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National eagle and wildlife property repository

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National eagle and wildlife property repository

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Namanya adalah National Eagle and Wildlife Property Repository , namun Anda mungkin menganggapnya sebagai “museum internasional perdagangan satwa liar”—sebuah bukti suram akan bisnis penyembelihan demi keuntungan.

Di dalam area seluas 16.000 kaki persegi (1.486 meter persegi) terdapat 1,5 juta spesimen, sebagian besar merupakan produk yang terbuat dari beberapa mamalia dan reptil yang paling terancam punah di dunia—harimau, badak, penyu, buaya, gajah. Deretan rak logam menampung segala sesuatu mulai dari patung gading yang dibuat dengan rumit hingga sepatu bot kulit kobra dalam ukuran anak-anak. Seluruh deretan rak sepanjang 50 kaki dan tinggi 10 kaki didedikasikan untuk kulit dan kepala kucing besar—cheetah, harimau, jaguar, margay, ocelot, macan tutul.

Tidak ada tempat lain yang seperti ini di negara ini, dan mungkin tidak ada tempat lain yang menandingi skalanya di dunia. Sebagai pengakuan atas munculnya ancaman yang ditimbulkan oleh penyelundup satwa liar, Dinas Perikanan dan Margasatwa telah menempatkan agennya di lima negara di luar negeri, tiga di Afrika. “Jumlah perburuan liar sangat besar,” kata Oberholtzer, “hal ini menimbulkan dampak yang mengganggu stabilitas di seluruh wilayah.”

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Summary+

International wildlife trafficking has become a low-risk, high-return illegal trade. China is a top demand country for wildlife products, and the current level of demand is both detrimental and unsustainable. Demand for wildlife in traditional Chinese medicine and as status symbols and investments, high profitability for supplying parties, complex and corrupt trafficking structures, and ineffective government policies and enforcement all contribute to the problem of wildlife trafficking. In addition to biodiversity loss, illegal wildlife trafficking provides funding for militant groups and introduces zoonotic diseases. One way to reduce demand is through targeted consumer campaigns that educate the public on problems associated with illegal wildlife trade and inspire change.

Key Takeaways+

China is widely recognized as one of the world's largest markets for trafficked wildlife products. China's demand is largely driven by a desire for wildlife in traditional Chinese medicine and as status symbols and investments.

The trafficking chain of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a complex structure that often includes many key players in high places to help facilitate continued trade. Corruption is involved in every stage.

Wildlife trade is the second-biggest direct threat to species survival after habitat destruction and has contributed to a 68% decline in populations of species on earth from 1970 to 2016.

IWT is used, in part, to finance conflict and contribute to instability as militant groups use profits from IWT to fund activities.

Poaching and wildlife trafficking pose serious threats to public health, as IWT is a gateway for the introduction of zoonotic pathogens, which can potentially cause global pandemics.

Key Terms+

CITES-Wildlife trade is regulated through the UN Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) to which 183 countries are signatories, and Delegates deliberate on issues that have a major influence on the fate of many species impacted by trade. ¹

Wet market-A wet market is a market that sells perishable foods such as meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Wet markets can be found around the world but are especially common in China and Southeast Asia. ²

Wildlife Protection Law (WPL)-A law in force since 1989 of the People's Republic of China. It is the country's most important piece of legislation covering wildlife conservation and trade. ³

Zoonotic disease-An infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or humans to animals). ⁴

Wildlife trade-The practice of exchanging or selling wild animals or plant resources. It can involve live animals and plants or all kinds of wild animal and plant products. Wildlife trade is easiest to track when it is from one country to another because the goods must be checked, and often recorded, at customs checkpoints. ⁵

INTERPOL-The International Criminal Police Organization, commonly known as INTERPOL, is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control. ⁶

Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)-One of central Africa's cruelest and most enduring armed groups over the past 30 years. Led by Joseph Kony, the LRA has abducted over 67,000 youth, including 30,000 children, for use as child soldiers, sex slaves, and porters. ⁷

Bushmeat-Bushmeat accounts for all wild animals hunted for food, especially in Africa. ⁸

Wildlife trade is any sale or exchange of wild animal and plant resources by people. ⁹ A wild animal or plant is defined as an organism free from human interference and only dependent on a relationship with the natural environment. ¹⁰ Accordingly, illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is any unlawful sale or exchange of these same organisms. The IWT is the fourth most lucrative transnational crime industry, following illegal drug, human, and arms trafficking. ¹¹ As of 2017, the World Economic Forum estimated that the trade in illegal wildlife products was valued at $23 billion. ¹² Legally and illegally purchased wildlife and wildlife products may be used for food, medicine, pets, construction, home decor, investments, as ornamental plants, and more. Those involved in illegal wildlife trade do so both intentionally and unintentionally. Consumer demographic varies depending on the wildlife product, and buyers are not restricted to a certain age group or sex. In general, consumers are of higher socioeconomic status, though each wildlife product has more specific consumer profiles.

Not all wildlife trade is harmful, and the vast majority of people do not support IWT. ¹³ When exchanged legally, responsibly, and sustainably, wildlife trade provides countless benefits to society. Considering the World Economic Forum found that over half of the world's GDP is highly- or moderately-dependent on nature, ¹⁴ sustainable wildlife consumption forms the basis of many human activities and ways of life. However, a 2020 report warned that even trade currently considered legal may become unsustainable in the future if not carefully regulated. ¹⁵

Wildlife trade is driven by the end-consumer, who has a need or desire for wildlife products or wildlife itself. Additionally, social factors such as pressure from family and friends and trying to improve or maintain social reputation can contribute to demand. Consumers may also be motivated by pleasure, novelty, curiosity, and spiritual needs such as performing religious rituals or enhancing spiritual well-being. ¹⁶

While exact data is unavailable due to the illicit nature of illegal wildlife trafficking, China is widely recognized as one of the world's largest markets for trafficked wildlife products. ¹⁷ To cite an example, about 71% of seizures of whole pangolin equivalents recorded in World WISE from 2007 to 2018, where the destination was known, were destined for China. ¹⁸ Wildlife consumption in China varies dramatically across different parts of the country. A 2014 study found that in Guangzhou, 83% of people interviewed had eaten wildlife in the previous year, compared to 14% in Shanghai, and just 5% in Beijing. ¹⁹ Though China is a top demand country, many Chinese citizens do not support IWT, particularly the consumption of wild animals. According to a 2020 online survey performed soon after the COVID-19 pandemic drew worldwide attention to China, 96.6% of Chinese citizens are against eating wild animals, and 78.9% are against using wildlife products including fur and bones. ²⁰

In order to prevent and mitigate the consequences of trading wildlife irresponsibly, wildlife trade is regulated through the UN Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species ( CITES). ²¹ CITES was enacted in 1975 and 183 countries are signatories. ²² Over 38,700 species-roughly 5,950 species of animals and 32,800 species of plants-are protected by CITES against over-exploitation. ²³ Under CITES, species are listed under Appendices I, II, III, or non-CITES, and accordingly afforded different levels or types of protection.

Though seemingly simple, the definition of "illegal" with regard to wildlife trade can be fluid. Due to variations in the definition, individual countries create and enforce different laws. Although CITES works globally to regulate wildlife trade, activities are seldom universally illegal. ²⁴ Thus, trade of a product may be legal within certain countries but not across international borders. Definitions of legality also vary in scale and type, from local bylaws, to national laws, to international treaties. Legal violations may similarly vary in nature and severity, from activity that is banned outright, to activity that is acceptable if certain norms and standards are met. ²⁵

Illegal wildlife products are concealed in a variety of ways when transported into consumer countries. For instance, false or invalid CITES permits are presented when passing through customs, or CITES-listed specimens are concealed among similar-looking non-CITES species. Customs officials have discovered live birds, eggs, and reptiles hidden inside ceramic garden gnomes, hollow books, computer hardware, a prosthetic leg, passengers' clothing, and food products-to name a few examples. ²⁶

Contributing Factors

High Consumer Demand

Demand for Wildlife in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a major contributing factor of wildlife trade around the world, both legal and illegal. Over 5,000 years old, TCM forms the foundation of the Chinese approach to health and vitality. ²⁷ TCM practitioners use wildlife products, among other methods, to address health problems. ²⁸ Some choose TCM as a lower-cost alternative to Western medicine when addressing mild illnesses, when modern medicine fails, or when they desire supplements to other treatments. It is also used regularly to prevent illness. ²⁹ To illustrate the size of TCM in China, in 2010, the output value of TCM was $43.7 billion. This figure is expected to grow to $114.1 billion by 2025. ³⁰

Examples of wildlife products used in TCM include bat skeletons used to treat kidney stones; tiger bone used to treat rheumatism; bear bile used to treat liver disease and gallstones; pangolins used for asthma and skin disorders; ³¹ and rhino horn as a cardiotonic and antipyretic. ³² According to a 2017 synthesis of 17 different consumer studies, 70% of surveyed Chinese citizens believed that the pangolin had medicinal value and 14% confessed that they consumed medicine containing pangolin. Similarly, 48% of rhino horn consumers were driven by medicinal beliefs. ³³ A conservation group identified the traditional Chinese medicine industry as accounting for more than three-quarters of the trade in endangered wildlife products in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2019. ³⁴ A study in 2008 also found that 43% of respondents had consumed some product alleged to contain tiger parts, and 88% knew it is illegal to buy or sell tiger products. ³⁵ Though most surveyed admitted they agreed it was important to protect wild tigers, this did not stop them from consuming, in large part due to the belief that TCM is more effective than other types of medicine. ³⁶

Despite the lack of scientific support and evidence for the effectiveness of TCM, and the fact many traditional Asian medicine practitioners condemn the use of tiger and other endangered species in the practice, TCM practices that use CITES protected species continue to be used. ³⁷ According to the China Health Statistics Yearbook, 32.3% of recorded visits to medical practitioners in 2017 were to TCM practitioners. ³⁸

The demand for wildlife products in medicine is not only spurred by consumers but at times supported by the Chinese government. The Chinese government has in some cases issued permits for medicine companies to legally use endangered and CITES protected animal products. ³⁹ The recent inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine in World Health Organization guidelines, its status as a growing cultural export, and its hope for treating the COVID-19 virus and potential future viruses all suggest that instead of decreasing, demand for wildlife in TCM will become more prevalent in China and worldwide. ⁴⁰

Demand for Wildlife as Status Symbols and Investments

The use of wildlife products as status symbols and as investments is one of the primary drivers behind the demand for wildlife trade in China. Known as conspicuous consumption, consumers inside and outside of China buy and sell high-value animal products such as ivory, rhino horn, tiger parts, and rosewood as a status symbol to display wealth and elite status. ⁴¹ Worth more gram-for-gram than gold and diamonds, ⁴² rhino horn can reach prices of $60,000 per kilogram and is used to boast wealth to friends, family, and business associates. ⁴³ Similarly, as of 2013, smuggled ivory was worth $1,800 per kilogram, $18,000 per elephant, wholesale. ⁴⁴ The retail price of carved ivory now runs about $6,000 per kilogram. In addition to their value as personal assets, wildlife products are also valued for gift-giving or bribes. ⁴⁵ Purchasing high-value illegal wildlife products to exhibit wealth is a leading driver that fuels demand for IWT.

Beyond their value as status symbols, the most endangered resources in China-ivory, rhino horn, and tiger parts-are not only bought to be used at the time of purchase but also bought for their potential to appreciate in value. Low-investment returns on savings accounts and some real estate markets have led savers to expand into artwork and carvings, including ivory carvings. Stocks of ivory and rhino horn are traded like speculative commodities and their values rise and fall based on financial events. ⁴⁶ Given the wholesale price of ivory tripled between 2006 and 2011, Chinese ivory sellers frequently describe products as a reliable store of value despite inflation. ⁴⁷

Seen as a low-risk, high-return activity, IWT attracts many sellers eager to quickly earn high profits. The large potential rewards draw actors from virtually every country and social class. Depending on the role they fill, poachers can earn between $500 to $20,000 for one rhino horn. ⁴⁸ Interviewed poachers indicate economic factors are the primary reasons they participate in the rhino horn trade. ⁴⁹ Lucrative profits for traders provides a strong incentive for more people to join the trade, including people who are bribed into participation.The EIA reported that bribes can make up 4% to 10% of the final sales value of ivory in Asia. The overall bribes paid in one case amounted to $90,000-$210,000. In 2012, along the Vietnam-China border, there was an estimated $18,000 to $30,000 a day given to border officials to allow ivory to cross borders illicitly. ⁵⁰ Large, quick profits attract and retain actors involved in IWT along every stage, from poaching to final destination distribution.

Given the large potential rewards and illicit nature of IWT, corruption is understandably also a critical enabler of IWT, which involves public and private sector abuse of power and trust. ⁵¹ The trafficking chain of IWT is a complex structure that often includes many key players in high places to help facilitate continued trade. Across a trafficking chain there may be more than 15 people involved. ⁵² Some traffickers are wealthy and have political connections that facilitate the poaching and illegal trade. Those connections often include foreign development workers-individuals uniquely positioned to support trafficking given their connections in countries where high-value species are found, their access to remote areas, and their political clout to evade border controls. ⁵³

Corruption is involved in every stage of the IWT process. Beginning with poaching, examples of corruption include rangers poaching, stealing seized ivory, and purposefully under-reporting poaching to avoid investigations. ⁵⁴ During transportation, bribes may be given to avoid inspection, and live animal containers may be fraudulently labeled. ⁵⁵ During the processing and selling stages, ID cards and permits may falsify that the ivory is imitation, the dates may be changed back to pre-ban dates, ivory may be painted as wood, and products may be sold at unregulated markets. ⁵⁶ Along the whole chain, as wildlife trade is regulated by licenses, permits, certifications, and other forms of documentation, these documents can be forged, changed, and even bought from corrupt officials. ⁵⁷

Intentional and unintentional harmful government policies provide poachers and those involved in IWT continued access and income. As a top consumer market for wildlife products, China's official policies regarding IWT are of critical importance.

