Nature alert continues to provide updates on poaching, wildlife and environmental crimes
and with their permission I share this daily
dose of bad news with my readers …
in the spotlight today ……………………
Kasukuwere petitioned over sale of baby elephants. The Zimbabwe Conservation Taskforce (ZCTF) today submitted a petition against the sale of baby elephants to the environment minister, Saviour Kasukuwere
http://www.thezimbabwean.co/travel/74696/kasukuwere-petitioned-over-sale-of.html
Current and recent news included below. From tomorrow the news will return to being all current. You will see below further and abundant evidence of China’s collusion in the illegal wildlife trade. You will also see, as in previous years, the CITES secretariat carries on holding workshops and conferences ‘talking’ about saving wildlife – which is a whole lot different to actually saving wildlife.
Do you REALLY have any confidence left in CITES and/or its secretary general?
Has CITES saved any wildlife in the last few years? Can you name any examples?
The convention itself is good. What’s lacking is its enforcement, isn’t it? And who do you hold responsible for that?
Please read on and see for yourself what the lack of sanctions against China has done for wildlife.
For as long as we can remember China has been blatantly active in the illegal wildlife and illegal logging trades. And all the CITES Secretariat has done is to give the Chinese awards for wildlife protection. http://cites.org/eng/news/pr/2012/20120509_certificate_cn.php What do you think of this?
No 319 Wildlife Trade News 29th January 2015
Indonesia takes on China. (NA comment: If only CITES would take on China instead of sucking up to it.) EXTRACT: Indonesia is taking a tough stance against China in its fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by confiscating Chinese vessels and severing recent privileges given to China to fish in Indonesian waters. After confiscating more than nine Chinese-linked vessels for alleged poaching, – See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/28/issue-day-indonesia-takes-china.html#sthash.unV0WzD4.dpuf
Chinese logging firms seek intervention over seized staff and equipment in Myanmar http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1692219/chinese-logging-firms-seek-intervention-over-seized-staff-and-equipment
More Chinese caught stealing timber in Myanmar
The Plunder of Myanmar. NEW YORK TIMES EXTRACT: China’s exploding appetites have unleashed a wholesale looting of Myanmar’s valuable natural resources http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/24/opinion/the-plunder-of-myanmar.html?_r=0
In Myanmar’s ‘Black Zones,’ Illicit Chinese Commerce Is Said to Thrive NEW YORK TIMES http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/in-myanmars-black-zones-illicit-chinese-commerce-is-said-to-thrive/
The Guilty and the Innocent: China and Illegal Logging in Myanmar
Trucks loaded with Burmese timber wait to cross a river on the Burma-China border. (Photo: EIA) http://www.irrawaddy.org/contributor/guilty-innocent-china-illegal-logging-myanmar.html
Chinese officials allegedly eat endangered animal at banquet http://www.aol.com/article/2015/01/27/chinese-officials-allegedly-eat-endangered-animal-at-banquet/21135666/
CITES Opening remarks at the workshop on demand-side strategies for curbing illegal ivory trade (NA COMMENT: Oh now. TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK, Yet another workshop. Is there no end to the talking and – no beginning to taking action against CHINA?)
Mandatory photo of the CITES Secretary General in China? Remember this: It is important to judge CITES by it actions/results, not its good intentions. Read this newsletter every day and wonder how the CITES Standing Committee have still not sanctioned China. What more does China have to do before the CITES bureaucrats pluck up courage to use sanctions?
Sanctions are there to be used. How can – why does – the CITES secretary General say this “China has been very active in supporting the implementation of CITES both domestically and internationally.”Read the news and wonder again why the secretary general would say such a thing. Is the CITES Secretariat no longer fit for purpose? Why is it always defending China? ) http://cites.org/eng/CITES_SG_remarks_China_ivory_workshop
China and CITES Secretariat to tackle the demand for illegal ivory (NA comment: Headline on the CITES web site, so designed to tell you what they want you to hear when you see all around a very different picture. How many years has the talking go on? How many workshops,? How many conferences? And in the meantime how many elephants and rhinos have been slaughtered?) http://cites.org/eng/China_ivory_workshop_release
DO YOU CONSIDER CITES
FIT FOR PURPOSE – OR NOT?
