The daily dose of bad news about poaching, wildlife and environmental crimes
Under the spotlight today ……………………
Botswana: China Decision Worries Wildlife Minister http://allafrica.com/stories/201503301406.html
No 371 Wildlife Trade News 31st March 2015
NEW YORK TIMES: In Vietnam, Rampant Wildlife Smuggling Prompts Little Concern: NA COMMENT: Exactly what we have been saying in the newsletter for a long time. READ THIS ARTICLE AND WONDER HOW VIETNAM MANAGES TO ESCAPE CITES SANCTIONS, YEAR AFTER YEAR. EXTRACT: When the customer returns for dinner, the manager presents the live pangolin to the table, then slices its throat on the spot to prove that the meat is fresh and has not been substituted. “Pangolin is very popular with customers, because it treats a lot of sicknesses,” said Quoc Trung, the restaurant manager. His staff will also dry and package pangolin scales left over from dinner — a popular ingredient in traditional medicines that are still covered by Vietnamese health insurance. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/science/in-vietnam-rampant-wildlife-smuggling-prompts-little-concern.html?_r=0
CITES STANDING COMMITTEE?
Chinese Palm Oil Plantations Are Destroying the Home of Africa’s Great Apes http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/24/chinese-palm-oil-plantations-are-destroying-forests-home-africas-great-apes?cmpid=san
Does China’s president know the truth about tigers and rhinos? http://jamillsauthor.com/2015/03/does-chinas-president-know-the-truth-about-tigers-and-rhinos/
NEW YORK TIMES: A Struggle to Save the Scaly Pangolin. CAMBODIA EXTRACT: Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in parts of China, where it is believed to nourish the kidneys.http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/science/a-struggle-to-save-the-scaly-pangolin.html
Wildlife crime beginning to be taken seriously? MALAYSIA
In the last few days I have seen some progress in Malaysia towards tackling the illegal trade in wildlife. Better very late than never.
It’s taken literally years of lobbying to get the various people responsible for law enforcement to actually even begin doing what they are paid to do.
There have been arrests of poachers in recent days. It remains to be seen if they are punished in law.
In Sabah as I write, there is yet another wildlife workshop. This has the potential to be a game-changer, if that is what the wildlife authorities really want. We wait in hope of firm, clear commitments, made by identifiable individuals whom we can hold accountable – something that has never happened in the past.
The only way we can assess any wildlife law enforcement agency or political ‘animal’ is by their actions and results, not by their use of weasel-words and false promises uttered only to try and grab a headline.
We want to see unambiguous commitments come from this workshop, or else it will have been yet another worthless ‘talking shop’, won’t it?
Somewhat worryingly, the Asean members attending are reported to be only considering stiffer penalties’ for law breakers. How much worse must it get before they grasp the problem of the rampant illegal wildlife trade in Malaysia and do something real about it? Sabah’s Chief Judge, no less, has said publicly law enforcement is feeble and punishments weaker still.
The other notable recent news has been an urging from Botswana’s tourism and wildlife minister for greater transparency over ivory stocks held by governments such as Malaysia. “Tshekedi Khama noted that they do not know the inventory of ivory stockpiles in some countries, as some are reluctant to reveal this and also do not allow audits to be conducted. He said it is highly probable that this ivory finds its way into the illegal trade, through corruption.”
Despite this, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is still refusing any independent audit, which, as the Botswana minister rightly says, leaves open the accusation of government complicity and corruption.
Fingers crossed, the Sabah workshop will achieve something notable. Previous ones have tended to be nothing more than a load of hot air and worthless words.
Nature Alert.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/293794
Asean weighing stiffer penalties for wildlife traffickers, says minister (NA comment: How much worse does it have to get before they actually impose more substantial penalties? This lot are hopeless. We have seen glaciers move faster.) – See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/asean-weighing-stiffer-penalties-for-wildlife-traffickers-says-minister#sthash.xUn147ww.dpuf
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Border poaching surges EXTRACT: 
Durban – Rhino poachers were increasingly crossing into South Africa from neighbouring countries, according to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. About 24 rhinos had been killed in KwaZulu-Natal so far this year – five in the Hluhluwe- iMfolozi Park and others in private and community conservation areas. Nine people had been arrested. http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/border-poaching-surges-1.1839019#.VRlMUOEXEsc
Malawi to burn its £5m ivory stockpile this week – and demonstrate its commitment to wildlife conservation EXTRACT: The world’s poorest country is to make the world’s most expensive bonfire. On Thursday, Malawi will set fire to ivory worth more than £5m, in an extravagant gesture designed to demonstrate its commitment to wildlife conservation and the fight against the colossal worldwide business of wildlife crime. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/malawi-to-burn-its-5m-ivory-stockpile-this-week–and-demonstrate-its-commitment-to-wildlife-conservation-10141379.html (MALAWI PUTTING MALAYSIA TO SHAME OVER ITS SECRETIVE IVORY STASH)
THE INFAMOUS JATINEGARA WILDLIFE MARKET – JAKARTA, INDONESIA
Despite this market openly selling protected species it has remained in business for as long as anyone can remember. Local law enforcement show no interest in law enforcement.
