Illegal Wildlife Trade
No. 2 Vol.LI 2014This issue takes a closer look at poaching and illegal wildlife trade, with a focus on causes and possible solutions.
The Illegal Commercial Bushmeat Trade in Central and West Africa
All of the great apes of Africa, chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas are endangered by human population growth, habitat destruction, illegal trafficking of apes for entertainment, private zoos and hunting.
Putting a Stop to Global Environmental Crime Has Become An Imperative
The illegal trade in wildlife and timber has escalated rapidly and globally, and now encompasses a wide range of flora and fauna across all continents, including terrestrial and aquatic animals, forests and other plants and their products.
A Global Collaboration to Fight Wildlife and Forest Crime
Blighting vulnerable nations, wildlife and forest crime has become a serious transnational threat to the security, stability and economy of entire countries and regions.
How Wildlife and Forest Crime Undermines Development and Ravages Global Biodiversity
Wildlife and forest crimes exact a terrible price from developing countries and their communities. Fragile ecosystems are destroyed and biodiversity is reduced.
Strengthening Front-Line Action to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crimes
With 180 States (called Parties) signatory to the Convention, CITES is the principal instrument in regulating international trade in wildlife. Over 35,000 species of wild plants and animals are listed in its three Appendices,5 each corresponding to differing levels of trade control to ensure that trade is not detrimental to the survival of species in the wild.
A Comprehensive Approach to Combating the Criminal Networks Behind Environmental Crime
Preventing crimes which harm our natural resources is critical to protecting these species, but so too is reacting when these crimes occur to catch the perpetrators and ensure they face justice.
Fighting Wildlife Crime to End Extreme Poverty and Boost Shared Prosperity
Now a US $213 billion industry, environmental and natural resource crimes such as poaching, illegal logging and wildlife trafficking are growing every year, putting natural resources and biodiversity at risk.
Building Worldwide Expertise to Detect and Seize Illegally Traded Wildlife
The effective monitoring and control of transboundary movements is a key component of wildlife protection. In most countries, this task falls upon Customs which is at the forefront of efforts to counter wildlife trafficking and ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is practiced legally by implementing the provisions of the Convention on International Trade Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as well as relevant national legislation.
The London Declaration's Role in the Fight Against Wildlife Trade
In February 2014, 42 countries met in London and signed the Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade, where they made a collective commitment to end this scourge, help communities that suffer from its side effects and protect endangered species.
Will China Say No to Wildlife Trade?
Killing elephants for their ivory, slaughtering tigers for their pelts and bones, and fatally hacking the horns off rhinos have reached epidemic proportions in recent years.
Fighting Wildlife Trade in Kenya
Poaching is a persistent global problem with a profound effect on the East African region. The international demand for ivory and rhino horn is fuelling catastrophic declines in the elephant and rhino populations in Kenya, Tanzania and throughout Africa.
Tiger, Tiger Running Out?
According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, at the turn of the 20th century, India was home to 40,000 tigers. Today their number in the wild does not exceed 4,000. This story echoes that of other animals, such as one-horned rhinos whose population declined to fewer than 2,400 in India.