Look at all the illegal trade going on.
Look at what China alone is doing.
When did you last hear CITES talk about sanctioning a country, much less implementing sanctions?
WHEN THERE IS NO LAW ENFORCEMENT –
WHAT HAPPENS?
Imagine what would happen in your town or city if all the police ever did was to hold workshops and conferences to talk about law enforcement, instead of getting with enforcing the law.
Truck laden with cats en route to restaurants seized. extract: HANOI: Police in Hanoi have seized a truck carrying over a ton of cats smuggled from China to sell to restaurants in northern Vietnam, authorities said Wednesday.
Attempted Smuggling of Over 7,600 Rare Baby Turtles Foiled in Indonesia. EXTRACT They were headed for Shang Hai, China, via Singapore, in boxes labeled as “mangrove crabs”. http://annamiticus.com/2015/01/27/attempted-smuggling-7600-rare-baby-turtles-foiled-indonesia/
Deforestation May Be Ramping Up in Papua, West Papua
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1226677-deforestation-may-be-ramping-up-in-papua-west-papua/?photo=2
TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA No let up in the illegal pangolin trade: Authorities in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia have seized over 260 kilos of pangolin scales destined for Hong Kong via post. Article in Bahasa Indonesia: http://tinyurl.com/k5363o9.
Half of Borneo’s Mammals Could Lose a Third of their Habitat by 2080 http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1219888-half-of-borneos-mammals-could-lose-a-third-of-their-habitat-by-2080/
Graft slows Cameroon, Malaysia fight against illegal logging – thinktank: TRFN http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN0KV0ID20150122
Malaysia Customs seizes ivory worth RM19,805,132 in 3 years. (NA COMMENT: Three years, one low level arrest given small fine, no big traders caught, no independent audit of ivory – probably because some has disappeared, no destruction of ivory stocks. Nothing has changed then – and we can be certain CITES will, yet again, turn a blind eye to Malaysia’s long-time involvement in the illegal wildlife trade. No change there then, either. Business as usual and no one inconvenienced by prosecutions or sanctions. http://customstoday.com.pk/malaysia-customs-seizes-ivory-worth-rm19805132-in-3-years-2/
Poaching involves paying politicians – wildlife charity. AFRICA – See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/poaching-involves-paying-politicians-wildlife-charity#sthash.R2vOBnOy.dpuf
CITES STILL ISN’T WORKING…. FOR WILDLIFE – IS IT.
Bulgarian Customs Prevent Smuggling of Two Million European Eels
Sofia Airport customs officers seized two million European baby eels which two Chinese nationals had tried to smuggle into Bulgaria, 22 January 2015. Photo BGNES – See more at: http://www.novinite.com/articles/166112/Bulgarian+Customs+Prevent+Smuggling+of+Two+Million+European+Eels#sthash.Wa5lVuHk.uxibBDtQ.dpuf
Chinese Journalists Beaten Over Salamander Dinner Probe
(Photo : Reuters) Small plastic bags holding fish, turtles and salamanders are displayed for sale at a shopping district in Beijing March 7, 2013.