China's current Wildlife Protection Law (WPL) is one of the country's laws established to protect wildlife. However, the WPL is insufficient in its scope. The October 2020 revision still allows for trade of certain endangered species with respect to "scientific research, captive breeding, public exhibition or performances, heritage conservation or other special purposes." ⁵⁸ In addition, the law still allows commercial trade in the parts of products of captive-bred species, even species subject to the highest levels of protection such as pangolins and leopards. ⁵⁹ These exemptions provide a legal pathway for exploitation of already endangered species. ⁶⁰

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the conversation on biodiversity and public health problems to worldwide attention and prompted China to accelerate the pace of wildlife protection. Though China has taken impressive action, much remains to be done. In January 2020 when it came to light that the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan likely originated in a wet market, the government ordered a freeze on the sale and consumption of wild terrestrial animals, which was immediately enforced. In the first two weeks of February, 700 people were arrested, ⁶¹ and China shut down some wildlife markets and some of its 20,000 wildlife farms-an industry worth around $18 billion annually that employed 6.3 million people. ⁶² On February 24, 2020, the government initiated a permanent ban on the trade and consumption of wild terrestrial animals. The new ban does not include aquatic species, nor does it affect other uses of wildlife, such as medicine, clothing, decorations, or pet trade. ⁶³ This ban and other recent legislative changes suggest a positive direction for the future of IWT in China, though there is still a long journey ahead. Given the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and these changes are recent, there is not yet accurate data on how IWT has changed in the last year, though it undoubtedly has.

In addition to ineffective government policies, a lack of government enforcement contributes to demand for wildlife. For example, despite a ban on commercial trade of rhinos and most tigers in 1975 by CITES, for decades China permitted domestic sales of products made from these animals. In 1993, US president Bill Clinton threatened China under a law called the Pelly Amendment with sanctions for undermining the CITES treaty. In response, China banned rhino horn and tiger bone, and poaching declined. Similarly, a perceived lack of government enforcement enables IWT in China. In general, as of 2016, users consider the risk of getting caught average to low. As a specific example, over 70% of surveyed rhino horn consumers knew purchasing rhino horn was illegal but perceived the risk of getting caught as low and were not deterred from purchasing based on government policies. ⁶⁴ Traffickers also have low chances of getting caught; usually the only individuals caught are the poachers on the ground, leaving the individuals behind the operation and their lucrative network safe and operational. ⁶⁵ For IWT in general, it is estimated that only 10% of those involved get caught and only 4% are convicted. ⁶⁶ Whether intentional or not, past policies as well as perceived and real lack of enforcement have contributed to the current IWT problem.

It is worth noting that only a minority of Chinese citizens support commercial use of threatened species. Many groups including Chinese academics, NGOs, medical experts, and members of the National People's Congress have long argued for greater wildlife protection. Government policies however have not kept up, due in part to wealthy lobbyists and commercial interests. ⁶⁷

Although this brief focuses on IWT in China, due to the global nature of IWT, the following consequences extend far beyond China. As a primary demand country, China drives consequences felt in supply countries and worldwide.

Wildlife trade (illegal and legal) leads to overexploitation of wildlife and increases the risk of species extinction. To illustrate the current state of species extinction, populations of species on earth declined by an average 68% between 1970 and 2016. ⁶⁸ According to scientists, this rate of loss would have taken thousands of years without human interference. ⁶⁹ Wildlife trade is the second-biggest direct threat to species survival after habitat destruction. ⁷⁰ As evidence that IWT contributes to this loss, a recent study found that 958 species listed as "at risk" are in danger of extinction because they are being traded across international boundaries. ⁷¹ Concerning the effect of TCM in particular on species loss, as of 1995, it was estimated that if only 0.1% of China's population used tiger bone products like those used in TCM, tigers would disappear within one year. ⁷² With the an increase of 200 million in the Chinese population since 1995 ⁷³ and the tiger population being roughly the same, ⁷⁴ it can be inferred that today it would take an even smaller portion of China's population using tiger bone to eliminate tigers.

As CITES-protected species are listed in the various apendices because they are already threatened with survival, IWT exacerbates an already existent problem because it directly causes overexploitation of endangered wildlife. Certain species have been particularly affected by IWT in recent decades, including pangolins, tigers, rhinos, sharks, and elephants. The pangolin is the most heavily trafficked wild mammal on the planet, as over 1 million pangolins have been killed and illegally traded in the past 10 years. Tiger numbers have decreased 96% from an estimated 100,000 individuals a century ago to less than 4,000 today. ⁷⁵ From 2007 to 2014, the number of rhinos poached in South Africa grew 9000%, with over 7,000 rhinos poached in this time. ⁷⁶ This hunting has also depleted some shark populations by as much as 90%. ⁷⁷ It is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins for shark fin soup. ⁷⁸ The population of African forest elephants fell by more than 86% over the last 31 years, and the number of African savanna elephants decreased by at least 60% over the last 50 years. ⁷⁹

IWT is used, in part, to finance conflict and contribute to instability in countries that are already suffering as militant groups use profits from IWT to fund their activities. Demand from China is influential in upholding the current poaching and trafficking system. INTERPOL has acknowledged the involvement of organized crime syndicates in the ivory trade, and conservation experts believe about 70% of global ivory demand comes from China. ⁸⁰ US officials have cited credible reports of the infamous Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Janjaweed Arab militia of Sudan being involved in both poaching and trafficking. ⁸¹ There is also substantial evidence that incriminates other genocidal militias and terror groups as well, such as the Somali Al Shabaab and Sudan's Janjaweed and Abu Tira organizations. Militant and terrorist groups derive a multitude of benefits from their profits while poaching and trafficking wildlife, including that they can hire more combatants, pay them better salaries, and equip them with better weapons. ⁸² Militant and terrorist groups would not disappear without IWT because such groups fund themselves through several avenues, but IWT is a particularly attractive funding option due to the high profits and low risk of prosecution. ⁸³

It is important to mention that most poachers are not terrorists, and most militants and terrorists are not poachers. The intersection of militancy with wildlife trafficking is only a fraction of the global wildlife trade. ⁸⁴ Nonetheless, IWT provides funding for militants and terrorists to continually devastate communities and ecosystems they are near.

Poaching and wildlife trafficking pose serious threats to public health, as IWT is a gateway for the introduction of zoonotic pathogens, which can potentially cause global pandemics. ⁸⁵ Nearly 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are of animal origin, the majority of which originate in wildlife. ⁸⁶ Viral disease outbreaks initiated by wildlife trade include Ebola virus, HIV-1, monkeypox virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19. ⁸⁷ Zoonotic diseases could be vector-borne, food-borne, or water-borne, or are transmitted from animals to humans through direct or indirect contact with animals and animal products. Pathogens can be passed to humans through arthropod vectors (such as ticks, fleas, mites, mosquitos, and lice) or by ingesting contaminated food and water that contain bacteria or protozoa. ⁸⁸ Direct contact would include coming into contact with saliva, blood, urine, mucous, feces, or other body fluids of an infected animal. Petting animals or receiving bites and scratches are examples of direct contact. ⁸⁹ Indirect contact includes being in areas where animals live and roam or touching objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with germs. Examples of indirect contact include aquarium tank water and barns. ⁹⁰

Wet markets (one location where IWT takes place) host unsanitary conditions, where a mix of bodily fluids and both alive and dead animals in close proximity create a fertile setting for viral transmission. ⁹¹ The 2019 coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, thought to arise from wild bats sold in a wet market, recently highlighted the public health risks of China's IWT. ⁹² Another example is the 2003 SARS pandemic. SARS was also traced back to Chinese wet markets, where the virus jumped from bats, the reservoir host, to humans. ⁹³ Zoonotic diseases that lead to global pandemics can have disastrous impact, including loss of life and economic recession. ⁹⁴

While IWT is not the sole cause of zoonotic diseases, it is a contributor as illegally traded wildlife evades the veterinary checks and sanitary safety standard inspections that legally traded wildlife undergo. Thus the risk of zoonotic disease transmission is higher for IWT. ⁹⁵

Though the prospect of eliminating IWT altogether seems remote, a range of mitigation measures from both the supply and demand sides work together to reduce trade to more sustainable levels. As China is a leader in demand for IWT, reducing demand in China through targeted consumer campaigns is critical to solving the problem. Demand reduction campaigns are defined as "outreach interventions to get people to voluntarily change their current or potential behavior as consumers of wildlife products or their derivatives." ⁹⁶

WildAid is one environmental organization based in San Francisco, California that focuses on demand reduction through consumer campaigns. Founded in 2000, WildAid's motto is, "When the buying stops, the killing can too." ⁹⁷ WildAid believes the root of the IWT problem is in public perception and the economic forces behind the trade. Using the same techniques as top advertisers, including high-profile spokespeople, massive billboards, and media campaigns, WildAid creates high-impact content to influence public awareness and perception of IWT. ⁹⁸ WildAid produces 30-second TV PSAs, mini-documentaries, video infographics, billboards, and print ads for distribution on platforms including TV broadcast networks, LCD screens in airports, subway and train stations, taxis, and social media. In 2013, WildAid reported their PSAs reached around 1 billion viewers on TV, around 700 million train passengers, and 400 million air travelers. ⁹⁹

More than 100 well-known ambassadors are currently working with WildAid to deliver campaigns that reach hundreds of millions of people each year. WildAid ambassadors include Yao Ming, HRH Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jackie Chan, and David Beckham. In addition, WildAid works with governments and partners to protect fragile marine reserves from illegal fishing and shark finning, to enhance public and political will for anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce climate change impacts.

In 2020, for the ninth consecutive year, WildAid received Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating, which is reserved for the most accountable, transparent, and financially healthy nonprofits rated. ¹⁰⁰ WildAid reported more than 17 million views of their 2017 PSA with pop star Jay Chou warning of the potential health risks of consuming pangolin meat. As with the majority of interventions, it is difficult to infer the impact WildAid directly has on reducing consumer demand, as many factors play into demand; however, 97% of surveyed Chinese citizens said that the 2017 PSA made them less likely to buy pangolin products. ¹⁰¹ Additionally, in 2019 WildAid reported shark fin prices in China had fallen by almost 80% since 2014 due to lower demand. ¹⁰²

Preferred Citation: Anna McConkie. "Illegal Wildlife Trade in China." Ballard Brief. October 2021. www.ballardbrief.org.
Viewpoints published by Ballard Brief are not necessarily endorsed by BYU or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Anna McConkie

Anna is an experience design and management major with minors in Chinese and non-profit management. Although Anna has always been passionate about environmental sustainability and animal welfare, she was introduced to China's role in the illegal wildlife trade while learning Chinese as a volunteer in Australia. Anna hopes to use business strategy and human-centered design principles to innovate for social issues worldwide.

Summary+

International wildlife trafficking has become a low-risk, high-return illegal trade. China is a top demand country for wildlife products, and the current level of demand is both detrimental and unsustainable. Demand for wildlife in traditional Chinese medicine and as status symbols and investments, high profitability for supplying parties, complex and corrupt trafficking structures, and ineffective government policies and enforcement all contribute to the problem of wildlife trafficking. In addition to biodiversity loss, illegal wildlife trafficking provides funding for militant groups and introduces zoonotic diseases. One way to reduce demand is through targeted consumer campaigns that educate the public on problems associated with illegal wildlife trade and inspire change.

Key Takeaways+

China is widely recognized as one of the world's largest markets for trafficked wildlife products. China's demand is largely driven by a desire for wildlife in traditional Chinese medicine and as status symbols and investments.

The trafficking chain of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a complex structure that often includes many key players in high places to help facilitate continued trade. Corruption is involved in every stage.

Wildlife trade is the second-biggest direct threat to species survival after habitat destruction and has contributed to a 68% decline in populations of species on earth from 1970 to 2016.

IWT is used, in part, to finance conflict and contribute to instability as militant groups use profits from IWT to fund activities.

Poaching and wildlife trafficking pose serious threats to public health, as IWT is a gateway for the introduction of zoonotic pathogens, which can potentially cause global pandemics.

Key Terms+

CITES-Wildlife trade is regulated through the UN Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) to which 183 countries are signatories, and Delegates deliberate on issues that have a major influence on the fate of many species impacted by trade. ¹

Wet market-A wet market is a market that sells perishable foods such as meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Wet markets can be found around the world but are especially common in China and Southeast Asia. ²

Wildlife Protection Law (WPL)-A law in force since 1989 of the People's Republic of China. It is the country's most important piece of legislation covering wildlife conservation and trade. ³

Zoonotic disease-An infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or humans to animals). ⁴

Wildlife trade-The practice of exchanging or selling wild animals or plant resources. It can involve live animals and plants or all kinds of wild animal and plant products. Wildlife trade is easiest to track when it is from one country to another because the goods must be checked, and often recorded, at customs checkpoints. ⁵

INTERPOL-The International Criminal Police Organization, commonly known as INTERPOL, is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control. ⁶

Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)-One of central Africa's cruelest and most enduring armed groups over the past 30 years. Led by Joseph Kony, the LRA has abducted over 67,000 youth, including 30,000 children, for use as child soldiers, sex slaves, and porters. ⁷

Bushmeat-Bushmeat accounts for all wild animals hunted for food, especially in Africa. ⁸

Wildlife trade is any sale or exchange of wild animal and plant resources by people. ⁹ A wild animal or plant is defined as an organism free from human interference and only dependent on a relationship with the natural environment. ¹⁰ Accordingly, illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is any unlawful sale or exchange of these same organisms. The IWT is the fourth most lucrative transnational crime industry, following illegal drug, human, and arms trafficking. ¹¹ As of 2017, the World Economic Forum estimated that the trade in illegal wildlife products was valued at $23 billion. ¹² Legally and illegally purchased wildlife and wildlife products may be used for food, medicine, pets, construction, home decor, investments, as ornamental plants, and more. Those involved in illegal wildlife trade do so both intentionally and unintentionally. Consumer demographic varies depending on the wildlife product, and buyers are not restricted to a certain age group or sex. In general, consumers are of higher socioeconomic status, though each wildlife product has more specific consumer profiles.

