The role of the academic community in combating wildlife trafficking (original) (raw)
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Scientists' warning to humanity on illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade
Biological Conservation, 2021
Illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade is growing at a global level, threatening the traded species and coexisting biota, and promoting the spread of invasive species. From the loss of ecosystem services to diseases transmitted from wildlife to humans, or connections with major organized crime networks and disruption of local to global economies, its ramifications are pervading our daily lives and perniciously affecting our well-being. Here we build on the manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, issued by the Alliance of World Scientists. As a group of researchers deeply concerned about the consequences of illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade, we review and highlight how these can negatively impact species, ecosystems, and society. We appeal for urgent action to close key knowledge gaps and regulate wildlife trade more stringently.
One of the most important natural resources for humans is the diversity of wildlife that is on this earth. Every country in the world each have a diversity of wildlife; some examples are Comodo dragons come from the island of Komodo, Indonesia, giant panda came from Shaanxi Province, China, wildebeest from the Serengeti, the grizzly bear from Alaska and United States, and synchronous fireflies from Selangor Malaysia. Due to existing issue, the international community has realized that it is essential to preserve the wildlife on earth, and to prevent f wildlife poaching and trading on endangered species. However, there are several people which do not realize that protecting endangered species is something extraordinary. From the report which has been released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which warned that the illegal trade of endangered animals and parts of the body which has now reached a value of 19 billion US dollars not only threatens the habitat and survival of various species of the world but also threaten the stability of government and the national security of all countries involved. This report reveals that efforts have been made to reduce the rate of illegal trade in body parts rhinos, elephants and other endangered species are increasingly experiencing problems in dealing with the trade of endangered species on an international level. The past president of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) states that “the resistance effort was almost defeated by the technology, resources, and organizational strengths possessed by them".
E3S Web of Conferences
Indonesia is home to one of the world’s pangolins species whose status is protected internationally in the Appendix 1 Category of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This means that pangolins are categorized vulnerable to extinction and are prohibited to be freely traded. However, since 1990, the number of pangolin populations in Indonesia has declined because of the threat of environmental degradation, illegal hunting and illegal trade. In responding the threat of pangolin extinction in Indonesia, the Indonesian government formed a collaborative initiative with International Non-Government Organizations working on wildlife conservation. This study aims to analyze the pattern of cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) with the Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Programme (WCS-IP) in dealing with the illegal transnational trade of pangolins. This study used an analysis of interaction patterns of sup...
Tracing Current Wildlife Trade: An Initial Investigation in Makassar City, Indonesia
Wildlife trade has become one of the main causes of species loss and extinction. Increasing anthropogenic pressure posits crucial challenges to wildlife, and several species are threatened or at the edge of extinction. In this study, we aimed to examine the current wildlife trade in Makassar City of South Sulawesi, especially focusing on traded species, their area of origin, price, conservation status and traders' distribution across the city. We conducted a market survey and direct observations of animals and wildlife traders in several locations, using a questionnaire targeting both wildlife/pet sellers and buyers. We also interviewed government bodies related with wildlife trade. Our results showed that there were 13 distribution spots of wildlife trading in the city of Makassar, and 27 different wildlife suppliers. During the seven months of observation (March-September 2018), the trade involved 62 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. More than 50% of these species had Indonesian origins, and 18% were endemic species of Sulawesi Island. The highest number of animals traded in the market were birds. Out of the 2,642 individuals being traded, 32 were considered as protected species under the IUCN regulation, 24 were species whose trade is regulated by CITES, and 10 were nationally protected according to the Indonesian Government's Laws. The traded animals were obtained from different sources, including direct hunters, middlemen, opportunists, and breeders, mostly from Sulawesi (44.19%) and western parts of Indonesia (37.21%).
Over-exploitation and illegal trade of reptiles in Indonesia
2012
We report on the commercial trade in three reptile species harvested for different purposes in western Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan) for international markets: (1) Tokay geckos, Gekko gecko, traded for medicinal uses, (2) Javan filesnakes, Acrochordus javanicus, harvested for skins, and (3) Asiatic softshell turtles, Amyda cartilaginea, harvested for meat; each species is also exploited for the pet trade, but to a lesser extent. All three species are harvested from wild populations. None of these species are protected by Indonesian law, but there is a national harvest and export quota system in place to prevent overexploitation. For each species, we collected data from catchers, middlemen and exporters on harvest volumes, catching locales, turnover and prices, and compared these figures with the quota allocated by the Indonesian authorities. The trade in G. gecko from Central and East Java (3 traders, 2006) amounts to around 1.2 million individuals annually, greatly exceeding the national quota of 50,000 G. gecko for the entire year and representing a monetary value for exporters of around one million USD / year. The annual trade in A. javanicus (in five cities in East and South Kalimantan, and North Sumatra, Riau (central Sumatra) and South Sumatra, 2005-6) was estimated at around 300,000 individuals from Kalimantan and 30,000 from Sumatra, exceeding the national quota of 200,000 individuals / year and representing a monetary value for exporters of at least three million USD / year. The trade in A. cartilaginea was monitored in three cities in North Sumatra and Riau in 1999: 200-450,000 individuals were traded in 1998 and 1999, greatly exceeding the national quota of 10,000, with a monetary value for exporters in excess of ten million USD / year. We conclude that implementation of wildlife trade regulations by and large are not abided by many reptile traders and are not sufficiently enforced by the Indonesian authorities. We further note that the quota-setting process rarely involves non-detriment findings based on reliable biological information. In order for reptile trade to be sustainable in Indonesia, it is paramount that non-detriment findings are undertaken and existing regulations are sufficiently enforced.
