Common Juniper needles were burned as incense during religious ceremonies, a practice that continues to this day. © TRAFFIC Rzeszów, Poland, May 2013—The religious and superstitious aspects of wild plant utilization, including the use of Black Elder to ward off evils spirits, was highlighted at an exhibition held as part of a Traditional and Wild project focusing on the use of medicinal plants in Central Europe.

The exhibition, held in the Ethnographic Park of the Museum of Folk Culture, Kolbuszowa, in the Subcarpathia Region of Poland, aims to help maintain the written and spoken heritage of the region concerning the collection and use of local wild plants and was prepared by the “Pro Carpathia” Association, a partner in the Traditional and Wild project.

Black Elder © TRAFFIC According to local folklore, Black Elder Sambucus nigra leaves pinned to the door can ward off witches, demons and other evil spirits, while Black Elder bushes planted around houses acts as a shrine for a Goddess who can be called upon to protect residents through the offering of prayers and gifts. Further household protection came through a belief that Black Elder was never hit by lightening.

Local people also carried smouldering Common Juniper branches Juniperus communis around fields and farms to release their energy to protect both livestock and crops. 

“While such beliefs in the magical properties of plants may seem outdated today, their existence is part of the region’s rich heritage that deserves to be preserved and is testament to the strong association of local people with wild plants,” said Kristina Rodina, Medicinal Plant Officer with TRAFFIC in Europe.

More than 15 participants from partner organizations in the Traditional and Wild project, including TRAFFIC and WWF Hungary, visited the exhibition during a recent meeting held in Rzeszów to discuss the development of products such as jams, dried fruits, oils and teas made using traditional methods from local wild plant ingredients.

Training materials including a “toolbox” on the collection, cultivation and techniques for processing wild plant species was distributed to meeting partcipants. The materials will be used to help build up the entrepreneurial skills of local people and create employment opportunities in Central Europe as part of the ongoing project.

Included is information on how to ensure wild plant collection is carried out sustainably through implementation of the FairWild Standard and the toolbox is targeted at scientific and educational institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders working with or interested in wild plant resources.

“It is truly inspiring that the traditional knowledge about the collection of wild plants and their use is being revived and preserved in Central Europe today,” said Rodina.

The Traditional and Wild project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-financed by the ERDF.

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/23/traditional-and-wild-in-poland.html

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UK Border Force seized more than 650 live hard corals and 60 live clams at Manachester airport © UK Home Office Manchester, UK, 23rd May 2013—A man has been jailed for attempting to smuggle more than 750 kg of rare and endangered corals and clams through the UK’s Manchester Airport from Ho Chi Minh City in Viet Nam.

At Crown Square Crown Court, 23 year old Alex Montgomery from Manchester was sentenced to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to smuggle the animals following his arrest by officers from the UK Border Force in May last year.

More than 650 live hard corals and around 60 live clams were discovered in 36 boxes labelled “Marine fish and Soft Corals” when officers examined a cargo that arrived on a flight from Viet Nam.

None of the undeclared items had the necessary permits and documentation required under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and consequently they were seized.

Further investigations revealed 120 protected species at Montgomery’s business premises. They were seized along with his computer, which had information regarding his business dealings with foreign suppliers.

“The issuing of a custodial sentence for smuggling corals is a sign the UK authorities are prepared to get tough on the criminals who are illegally exploiting the world’s wildlife,” said Stephanie Pendry, TRAFFIC’s Enforcement Programme Leader.

Under UK law, anyone convicted of contravening CITES regulations faces up to seven years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Vicky Allan, Assistant Director of Border Force, said: “Border Force takes its role in enforcing international agreements and prohibitions designed to protect the natural environment very seriously.

“Anyone trading in protected creatures and plants should ensure they have the right paperwork before they import exotic animals into the UK.”

The case is not the first time corals have been seized at Manchester airport. In October 2009, a consignment of live corals from Australia was seized after Border Force officers found it was not accompanied by the appropriate CITES documentation.

