Your daily dose of bad news from around the world …
about poaching, wildlife and environmental crime
in the spotlight today ……………………more news reports critical of China you won’t find on the pro-China CITES web site.
Inside the Chinese fur farms which breed ‘raccoon dogs’ in tiny cages and skin them alive to make luxury coats sold in the West
- Animal rights activists infiltrated two farms and market near Beijing
- Each had more than 300 ‘raccoon dogs’, distant relation of domestic pets
- They secretly filmed after pretending to be potential buyers from Europe
- Video shows grinning worker ripping fur up around live animal’s head
- Fur farming banned in Britain in 2000 but is largely unrestricted in China
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2867219/Inside-Chinese-fur-farms-breed-raccoon-dogs-tiny-cages-skin-alive-make-luxury-coats-sold-West.html#ixzz3RkE4cvm1
Hidden horror of William’s elephant sanctuary: Plea to Prince to cancel trip to Chinese park… where animals are forced to perform degrading tricks and have tusks sawn off
- Prince is due to visit to Wild Elephant Valley in Xishuangbanna, China
- He was urged to cancel his visit to the park where elephants are forced to dance, play football and perform tricks for crowds of tourists
- William, patron of charity Tusk, will see reserve’s Wild Elephant Walkway
- It’s helped double wild elephant population in China’s Yunnan province
- But just 400 yards away, captive elephants are forced to perform to thousands of visitors a day in a shoddy arena
IS THERE NO LIMIT TO THE CRUELTY AND ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE CARRIED OUT IN CHINA. A COUNTRY THE CITES SECRETARIAT SHIELDS FROM CRITICISM ON ITS WEB SITE? WHY?
DOES THIS WORRY YOU?
No 334 Wildlife Trade News 16th February 2015
Africa: A Road Map to Fighting Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade
extract: China and CITES please pay attention: "Did you ever get to see an elephant in the wild before they became extinct?" This is a question children may soon be asking unless we take immediate action.’
http://allafrica.com/stories/201502130961.html
How to help the baby elephants. http://www.march4elephantsandrhinos.org/#!china-and-uae-action-letter/c1iht
The Chinese CITES MA previously said they had not received a request to import these elephants. TRUE or a LIE?
Prior to any import permit there would need to be a Non Detriment Finding by the Chinese Scientific Authority. The CITES management authority would need to be provided with this before issuing and import permit. China domestically requires an import permit for CITES II species as well. Was the Non Detriment Finding ever completed and will it ever be seen in public?
Zimbabwe’s Famed Forests Could Soon Be Desert http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/29129-zimbabwe-s-famed-forests-could-soon-be-desert
Crackdown on illegal plywood imports ‘long overdue’ Published: 13 February, 2015 New efforts to crack down on illegally sourced plywood imported from China into the UK have been backed by the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF). http://www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/10513/Crackdown_on_illegal_plywood_imports__long_overdue_.html
Why deforestation-free claims might not stop forest clearance EXTRACT China and India perform badly in deforestation ranking http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/feb/13/deforestation-free-forest-companies-palm-oil-soy
Wildlife Slaughter Goes Unabated (New York Times)
A slain rhinoceros in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Credit Salym Fayad/European Pressphoto Agency extract:” These magnificent animals were slaughtered so that urbanites in places like China and Vietnam can take a dose of powdered rhino horn,…” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/opinion/sunday/wildlife-slaughter-goes-unabated.html?_r=0
DESPITE ALL THE TALK, CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS.
DESPITE THE SECRETARIAT’S VISITS TO CHINA ….
CITES STILL ISN’T WORKING – IS IT?
HOW MANY MORE ELEPHANTS AND RHINOS WILL BE MURDERED BEFORE THOSE COUNTRIES RESPONSIBLE ARE SANCTIONED BY CITES BUREACRATS?
IS UNEP SUFFERING FROM SELECTIVE BLINDNESS?
Environmentalist calls for talks with China over logging
A route where logs are smuggled into China (Photo-FFI)http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9028:environmentalist-calls-for-talks-with-china-over-logging&catid=44:national&Itemid=384
13 Chinese fishing boats expelled during crackdown http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201502140023.aspx
Will Mobilization of Military Forces Stop Elephant Poaching in Cameroon? (NA comment: Who is STILL buying all this ivory? Could it be CITES most protected country – CHINA? Have you seen China do or say anything to discourage the trade? http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/14/will-mobilization-of-military-forces-stop-elephant-poaching-in-cameroon/
Shark Poaching Boat Sunk By Indonesian Government. extract: A large Vietnamese ship containing two tons of drying shark fins or more was sunk by the Indonesian government. The ship had been illegally collecting a tremendous number of sharks to get their fins. http://planetsave.com/2015/02/15/shark-poaching-boat-sunk-indonesian-government/
Will the CITES Standing Committee members look into the eyes of their children and confess they had the opportunity
to save the great apes, elephants, tigers, rhinos, pangolins, etc but not the courage and moral fibre to sanction the countries very clearly and heavily involved in this illegal trade?
