16, Kabupaten Arrest in a cage then stabbed to In an oil palm plantation. 2018 de Seruyan death. Namo Sedated, removed from an oil August 17, Unggas, 1 male about 15 years old Exfiltration palm plantation. Released the 2018 Batang (40 kg). same day. Serangan Removed from an oil palm August 18, Tanjung 1 male orangutan about 25 Exfiltration plantation, transferred to the 2018 Glumpang years old. Leuser Mountains. Removed from a planta- Pulo Tiga, September 1, 1 male orangutan about 60 tion, transferred to the Tamiang Hulu Exfiltration 2018 years old. Leuser Mountains after light District tranquilization. Kinabatangan Drifting in the river, three bul- September 11, River, 1 female orangutan, about Poaching lets, several wounds to the ab- 2018 Sandakan 30 years old. domen, shoulder and foot. District Evacuated from an acacia plan- September 17, 1 30-year-old male orang- tation. 1 bullet 1 cm in diameter Kumai Poaching 2018 utan, 65 kg. extracted from his right hand. Prognosis positive. Mitigated NGO satisfaction, Suspension of oil palm Walhi’s (Wahana Lingkungan September 19, Indonesia planting licence allocations Hidup Indonesia - Indonesian 2018 Other for 3 years. Forum for the Environment) claims to a 25-year moratorium. Pulo Tiga, September 29, 1 female orangutan about Transferred from 1 plantation Tamiang Hulu Exfiltration 2018 25 years old (35kg). to Leuser Forest. District

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 60 MALAYSIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 3 Sumatran orangutan Sale via the Internet. July 13, 2018 Malaysia Seizure / Arrest babies. 1 arrest.

THAILAND Job: making people showing off with lorises. From 1 to 3 US$ per photo. August 15, Ko Naka Yai 2 slow lorises (Nycticebus Exploitation on the tourist Seizure / Arrest 2018 Island coucang, Appendix I). beach by Nattapon Kensing (26 years old), repeat offender. Police hearing on animal cruelty.

EUROPE

SPAIN 1 male white-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix jacchus, July 11, 2018 Carcabuey Seizure Appendix II).

France 1 Goeldi’s marmoset July 13, 2018 Mervent Theft (Callimico goeldii, Appendix Burglary at Natur’zoo. I) aged around 11 years.

Vicuñas, Vicugna vicugna, Appendix II

AMERICA

PERU TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Pampamarca On the high plateaus at an alti- Early July 2018 Poaching 12 skinned vicuñas. District tude of more than 4500 m. Ojherani, August 29, Puno District. 16 skins with bullet holes. Seizure 2018 Border with Bolivia. Attached to the roof of a house. Pichacani July 11, 2018 Seizure 1 young. Not really a pet, rather livestock District with annual sale of the wool. © SERFOR

61 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Felines

LEopards Leopards (Panthera pardus) are listed under CITES Appendix I.

AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE

2018 leopard hunting quotas: 5 in the Limpopo August 12, Risks of mistakes in the sex and South Africa Other bad news province and 2 in KwaZulu- 2018 age of the victims. Natal, only males older than 7 years. In 2016, quota: 0.

GABON Oumsaoré Noufou (Burkinabé): 1 year in prison and 320 US$ Commercialization of 2 in fines. Henri Mouniangui, his July 12, 2018 Koulamoutou Sentence skins. accomplice: 6 months in prison and 180 US$ in fines. See “On the Trail” n°21 p.56. Lin Jianhuan or Li Jianhua, Chinese and 53 years old, arrested in February 2018: 3 End of July Transportation and deten- months in prison of which one Libreville Sentence 2018 tion of 5 teeth and 2 bones. suspended and 180 US$ in fines. Sentence already served in pre-trial detention. So he was released. Houily Mockea Endecko and Early August Lambaréné Seizure / Arrest 2 skins and 1 skull. Mamba Gabin, arrested while 2018 trying to sell them. 3 arrests: Auguste Paga, sales- Tchibanga man recruited by by Jean- August 6, 2018 and Seizure / Arrest 2 skins. Christian Mbaki Ditengo and Malounga Mamadou Kéita, skin owners.

GUINEA Mamoudou Diabaté, 27 years old, convicted for 10 US$ in Seizure / Arrest July 26, 2018 Kankan 1 skin. fines and 5530 US$ damages / Sentence for detention, transport and trade of a protected species.

ZAMBIA July 2018 Chikanta Seizure / Arrest Illegal detention of 1 skin. Value: 720 US$. Louis Munyama, healer. Early August Lusaka Sentence Illegal detention of 2 skins. Scholastica Chisimba: 5 years in 2018 prison.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 62 ASIA LEopards - FOLLOWED

INDIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Prakash Toppo (22 years old) Alipurduat 1 skin, 2.04 m long, from and Sushil Tigga (23 years July 12, 2018 Seizure / Arrest District head to tail. old) caught by SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal). Value: more than 14,500 US$. July 12, 2018 Talao Pali Seizure / Arrest 1 skin. Sellers: one unemployed and one minor. Spotted by a shepherd in a trap. Wounded at the right front Kamareddy 1 young female of less than July 16, 2018 Good news paw. Cared of in the Nehru District a year old. Zoological Park. No release in view. Slaughtering and then a parade 1 leopard of about a year in the city with selfiemania. July 25, 2018 Mysore Lynching old. Removal of the skin. Alibi for the lynching unknown. Anjan Singh, Mithlesh Bariha 1 skin, teeth and the jaw. 1 and Lalit Dhruv, looking for July 28, 2018 Patewa Seizure / Arrest bow, arrows and 2 knives. customers in the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary. © Times of India © Government of India © Government July 12, 2018, Alipurduat District, India July 30, 2018, Begur, India

Lightning intervention by rangers, anaesthesia, caging July 30, 2018 Begur Good news 1 leopard trapped. and evacuation at Mysore Zoo. Whew, lynching avoided. Poisoned carcass of a dog to bait felines. Amreli 3 poisoned leopards lying August 4, 2018 Arrest Bhupat Ravji Mathasuria, em- District on the roadside. ployed by farmers to protect their fields. Lynching with stones despite Purani Ubali, the on hand anaesthesia by August 5, 2018 State of Lynching 1 leopard. the rescue team on the point Rajasthan to extract the victim from the ambush. 63 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois LEopards - FOLLOWED TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Value: 29,000 US$. Ashrap Chipolkar (52 years Early August Kharghar Seizure / Arrest 1 skin. old), in charge of the transport 2018 between Dapoli and Kalyan, 160km. Hidden in a cupboard. Adilabad Ramakrishna Narvate (62 years 9 August 2018 Seizure / Arrest 1 skin. District old) and his nephew Pradeep Narvate (32 years old). Galipore, 1 male of about 7 years old, August 15, Hassan Poaching shot to death by a bullet In a field. 2018 District through the head. August 21, Hayat Singh (31 years old) and Haldwani Seizure / Arrest 1 skin. 2018 Mahaveer Bisht (29 years old). September 5, 1 female, paws and head Mankarai Poaching Cremation in forest. 2018 off. 3 years old or so. Ghat, September 13, 1 skin, 2.45 m long. About 5 Pithoragarh Seizure / Arrest Keshav Ram in custody. 2018 years old. District September 15, 1 male between 7 and 8 Suntikoppa Poaching Died in a trap for wild boars. 2018 years old. In a plantation of rubber trees. September 24, Palakkad 1 leopard breathing his last Poaching Died during transfer to the 2018 District in a metal trap. Thrissur Zoo.

IRAN September 18, Ramhormoz Seizure / Arrest Attempted marketing of a 3 suspects arrested. 2018 cub aged 3 months as a pet

September 18, 2018, Ramhormoz, Iran August 3, 2018, Pokhara, Nepal

NEPAL Gyanendra Century (23 years old), Debendra Rasaili (23 years August 3, 2018 Pokhara Seizure / Arrest 2 skins. old) and Jhalak Chantyal (25 years old), looking for a buyer. Narad Sunuwar, president of August 22, Dolakha 1 skin, 1.8 m long, 0.8 m a forest community, Pradeep Seizure / Arrest 2018 District wide. Gajmer and Bed Bahadur Sunuwar, looking for a buyer. September 5, Aathabis Seizure / Arrest 1 skin. Nabin Dhamala (19 years old). 2018

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 64 CHEETAHS Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are listed under CITES Appendix I.

AFRICA SOMALIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 6 cheetahs of 3 to 7 months August 5 and Berbera Seizure / Arrest old. August 28, 2 other 2 dealers : 3 years in prison and 28, 2018 District / Sentence seizures in the Hargeisa 300 US$ in fines each. region.

ASIA United Arab Emirates Cost of one cub: 10 to 20,000 US$. Search for the owner and letter of Exhibition of a cheetah on Mid-August the beast. Dubai Other bad news Instagram to publicize a 2018 Since 2016, prohibition on private new restaurant. individuals from keeping wild animals.

LIONS

African lions (Panthera leo) are listed under CITES Appendix II, Indian lions (Panthera leo persica) under Appendix I. AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA One of the last decisions of Edna Molewa. 3,500 wild lions in South Permit export growth. Africa according to officials. 7,000 2017/2018 Season: 800 in captivity in 260 enclosures. Mid-July 2018 South Africa Other bad news skeletons. Main opportunities: trade for 2018/2019 Season : 1,500 traditional medicine, trophy with or without the skull. hunting, and exhibition in the enclosures. Ravaging traps: - 2 male lions. Burning of ”Shabeni lions”’s - 1 hyena. Kruger bodies by the poachers. July 2018 Poaching - 1 rescued hyena National Park Concern for the cubs of the - Escape of a leopard with pride. a metallic cable around his neck. Among the 33 circus lions from South America, 6 died in the “sanctuary” (Emoya Big Cat sanctuary) where they found refuge, including 2 by End of July Vaalwater Other bad news 6 deaths. poaching. 2018 The NGO ADI (Animal Defenders International), based in the US, wants to move them to a safer place. See ”On the Trail” n°17 p.62. Intervention by rangers and Kruger veterinarians of the Park. August 9, 2018 Poaching 1 lion. National Park Wriggled out of a metallic snare and nursed. 2 with paws and heads off in August 26, Letsitele Poaching 3 dead lions. their enclosures. Autopsy and 2018 manhunt in progress. 65 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois LIONS - FOLLOWED EGYPT TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Smuggling from South Africa. Caged in one warehouse in September 5 lions, 3 females and 2 Abouzabel Seizure waiting for an illegal out- 2018 males. let. Transfer to the Giza zoo thereafter.

KENYA End of July Amboseli 1 lion extracted from a trap Good news Rescued by DSWT. 2018 National Park and cared of. End of Mapaasha, 2 lions killed, including 1 Retaliation of breeders and skin September Kajiado Poaching stripped of his skin. trade. 2018 County

MOZAMBIQUE One among 24 lions that were September 8, Zambezi Poaching / transferred from South Africa 1 lion. 2018 Delta Arrest early August killed in a jaw trap. 1 poacher arrested.

NAMIBIA What happened to her 3 or 4 cubs? Outrage of the NGO Namibian Lions Killed in HWC End of July Anabeb Poaching 1 lion poisoned. (Human-Wildlife Conflict) 2018 Reserve over the absence of judicial prosecutions after successive poisonings.

ZAMBIA Early August Lusaka Sentence Illegal detention of 1 lion Beatrice Lupazula: 5 years in 2018 skin. prison.

EUROPE

SPAIN On sale online for 5,995 € (7009 US$). Reportedly hunted Autonomous Mid-August in Namibia in the 1990s. Community of Seizure 1 specimen stuffed. 2018 Hearing of a woman, who Catalonia would have inherited it from her step-father. © El Deber

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 66 TIGERS Tigers (Panthera tigris) are listed under CITES Appendix I.

AMERICA

Mexico TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Villagrán, 1 female close to 2 years Abandoned in a private August 2, 2018 State of Seizure old (100 kg). property. Guanajuato Baca, State of Detained in the Rancho Santa August 7, 2018 Seizure 1 male and 1 female. Yucatán María. Origin unknown, chained in unsanitary housing. Handed August19, 1 male about 1.5 years old Mexicali Seizure over to the PIMVS (Predio e 2018 (120 kg). Instalacion que Maneja Vida Silvestre) of the city.

ASIA

CHINA July 2018 Nanjing Seizure 1 tiger skull (840 g).

INDIA 1 skin to be certified, 15 Arrest of Ajeet Kumar Gokhru in claws mounted on silver the jewelry district. July 11, ar- July 1, 2018 Jaipur Seizure / Arrest jewelry, counterfeit money, rests of his accomplices Rajesh foreign currency, antiques Bhonlse and Gajanand Panwar. from unknown origin. Value: 1,400 US$ per canine. Forest custody of 14 days for the 2 men - Prem Nath Tanti (37 years old) and Dipak Mahali (41 years old) – and a woman July 11, 2018 Chalsa Seizure / Arrest 2 canines about 10 cm long. - Raina Khatun (45 years old), in charge of the convoying. 1 fugitive. From Bhutan to China, via Nepal. Suspension of the reintroduction of 6 tigers in the Satkosia Transfer Villager’s demonstration and July 18, 2018 reserve. Disappearance of Tiger Reserve interrupted open threats of poaching. the first male released early July. Value: 1,450 US$ per canine. Concern after the disappear- Bones and teeth of a large ance of the tigress ST5 from feline at the bottom of a July 22, 2018 Alwar District Seizure / Arrest the next Sariska Tiger Reserve. well with other parts of Escape of 4 brothers, including animals. 2 ex-military and 1 ex-wildlife conservation officer.

67 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TIGERS - FOLLOWED TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Kuttu alias Rahul Gulabsingh Gondthakur (34 years old): 2 years in enhanced criminal detention and 14.5 US$ in fines for his escape on 01/21/2016 during a transfer to the Bhandara tribunal, charged with poaching of Rashtrapati, July 25, 2018 Lakhandur Sentence Poaching and escape. one of the largest tigers in the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary. The skin of Rashtrapati would be one of five sold by Sarju serving his sentence at the central prison of Nagpur. See ”On the Trail” n°7 p.53, n°8 p.49, n°12 p.56, n°15 p.63, n°17 p.59 and 60 and n°18 p.55. Electrocuted by an illegal fence, August 1, 2018 Karapura Poaching 1 male of 7 years old. torn claws. Body weighted with stones in a backwater. Arrest of Devidas Kumre be- Illegal detention of 150 longing to the “tiger fishers” August3, 2018 Usripar Arrest bone fragments of a tiger gang, on the run since the sei- and 14 claws. zure in June 2017. See ”On the Trail” n°17 p.6 and n°18 p.54-55. A tiger, about 8 years old, K. Thimmaiyan (60 years old): 3 September 18, said to have killed a buffalo years in prison and fines of 148 Kotagiri Sentence 2018 and poisoned on June 20, US$ and 3 additional months in 2014. prison in case of non-payment. September 18, District de Seizure 2 tiger skins. 1 questioning. 2018 Shimla Acquittal of Bhajan Hotel Dhurve and Prakash Bisan Chavan, alias Shiri (35 years September 22, Poaching of a female tiger Amravati Acquittal old), arrested on denunciation 2018 in March 2013. from an accomplice who was carrying bird traps, artisanal bombs and a knife.

INDONESIA At the back of the vehicle, in The skin and bones of a a crate with chemicals for the July 22, 2018 Jambi Seizure / Arrest young tiger from Sumatra. process of bones and skin. Two men. 1 tigress from Sumatra, around 3.5-5 years old, who For ”trapping wild pigs”. was to give birth two weeks End of Intervention by BKSDA. Riau Poaching / later, fatally wounded by a September 1 arrest, E., a security guard in a Province Arrest trap around her abdomen. 2018 palm oil plantation. Confirmation from the autopsy that 2 cubs were about to be born.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 68 TIGERS - FOLLOWED VIET NAM TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Pre-trial detention of Vo Tan Hung (53 years old), under- 2 tigers stuffed. September 5, ground taxidermist and pos- Cần Thơ Seizure / Arrest Compressed air guns, 2018 sible poacher. Delayed an- flashlights. nouncement for the needs of the inquiry.

EUROPE

Czech Republic Tiger breeding by Ludvik Berousek, 67 years old ; pro- cessing of corpses into tiger soup and tiger wine by a Czech Following 12 searches, sei- accomplice (35 years old) ; sold July 16, 2018 Czech zure of a dead tiger, 4 skins in the Czech Republic, in the Seizure / Arrest Republic and 10 tiger claws, a frozen United States and in Viet Nam beaver and a kingfisher. by a Vietnamese man (56 years old), former circus owner. Value: 4,500 to 6,700 US$ for the tiger, 2,300 to 4,500 US$ for the skin.