Not all wildlife trade is harmful, and the vast majority of people do not support IWT. ¹³ When exchanged legally, responsibly, and sustainably, wildlife trade provides countless benefits to society. Considering the World Economic Forum found that over half of the world's GDP is highly- or moderately-dependent on nature, ¹⁴ sustainable wildlife consumption forms the basis of many human activities and ways of life. However, a 2020 report warned that even trade currently considered legal may become unsustainable in the future if not carefully regulated. ¹⁵

Wildlife trade is driven by the end-consumer, who has a need or desire for wildlife products or wildlife itself. Additionally, social factors such as pressure from family and friends and trying to improve or maintain social reputation can contribute to demand. Consumers may also be motivated by pleasure, novelty, curiosity, and spiritual needs such as performing religious rituals or enhancing spiritual well-being. ¹⁶

While exact data is unavailable due to the illicit nature of illegal wildlife trafficking, China is widely recognized as one of the world's largest markets for trafficked wildlife products. ¹⁷ To cite an example, about 71% of seizures of whole pangolin equivalents recorded in World WISE from 2007 to 2018, where the destination was known, were destined for China. ¹⁸ Wildlife consumption in China varies dramatically across different parts of the country. A 2014 study found that in Guangzhou, 83% of people interviewed had eaten wildlife in the previous year, compared to 14% in Shanghai, and just 5% in Beijing. ¹⁹ Though China is a top demand country, many Chinese citizens do not support IWT, particularly the consumption of wild animals. According to a 2020 online survey performed soon after the COVID-19 pandemic drew worldwide attention to China, 96.6% of Chinese citizens are against eating wild animals, and 78.9% are against using wildlife products including fur and bones. ²⁰

In order to prevent and mitigate the consequences of trading wildlife irresponsibly, wildlife trade is regulated through the UN Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species ( CITES). ²¹ CITES was enacted in 1975 and 183 countries are signatories. ²² Over 38,700 species-roughly 5,950 species of animals and 32,800 species of plants-are protected by CITES against over-exploitation. ²³ Under CITES, species are listed under Appendices I, II, III, or non-CITES, and accordingly afforded different levels or types of protection.

Though seemingly simple, the definition of "illegal" with regard to wildlife trade can be fluid. Due to variations in the definition, individual countries create and enforce different laws. Although CITES works globally to regulate wildlife trade, activities are seldom universally illegal. ²⁴ Thus, trade of a product may be legal within certain countries but not across international borders. Definitions of legality also vary in scale and type, from local bylaws, to national laws, to international treaties. Legal violations may similarly vary in nature and severity, from activity that is banned outright, to activity that is acceptable if certain norms and standards are met. ²⁵

Illegal wildlife products are concealed in a variety of ways when transported into consumer countries. For instance, false or invalid CITES permits are presented when passing through customs, or CITES-listed specimens are concealed among similar-looking non-CITES species. Customs officials have discovered live birds, eggs, and reptiles hidden inside ceramic garden gnomes, hollow books, computer hardware, a prosthetic leg, passengers' clothing, and food products-to name a few examples. ²⁶

Contributing Factors

High Consumer Demand

Demand for Wildlife in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a major contributing factor of wildlife trade around the world, both legal and illegal. Over 5,000 years old, TCM forms the foundation of the Chinese approach to health and vitality. ²⁷ TCM practitioners use wildlife products, among other methods, to address health problems. ²⁸ Some choose TCM as a lower-cost alternative to Western medicine when addressing mild illnesses, when modern medicine fails, or when they desire supplements to other treatments. It is also used regularly to prevent illness. ²⁹ To illustrate the size of TCM in China, in 2010, the output value of TCM was $43.7 billion. This figure is expected to grow to $114.1 billion by 2025. ³⁰

Examples of wildlife products used in TCM include bat skeletons used to treat kidney stones; tiger bone used to treat rheumatism; bear bile used to treat liver disease and gallstones; pangolins used for asthma and skin disorders; ³¹ and rhino horn as a cardiotonic and antipyretic. ³² According to a 2017 synthesis of 17 different consumer studies, 70% of surveyed Chinese citizens believed that the pangolin had medicinal value and 14% confessed that they consumed medicine containing pangolin. Similarly, 48% of rhino horn consumers were driven by medicinal beliefs. ³³ A conservation group identified the traditional Chinese medicine industry as accounting for more than three-quarters of the trade in endangered wildlife products in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2019. ³⁴ A study in 2008 also found that 43% of respondents had consumed some product alleged to contain tiger parts, and 88% knew it is illegal to buy or sell tiger products. ³⁵ Though most surveyed admitted they agreed it was important to protect wild tigers, this did not stop them from consuming, in large part due to the belief that TCM is more effective than other types of medicine. ³⁶

Despite the lack of scientific support and evidence for the effectiveness of TCM, and the fact many traditional Asian medicine practitioners condemn the use of tiger and other endangered species in the practice, TCM practices that use CITES protected species continue to be used. ³⁷ According to the China Health Statistics Yearbook, 32.3% of recorded visits to medical practitioners in 2017 were to TCM practitioners. ³⁸

The demand for wildlife products in medicine is not only spurred by consumers but at times supported by the Chinese government. The Chinese government has in some cases issued permits for medicine companies to legally use endangered and CITES protected animal products. ³⁹ The recent inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine in World Health Organization guidelines, its status as a growing cultural export, and its hope for treating the COVID-19 virus and potential future viruses all suggest that instead of decreasing, demand for wildlife in TCM will become more prevalent in China and worldwide. ⁴⁰

Demand for Wildlife as Status Symbols and Investments

The use of wildlife products as status symbols and as investments is one of the primary drivers behind the demand for wildlife trade in China. Known as conspicuous consumption, consumers inside and outside of China buy and sell high-value animal products such as ivory, rhino horn, tiger parts, and rosewood as a status symbol to display wealth and elite status. ⁴¹ Worth more gram-for-gram than gold and diamonds, ⁴² rhino horn can reach prices of $60,000 per kilogram and is used to boast wealth to friends, family, and business associates. ⁴³ Similarly, as of 2013, smuggled ivory was worth $1,800 per kilogram, $18,000 per elephant, wholesale. ⁴⁴ The retail price of carved ivory now runs about $6,000 per kilogram. In addition to their value as personal assets, wildlife products are also valued for gift-giving or bribes. ⁴⁵ Purchasing high-value illegal wildlife products to exhibit wealth is a leading driver that fuels demand for IWT.

Beyond their value as status symbols, the most endangered resources in China-ivory, rhino horn, and tiger parts-are not only bought to be used at the time of purchase but also bought for their potential to appreciate in value. Low-investment returns on savings accounts and some real estate markets have led savers to expand into artwork and carvings, including ivory carvings. Stocks of ivory and rhino horn are traded like speculative commodities and their values rise and fall based on financial events. ⁴⁶ Given the wholesale price of ivory tripled between 2006 and 2011, Chinese ivory sellers frequently describe products as a reliable store of value despite inflation. ⁴⁷

Seen as a low-risk, high-return activity, IWT attracts many sellers eager to quickly earn high profits. The large potential rewards draw actors from virtually every country and social class. Depending on the role they fill, poachers can earn between $500 to $20,000 for one rhino horn. ⁴⁸ Interviewed poachers indicate economic factors are the primary reasons they participate in the rhino horn trade. ⁴⁹ Lucrative profits for traders provides a strong incentive for more people to join the trade, including people who are bribed into participation.The EIA reported that bribes can make up 4% to 10% of the final sales value of ivory in Asia. The overall bribes paid in one case amounted to $90,000-$210,000. In 2012, along the Vietnam-China border, there was an estimated $18,000 to $30,000 a day given to border officials to allow ivory to cross borders illicitly. ⁵⁰ Large, quick profits attract and retain actors involved in IWT along every stage, from poaching to final destination distribution.

Given the large potential rewards and illicit nature of IWT, corruption is understandably also a critical enabler of IWT, which involves public and private sector abuse of power and trust. ⁵¹ The trafficking chain of IWT is a complex structure that often includes many key players in high places to help facilitate continued trade. Across a trafficking chain there may be more than 15 people involved. ⁵² Some traffickers are wealthy and have political connections that facilitate the poaching and illegal trade. Those connections often include foreign development workers-individuals uniquely positioned to support trafficking given their connections in countries where high-value species are found, their access to remote areas, and their political clout to evade border controls. ⁵³

Corruption is involved in every stage of the IWT process. Beginning with poaching, examples of corruption include rangers poaching, stealing seized ivory, and purposefully under-reporting poaching to avoid investigations. ⁵⁴ During transportation, bribes may be given to avoid inspection, and live animal containers may be fraudulently labeled. ⁵⁵ During the processing and selling stages, ID cards and permits may falsify that the ivory is imitation, the dates may be changed back to pre-ban dates, ivory may be painted as wood, and products may be sold at unregulated markets. ⁵⁶ Along the whole chain, as wildlife trade is regulated by licenses, permits, certifications, and other forms of documentation, these documents can be forged, changed, and even bought from corrupt officials. ⁵⁷

Intentional and unintentional harmful government policies provide poachers and those involved in IWT continued access and income. As a top consumer market for wildlife products, China's official policies regarding IWT are of critical importance.

China's current Wildlife Protection Law (WPL) is one of the country's laws established to protect wildlife. However, the WPL is insufficient in its scope. The October 2020 revision still allows for trade of certain endangered species with respect to "scientific research, captive breeding, public exhibition or performances, heritage conservation or other special purposes." ⁵⁸ In addition, the law still allows commercial trade in the parts of products of captive-bred species, even species subject to the highest levels of protection such as pangolins and leopards. ⁵⁹ These exemptions provide a legal pathway for exploitation of already endangered species. ⁶⁰

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the conversation on biodiversity and public health problems to worldwide attention and prompted China to accelerate the pace of wildlife protection. Though China has taken impressive action, much remains to be done. In January 2020 when it came to light that the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan likely originated in a wet market, the government ordered a freeze on the sale and consumption of wild terrestrial animals, which was immediately enforced. In the first two weeks of February, 700 people were arrested, ⁶¹ and China shut down some wildlife markets and some of its 20,000 wildlife farms-an industry worth around $18 billion annually that employed 6.3 million people. ⁶² On February 24, 2020, the government initiated a permanent ban on the trade and consumption of wild terrestrial animals. The new ban does not include aquatic species, nor does it affect other uses of wildlife, such as medicine, clothing, decorations, or pet trade. ⁶³ This ban and other recent legislative changes suggest a positive direction for the future of IWT in China, though there is still a long journey ahead. Given the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and these changes are recent, there is not yet accurate data on how IWT has changed in the last year, though it undoubtedly has.

In addition to ineffective government policies, a lack of government enforcement contributes to demand for wildlife. For example, despite a ban on commercial trade of rhinos and most tigers in 1975 by CITES, for decades China permitted domestic sales of products made from these animals. In 1993, US president Bill Clinton threatened China under a law called the Pelly Amendment with sanctions for undermining the CITES treaty. In response, China banned rhino horn and tiger bone, and poaching declined. Similarly, a perceived lack of government enforcement enables IWT in China. In general, as of 2016, users consider the risk of getting caught average to low. As a specific example, over 70% of surveyed rhino horn consumers knew purchasing rhino horn was illegal but perceived the risk of getting caught as low and were not deterred from purchasing based on government policies. ⁶⁴ Traffickers also have low chances of getting caught; usually the only individuals caught are the poachers on the ground, leaving the individuals behind the operation and their lucrative network safe and operational. ⁶⁵ For IWT in general, it is estimated that only 10% of those involved get caught and only 4% are convicted. ⁶⁶ Whether intentional or not, past policies as well as perceived and real lack of enforcement have contributed to the current IWT problem.

It is worth noting that only a minority of Chinese citizens support commercial use of threatened species. Many groups including Chinese academics, NGOs, medical experts, and members of the National People's Congress have long argued for greater wildlife protection. Government policies however have not kept up, due in part to wealthy lobbyists and commercial interests. ⁶⁷

Although this brief focuses on IWT in China, due to the global nature of IWT, the following consequences extend far beyond China. As a primary demand country, China drives consequences felt in supply countries and worldwide.

Wildlife trade (illegal and legal) leads to overexploitation of wildlife and increases the risk of species extinction. To illustrate the current state of species extinction, populations of species on earth declined by an average 68% between 1970 and 2016. ⁶⁸ According to scientists, this rate of loss would have taken thousands of years without human interference. ⁶⁹ Wildlife trade is the second-biggest direct threat to species survival after habitat destruction. ⁷⁰ As evidence that IWT contributes to this loss, a recent study found that 958 species listed as "at risk" are in danger of extinction because they are being traded across international boundaries. ⁷¹ Concerning the effect of TCM in particular on species loss, as of 1995, it was estimated that if only 0.1% of China's population used tiger bone products like those used in TCM, tigers would disappear within one year. ⁷² With the an increase of 200 million in the Chinese population since 1995 ⁷³ and the tiger population being roughly the same, ⁷⁴ it can be inferred that today it would take an even smaller portion of China's population using tiger bone to eliminate tigers.