The following are a random selection of photos from a recent visit. This was a very typical days’ trading and it’s one of two such markets in Jakarta. The other one is, if anything, more notorious and larger. Far more animals are sold online. No one appears to care. Not even CITES.
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There were at least 36 owls for sale.
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Traffic Southeast Asia. MALAYSIA
Joint forces, great results: Kudos to enforcement agencies that arrested 18 poachers and illegal traders, AND seized guns, snares, illegally collected frogs, wild boar meat and agarwood among others. The 9-day op involved 180 officers from five agencies setting up road blocks and sweeping across part of a national park in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. Prosecutions to follow.
https://www.facebook.com/Trafficsea?fref=ts
‘Bond Girl’ Michelle Yeoh to be Sabah wildlife conservation advocate – See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bond-girl-michelle-yeoh-to-be-sabah-wildlife-conservation-advocate#sthash.BVESKM3Y.dpuf
Phuket Nikki Beach Club promises, ‘No more elephants’ – See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-nikki-beach-club-promises-no-more-elephants-51639.php#sthash.1rRjhOZS.dpuf
127 illegal finch trapping sites spotted from the air – CABS. MALTA
South Africa’s Rhino Horn Trade Proposal risks rhino extermination http://www.mediaupdate.co.za/News/Article/76944/South-Africas-Rhino-Horn-Trade-Proposal-risks-rhino-extermination
Malawi: Nation to Celebrate Global Wildlife Day on 2 April http://allafrica.com/stories/201503300230.html
Construction on Shanghai’s massive polar-themed park has begun. extract: According to Shanghai Daily, the park will cover almost 30 hectares, and include a broad range of Artic and Antarctic wildlife. http://shanghaiist.com/2015/03/30/construction-shanghai-polar-theme-park-starts.php
33 circus rescued lions from Peru and Colombia to live in Colorado http://www.cpr.org/news/story/33-circus-rescued-lions-peru-and-colombia-live-colorado
20 wild caught Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) are currently offered for sale by a zoological supplier.
Kenya: Canada Praises Kenya’s Anti-Poaching Efforts, Pledges Financial Support http://allafrica.com/stories/201503301796.html
Bandhavgarh poaching: Caretaker of farmhouse owned by deputy speaker arrested http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/bandhavgarh-poaching-caretaker-of-farmhouse-owned-by-deputy-speaker-arrested/
Tanzania: AK 47 Assault Rifles to Boost Anti-Poaching War http://allafrica.com/stories/201503302212.html
Models in gas masks highlight Indonesian environmental devastation
Wallapatta smugglers running rampant. SRI LANKA http://www.nation.lk/edition/news-features/item/39548-wallapatta-smugglers-running-rampant.html
Scores of wild animals handed over in Sharjah amnesty http://www.thenational.ae/scores-of-wild-animals-handed-over-in-sharjah-amnesty
ZIMBABWE: By-elections: Moyo wants 10 elephants killed to fund stadium project http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-21571-By-elections+Moyo+wants+10+elephants/news.aspx
Zoo ends animal performances as opposition mounts. TAIWAN The Wanpi World Safari Zoo in Tainan’s Syuejia District (??) is to end its animal performances today due to mounting pressure from animal protection groups and is seeking to transform itself into a certified facility promoting environmental awareness. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/03/31/2003614824
COA urges passage of bill that targets illegal logging. TAIWAN: EXTRACT: FIRST-CLASS DRIFTWOOD: The COA’s draft amendment includes stiffer penalties on those found guilty of illegal logging, with a maximum jail term of 10-and-a-half years. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/03/31/2003614825
Tracking companies’ zero deforestation commitments http://news.mongabay.com/2015/0331-supply-change-zero-deforestation.html
‘Poaching, loss of habitat take toll on sand boa population’ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/poaching-loss-of-habitat-take-toll-on-sand-boa-population/article7051502.ece
The Most Beautiful Animal You’ll Never See. The saola, a rare Vietnamese mammal, is dangerously close to extinction thanks to the $20 billion illegal wildlife trade. http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/03/saola-the-most-beautiful-animal-you-will-never-see
Terrorists turned poachers? Assam government claims extremists with AK-47s are killing rhinos for their horns in Kaziranga Park
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-3018609/Terrorists-turned-poachers-Assam-government-claims-extremists-AK-47s-killing-rhinos-horns-Kaziranga-Park.html#ixzz3VwI5GO3d
Hunters condemn illegalities as Cabs discovers 127 illegal finch trapping sites MALTA http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150330/local/hunters-condemn-illegalities-as-cabs-discovers-127-illegal-finch.562003
Three arrested for poaching tiger cub in Madhya Pradesh’s deputy speaker’s farm Read more at: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46748560.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Wildlife trafficking needs a joint approach: Anifah. (NA COMMENT: More hot air from Sabah, MALAYSIA??) http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=98511
