Banner image: ‘The mane attraction’ – Shutterstock An interesting article published by Rob Knell (Evolutionary Ecology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London) – “Trophy hunting could cause extinction in stressed populations – new research,” The Conversation, 29 November 2017. The ‘science’ and modelling behind the article …
“A Roaring Trade?”
Banner image courtesy of Mark Boulton, Elsa Trust and Elsamere Back in August 2017, IWB and the Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) questioned if the Republic of South Africa, Department: Environmental Affairs (DEA) could provide conclusive science that showed its “800 skeletons” lion bone trade quota does not pose a …
UK Auction Houses Ignoring ‘Legal’ Ivory Trading Requirements
On the 19 October 2017, the Two Million Tusks (TMT) study, “Ivory: The Grey Areas“ was released – the study encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the United Kingdom (UK) auctioning of ivory lots during the 2016/2017 period. Two Million Tusks (TMT) study – “Ivory: The Grey Areas,” October 2017 Alarmingly, …
The Ivory Trade of Laos
“The Ivory Trade of Laos: Now the fastest growing in the World, ” Save the Elephants, 2017 This report highlights how complacent and ineffective CITES seemingly is as a regulatory body when it comes to stemming internationally banned trade in endangered species products. Despite the on-going efforts to curb ivory …
Organized criminal gangs behind rhino horn processing in South Africa
Banner Image courtesy of Mark Boulton – Lewa Conservancy, Kenya A TRAFFIC report released 18 September 2017, “reveals disturbing new evidence that some criminal networks of Chinese origin operating in South Africa are now processing rhino horn locally into beads, bracelets, bangles and powder to evade detection and provide ready-made …
Ivory Markets in Central Africa
“Ivory Markets in Central Africa,” TRAFFIC, September 2017 The introduction this TRAFFIC report highlights some key elements in the historical persecution of elephants for their tusks (and a detailed study of Central African regions with market surveys of trade in ivory). Of particular note, is the negative aspect trade …
Fluid interfaces between flows of rhino horn
Banner image courtesy of Born Free Foundation Interesting paper by Annette Hübschle* published 26 July 2017: “Fluid interfaces between flows of rhino horn,” GLOBAL CRIME, 2017 VOL. 18, NO. 3, 198–217 To really understand the incumbent, underlying blurring of ‘legal’ and illicit flows of rhino horn (“The existence of legal, grey and …
Grinding Rhino – Elephant Action League Investigation
Elephant Action League (EAL) July 2017, undercover investigation report “Grinding Rhino – Operation Red Cloud” (PDF), highlights alleged, extensive authority complicity within Vietnam and China (including the Chinese Navy) to facilitate the laundering of poached rhino horns smuggled out of Africa. On the subject of any lifting of the standing, …
The Lion’s Share – EIA Briefing
“A briefing on how South Africa’s trade in lion bone is driving consumer demand for tiger parts and products.” “Asia’s massive unchecked demand for skins, bones, teeth and claws continues to drive poaching of wild tigers. This demand is exacerbated by the supply of huge volumes of African lion bone, …
Leopard Populations in South Africa – New Study
The Royal Society Open Science (RSOS) has issued a report (accepted 20 March 2017) that studies “Population dynamics and threats to an apex predator outside protected areas: implications for carnivore management;” in particular the African leopard (Panthera pardus) within South Africa: This report concluded: “The density of leopards in the case study declined by …