Hard coral species and clams are extremely slow growing and take years to reach reproductive maturity. The illegal removal of coral from reefs has a dramatic impact on fish stocks and the ecosystem they support.

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/23/uk-hands-down-custodial-sentence-for-coral-smuggling.html

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HRH The Prince of Wales the UK Government are today hosting a conference calling for action at the highest level to end the illegal wildlife trade © European Parliament / Creative Commons London, UK, 21st May 2013—His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the UK Government are today hosting a conference calling for action at the highest level to end the trade in illegal wildlife—a trade that presents a grave threat not only to the natural world, but also to national and regional security.

HRH The Prince of Wales is President of WWF-UK and shares many of the same conservation interests including the desire to see an end to illegal wildlife trade.

The initiative aims to highlight the issue on the international political agenda.

High level representatives from some of the countries impacted by international wildlife crime activities are expected to attend, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Gabon, Germany, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Netherlands, Malaysia, Mozambique, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, USA and Viet Nam.

“The illegal wildlife trade threatens to overturn decades of conservation efforts, putting some iconic and ecologically important species at risk of extinction,” said David Nussbaum, Chief Executive of WWF-UK.

“This multi-billion pound trade also fuels other types of crime and has a devastating impact on some of the poorest people on the planet.”

“With poaching and wildlife trafficking at record levels, we hope that this meeting will be the start of a ground-breaking initiative in the fight against this deadly and destructive trade.”

A record 668 rhinos in South Africa were killed by poachers last year, and close to 300 have died so far in 2013. Earlier this month, at least 26 elephants were massacred in a World Heritage Site in the Central African Republic, after 17 individuals armed with Kalashnikov rifles entered the unique elephant habitat at Dzanga Bai, known locally as the “village of elephants”.

This meeting will lay the groundwork for a Heads of State meeting in the autumn, also hosted by the UK Government, where it is hoped governments will commit to actions that will reduce demand for endangered wildlife and related products in markets around the world; improve global enforcement and criminal justice against the organized syndicates engaged in this activity; and assist rural communities to find long-term, viable alternatives to the trade.

UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “It is all too easy to think that the extinction of a species is a thing of the past, when it is a very real problem today. That is why I’m pleased to be co-hosting the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference with the Prince of Wales. This is a real opportunity to get these issues raised at the highest level internationally. By working together we can reduce demand for endangered wildlife and related products around the world and assist communities to find long-term alternatives to the trade.”

Sabri Zain, TRAFFIC’s Director of Advocacy, addressed meeting participants and spoke of the need to curb the demand that is fuelling the poaching crisis.

“There is an urgent need for us to explore new approaches to understanding and influencing the drivers behind consumer demand for endangered wildlife—going beyond just raising awareness or hoping that consumers sympathize with our cause. We need to achieve real and long-lasting consumer behaviour change if we are to save the world’s endangered wildlife.”

In summer 2012, WWF and TRAFFIC launched a global campaign to raise the profile of illegal wildlife trade as a serious crime and to spur governments and international institutions to tackle it as such.

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/21/royal-event-to-tackle-illegal-wildlife-trade.html

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A water puppet show will educate schoolchildren about the need to protect Viet Nam’s biodversity © Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 22nd May 2013—In support of International Biodiversity Day today, the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, in collaboration with TRAFFIC and the Biodiversity Conservation Association (BCA) under the Ministry of Natural and Environmental Resources (MONRE), is holding a series of shows for schoolchildren in Ha Noi to raise awareness about the threats facing biodiversity in Viet Nam.

Schoolchildren from selected primary schools will attend the newly developed show called “Ao Lang – Village Pond” during May.

Ao Lang focuses on the importance of biodiversity protection and water conservation through a series of short stories exploring issues of habitat degradation and competition for natural resources and is a part of the theatre’s efforts to create socially conscious yet entertaining shows that showcase the rich history of Vietnamese water puppetry.

“As Viet Nam sees many of its species being lost to habitat destruction, climate change and poaching, many young Vietnamese are growing up in a time in which their natural heritage is being taken away from them,” said Dr Naomi Doak, Coordinator of TRAFFIC’s Greater Mekong. Programme.