Oman transit point for illegal ivory from Africa, says expert
Read more: http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Oman-transit-point-for-illegal-ivory-from-Africa-says-expert-3u48#ixzz3Rt2dTqoc
Four men arrested trying to smuggle hundreds of reptiles including a DEATH ADDER out of Australia in children’s books and cigarette packets
- Skinks, geckos, frogs, pygmy pythons – some dead and some alive – were found in the post and in luggage
- Four men were – two from Russia and two from the Czech Republic – were arrested and charged
- They were caught at Perth International Airport on February 6
- Reptiles were found in packages posted from Carnarvon, Tom Price, Geraldton and Perth in WA to Europe
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2955119/Hundreds-reptiles-amphibians-including-dead-DEATH-ADDER-discovered-smuggled-Australia-children-s-books-cigarette-packets.html#ixzz3Rt2zQrGF
Wild animal meat in demand before Tet holiday. VIETNAM VietNamNet Bridge – Wild animals are being hunted in the mountainous areas of the central provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Ngai to sell for use during the Lunar New Year holiday
Beach Revellers Feast on Olive Ridleys, Wild Animals. INDIA http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Beach-Revellers-Feast-on-Olive-Ridleys-Wild-Animals/2015/02/15/article2669379.ece
Asian Elephant Transfer Surrounded by Controversy. SRI LANKA / NEW ZEALAND https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Asian+Elephant+Transfer+Surrounded+by+Controversy.+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=p0PgVJ2SIoSt7gbJ-IH4BA
It has been revealed that elephants have been given to individuals in the recent past according to a systematic policy. SRI LANKA http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/23724-it-has-been-revealed-that-elephants-have-been-given-to-individuals-in-the-recent-past-according-to-a-systematic-policy-.html
Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP-UNEP)
The chimpanzee who was seized at the Cairo airport earlier last week after being discovered in the suitcase of a Kuwaiti man attempting to board an Egypt Air flight to Kuwait is receiving temporary care at the Giza zoo. But questions remain as to the protocols and procedures followed during the seizure, in addition to the origin of chimpanzee.
Next big idea in conservation? Recognizing we are our own obstacleshttp://news.mongabay.com/2014/0214-forestinnovation-kimbrough-ong.html
View point : Labora standoff makes mockery of our law . INDONESIA
enforcement – See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/02/15/view-point-labora-standoff-makes-mockery-our-law-enforcement.html#sthash.LZh5fmou.dpuf
Riau Police arrest hunters, investigate ivory trade network – See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/02/15/riau-police-arrest-hunters-investigate-ivory-trade-network.html#sthash.jaI3HiBu.dpuf
Riviera man gets prison time after poaching 299 turtle eggs. USA http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/riviera-man-gets-year-for-every-21-turtle-eggs-he-/nkBgn/
CITES @CITESconvention · Feb 13
French Customs seized nearly 19,000 CITES-listed seahorses, worth €200,000
Can elephant tourism be ethical?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/thailand/11410781/Can-elephant-tourism-be-ethical.html
Katarina, ‘world’s loneliest orangutan’, transferred to Taiping Zoo – See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/katarina-worlds-loneliest-orangutan-transferred-to-taiping-zoo#sthash.FQll7L0m.dpuf
JAPAN SLAUGHTERS DOLPHINS
Kenya: Poaching Reduces but Land Grabbers Now Target Parks http://allafrica.com/stories/201502130824.html
The fight against illegal animal trading online http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/31442219
Quick-witted guard stops poachers. SOUTH AFRICA http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/quick-witted-guard-stops-poachers-1.1817991#.VN4W-C7JIsc
Alleged Kenya poaching boss denied bail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2903219/Alleged-Kenya-poaching-boss-denied-bail.html
Oscar-nominated ‘Virunga’ a suspenseful true story http://www.cdapress.com/news/entertainment/article_62f1dd69-fdf5-5dd0-bb9f-be54aaac2bfd.html
Two rifles recovered from Kaziranga http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/two-rifles-recovered-from-kaziranga-115021301185_1.html
Govt to establish new wildlife rescue center NEPAL http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=92083
Mozambique: Policeman Sentenced for Releasing Poachers http://allafrica.com/stories/201502130302.html
Illegal poachers of Australian wildlife to be fined up to 750,000 USD http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/907559.shtml
Battle to save Suzy’s sight highlights plight of India’s tortured elephants
Suzy is given a bath at her new home (Simon de Trey-White) http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Asia/article1519149.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2015_02_15
