No 475 Wildlife Trade News: 3rd August 2015

While the bad news continue there is, at least in Zimbabwe, a
ray of hope as hunting of the big cats in the Hwange area had
now been suspended until further notice. The Zimbabwean
authorities have also launched investigations into another
allegedly illegal killing of a lion back in April. Kudos to them!

in the spotlight today ……………………

Hong Kong government urged to do more to curb wildlife trafficking

"Hong Kong is a hub for the illegal wildlife trade, especially as a transit hub but also for domestic consumption,"

https://customerservice.scmp.com/meter/2/3/exp2?destination=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1845944/hong-kong-government-urged-do-more-curb-wildlife-trafficking-after-un

CITES ISN’T WORKING – IS IT?

No 475 Wildlife Trade News: 3rd August 2015

MALAYSIA: States can do so much more to save the Malayan tiger, says MyCat http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/08/02/states-can-do-so-much-more-to-save-the-malayan-tiger-says-mycat/

Outrage at claims of migrants enslaved on Malaysian palm plantations

http://www.eco-business.com/news/outrage-at-claims-of-migrants-enslaved-on-malaysian-palm-plantations/

Laos overlooked in ivory trade blitz

The Suvarnabhumi airport bust last April weighed out at four tonnes for 700 elephant tusks, the biggest illegal ivory seizure in Thai history. It now has emerged the shipment was bound for Vientiane and Laos officials intervened to try to stop the seizure. (Post Today photo) http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/641332/laos-overlooked-in-ivory-trade-blitz

CITES STILL ISN’T WORKING – IS IT?

IF LAOS IS NOT SANCTIONED IT WILL BE

AN INTERNATIONAL SCANDAL

OF FIFA PROPORTIONS, WON’T IT?

Another US hunter suspected of illegal Zimbabwe lion kill http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Another-US-hunter-suspected-of-illegal-Zimbabwe-li-30265784.html

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE ZIMBABWE PARKS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ON MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTARTION OF HUNTING IN THE COUNTRY

Following the illegal killing of an iconic lion, Cecil, outside the HwangeNational Park on Antoinette farm in Gwayi River Conservancy on the 1st of July 2015, it has become necessary that the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority further tightens hunting regulations in all areas outside the Parks Estate.
The Authority working with other law enforcement agencies has launched a crackdown to weed out any undesirable elements. To date our law enforcement agencies are following up on all found or reported cases and they have since arrested another culprit, Headman Sibanda, on allegations of breaching hunting regulations. He is currently assisting Police with investigations.

Further to that crackdown the following measures are going to be implemented immediately;
1. Hunting of lions, leopards and elephant in areas outside of HwangeNational Parks has been suspended with immediate effect. All such hunts will only be conducted if confirmed and authorized in writing by the Director-General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, and only if accompanied by parks staff whose costs will be met by the landowner.

2. Bow hunting has been suspended with immediate effect and no such hunting will be conducted unless it has been confirmed and authorized in writing by the Director-General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

3. Members of the hunting fraternity are being reminded that it is illegal for quotas to be transferred from one hunting area to another. Any case of quota transfer is regarded as poaching. The Authority will not hesitate to arrest, prosecute, and ban for life any persons including professional hunters, clients and land ownerswho are caught on the wrong side of the law.

All players in the hunting industry are being reminded to familiarize themselves with the relevant statutes governing the wildlife industry. Further, the Authority would like to appeal to all members of the public that they should report any suspected illegal wildlife activities to the nearest offices of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Zimbabwe Republic Police and other Government law enforcement agencies.

E. Chidziya
DIRECTOR-GENERAL

CAMBODIA: After Capture, Military Police Allow Loggers to Escape https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/after-capture-military-police-allow-loggers-to-escape-90410/

CAMBODIA: Soldier was ‘trading timber’

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/soldier-was-trading-timber

INDIA: Poachers kill fishing cats, pose for camera http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Poachers-kill-fishing-cats-pose-for-camera/articleshow/48321462.cms

INDIA: 15 spotted black terrapins rescued, smuggler caught http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chennai/15-spotted-black-terrapins-rescued-smuggler-caught/articleshow/48322330.cms

INDIA: Wildlife board clears 81 projects, 9 are in tiger parks Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/48321543.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

INDONESIA: The Revival of Sea Turtle Shell-based Souvenirs in Berau http://www.profauna.net/en/content/revival-sea-turtle-shell-based-souvenirs-berau#.Vb7yt_kXEsd

AUSTRALIA: Current strategies not doing enough to protect endangered species, conservationists say

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-09/conversationists-want-more-done-to-protect-endangered-species/6607764