Malawi to destroy 4-ton ivory stockpile. (NA comment: While MALAYSIA still conceals what’s left of its ivory stash) http://en.starafrica.com/news/malawi-to-destroy-4-ton-ivory-stockpile.html
Jeweller is caught trading in endangered species after she sold Indian tiger teeth and claws from the days of the British Raj on eBay. UK
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3018377/Jeweller-caught-trading-endangered-species-sold-Indian-tiger-teeth-claws-days-British-Raj-eBay.html#ixzz3VwLV9fWn
Slender loris rescued, sent back to their home. INDIA http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Slender-loris-rescued-sent-back-to-their-home/articleshow/46750501.cms
ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
Only after the last tree has been cut down.
Only after the last river has been poisoned.
Only after the last fish has been caught.
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
Cree Indian Prophecy
30th March 2015
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
With regard to the baby elephants which have been captured in Hwange National Park for intended export to China, we would appeal to the Zimbabwean government to do the right thing and release these elephants into a rehabilitation sanctuary so that they can be released back into the wild. This would prove to the world that Zimbabwe is serious about conservation. We are asking this on behalf of thousands of animal lovers around the world.
In addition to this, Zimbabwe would earn a lot of respect if the stock pile of 72 tons of elephant tusks and 5 tons of rhino horn were incinerated in a public area in front of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts. This is what Malawi, Kenya and Ethiopia have done. All the wildlife ambassadors around the world should be invited to watch this and that will have a huge impact on Zimbabwe’s reputation as true leaders in the conservation world.
The local people living around the National Parks and wildlife areas would benefit from this. They could be employed by National Parks to run anti-poaching patrols and they could receive a percentage of the money earned by tourism. This would greatly help the unemployment problem in Zimbabwe. If these people are earning money by keeping the animals alive, they would not be so keen to kill them. There would be massive benefits for a number of industries. The local people could sell their beautiful art works and sculptures and they could even start safari businesses, allowing foreign visitors to see how they live. The hotels, restaurants, transport companies and airlines would also benefit from an influx of tourists.
With regard to elephants destroying people’s crops, there are ways of preventing that. Chilli plants could be planted around the perimeter of the crops and that would discourage elephants from going in and eating the crops.
Zanu PF Secretary for Science and Technology, Professor Jonathan Moyo is working with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to get a special hunting concession for 10 elephants as part of the fund-raising efforts for the construction of Tsholotsho Stadium.
Professor Moyo, who is also the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services said a hunting concession will enhance the appreciation of wildlife resources by communities who have been victims of the human wildlife conflict.
“This is an infrastructure which is important not just for Tsholotsho FC but for everyone including kids in the schools who don’t have facilities for field and track events. With this stadium, now they will have a first class facility. We are kick-starting the process of mobilising those resources through a hunting concession, that is how wildlife can contribute to the community,” he said.
Professor Moyo said Tsholotsho North has not had the representation it deserves at national level since the July 2013 harmonised elections, adding that time has now come for the people to get proper representation for the purposes of addressing national issues.
“Not this funny behaviour we saw of this expelled incumbent. We don’t want a situation where one individual benefits, it is about the development of the community. We are going to do so in the context of
ZIMASSET, which seeks to provide a solution of food security and nutrition especially this time when there is drought whose consequences we are already dealing with,” he added.
Professor Moyo was on Sunday unanimously endorsed as the Zanu PF candidate for Tsholotsho North constituency by-elections to be held in June following the expulsion from parliament of MDC-T legislators.
Tsholotsho North constituency is faced with a number of challenges which include shortage of water, human-wildlife conflict and poor infrastructure development, among other things.
Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263 4 339065
Mobile: 263 712 603 213
Email: galorand
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ZCTF-Zimbabwe-Conservation-Task-Force/246013052094585
Website: www.zctfofficialsite.org.
The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force relies solely on public donations. Your donation can help to preserve the wildlife in Zimbabwe. If you would like to assist, please contact us.