ONCILLAS Oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus) are listed under Appendix I. AMERICA

NICARAGUA Early Unlikely to be released September Bonanza Seizure 1 young female. because already permeated by 2018 domestication.

MargayS Margay (Leopardus wiedii) are listed under Appendix I. AMERICA

BRAZIL In the suitcase of a deputy lieu- Manaus End of August tenant of the Rio de Janeiro International Seizure / Arrest 1 skin. 2018 military police. Heading to Rio Airport de Janeiro.

GUATEMALA Totonicapán Voluntary July 3, 2018 1 adult in poor health. Department surrender © Conap

69 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois JaguarS Jaguars (Panthera onca) are listed under CITES Appendix I.

AMERICA MexiCO TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Espita, State Poaching of a jaguar trade 2 poachers and the buyer. July 6, 2018 Sentence of Yucatán of some parts. Fines: 5,000 US$ each. Ciudad 2 skins and 2,150 US$ in In a car. August 9, 2018 Seizure / Arrest Sahagún cash. 1 man, age of 33 years old. August 31, 1 female of about a year Would have been “found” by Tulum Seizure 2018 old. the owner in the mountain. 1 young female (70 kg, 121 September Jesus cm long) with canines 4 cm Poaching Spotted at home by the police. 2018 Carranza long, fatally wounded by a bullet next to the left eye. © Sol de Hidalgo.© Sol © PROFEPA

August 9, 2018, Ciudad Sahagún, Mexico August 31, 2018, Tulum, Mexico

EUROPE

GERMANY A jaguar skin with a skull Leipzig In a postal parcel from September 16, and parts of unidentified International Seizure Venezuela to Spain. Declared 2018 animals: hoof, jaw Airport as “handcrafted items”. fragment, feathers.

PumaS Pumas (Puma concolor) are listed under CITES Appendix II.

AMERICA ARGENTINA Kept in captivity near the Cerro 1 female about 6 months Early July 2018 Seizure Natural Cultural Reserve. Colorado old. 1 rope around the neck. Josefina, 1 puma wounded by Rescued in a decayed house. Early July 2018 Province de Seizure bullets to the head. One arrest. Santa Fe

BRAZIL 2 jaguars, a mother and Images put on social media by August 17, State of Santa Seizure / cub, tracked by dogs until the barbarians. 2018 Catarina Sentence exhaustion. 2 deaths and Fines : 180,274 US$. one decapitation.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 70 VARIOUS SPECIES FELINES

AMERICA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Arongkron ”Paul” Malasukum, Trafficking of skulls and 42 years old: 9 months in prison August 1, 2018 Sherman Sentence other parts of lions and then 1 year of probation. See tigers, from the US to Asia. ”On the Trail” n°19 p.74.

Mexico Valladolid, 5 jaguar skins and 1 ocelot In an inn. July 6, 2018 State of Sentence skin. Manager fined 5,300 US$. Yucatán

ASIA

INDIA Poaching with the help of tribes who were rewarded with cereals, cooking oil and other foodstuffs. Questioning of Vikki Rajesh 1 tiger skin and 33 lion July 11, 2018 Shirdi Seizure / Arrest Bhosle and Ravi Gajanand claws. 12 counterfeit coins. Panwar, sellers of rosaries (rudrakshas), semi-precious stones and parts of protected wild animals close to the Sai Baba Mandir temple. Felines killed by poisoned preys. Balaghat 1 tiger skin, 1 leopard skin, Sellers: Birju alias Virendra July 16, 2018 Seizure / Arrest District 1 jungle cat skin. Purram Sarjit Singh, Salik Uikey, Santosh Bhalavi, Heeralal Maravi, aged from 30 to 50. Start of the preliminary investigation of the Central Bureau Deaths in 2 years and 6 September 4, State of of Investigation (CBI) on the Poaching months of 40 tigers and 2018 Uttarakhand supposed complicity of forest 272 leopards in the State. rangers with poachers and this for 5 years.

71 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Wolves and Indian Wild Dogs

Wolves (Canis lupus) are listed under CITES Appendix II except the populations of Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan listed under Appendix I.

EUROPE FRANCE TYPE / QUANTITY / GROUNDS DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY DETAILS / MODUS OPERANDI Port de July 8, 2018 Castet, Ossau Poaching Illegal wolf beat. Empty-handed. Valley Illegal wolf beat by the union ”Coordination Rurale 48”. August 16, Empty-handed. Les Estables Other bad news 2018 Willingness of sheep breeders to take the place of the State authorities and masters of the wolf hunt to ”eradicate” wolves. Shooting of a grey wolf said to be prowling around one August 25, Villard-de- Poaching herd. Legitimacy of the shooting recognized by the State 2018 Lans authorities.

ASIA VIET NAM Cardamom An Indian Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus, Appendix II) freed from a August11, Chain, Poaching trap. 2018 Koh Kong As part of a trap removal campaign by the Wildlife Alliance. Province Bears and Red Pandas

AMERICA Canada TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Saguenay– Several hundred gall blad- Lac-Saint- Operation ”Pochette”. ders and carcasses of black Jean, Laval, la More than 60 people charged bears (Ursus americanus, July 18, 2018 Mauricie and Seizure / Arrest with trafficking in gall bladders, Appendix II) as well as oth- Côte-Nord illegal trapping, and hunting er furry animals, weapons, Regions. with prohibited gear. traps and vehicles.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Andrew Renner, 41 years old, and his sons Owen Renner, 18 A female black bear (Ursus years old, arrested thanks to a Early August americanus, Appendix II) video caught in April by a camera Esther Island Arrest 2018 and her 2 cubs shot to shooting the bears’ motions. death. Prohibition in most of Alaska of killing black bears followed by their cubs. Back again of the brown bears Yellowstone in and around the park on the National Cancellation of the license September 24, endangered animals list as a re- Park, States Good news to hunt 22 brown bears 2018 sult of a court order. of Wyoming (Ursus arctos, Appendix II). Willingness of hunters and offi- and Idaho cial services to appeal.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 72 ASIA

INDIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Operation led by Wildlife SOS Sanitary repatriation. 1000 Team, India, with the help from km by ambulance from the Nepalese government and Nepal to the rehab center the Jane Goodall Institute. July 14, 2018 Agra Good news in Agra for Rangila, sloth Smuggling into Nepal from bear (Melursus ursinus, Rangila with his fellow suf- Appendix I) male, that be- ferer Sridevi in December longed to a bear trainer. 2017. Death of Sridevi in the Katmandu zoo. In the diapers of an infant who 900 g of Asian black bear Jaigaon, was sleeping on the accom- September 26, bile (Ursus thibetanus, Border of Seizure / Arrest plice’s lap. T. T. Namgyal and 2018 Appendix I) in 3 plastic Bhutan/India Lolo, Bhutanese. Escape of the bags. accomplice with the child.

IRAN Reported by the NGO IEW 1 adult brown bear (Ursus Early July 2018 Ahar Poaching (Iran Environment and Wildlife arctos, Appendix II). Watch). Discovery of a male bear (Ursus arctos, Appendix II) of 1.5 years old, wounded Intensive care in a veterinary August 7, 2018 Masal Poaching by a bullet at the throat, clinic in Tehran. about two months earlier, Unlikely survival. with a fracture in the jaw, alive but dying. 1 adult brown bear (Ursus arctos, Appendix II) found September Arasbaran Emergency transport to Tabriz, Poaching in the forest with the right 2018 Reserve died some minutes later. front paw cut off, the bone bare.

NEPAL 5 red panda skins (Ailurus September 4, Kathmandu Seizure / Arrest fulgens, Appendix I). 1 Sukra Rai and Ajit Basnet. 2018 motorcycle.

VIET NAM 8 Malayan sun bear claws Vinh Linh Sale on Facebook. Seizure at the July 15, 2018 Seizure (Helarctos malayanus, District time of delivery to a buyer. Appendix I). September 7, 2 bear paws soaking in 12 Sale on Facebook. Questioning Thanh Hóa Seizure 2018 liters of alcohol. of a couple. © ENV

73 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois EUROPE germany TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Franz-Josef- By postal parcel, declared as July 20, 2018 Strauß Airport Seizure 1 skull ”decoration items”. in Munich From Canada to Bulgaria.

NORway By a crewman of the MS Bremen 1 polar bear (Ursus mariti- July 28, 2018 Svalbard Poaching from the German company mus, Appendix II) killed. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

NETHERLANDS In 2 golden color boxes in the Early August 20 vials of ”medicine” with Netherlands Seizure belongings of a traveler from 2018 bear bile. China. September In the luggage of a traveler Netherlands Seizure 1 bear claw. 2018 from Thailand.

Hippopotamuses

Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius), are listed under CITES Appendix II.

AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Death of 1 male. Spotted several weeks ago with a September 6, iSimangaliso Death despite a perilous free- Poaching wire trap around his neck. 2018 Wetland Park ing from a tour boat. Impossible to capture on land.

ZAMBIA Hunting promotion by Umlico Safaris based in South Africa, a subcontractor of Mabwe Adventures Limited, which was awarded the contract issued Luangwa Hunting of 5 hippos for by the ZAWA (Zambian Wildlife Valley, North, 14,000 US$, possibility to Authority) in 2015. Mid-July 2018 Central and Other bad news export teeth, 250 hippos Call for tenders contested East Provinces per year until 2022. by the LSA (Luangwa Safari Association) and allegedly tainted by a ”donation” of 8,100 US$ to ZAWA. See ”On the Trail” no. 13 p.67 and no. 21 p.72.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 74 Giraffes

AFRICA KENYA NATURE / QUANTITE / MOTIF DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY DETAILS / MODUS OPERANDI Laikipia Rescue of 1 adult male giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) injured Early July 2018 Poaching County in the left front paw by a wire trap. © David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

MOZAMBIQUE A male giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) about 4 years old, Early August Maputo Poaching extracted from a jaw trap, the right front paw hit to the bone. 2018 reserve Operation by the veterinary doctor Joao Amleida.

Deer

AMERICA

ARGENTINA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Mercedes Marsh deer meat Department, In one hilux toyota. Highway 40. End July 2018 Seizure / Arrest (Blastocerus dichotomus, Corrientes 3 men (39, 35 and 23 years old). Appendix I) and weapons. Province

MexiCO 3 white-tailed deer skins Valladolid, (Odocoileus virginianus, July 6, 2018 State of Sentence Odocoileus virginianus 1 tanner, fine: 5200 US$. Yucatán mayensis, Appendix III in Guatemala).

ASIA CHINA Shenyang Taoxian The antlers of a sika deer (1kg - Cervus nippon). August 2, 2018 Seizure International Airport In a package from the United 2 Thorold’s deer antlers States of America, declared as September 18, Yinchuan Seizure (Przewalskium albirostre) ”carved stone”. 2018 carved and engraved. Thorold’s deer is endemic to the Tibetan plateaus.

75 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois INDIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Barbecue with friends. 3 police officers - Sub-Inspector Ayoob Khan and S. Rajeev and Vinod - suspended from duty and on August 5, 2018 Ponmundi Poaching 1 sambar (Rusa unicolor). the run; 1 postman, Manu (46), in custody. Seizure of the police jeep used by the gang claimed by the forest rangers. Shanti Devi, village chief: fine of 1400 US$. Said she didn’t September 12, Ladti, Uttar Seizure / know she was cooking protect- 1 chital (Axis axis) skinned. 2018 Pradesh State Sentence ed animal meat. Surendra Kumar, her husband: on the run. Flagrante delicto for J. Arul, J. September 23, Coimbatore Poaching / 1 male chital (Axis axis). 2 Durai, J. Krishnan, J. Velusamy 2018 District Arrest rifles, 2 mopeds. and G. Suren. Suicide by hanging of Fuhup Singh in the premises of the September 25, Death/ Poaching of 1 chital (Axis Shahpura forest administration where 2018 Poaching axis). he was detained with 3 accomplices. Dudhwa Tiger Navraj, a Nepalese national, September 25, Poaching / Reserve, Uttar 1 chital antlers (Axis axis). known for trafficking in leop- 2018 Arrest Pradesh State ard skins in Nepal and India.

EUROPE

FRANCE

Compiègne Night poaching and beheading. End of Sep- Forest (80 At least 3 deer (Cervus ela- Poaching The stuffed heads with antlers tember km North of phus). would sell for around 2000 €. Paris), Oise Department

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 76 Rhinoceroses

The white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum and black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis ranging in Africa are listed in Appendix I, except for the white rhinoceros populations of Swaziland and South Africa which are listed in Appendix II for trade of live animals and hunting trophies. The 3 Asian rhinoceros species are in Appendix I: Rhinoceros unicornis, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, Rhinoceros sondaicus.

EASTERN AFRICA

KENYA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 2 deaths occurred during transfer. 8 In July, the death of were due to high salinity of the wa- 11 black rhinos trans- ter in their new habitat. The last one, Tsavo East ferred from Nairobi when in a state of vulnerability, was Mid-July 2018 Other bad news National Park and Nakuru parks (400 fatally attacked by lions. All 20 horns and 500 km to the are safe. Stirs in KWS (6 suspended south). agents) and WWF co-responsible for the relocation. Aden Abdi Mata, alleged poacher, 1 male black rhinocer- later arrested at Archers Post in pos- Lake Nakuru os (about 12 years old) July 31, 2018 Poaching session of a firearm and 6 worked National Park killed, his 2 horns have ivories. Pending his trial, release on been cut off. 5,000 US$ bail and 5,000 US$ surety.

MOZAMBIQUE 1 arrest. Seizure of 1 firearm with silencer, August 22, Sabie Game Attempted poaching Arrest ammunition, axe, 2 pairs of shoes to 2018 Park of rhinoceros blur footprints and food for several days. Manhunt to Mozambique (60 km) and arrest of the 2 suspected poach- Early 2 rhinos killed at night Limpopo Poaching / ers thanks to the new digital com- September in Kruger Park (South National Park Arrest munication tools shared by rangers 2018 Africa). from South Africa and Mozambique. Brought before the court.

ZAMBIA Confirmation on appeal of the conviction of 3 Chinese (Wan Qian, Lusaka, Huang Qingzhon and He Qingmao), Illegal possession of Mid-July 2018 Lusaka Justice and acquittal of 2 Zambians 32.5 kg of rhino horns. Province (Lovemore Kamwendo and Oberty Simwanjata). See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.83. End of Mosi-oa- September Tunya Poaching 2 white rhinos 1 horn found a week later. 2018 National Park

77 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois ZIMBABWE TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Godfrey Makechemu (47 years old), Ignatius Maiga (30 years old), Farai Chauno (27 years old), Celestino Save Valley Attempted poaching July 9, 2018 Sentence Shate (35 years old): 9 years in prison. Conservancy in January 2018 Save Valley Conservancy was de- fended by Prisca Daka, a member of Speak out for Animals (SOFA). Murder of 1 ranger with a Remington 870 Bino Ndou (42 years old): 15 years in Mid-July 2018 Bulawayo Sentence express magnum and prison. See “On the Trail” n°17 p.73. use of traps. Celestine Shate, Faso Moyo and August 28, Bubye Valley Attempted poaching Arrest Godfrey Makechemu, who was on 2018 Reserve of rhinos bail for poaching at the time. Death/ Poaching Poaching of rhinos, 1 poacher, Ndabezinhle Majajama, September 15, Bubye Valley seizure of one .303 44 year old teacher, killed in a shoot- 2018 Reserve rifle equipped with ing incident, 1 accomplice escaped. sights and silencer.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA 3 pairs of rhino horns, Pilanesberg Arnelo Mhlanga, 39 years old. 2 July 2, 2018 Seizure / Arrest 1 rifle, 1 axe, 1 Mazda National Park runaways. pick-up truck

Poaching Groenewald case. Dismissal of the Nardus Rossouw’s request aiming to cancel the pro- ceeding due to overtime appear- ance period. © Gallo Images © Gallo A professional hunter, he is the only Early July 2018 Pretoria Justice one to remain in prison since 2010. His bail was revoked. Protraction of the investigation due to the accused and lawyer maneu- vers according to the court. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p. 74.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 78 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Possession of rhino 3 suspects arrested, between the July 4, 2018 Kimberley Seizure / Arrest horns ages of 27 and 47. 10 since the beginning of the year in Shamwari 1 female and her calf, July 7, 2018 Poaching the Eastern Cape province. Reserve horns torn off. Killed by firearm. Night arrest of 3 poachers due to Eastern Annie’s nose, member of the canine Weapons, ammuni- Border of brigade, who followed the trails. Mid-July 2018 Seizure / Arrest tion, axes and poach- Kruger Successful even though the poaching equipment. National Park ers wore socks over the shoes to hide the footprints. ”Wanted”: Wang Yanping (53 years), Lin Quingsheng (50 years), Sun Bin Poaching and smug- Mid-July 2018 South Africa Poaching (31 years). Notice issued by the IRS gling of rhino horns (Internal Revenue Service) Forensic Investigations.

