More bad news about poaching, wildlife
and environmental crimes …

in the spotlight today ……………

How long before CITES crashes? (Recommended reading)

extracts:

For goodness sake, stop this! We know what needs to be done to halt poaching and illegal trade in big cats. We have known what to do for decades. Get on and do it. This is an example of CITES at its very worst. Country delegations will still be sitting around talking and talking when the last tiger is shot, snared or poisoned. (My apologies to those members of the working group who I am confident will share my frustration.)

It also struck me that some of the documents offer a marvellous briefing for organized crime groups, since they name the countries that do not have the capacity to respond effectively. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-long-before-cites-crashes-john-m-sellar-obe-frgs?trk=prof-post

No 575 Wildlife Trade News: 12th December 2015

Fraudulent Tusk Registration Fuels Illegal Ivory Trade in Japan http://annamiticus.com/2015/12/10/fraudulent-tusk-registration-fuels-illegal-ivory-trade-in-japan/

How Japan is Fueling the Slaughter of Elephants http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151210-Japan-ivory-trade-african-elephants/

Japan’s inaction fuelling illegal ivory trade as demand rises, study finds http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/10/japans-blind-eye-fuelling-illegal-ivory-trade-as-demand-rises-study-finds?CMP=share_btn_fb

Details revealed of M’sian duo’s wildlife smuggling ops. US court documents divulge how Malaysian duo obtained, sold and shipped endangered wildlife to America.

The animal parts came from wildlife – all listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and these include 16 Orang-utan skulls, 13 unspecified bear skulls and 210 claws, 20 unspecified whale bone hair pins and 12 Rhino Hornbill heads amongst others.

Through Ling and Yeo’s correspondence with a Federal Agent who posed as their client, it was learnt that Borneo Artifact depended on three “runners” based in Pontianak, Indonesia to obtain the items. http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/12/11/details-revealed-of-msian-duos-wildlife-smuggling-ops/

Illegal wildlife trade online a growing concern (MALAYSIA – where PERHILITAN – the wildlife authority – are a big part of the problem and have been for about 20 years. CITES never does anything about it.)

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/12/12/illegal-wildlife-trade-online-a-growing-concern/

INDONESIA: Perdagangan Hewan Langka Marak Gara-gara Sanksi Tak Tegas. (Wildlife rescued from online traders thanks to an investigation by SCORPION)

http://m.tribunnews.com/tribunners/2015/12/11/perdagangan-hewan-langka-marak-gara-gara-sanksi-tak-tegas?page=2

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TED TALK: What are animals thinking and feeling?

What’s going on inside the brains of animals? Can we know what, or if, they’re thinking and feeling? Carl Safina thinks we can. Using discoveries and anecdotes that span ecology, biology and behavioral science, he weaves together stories of whales, wolves, elephants and albatrosses to argue that just as we think, feel, use tools and express emotions, so too do the other creatures – and minds – that share the Earth with us. https://www.ted.com/talks/carl_safina_what_are_animals_thinking_and_feeling?language=en

If you are a zoo owner/manager, wildlife officer, CITES or government official responsible for the care and protection of wildlife, watch this short video of an expert talking about why treating birds and animals humanely and with respect, really matters. If you choose not to watch the video you will know you really don’t care and you are definitely in the wrong job.

Watch and maybe, just maybe, you will understand why most people find this

grossly inhumane treatment of animals totally unacceptable and inexcusable.

Animals can’t speak, so we do so on their behalf.

But, if animals could speak, what would they say to those people who

permit this cruelty – and those who look on and say or do nothing to stop it?

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Sabah, Malaysia Jakarta Zoo, Indonesia

Sumatra

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Will 2016 Be a Breakthrough in the Fight to Save Elephants?

Signs of hope in East Africa include high-profile court cases, on-the-ground results, and a new president nicknamed the Bulldozer. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151211-elephants-poaching-conservation-tanzania-kenya-president-magufuli/

200,000 of Peru’s primates trafficked for pet trade or bushmeat yearly http://news.mongabay.com/2015/12/200000-of-perus-primates-trafficked-for-pet-trade-or-bushmeat-yearly/

SARAWAK / MALAYSIA: Investigations on illegal logging highlight of Q &A session
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/11/investigations-on-illegal-logging-highlight-of-qna-session/#ixzz3tzUZbpSG

SARAWAK / MALAYSIA: Suspended accounts unfrozen http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/11/suspended-accounts-unfrozen/

Three Melghat tiger poachers get seven years RI http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Three-Melghat-tiger-poachers-get-seven-years-RI/articleshow/50129110.cms

INDIA: Poachers caught on camera traps, arrested http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Poachers-caught-on-camera-traps-arrested/articleshow/50128887.cms

USFWS Warned of Lawsuit for Failing to Protect World’s Smallest Sloth https://awionline.org/content/usfws-warned-lawsuit-failing-protect-worlds-smallest-sloth

Huge plan underway to save North American salamanders from deadly epidemic http://news.mongabay.com/2015/12/huge-plan-underway-to-save-north-american-salamanders-from-deadly-epidemic/

VIETNAM: Binh Thuan: 20 hectares of protective forests destroyed in two months http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/environment/148501/binh-thuan–20-hectares-of-protective-forests-destroyed-in-two-months.html

Here’s why market-based initiatives alone won’t save the world’s forests and climate http://news.mongabay.com/2015/12/heres-why-market-based-initiatives-alone-wont-save-the-worlds-forests-and-climate/

COP21: New satellite imaging tracks REDD+ deforestation tree-by-tree http://news.mongabay.com/2015/12/cop21-new-satellite-imaging-tracks-redd-deforestation-tree-by-tree/

INDONESIA: KPK: Energy Minister Received Diamond Ring Worth Rp 4b http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/kpk-energy-minister-received-diamond-ring-worth-rp-4b/

CAMBODIA: Illegally poached birds seized in Banteay Meanchey

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/illegally-poached-birds-seized-banteay-meanchey

NEW ZEALAND: Woman fined $10,000 over illegal birds’ nests http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11558409

Zambia arrests 21 poachers amid crackdown http://www.coastweek.com/3850-special-report-02.htm

Owner of Vietnam’s largest tamed elephant herd worries about elephant extinction http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/vietnam-in-photos/148551/owner-of-vietnam-s-largest-tamed-elephant-herd-worries-about-elephant-extinction.html

SARAWAK: Four end up behind bars for illegal logging http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/12/12/four-end-up-behind-bars-for-illegal-logging/

MALAYSIA: Help govt fight illegal logging instead of harping on issues, opposition told
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/12/help-govt-fight-illegal-logging-instead-of-harping-on-issues-opposition-told/#ixzz3u5LQyUdJ

SARAWAK: Ulu Menyang to be a wildlife conservation area http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/12/ulu-menyang-to-be-a-wildlife-conservation-area/

Japan whaling fleet departs for hunt

http://telegraphvoice.com/2015/12/11/japan-whaling-fleet-departs-for-hunt/

INDIA: Rhino horn recovered, four arrested http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rhino-horn-recovered-four-arrested-115121101220_1.html

Chinese Internet Giant in Kenya to Help Fight Illegal Wild Life Trade http://english.cri.cn/12394/2015/12/12/2982s908013.htm

INDIA: MoU for wildlife protection http://www.orissapost.com/mou-for-wildlife-protection/