TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature

Ploughshare Tortoises are severely threatened by illegal trade, but appear to be increasingly available in the Southeast Asian pet trade, like this individual seized in Malaysia. Authorities are urged to take serious action against anyone trading in this species. © Chris R. Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia  Click photo to enlargeKuala Lumpur, Malaysia—The Royal Thai Police have seized 14 Slow Loris, an otter, 96 birds (including 24 owls), several tortoises and marine products (including 480 hard corals, 187 soft corals, 22 sea fans and 22 Giant Clams) during a raid on  Chatuchak market, popularly known as JJ Market, the largest wildlife market in Bangkok.

The raid on 22 March targeted dealers selling wildlife in contravention of Thailand's Wild Animals Reservation and Protection Act 1992, or in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  

The seized tortoises included 18 Radiated and 3 Ploughshare Tortoises from Madagascar (both listed in CITES Appendix I, meaning international trade in these species is banned).

Click to read more ...

Police officers across Asia have received practical training in tackling wildlife crime Click photo to enlargeCambridge, UK—Indonesian National Police (INP) have undertaken special training in how to detect and arrest the organized criminal syndicates looting Indonesia’s forests.

Police officers joined Forestry and Customs officers on intensive Wildlife Crime Investigation and Wildlife Trade Regulation Courses to learn about topics including surveillance, criminal profiling and interviewing suspects, effective raid and arrest procedures, wildlife smuggling routes, and regulations relating to wildlife trade.

Click to read more ...

The seizure of 23 tonnes of pangolins in a week by enforcement officers in Viet Nam highlights the scale of the illegal trade in these animals between Southeast Asia and China © Viet Nam Customs  Click photo to enlarge  Cambridge, UK, 17 March 2008—On 6 March, Customs inspectors and enforcement officers seized more than 16 tonnes of pangolins at the port of Hai Phong, 100 km east of Hanoi, Viet Nam. It is the largest seizure of pangolins, or scaly anteaters, ever in Viet Nam.

According to the Deutsche Press Agency, the pangolins were hidden in two shipping containers en route from Indonesia to China.

One week earlier, on 29 February, around 7 tonnes of pangolin carcases and scales were seized by customs at Hai Phong. On that occasion, at least 2,460 pangolin carcases and 900 kg of scales were recovered.

Both shipments originated in Indonesia, where pangolins are completely protected by Indonesia’s national law. 

Click to read more ...