As CITES-protected species are listed in the various apendices because they are already threatened with survival, IWT exacerbates an already existent problem because it directly causes overexploitation of endangered wildlife. Certain species have been particularly affected by IWT in recent decades, including pangolins, tigers, rhinos, sharks, and elephants. The pangolin is the most heavily trafficked wild mammal on the planet, as over 1 million pangolins have been killed and illegally traded in the past 10 years. Tiger numbers have decreased 96% from an estimated 100,000 individuals a century ago to less than 4,000 today. ⁷⁵ From 2007 to 2014, the number of rhinos poached in South Africa grew 9000%, with over 7,000 rhinos poached in this time. ⁷⁶ This hunting has also depleted some shark populations by as much as 90%. ⁷⁷ It is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins for shark fin soup. ⁷⁸ The population of African forest elephants fell by more than 86% over the last 31 years, and the number of African savanna elephants decreased by at least 60% over the last 50 years. ⁷⁹

IWT is used, in part, to finance conflict and contribute to instability in countries that are already suffering as militant groups use profits from IWT to fund their activities. Demand from China is influential in upholding the current poaching and trafficking system. INTERPOL has acknowledged the involvement of organized crime syndicates in the ivory trade, and conservation experts believe about 70% of global ivory demand comes from China. ⁸⁰ US officials have cited credible reports of the infamous Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Janjaweed Arab militia of Sudan being involved in both poaching and trafficking. ⁸¹ There is also substantial evidence that incriminates other genocidal militias and terror groups as well, such as the Somali Al Shabaab and Sudan's Janjaweed and Abu Tira organizations. Militant and terrorist groups derive a multitude of benefits from their profits while poaching and trafficking wildlife, including that they can hire more combatants, pay them better salaries, and equip them with better weapons. ⁸² Militant and terrorist groups would not disappear without IWT because such groups fund themselves through several avenues, but IWT is a particularly attractive funding option due to the high profits and low risk of prosecution. ⁸³

It is important to mention that most poachers are not terrorists, and most militants and terrorists are not poachers. The intersection of militancy with wildlife trafficking is only a fraction of the global wildlife trade. ⁸⁴ Nonetheless, IWT provides funding for militants and terrorists to continually devastate communities and ecosystems they are near.

Poaching and wildlife trafficking pose serious threats to public health, as IWT is a gateway for the introduction of zoonotic pathogens, which can potentially cause global pandemics. ⁸⁵ Nearly 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are of animal origin, the majority of which originate in wildlife. ⁸⁶ Viral disease outbreaks initiated by wildlife trade include Ebola virus, HIV-1, monkeypox virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19. ⁸⁷ Zoonotic diseases could be vector-borne, food-borne, or water-borne, or are transmitted from animals to humans through direct or indirect contact with animals and animal products. Pathogens can be passed to humans through arthropod vectors (such as ticks, fleas, mites, mosquitos, and lice) or by ingesting contaminated food and water that contain bacteria or protozoa. ⁸⁸ Direct contact would include coming into contact with saliva, blood, urine, mucous, feces, or other body fluids of an infected animal. Petting animals or receiving bites and scratches are examples of direct contact. ⁸⁹ Indirect contact includes being in areas where animals live and roam or touching objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with germs. Examples of indirect contact include aquarium tank water and barns. ⁹⁰

Wet markets (one location where IWT takes place) host unsanitary conditions, where a mix of bodily fluids and both alive and dead animals in close proximity create a fertile setting for viral transmission. ⁹¹ The 2019 coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, thought to arise from wild bats sold in a wet market, recently highlighted the public health risks of China's IWT. ⁹² Another example is the 2003 SARS pandemic. SARS was also traced back to Chinese wet markets, where the virus jumped from bats, the reservoir host, to humans. ⁹³ Zoonotic diseases that lead to global pandemics can have disastrous impact, including loss of life and economic recession. ⁹⁴

While IWT is not the sole cause of zoonotic diseases, it is a contributor as illegally traded wildlife evades the veterinary checks and sanitary safety standard inspections that legally traded wildlife undergo. Thus the risk of zoonotic disease transmission is higher for IWT. ⁹⁵

Though the prospect of eliminating IWT altogether seems remote, a range of mitigation measures from both the supply and demand sides work together to reduce trade to more sustainable levels. As China is a leader in demand for IWT, reducing demand in China through targeted consumer campaigns is critical to solving the problem. Demand reduction campaigns are defined as "outreach interventions to get people to voluntarily change their current or potential behavior as consumers of wildlife products or their derivatives." ⁹⁶

WildAid is one environmental organization based in San Francisco, California that focuses on demand reduction through consumer campaigns. Founded in 2000, WildAid's motto is, "When the buying stops, the killing can too." ⁹⁷ WildAid believes the root of the IWT problem is in public perception and the economic forces behind the trade. Using the same techniques as top advertisers, including high-profile spokespeople, massive billboards, and media campaigns, WildAid creates high-impact content to influence public awareness and perception of IWT. ⁹⁸ WildAid produces 30-second TV PSAs, mini-documentaries, video infographics, billboards, and print ads for distribution on platforms including TV broadcast networks, LCD screens in airports, subway and train stations, taxis, and social media. In 2013, WildAid reported their PSAs reached around 1 billion viewers on TV, around 700 million train passengers, and 400 million air travelers. ⁹⁹

More than 100 well-known ambassadors are currently working with WildAid to deliver campaigns that reach hundreds of millions of people each year. WildAid ambassadors include Yao Ming, HRH Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jackie Chan, and David Beckham. In addition, WildAid works with governments and partners to protect fragile marine reserves from illegal fishing and shark finning, to enhance public and political will for anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce climate change impacts.

In 2020, for the ninth consecutive year, WildAid received Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating, which is reserved for the most accountable, transparent, and financially healthy nonprofits rated. ¹⁰⁰ WildAid reported more than 17 million views of their 2017 PSA with pop star Jay Chou warning of the potential health risks of consuming pangolin meat. As with the majority of interventions, it is difficult to infer the impact WildAid directly has on reducing consumer demand, as many factors play into demand; however, 97% of surveyed Chinese citizens said that the 2017 PSA made them less likely to buy pangolin products. ¹⁰¹ Additionally, in 2019 WildAid reported shark fin prices in China had fallen by almost 80% since 2014 due to lower demand. ¹⁰²

Preferred Citation: Anna McConkie. "Illegal Wildlife Trade in China." Ballard Brief. October 2021. www.ballardbrief.org.
Viewpoints published by Ballard Brief are not necessarily endorsed by BYU or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Anna McConkie

Anna is an experience design and management major with minors in Chinese and non-profit management. Although Anna has always been passionate about environmental sustainability and animal welfare, she was introduced to China's role in the illegal wildlife trade while learning Chinese as a volunteer in Australia. Anna hopes to use business strategy and human-centered design principles to innovate for social issues worldwide.

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Illegal Wildlife Trade in China - Ballard Brief

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China's demand for trafficked wildlife products is driven by a desire for wildlife in traditional medicine and as status symbols and investments.

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More than 7,000 species are affected by the illegal wildlife trade2, often with devastating effects on wildlife populations and local economies. Together, elephant ivory, rhino horn, birds, reptiles, pangolins, mammals and marine products make up 81% of all trafficked wildlife.³

90% of African elephants have been killed in the last 100 years⁴

1 rhino is poached every 7 hours in Africa for its horn⁵

100 million sharks are killed every year⁶

Over 100 tigers a year enter the illegal trade chain in Asia⁷

An estimated 24 million seahorses are taken from the wild every year⁸

One million pangolins were trafficked between 2000–2013 alone⁹

Nearly 3,000 helmeted hornbill casques, skulls, and products seized from 2010 to 2017¹⁰

More than 3,000 great apes are captured or killed each year¹¹

Considered the world's rarest tortoise, only around 200 mature ploughshare tortoises are left in the wild¹²

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The Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership brought together government agencies, transportation and logistics industry companies and representatives, international conservation, development and law enforcement organizations and donors in order to disrupt wildlife trafficking activities, and forms a key element of the concerted international response to addressing wildlife poaching and associated criminal activities worldwide.

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https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/end-the-illegal-wildlife-trade-in-vietnam/

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Challenge

Vietnam plays a significant part in the global illegal wildlife trade threatening our Earth and human health. Demand for wildlife is high in Vietnam due to traditional medicine, consumption at restaurants, the status symbol of endangered species products, and the growing illegal pet trade. Large criminal networks take advantage of this demand by illegally supplying Vietnam with tons of wildlife and their products, while also using Vietnam as a transit country for wildlife smuggling routes.

Solution

ENV tackles Vietnam's illegal wildlife trade through education and strategic work to combat wildlife crime. Awareness and demand reduction campaigns reach millions across Vietnam through public events, TV, radio, social media, elevator screens, airports, buses, and trains. ENV's Wildlife Crime Unit receives roughly 8 new public reports of wildlife crime a day. Case Officers coordinate a response by authorities to confiscate live animals and wildlife products, and arrest and prosecute criminals.

Long-Term Impact

ENV has tackled over 74,000 wildlife crime violations, contributed to a 95% decrease in bears on bile farms, and by mobilizing authorities, confiscated tons of wildlife products and rescued thousands of wild animals from the illegal trade. ENV investigations have also led to the arrest and imprisonment of 4 trafficking network leaders. ENV's work on demand reduction and enforcement has and continues to drive the change needed to secure a better future for wildlife, both in Vietnam and globally.

Resources

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Help End the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Vietnam on GlobalGiving

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The illegal wildlife trade is destroying our Earth, pushing endangered species to extinction, and threatening public health on a globally deadly scale. Vietnam is a major player in the widespread trafficking of wildlife, with high demand for wildlife, and as a wildlife trafficking hub.

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LAMPUNG SELATAN, KOMPAS.com - Petugas Karantina Indonesia, satuan pelayanan pelabuhan Bakauheni, menggagalkan penyelundupan ribuan ekor burung tanpa dokumen di dermaga eksekutif Pelabuhan Bakauheni, Lampung Selatan, pada Kamis (15/02/24) lalu.

Kepala Wilayah Kerja Karantina Bakauheni, Akhir Santoso, membenarkan, pihaknya mengamankan 2.830 ekor satwa liar jenis burung tanpa dokumen asal Palembang, Sumatera Selatan dengan tujuan pengiriman Cikande, Serang, Banten.
Baca juga: Taman Satwa Ilegal Terbongkar, Dikelola Oknum Mahasiswa, Tiket Masuk Rp 10 Ribu
"Jadi pada hari Kamis petugas gabungan dari Karantina, Polisi Militer AD, dan Flight Protecting Birds sekira pukul 16.00 WIB melakukan patroli pengawasan di dalam pelabuhan Bakauheni," kata dia, saat dihubungi dari Kalianda, Sabtu (17/2/2024).

Kemudian, pihaknya mendapatkan informasi dari masyarakat bahwa akan ada pengiriman burung ke Pulau Jawa melalui Pelabuhan Bakauheni.

"Sekitar pukul 17.43 WIB, petugas menemukan kendaraan dengan ciri-ciri yang dimaksud memasuki dermaga eksekutif, dan pada saat petugas melakukan pemeriksaan terhadap kendaraan tersebut ditemukan puluhan keranjang bok yang berisikan satwa liar jenis burung tanpa dokumen."

"Setelah itu kendaraan dan burung tersebut langsung dibawa ke Kantor karantina Satpel Bakauheni untuk dilakukan identifikasi dan pemeriksaan lebih lanjut," kata Akhir.

Ia menjelaskan, pada saat petugas melakukan pengecekan terhadap kendaraan tersebut, tidak ditemukan burung yang dilindungi.
Baca juga: Taman Satwa Ilegal di Kalbar Dibongkar, Seorang Pemilik Ditangkap
"Tidak ada burung yang dilindungi. Untuk burung yang dibawa hanya jalak kebo, trucukan, kepodang, konin, cipoh, dan kipasan belang, dengan jumlah total semuanya ada 2.830 ekor burung."

"Tadi burung-burung tersebut sudah kami serahkan ke BKSDA Lampung dan dilakukan pelepasliaran di hutan kawasan Way Kalam, Lampung Selatan," ujar dia.

Dapatkan update berita pilihan dan breaking news setiap hari dari Kompas.com. Mari bergabung di Grup Telegram "Kompas.com News Update", caranya klik link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, kemudian join. Anda harus install aplikasi Telegram terlebih dulu di ponsel.

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Karantina Bakauheni Gagalkan Penyelundupan 2.830 Ekor Satwa Ilegal

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Petugas Karantina Indonesia, satuan pelayanan pelabuhan Bakauheni, menggagalkan penyelundupan ribuan ekor burung tanpa dokumen.

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SIARAN PERS
Nomor: SP.437/HUMAS/PPIP/HMS.3/12/2023

Sepasang individu orangutan sumatera yang diberi nama Nobita (7 tahun, jantan) dan Shisuka (7 tahun, betina), serta seekor individu orangutan yang diberi nama Briant (4 tahun, jantan) dipulangkan kembali (repatriasi) ke Indonesia dari Thailand pada Kamis (21/12).

Ketiga individu orangutan tersebut merupakan hasil penegakan tindak pidana penyelundupan oleh Polisi Penanggulangan Kejahatan Sumber Daya Alam dan Lingkungan (Natural Resources and Environmental Crimes Division) Thailand di Bangkok pada tahun 2016 yang lalu.

"Repatriasi 3 orangutan sitaan dari Thailand ini merupakan keberhasilan dalam penyelamatan satwa liar dilindungi dan komitmen bersama antara Pemerintah Indonesia dan Thailand dalam upaya memerangi perdagangan ilegal satwa liar," jelas Menteri LHK Siti Nurbaya dalam sambutannya yang dibacakan oleh Direktur Jenderal Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam dan Ekosistem (KSDAE), Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK) Satyawan Pudyatmoko pada acara Repatriasi Orangutan dari Thailand ke Indonesia di Gudang Kedatangan Impor Garuda Indonesia, Bandara Soekarno-Hatta, Tangerang, Banten.

Proses repatriasi ini bertepatan dengan peringatan 73 tahun hubungan bilateral Indonesia dan Thailand, sekaligus dapat berkontribusi sebagai potential deliverables pada Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) Indonesia - Thailand mendatang.