Under obligation to report to the Petrus Sydney police station every Friday and to Mabuza, alias ”Mr. Nelspruit, report his movements to the po- Big”, involved in the July 14, 2018 Mpumalanga Justice lice. According to the NGO Saving poaching of at least Province the Wild, jubilation in the streets of 6 rhinos, released on Hazyview, his hometown. bail for 19,000 US$. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p. 77. Skirmish with poachers. Kruger July 19, 2018 Murder 1 ranger. Respect Mathebula - ”Etlela hi kurhu- National Park la” (Rest in peace). © SANParks

Respect Mathebula Air transfer of 5 rhinos On a Turkish Airlines Cargo flight. Johannes- to China (Shanghai), July 21, 2018 Other bad news Stuck at Tambo airport for three days bourg via Madagascar and before leaving Africa. Istanbul.

79 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Pilanesberg July 24, 2018 Good news Rescue of one orphan. No information on the mother. National Park Suspension of an SIU Kruger Rabelani Ndou, suspected of poach- July 26, 2018 Justice (Special Investigation National Park ing in the park. Unit) investigator. Great Fish A young black rhi- Since the beginning of the year, 11 July 26, 2018 River Natural Poaching no found dead and cases of poaching reported in the Reserve dehorned. Eastern Cape province. OPERATION FULL MOON Francis Chitiyo, Trymore Chauke,Misheck Chauke, Simba Between Masingo, Nhamo Muyambo Peddie and Suspicion of rhino July 31, 2018 Arrest and Abraham Moyane, all from Grahams- poaching Zimbabwe, between 25 and 30 years town old, in possession of weapons, ammunition, money, knives, in 2 cars. Bail denied. Local Municipality Calibre .375 with si- Socks over the shoes to hide the of Lephalale, lencers, ammuni- footprints. July 2018 Waterberg Seizure / Arrest tion, butcher knives, Attempted poaching. District, phones… 3 arrested. Limpopo Province Early August Tala Manzi 2 rhinos poached in 2 Poaching 7 cases of poaching in 4 years. 2018 Reserve days. Joseph Molapo and Sebastian Poaching in Kruger August 2, 2018 Saselamani Sentence Mbhombhi: 15 and a half years in Park in 2014. prison. See ”On the Trail” n°7 p.66. Healed from a gunshot wound and Lhétabo, female rhi- Early August fracture to the right front knee. South Africa Poaching noceros about 6 years 2018 Intervention by Saving the Survivors. old. Prognosis reserved. 2 dehorned rhino Mid-August Kruger Poaching bodies, including 1 fe- 1 orphan. 2018 National Park male, 1 km away. Poaching warning thanks to circling August 21, Kruger Poaching 1 rhino. of vultures. 2018 National Park The fourth in two weeks. Intrusion of a shady Arrest of Absalom Manyike, SanParks car in the Park. Seizure August 25, Kruger agent (South African National Parks) Arrest of 1 high-caliber rifle, 2018 National Park since 2014. 3 accomplices on the ammunition and all run. the poaching gear. August 26, 2009, Arrest warrant for Muntugokwakhe blatant offence End of August Khoza, 49 years old, released on bail. Richards Bay Justice of transporting 2 2018 No longer responding to court horns. Suspicion of summons. poaching. August 28, Thulama- Poaching of rhinos in Joao Langa (48 years old), Sentence 2018 hashe Kruger Park in 2014. Mozambican, 18 years in prison.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 80 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Poaching and dehorn- ing a female white rhi- On-site care and transfer to an KwaZulu- noceros of about 20 orphanage. September 6, Natal Poaching years old. A gunshot 90 rhino poachings in the province 2018 Province wound to the shoul- since the beginning of the year. der for her 6-year-old Decreasing compared to last year. child. Incredible granting of hunting li- Organization of at censes to Thai prostitutes. least 50 fake games After a 40-year prison sentence, a hunting for the export reduction to 30 years at second in- September 11, of trophies, including Pretoria Other bad news stance, then a reduction to 13 years 2018 horns. Shooting of at on appeal, Chumlong Lemtongthai least 26 rhinos, and was released after 6 years and sent horns smuggling into back to Thailand. Asia by tens of kilos. See ”On the Trail” n°2 p.47 and n°6 p.68. As a preventive measure, she has been dehorned to avoid poaching. September 11, Paulpieters- Poaching of 1 preg- Arrest 4 arrests. Suspected of having 2018 burg nant female poached a mother and her calf three weeks earlier. Death as a result of 1 gunshot wound to the left front paw with a broken September 14, ”Spartacus”, male South Africa Poaching humerus bone, dating back July. 2018 black rhinoceros Despite the ”Saving the Survivors” care. 1 rhinoceros horn, Hluhluwe- bones of lions, pro- Mid- Umfolozi, hibited weapons, si- Rhino 9 team operation. September Acornhoek Seizure / Arrest lencers, ammunition, 27 arrests. 2018 Reserve and and other poaching Phalaborwa equipment. Breaking news! Arrests in several places of Mr. Big, birth name Petrus Mabuza (released on bail in July), 3 ex-police officers, a female member of the Acornhoek Stock Theft Unit and Big Joe (birth name Joe Nyalunga) who has been released on bail and Mid- Mpumalanga Rhino poaching and awaiting trial since 2012. Hawks September Arrest Province horn smuggling. intervention in cooperation with 2018 Counter intelligence, SANParks, the Department of Environmental Affairs, the National Prosecution Authorities, SARS Debt and Customs. La Totale ! See ”On the Trail” n°12 p.69, n°21 p.77 and the event of July 14, 2018 in South Africa above. Value: 522,390 US$. 2 suspects ar- September 20, Standerton Seizure / Arrest 20 rhino horns rested (41 and 55 years old), released 2018 on bail of 2130 US$. Suspicion of rhino poaching. Seizure of September 28, 1 heavy weapon with Sun City Arrest Road check: 3 arrests. Driver escaped. 2018 silencer, ammunition, axes and fleshing knives and 3 mobile phones. September 30, 3 suspects arrested (between 28 and 50 East London Arrest Suspicion of poaching 2018 years old) with a typical poaching kit.

81 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois BOTSWANA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Release on bail of Dumisani Moyo in question (”On the Trail” n°21 p.78). Summons to appear before the International traffick- July 19, 2018 Botswana Justice Francistown court after an appeal by ing of rhino horns the prosecutor. In a camera hearing. Release on bail confirmed at the end. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p.78. Poaching of 1 female, End of July Ghanzi Second poaching case in the district Poaching death of her calf from 2018 District since the beginning of the year. hunger and distress. Discovered by a patrol joining the August 18, Okavango 1 white rhinoceros Poaching DWNP (Department of Wildlife and 2018 Delta brutally dehorned. National Parks), NGOs and soldiers. September 3, Okavango 5 white rhinos in 3 Spotted by Elephant Without Border Poaching 2018 Delta months. aerial survey.

NAMIBIA Storage of rhino horns in the State vaults. No to the destruction of the stock. September 1, Namibia Other bad news Weights and values Officials wish to obtain authorization 2018 not disclosed for ”se- from CITES to sell it. curity reasons”. In their white BMW. Liebelo Erick September 13, Divundu Seizure / Arrest 3 rhino horns. Manja (31 years old) and Aldrian 2018 Masule Musisanyani (41 years old).

CENTRAL AFRICA

DEmocratiC REPUBLIC OF THE Congo Reintroduction of at least 8 rhinos into a Early Democratic 15,000 ha reserve of September Republic of Delocalization Directed by Wildlife Vets Namibia. which name has not 2018 the Congo been revealed for safety reasons.

ASIA

See also page 121, 50 horns seized in Malaysia on 13 August 2018.

CHINA A 5.5 kg horn and, Banmen, it’s a first in “On the July 2018 Jiangxi Seizure / Arrest In 2 off-road cars. 4 suspects. Trail”, 121 slices of skin Province (272 kg). Dongxing border Hidden in an umbrella. Mid-August 1 piece of rhino horn crossing, Seizure Questioning of 1 Vietnamese 2018 298.2 g. border with suspect. Viet Nam

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 82 INDIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Attempted poaching Nur Hussain alias Lengra (age 50), of rhinos in Orang Abul Hussain (age 45), 2 villagers, National Park. Seizure who housed and provided logistical Kachomari July 22, 2018 Seizure / Arrest of two .303 rifles, 2 support to Daniel Yepthomi (age 28) Sonari loaders, 1 silencer, 4 and Alobo Kipa (age 23), snipers. cartridges, one pistol 6 rhinos poached since the begin- a 1 loader. ning of the year in the park. Arrest of his father Noor Zamal Release of the young Rahman and two accomplices, Ikramul Hussain Sadikul Islam and Niyamat Ali, who Rahman (12 years Orang would poach in the park. Running old), who was held as August 5, 2018 National Park, Justice away of the ”pawn” lenders pre- a ”bond” for 2 months Assam State sumed to be members of the Nagas by a gang of traffick- tribe. If the poaching was successful, ers for the loan of a they would have bought the horn(s) rifle. 303. under the terms of the ”contract”. Attempted poach in Saidul Islam alias Borbabu, a repeat August 8, 2018 Sootea Arrest May 2018 offender. August 29, Attempted sale after poaching. Fazar Rongagara Seizure / Arrest 1 horn 2018 Ali, Abdul Kadir and Azizul Haque.

JAPAN Death of 1 rhino. Death of Hana, 52 years old, the oldest rhinoceros in captivity She arrived from Kenya at Hiroshima zoo at 5 years old on September 8, Hiroshima Other bad news July 14, 1971, 26 years after the nuclear bomb, when the fatal 2018 Zoo leukemia rate was still high among the survivors. Hana gave birth to 10 black rhinos sold in zoos around the world.

TURKEY Istanbul Value: 245,000 US$. From South August 7, 2018 Atatürk Seizure 9 rhino horns Africa. The passenger ran away Airport leaving his luggage.

83 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois VIET NAM TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Joint operation by the police and the July 2018 Hanoi Seizure / Arrest 100 g of horns NGO Education for Nature - Viet Nam. 1 arrest. © ENV © ENV

Hidden in cartons of powdered milk, Tan Son Nhat in other food packaging and clothes. 12 horns with a total July 13, 2018 Airport / Ho Seizure / Arrest A Vietnamese citizen, V.X.D, 41 years weight of 7.2 kg. Chi Minh City old, on arrival of one Emirates flight from Angola via Dubai.

EUROPE

Czech Republic Smuggling of 24 Declared value: 3.85 million €. rhino horns between One of the 16 accused, Mao Nguyen Africa, Czech Mid-July 2018 Prague Sentence Hue, to 2 years suspended in prison Republic, and Asia. and a fine of 26,730 US$. Acquittal of See ”On the Trail” n°2 15 others. p.44.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 84 Rhinos and Elephants

AFRICA

ANGOLA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE - 27 pieces of rhino horns - At the airport in toy, lamp, and International (20kg), dried fruits packaging, Airport and End of August - 535 kg raw ivory, 263 kg - In the Sao Paulo district, in 2 il- Sao Paulo Seizure / Arrest 2018 of worked ivory, 895 kg legal workshops. 5 Vietnamese district, of pangolin scales, 10 kg covered by temporary work visas. Luanda medicinal plants. Smuggling to Asia.

ZIMBABWE Death /Arrest Artwell Siyonda, 22 years old, September 21, Hurungwe Elephant and rhinoceros killed in a firing with rangers, 2 2018 District poaching others arrested.

AMERICA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Enactment of the law 71% of the population in favour prohibiting the impor- of the law. tation and trade of ivory August 14, State of According to the Animal Welfare Good news and of rhinoceros horns 2018 Illinois Institute, there were more than in Illinois, 9th State with 1000 seizures of ivory between anti-rhino and anti-ivory 2010 and 2015 in Chicago. rules.

ASIA

CHINA Smuggling of rhinoceros Liu Xin jail time doubled on ap- July 13, 2018 Hong Kong Sentence horns and elephant ivory peal: 4 months closed. See. ”On from South Africa. the Trail” n°21 p.81.

LAOS Search and seizure by the Alleged pieces from ivo- DCNEC (Department of ry and rhino horns and Xaysettha Combating Natural Resource and diverse parts of animals, September 18, District, Environmental Crime) in a furni- Seizure / Arrest including patches of el- 2018 Vientiane ture store. ephants and rhinoceros Province Second seizure of rhino skin in skin. this “On the Trail” issue. See the Total weight: 13.5 kg. chapter Rhino, China, July 2018.

VIET NAM Pham Minh Hoang, director of Theft of customs sei- Hanoi Customs Warehouse, and zures: 240 kg of ivory and August 27, Tran Trong Cuong, customs offi- Hanoi Sentence 6.1 kg rhinoceros’ horns, 2018 cials: 16 years in prison. Hoang replaced by plastic and Van Dien, reseller: 2 years in pris- wooden imitations. on. See ”On the Trail” n°18 p.81.

85 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Elephants The African elephant, Loxodonta africana, is listed in CITES Appendix I, except populations from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe which are in Appendix II. The Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, is listed in Appendix I.

EASTERN AFRICA

KENYA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Value: 7,000 US$. Luwani Katana Maina, Samson Katana, Thoya Seizure of 2 baby ele- Katana, arrested on August 26, phant tusks weighing Mid-July 2018 Mombasa Justice 2017. Ongoing investigation: a 500g each and 2 buffalo scientific expert succeeded to es- horns. tablish that a tusk of 500g is defi- nitely from a baby elephant ! Joseph Wanjohi alias Muthi, drug North-East baron. His family has been in- Mid-July 2018 Seizure / Arrest Several tusks and heroin. Nairobi volved in drug trafficking since 2009. Hugo: male, about 50 Masai Mara years old, wounded by Mid-July 2018 National Poaching arrows, taken care of by Conflict with farmers. Reserve the DSWT and KWS mobile veterinary unit. © David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Wildlife Sheldrick © David

1 male elephant about Joint intervention by KWS (Kenya Tsavo East 45 years old treated for July 23, 2018 Poaching Wildlife Service) and DSWT National Park 2 wounds by poisoned (David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust). arrows. New judicial dead end. Cancellation of the conviction of Feisal Ali Mohammed for 20 years Ivory trafficking – Tudor in prison. Released after 5 years case (314 tusks, 2152 kg). in prison. No one is therefore re- August 2, 2018 Mombasa Justice See ”On the Trail” n°15 sponsible for this stock seized in p.88. a garage next to Mombasa har- bor, and ready to be exported. The prosecution could make an appeal.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 86 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Olarro Aimed at twice by spears. Cutting Early August Conservancy, Poaching Death of a male. off of the tusks under the KWS 2018 Narok County survey. Road check on the Nairobi- Mombasa highway. Tusks cut-up Mtito Andei, to ease the transport. August 5, 2018 Makueni Seizure / Arrest 11 sections of tusks. Value: 13,700 US$. County Samuel Mwongela (33 years old) and Otieno Okumu (71 years old). Joseph Kimilu arrested on the Malili, Nairobi-Mombasa highway, ex- Makueni 7 tusks (234 kg) of super August 5, 2018 Seizure / Arrest port port. Value: 459,800 US$, County tuskers. 1,900 US$/kg. Research of a mys- terious Italian sponsor.

Komwoma, Migori Value: 38,000 US$, 970 US$/kg. 6 sections of tusks (39 August 7, 2018 County. Seizure / Arrest Edward Otieno Masinde and kg). Border with Charles Ogoro, Tanzanians. Tanzania Tsavo 2 elephants wounded August 16, Intervention and care from a Conservation Poaching by artisanal arrows and 2018 mixed team of DSWT and KWS. Zone limping.

87 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Cared of by Elephant Aware, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and KWS. Oloropilé, male of 45 Masai Mara Anaesthesia. August 20, years old, wounded at National Poaching Iodine. 2018 the front right paw by a Reserve Green clay. lance. Anti-inflammatories. Antibiotics. Favorable prognosis by Dr Limo. Bangles covered with fabric and Jomo- used as bag handles. August 20, Kenyatta 2 bangles made of ivory Seizure / Arrest Zhang Ninighua, Chinese and 52 2018 International (150 g). years old, in transit from Nigeria Airport to Guangzhou.

