Bad news about poaching, environmental and wildlife crimes rarely come alone …
in the spotlight today ……………………
How safe are the ivory, rhino horn stockpiles in EA vaults? http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/How-safe-are-the-ivory–rhino-horn-stockpiles-in-EA-vaults-/-/2558/2586072/-/ojfqjjz/-/index.html (It’s thought ivory in storage in Malaysia has been plundered by government officials. Does CITES care?)
No 316 Wildlife Trade News 13th January 2015
More ‘legal’ ivory will hasten the demise of species http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/2015/01/12/more-legal-ivory-will-hasten-the-demise-of-species
Illegal ivory for sale in California has doubled in 8 years, study says http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ivory-ban-20150113-story.html
The plight of Zim’s 36 baby elephants
extract: The families were scattered by gunshots. They made for easy targets from above: great, grey figures stark against the golden grass. As the animals began to stampede, their terrified babies, unable to keep up, were roped together and taken away. Their capture tore apart families that in the wild could be separated only by death. Within weeks, one of the elephants has already died and its meat distributed for food. The remaining 35 young calves (plus an additional one to replace the deceased) are being held captive in a boma, along with several other animals, close to the main camp of Hwange Elephant Park. Their situation is only about to get worse. ……. with the majority likely being shipped off to Chinese zoos and circuses. http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-01-13-the-plight-of-zims-36-baby-elephants/#.VLS7gHuTIsc
All kinds of illegal trade on Myanmar’s border
(Above) Wildlife traders doing brisk business in a street market in Myanmar’s border town of Mong La, where thousands of the Bengal slow loris are sold. The slow loris is sought by the Chinese for its apparent medicinal value. The problem for Myanmar government agencies is their lack of control over some border areas. — PHOTOS: CHRIS SHEPHERD/TRAFFIC, VINCENT NIJMAN –
extract: This goes against Myanmar’s laws and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) to which Myanmar and China are signatories.
But the sale of slow loris is only the tip of the iceberg of the rampant illegal trade in exotic animals, drugs, timber, and precious gems taking place on the Myanmar-China and Laos-China borders. The onus of this one is really on China. See more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/myanmar/story/all-kinds-illegal-trade-myanmars-border-20150113#sthash.rtEIMscd.dpuf
CITES ISN’T WORKING – IS IT?
Four rhino killed in Mkhuze . SOUTH AFRICA http://zululandobserver.co.za/56334/four-rhino-down-in-mkuze/#at_pco=cfd-1.0&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=3&at_tot=6&at_si=54b3a1f93187451a
The mayor of Manado (in the middle in photo below) plans to make a new regulation to prohibit the sale of endangered/ protected species in traditional markets in this Indonesian city, located in Sumatra, Northern Sulawesi which is wildlife-rich and a trafficking hotspot. https://www.facebook.com/Trafficsea?fref=ts
Gabon Wildlife Arrests Car With 110 Kilos Of Ivory
http://www.spyghana.com/gabon-wildlife-arrests-car-110-kilos-ivoy/
Chinese wildlife centres on high alert as canine distemper outbreak kills another giant panda http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/chinese-wildlife-centres-on-high-alert-as-canine-distemper-outbreak-kills-another-giant-panda-9972516.html
N.J. man convicted in narwhal whale tusk smuggling conspiracy to be sentenced Monday http://bangordailynews.com/2015/01/12/news/bangor/nj-man-convicted-in-narwhal-whale-tusk-smuggling-conspiracy-to-be-sentenced-monday/?ref=latest
40 Mysterious Pythons Found On Grave, 20 Stoned To Death, 20 Disappeared. NIGERIA http://www.informationng.com/2015/01/40-mysterious-pythons-found-on-top-of-grave-20-disappeared-20-stoned-to-death.html
Shahidan claims to have solid proof of illegal logging, land clearing in Gua Musang. MALAYSIA
Read more: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/01/12/shahidan-claims-solid-proof-illegal-logging-land-clearing-gua-musang/#ixzz3OckoJw2i
Indonesia strengthens surveillance fleet to combat illegal fishing http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/97326/indonesia-strengthens-surveillance-fleet-to-combat-illegal-fishing
India: Tiger numbers stabilise in protected habitats but poaching remains huge threat http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tiger-numbers-marginally-india-say-sources-quoting-census-data-1482939
Leopards fast losing battle of survival in Madhya Pradesh http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bhopal/leopards-fast-losing-battle-of-survival-in-madhya-pradesh/article1-1305919.aspx
Toucan loses half its beak in attack by teenage thugs in Costa Rica prompting social media campaign to have gang arrested
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2903623/Call-old-bill-Toucan-loses-half-beak-attacked-teenage-thugs-Costa-Rica-prompting-social-media-campaign-gang-arrested.html#ixzz3OccAp7qJ
NJ narwhal smuggler gets prison time http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-News+Other/211795/nj-narwhal-smuggler-gets-prison-time#.VLS6ZHuTIsc
Illegal wildlife parts seized in Myanmar border town http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/901581.shtml
Sea Shepherd Calls on New Zealand to Arrest Poachers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1501/S00085/sea-shepherd-calls-on-new-zealand-to-arrest-poachers.htm
Ambitious study maps species’ vulnerability to overhunting across Central Africa http://blog.cifor.org/26242/ambitious-study-maps-species-vulnerability-to-overhunting-across-central-africa#.VLS9X3uTIsc
Can Big Data Save the Last of India’s Wild Tigers? http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/01/12/can-big-data-save-the-last-of-indias-wild-tigers/
Gentle Giants Crying out for Love, Compassion. INDIA http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Gentle-Giants-Crying-out-for-Love-Compassion/2015/01/13/article2616742.ece
Disney’s Animal Kingdom makes ‘worst zoos for elephants’ list http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-animal-kingdom-elephants-20150112-story.html
Lao loggers arrested after shots fired
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/456588/forest-patrol-catches-lao-log-poachers-in-ubon-rathathani
Armed illegal loggers devastate Tanzania’s coastal forest – TRFN http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN0KM0DX20150113