Bekerjasama dengan Garuda Indonesia, ketiga orangutan tersebut diterbangkan menggunakan pesawat GA 867 dari Bangkok menuju Bandara Soekarno-Hatta, Tangerang dan sampai sekitar pukul 19.00 WIB setelah sebelumnya dirawat di Kho Pratubchang Wildlife Rescue Center (KPRC) di Provinsi Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Acara serah terima ketiga individu orangutan sumatera dari Otorita Thailand kepada Pemerintah Indonesia yang diwakili oleh Duta Besar RI untuk Thailand sebelumnya telah dilaksanakan di Kantor Kargo Bandara Suvarnabhumi, Thailand pada Kamis (21/12) pagi.

Setelah sampai ke Indonesia, orangutan akan diinapkan di fasilitas transit Garuda Indonesia dengan penjagaan dokter hewan. Kemudian pada Jumat, 22 Desember 2023, ketiganya akan diberangkatkan ke Jambi dengan pesawat GA 126 pukul 09.20 WIB dan dirawat sementara di Tempat Tindakan Karantina Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) melalui pengawasan Balai KSDA Jambi.

Selanjutnya pasca melewati tindakan karantina, orangutan tersebut akan menjalani rehabilitasi di Pusat Rehabilitasi Orangutan Sumatera (PROS) Sungai Pengian Jambi sebelum akhirnya akan dilepasliarkan ke habitat alaminya.

Repatriasi orangutan ini menunjukkan kerjasama yang baik antara Pemerintah Thailand dengan Indonesia, serta antara Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan dengan Kementerian Luar Negeri, Kementerian Pertanian, PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero), serta mitra kerja lainnya.

"Repatriasi orangutan ini merupakan repatriasi dari Thailand yang kelima kalinya dengan total 71 individu orangutan yang dipulangkan sejak tahun 2006. Tiga orangutan yang direpatriasi kali ini merupakan orangutan terakhir yang berstatus sebagai barang bukti di Thailand," tambah Siti.

Selaras dengan itu Duta Besar Thailand untuk Indonesia, Prapan Disyatat mengungkapkan jika Pemerintah Thailand sangat senang bisa ikut andil melakukan repatriasi satwa orangutan kali ini, setelah selama kurang lebih 7 tahun merawat satwa tersebut sejak dilakukan penyitaan.

"Saya kira kita akan terus bekerjasama untuk mencegah perdagangan satwa liar diantara kedua negara. Dan saya sangat senang bisa mengembalikan orangutan tersebut kembali ke habitatnya," ujar Dubes Prapan.

Untuk memastikan kondisi ketiga orangutan sumatera tersebut dalam keadaan sehat dan baik, Pemerintah Indonesia juga telah mengirimkan dua dokter hewan mendampingi selama perjalanan dari Bangkok sampai ke Indonesia.

"Kementerian LHK menyampaikan penghargaan yang tinggi kepada Kementerian Luar Negeri, PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero), Badan Karantina, Ditjen Bea Cukai Kemenkeu, Avsec, FZS, rekan-rekan jurnalis dan mitra lainnya atas dukungan dan bantuannya dalam proses repatriasi 3 individu orangutan dari Thailand ke Indonesia," pungkas Menteri Siti sebagaimana disampaikan Satyawan. (*)
_________________
Jakarta, KLHK, 21 Desember 2023

Penanggung jawab berita:
Plt. Kepala Biro Hubungan Masyarakat, KLHK
Nunu Anugrah

Website:
www.menlhk.go.id
www.ppid.menlhk.go.id

Youtube:
Kementerian LHK

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Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan

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Repatriasi Tiga Individu Orangutan: Indonesia dan Thailand Komitmen Perangi Perdagangan Ilegal Satwa Liar

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SIARAN PERS Nomor: SP.437/HUMAS/PPIP/HMS.3/12/2023 Sepasang individu orangutan sumatera yang diberi nama Nobita (7 tahun, jantan) dan Shisuka (7 tahun, betina), serta seekor individu orangutan yan

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KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI
Kepala Kepolisian Daerah Aceh Inspektur Jenderal Achmad Kartiko memeriksa kulit harimau sumatera yang disita dari tersangka, 22 Januari 2024, di Banda Aceh.

Harimau dan bagian tubuhnya masih menjadi salah satu satwa liar yang diperdagangkan secara ilegal. Kejahatan ini adalah kejahatan global yang diperangi Interpol.

Kompas.id 22 Januari 2024 dan harian Kompas kemarin melaporkan Kepolisian Daerah (Polda) Aceh menggagalkan perdagangan ilegal kulit harimau sumatera. Polisi menangkap seorang aparatur sipil negara berinisial KDR (48) dan seorang petani berinisial MHB (24) di sebuah desa di Kabupaten Aceh Timur pada 11 Januari 2024. KDR memperoleh kulit dari seseorang. KDR bertugas mencari calon pembeli dan menegosiasikan harga. MHB diajak oleh KDR. Pelaku ditangkap setelah petugas menyamar sebagai calon pembeli.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI
Dua tersangka dihadirkan dalam konferensi pers kasus perdagangan bagian tubuh harimau, di Banda Aceh, Senin (22/1/2024).

Baca juga: ASN Jual Kulit Harimau di Aceh

Sejauh ini polisi belum mengungkap jaringan perdagangan ilegal ini dan apakah terkait dengan jaringan perdagangan lintas negara. Namun, Tezar Pahlevi, aktivis lingkungan dari Harimau Kita Wilayah Aceh, menduga satwa liar Aceh diperjualbelikan ke luar negeri. Tidak hanya harimau, ia mencatat, orangutan sumatera diperdagangkan secara ilegal dari Aceh ke Thailand, dan berakhir di Timur Tengah. Pada periode 2020-2024, Polda Aceh menangani 23 kasus perdagangan satwa liar yang dilindungi dengan 35 tersangka. Nilai kerugian ditaksir Rp 2,5 miliar.

Kasus perdagangan ilegal satwa liar seperti di Aceh ini telah menjadi perhatian global. Kantor berita Associated Press pada 12 Desember 2023 memberitakan, sejak 2017 organisasi polisi internasional Interpol dan Organisasi Bea Cukai Dunia melaksanakan Operasi Guntur dan tahun 2023 melibatkan 133 negara. Interpol mengoordinasikan operasi yang digelar pada 2-27 Oktober 2023. Hasilnya, 500 penangkapan di seluruh dunia dengan 2.000 satwa liar disita. Satwa liar dan bagian tubuh yang disita, antara lain 53 primata, 4 kucing besar, lebih dari 1.300 burung, sekitar 300 kilogram gading, ribuan telur penyu, cula badak, kulit macan tutul, serta gigi dan cakar singa.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA
Bayi orangutan Kalimantan subspecies wurmbii ( Ponggo pygmaeus wurmbii) berselimut handuk dalam jumpa pers pemindahan satwa liar jenis orangutan di Kantor Balai Besar KSDA Jawa Timur, Sidoarjo, September 2023. Orangutan tersebut merupakan barang bukti penyelundupan satwa dilindungi oleh FF pada Juni 2023 di Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.

Baca juga: Si Raja Hutan Terusir dari Rimba, Mati Diracun Serangga

Interpol mengungkapkan, satwa liar tersebut digunakan untuk dipelihara serta diambil telur dan dagingnya, sedangkan bagian tubuh satwa liar digunakan untuk perhiasan atau ritual. Interpol memperkirakan pasar gelap satwa liar ilegal bernilai 20 miliar dollar AS atau sekitar Rp 313 triliun per tahun. Perburuan liar dan perdagangan satwa liar ilegal telah menjadi aktivitas utama kelompok kejahatan terorganisasi dan semakin dikaitkan dengan kekerasan bersenjata, korupsi, dan bentuk kejahatan terorganisasi lainnya.

Sebuah studi yang dimuat jurnal ScienceDirect edisi Desember 2023 juga mengupas secara komprehensif mengenai perdagangan satwa liar ilegal dan dampaknya terhadap keanekaragaman hayati dan masyarakat. Studi Annika Mozer dan Stefan Prost dari Institut Leibniz Jerman itu menampilkan fakta cukup mengejutkan bahwa negara-negara Uni Eropa bertindak sebagai sumber, pusat transit, dan konsumen dalam perdagangan satwa liar ilegal. Dengan fakta ini kerja sama internasional sangat diperlukan untuk bersama-sama memerangi perdagangan global satwa liar ilegal.

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Interpol memperkirakan pasar gelap satwa liar ilegal bernilai 20 miliar dollar AS atau Rp 313 triliun per tahun.

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An elephant named Rex, dozens of crocodiles and enough eel meat to fill a swimming pool.

That unusual list is just a small sampling of what Canadian officials have seized over the past decade while investigating illegal attempts to smuggle animals and animal products in or out of the country.

While the annual numbers on the black market animal trade in Canada generally have been trending downward, this year is already looking like a boom year for seizures of live animals and animal parts at the border, according to documents obtained by CBC News under access to information law.

Since 2011, more than 4,000 animals and animal parts have been seized by the government, which has been averaging about 330 separate seizures per year. About two-thirds of these cases involved confiscation of live animals.

As of early April of this year, officials already had seized over 100 animals and animal parts since the beginning of the year - well before the start of the summer season, when the rate of seizures tends to go up.

Many of the animals stopped at border crossings are animals for which owners don't have proper permits. We're not talking about cats and dogs, either: the wildlife enforcement team at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has seized serval cats - a wild feline species native to Africa - wild Asian donkeys and pythons over the past ten years - not to mention a wide variety exotic animal parts.

Several recent high-profile busts drew new attention to animal smuggling in Canada. In 2014, a man attempted to cross the border from Michigan with 51 live turtles taped to his body.

"Wildlife crimes have just skyrocketed in the last 10 to 15 years," said Sheldon Jordan, the director general of ECCC's wildlife enforcement division. He said his department has shifted more resources to the seizures team in anticipation of an unusually busy year.

There's big money to be made in the black market animal trade.The price of a dead polar bear, for example, has quintupled in the last 10 years, from $5,000 to $25,000 CAD - and Canada is the only country that allows trade in polar bears.

It's difficult to establish the precise scope of the black market animal trade, but the World Wildlife Fund calls it the fourth largest illegal market in the world, worth roughly $205 billion CAD each year.

Jordan said the lucrative nature of the trade puts endangered species at risk.

"When it gets out of control ... they're just getting decimated," he lamented.

The summer months always see a spike in animal smuggling, Jordan said. As the weather warms, smugglers will often ship smaller animals in packages through regular mail. Many don't survive the trip.

Louis McCann, former president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada, said smugglers care only about "quick profit" and seldom trouble to make certain animals are being transported safely.

Death by mail

"For a lot of these animals, proper transport is paramount because it is already a stressful exercise ... when you talk about smuggling, the idea is to bring the animal in undetected," he said. "The welfare of the animal is not the primary concern."

Animals that do survive the trip often haven't been properly vaccinated, which threatens other animals and pets in Canada, he added.

While the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for protecting the border, it doesn't intervene in cases of animal seizures. Instead, they refer the incidents on to Jordan and his team.

That branch is responsible for protecting plant and animal species native to Canada, and for regulating foreign species trade.

ECCC focuses mainly on endangered species, but it's increasingly dealing with illegal smuggling as the problem grows.

Between 2016 and 2017, ECCC conducted over 3,500 wildlife and forestry smuggling investigations and participated in court proceedings that led to 152 criminal convictions.

When animal parts are seized, ECCC keeps them as evidence for as long as it takes to press charges and complete a trial. After that, most of the items are destroyed, with a few specimens kept for training purposes.

Live animals usually are placed with zoos or caretakers. Rex the elephant, who was seized by border officials at a land crossing about ten years ago, is now living out his days in a zoo in Oklahoma.

Jordan said that most of the animals smuggled into Canada are intended for the pet trade. The dead animals are mostly for decor, and animal parts are usually used in food or traditional medicine.

One seizure that stands out in his mind happened in 2007, when ECCC officials intercepted 27 tonnes of conch meat, worth millions. A biologist they consulted after the operation estimated that seizure amounted to 10 per cent of the entire global population of that particular endangered conch species.

Many of animals seized are reptiles; turtles are especially common. Sue Carstairs, executive director of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, said that's because they're easy to conceal and transport.

Over the past few years, she said, the number of endangered turtles alive in Canada has been "greatly reduced" by poaching.

"It has a dramatic effect on the population."

'Fuelled by corruption'

Canadian law states it's illegal to import any wildlife obtained illegally in another country - and any animal imported, alive or dead, must be accompanied by the proper permits to enter or exit the country.

Breaking the law can invite a fine of up to $1 million and/or five years in prison.

Last week, ECCC announced the results of a special investigation - Operation Thunderstorm - it conducted in conjunction with Interpol and 91 other countries.

The month-long operation seized more than 1,200 pounds of ivory, 43 tonnes of meat (including bear, elephant, crocodile and zebra) and more than 30,000 live animals.

The world of animal smuggling is "evolving," Jordan said. Smugglers are branching out from core markets - like poached elephant ivory - into other exotic species. They're finding new ways to get the animals across the border, such as the postal service. International organized crime has gotten involved, attracted by the massive profits to be made.

Moving forward

McCann said increasing awareness and stricter regulations are helping to deter smugglers, but more can be done.

He offered a few tips. Before purchasing a pet, he said, Canadians need to be asking "the right questions [and] expecting certain requirements like vaccinations and health certificates signed by a veterinarian."

Jordan agreed, pointing out that people need to be better informed about where their food and pets come from. He said, if Canadians were more aware of how animals and animal parts come to Canada, they'd help to reduce the illegal trade in wildlife.

"It impacts all of us," he said.

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The cross-border black market trade in animals is booming in Canada | CBC News

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While the annual tally of animal smuggling in Canada has generally been trending downwards, 2018 is on a trajectory to have the highest number of seizures in the last four years, according to documents obtained by CBC News under Access to Information.