8 held in Arunachal for killing elephants http://www.nyoooz.com/news/guwahati/8-held-in-arunachal-for-killing-elephants/54987.html
Baby rhino orphan galvanised battle against poachers. ZIMBABWE http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/baby-rhino-orphan-galvanised-battle-against-poachers-1-3690222
6 poachers to face charges; PHILIPPINEShttp://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/February/14/topstory9.htm
Two poachers held with mongoose carcass http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Two-poachers-held-with-mongoose-carcass/articleshow/46247389.cms
MP: Two elephants electrocuted near Sanjay Gandhi tiger reserve
Uganda to revise laws against wildlife trading http://www.busiweek.com/index1.php?Ctp=2&pI=2729&pLv=3&srI=57&spI=23&cI=19
Soldiers Train Rangers to Fight Illegal Logging. CAMBODIA https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/soldiers-train-rangers-to-fight-illegal-logging-78016/
Never challenge govt, CM warns operators of ‘ghost lorries’. SARAWAK
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/02/16/never-challenge-govt-cm-warns-operators-of-ghost-lorries/#ixzz3Rt1BiNpc
Poacher who killed ‘20’ rhinos http://www.ekantipur.com/2015/02/16/top-story/poacher-who-killed-20-rhinos/401743.html
Bandipora seizes gun licences to fight bird poaching http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bandipora-seizes-gun-licences-to-fight-bird-poaching-2061288
Extinction threat to Manas rhinos http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150216/jsp/northeast/story_3627.jsp#.VOGNSy7JIsc
Land Rover re-affirms commitment to tiger conservation in India – See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/land-rover-affirms-commitment-tiger-conservation-india-7688#sthash.VVHGULKG.dpuf
South Florida turtle egg thief ordered to stay away from the beach http://pensacolatoday.com/2015/02/south-florida-turtle-egg-thief-ordered-stay-away-beach/
3-metre python in Dubai luggage http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/3-metre-python-in-dubai-luggage-2015-02-15-1.580759
Solomon Islands landowners on Kolombangara Island challenge logging approval for forest minister’s company http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2015-02-16/solomon-islands-landowners-on-kolombangara-island-challenge-logging-approval-for-forest-ministers-co/1415571
Visakhapatnam’s Dolphin park project bites the dust http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Visakhapatnams-Dolphin-park-project-bites-the-dust/articleshow/46257716.cms
The Massacre of Europe’s Songbirds. ITALY
Hunted songbirds are seen in a box, ready for trade. Milan Ruzic http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/13/massacre-europes-songbirds-304716.html
Uniting West African efforts to tackle illegal timber trade focus of INTERPOL workshop
LOMÉ, Togo – Enhancing cooperation between West African countries to better tackle the illegal trade in timber across the region was the focus of an INTERPOL workshop in Togo.
In addition to police and forest law enforcement officers from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal also attended the two day (10 and 11 February) workshop aimed at developing and improving technical and law enforcement cooperation.
Togo’s Minister for the environment and Forest Resources, André Johnson said to meet the challenge of illegal logging the relevant enforcement agencies need to be able to identify illicit activity, to recognize criminal acts and the methods used by poachers.
He underlined the fact that most illegal logging and other linked criminal activity is often facilitated by fake documentation, operations in unauthorized areas such as reserves or national parks and is linked to the killing of endangered species.
Yark Damehame, Togo’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection told the workshop that in the face of the unfolding environmental disaster, new and effective strategies need to be established. He also emphasized the need to increase efforts to identify the main actors, their accomplices and modus operandi, as well as the export points and the main destinations for illegal wood products.
The workshop, which was co-organized by the Ministries of Environment and Forest Resources, Security and Civil Protection and the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Togo, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation, was held under the umbrella of INTERPOL’s Project Leaf, an initiative against illegal logging and related crimes.
Environmental crimes, including wildlife trafficking and forest crimes, are often linked to transnational crime networks, requiring a regional and global response. Through its network of 190 member countries, INTERPOL is continuing to support law enforcement around the globe to more effectively combat environmental crime.
To this end, later this year INTERPOL will be supporting a regional law enforcement operation aimed at tackling the illegal trade of timber and charcoal originating in West African countries.