Read more: http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/34516/20150128/chinese-journalists-beaten-over-salamander-dinner-probe.htm#ixzz3Q6YOsfZL
Not correct to say ‘not a proboscis monkey habitat’ SABAH/MALAYSIA http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=96688
The fight to save SA’s rhinos: What the Minister didn’t say http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-01-28-the-fight-to-save-sas-rhinos-what-the-minister-didnt-say/#.VMh_xS6TIsc
Ivory in Uganda seizure likely stolen from impound vault http://phys.org/news/2015-01-ivory-uganda-seizure-stolen-impound.html
China Investigates Officials in Lavish ‘Salamander Dinner Scandal
Read more: http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/34549/20150128/china-investigates-officials-lavish-salamander-dinner-scandal.htm#ixzz3Q5xApyq0
TANZANIA: Govt probing increase in tuskless elephants http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=76792
Controversy swirls around tourists hunting rare birds in Iran
http://www.payvand.com/news/15/jan/1151.html
Tighter access to forest reserves. INDIA http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=96670
Rejuvenation camp concludes, elephant safari to resume. INDIA http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/rejuvenation-camp-concludes-elephant-safari-to-resume/article6828326.ece
Fighting poaching with satellites drones, and maths http://www.biznews.com/green/2015/01/27/fighting-poaching-satellites-drones-maths/
Namibia to tighten poaching laws http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/science/environment/namibia-to-tighten-poaching-laws-1.1809619#.VMh-UC6TIsc
Forget Crude! Palm Can Be Nigeria’s Next Oil Cash Cow
Read more at: http://www.ventures-africa.com/2015/01/forget-crude-palm-can-be-nigerias-next-oil-cash-cow/
Turtle importer jailed for animal cruelty and having endangered species without permits. SINGAPORE
European Commission Clears Sime Darby To Buy New Britain Palm Oil http://www.lse.co.uk/AllNews.asp?code=muvyprr5&headline=European_Commission_Clears_Sime_Darby_To_Buy_New_Britain_Palm_Oil
Palm Oil Giant Lists Suppliers Online http://www.environmentalleader.com/2015/01/27/palm-oil-giant-lists-suppliers-online/
Call of the Orangutan: Rescuing a Crashed Drone http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/expeditions/2015/01/26/call-of-the-orangutan-rescuing-a-crashed-drone/
UK raises alarm over increase in ivory trade
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000149505/uk-raises-alarm-over-increase-in-ivory-trade
Six years on, Corbett yet to get its tiger force http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Six-years-on-Corbett-yet-to-get-its-tiger-force/articleshow/46034414.cms
One more poacher arrested in Pilibhit http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/One-more-poacher-arrested-in-Pilibhit/articleshow/46033399.cms
Wildlife group discloses details of Rhino poachers. INDIA http://www.nagalandpost.com/ChannelNews/Regional/RegionalNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDA3NDM2OQ%3D%3D
Coast Guard stops Mexican poachers in Gulf of Mexico http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1736812/coast-guard-stops-mexican-poachers-gulf-mexico#.VMiBXC6TIsc
Indonesian police to sink Vietnamese vessel in Papuan waters http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2015/01/indonesian-police-to-sink-vietnamese-vessel-in-papua-waters/
Smuggling the bane of Cameron Highlands’ exotic and rare orchids. MALAYSIA
Pic credit www.ecocameron.com
Read more: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/01/26/smuggling-bane-cameron-highlands-exotic-rare-orchids/#ixzz3Q6rST4pa
Ad campaign targets international turtle trade. CANADA http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/27/ad-campaign-targets-international-turtle-trade
Tiger dies in Bandipur national park; poisoning suspected http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/tiger-dies-in-bandipur-national-park-poisoning-suspected/article6822455.ece
8 poachers nabbed in Pilibhit with tiger meat, bones, teeth http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/8-poachers-nabbed-in-Pilibhit-with-tiger-meat-bones-teeth/articleshow/46014215.cms
Police seize 5 tons of timber. INDONESIAhttp://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/28/police-seize-5-tons-timber.html
China scorns NY Times on Myanmar http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2015-01/27/c_133951180.htm
Logging; G-B stripped of more than 50% forest cover. PAKISTAN http://tribune.com.pk/story/827168/logging-g-b-stripped-of-more-than-50-forest-cover/
Logging and consequences. PAKISTAN
Express:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/828538/logging-and-consequences/
Certification incentives for reducing illegal logging in Brazil may miss their mark http://blog.cifor.org/26529/timber-certification-brazil-amazon-logging-incentives#.VMiHai6TIsc
Soldiers, including one ex-con, arrested over land-clearing allegation. CAMBODIA http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/soldiers-including-one-ex-con-arrested-over-land-clearing-allegation