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Just outside Denver in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, a beige warehouse stands on the site of a former chemical weapons facility. The building looks unremarkable, but inside it is the largest, most mind-numbing collection ever assembled of wild animals killed to make furniture, coats, upholstery, handbags, carved figurines, and mounted trophy heads.

It's called the National Eagle and Wildlife Property Repository, but you could think of it instead as the "international museum of wildlife trafficking"-a grim testament to the business of slaughter for profit.

Within its 16,000-square-foot (1,486 square meters) confines are 1.5 million specimens, mostly products made from some of the world's most critically endangered mammals and reptiles-tigers, rhinos, sea turtles, crocodiles, elephants. Row upon row of metal shelves hold everything from intricately crafted ivory statuettes to cobra-skin boots in children's sizes. An entire row of shelves 50 feet long and 10 feet high is dedicated to the hides and mounted heads of big cats-cheetahs, tigers, jaguars, margays, ocelots, leopards.

There's no other place like it in the country, and there may be no other place that rivals its scale in the world.

The repository is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency responsible for enforcing federal laws that protect fish, wildlife, migratory birds, and their natural habitats around the country.

The service is also tasked with assuring that the U.S. complies with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the treaty that regulates commerce of wildlife to ensure the survival of threatened species. It is largely a result of U.S. efforts to enforce the treaty-and to maintain transparency around those efforts-that trafficked specimens end up here.

Everything in the repository has been seized during customs searches at U.S. ports of entry or while being trafficked across state lines. The stated purpose of the warehouse is to receive, inventory, and legally dispose of confiscated wildlife property to ensure "100 percent accountability."

Personnel at the facility are also responsible for developing educational programs about the wildlife trade, endangered species, and conservation laws. Some of the forfeited items are donated to schools and nonprofit organizations to help raise awareness of the scope of the calamity.

"Sheer Greed"

"Some humans are capable of driving a species to extinction out of sheer greed," says Steve Oberholtzer, the service's special agent in charge of the repository as well as of law enforcement operations in an eight-state region across the Rocky Mountains and High Plains. "Wherever there's money to be made, there are those who will break the rules to make it."

Each specimen-this zebra-skin divan, that polar bear rug, those bags containing thousands of dried sea horses-arrives here after the case that led to its confiscation has been adjudicated.

Despite the staggering haul on display, says repository supervisor Coleen Schaefer with a sigh, "This is just the tip of the iceberg of what comes into the country. But it gives you a sense of the scale of the illegal wildlife trade."

New specimens show up daily. Recently, a large wooden crate arrived containing the head of a black rhinoceros, its horn intact. Details of the case behind it are sketchy. For Schaefer, that rhino trophy amounts to evidence of a powerful threat-not only to creatures of the wild but also to the rule of law.

"Environmental crimes used to be mostly crimes of opportunity, but now they're highly structured, the perpetrators well armed and well organized," she says. "People are making millions of dollars off endangered species. It's not just conservationists who need to be concerned. This is a global security issue."

In recognition of the emerging threat posed by wildlife traffickers, the Fish and Wildlife Service has posted agents in five countries overseas, three in Africa. "The extent of the poaching is so vast," Oberholtzer says, "it's having a destabilizing effect on entire regions."
Read more stories about wildlife crime and exploitation on Wildlife Watch. Send tips, feedback, and story ideas to ngwildlife@natgeo.com.

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See What's Inside This Grisly Warehouse of Wildlife Trafficking

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A government warehouse filled with seized endangered species offers grim evidence of the scale of the illegal wildlife trade.

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Perdagangan satwa liar internasional telah menjadi perdagangan ilegal dengan risiko rendah dan keuntungan tinggi. Tiongkok adalah negara dengan permintaan tertinggi terhadap produk-produk satwa liar, dan tingkat permintaan saat ini sangat merugikan dan tidak berkelanjutan. Permintaan terhadap satwa liar dalam pengobatan tradisional Tiongkok dan sebagai simbol status serta investasi, profitabilitas yang tinggi bagi pihak pemasok, struktur perdagangan manusia yang rumit dan korup, serta kebijakan dan penegakan hukum pemerintah yang tidak efektif semuanya berkontribusi terhadap masalah perdagangan satwa liar.

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Jaringan kriminal besar memanfaatkan permintaan ini dengan secara ilegal memasok berton-ton satwa liar dan produk-produknya ke Vietnam, dan juga menggunakan Vietnam sebagai negara transit untuk jalur penyelundupan satwa liar.

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https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-023-01708-9#Fig3

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Illegal trade of pangolins in India with international trade links: an analysis of seizures from 1991 to 2022 - European Journal of Wildlife Research

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Pangolins have become one of the most intensely poached and trafficked mammal species, exploited mainly for the food and traditional medicine trade. Intense and continued illegal exploitation for commercial trade has become the leading cause of pangolin declines in parts of Asia and Africa. Recent research has illustrated the growing threat this poses to pangolins in India. India is home to two species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata and the Chinese Pangolin M. pentadactyla, which have been assessed as endangered and critically endangered respectively. Pangolin seizures in India between 1991 and 2022 were analysed to gain a better understanding of illegal trade dynamics. A total of 426 seizures were collated, involving an estimated 8603 pangolins. The frequency of pangolin seizures increased over time as did the volume of estimated pangolins seized. This could be due to a range of different factors including rising poaching and trade levels, increased law enforcement and reporting, and awareness. Nevertheless, on the ground, investigations by the Wildlife Protection Society of India strongly indicate that the escalating poaching and trade in pangolins is driven by lucrative market demands from beyond India’s borders, with a growing focus on the trade in live pangolins. Enforcement efforts appear to be undermined by low prosecution rates with only 1.4% of recorded seizures resulting in successful convictions. Asian pangolins have rapidly disappeared from their natural range and been locally extirpated in many parts of East and Southeast Asia. India’s pangolin species are at similar risk if poaching and trafficking levels continue unmitigated.

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adi ini membahas perdagangan ilegal dan perburuan trenggiling di India. Artikel nya menyoroti bahwa trenggiling adalah salah satu spesies mamalia yang paling banyak diburu dan diperdagangkan secara global. Permintaan trenggiling didorong oleh sisiknya yang digunakan untuk pengobatan tradisional dan dagingnya yang dikonsumsi sebagai tanda kekayaan dan status, terutama di Cina dan Vietnam. Artikel ini menekankan bahwa pemanenan yang tidak berkelanjutan dan perdagangan komersial yang meluas tanpa pandang bulu merupakan ancaman yang signifikan bagi trenggiling, yang menyebabkan penurunan populasi dan kepunahan lokal. India merupakan rumah bagi dua spesies trenggiling, Trenggiling India dan Trenggiling Cina, yang keduanya dilindungi oleh undang-undang satwa liar India. Namun, terlepas dari perlindungan ini, trenggiling terus diburu di India untuk perdagangan komersial. Studi ini menganalisis insiden penyitaan trenggiling di India dari tahun 1991 hingga 2022 dan mengungkapkan adanya peningkatan jumlah insiden dan perkiraan jumlah trenggiling yang terlibat dalam penyitaan dari waktu ke waktu. Trenggiling hidup dan sisik adalah komoditas yang paling sering disita. Penyitaan terkonsentrasi di India bagian tengah, terutama di negara bagian Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, dan Maharashtra. Namun, jumlah trenggiling terbanyak yang disita berada di negara bagian timur yang berbatasan dengan Bangladesh dan Myanmar.Artikel ini teh menyerukan peningkatan upaya penegakan hukum, investigasi yang dipimpin oleh intelijen, kerjasama transnasional, dan keterlibatan dengan masyarakat setempat untuk mengatasi perdagangan ilegal dan perburuan trenggiling di India.

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artikel tentang wildlife trade

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ini tentang sdg- sdg tinggal geser aja foto nyaa

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Goal 14 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

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bagaimana lanskap penyelundupan satwa liar berkembang selama dekade terakhir dalam hal metode, rute, dan spesies yang menjadi sasaran / how the illegal wildlife trade landscape has evolved over the past decade in terms of methods, routes and species targeted

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how a shared responsibility/government approach can reduce demand for illegal wildlife trade/ bagaimana tanggung jawab bersama/pendekatan pemerintah dapat mengurangi permintaan perdagangan satwa liar ilegal

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what cause wildlife trade?

why people do illegal wildlife trade?

what wildlife illegal trade impact to ecosystem?

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Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss/ Melindungi, memulihkan dan mendorong pemanfaatan ekosistem darat secara berkelanjutan, mengelola hutan secara berkelanjutan, memerangi penggurunan, dan menghentikan dan membalikkan degradasi lahan serta menghentikan hilangnya keanekaragaman hayati

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Definition of WWF

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Which countries are most responsible for exporting illegal wildlife?

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Which countries are most responsible for exporting illegal wildlife?

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China, Mexico, and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines) were identified as key exporting countries and should be targeted for anti-trafficking education campaigns.

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Air cargo accounted for the majority of all large-scale trafficking incidents. This confirms prior research we conducted. Other modes included personal baggage (like suitcases, backpacks, purses), mailed packages and ocean cargo, which accounted for 34% of seizures altogether.

Like air cargo, the second most common import method is personal baggage that passes through airports. Both of these modes of transport account for 83% of large-scale seizures in the U.S. indicating the need to concentrate efforts in airports in several cities that disproportionally account for most incidents.

How does the U.S. play a role in the illegal wildlife trade?

The United States is among the largest markets for both legal and illegal wildlife in the world. In this paper, we analyzed 31,270 large-scale trafficking incidents that occurred at U.S. ports over the course of a decade.

While this may seem like a lot of incidents, it's only the tip of the iceberg. What's seized is only a fraction of what is trafficked. It is estimated we are only seizing about 10% of total trafficked wildlife or wildlife products.

This study tracks those export trade flows to find patterns of large-scale wildlife trafficking entering the United States - not exactly the easiest thing to do. How did you approach this problem?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is primarily responsible for preventing wildlife trafficking in and out of the U.S. For decades, they've meticulously entered all seizure data documenting seized or confiscated wildlife entering and exiting the United States into a database called the Law Enforcement Management Information Service (LEMIS). Using this resource, we coded all shipments that could be considered "large-scale" seizures. The goal was to eliminate analysis of small-scale seizures that could have been accidentally brought to the U.S. by an unsuspecting tourist.

Then we formatted the dataset in a way that could be used for a social network analysis. It's basically a color-coded map that shows connections, so we can clearly see who the "central actors" in the supply chain are and which countries and ports of entry play a greater role in illicit supply chains.

Who were some of the "central actors"?

Certain ports have emerged as important seizure hubs, regardless of transportation, like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Other U.S. entry ports, such as New York City, are highly dense and seized most illicit wildlife specifically by a single transportation mode like air cargo.

Flow Map of Select Ports of Entry by Common Modes of Transportation

China, Mexico, and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines) were identified as key exporting countries and should be targeted for anti-trafficking education campaigns.

We found removing just five ports from the overall network would disrupt over 66% of the illegal wildlife trade by each major mode of transportation.

How can your research guide enforcement efforts to stop illegal trade?

Trafficking patterns between major export regions and destinations remain complex and understudied, as are trafficking patterns between export countries and U.S. ports of entry. We hope this type of data can guide enforcement efforts to disrupt such networks by allocating more wildlife inspectors in potentially key U.S. ports of entry and prioritize inspecting particular modes of transport for wildlife trafficking.

How else can the illegal wildlife trade be stopped?

Apart from intercepting efforts in ports of entry, combatting the illegal wildlife trade takes many different forms.

Demand reduction campaigns in key demand countries attempt to dissuade people from wanting wildlife products emanating from endangered species. Alternatively, pressuring national governments to enforce current wildlife regulations within their borders has great potential to reduce poaching and trafficking in the most problematic places in the world. Often, we see illicit wildlife markets in major cities in underdeveloped countries operating with impunity. Shutting these markets down would do much to reduce the trade even if some of this trade displaces to online or underground markets. Finally, promoting the legal trade of farmed species that are in great demand can potentially offset the illegal trade. This method has led to population rebounds for a number of highly endangered species, like the Nile crocodile and the vicuna, for example.

Publication information: A Social Network Analysis of Large-Scale Wildlife Seizures Made at US Ports of Entry, Deviant Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2023.2169211
Saving species across the globe
FIU's conservation teams lead research across the globe to combat the illegal trafficking of wildlife - including tropical birds, sharks, turtles, and the world's most trafficked mammal, pangolins. Innovations in DNA science and technology developed by our scientists are already being used to disrupt the trade and protect species. To read more, please click here.

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Conservation crime scientist uncovers secrets of trade threatening world's most endangered species

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FIU study finds removing just five ports from the illegal wildlife trade network would disrupt it by more than 66%.

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The Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia

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The Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia

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Institutional Capacities in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam

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The Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia

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Wildlife crime poses a serious and irrefutable risk to global biodiversity and is a driver of the current global extinction crisis. Southeast Asia accounts for up to a quarter of global demand for illegal wildlife products, and is also both a source...

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In an unprecedented move against Southeast Asia's illegal trade in wildlife, delegates from the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to an action plan to combat threats to the region's rich biological diversity.

Jakarta, Indonesia - In an unprecedented move against Southeast Asia's illegal and unsustainable trade in wildlife, delegates from the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed upon a five-year action plan to combat threats to the region's rich biological diversity.

"It is extremely encouraging to see the action plan already in place," said James Compton, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia's Regional Director.

"It is an ambitious programme of work, but if the leadership shown by the ASEAN countries can be matched by some of the region's key consumer partners in East Asia, Europe, and North America, there is incredible potential to achieve large-scale partnerships that can impact both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the Asian region."

The illegal and unsustainable trade in wild animals and plants in the region continues to drive critical threats to the survival of a large number of threatened species. Birds and reptiles for the pet trade, luxury items made of ivory and hawksbill turtle shell products, as well as highly-valued medicines such as musk, tiger bone and ginseng are all in high demand as the economic growth in the wider Asian region has continued to increase.

