Rhino horn trafficking as a form of transnational organised crime 2012-2021

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“Poaching rates across Africa have decreased by more than 50% since the peak in 2015, but they remain high, at equivalent levels seen at the start of the crisis. Poached horns from South Africa continue to be a key source for the illicit supply chain. Investigations indicate the main consumer market is China where rhino horn is …

To skin a cat: how organised crime capitalises and exploits captive tiger facilities

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“Although the international trade in tigers has been prohibited since 1975 when they were classified as an Appendix I species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), tigers continue to be bred in legal and illegal captive facilities – otherwise known as tiger farms. In …

The Tiger Mafia

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Hopefully, this chilling documentary will be on general release soon – highlighting the cruel commodification of thousands of tigers in South East Asia to profit from a gullible tourist industry, supply executed tigers for the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) industry and the trade in derivative tiger body parts….. The Tiger …

Evidence of a further emerging threat to lion conservation; targeted poaching for body parts

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Banner image courtesy of Greater Limpopo Carnivore Programme A recent Africa Geographic article, “Lion poaching: Escalating demand for claws and teeth,” 2 January 2020 has summarised the conclusions of a paper published towards the end of 2019: Everatt, K.T; Kokes, R. & Lopez Pereira, C., October 2019 –“Evidence of a further …

Stop The Slaughter – Close Down Domestic Rhino Horn Markets

Stephen Wiggins Article, Studies 2 Comments

Excellent evidence (science) gathered by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA): “Stop The Slaughter – Close Down Domestic Rhino Horn Markets,” EIA, August 2019 This EIA report’s recommendations include urging: “Parties [to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES)] to close all existing domestic markets …

From Tusk to Trinket – Persistent illegal ivory markets in Viet Nam

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Hanoi, Viet Nam, 13th December 2018— Illegal ivory is widely available in physical and online retail outlets throughout Viet Nam according to a new TRAFFIC report published with support from USAID. The December study, “From Tusk to Trinket – Persistent illegal ivory markets in Viet Nam,” documents surveys carried out …

Exposing the Hydra

Stephen Wiggins Studies 1 Comment

“Failure to take any meaningful action against identified networks and individuals has led to the present situation where international Vietnamese syndicates are operating with impunity across Africa and into Vietnam and its neighbouring countries. Illegal ivory, rhino horn and pangolins are entering Vietnam at alarming rates, accelerating further declines in …