“People need to be aware of just how amazing and unique Viet Nam’s wild animals are, and how best to live in harmony with them.”

Although some primary and secondary schools in Ha Noi include issues relating to the environment and biodiversity as part of their curricula, this is primarily due to the efforts of individuals within schools rather than an overarching educational policy. The water puppet show will help to expose students to pressing environmental issues that are not always discussed within traditional educational settings.

“It is important that environmental issues, including biodiversity protection, start to become a required topic that is incorporated into educational policies and youth programs in Viet Nam,” said Dr Pham Anh Cuong, Director of BCA.

“Given the role of the environment in shaping people’s lives, it is necessary to educate children about the dangers of environmental degradation as they are the future of this country.”

“Events such as this help students learn about the biological world and the huge diversity of plants and animals in Viet Nam and why this is worth protecting.”

The show will become a permanent feature of Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre’s weekly lineup of performances available to the general public.

“As one of the most visited attractions for students, adults and tourists in Ha Noi, we thought it was important to develop a show which discusses pressing environmental issues in a way that is understandable and fun for children,” said Mr Nguyen Hoang Tuan, Director of Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

“By working with BCA and TRAFFIC, we are hoping to have a lasting impact on the youth of Ha Noi so that they will appreciate and value their natural heritage and want to protect the environment.”

####

About Biodiversity Conservation Agency BCABiodiversity Conservation Agency (BCA) is the organization under the Vietnam Environment Administration and performs the function of assisting the Director General of Vietnam Environment Administration to execute state management of conservation and sustainable development of biodiversity resources.

About the Water Puppet TheatreThang Long Water Puppet Theater was established in 1969 and keeps growing and developing under the investment and direction of Hanoi People’s Committee and Department of Culture- Sport- Tourism. Beside the artistic activities, the Theater always cherishes the protection and conservation of traditional arts of Vietnam.

For further information or to schedule an interview with TRAFFIC, BCA or Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, please contact:

Brett Tolman, Communications OfficerTRAFFIC Greater Mekong ProgrammeEmail: brett.tolman@traffic.org, Mob: +84 1678020765

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/22/water-puppet-theatre-spreads-the-message-to-protect-viet-nam.html

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Some of the hundreds of items confiscated during operation Skynet © TRAFFIC Beijing, China, May 2013—Around 200 kg of ivory products were seized last month in Beijing’s markets as part of a strategic crack-down on illegal wildlife trade in China.

The targeting of Beijing’s markets—traditionally points of sale for antiques, flowers and pets and popular with collectors including tourists an local residents—was part of a nationwide operation code-named Skynet.

Skynet’s seizures in Beijing also included 64 live animals, (snakes, chameleons and a Slow Loris), 65 snake eggs, 160 cubic metres of illegal timber products, Hawksbill turtleshell items, rhino horn and a Snow Leopard skin. A total of 8 traders were arrested and 21 individuals detained.

Initiated by the National Forest Police, Skynet was designed to protect further the country’s wildlife and fulfill China’s obligations to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

“The investigations and seizures in Beijing and elsewhere in the country are a positive demonstration of the seriousness of China’s strengthened commitment to fighting illegal wildlife trade, including the international priority of combating illegal ivory trade,” said Dr Jianbin Shi, Head of TRAFFIC in China.

“TRAFFIC is delighted to see this progress made by the central and local Forest Police. Beijing Forest Police has now set the standard and we look forward to seeing similar approaches used elsewhere in China.”

TRAFFIC is a long-term partner of the Beijing Forest Police and provides objective market research results to the agency on a regular basis and also helps train officers on the dynamics and significance of illegal wildlife trade in China, including species identification and market monitoring techniques. The most recent training event took place in April, prior to Skynet.

Regular market monitoring has become an important source of information for the Forest Police and other law enforcement agencies and helped contribute to the success of the operation.

“A quick follow-up check of the markets concerned seems to indicate a greatly reduced availability of illegal wildlife products,” said Ling Xu, TRAFFIC’s Senior Programme Officer in China.