Recent seizures of smuggled species listed under the UN's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in a number of countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam illustrate not only increased enforcement effort in these countries, but the persistently large volume of illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia.

The newly endorsed ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora provides a solid framework agreement for collaboration between the ten member countries. Specifically, it addresses common issues of enhanced law enforcement networking, inter-agency co-operation, strengthened national legislation, and increasing the availability of scientific information to guide wildlife trade management by CITES authorities.

"This initiative is remarkable because of the diversity of nations involved, and the tremendous commitment and cooperation this shows to focus together on the wildlife trade," said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of the WWF Global Species Programme.

The regional Action Plan also prioritizes engagement with civil society to raise awareness of issues of legality and sustainability with industry groups, traders, and local communities involved in wildlife trade.

"Mainstreaming these issues should ensure that legal and sustainable trade is prioritized at the national levels in ASEAN member countries," said Dr Samedi from Indonesia's CITES Management Authority, which hosted the special meeting of the ASEAN experts group.

"Cracking down on illegal trade will require cooperation not only between ASEAN countries, but will depend on strong links with the region's major trading partners."

NOTES:
* TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network - a joint programme of WWF and IUCN-The World Conservation Union - works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

* TRAFFIC's work assisting the ASEAN Experts Group on CITES has been supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Opportunities Fund and WWF International's Species Programme.

* The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in more than 30,000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES regulates international trade in species by including species on one of its Appendices. Appendix Ibans commercial trade in species threatened with extinction. Appendix II regulates international trade in species whose survival in the wild may be threatened if levels of trade are not regulated.

For more information:
James Compton, Director
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia
Tel: +60 3 7880 3940
E-Mail: james.compton@po.jaring.my

Maija Sirola, Communications Coordinator
TRAFFIC International
Tel: +44 1223 277427
E-Mail: maija.sirola@trafficint.org

Joanna Benn, Communications Manager
WWF Global Species Programme
Tel: +44 22 364 9093
E-Mail: Jbenn@wwfint.org

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ASEAN combats illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia

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In an unprecedented move against Southeast Asia's illegal trade in wildlife, delegates from the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to an action plan to combat threats to the region's rich biological diversity.

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Penyitaan sekitar 225.000 kg gading Gajah Afrika Loxodonta africana yang melibatkan Kamboja, Indonesia, Republik Demokratik Rakyat Laos (PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, Filipina, Singapura, Thailand, dan Vietnam selama periode 2008–2019;

Diperkirakan ada 895.000 trenggiling yang diperdagangkan secara global pada tahun 2000–2019, sementara lebih dari 96.000 kg sisik trenggiling yang sebagian besar merupakan spesies Afrika disita pada tahun 2017–2019 di Malaysia, Singapura, dan Vietnam, yang mewakili sekitar 94% dari total jumlah sisik yang disita di Asia Tenggara selama periode ini.

Penyitaan 100.000 ekor Penyu Hidung Babi Carettochelys insculpta di Indonesia pada tahun 2003–2019;

Lebih dari 45.000 burung penyanyi disita hanya di Sumatera dan Jawa pada tahun 2018–2019;

Lebih dari 6.000 Indian Star Tortoises Geochelone elegans – yang berasal dari Asia Selatan – disita hanya dalam 10 insiden pada tahun 2017 saja, semuanya menuju ke Malaysia, Thailand atau Singapura;

Lebih dari 3.800 beruang setara yang disita di Asia, melibatkan hampir seluruh negara Asia Tenggara, dari tahun 2000–2016.

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Southeast Asia: At the heart of wildlife trade - Wildlife Trade Report from TRAFFIC

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Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 20th February 2020—Some 900,000 pangolins trafficked globally with significant proportions linked to Southeast Asia, over 200 tonnes…

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Suboptimal institutional capacity for monitoring and enforcing compliance

Ineffective law enforcement at site and landscape levels

Inadequate information exchange mechanisms to support response to IWT.

These obstacles will be removed through the implementation of the four project components

An effective national framework for managing wildlife trade.

Institutional capacity for implementation and enforcement of laws at national and international levels.

Enhance enhanced law enforcement strategies at key trade ports and connected ecosystems. Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation and Gender Mainstreaming.

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The Combatting illegal and unsustainable trade in endangered species in Indonesia or called Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade (CIWT) is project to help Government to reduce the volume of unsustainable wildlife trade and the rate of loss of globally significant biodiversity in Indonesia and East and South-East Asia.

Wildlife crime has reached critical proportions and is threatening numerous species with localized extinctions. The illegal trade in fauna and flora (other than fisheries and timber) has been estimated by different sources to be worth US$ 7-23 billion dollars annually and US$ 2.5 billion in East Asia and the Pacific alone. The value of the illegal trade in Indonesia alone is estimated at up to US$ 1 billion per year. Factoring in the unsustainable legal trade, the value rockets, representing an enormous economic, environmental, and social loss. This trade has already caused the decline and local extinction of many species across SE Asia. Much of the trade is highly organized, benefits a relatively small criminal fraternity, whilst depriving developing economies of billions of dollars in lost revenues and development opportunities. Within SE Asia, a significant amount of this trade starts from Indonesia, one of the world's top 10 'megadiverse' countries and the largest supplier of wildlife products in Asia, both 'legal' and illegal.

The key barriers are:

· The weak policy and regulatory framework and insufficient information and tools to understand, regulate and combat illegal wildlife trade;

· Suboptimal institutional capacity for compliance monitoring and enforcement;

· Ineffective enforcement at the site and landscape levels;

· Inadequate information sharing mechanisms to support responses to IWT.

These barriers will be removed through the implementation of the project's four components:

1. Effective national framework for managing wildlife trade.

2. Institutional capacity for implementation and enforcement at the national and international levels.

3. Scaling-up improved enforcement strategy at key trade ports and connected ecosystems.

4. Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation and Gender Mainstreaming.

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GEF - Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade (CIWT)

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The Combatting illegal and unsustainable trade in endangered species in Indonesia or called Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade (CIWT) is project to help Government to reduce the volume of unsustainable wildlife trade and the rate of loss of globally significant biodiversity in Indonesia and East and South-East Asia.

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Berdasarkan ketentuan Pasal 21 ayat (2) Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 5 Tahun 1990, setiap orang dilarang untuk menangkap, melukai, membunuh, menyimpan, mengangkut atau memperdagangkan satwa liar dilindungi baik dalam keadaan hidup ataupun telah mati.

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Email : ppid@menlhk.go.id / ppidklhk@gmail.com. WhatsApp : +62-822-9910-0040.

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Nomor : S.387/HUMAS/PP/HMS.3/5/2016

Nairobi, Kenya, Biro Humas KLHK, Rabu, 25Mei 2016.Menteri LHK, Dr. Siti Nurbaya, MSc dalam pertemuan dengan Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI)United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) menegaskan bahwa perdagangan satwa liar ilegal adalah kejahatan lintas batas terhadap manusia dan ekosistem manusia, dan harus diperangi.

Indonesia mempunyai berbagai upaya strategis dalam menangani Perdagangan Satwa Ilegal (Illegal Trade Wildlife and Wildlife Product). Presiden Jokowi juga telah meluncurkan gerakan nasional untuk konservasi satwa liar pada tanggal 14 April tahun 2016 ini.

Sebagai warisan universal untuk kita dan generasi yang akan datang, Taman Nasional terintegrasi dalam isu keanekaragaman hayati dan kesejahteraan manusia.Untuk negara mega-biodiversity, Indonesia telah meningkat regulasi dan penegakan hukum antara lain dengan pengetatan gerbang satwa liar keluar, dengan memperkuat kerjasama internasional melalui forum multilateral seperti CITES, APEC, UNODC dan Jaringan Penegakan Wildlife ASEAN, serta bilateral dengan Uni Eropa, Amerika Serikat, Inggris, Afrika, dan Kanada.

Partisipasi masyarakat, juga melalui Organisasi Masyarakat Sipil, merupakan aspek penting. Menteri Siti Nurbaya dalam Forum Internasional mengenai lingkungan hidup menyatakan pula "Kami mendorong upaya internasional yang kuat untuk memerangi perdagangan satwa liar ilegal sebagai kejahatan luar biasa."

Kepala Biro Humas Kementerian LHK, Novrizal, HP. 0818432387

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Indonesia Dorong Upaya Internasional Perangi Perdagangan Satwa Liar Ilegal

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Nomor : S.387/HUMAS/PP/HMS.3/5/2016Nairobi, Kenya, Biro Humas KLHK, Rabu, 25Mei 2016.Menteri LHK, Dr. Siti Nurbaya, MSc dalam pertemuan dengan Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI)Uni

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Yang Terjerat di Pasar Sukahaji | BandungBergerak.id

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Yang Terjerat di Pasar Sukahaji | BandungBergerak.id

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Pasar hewan terbesar di Kota Bandung, yaitu Pasar Sukahaji.

Pasar hewan yang terletak di ujung Jalan Peta tersebut telah berdiri sejak tahun 1994. Menurut kesaksian sejumlah warga sekitar, Pasar Sukahaji sebetulnya telah ada semenjak tahun 1984, namun bukan sebagai pasar hewan melainkan pasar kain. Kini di atas tanah sekitar 8.000 meter persegi itu sepenuhnya telah diisi oleh sekitar 300 lebih kios yang memperdagangkan burung, unggas, reptil, mamalia, pakan, vitamin hewan, hingga sangkar.

Pasar Sukahaji kemudian menjadi etalase ribuan jenis satwa liar dan berpotensi memiliki peluang untuk menjadi tempat bagi pelestarian satwa. Namun alih-alih menjadi tempat konservasi satwa langka dan dilindungi, Pasar Sukahaji justru menjadi ancaman bagi hewan yang terancam punah.

Ancaman tersebut semakin kentara ketika tim investigasi BandungBergerak.id melakukan pemantauan dan reportase sejak awal Juni lalu. Hasilnya terdapat sejumlah satwa liar dilindungi yang teridentifikasi diperdagangkan secara ilegal, di antaranya yaitu kakatua jambul kuning (5 ekor), kakatua tanimbar (3 ekor), betet ekor panjang (+15 ekor), betet biasa (+10 ekor), kasturi kepala hitam (8 ekor), nuri bayan (1 ekor), nuri baluku (-5 ekor), nuri coklat (2 ekor), perkici dora (+5 ekor), kasturi duski (6 ekor), serta beberapa jenis burung paruh bengkok lainnya.

Selain burung paruh bengkok, terdapat beberapa jenis satwa dilindungi lainnya yang diperdagangkan di Pasar Sukahaji, di antaranya kucing hutan (5 ekor), monyet ekor panjang (4 ekor), elang falcon, tiong emas (+10 ekor), jalak bali (+10 ekor), gelatik jawa (+10 ekor), jalak blambangan (+5 ekor), cica daun kecil (+5 ekor), tangkar centrong (+5 ekor), bubut jawa (1 ekor), serta sejumlah jenis satwa dilindungi lainnya.

Seluruh satwa yang disebutkan tadi tercantum di dalam lampiran Peraturan Menteri Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (LHK) Nomor P.106 Tahun 2018 dan lampiran Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia Nomor 7 tahun 1999 sebagai jenis satwa yang statusnya dilindungi. Satwa-satwa tersebut rentan akan terjadinya kepunahan akibat perburuan liar, perdagangan ilegal, dan kehilangan habitat aslinya.

Angka-angka satwa di atas juga terus berubah secara fluktuatif setiap harinya. Hari ini bisa saja jumlah satwa dilindungi tersebut dapat menurun atau malah jumlahnya semakin meningkat dan jenis satwa dilindungi lainnya malah bertambah.

Seorang aktivis perlindungan satwa liar mengatakan, Pasar Sukahaji sudah terkenal sejak lama sebagai pasarnya satwa liar yang ada di Kota Bandung. Bahkan ia menyebut Pasar Sukahaji sebagai tempat transit berbagai jenis satwa liar untuk dikirimkan ke wilayah yang lebih jauh lagi.

“Dalam peta perdagangan nasional, Pasar Sukahaji memang menjadi salah satu pasar satwa liar yang besar. Dia (Pasar Sukahaji) menjadi tempat transit juga,” ujar aktivis tersebut. Ia mewanti-wanti agar namanya tidak dituliskan Bandungbergerak.id, Rabu (13/07/2022).

Pasar Sukahaji, Etalase Satwa Liar Dilindungi

Semangat juang Kota Bandung untuk menjadikan kota yang peduli terhadap satwa kian terkalahkan oleh tindakan perdagangkan dan penyelundupan satwa liar ke Pasar Sukahaji atau ke tempat yang lebih jauh lagi.

Sampai hari ini Pasar Sukahaji masih terus menjadi etalasenya satwa liar dilindungi. Kicau burung langka yang terdengar indah di telinga bisa jadi hanya pekikan mereka yang terjerat di Pasar Sukahaji. Balai Besar Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BBKSDA) Jawa Barat mengaku tidak tinggal diam dengan perdagangan satwa dilindungi di Pasar Sukajadi. Lembaga ini mengklaim pernah melakukan sosialisasi tentang satwa liar dilindungi.

“Pernah (sosialisasi),” jawab Humas BBKSDA Jawa Barat, Halu secara singkat kepada tim investigasi BandungBergerak.id, Selasa, (4/10/2022).

Maraknya perdagangan satwa liar dilindungi di Pasar Sukahaji tidak lepas dari aksi para oknum yang bergerak bebas di ranah jual beli satwa liar. Bahkan di antara sejumlah oknum yang berperan, diduga ada anggota aparat keamanan negara yang menjadi penyelundup satwa liar dilindungi. Mereka juga diduga memberikan perlindungan terhadap perdagangan satwa ini.

Pemilik kios di Pasar Sukahaji yang tidak ingin disebutkan identitasnya, mengaku menjadi salah satu pedagang yang menerima burung nuri dari orang yang terduga mengaku sebagai anggota aparat keamanan negara yang tinggal di Cimahi. Ia mengaku tidak lebih mengetahui soal identitas terduga anggota aparatur keamanan tersebut selain hubungannya sebagai sesama penjual dan pemasok.