Hematoma, infection and limp. Milgis, 1 adult male elephant hit August 21, Cared of by David Sheldrick Samburu Poaching by 2 arrows in the front 2018 Wildlife Trust and Kenya Wildlife County right paw. Trust. August 22, Olkuruto, Seizure / Arrest 21 kg of ivory. 1 arrest. 2018 Narok County 1 female elephant nurs- Favorable prognosis. ing, about 45 years old, Masai Mara Conflict between one herd August 26, cared of 3 wounds by National Poaching (about 10 members) and farmers. 2018 arrows and followed by Reserve Anaesthesia, a baby elephant aged antibiotics, anti-inflammatories. about 9 months. Intervention by DSWT and KWS. 1 young male elephant End of August Tsavo East Duration between anaesthesia Poaching cared of 2 wounds by 2018 National Park and the awakening by antidote: arrows. 1h. Favorable prognosis. A one-year or so baby el- Intervention by DSWT and KWS. Masai Mara ephant freed from a col- August 29, He joined his mother in the National Poaching lar entangled between 2018 distance. Reserve his jaws and wrapped Favorable prognosis. around his head. © David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Wildlife Sheldrick © David

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 88 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE On the edge Fatal wound by a lance to the ab- August 31, of the Olarro 1 male elephant of 25-30 Poaching domen. Removal of the tusks by 2018 Conservancy, years old. the KWS. Narok County © Olarro Conservancy © DCI3

August 31, 2018, Narok County, Kenya September 2, 2018, Njabini, Kenya

Mother kept at distance. Anaesthesia. Masai Mara September 1, Disinfection. National Poaching Trap. 1 baby elephant. 2018 Antibiotics. Reserve Anti-inflammatories. Prognosis reserved. Bedford Njeru, Edward Ciengo and Muteti Kiema arrested in September 2, 23 kg of raw material, 9 Njabini Seizure / Arrest a gasoline station. Meeting 2018 tusks. with police in plain clothes for transaction. On the edge 1 young male wounded September 6, Operation by veterinarians of of Tsavo East Poaching by a trap at the front left 2018 DSWT. National Park paw. In bags on board a public September minibus. Near Kibwezi Seizure 9 tusks (24 kg). 2018 Operation Big Life Foundation and KWS. September Kambu Seizure / Arrest 36 kg raw ivory. 2 arrests. 2018 Masai Mara September 15, 1 nursing female dead, Hit by a lance. No news from the National Poaching 2018 tusks intact. calf. Reserve Masai Mara September 1 male elephant cared of National Poaching Operation by DSWT and KWS. 2018 a wound by a lance. Reserve Need to turn the victim lying Masai Mara September 22, on the injured side over and to National Poaching Poisoned arrows. 2018 move the matriarch away who re- Reserve mained obstinately at the scene. 1 poacher on the run. Local media states that he is “White” and September Kirimon Poaching 1 elephant killed. that if he had been “Black”, the 2018 Sector poaching would have had more stir.

89 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois MALAWI TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Value: 45,000 US$. Eliza Mtonga (25 years old) and Detention and attempt- Gideon Ngwenya (37 years old), Mid-July 2018 Mzimba Sentence ed marketing of 8 tusks Zambians: 4 years in prison with cut up in 2. hard labor, Richard Phiri (47 years old), Zambian: 1 year suspended. Suspicion of poaching in Police custody of Richard August 11, the Thuma Reserve. Liwonde Arrest Ndemanga and Thomson 2018 Seizure of a firearm and Wahwa. unpermitted ammunition. 1 baby elephant extract- Reported by a tourist. September 27, Liwonde Poaching ed from a metal trap and Intervention by Wildlife 2018 National Park cared of. Emergency Response Unit.

MOZAMBIQUE 217 stolen ivory tips 3 civil servants arrested, includ- Niassa in the warehouses of July 22, 2018 Theft / Arrest ing the head of forest and wildlife Province the forest and wildlife services. services. September Bid to sell 11 tusks (31.8 Américo Daniel, 40 years old: 8 Pemba Sentence 2018 kg). years in prison. Arrest of Adido Marcelino, 32 years old. Supposedly mere com- Mid- Seizure / 29 tusks or sections of mercial middleman paid 82 US$ September Tete Arrest tusks. for his work and to be in “high 2018 rank people service”. A first in the province. In a vehicle. Police custody of September Maputo Seizure / Arrest 3 tusks. Bernardo Armando and Mateus 2018 Nununes. End of Macossa 2 arrests. September Seizure / Arrest 2 tusks. District 500 US$ / tusk. 2018

UGANDA Bought in a store held by a Chinese expat. A Chinese national in connection with the Entebbe Sinohydro Corporation compa- August 8, 2018 International Seizure / Arrest 1 raw or worked ivory. ny in charge of the hydroelectric Airport power station building in the district of Kiryandongo. Pending boarding for China.

TANZANIA Value: 14,580 US$. Elephant poaching in Paul Ryoba, Petro Mikwabe and August 15, Serengeti the Serengeti Park and Yagara Mang’era: 20 years in Sentence 2018 District possession of 2 tusks in prison. January 2017. Mwita Masero, Joseph Masero and George Samwel: discharged.

ZAMBIA Illegal possession of 2 Howard Nyirenda: 5 years in July 27, 2018 Chipata Sentence tusks (6.6 kg). prison.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 90 Zimbabwe TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 13 tusks (172kg), dried el- Hwange ephant and buffalo meat, August 2, 2018 Seizure Bivouac. Escape of 6 poachers. National Park phones, Zambian identity cards.

Poisoned oranges with cyanide. 2 arrests. Discovery at home of cyanide and copper wire. Zambezi Attempted elephant Liable to some months in pris- August 2018 Arrest National Park poaching. on for illegal possession of cyanide… and 10 years in prison for theft of copper wire. Released on 50 US$ bail each. 1 young elephant no- August 20, Zambezi ticed for a few months Anaesthesia, care and disinfection. Poaching 2018 National Park with a metal trap at the Prognosis uncertain. knee. Death/ Arrest A Zambian poacher killed, Patrick Nkane, in a firing with ZimParks September 2, Zambezi Poaching of several rangers. 2 others wounded and 2018 National Park elephants. cared of at Victoria Falls and Bulawayo under safekeeping.

Juliet Simango, cattle keeper, 7 years in prison closed. September 11, Arrest / Illegal possession of 2 Value: 3852.50 US$, 250 US$/kg. Chipinge 2018 Sentence tusks (15.4 kg). She would have ”collected” them from an elephant that died naturally.

91 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois SOUTHERN AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Kruger One poacher wounded by a ha- July 22, 2018 Arrest Attempted poaching. National Park rassed elephant. Titan, male elephant of about 12 years old, Released and cared of by Saving July 26, 2018 South Africa Poaching wounded to bone by the the Survivors. cable of a trap. 3 arrests. The same day, 3 years jail and 14,200 US$ in fines to Jan September 12, Midrand Seizure / Arrest 1 tusk, 2 cars. Adriaan van Vuuren for illegal 2018 possession of 35 cycadales. See ”On the Trail” n°12 p.86. Anaesthesia from helicopter, cable 1 male elephant, the ca- rooted out, waking thanks to anti- Mid- Kruger ble of the trap around the dote. Favorable prognosis. September Poaching National Park trunk. Could not drink Wildlife at Risk (WAR) sounds the 2018 anymore. alarm on trap cruelty and indigna- tion from the tourists’ side. Anaesthesia of the mother who 1 baby elephant released September 13, Kruger did not want to move away from Poaching and cared of from a trap 2018 National Park her baby. Extraction from metal at the back left paw. trap. Favorable prognosis. © Saving The Survivors © WAR

July 26, 2018, South Africa September 13, 2018, Kruger Park, South Africa BOTSWANA On the initiative of Kostantinos Launch by the govern- Markus, deputy of the town of ment under pressure of Maun East. According to him, the hunting sector of a outside the parks and reserves, national consultation to there are about 237,0000 ele- July 2018 Botswana Other bad news possibly reconsider the phants. Botswana covers 581,726 prohibition of hunting km2 and has a human population elephants being in effect of 2.2 million. According to the since 2014. last census, there are 130,000 elephants in Botswana. 50 more or less fresh car- ”We are finding poached ele- Linyanti July 2018 Poaching casses in the 100 km2 of phants everywhere” according to Swamps swamps. Nic Proust from Bush 24. Disclosure of a confidential stock of tusks. Would have been Near Nata, gathered by the anti-poaching patrols of DISS (Directorate Mid-July 2018 Central Other bad news of Intelligence and Security Services) and would essentially Province come from elephants that died naturally. DISS at odds with the executive power. See ”On the Trail” n°17 p.96.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 92 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 1 male elephant about 40 years old shot down 2 2 weeks earlier, another elephant Early August North-West Poaching days earlier under the full spotted, the spine sectioned and 2018 District moon. Half the skull torn the tusks rooted out. off to remove the tusks. ”The poachers are now turning their guns to Botswana. We have 87 carcasses spotted by the world’s largest elephant pop- Elephant Without Border ulation and it’s open season for September 3, Okavango Poaching from it’s Cessna 206 from poachers. ” 2018 Delta early July to late August. Elephants would fall under the Only 9 in 2014. bullets of poachers without borders from Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Most elephants would have died naturally or as a result of retaliation after conflicts with local populations. There would be September 4, Okavango Poaching Government denial. no connection between this so- 2018 Delta called poaching outburst and the demilitarisation of anti-poaching patrols decided by the new government last May. September 18, Francistown Seizure / Arrest 2 elephant tusks. In the trunk of a teacher’s car. 2018

NAMIBIA In a fake compartment in the back of a car. September 15, Katima Car race, police shooting in the Seizure / Arrest 10 elephant tusks. 2018 Mulilo air, stopping of the vehicle. Questioning of a security agent (43 years old).

No to the destruction of the stock. Officials wish to obtain authoriza- 70 t of ivory in the State tion from CITES to sell it. September vaults, 30 t legal (natural 2018 estimated value: 8.9 million Namibia Other bad news 2018 death and culling) and 40 US$ 128 US$/kg; t illegal (seizure). 2008: auction sale at 157 US$/kg. 2017: 750 to 850 US$/kg on the black market.

93 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois WESTERN AFRICA

BEnin

TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE - 3 to 2 years in prison, - 2 others to 12 months suspended, July 10, 2018 Parakou Sentence Trafficking of 4kg of ivory - 880 US$ in fines and 25,000 US$ for damages to be paid jointly. 6 to 2 months jail, 90 US$ in Attempted to sell 4 tusks fines each and 8,800 US$ in July 17, 2018 Cotonou Sentence (6kg). damages to be paid jointly. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p.89. Conviction by the court of first instance of the “king” of a village and 5 accomplices to 2 years in Attempted marketing of July 23, 2018 Ouidah Sentence prison and to pay jointly 880 US$ 2 tusks. in fine and 17,500 US$ in damages. Arrest warrant for the six due to their absence at the bar. August 14, 8 baby elephant tusks Kandi Seizure / Arrest 3 arrests. 2018 (20 kg). September 26, 2 sections of tusks(14 Cotonou Seizure / Arrest 1 arrest. 2018 kg).

CENTRAL AFRICA ANGOLA Seizure of 84 tusks, in Kwan- other words, the killing 4 poachers (Angolan, Namibian July 2018 do-Kubango Sentence 42 elephants between et Zambian): 5 years in prison Province January 2017 and June each. 2018. Alert around midnight from tourists awakened by Luiana Na- At least one elephant se- the elephants in distress. tional Park, at August 9, 2018 Poaching riously injured by bursts Cooperation being strengthened the border of of AK-47. Finished off. between Angola and Namibia Namibia to control poaching in the Quito and Okavango rivers.

CameroON On appeal : Zacharie Daouda and Aboubakar Ibrahim, 15 years Mid-Septem- Trafficking of 160 ivory in prison each (3 months in first Bertoua Sentence ber 2018 tips. instance), 24,950 US$ in fines and 451,840 US$ in damages. See ”On the Trail” n°16 p.80.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 94 GABON TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Mahamat Saleh and Lucien Poaching of 2 elephants Kangala: 6 months in pris- July 5, 2018 Makokou Sentence and smuggling 26,5 kg of on and 180 US$ in fines each. ivory See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.102. André Jessy Mbela Blaise Ek- ouakandou, Aruna Touré and Possession, transport and July 5, 2018 Makokou Sentence Ndo Thierry: 6 months in pris- sale of ivory. on and180 US$ in fines each. See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.102. Akono Jean-Benoît, Nolo Ber- nard and Mouamouélé Landry: 6 Possession, transport and July 5, 2018 Makokou Sentence months in prison and 180 US$ in sale of 4 tusks. fines each. See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.102. Eboth Joli, Egouanebe Dieudon- Possession, transport and né and Malonda Bindza: 6 months July 5, 2018 Makokou Sentence sale of 11 tusks and 2 in prison and 180 US$ in fines. pieces of ivory. See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.102. - Banse Benjamin (Burkinabé), Rodrigue Mihindou and Jean- Félix Mouity: charged with hunt, possession, transport and trade of trophies of fully protected species to 6 months in prison and 880 US$ in fines Poaching and smuggling each and 17,700 US$ damages July 12, 2018 Tchibanga Sentence of ivory. to be paid jointly to the State. - Chinedu Amos, Malonda Donatien and Bakita Dem- belé: 6 months in prison each and 17,700 US$ damages to be paid jointly to the State. See ”On the Trail” n°20 p.97 et n°21 p.90. Prince Ongoto: 6 months in prison, 350 US$ in fines and 880 US$ July 12, 2018 Koulamoutou Sentence Sale of a pair of tusks. damages to be paid to the State. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p.90. Manfou-Ma-Ibouangue: Possession, transport and 3 months in prison including 1 sus- attempted sale of 2 ivory July 19, 2018 Mouila Sentence pended, 44 US$ in fines and 88 US$ tips, 26 elephant hairs, damages to be paid to the State. and 2 leopard teeth. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p.70. - Sale of 16 ivory tips, - Diawara Hame, Korokosse Ibrahima and Traoré Macancir: 6 months in prison, 880 US$ in fines and 8830 US$ in damag- End of July Haut-Ogooué es. Korokosse Gagny, convicted Sentence 2018 Province of attempted corruption: 1 year in prison and 90 US$ in fines. - Sale of 2 tusks. - Mohamed Kokari and Hugues Nkongo: 6 months in prison and 440 US$ in fines. Ndong Gustave: 3 months in prison. His sentence having already End of July Possession, transport and Libreville Sentence been served in pre-trial deten- 2018 sale of ivory. tion, he is released. See ”On the Trail” n°20 p.96.

95 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Lengouma Kere, Ulrich Mouélé Possession, transport and and Rostand Oyabi: 3 months End of July Libreville Sentence sale of 2 tusks and one el- and 12 days in prison. His sen- 2018 ephant tail. tence was already served in pre-trial detention, he is released. Nouhou Adamou and Keita Oumar: 6 months in pris- Trafficking of 27 tusks in End of July on closed, 5,400 US$ in fines. Libreville Sentence all (13 tips + 32 sections) 2018 Issouma Ila and Keita Ousmane: in February 2018. released. Cf. ”On the Trail” n°20 p.97. 3 arrests: Jules Magui, seller recruited by Roméo Tondene and Early August 2 ivory tips in 6 sections Lambaréné Seizure / Arrest Briolle Pindjinobe, ivory holders. 2018 (11 kg). Supposedly inherited from a de- ceased grandfather. Nzamba Serge, Sissoko Bi- rame, Cissé Mamadou (or Mo- Trafficking more than 6 madou), Jean-François Eka- Early August Oyem Sentence tusks in total in April and zama: 3 months in prison for 2018 June 2018. possession and transport of ivory. Acquittal for the sale offence. See ”On the Trail” n°21 p.90 et 91. Intervention by the Lambaréné police supported by Conserva- tion Justice. Guy Roger Tanga August 5, 2018 Makouké Seizure / Arrest 2 ivory tips. wanted to sell them to Jules Ma- gui who was arrested 2 days earlier. Jean-Christian N’Tchango, or Tchango: 6 months in prison in- August 9, 2018 Lambaréné Sentence Sale of 5 tips. cluding 1 suspended, 180 US$ in fines and 1800 US$ in damages. See ”On the Trail” n°20 p.98. 400 US$ the lot purchased by 2 poachers. September 9, 2 Senegalese citizens : Seydou Makokou Seizure / Arrest 4 sections of tusks. 2018 Kéita, presented as the owner of the ”goods”, and Ibrahim Bah, presented as the “negotiator”. Intervention by the B2 brigade. Arrested Beyeme Agilys and Nd- September 13, ogou Chérubin in the act of at- Fougamou Seizure / Arrest 2 ivory tips. 2018 tempting to sale, then Mihindou Désiré, sponsor and father of Nd- ogou. End of Sep- Gabon Seizure / Arrest 6 tusks. 1 Senegalese trafficker. tember 2018 Serial arrests: Maixant Leboussi Franceville and Serge Ndjalipris in the act of and Dou- 2 tusks cut in 6 sections, a September 25, attempting trade, then Wilfried maye, Haut- Seizure / Arrest caliber 12 rifle, 5 ammuni- 2018 Ngabelegué, a sale middleman, Ogooué Prov- tion. then the occasional transporter ince and the poacher at the end.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 96 REpubliC OF THE Congo TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Mahamad Abdou, Cameroonian, unfavorably known by the police: July 4, 2018 Pokola Seizure / Arrest 9 tusks. 2 years in prison suspended. Pokola, trafficking hub in Central Africa.