“However, we will keep monitoring the markets, in both physical and online locations, to guide our future collaboration with China’s law enforcement agencies.”

Beijing Forest Police showcased the seizure to about 30 local media outlets including CCTV, Xinhua News Agency and China News Service at a news conference on 8th May. The proactive outreach to media aimed to increase public knowledge about illegal wildlife trade and marks a big step forward in making law enforcement action more visible and transparent.

The Forest Police warned of more strict enforcement in the future and instructed the public not to cross the line by trading wild animals and their products illegally.

Wenshu Liu, a spokesperson for the Beijing Forest Police, also highlighted the role demand reduction can help in law enforcement efforts: “The best way to protect wildlife is to keep them in the nature and to avoid consuming them,” she said.

Consumer demand reduction has been recognized as a crucial component to address the complex issue of illegal wildlife trade in China and other market destinations. This has been garnering increasing attention by governments, intergovernmental fora, private sector and the general public.

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/13/operation-skynet-forest-police-crack-down-on-illegal-wildlif.html

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Vietnam,10 May 2013 – In support of TRAFFIC and WWF’s campaign to tackle the illegal trade of rhino horn to and within Viet Nam, a Public Service Announcement (PSA) has been developed that will run on State-owned television channels and cinemas in Viet Nam, and will be prominently displayed on local and international social media platforms. The demand for this product, primarily in Viet Nam as well as in other Asian countries, resulted in 668 rhinoceroses being ruthlessly slaughtered for their horns in South Africa in 2012 alone. The PSA showcases a popular Vietnamese singer, My Linh, explaining to the viewer that rhino horn is largely made of keratin and cannot cure diseases. The PSA hopes to dispel myths about its medicinal properties and encourages people not to use this product. To learn more about TRAFFIC and WWF’s campaign to against the illegal trade of wildlife products, please visit our campaign website here.

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/10/nailing-the-rhino-horn-trade-in-viet-nam.html

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F Langenkamp2@WWF CARPOBrazzaville, Republic of Congo, 26 April 2013 – A recent study  shows forest elephant populations in the Congo Basin fell by almost two-thirds – or 62% -over the past decade as a result of extensive ivory poaching.

Without action, it is likely that the elephant, the largest land mammal on earth, will follow in the footsteps of the rhinoceroses in Central Africa, which have been hunted to extinction for their horns.

This wildlife crime has a destabilizing effect on the governance of countries in the sub-region. Rampant poaching and illegal wildlife trade nurtures international criminality and undermines the economic and social prospects of Central African states. It is in the economic interest of these countries to vigorously combat this scourge.

Many of the largest conservation organizations active in the Congo Basin (see list of organizations below) convened in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to propose effective solutions to this poaching crisis. They called for States of the sub-region to implement these solutions in order to save their elephants, which they themselves have qualified as a universal natural heritage of humanity.

To save this natural heritage, it is imperative, and in the shortest time period possible, that the presidents or the prime ministers of the Central African States lead the fight against wildlife crime by piloting and overseeing National Coordination Units (NCUs). These units, which will comprise experts from the administrations of the prime minister, of counter-intelligence, justice, wildlife, police, Customs and defence units, will share information, co-ordinate field operations, prosecution, and collaborate with technical partners.

At the supranational level, the heads of these NCUs should co-ordinate with the countries of the region, on a case-by-case basis, depending on the information at hand and the urgency of the situation. These units will share information with their counterparts in the countries that have associated links with wildlife criminality – including transit countries for illegal wildlife products such as Nigeria, Sudan, Togo and Guinea Conakry – and with specialized international organizations such as INTERPOL.

Finally, the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of these NCUs must be made by the Forestry Commission of Central Africa on an annual basis and be based on information received by email from the heads of the NCUs.

In addition, the States of Central Africa must immediately:

1.Signal to poachers and the criminal trafficking networks that the natural heritage of Central Africa will be defended

2. Adopt an attitude of “zero tolerance” against corruption – Undue influence, abuse of power and other forms of corruption relating to trading are the primary obstacles to effective enforcement against major traffickers of illegal wildlife products in Central Africa.