Appoint Kelantan Orang Asli as rangers. MALAYSIA http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/27/appoint-kelantan-orang-asli-as-rangers/
Cameroon Timber Trade – High Risk, Low Reward http://allafrica.com/stories/201501260445.html
A giant step in fight against illegal logging. SARAWAK/MALAYSIA
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/01/25/a-giant-step-in-fight-against-illegal-logging/#ixzz3Q664ZyX1
Chainsaws Drive the Most Vulnerable Tribe on Earth From the Amazon http://www.ryot.org/amazonian-tribe-at-risk-of-extinction-awa/918276
Monk found with an Elephant calf. SRI LANKA
http://www.hirunews.lk/102267/monk-found-elephant-calf
Mars and Wilmar step up efforts to tackle deforestation http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/analysis/2391426/mars-and-wilmar-step-up-efforts-to-tackle-deforestation
Why is so little attention paid to Madagascar’s incredible wildlife? http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/27/why-so-little-attention-paid-madagascar-incredible-wildlife
Forests for the Future http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/tony-juniper/rainforest-preservation_b_6542618.html
Port Officials Urged to Speed Up Investigation Into Ivory Seizure. CAMBODIA https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/port-officials-urged-to-speed-up-investigation-into-ivory-seizure-76751/
Craziest animals smuggled into Dubai. Dubai Customs committed to fight against wildlife traffickers http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/craziest-animals-smuggled-into-dubai-2015-01-26-1.578045
Second South Florida man nabbed in illegal trade of rhino horns. USA http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article7859277.html
Five ways I’ve seen attitudes to animals change in China https://www.animalsasia.org/intl/media/news/news-archive/five-ways-i%E2%80%99ve-seen-attitudes-to-animals-change-in-china.html
Kenya: Poaching Reduces By Half, New KWS Figures Show http://allafrica.com/stories/201501281456.html
Vietnamese wildlife conservationist named among world’s top ten http://www.thanhniennews.com/education-youth/vietnamese-wildlife-conservationist-named-among-worlds-top-ten-38093.html
Sariska scores over Ranthambore in tiger preservation http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/sariska-scores-over-ranthambore-in-tiger-preservation-46953.html
Ebola is killing chimps and gorillas too – now we must save them! http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/2731822/ebola_is_killing_chimps_and_gorillas_too_now_we_must_save_them.html
Palm oil has the potency to replace hydrocarbons as Nigeria’s mega export earner, says Oroh – See more at: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/business/195274-palm-oil-has-the-potency-to-replace-hydrocarbons-as-nigeria-s-mega-export-earner-says-oroh#sthash.xgpibKPR.dpuf
Scientists hold emergency meeting to save endangered rhinos – See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/28/scientists-hold-emergency-meeting-save-endangered-rhinos.html#sthash.Kj9WHePK.dpuf
‘I see more carcasses than live rhino’
A ranger inspects a dead rhino found on the banks of a river in the Kruger National Park. Picture: Sapa. http://ewn.co.za/2015/01/28/I-see-more-carcasses-than-live-rhino-says-Ranger
Spread of palm oil production threatens livelihoods in Indonesia: report. INDONESIA http://www.ucanews.com/news/spread-of-palm-oil-production-threatens-livelihoods-in-indonesia-report/72884
Orangutans take the logging road http://phys.org/news/2015-01-orangutans-road.html
Kenya lost over 100 rhinos in three years http://www.siasat.com/english/news/kenya-lost-over-100-rhinos-three-years
Proposals seek to end ivory sales. Hawaii is one of the nation’s largest markets for the substance, much of which advocates of the ban argue is illegal. http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y&id=290036691&id=290036691
Roads are encroaching deeper into the Amazon rainforest, study says http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/28/roads-are-encroaching-deeper-into-the-amazon-rainforest-study-says
Iraq vets tackle poachers. S. AFRICA http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2015/01/29/iraq-vets-tackle-poachers
Sea Shepherd will use multimillion dollar donation to build new ship http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2015/s4169641.htm
Zambia facing challenges in reducing deforestation http://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/01/29/zambia-facing-challenges-reducing-deforestation/
The science is clear: Forest loss behind Brazil’s drought http://blog.cifor.org/26559/the-science-is-clear-forest-loss-behind-brazils-drought#.VMnDli7JIsc
BP REDD+ officially disbanded. INDONESIA http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/29/bp-redd-officially-disbanded.html
Biodiversity heroes awarded for innovation. INDONESIA http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/29/biodiversity-heroes-awarded-innovation.html
China tries out logging ban in northeastern province (NA comment: While stealing wood from other countries) http://news.mongabay.com/2015/0128-gfrn-joshi-china-tries-out-logging-ban-in-heilongjiang.html
