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eNewsletter |
November 2001 |
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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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Plus of Conservation
Conservation Notes and News
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Congratulations
to the law enforcement and customs officials in Hong Kong. In early November,
Reuters News Service reported that customs officials there seized 45 bags that
contained 2700 kg of pangolin scales. The contraband, which originated in
Surabaya, Indonesia, was in a container believed bound for mainland China. The
shipment was valued at US $173,000. The scales are used in traditional Chinese
medicine to treat some skin diseases. Although some have noted an increase in
such attempts at illegal trade in wildlife since the Asian financial crisis of
1997, especially in endangered species such as king cobra and box turtles,
officials have been so successful at finding such shipments in recent years that
seizures of endangered species have declined, due also to the stiff penalties
imposed.
A person found guilty of smuggling undeclared cargo can be fined up to Hong
Kong $2 million and can be additionally sentenced to seven years jail time.
Those caught while trafficking in endangered species without a license are given
an additional HK $500,000 fine and a one year jail term. We congratulate all
those who cooperate with the authorities in putting an end to the unregulated
and illegal trade in any wildlife.
Reuters News also reports that RENCTAS, Brazil's National Network Against the
Trafficking of Wild Animals, has released a report to the government on the
tremendous numbers of wildlife that are captured and enter illicit trade each
year, causing harm to the unique Amazonian and wetlands plains habitats. Jose
Sarney Filho, Environment Minister of Brazil, reportedly plans to use this
report as an important "working tool" for law enforcement in combating
this crime against nature. The government plans to extend to other parts of the
country, an operation already being carried out in Minas Gerais, where officials
encourage consumers not to buy animals at street markets anywhere. The RENCTAS
report indicated that animal smugglers are often also engaged in drug and arms
smuggling, so better law enforcement will be a benefit to man and beast alike.
In the United States, alert federal game wardens in Missouri have tracked
down and arrested five people who are now indicted on charges of bringing
endangered big cats into the country for the purpose of being illegally hunted
in a commercial operation. Six tigers and five leopards were found by federal
officials to have been illegally imported and killed. Those charged, if
convicted, will face maximum penalties of five years in prison and/or fines of
up to $250,000. This latest case is reported by the national "game warden
list", a cooperative network of wildlife enforcement officials who are
always on the lookout for cases involving the illegal trade in any wildlife.
Again, IWMC congratulates all those who participate in putting an end to
these crimes against man and nature. Smuggling is not sustainable use, and has
no place in today's world where people of all nations are beginning to cooperate
in genuine conservation efforts and increased public education. This is the war
against the terrorism of habitats and endangered species and its soldiers must
always continue their vigilance. 
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