There are many forms of wildlife trafficking, consisting of illegal smuggling, poaching and capture of endangered wildlife. This includes various animals and plants that are subject to be protected by regulations and laws.
One of the main drives of illegal wildlife trafficking is the increasing human population. People in numerous countries are accustomed to lifestyles that fuel demand for wildlife. Products that are common in demand are leather goods, timbers, medicinal ingredients and textiles. Individuals under extreme poverty also perceive wildlife as an economic opportunity as a valuable barter for trade.
This demand mentioned above leads to illegal wildlife trafficking. Rhino horn, elephant ivory and tiger products that yield high prices amongst the market leads to poaching. For example, Vietnam values rhino horn as it is believed to be able to cure cancer. This results in an exponential growth in rhino poaching in South Africa and growth in its monetary value.
Rhino horn hacked off by poacher (Photo: Michel Gunther/WWF)
One case study done by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime investigated the international illegal trade in Asian big cat skins. This includes tigers, leopards, and snow leopards which are poached for their skin and used as home decor, clothing and other non-financial bribes. Primary trade hubs are domestic and international posts to transport the skin.
An investigator examines leopard skin in Nagchu, TAR, PRC, in August 2005 (Photo: UN Drugs and Crime)
Most tiger and leopard skins sourced from India and Nepal are traded across the Tibetan plateau and western China. Ancient trade routes as well as black-market areas are used to transport trucks with skin. These smugglers often have connections to government officials in border areas and retail end. One tiger skin trader reported that he has sources in the local Forestry Bureau that alerts him in advance of market inspections of raids.
Diffuse markets and porous borders make it difficult for law enforcement to police wildlife trafficking. India, Nepal and China are considered the most influential members of the trade chain because appropriate intelligence evidence was drawn. Sources of intelligence consist of signatures on the back of skins, evidence from diaries and phone records, hotel and vehicle registration information etc. The United Nations states that despite existing mechanisms such as Interpol, CITES and World Customs Organisation (WCO) are under operation, often a basic report of isolated seizures are reported. There are rare occurrences of international joint enforcement initiatives that were put in action to conduct joint seizures of wildlife trafficking. There are vast networks known to be responsible for trafficking of tiger and leopard products that lack further investigations and retrospective analysis.
Wildlife trade will continue to be a recurring practice due to the growth in human demand. It is important to recognise this growing issue and enforce legislation that regulates illegal activities.
Work Cited
Davies, C., Gosling, J., Newman, J., Rice, M., Wadley, J. and Walravens, F. (2008). ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME. [online] Available at: http://www.unodc.org/documents/NGO/EIA_Ecocrime_report_0908_final_draft_low.pdf.
Uma Sachidhanandam (2022). Commentary: Singapore’s S$1.2m rhino horn seizure another reminder of need to combat wildlife trafficking. CNA. Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/rhino-horn-poaching-wildlife-trafficking-passenger-changi-baggage-3105376.
wildlifetrade.wcs.org. (n.d.). What is wildlife trafficking? [online] Available at: https://wildlifetrade.wcs.org/Wildlife-Trade/What-is-wildlife-trafficking.aspx.
WWF (2022). Illegal wildlife trade. [online] World Wildlife Fund. Available at: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/illegal-wildlife-trade.
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