Factsheet Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia BACKGROUND Southeast Asia is a global hotspot for the poaching, trafficking, and consumption of protected wildlife. The region’s high biodiversity and accessible transport links make it a target for illegal trade in protected species. Light penalties and limited awareness among the civil population contribute to the problem, while growing affluence is increasing demand for wildlife products. Investigations have found that illegal wildlife traders utilize wellestablished and highly organized crossborder networks. Trade in illegally harvested timber and endangered species has devastating impacts. In addition to habitat loss, poaching and trafficking to supply demand from the fashion industry, pet dealers, restaurants, and Photo by Bussara Tirakalyanapan (FREELAND) traditional pharmacies is driving many species towards extinction. As these organisms are lost, so are their inputs to critical natural processes and ecosystem resilience, causing other spe- Wildlife Crime Impacts cies to disappear. Many of those involved in the trade, including consumers, are unaware of the impact their actions have on biodiversity and the • Massive and irrevocable biodiversity loss: If trends environment. continue, scientists predict 13-42% of Southeast Asia’s SCALE AND REACH OF THE TRADE The scale of the illegal wildlife animal and plant species trade is alarming. Due to the nature of illicit trade, it is hard to obtain exact could be wiped out this figures, but some experts estimate the value of the illegal wildlife trade century. At least half those at 10-20 billion US dollars annually. While arrests and interceptions are losses would represent on the rise, they expose only a small fraction of this underground criminal global extinctions. enterprise. The illegal wildlife trade affects all Southeast Asian nations. The rich biodiversities of Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar are particularly targeted. Smugglers are frequently caught utilizing transport links through Thailand and Vietnam. However, poaching, transit and consumption occurs in all countries to varying degrees. A significant proportion of wildlife trafficked through Southeast Asia is purchased by wealthy consumers outside the region, in China, Europe and the United States.
Common illegal wildlife trade routes in SE Asia based on case studies
• Degradation of natural ecosystems and essential environmental services: Poaching to supply wildlife trade disturbs delicate biological balances. Knockon effects can precipitate the unravelling of living ecosystems that underpin fresh water supply and food production. With scientists predicting severe impacts from a changing climate, reducing other man-induced pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems, such as poaching, is imperitave. • Human health is endangered by unregulated trade in wild animals that can spread and pass on viruses and diseases. (CONTINUES OVERLEAF)
• Wildlife Crime Impacts (cont.)
SARS and Avian Influenza, for example, were transferred by wild animals to human beings.
• Organized Crime is strengthened by profits from illegal wildlife trade, which now ranks among the most lucrative types of black market commerce. Links are now being detected between wildlife crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
LAW ENFORCEMENT In 2009, 129 major or model wildlife law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities were reported. 156 arrests and 45 convictions were made in connection with these actions across 7 countries. More than 18,545 animals were recovered alive; in total, over 267 tons of wildlife and derivative products were confiscated, with a minimum estimated black market value of US$40 million. This represents a significant increase over previous years and upward trends in enforcement continued in 2010.
For More Information • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) (www.cites.org) • Government Agencies such as Customs, Police, Environment, and the Judiciary
Intergovernmental Organizations: • ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) (www.asean-wen.org) • Lusaka Agreement Task Force (www.lusakaagreement.org) • INTERPOL Wildlife Crime (http://www.interpol.int/ public/EnvironmentalCrime/ Wildlife/)
Non-government organizations: • FREELAND (www.freeland.org) • TRAFFIC (www.traffic.org) • WWF (www.panda.org)
FREELAND Foundation 591 UBC II Bldg., 10 th Fl., Room 1001, Soi Sukhumvit 33, Sukhumvit Rd. North Klongton, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, THAILAND
Major/model illegal wildlife trade interdiction points reported in 2009
DEMAND FOR WILDLIFE Drivers of the illegal wildlife trade include demand for timber (hardwoods and softwoods); rare plants; bones, scales and other ingredients for traditional medicines; pets and zoo exhibits; collectors’ trophies; decorations and luxury items; as well as wild meat. Sex trade operators in the region have also been implicated in illegal wildlife trade, offering customers wildlife-based aphrodisiacs. In 2007 and 2008, undercover investigators discovered brothels in Vietnam offering tiger and bear products to their clients. TRADED SPECIES Almost all wild species are traded. The most heavily traded mammal is the pangolin. Despite dwindling wild populations, big cats and their body parts are still regularly found in trade. Reptiles, birds and illegal timber are also traded in large quantities in Southeast Asia. TRADE REGULATION The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is an agreement between governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES signatories are required to enact national laws to implement their responsibilities under the convention. All ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are signatories to CITES and, therefore, legally bound to enforce CITES resolutions. RESPONSE / SOLUTIONS Governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the public all have important roles to play in stopping illegal wildlife trade. FREELAND works throughout Asia to tackle illegal wildlife trade and motivate a broad, collaborative response. With support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), FREELAND provides direct assistance to the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN). Through ASEAN-WEN, FREELAND is helping to increase capacity and cooperation among government agencies tasked with stopping illegal wildlife trade.
FREELAND is working to increase public awareness of wildlife crime and its impacts in a bid to reduce consumer demand. FREELAND is also reaching out to vulnerable communities, providing training and support in Factsheet sources: ASEAN-WEN PCU, sustainable livelihoods as an alternative to wildlife poaching. email. info@freeland.org tel. +662 204 2719 to 21
INTERPOL, Nature, WCS, CI, IUCN, WWF, TRAFFIC, FREELAND