3. Increase the penalties and strengthen enforcement relating to wildlife crimes, as well as crimes relating to the sale of arms and large-scale ammunition-based hunting. Earlier this week, Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC), called for wildlife offenses to be punished with imprisonment of four years or more.  Undocumented weapons and ammunition seized in flagrante delicto should systematically be destroyed.

4. Focus on the protection and proper management of certain priority protected areas – These areas should become core areas for the protection of wildlife in the sub-region and be co-managed long term by specialized non-governmental agencies.

5. Initiate a dialogue with consumer countries – China and Thailand are, respectively, the largest ivory consumer and the largest center of legal ivory trade in the world. In the long-term, the survival of the elephants in Central Africa and throughout the world depends on the end of international ivory demand. Thus, it is essential that the Central Africa States have bilateral dialogues with China and Thailand, explaining the ecological, economic and security consequences of their demand for ivory.

It is important to note that the Central Africa States have already begun implementing a number of these recommendations, including through regional institutions.  It is particularly encouraging to note that some countries have already started strengthening their wildlife laws, making their first arrests and convictions of major traffickers, as well as making audits of their ivory stocks and destroying them.

That said, Central Africa is pressed for time, and wildlife criminals are still active throughout the region. We are here to ask the Central Africa States, the guardians of these elephants, to renew their efforts to save this natural heritage.

A certain amount of regional coordination is needed. Nevertheless, it is countries of Central Africa who are capable of saving the elephants. The survival of this natural heritage of elephants depends entirely on the willingness of the states, their governments and their citizens to take steps to stop wildlife criminality.

We, the conservation organizations, look forward to continuing to work with the Central Africa States to end large-scale poaching and wildlife crime.

The time for talk is over. Take Action!

For more information please contact:

APN Norbert GAMI Community Coordinatornorbertg@african-parks.org +242 05 73 37 311IFAW Anselme NONGAMANI IFAW Coordinator in Congonongamani@yahoo.fr +242 06 65 95 192FTNS Timothée FOMETE Director, Tri-National de Sanghafometetim@gmail.com +237 99 93 64 46PALF Gilles MIAMBANZILA Head of CommunicationsHermanndegilles@gmail.com +242 06 68 34 121TRAFFIC Louisette Sylvie NGO YEBEL Head of Communications TRAFFIC AfricaLouisette.ngo-yebel@traffic.org +237 91 49 25 61 / +237 79 51 72 84UICN Léonard USONGO Head of Cameroun ProgrammeLeonard.USONGO@iucn.org +237 77 93 33 31WCS Jérôme Mokoko Assistant Director General WCS CongoJrmokoko@gmail.com +242 05 55 11 785WWF Jules CARON Head of Communications for WWF anti-poaching program in Central Africajcaron@wwfcarpo.org +237 79 51 90 97

African Parks Network (APN)International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)Fondation pour le Tri-National de Sangha (FTNS)Projet d’appui à l’Application de la Loi sur la Faune Sauvage (PALF)The Wildlife Trade Monotoring Network (TRAFFIC)Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN)Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/5/3/ngo-call-for-action-to-save-the-elephants-of-central-africa.html

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© S Falkow / Creative Commons 19th April 2013—Japan’s announcement that it intends to raise the penalties for those convicted of wildlife trafficking from one to five years in jail came just after Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a law to parliament that would make smuggling of endangered species a criminal offence, meaning those convicted would spend time behind bars.

“Countries increasing the penalties for wildlife offences signals a shift in global perception about the seriousness with which such crimes should be treated,” said Stephanie Pendry, TRAFFIC’s Enforcement Programme Leader.

“We hope it indicates a new resolve by nations across the globe to overhaul and improve their legislation relating to wildlife crime.”

In 2012, a review of Russian wildlife legislation carried out by TRAFFIC and WWF proposed amendments to Russian federal law that would tighten the penalties for illegal harvest and trafficking of rare species and their derivatives, and highlighted a loophole that had allowed poachers and traffickers to get away with insignificant fines.