Trafficking of Wildlife: An Emerging Problem in South Asia
2019
This paper makes a review of literature on growing wildlife trafficking, more specifically to South Asia. It intends to analyze the nature of this illegal trade and evaluate practices in institution building for the control of wildlife crimes. Based on review and consultation with the stakeholders, we conclude that socio-cultural fabrics in East Asian countries are fuelling the demand side of the trafficking from this region whereas the poverty in the vicinity of national park areas coupled with the connection to mediators and smugglers is causing the supply side chain. The high prices in the international market are mainly caused by the misconception mainly regarding the medicinal values of some wildlife products. The poaching model discussed in the paper concludes that the conservation effort/cost needs to move along with the stock of the wildlife and the poaching efforts, but the lack of effective monitoring mechanism for the census of wildlife is causing the gap between them and...
Disentangling the Legal and Illegal Wildlife Trade–Insights from Indonesian Wildlife Market Surveys
Animals, 2022
It is challenging to disentangle the legal and illegal aspects of wild-caught animals that are traded in wildlife markets or online, and this may diminish the value of conducting wildlife trade surveys. We present empirical studies on the trade in birds (ducks, owls, songbirds, non-passerines) in Indonesia (2005 to 2021). Based on visits to wildlife markets, wholesale traders, and monitoring of an Instagram account, we examine if five specific pieces of legislation (domestic and international) are adhered to: (1) protected species, (2) harvest quota, (3) welfare, (4) provincial transport restrictions, and (5) illegal import of CITES-listed species. Our five distinctly different case studies showed that in each case, certain rules and regulations were adhered to, whilst others were violated to varying degrees. When trade involved non-protected species, there was frequently a lack of harvest quotas or trade occurred above these allocated quotas. Basic welfare provisions were regularly...
Biodiversity, 2019
Wildlife trade is recognised as an impediment to conservation. Yet, long-term trade data are lacking for many species, precluding analysis of trends and trade dynamics. The Sunda Leopard Cat is endemic to insular Southeast Asia, where despite legal protection, it is openly traded. Data from Java and Bali (1996-2018, 393 surveys, 219 cats recorded in 21 markets) reveal that numbers of cats decreased (1.95/survey in the 1990s, 0.44/survey in the 2010s) and their prevalence decreased (from 46% to 30% of surveys recording cats). Invariably in the animal markets other protected wildlife was for sale, even if Sunda Leopard Cats were not present. Corrected for inflation, prices were higher in recent years (US$59 vs US$26) and higher in markets with low availability, possibly indicating an Anthropogenic Allee Effect whereby a premium is paid for rare species. Direct comparisons between markets reveal a complicated pattern with evidence of a significant decrease from only one market, but clear shifts of the trade between markets. Despite legal protection, we conclude that leopard cats are still commonly traded in Java, alongside other protected wildlife, albeit in smaller numbers than before.
The universe is endowed with diverse resources that are either natural or human-made resources. Natural resources involve waters and marine life in general, native forest, rock mines among others. While the above is the case, it is worth noting that the forest resources among the vital resources to humanity and the nations at large. The above is due to the idea that they not only play a role in the provision of water catchment areas but also accommodate wildlife which contributes to national income through tourism in host countries. It is worth noting in many nations; tourism is among the leading sectors of the foreign revenue and economic development. The wildlife includes diverse wild animal species, birds and trees. Given their contribution s to the national budget, wildlife is regarded as a vital sector in almost every nation in the world. The above is evident in the creation of wildlife authorities that are responsible for wildlife planning, control and maintenance. Besides, various laws and policies have been enacted to protect wildlife both at national and regional levels as well as at the international standards. The enactment is because wildlife trade has been a significant concern since the genesis of the global environmental laws. As a response to this concern, various treaties have been enacted and laws passed. Among the considerable agreements include the Convention of international trade on endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). However, in spite of these laws and regulations, the wildlife sector faces many challenges. It is against this backdrop that this paper examines the wildlife trafficking, its causes, challenges and responses in Bangladesh