Namun kejadian ini bukanlah hal yang baru baginya, beberapa kali kiosnya di Pasar Sukahaji sempat kedatangan orang yang mengaku sebagai yang menawarkan satwa liar yang statusnya dilindungi. Harga yang ditawarkan bisa bermacam-macam, misalnya burung nuri jinak bisa dibandrol sebesar 700.000 rupiah, sementara burung nuri yang belum jinak hanya dibandrol sebesar 400.000 rupiah.

“Ya, kemarin itu nuri dari orang yang mengaku aparat, tuh. Saya juga gak tahu dia dari mana, tapi dia tiba-tiba datang ke sini terus nawarin mau nuri gak? Ya, akhirnya saya terima dan terjadi jual beli di sana. Kalau gak salah tinggalnya di Cimahi,” akunya, kepada BandungBergerak.id.

Tidak berhenti di satu kios, pada pertengahan Juli (7/13/2022), tim BandungBergerak.id masih menemukan kios lainnya di Pasar Sukahaji yang mendapat sayap perlindungan dari aparat keamanan negara. Teriakan dua burung kakatua jambul kuning dan tiga kakatua tanimbar yang terikat oleh rantai burung menjadi ucapan selamat datang ketika memasuki kios pedagang tersebut. Tidak habis di sana, kiosnya masih menyimpan sejumlah jenis burung lainnya yang statusnya dilindungi, dan yang menjadi garis besar kesemua burung itu tidak memiliki sertifikat.

Ia mengaku sempat kesulitan mendatangkan burung yang statusnya dilindungi ini karena alasan keamanan. Namun luasnya jaringan perdagangan dirinya yang mencapai aparat keamanan negara menjawab sudah mengapa burung-burung tersebut kini berada di kiosnya.

Dugaan terlibatnya aparat keamanan negara yang berperan di Pasar Sukahaji sedikit menjawab mengapa hingga hari ini Pasar Sukahaji masih terus menjadi etalase satwa liar dilindungi. Hal ini berakibat pada semakin menggilanya perdagangan ilegal satwa liar dilindungi di sana. Mudah sekali menemukan satwa endemik Indonesia yang statusnya dilindungi oleh negara di sana

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Yang Terjerat di Pasar Sukahaji | BandungBergerak.id

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Yang Terjerat di Pasar Sukahaji | BandungBergerak.id

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Keberadaan awetan satwa, terutama satwa dilindungi, sangat terkait dengan UU No.5 Tahun 1990 tentang Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam. Pasal 21 ayat (2) butir (b) menyebutkan "Setiap orang dilarang untuk menyimpan, memiliki, memelihara, mengangkut, dan memperniagakan satwa yang dilindungi dalam keadaan mati." Sedangkan pada butir (d) menyebutkan "Setiap orang dilarang untuk memperniagakan, menyimpan atau memiliki kulit, tubuh atau bagian-bagian lain satwa yang dilindungi atau barang-barang yang dibuat dari bagian-bagian satwa tersebut atau mengeluarkannya dari suatu tempat di Indonesia ke tempat lain di dalam atau di luar Indonesia."

Dalam Pasal 40 ayat [2] UU 5/1990, sanksi pidana bagi orang yang sengaja melakukan pelanggaran terhadap ketentuan sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 21 ayat (2) adalah pidana penjara paling lama 5 (lima) tahun dan denda paling banyak Rp 100.000.000,00 (seratus juta rupiah). Sebuah ancaman sanksi yang tidak main-main.

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Dari Alam Menuju Pasar

Menurut penelusuran tim kolaborasi liputan investigasi satwa dilindungi yang terdiri dari Bandungbegerak.id, Jaring.id, Mongabay, Tirto, dan Mayung.id, satwa endemik Indonesia tersebut diburu dari habitatnya kemudian diperjualbelikan, dan di antaranya terdapat anggota aparat keamanan negara yang bermain di dalam perdagangan tersebut untuk diselundupkan ke berbagai daerah.

Salah satunya menurut penelurusan tim kolaborasi investigasi yang bertugas di daerah Maluku, tim kolaborasi menemukan dugaan terdapat dua aparat berpangkat yang terlibat dalam bisnis gelap satwa dilindungi tersebut. Mereka menyelundupkan satwa dilindungi tersebut salah satunya melalui kapal Pelni yang memiliki rute dari Morotai, Maluku Utara – Surabaya, tidak sampai Jakarta.

Adapun jenis satwa liar dilindungi yang biasanya diperdagangkan dan diselundupkan, di antaranya: kakatua putih (Cacatua alba), kasturi ternate (Lorius garrulus), nuri bayan maluku (Electus rorratus), dan nuri kalung-ungu (Eos Squamata). Menurut temuan Burung Indonesia, keempat jenis burung ini merupakan yang paling sering ditangkap dari alam. Bahkan kakatua putih dan nuri kalung-ungu, populasinya begitu terancam dan berkurang hampir sebanyak 60 persen.

Belum cukup sampai di sana, tim kolaborasi lainnya juga menemukan kasus dugaan penyelundupan lainnya yang dilakukan oleh aparat keamanan negara yaitu dugaan penyelundupan satwa liar dilindungi yang mengunakan kapal KRI Teluk Lada 521. Kapal tersebut merupakan kapal perang jenis cargo yang telah beroperasi semenjak 2019. Kapal yang digunakan untuk berperang tersebut nantinya akan bersandar di Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.

Tim kolaborasi mencatat terdapat sejumlah burung dilindungi yang terdapat di kapal tersebut di antaranya kakatua raja, kakatua jambul kuning (Cacatua sulphurea), nuri bayan (Eclectus roratus), kasturi kepala hitam (Lorius lory) cendrawasih (Paradisaeidae), kuskus (Marsupialia), kangguru Papua (Macropus agilis).

Kesemua satwa yang ditemukan di dalam kapal tersebut telah disita oleh oleh Polisi Militer Angkatan Laut (POMAL). Namun tim kolaborasi mendapat kejanggalan dalam proses penyitaannya, di antaranya tim kolaborasi awalnya mendapatkan informasi dari petugas POMAL Koarmada II yang melaporkan ada 140 jumah satwa yang disita dari KRI Teluk Lada. Namun dikembalikan ke Balai Konservasi dan Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA) Jawa Timur hanya 39 ekor satwa.

Pada saat tim kolaborasi meminta konfirmasi atas jumlah satwa yang berkurang kepada Kepala Dinas Penerangan Koarmada II, Asep Aryansah, ia seketika mematikan teleponnya. Ia juga enggan menjelaskan ihwal lenyapnya 101 satwa, “Sinyal saya buruk,” ujarnya kepada tim kolaborasi.

Jejak-jejak tersebut semakin menguatkan dugaan cerita-cerita satwa liar dilindungi yang diperdagangkan oleh aparat keamanan negara di pasar burung. Hal ini menjadi tugas yang berat untuk melestarikan satwa liar yang statusnya dilindungi negara apabila tidak ada upaya kolektif yang dilakukan oleh seluruh lapisan masyarakat Indonesia.

Bukan Sebatas di Pasar Sukahaji

Geliat perdagangan satwa liar dilindungi di Kota Bandung tidak hanya sebatas di lingkup Pasar Sukahaji. Jauh lebih luas lagi, para oknum pedagang satwa liar dilindungi yang terdapat di berbagai penjuru Kota Bandung tersebut bermain secara online melalui media daring. Hal tersebut tentunya semakin melebarkan sayap perdagangan ilegal satwa liar dilindungi menjadi semakin meluas.

Tim kolaborasi mendapat informasi terkait sejumlah orang yang melakukan aktivitas ilegalnya secara daring. Di antaranya terdapat seorang lelaki bernama Sudirman (nama disamarkan), yang telah melakukan aktivitas ilegalnya semenjak 2019. Semenjak Agustus lalu, tim BandungBergerak.id melakukan pemantauan terhadap gerakannya di media sosial. Hasilnya pada akhir Agustus, (30/8/2022), ia mengunggah kakatua raja (Probosciger aterrimus) di akun media sosialnya dan membandrol burung tersebut seharga 10 juta rupiah.

Tak cukup burung paruh bengkok, ia juga menjual berbagai jenis satwa dilindungi lainnya seperti cendrawasih raja (Cicinnurus regitus) yang dibanderol seharga tujuh juta rupiah tanpa sertifikat, bahkan rangkong (Rhinoplax vigil) dan kangguru pohon saja ia akui siap untuk dikirim melalui jalur darat dengan menggunakan bis.

Berbagai jenis satwa dilindungi tersebut ia akui diperoleh dari jejaringnya yang ada di Cirebon dan Jawa Timur. Menurutnya, rata-rata orang yang menjadi pemasok merupakan orang yang mengaku sebagai anggota aparat keamanan negara yang berada di sana.

“Kalau cendrawsih sistemnya pesen, om. Kalau ada yang pesen baru saya orderkan ke kawan di Jatim kadang kawan Cirebon. Rata-rata yang kirim barang dari Jatim dugaannya anggota aparat juga, sih,” akunya, saat dihubungi Selasa (4/10/2022).

Pengakuan tersebut semakin menguatkan dugaan bahwa dugaan adanya peran aparat keamanan negara dalam perdagangan satwa liar dilindungi begitu kuat. Pengakuan itu cukup menjawab pertanyaan mengapa satwa liar yang statusnya dilindungi oleh negara dapat berakhir di dalam jerat tangan para pedagang yang tidak bertanggung jawab.

Belum lagi pada April lalu, seorang lelaki berinisial ES tertangkap basah di gudang miliknya di Baleendah karena memperdagangkan satwa liar dilindungi. Darinya, polisi menyita dua ekor burung kakatua jambul kuning (Cacatua sulphurea), 35 ekor burung kakatua tanimbar (Cacatua goffiniana), dua ekor burung nuri bayan (Eclectus poratus), dan satu ekor burung kasturi kepala hitam (Lorius lory).

Lelaki berusia 31 tahun tersebut diketahui merupakan seorang pengepul yang telah melakukan pergerakan ilegalnya sekitar tiga tahun lamanya. Ia biasanya melakukan aktivitas jual belinya di media sosial dan menjual burung-burungnya dengan harga bervariasi, yaitu kisaran harga dua sampai tiga juta rupiah. Ia juga diketahui memasok burung-burungnya ke Pasar Sukahaji, bahkan ia berencana mengekspor burung-burung paruh bengkok dan melibatkan seorang warga negara asing yang tinggal di Indonesia.

Temuan tim kolaborasi ini semakin menunjukkan fakta bahwa satwa-satwa liar dilindungi di ambang kepunahan. Penting untuk diketahui, bahwa fungsi satwa-satwa tersebut sangatlah penting dalam menjalankan mata rantai makanan dalam ekosistem kehidupan. Oleh karenanya, tidak ada pihak yang tidak menyetujui untuk melakukan pelestarian terhadap satwa. Kecuali bagi mereka yang berharap kepunahannya.

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topic: cases of illegal wildlife trade om southest asia continue to increase espicially with the trend of online buying and selling!

apa yang ada di dalamnya?

1. penjelasan terkait IWT

2. data IWT di asia tenggara

3. bagaimana cara mengatasi IWT

4. Dampak IWT

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theme: illegal wildlife trade

show: menampilkan saat terjadinya IWT

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One of the Greatest Movie Moments Ever | RRR Diorama

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1. caring --> peduli dengan hewan2 disekitar kita, karena harus menjaga hewan dengan baik

2. balanced --> mengetahui hukum2 dalam iwt dan konsekuensi

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research skill

communication skill

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Pelaku perdagangan surili dan lutung Jawa via daring di Bandung ditangkap - ANTARA News Jawa Barat

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Direktorat Jenderal Penegakan Hukum Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK) mengungkap jaringan perdagangan satwa…

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Tersangka biasanya mendapatkan satwa jenis burung yang dilindungi tersebut dari media sosial Facebook yang di iklankan oleh para penjual di forum komunitas burung (paruh bengkok). Setelah itu tersangka menjual kembali burung tersebut dengan harga bervariatif kisaran harga Rp 2 hingga 3 Juta. Jual beli ini sudah dijalani selama tiga tahun

Sindikat Internasional

Pelaku sendiri mengaku burung tersebut juga dijual kepada seorang WNA asal China. Kasat Reskrim Polresta Bandung, AKP Oliestha Ageng Wicaksana, menyebutkan masih melakukan pengembangan dugaan jaringan internasional jual beli satwa ilegal. Ia turut menangani kasus ini, termasuk ketika melakukan penggerebekan.

Keterangan ini akan terus dikembangkan mengingat pengakuan tersangka penjualan satwa ilegal sudah pernah dilakukan sebelumnya dan berhasil lolos. Keterlibatan WNA asal Cina ini menunjukkan adanya sindikat internasional.

"Ini masih dalam proses penyidikan. Kemungkinan berkembang masih ada," ucapnya melalui telepon pada Selasa (26/7/2022).

Selain menjual secara online dan keterlibatan sindikat internasional, pengakuan tersangka menyebutkan penjualan secara langsung di Pasar Sukahaji di Kota Bandung.

ES sendiri dijerat dengan Pasal 40 ayat (2) Jo Pasal 21 Ayat (2) huruf a dan b UU No. 5 Tahun 1990 tentang Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Hayati dan Ekosistemnya. Ia diancam hukuman penjara paling lama 5 tahun.

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Polisi Cokok Anggota Sindikat Dagang Satwa Ilegal Internasional

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Polisi kembangkan keterlibatan sindikat internasional perdagangan satwa dalam kasus jual beli satwa ilegal di Baleendah, Kabupaten Bandung, Jawa Barat.

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kita buat lirik tentang IWT terus nanti di puter di booth nya kita atau di share + nadanya kita ambil dari youtube