ASIA

CHINA Shang- hai-Pudong 3 worked ivories (3.82 July 1, 2018 Seizure In 3 luggage. International kg). Airport 277 kg of ivory. Value: 353,000 US$ or 1.275 US$/kg. Joint operation of Hong Kong customs and continental Chinese authorities. July 2, 2018 Hong Kong Seizure / Arrest Following a seizure of 47 kg of ivory and the arrest of 6 people on June 25 in mainland China. Arrests of eight people aged 22 to 60 years old in a warehouse. Shang- End of August hai-Pudong Seizure A fan with ivory blades. 2018 International Airport 20 seizures since the beginning September of the year: corals, bear parts, Luohu District Seizure 2 statuettes (1.3 kg). 2018 agarwood, Coraciidae birds and worked ivories.

United Arab Emirates Dubai Inter- 1849 pieces of ivory in In a shoe shipment. Painted black. July 3, 2018 national Air- Seizure different sizes and forms From East Africa and in transit to port (slices, blocks …). Eastern Asia.

97 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois INDIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Fatal wounds due to explosives July 2018 Pandalur Other bad news 2 adults and 1 child. hidden in fruits. The tusks were in a car, the trio was waiting for the buyer. K Karunakara Poojari (68 years Bangalore, Attempt to sell 2 tusks (21 old and retired forest conserva- July 8, 2018 State of Kar- Seizure / Arrest kg in all). tion assistant) and 3 accomplices. nataka Poojari had an exclusive permit to possess tusks. He did not have the right to sell them. Value: More than 14,500 US$. In a car. Hubballi Bastyav Alez Siddi (38 years old), July 13, 2018 Seizure / Arrest 1 tusk. (Hubli) Manjunath Laxman Jomannavar (43 years old) and Jailani Gousus- ab Garag (35 years old). Siliguri, State From Nepal. July 18, 2018 of West Ben- Seizure / Arrest 6 pieces of ivory (9.9kg). 2 arrests by the DRI (Directorate gal of Revenue Intelligence). To fit into food packaging. Value: 270 to 1,370 US$/ kg on the grey market. 2 tusks cut up in 6 pieces. Padum Bahadur Baidya (40 July 18, 2018 Siliguri Seizure / Arrest 9.9 kg in all. years old) and Kishore Ku- mar Rai (45 years old) at the bus stop in Tenzing Norgay. From Nepal. Running in unworthy conditions. Transfer at night, on foot, be- 7 domesticated ele- tween 7pm and 2am to avoid State of Ut- August 9, 2018 Seizure phants, exhausted, some traffic jams and gatherings, to tarakhand blind. a ”preserved area” where they would be cared of by State mahouts and the forest rangers. August 16, 1 young elephant of 7 or Saved from drowning in a canal Nuagaon Good news 2018 so. by villagers. Questioning of 3 men on a motorcycle: Prakash (35 years old), August 27, Alapakkam Seizure / Arrest 2 tusks. Silambarasan (27 years old) and 2018 Kolunji (33 years old). 2 accomplices searched. A 35-year-old dead el- August 29, Amangarh ephant, 2 bullet strikes Poaching Fate of the tusks unknown. 2018 Tiger Reserve and marks of blows at the head and neck. Shooting error. Mohammad Poaching of an elephant Aslam, Virasat, Shaukat and Na- September 2, in April, on-site butcher- Bijnor District Arrest sir were targeting a male to rob 2018 ing and scattered burial his tusks. They killed a female. 15 of the remains. other people heard by the court. Kothandaraman (56 years old), September 3, Anthiyur For- 1 male, 35 years old, elec- Poaching wanted for illegally installing the 2018 est trocuted. electric fence.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 98 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE By an electric fence around the refinery workers’ illegal settle- September 4, Biswanath 1 female, 20 years old and Poaching ments. 2018 District pregnant, electrocuted. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (See ” On the Trail” n°14 p. 90). Fence with illegal connection to the power line. September 7, Bannerghatta A male, 40-45 years old, Poaching In a wild fauna corridor en- 2018 National Park electrocuted. croached by farmers and dwell- ers. 1 elephant of about 45 Arrest 10 days later of 4 peas- years old, tusks torn off. September 16, ants who had buried the 2 cut up Dehradun Poaching Died of a ” heart attack” 2018 tusks in 6 pieces in waiting to sell after the autopsy, no ap- them. parent wounds. September 19, Bolangir Dis- An elephant electrocut- On a cable pulled from a 11,000 V Poaching 2018 trict ed, theft of his tusks. power line. Probable retaliation. The victim Death of an elephant by being part of a herd of 5 accused September 23, Sidhi District Poaching poison, also a cow and a of fruit pinching, crop spoiling 2018 dog. and homicide. The 4 survivors are taken in hand by the rangers. Subramani, Ravi, Perumal and Dhurai alias Mathan arrested. 2 September 24, Erode District Seizure / Arrest 1 pair of tusks. on the run. 2018 Supposed tusks origin: a nomad camp near Anthiyur. September 26, Deogarh Dis- 1 male elephant, 25 to 30 Poaching Tusks stolen. 2018 trict years old, decapitated.

INDONESIA Death of one female, Jambo Reu- about 10 years old, by Third violent elephant death in July 12, 2018 Poaching hat poison in a plantation of the same plantation since 2015. palm oil. Death of Amirah, female Extracted from a trap and taken Saree, Ka- September of about 15 months, af- care of by the veterinarians and bupaten of Poaching 2018 ter 4 months of intensive care takers of the Saree elephant Aceh Besar care. shelter. Buried on site. © JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

99 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois MALAYSIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 1 young male fatally In a palm oil plantation. July 16, 2018 Lahad Datu Other bad news wounded by a trap at the 8 deaths since the beginning of paw. the year in the State of Sabah. For revenge. Reportedly de- State of Sa- 1 pygmy elephant shot to stroyed crops. July 23, 2018 Poaching bah death. Less than 1,500 pygmy elephants in the Borneo Island. Shot and killed by villagers following the alleged destruc- State of Sa- 1 pygmy elephant, about tion of 1 individual’s crops. July 23, 2018 Poaching bah 4 years old. 18 pygmy elephants killed in the Malayan part of Borneo since April 1, 2018. Sungai Tali- was Reserve, 1 young male, 2 years old, Caught by a trap at the front July 26, 2018 Poaching State of Sa- wounded and isolated. right paw. bah

MYANMAR A poisoned arrow shot by a per- Singu, Man- 1 elephant, about 40 July 21, 2018 Poaching cussion rifle. dalay Region years old. The 7th in 2 years. Singu, Man- 1 elephant, about 40 Poisoned arrow. July 24, 2018 Poaching dalay Region years old. No amputation. 7 poaches in 2 years.

SRI LANKA 2 arrests. Early August Kilinochchi 2 tusks, 1.37 m and 1.22 Seizure / Arrest One yesterday or today super 2018 District m tusker or two ? © Adaderana

4 gajamuthu or ”elephant pearls”, calcifica- September 1 man, 21 years old, also in pos- Dematagoda Seizure / Arrest tions forming at the root 2018 session of heroin. of the tusks. See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.112. By a pyrotechnic device launched by the forest rangers with the in- September 26, Anuradhapu- Other bad news 1 elephant wounded. tention to move him away after 2018 ra District extracting him from an irrigation tank in which he had gotten stuck.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 100 TAIWAN TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Maximum penalty of 5 years in Prohibition of the sale of July 13, 2018 Taiwan Good news prison and 49,000 US$ a fine in ivory from January 2020. the event of an offence.

THAILAND Strolling through the city with 2 mahouts for begging, the elephant falls into a ditch. Electrocu- 1 domesticated, male September 14, Bang Phli tion by a restaurant sign. Other bad news elephant, 10 years old, 2018 District The 2 mahouts charged with electrocuted. cruelty to the animals and not respecting the ban on riding elephants in the city. Search by the Yiaw Dong Special Unit of the National Parks Depart- ment. Investigation and DNA test September 25, 7 tusks, total weight of 46 Nonthaburi Seizure in progress. Immediate indict- 2018 kg. ment of the owner of the premises for possession of 44 boards of protected woods. 6 raw tusks weighing 3.68 kg, 3.44 kg, 13.42 kg, September 25, 13.56 kg, 5.27 kg et 5.13 Senya Wongsire Rojkul (58 years Pak Kret Seizure 2018 kg and one worked ivory old). At home. in the form of a crocodile weighing 710 g.

Viet Nam 1.6 kg of ivory jewel- Arrest of the seller, Nguyen Thanh Buon Ma July 30, 2018 Seizure / Arrest ry (bangles, necklaces, Phuong. Previous seizure of 10.9 Thuot rings, …). kg in June 2018 in Dak Lak. August 17, - 92 kg worked ivories, - Nguyen Huu Tien (35 years old), Nhi Khe Seizure / Arrest 2018 - 87 kg worked ivories. - Le Chi Thuan (58 years old).

EUROPE

GERMANY In the home of an 80-year-old man, who had worked in Africa 78 ivory objects (des August 13, Seizure / and made at least one trip to Hamburg bangles, towel rings, net- 2018 Sentence Hong Kong. sukes, …). Sold on the Internet. Fine of 1500€.

101 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois BelgiUM TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE ”Get your teeth out” campaign from May 15 to August 12, 2018 August 12, Voluntary 300 kg raw and worked Belgium by the Ministry of Public Health. 2018 surrender ivories. The ivories were later destroyed by fire.

France Intervention by the ONCFS (Of- August 26, 13 worked ivories for sale fice national de la chasse et de la Dijon Seizure 2018 on a flea market. faune sauvage/ National Hunting and Wildlife Office).

ItalY In all: 11,700 US$. End of August 22 worked ivories. Sold online, without required Tarente Seizure / Arrest 2018 Unknown origin. documents. 1 arrest.

Portugal Guimarães, Gaia, Marco 5 tusks, 1 elephant paw Value: 13,241 US$. July 2018 de Canaveses, Seizure and 1 hippopotamus Sold online. Leiria and tooth. Alcanena

UNITED KINGDOM Public consultation to United King- extend the restriction of Narwhals, hippos, walruses, Ealry July 2018 Good news dom ivory trade to all animals mammoths, … bearing ivory. Northamp- Arrest warrant (identity not pub- July 19, 2018 tonshire Arrest Illegal sale of ivory. lished). County

OCEANIA

NEW ZEALAND Introduced from the United King- dom without prior authorisation by an English cardiology profes- sor recruited by a New Zealand Auckland Air- 50 ivory piano keys from July 26, 2018 Seizure hospital. port the late 19th century. Implication of the British logistics company. ”It’s vandalism,” says one New-Zealander parliamen- tarian.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 102 Other Mammals

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Death/Seizure / One antelope impala Arrest (Aepyceros melampus) One poacher killed, another Thula Thula and one nyala wounded. 6 arrests, at least one July 21, 2018 Reserve (Tragelaphus angasii), man on the run. Their main focus weapons, and poaching was probably the elephant herds. equipment. The army cavalry is starving. 94 horses died 25 horses finished off. Gauteng of hunger in the “care” of 69 transferred to a large farm July 24, 2018 Other bad news Province the SAASIC unit (South under the good care of the African Army Special NSPCA. Infantry Capability).

KENYA Olerai Rescued and cared of by David August 28, Conservation Poaching A zebra caught in a trap. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Kenya 2018 Zone, Kajiado Wildlife Trust. County © David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

ZAMBIA “343” alias Betty, released from End of August Liuwa Plain 1 female hyena a trap and cared of. Reunited Poaching 2018 National Park (Hyaenidae family). with her two puppies in the den. Prognosis optimistic.

AMERICA

BOLIVIA Price to buy one in Peru : 220 US$. Desaguadero. Price to resell in Bolivia: 2000 US$. 4 armadillos July 20, 2018 Border with Seizure / Arrest To be sacrificed during religious (Dasypodidae family). Peru. rituals. Questioning of a 35-year- old woman.

103 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois BRAZIL TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI A dead paca (Cuniculus paca, Appendix III in Early July 2018 Barra do Garças Seizure / Arrest 2 men (39 and 41 years old). Honduras), 2 shotguns and 14 ammunition. Several collared peccary September 25, Rondonópolis Seizure / Arrest carcasses (Pecari tajacu, 2 arrested in a hunting shed. 2018 Appendix II).

COLOMBIA Early Remains of a dead capy- Castilla la September Seizure / Arrest bara (Hydrochoerus 3 questionings. Nueva 2018 hydrochaeris).

SALVADOR Flagrant offence of transporting 1 paca shot September San Francisco down (Cuniculus paca, Jeremías Bladimir Mendoza Arrest 2018 Menéndez Appendix III in Honduras), Moya, 19 years old. with one paw off in the El Impossible National Park.

ASIA

CAMBODIA Picked out by a patrol from August 29, Koh Kong 1 civet (Viverridae family) Poaching Wildlife Alliance. Removal of 23 2018 Province dead in a trap. traps.

CHINA Guiyang 11 addax or antelope Sanded and painted to be used Longdongbao horns with spotted nos- July 25, 2018 Seizure as musical instruments. In the International es (9.76 kg - Addax naso- luggage of 10 passengers. Airport maculatus, Appendix I). In nets around the calves. Pet September 214 sugar gliders Xiamen Seizure business. Seizure in two steps. 2018 (Petaurus breviceps). From Australia.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 104 INDIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI Poaching of a Saladang Sonu Iwane (50 years old): 3 years (Bos gaurus, Appendix in prison, 725 US$ in fines or 6 July 5, 2018 Nagpur Sentence I) in the Melghat Tiger months in prison for non-pay- Reserve in July 2017. ment. 11 accomplices on the run. 4 forest rangers accused of let- ting go off blackbuck poachers (Antilope cervicapra, Appendix July 17, 2018 Bhopal Justice Release denied. III in Népal and in Pakistan) in September 2017. 1 forest ranger in pre-trial detention, 3 others on the run. 1 female Sri Lankan August 15, Pachamalai Questioning by the forest rangers Seizure / Arrest spotted chevrotain 2018 Forest of T. Chandramohan. (Moschiola meminna). 6 arrests that Saturday night. The forest rangers had been informed September 15, 5 civet carcasses Chandapara Seizure / Arrest by members of Zero Hunting 2018 (Viverridae family). Alliance. Midnapore, See ”On the Trail” n° 13 p.108. Simultaneous raids in 3 workshops of fabrication of mongoose hair brushes. Arrests of 6 workers, Mohammad Sajid, Usman, Baburam, Mohammad Arif, Mohammad Sadab and 56,000 mongoose hair Mohammad Yunus. Flight of September, brushes (genus Herpestes) Sherkot Seizure / Arrest workshop owners, Mohammad 30, 2018 and 145 of skins, so more Vali, Salam, Mohammad Sadab than 10,000 mongooses. and Furkan Ansari. Sherkot is the historic center of the manufac- turing of brushes for watercolor- ists. Children are employed in the workshops as well. See ”On the Trail” n°18 p.110.

IRAN Poaching of a wild goat Early July 2018 Malayer Arrest (Capra hircus aegagrus, 1 arrest. Appendix III in Pakistan). 1 ibex (genus Capra), Immediate fine of 2,380 US$ for August 13, Lar National about 3 years old, Seizure / Arrest the 3 poachers brought before 2018 Park skinned, 1 rifle, and the court. ammunition. Protected 1 ibex (genus Capra) August 14, Zones of butchered, 1 rifles, knife Fine of 2,380 US$ for the 3 poach- Seizure / Arrest 2018 Qamsar and weapons, cameras and ers brought before the court. Barzok portable phones. Raz and 3 arrests 15 days after the act, August 18, 1 hyena (Hyaenidae fam- Jargalan Arrest thanks to a photo of poaching 2018 ily) slaughtered. Districts posted on social media. September 3, Bamou Poaching of ibexes Immediate fines of 4,760 US$ and Sentence 2018 National Park (genre Capra). presentation at court.

105 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois THAILAND TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI At Pichet Rojaramornaranon (38 years old) home following 3 otters (Lutrinae an information on the green July 13, 2018 Bangkok Seizure subfamily, Appendix I or II). line 1362 of the National Parks Department, Wildlife and Plant Conservation or ”Wildhawk”. Sold on the Internet. In a 1 young female otter cardboard box filled with torn September 13, Bangkok Seizure / Arrest (Lutrinae subfamily, up paper. Thana Pangsang (33 2018 Appendix I or II). years), waiting for the buyer in a service station.

EUROPE

France Including one still in the mouth of September 17, 13 hedgehogs (Erinaceus the poacher’s dog. Questioning Ifs Seizure / Arrest 2018 europaeus). by the canine brigade of Caen city.

ItalY September 30, Villagrande 1 European mouflon Seizure / Arrest 9 arrests. 2018 Strisaili (Ovis aries musimon).

Multi-Species

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Hoedspruit, Suspicion of poaching. Zebediela Seizure of 6 fire arms, 12 men in custody, from 23 to 44 and July 10, 2018 Seizure / Arrest ammunitions, food years old: 4 at Hoedspruit, 6 at Mokopane, supplies, 1axe, 1 knife, Zebediela, 2 at Mokopane. Limpopo and 3 vehicles. province Death/ Poaching Loskop Dam 1 rifle with silencer,Firing. 2 poachers killed. 1 ranger July 15, 2018 Natural poaching tools. wounded. Reserve

GUINEA Sanctions increased from 1 year Adoption by the in prison maximum to 5 years July 20, 2018 Guinea Good news Parliament of the new and fines from 16 US$ to 5,500 wildlife protection code. US$. Waiting for enactment by the President Alpha Condé.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 106 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Dismantling of an illegal hunting reserve End of with elephants, bongos 2 arrests including Carlos September Guinea Arrest (Tragelaphus eurycerus), hip- Bustamante, Spanish national, 2018 popotamuses, leopards in also involved in drug trafficking. sights. Seizure of trophies and fire arms.

NAMIBIA Pending an ethical code to market hunting trophies drafted by the ”hunters’ fraternity” and Suspension of the ban to submitted to the Ministry of Early July 2018 Namibia Other bad news publish on social media Environment and Tourism. “selfies” with trophies. According to NAPHA (Namibian Professional Hunting Assoc- iation) trophy selfies are doping hunting business. Lai Yau Ruan (80 years old): Illegal possession of ele- pleads not guilty. Bail extended August 2, 2018 Windhoek Justice phant, rhino, leopard, and to July. See ”On the Trail” n°20 cheetah trophies. p.115. 1 python skin, 6 pangolin Value: 28,800 US$. 6 suspects ar- August 3, 2018 Grootfontein Seizure / Arrest skins and 1 live pangolin. rested, including 1 police officer 2 rifles. and 1 conservation officer.

NIGERIA Rangers deployment: Ishyaku Moh’d, repeat offender: 6 months July and Yankari Arrest / Poaching of wild animals. in prison. Musa Alh. Ruwa, August 2018 National Park Sentence Abdullahi Ibrahim and Ishyaku Abdullahi: 3 months in prison. Rangers deployment: Ali Sabo, July and Yankari Arrest / Poaching of wild animals. Abel Sabo, Ciroma Usman and August 2018 National Park Sentence Yila Buba: 3 months in prison.

Central African Republic Dismembered bodies of oribi antelopes (Ourebia ourebi) and Firing with poachers supposedly Chinko duikers (Cephalophinae South Sudanese militia members. First half of Poaching/ Natural subfamily), dozens of Destruction by the guards of the 2018 seizure Reserve chimpanzees, bufferedcarcasses and remains found in warthogs, 2 bongo skulls the hastily abandoned camp. (Tragelaphus eurycerus) and a snake skin, notably.

107 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois Democratic Republic of the Congo / Zimbabwe TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Transfer project: - 10 white rhinos from Chivero Lake Park, Kyle Recreational Exchange of protected spe- Park, and Matopos National cies considered between Democratic Park in Zimbabwe to the Early the Democratic Republic of Republic of Democratic Republic of the September Delocalization the Congo and Zimbabwe. the Congo / Congo. 2018 Huge risk for everyone, espe- Zimbabwe - Okapis (Okapia johnsto- cially for the okapis and the ni) and gorillas (Gorilla spp., gorillas. Appendix I) from the DRC to Zimbabwe (Nyanga Natural Park).

REpubliC OF THE Congo Value: 855 US$ (53 US$/kg). Henry Roland Botata on the hunt, Florida Kaba on the sale. - Poaching of an elephant ” I slaughtered a gorilla that I Department and a gorilla (Gorilla spp., smoked and used the other August 2018 of the Arrest Appendix I) with a machine parts of the fresh meat for my Cuvette gun, - Purchase and attempt- crocodile traps. ed sale of 16 kg of ivory. I left the camp leaving crocodile traps in the water… that’s when I was able to shoot down a small elephant.”

TUNISIA One hundred songbirds (including elegant European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), European By the police and the forest greenfinches (Chloris chloris)), brigade on the ”Moncef 1 booted eagle (Hieraaetus Bey” market, the ”market July 1, 2018 Tunis Seizure pennatus, Appendix II), 1 of shame” according to the Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus NGO ”Les amis des oiseaux” fasciatus, Appendix II), (“Friends of Birds”). thirty turtles (including common tortoises (Testudo graeca, Appendix II), and chameleons…

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 108 AMERICA

ARGENTINA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 4 parrots (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II), 130 skins, After a complaint for conju- July 5, 2018 Cordoba Seizure 249 wild animal trophies. 2 gal violence. cages, 1 net and 18 traps. 2 dead otters and 2 dead Tostado, capybaras (Hydrochoerus In a Ford F-100 and a boat in Early July 2018 Santa Fe Seizure hydrochaeris), fire arms, des tow. One questioning. Province knives and torches. 2 guanacos carcasses (Lama In a Toyota Hilux. Route 39. Perito guanicoe, Appendix II) and a July 5, 2018 Seizure 3 people : 2 adults and one Moreno fox, 2 hunting dogs, 1 rifle, 1 minor. pistol. 400 birds, tortoises and lizards: Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae, Appendix II), ultramarine grosbeaks (Cyanocompsa brissonii), golden-billed Salators (Saltator auran- On sale on the Mercado tiirostris), saffron finches Santiago del Armonía in the center of July 2018 Seizure (Sicalis flaveola), double-col- Estero the city and at Maco in the lared seedeaters (Sporophila outskirts. caerulescens), paroarias (genus Paroaria), red pileated finches (Coryphospingus cuc- ullatus), black-crested finches (Lophospingus pusillus) and yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta). 4 armadillos (Dasypodidae family), 2 big hairy armadil- Mid-August Near Seize / Arrest los (Chaetophractus villosus), 2 arrests. 2018 Buchardo 1 otter and 2 catfish. Traps, knives, rifles, Ford Fiesta car.

BOLIVIA 230 animals’ parts: Darwin’s rhea feathers (Pterocnemia pennata, Appendix I or II), charangoes (musical instru- Between August14 and 16. Copacabana ment) in armadillo shells, August 14, During the religious festivi- and Seizure boar teeth, chinchilla tails 2018 ties of Urkupiña, on the occa- Cochabamba (Chinchillidae family), belts sion of the Assumption. made of viper skin, crocodile and feline, anteaters’ tongues in amulet and one armadillo (family Dasypodidae). 8 rheas (Rhea spp., Appendix In cardboard boxes in a bus August 24, Santa Cruz Seizure / Arrest I or II), 4 turtles and 2 toucans under the naming “chicken”. 2018 Department (Ramphastidae family). 2 arrests.

109 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois BRAZIL DETAILS / TYPE / QUANTITY / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY MODUS OPERANDI / GROUNDS VALUE Seizures twice over : cactus conures (Aratinga cactorum, Appendix II), red-cowled cardinals (Paroaria dominicana), sooty-capped bush 5 arrests. 2 released on bail Early July 2018 Quixeramobim Seizure / Arrest tanagers (Chlorospingus pi- of 82 and 246 US$. leatus), great-billed seed finches (Oryzoborus maximiliani), armadillos (family Dasypodidae) all living. 4 rifles and ammunition. All held in a farm: 1 red-billed toucan (Ramphastos tucanus, Appendix II), 2 scarlet macaw (Ara macao, Appendix I), 1 common caracara (Caracara plancus, Appendix II), 1 blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna, Appendix II), 1 tufted capuchin (Cebus apella, © FPI Appendix II), 1 guan (genus São José do Seizure / Penelope), 6 New World doves August 9, 2018 One man : 6060 US$ in fines. Egito Sentence (Zenaida auriculata), 2 red- cowled cardinals (Paroaria dominicana), 2 red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius ou Chelonoidis denticulatus, Appendix II), 2 seriemas (Cariamidae family), 2 six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctu), 1 pica- zuro pigeon (Patagioenas pica- zuro), 1 dove (genus Leptotila). 45 kg of muscovy duck meat (Cairina moschata), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, August 13, Barra do Appendix II), red-winged tin- Seizure / Arrest 1 arrest. 2018 Garças amou (Rhynchotus rufescens) and six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) and more than 230 ammunition. 2 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), 1 tufted capuchin (Cebus paella/Sapajus apella, August 15, Appendix II), 1 mottled owl Apucarana Seizure Sold on the Internet. 2018 (Strix virgata, Appendix II), 1 double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens) and 1 lizard (Teius teyou). 609 live birds, turtles and Police checks on the hight- August 2018 Itaberaba Seizure snakes. With cages, traps, way from August 21 to 29, and 13 rifles. 2018. 3 tufted capuchin (Cebus apella, synonym of Sapajus In a cage and a shoebox. 3 August 2018 Londrina Seizure / Arrest apella, Appendix II) and 1 arrests including a repeat boa constrictor (Boa constric- offender. tor, Appendix II).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 110 DETAILS / TYPE / QUANTITY / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY MODUS OPERANDI / GROUNDS VALUE 1 deer skull with ant- September 4, Seizure / lers and 1 giant armadillo Uberlândia 1 female, fines: 969 US$. 2018 Sentence paw (Priodontes maximus, Appendix I). 1 South American coati (Nasua nasua, Appendix III in Uruguay) and 1 tufted capu- Early Santarém, chin chained (Cebus apella, September Seizure Maria Dalva Gonçalves. State of Pará synonym of Sapajus apella, 2018 Appendix II) , 1 chestnut-bellied seed finch (Oryzoborus angolensis) in a cage.

Trophies of pumas (Puma concolor, Appendix II) and September 8, Campo Belo do Seizure / Arrest boars, skins of other wild 1 questioning. 2018 Sul animals, weapons and ammunition. 77 wild birds and 5 red-foot- September 14, Carira Seizure / Arrest ed tortoise (Chelonoidis car- 11 questionings. 2018 bonarius, Appendix II). 1 caiman (Caiman spp., Appendix I or II), 10 double-collared seedeaters (Sporophila caerulescens), 2 plain parakeets (Brotogeris tirica, Appendix Parade through the village September 26, II), 1 buffy-fronted seedeater with a caiman body. 4 Guaraqueçaba Seizure / Arrest 2018 (Sporophila frontalis), 1 lined questionings. One on the seedeater (Sporophila lineola) run. and 1 green-winged saltator (Saltator similis). Traps, sling- shots, 10 bows, armadillo nets, and 14 cages.

111 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois COLOMBIA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 24 birds including chopi blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi), 1 Andean sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis), tanagers (genus Thraupis), double- Operation ”Fauna Livre” September 30, Seizure / Guarujá collared seedeaters (Sporophila (“Fauna Free”). 1 man, fines: 2018 Sentence caerulescens), lined seedeaters 6,800 US$. (Sporophila lineola), 4 red- footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius, Appendix II), 7 traps and 21 cages. 2 spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus, Appendix I or July 11, 2018 Tuluá Seizure II), 1 male and 1 female (30 and 18 kg), 2 parrots (Ara spp., Appendix I or II). 13 Colombian sliders (Trachemys callirostris), 19 Selling of meat and mangrove spectacled caimans (Caiman charcoal in the Barranquilla crocodilus, Appendix I or II), Mid-July 2018 Sitionuevo Seizure / Arrest markets. 7 arrests. Hard hit 2 capybaras (Hydrochoerus for the ”Chigüiros” group hydrochaeris) and 1 yellow (capybaras). headed parrot (Amazona oratrix, Appendix I). 4 cotton headed tamarin (Saguinus oedipus, Appendix End of July Facatativá Seizure I),1 adult and 3 children, and In a bus. To Bogota. 2018 1 oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus, Appendix I).

1 jaguar (Panthera onca, Appendix I) at a photographer’s house, 1 macaw (Ara spp., Appendix I or II) kept by an Mid-August Cali Seizure “Adventure park”, 1 sloth bear (Melursus ursinus, Appendix I) 2018 at a private individual’s house and 1 spider monkey (Ateles spp., Appendix I or II) at another’s house.

ECUADOR 11 forest tortoises Saved from captivity, trans- (Chelonoidis denticulatus, ferred to the ZooCoca for the Orellana Appendix II), 2 toadhead tur- diagnosis and care. 44 wild Early July 2018 Seizure Province tle (Mesoclemmys gibba) and animal seizures since the be- a mealy parrot (Amazona fari- ginning of the year. Release nosa, Appendix II). into the wild of 11.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 112 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 9 traditional American Indian headbands, 8 made of oncilla skin (Leopardus tigrinus, Appendix I) and 1 made of July 4, 2018 Loreto Seizure In a craft store. Guatemalan red brocket skin (Mazama americana), 1 Guatemalan red brocket skull and 1 oncilla skull. Bushmeat : 8.6 kg of paca (Cuniculus paca, Appendix III in Honduras), 18.1 kg In one Cooperativa Petrolera Cantón of white-lipped peccary July 22, 2018 Seizure bus. The owner was not Putumayo (Tayassu pecari, Appendix identified. II) and 7.7 kg of spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus, Appendix II). Pedagogical day for the local After seizure and quarantine, population. release in a 555 ha reserve of 60 animals who were victims of trafficking: 5 common squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciu- reus, Appendix II), anacondas (Eunectes spp., Appendix II), El Yurumí © Suministrada rainbow boas (Epicrates mau- Civil Society July 22, 2018 Good news rus, Appendix II), spectacled Reserve, caimans (Caiman crocodilus, Puerto López Appendix II), brown-throated conures (Aratinga perti- nax, Appendix II), forest foxes (Cerdocyon thous, Appendix II), oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus, Appendix I) and tamanduas (genus Tamandua). 1 common wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha, Appendix II), 2 orange-winged 1.5 years in prison, 4,136 US$ Early August Sucumbios parrot (Amazona amazon- in damages for the benefit of Sentence 2018 Province ica, Appendix II), 1 tartaru- the Environment and a fine ga (Podocnemis expansa, of 1,544 US$. Appendix II), 1 d’Orbigny’s slider (Trachemys dorbigni). Hunting and fishing in the Carriage of a female black Cuyabeno Reserve. Luis F. caiman (Melanosuchus niger, and Luis O.: 3 years in prison September 24, Sucumbíos Appendix II) of 3.5 m and the closed, between 4 and 10 Sentence 2018 Province body of a young male of 1.5 ”salarios basicos unificados” m, 1 peccary (Tayassuidae, (”unified basic wages”). Appendix II) and 76 fishes. 1,544 to 3,860 US$ of fines and 7,000 US$ in damages.

MexiCO 1 lilac-crowned amazon (Amazona finschi, Appendix I), 1 red-lored amazon (Amazona July 6, 2018 Durango Seizure Illegal trade. autumnalis, Appendix II) and 1 collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), mistreated and poorly housed.

113 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 1 bay-winged hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus, Appendix II), 1 green parakeets (Aratinga ho- lochlora, Appendix II) and 1 southern caracara (Caracara plancus, Appendix II), all July 29, 2018 Tecámac Seizure alive. 1 golden eagle (Aquila At a taxidermist’s workshop. chrysaetos, Appendix II), 1 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, Odocoileus virginianus mayensis, Appendix III in Guatemala) and 1 American bison (Bison bison). 2 tigers (Panthera tigris, In the PIMVS (Predios o Appendix I) and 1 silver Instalaciones que Manejan July 29, 2018 Tarímbaro Seizure pheasant (Lophura nycthem- Vida Silvestre) Quinta Santa era), all illegal. María. 1 baby mantled howling monkey (Alouatta palliata, August 17, San Pedro In 2 cardboard boxes at the Seizure Appendix I) and 2 young keel- 2018 Tlaquepaque bus station. billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus, Appendix II). © PROFEPA

13 live white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, Odocoileus virginianus mayensis, Appendix III in Guatemala) and 18 stuffed animals: 1 whiskered screech- owl (Otus trichopsis, Appendix II), 1 American kestrel (Falco sparverius, Appendix II), 1 great horned owl (Bubo virginianus, Appendix II), 4 white-tailed deer, 1 raccoon (Procyon lotor), August 19, In a zoo and an underground Mexico city Seizure 1 gray fox (Urocyon cinereoar- 2018 museum. genteus), 1 giant pocket go- pher (Orthogeomys grandis), 1 ring-tailed cat (Bassariscus astutus), 1 acorn woodpeck- er (Melanerpes formicivorus), 1 long-tailed wood partridge (Dendrortyx macroura), 2 Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), 1 white-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) and 2 Mexican pigmy rattle- snakes (Crotalus ravus).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 114 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 3 skins and 1 head of a jaguar (Panthera onca, Appendix I) decorated with parrot feathers (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II), 1 ocelot skin (Leopardus par- To the destination of Tijuana. dalis, Appendix I) decorated Costumes and instruments September 16, with snake cascabels (genus Tepotzotlán Seizure for traditional dancers in par- 2018 Crotalus), 1 keel-billed toucan cels from parcel delivery ser- helmet (Ramphastos sulfuratus, vice Castores. Appendix II), 1 leather hand- bag with crocodile leather in- lays (Crocodylus spp., Appendix I or II), tambourines, maracas, and rattles.

PARAGUAY Death 2 rangers killed. Tapyta Firing during a routine patrol, Caazapa Rumildo Toledo González, August 18, Natural 36 years old, died instant- 2018 Reserve, ly, Artemio Villalba, 51 years Caazapá old, died 13 days after the Department ambush. Fledglings including monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus, September 22, Asuncion Seizure Appendix II) and blue-crowned parakeets (Aratinga 2018 acuticaudata, Appendix II) and 1 monkey.

PERU

2 blue-headed parrots (Pionus menstruus, Appendix II), 1 Rio Napo tamarin (Saguinus Puno and fuscicollis, Appendix II) and July 5, 2018 Seizure Junín regions 1 white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons, Appendix II). © SERFOR

134 live toads (genus Telmatobius), 441 frogs and 855 animal parts and byproducts: Rhinella limensis, anacondas (Eunectes murinus, Appendix As bones, beverages, and La Victoria II), snakes, lizards, colpeo fox- trophies. For traditional med- July 19, 2018 District, Lima Seizure / Arrest es, felines (jaguar, puma and icine and Shamanism. 5 Province margay), spectacled bear questionings in the Hierba (Tremarctos ornatus, Appendix Santa II gallery. I), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, Odocoileus virginianus mayensis, Appendix III in Guatemala). 1 black-faced black spider Mid- Miraflores, monkey (Ateles chamek, Andrés Avelino Cáceres, fruit September Arequipa Seizure Appendix II) and 1 blue-and- merchant. 2018 Province gold macaw (Ara ararauna, Appendix I or II).

115 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois SALVADOR TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 12 common iguanas (Iguana iguana, Appendix II), 1 psittacidae (Psittacidae, Appendix To the Central mercado of August 25, I or II), 1 Pacific parakeets San Salvador and the out- San Salvador Seizure / Arrest 2018 (Aratinga strenua, Appendix skirts. Hearing of Carmen II), 9 orange-chinned para- Lara, egg seller. keets (Brotogeris jugularis, Appendix II) and turtle eggs.

August 25 2018, San Salvador August 6, 2018, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, Bangladesh ASIA

BANGLADESH 170 lovebirds pairs (genus Agapornis, some listed under CITES), 3 young psittacidae pairs (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II), 3 cockatoo pairs (Cacatuidae, Value: 52,500 US$. Seizure by Appendix I or II), 10 psittacidae customs on information of Hazrat pairs (Psittacidae, Appendix I or incoming cargo from South Shahjalal II), 5 canary-winged parakeets Africa. Importers: Infobizz August 6, 2018 International Seizure pairs (Brotogeris versicolurus, Inn based in South Goran, Airport, Appendix II), 3 peacock pairs BD Innovative Livestocks in Dhaka (Pavo muticus, Appendix II), 3 Bhatara and Sajib Enterprise blue-and-gold macaw pairs in Uttara. (Ara ararauna, Appendix II), 2 budgerigar pairs (Melopsittacus undulatus), 2 lemurs and 4 common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus, Appendix II).

CAMBODIA 9 civets and 5 kg of live In a van. Teng Tai: 4,000 US$ in Santuk Seizure / geckos. July 10, 2018 fines, released on a promise District Sentence Total weight: 23 kg. 0.12 m3 not to traffic again. of wood from protected tree.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 116 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 3 pairs of Saladang horns (Bos gaurus, Appendix I), 1 pair of sambar deer antlers Seizure / (Rusa unicolor), 1 pair of ban- In a furniture store. Fines of July 26, 2018 Phnom Penh Sentence teng horns (Bos javanicus), 6,980 US$. more than 100 green peacock feathers (Pavo muticus, Appendix II). - 52.7 kg of wild animal meat including Malayan porcu- Fines for Saom Kim Sang (29 pine meat (Hystrix brachyura) Seizure / years old) and Saing Vuthy August 8, 2018 Sen Morom and 1 live turtle. Sentence (29 years old). Burning of the - 15 kg of wild animal guts in- meat. cluding Malayan porcupine stomachs. Phnom Tnout 2.128 m3 illegal logging, 2 Wildlife August 23, Seizure / chainsaws, 2 handmade ri- Patrol of Wildlife Alliance. 5 Sanctuary, 2018 Sentence fles, 80 bullets, electric fish- arrests. 5 to 10 years in prison. Sangkum ing gear. Thmei District Sold along road 6 by Chuob August 30, Batheay Bushmeat - 3 wild animal Chin (38 years old). Released Seizure / Arrest 2018 District species. on written agreement not to reoffend. chinA Sold on the Internet. 300 US$ Worked ivories, tiger bone, for 120 g of bear bile. Some July 2, 2018 China Other bad news shelves made of pangolin “merchandises” could be fake. scales and 120 g of bear bile. Investigation of a journalist. Pangolin skin and scales, muntjac antlers (genus Muntiacus), porcupine quills, Yunnan In a car. 1 arrest. July 6, 2018 Seizure / Arrest bharal horns (Pseudois Province From: Burma. nayaur, Appendix III in Pakistan), elephant skin and gallbladders. 9 kg in total. Ningbo Lishe 46 ivory bangles, necklaces, End of July International Seizure and earrings. One month ear- From Taiwan. 2018 Airport lier: 13 ivory billard cues. Value: 240 US$ /kg, 1,460 US$ for a “convivial dish”. - 7 live pangolins, 40 frozen Dismantling of a smuggling August 2018 Fuyang Seizure / Arrest pangolins network of pangolins for sale - 3 bear paws. at restaurants, 20 suspects heard.

117 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Value: 2.42 millions US$. Operation ”Defender”, con- Examples of modus operandi: ducted from June 18 to in a sea container, in socks, in August 25. cereals. Declared as ”shoes”, 7 tons of pangolin scales ”toys” and ”chocolate”. (see chapter Pangolins), 10 June-August live turtles, 5 live lizards, 85 Hong Kong Seizure / Arrest 2018 live frogs, 317 kg of dried seahorses, 1.5 kg of coral, 25 kg of worked ivories, 63 t of wood, 6 t of American ginseng…. 82 people heard.

2 pangolins, 80 kg of snakes, frogs, 1 masked palm civet (Paguma larvata, Appendix End of August Longshan 30 agents mobilized through- Seizure III in India), 1 black munt- 2018 County out the xian. jac (Muntiacus crinifrons, Appendix I), 1 boar, bamboo rats, dead or alive. About 401 tons, includ- Operation “8.01”. ing 794 nautilus (Nautilus Estimated global value: 470 spp., Appendix II), 1 feline million Yuan, 68.8 million skin (probably a lioness), US$. Dismantling of 3 gangs 43 African python skins skilled in wildlife traffick- (Python sebae, Appendix II), ing and one gang in waste 2.23 tons of black coral (or- trafficking. Zhanjiang, der Antipatharia, Appendix Shenzhen, II), 7 leopard skins (Panthera September 14, Maoming, Seizure pardus, Appendix I), 1 liz- 2018 Guangdong ard, 117,674 queen conchs Province (Strombus gigas, Appendix II), 26,327 tiger cowries (Cypraea tigris), 1612 horned helmet (Cassis cornuta), 1 green turtle (Chelonia mydas, Appendix I), tiger shark skins (Galeocerdo cuvier), shark fins, sea cucumbers.

INDIA Against the former divisional forest officer Mahat Chandra Talukdar convicted to 5 years New charges for money in prison in December 2017 July 11, 2018 Guwahati Justice laundering. (See ”On the Trail” n°19 p.111) for trafficking endangered species. See also ”On the Trail” n°13 p.73. Tiruchirappalli In the luggage of 2 passengers Snakes, scorpions, turtles August 4, 2018 International Seizure / Arrest from Kuala Lumpur on a and geckos. Airport Malindo Air flight.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 118 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Financing illegal fishing, possession of tiger parts, Bail denied for Vijay Gedam, poaching of green peacocks member of the ”tiger fisher- August 6, 2018 Nagpur Justice (Pavo muticus, Appendix II or men” gang. See ”On the Trail” Pavo cristatus, Appendix III in n°n°21 p.65. Pakistan). A jointly 1415 US$ fine to August 21, Tiruchirappalli Sentence Poaching. 5 men for poaching in the 2018 Upper Anaicut Forest Reserve. Arrest at 6 in the morning by a joint patrol of SSB/ Department of Forests of Tipu 1 handmade rifle, explosives, August 23, Manas Daimari (35 years old), Tarla Seizure / Arrest ammunition and poaching 2018 National Park Boro (25 years old), Temwn gear. Basumatary (27 years old) and Anilal Muchahary (40 years old). 2 live blackbucks aged 2 or so (Antilope cervicapra, 4 September Appendix III in Nepal and in Arshad Illyas Khan (31 years Kaprada Seizure / Arrest 2018 Pakistan). 2 blackbuck horns, old) in custody. 6 psittacidae (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II). Open burning of 108 protected animal parts. Seizures ac- Including female elephant cumulated over several years. teeth, the skin and claws of a leopard, the antlers of a spotted deer (Axis axis), September 4, Coimbatore Good news gaurs horns and trophies (Bos 2018 gaurus, Appendix I). Possible donation of male elephant tusks to a future ”Museum of Wildlife”.

Arrest of Sanu Tatu Darsimbe 1 porcupine (family (45 years old), leader of a Hystricidae), 1 sambar deer September 14, Amravati group of poachers from the Arrest (Rusa unicolor), 1 honey 2018 District Korku ethnic group spotted badger (Mellivora capensis, August 8 in the Melghat Tiger Appendix III in Botswana). Reserve. About 50 animal parts including tiger and bear claws, Police and forest rangers raid- pieces of ivory, bear skin, ed a household goods store. September 15, owl skulls, peacock feathers Arrested the owner, Vijay Ranchi Seizure / Arrest 2018 (Pavo muticus, Appendix II Kumar Gupta, his employee, or Pavo cristatus, Appendix the owner of another store, III in Pakistan), and lizard Vishwanath Murarka. skeletons

119 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Death Fatal electrocution of Biren Chandra Deka (50 years old) in an illegal electric fence September 16, Nameri Tiger installed to kill “vermin”. 1 forest ranger killed. 2018 Reserve Several other cases in the district among the civilian population; 12 elephants between 2012 and 2017. 4 monitors, 1 porcupine September 17, 3 arrests including Suresh Jaipur Seizure / Arrest quills (Hystricidae family), 2 2018 Maheshwari. owl claws, coral.

IRAN Death Oal’eh Ganj Mehdi Ahmadi Nik, rang- County, July 27, 2018 1 ranger killed. er, killed in a chase with Kerman poachers. Province

Death Ali Khajavi, shot to death while trying to arrest 3 Early August poachers, one of which was Ravar 1 ranger killed. 2018 arrested. 163 rangers killed since 1979 and the rise of the Islamic Republic. Ibex, partridge, pheasants, mallard ducks,... taxidermy, 3 arrests for poaching and August 25, Lar National freshly hunted ibexes, meat, Seizure / Arrest illegal taxidermy. Deal in the 2018 Park weapons and ammunitions, mountains for years. photos of hunting ibexes, camping equipment.

LAOS More than 200 kg of wildlife To sell in the markets in the Oudomxay meat (pangolin, civet, munt- Xay and Lar districts. Burning July 5, 2018 Seizure Province jac, monitors, and squirrels of the meat and release of the …) and live animals. animals in a protected area.

MALAYSIA 2 Malayan tiger skins, 10 patches of tiger skin, 1 clouded leopard skin (Neofelis neb- Value: 124,000 US$. Arrest of ulosa, Appendix I), 7 bear 6 Vietnamese workers includ- July 4, 2018 Kuala Lipis Seizure / Arrest teeth, 20 bear claws, south- ing two women taken into ern serow tails and horns custody. (Capricornis sumatraensis, Appendix I), boar teeth, python skin and meat.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 120 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 13.8 kg and 23.5 kg of bones, skulls, digestive organs, gen- Value: 247,370 US$. Taman Johor ital organs, of tigers, bears, 5 suspects (from 29 to 72 July 12, 2018 Jaya and Ulu Seizure / Arrest porcupines (Hystricidae fam- years old). Tiram ily), banteng (Bos javanicus), Probable destination: China. southern serow (Capricornis sumatraensis, Appendix I). Kuala Value: Lumpur - 50 rhinoceros horns (116 - 12 million US$ (103,500 August 13, International kg), US$/kg) Seizure 2018 Airport - 200kg of bones, correspond- - 120,900 US$ (600 US$/kg). Freight ing to 9 animals - tigers, bears Shipment from Africa and to Section and/or leopards. the destination of Viet Nam. Seizure of more than 400 animals still alive, including 2 young orangutans (Pongo spp., Appendix I), 2 albino foxes, 2 birds-of-par- In 39 packages and cages. adise (Paradisaeidae family, Value: more than 120,000 Appendix II), 2 white cocka- US$ on the pet market. toos (Cacatua alba, Appendix Off the Boarding of a small com- September 21, II), 2 electus parrots (Eclectus Langkawi Seizure / Arrest mercial vessel from Sumatra 2018 roratus, Appendix II), 21 Archipelago Island, Indonesia, and to pink-cheeked parokeets the destination of Thailand. (Psittacula longicauda, Arrests of 3 Indonesian Appendix II), 1 female argus sailors. pheasant (Argusianus argus, Appendix II), 48 salt-water crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus, Appendix II), 355 sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps).

PHILIPPINES 21 frozen pangolins scales, 16 sea turtles (1 green turtle, 15 hawksbill sea tur- In the truck, also with an unli- Puerto July 28, 2018 Seizure / Arrest tles - Chelonia mydas and cenced .38 caliber Joshue A. Princesa Eretmochelys imbricata, Calinog, driver. Appendix I) disemboweled, 1 firearm.

121 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois THAILAND TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 105 animals rescued: primates including 1 white-handed gibbon Inability of monks to care (Hylobates lar, Appendix of offered animals or aban- I), 1 boar, 2 porcupines doned by the faithful. col- August 16, Rayong (Hystricidae family), 1 Asian Good news lective rescue in a Buddhist 2018 Province palm civet (Paradoxurus her- temple, thanks to an inter- maphroditus, Appendix III in vention by Wildlife Friends Inde), 1 peacock (Pavo muti- Foundation Thailand. cus, Appendix II), more than 50 turtles and birds, all in bad physical condition. About forty birds of 22 differ- September 7, Bangkok Seizure ent species and 16 trophies In a private home. 2018 of deer and bovidae.

TURKEY Closing of a cafe that exhibited animals, including a young lion of a year old or Announced by the NGO, so in a glass cage, 1 crocodile HAYTAP (Hayvan Hakları Early July 2018 Istanbul Good news (Crocodylidae, Appendix I or Federasyonu). Transfer of the II), 1 flamingo (Phoenicopterus animals in refuges or protect- ruber, Appendix II), and ed areas. psittacidae (Psittacidae, Appendix I or II).

VIET NAM 1 female pangolin about 5 kg, her new born in a cage and Value: 480 US$ for the July 7, 2018 Bien Hoa Seizure 13 other animals exhibited in pangolin. a pub. 1 pangolin (4.5kg), 1 monitor Nguyen Van Hiep (36 years Cat Tien Poaching / July 16, 2018 (1.9kg), 1 boar (13kg) and 1 old), arrested by forest National Park Arrest coucal (genus Centropus). rangers. Discussion between the magistrates and the NGO WildAid. Between 2015 and 2017, commissions of sev- Hô-Chi-Minh- August 2, 2018 Good news Wildlife Law Conference. eral hundred offences. Only City 8 convictions to 3 years in prison or more and 96 of less than 3 years. Suspension or acquittal for all other cases. Police patrol on the national route 14D. Checking a August 10, Nam Giang 3 live pangolins, 2 cut wea- Seizure van, Ford Transit, driven by 2018 District sels, 32 kg boar meat. Nguyen Thanh Quoc (30 years old). Trafficking of 27 big-headed turtles (total weight 10.5 kg - Cao Xuan Nai arrested on Platysternon megacephalum, September 21, Dien Bien April 2, 2018 closed by the Sentence Appendix I) and 4 Himalayan 2018 District Tay Trang border post with black bears paws (total Laos: 10 years in prison. weight 13 kg - Ursus thibetanus, Appendix I).

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 122 EUROPE

GERMANY TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE In a postal parcel from Russia. According to the receiver, the Sea urchins, starfish, sender advised him to soak August 14, Ulm, Baden- fish, snakes, seahorses Seizure the dried animal’s parts in 2018 Wurttemberg (Hippocampus spp., Appendix bottles filled with vodka. The II) and dried lizards. potion would have beneficial properties for back pain. Hanovre- 1 chimpanzee skull (Pan spp., August 25, Langenhagen In a traveler’s suitcase from Seizure Appendix I) and 1 antelope 2018 International Namibia. horn. Airport

SPAIN More than 150 stuffed ani- Operation Hiposacro, mals or parts in a warehouse: launched in May, after identi- snow leopard (Uncia uncia, fying a hippopotamus’s paws Salvaterra de Appendix I), African lion, ti- and a turtle for sale on the Early July 2018 Miño, border Seizure ger, giraffe, 11 elephant tusks Internet. Arrest and release with Portugal (including some carved), tro- of the alleged manager, dou- phies of deer, religious art, ble nationality: French and archeological antiques, and Spanish. ancient weapons. Attempted commercializa- August 24, One person heard by the Carboneras Other bad news tion of 17 worked ivories and 2018 courts. 7 necklaces in ”red coral”. Trophies of polar bears In a private individual’s (Ursus maritimus, Appendix garage. II), American black bears (Ursus americanus, Appendix II), gray wolves (Canis lupus, Appendix II), lynx (Lynx spp., Appendix I or II), American bison (Bison bison), leopards (Panthera pardus, Appendix August 2018 Seville Seizure I), pumas (Puma concolor, Appendix II) and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, Appendix I), worked ivory, 1 a bottle holder in a rhino paw, 1 ashtray made with hippopotamus paw (Hippopotamus amphibius, Appendix II), coral and conchs.

123 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois France TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE A dozen of rhinoceros horns, Destruction of animal parts Museum skins of pythons, zebras, po- seized by ONCFS (Office na- July 4, 2018 of Natural Good news lar bears (Ursus maritimus, tional de la chasse and de History, Paris Appendix II), ivories, turtle la faune sauvage) and by shells, monkey skulls ... customs.

292 worked ivories, 2 saw shark Action by the ONCFS. rostrums (Pristiophoridae Questioning of 32 exhibitors, family), 1 lion skull, 1 sea tur- half of whom professionals, tle shell, teeth of a sperm Yonne on 3 flea markets in the Yonne August 2018 Seizure / Arrest whale (Physeter macroceph- Department sub-divison (Sens, Aillant-Sur- alus, Appendix I) and of hip- Tholon and Mézilles). 31 judi- popotamus (Hippopotamus cial procedures, 54 offences amphibius, Appendix II), 8 jaw and 1 fine. traps.

ITALY - 18 protected birds, 14 Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Appendix II), 4 Tibet owls (Athene noctua, Appendix II), 1 carrion crow (Corvus corone), 1 scops owl Caserte Kept in 2 private homes and (Otus scops, Appendix II), - Early July 2018 and Naples Seizure in one store. Immediate re- 37 birds including European Provinces lease of most birds. goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) and Italian sparrows (Passer italiae), - 20 European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) in 13 wood and iron cages. Raid by Carabinieri in the More than 100 European Ballero market, a trafficking goldfinches (Carduelis cardu- August 5, 2018 Palermo Seizure hotspot. See ”On the Trail” elis) and 4 Sicilian pond tur- n°16 p.36, n°17 p. 39, n°18 tles (Emys trinacris). p.12 & 36, n°20 p.49.

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 124 TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE 1 ball python (Python regius, Appendix II) and 3 Hermann’s September Sold on the Internet. 1 man, Pescara Seizure / Arrest tortoises (Testudo hermanni, 2018 21 years old. Appendix II), in a hut. 6 empty bird cages.

UNITED KINGDOM Stuffed animals looking like Purchased trophies from antiques including a European Poland via specialized web- otter (Lutra lutra, Appendix sites. Unjustified systematic I), a European sparrowhawk datation as ante-1947. (Accipiter nisus, Appendix II), August 2, 2018 Yate Sentence Sold via eBay. Jacek Oleksiak a common buzzard (Buteo (42 years old), from Poland: buteo, Appendix II), an eagle 100 hours of unpaid commu- owl (Bubo bubo, Appendix II), nity service over 12 months a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis, and 220 US$ in fines. Appendix II). For sale, clothes and fashion accessories made of skins (leopard, snow leopard, Timothy Norris, 40 years old, September 20, Croydon Sentence clouded leopard, ocelot, wolf, convicted to 200 hours of un- 2018 and lynx) on eBay. 24 seizures paid community service. (coats, scarves, hats). Clearly recent and unknown origin.

Switzerland 6 kg of wildlife meat: croco- Zurich In the luggage of a September 21, dile (Crocodylidae, Appendix International Seizure Cameroonian, 43 years old. 2018 I or II), pangolin and porcu- Airport From Cameroon via Brussels. pine (Hystricidae family).

Donkeys

The African wild ass Equus africanus is listed under CITES Appendix I. The domesticated form Equus asinus was excluded from this listing. The Indian wild ass Equus hemionus khur and the Mongolian wild ass Equus hemionus hemionus are listed under CITES Appendix I. The kiang Equus kiang and the Asian wild ass Equus hemionus are listed under CITES Appendix II. AFRICA

BOTSWANA TYPE / QUANTITY / DETAILS / DATE PLACE(S) CATEGORY GROUNDS MODUS OPERANDI / VALUE Arrest of Lei Jen, Chinese citizen. Implicated in the death of Had been charged with cru- August 22, Francistown Arrest 500 donkeys near Francis- elty towards animals and the- 2018 town. oretically expelled from Bo- tswana in 2017. See ”On the Trail” n°18 p. 121.

KENYA

End of August 17 donkeys in a truck to the Theft suspected in the Habas- Abakore Seizure 2018 slaughterhouse in Naivasha. wein area.

125 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois n°22

Main Sources

Sources are available on request by email to [email protected] indicating the “On the Trail“ issue number, chapter, country and date of the event.

Robin des Bois especially thanks the Species Survival Network and the NGO Save the Elephants.

Institutions Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux du Gabon (ANPN), Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore, Australian Border Force, Australian Department of the Environment and Energy, Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA - Indonesia), Chinese Customs, CITES, Commission Européenne, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (Australia), Corporación autónoma regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC - Colombia), Customs Administration of the Czech Republic, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR - Philippines), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (Thailand), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence of India, Douanes françaises, Dutch customs, EUROPOL, Gendarmerie Nationale française, German Customs, Government of Botswana, Hong Kong Customs, Hong Kong Government, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore, Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos recursos naturais renováveis (IBAMA), Interpol, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Lusaka Agreement Task Force, Ministère de la Transition écologique et solidaire (France), Ministère des forêts, de la faune et des parcs du Québec, Ministerio del Ambiente Ecuador, Ministry of Environment and Tourism Namibia, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Office Central de Lutte contre les Atteintes à l’Environnement et à la Santé Publique (OCLAESP - France), Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (ONCFS - France), Procuraduria Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA - Mexico), Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (Italia), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB - India), Servicio Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (SERFOR - Perú), South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs, South African Government, South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Police Service (SAPS), Sri Lanka Navy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UK National Wildlife Crime Unit - NWCU, UNESCO, United States Department of Justice, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB - India).

Non Governmental Organizations African Parks Network, Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et l’Environnement au Togo (ANCE Togo), Appui à l’Application des Lois sur la Faune et la Flore au Bénin (AALF-Bénin), Bhejane Trust, Big Life Foundation, Born Free Foundation, Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, Catalogue of Life (Species 2000 ITIS), Centre for Orangutan Protection, Conservation Justice, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (The), EAGLE Network, Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV), Elephant Aware Masai Mara, Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Fondation Franz Weber, Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP-UNEP), Guinée-Application de la Loi Faunique (GALF), Heritage Protection Group, International Animal Rescue (IAR), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Iran’s Environment and Wildlife Watch (IEW), Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, Kepaja Trust, Last Great Ape organization (LAGA), Les Amis des Oiseaux (AAO), Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue, Lilwonge Wildlife Trust, Mara Elephant Project, Moz Parks Foundation, National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), Olarro Conservancy, Olhar Animal, Orangutan Information Centre, Outraged SA Citizens Against Poaching, PAMS Foundation, Pilanesberg National Park & Wildlife Trust, Projet d’appui à l’Application de la Loi sur la Faune sauvage (PALF), Robin des Bois, Save the Elephants, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, Saving The Survivors, Sea Shepherd, Species Survival Network, Stop Illegal Fishing, Tikki Hywood Foundation, Traffic, Twenty Four Lions, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, WildLeaks, Wildlife Alliance, Wildlife At Risk (WAR), Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Direct, Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), Wildlife Trust of India, Zambian Carnivore Program.

Medias 20 minutos, 20minutes, 24h.com.vn, 24heures.ch, A Crítica, A Voz da Cidade, ABC Color, Accidents.co.za, Ada Derana, ADN Sur - Agencia de Noticias, Africa Sustainable Conservation News, African News Agency (ANA), Afrique Review, Agence d’information d’Afrique centrale (ADIAC), Agence de Presse Africaine (APA), Agence France Presse (AFP), Agence Gabonaise de Presse (AGP), Agence Ivoirienne de Presse, Agência Brasil EBC, Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (AIM), Agencia EFE, Agencia Peruana de Noticias (ANDINA), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), Agora Litoral, Agora Notizia, Agrigento Notizie, Ahram Online, Alwihda Info, Anda.jor, Anninhthudo.vn, Apnéa Magazine, Asia News Network, Asia Times, Assam Tribune (The), Associated Press (AP), Astrakhan-24.ru, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Baodongnai.com.vn, Baotainguyenmoitruong.vn, Berita Harian, Berita Satu, Beritagar, Berry Républicain (le), Bien Public (Le), Blu Radio, Borneo Post (The), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Brussels Times (The), Burundi Africa Generation, Business Standard (The), Camer.be, Capital (La), Capital FM, Casteddu Online, Catania News, Cba24n, Cgn.inf.br, Channel News Asia, Chiang Rai Times, China Daily, China News Service, Chronicle, Cidade Verde, Citizen (The), Citizen TV, Ciudadano (El), Clique Diário, Club of Mozambique, Con Nuestro Perú, Congan.com.vn, Correio Braziliense, Correio24h, Correo del Sur, Corriere di Taranto, Corse Net Info, Cultura Colectiva News, Daily Mail, Daily Monitor, Daily News, Daily Sun, Danviet.vn, Deber (El), Deccan Chronicle (The), Deccan Herald, Dépêche (La), Destak Jornal, Dhaka Tribune (The), Diario Cordoba, Diario Correo, (.../...)

On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois 126 Sources - followed Dictamen (El), Dvnovosti.ru, Economist (The), Ecos del Combeima, EcoWatch, Elsalvador.com, eNews Channel Africa (eNCA), Espectador (El), eTurboNews, Europa Press, Evènement Précis (L’), Far North Bulletin, Faro de Vigo, FM (La), Folha do Bico, France 3 Normandie, France Bleu Béarn, Free Malaysia Today, G1 - Portal de Notícias da Globo, Gabon Initiatives, GAZ, Giadinh.net.vn, Giornale di Sicilia, Giunco (il), Global Media Group, Groupe Congo Media, Guardian (The), Guinée Matin, Gulf News, Gxnews, Herald (The), Herald Live, Heta News, Hill (The), Himalayan Times (The), Hindu (The), Hindustan Times, Hoje em dia, Hong Kong Free Press, Horizonte (El), Hoy, HSB noticias, Hurriyet Daily News, Imaz Press Reunion, Indépendant (L’), Independent (The), India Today, India.com, Indian Express (The), Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), Infobae, Infonet, Informanté, interNapoli, IOL, Irish Times, Italia Ambiente, Jakarta Post (The), Jornal Correio da Cidade, Jornal de Angola, Jornal do Commercio, Journal du Cameroun, Journal du Pays Yonnais (Le), Jqknews, Kahawa Tungu, Kathmandu Post (The), Kenya News Agency (KNA), Kenyans.co.ke, Khaleej Times, Khmer Times (The), Koaci, Kompas, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Lao News Agency, Laodong.vn, Pagina (La), Liberal (El), Litoral (El), Liuyangshi.cn, Lowvelder, Lusaka Times, Macao Magazine, Madagascar Tribune, Mail & Guardian (The), Mainichi (The), Mais Patos, Maroc Diplomatique, Marseillaise (La), Mato Grosso Mais, Mer et Marine, Metro TV news, Metrojambi.com, Miami Herald, Mid-Day.com, Midi Libre, Minuto 30, Misiones Online, Mmegi Online, MMO News, Mobserver, Mongabay, Moroka Media, Myanmar Times (The), Namibian (The), Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, Namibian Sun, Nation (The), National (The), Ndtv.com, Nehanda Radio, New Era, New Indian Express (The), News First, News Minute (The), News24, Newsday, NewsMada, New Straits Times, Newsweek, Nguoiduatin.vn, Nongnghiep.vn, North Coast Courier, Northeast Now, Notimex, Nouvelle République (La), Np.fjsen, NTV, Nueva Radio YA (La), Nyasa Times, NZ Herald, O Dia, Observador, Odisha TV, Ofm news, Opinion (La), Orissa Post (The), Ouest France, Outlook India, Página Siete, Palawan News, Palermo Today, Periodico Central, Pha Pluat, Phnom Penh Post (The), Phuket News (The), Posta, Prensa Grafica (La), Press Trust of India (PTI), Prima da Noi, Proceso, Provence (la), Publimetro, Publinews, Pupia, Quadratin Oaxaca, Radio Free Asia, Radio Kankan, Radio Nacional de El Salvador, Radio NZ, Radio Praha, RCN Radio, Region (La), Rekord North, Reportase News, Républicain Lorrain (Le), Resto del Carlino (il), Reuters, Rnews, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, RPP Noticias, RTBF, SA People, Sina, SINDOnews, Síntesis, Só Noticias, Sol de Hidalgo (El), Sol de Mexico Online (El), South China Morning Post, Standard (The), Star (The), Straits Times (The), Strill.it, Studio FM 99.1, Stylo 24, SulPanaro, Sunday Times, Tabasco Hoy, Taiwan News, Tala Manzi Wildsplaas, Taranto Buona sera, Tehran Times, Telangana Today, Telegrafo (El), Telegraph India (The), Tempo, Thaân Nien Online, Tiempo sur, Time, Times Infos, TimesLIVE, Times News Network (TNN), Times of India (The), Times.cd, TNOnline, Torre Sette, Tribunnews.com, TVC News, Tvi24, Uniindia.com, Universal (El), Uno Santa Fe, USA Today, Verdade Online, Vgoroden.ru, Vietnamnet.vn, Vision Guinée, Vistanet, Vivicentro, Voice (The), Voix du Nord (La), Voz (La), Vryheid Herald (The), VTC News, Weekend Argus, Wesud News, Witness (The), World Animal News, World News (The), Wttw, Xinhua, Yonne Républicaine (L’), Zambia Reports, Zambian Watchdog, Zinfos974, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), Zona Norte Vision, Zululand Observer.

reconnue d’utilité publique 28, rue Vineuse - 75116 Paris Tél : 01 45 05 14 60 www.fondationbrigittebardot.fr

127 On the Trail #22. Robin des Bois