While the Russian parliament still needs to approve the president’s proposal for jail time, on 31 March the government increased the compensation due from anyone convicted of killing or taking from the wild tigers and leopards and other endangered species, including certain birds of prey, to RUB1.1 million (US$35,000).

Meanwhile, the environment ministry in Japan has announced it intends to raise the maximum penalty for individuals convicted of trafficking wildlife from one year in prison or a fine of JPY1 million (US$10,400) to five years behind bars or a fine of JPY5 million (US$52,000).

The ministry also plans to raise the fine companies found guilty of trafficking endangered species face by one-hundred fold, to a maximum JPY100 million (US$1.04 million). It is the first time penalties against wildlife trafficking have been raised in Japan since the law on the conservation of endangered species took effect in 1993, though more work is still needed to bring wildlife trade laws fully into line with modern practices.  At the same time, the ministry also announced its intentions to ban advertisements selling threatened wildlife.

These announcements come just days ahead of a United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) meeting in Austria, where countries will debate criminal justice responses to wildlife trafficking, and have the opportunity formally to request governments to make wildlife trafficking a serious crime, a move that would mean  up to four years in prison, or a more serious penalty, for convicted offenders.

Last September New Zealand announced a similar increase in punitive measures, with penalties for those convicted of smuggling native wildlife were increased to up five years in jail, putting them into the zone of serious crime.

Meanwhile, penalties handed out for those convicted of rhino poaching in South Africa have also risen into the very strong deterrent range. They include recent sentences of 29 years for poaching offences, while a convicted Thai national kingpin in a rhino horn poaching racket was given a 40 year jail sentence late last year.

“By increasing penalties to more than four years in prison, countries such as South Africa, New Zealand and Japan have already shown they are taking wildlife crime seriously; this CCPCJ meeting is a golden opportunity for others to demonstrate the same commitment to tackling this globally significant and devastating crime,” said Wendy Elliot, WWF’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Campaign co-leader.

ENDS

Editor’s note:

The 2012 review of Russian wildlife legislation carried out by TRAFFIC and WWF was generously funded by the US by the US Fish and Wildlife Service

For further information please contact:WWF: Alona Rivord, arivord@wwfint.org, +41 79 959 1963TRAFFIC: Richard Thomas, richard.thomas@traffic.org, +44 752 6646 216

To learn more about WWF and TRAFFIC’s Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign visit panda.org/killthetrade or traffic.org/illegal-trade-campaign and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media and @TRAFFIC_WLTrade

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/4/19/japan-and-russia-increase-penalties-for-wildlife-crimes.html

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Posters like this will be placed in 100s of offices, buildings, airports, corporate offices and universities throughout Viet NamHa Noi, Viet Nam 18th April, 2013—Vietnamese citizens are being encouraged to stop buying or consuming rhino horn through a series of advertisements developed by WWF and TRAFFIC as part of their campaign against Illegal Wildlife Trade.

The print adverts were conceptualized by Ogilvy Mather Viet Nam and depict a rhino with human hands or feet in place of its horn. They provide a novel and intriguing visual to communicate to the Vietnamese public that rhino horn is made largely of keratin, the same substance that makes up your finger nails and toe nails.

“Rhino horn is largely made of keratin and will do nothing to treat cancer or help one’s sexual prowess. There are traditional medicines that have proven to be effective for treating a variety of ailments and symptoms and have saved millions of lives. Rhino horn is not one of them,” said TRAFFIC’s Greater Mekong Programme Coordinator, Dr Naomi Doak.

“Widespread lies, myths and rumours are fuelling demand and use of rhino horn.”

A dramatic spike in demand for rhino horn is believed to be driven by myths related to its curative properties in regards to disease and illness, along with renewed interest in other non-traditional medicinal uses such as a treatment for hangovers, as a sexual stimulant and a detoxifier.

Although rhino horn remains in the pages of a number of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine texts, its sale is illegal and it has not been included in the publication of the official pharmacopeia in Viet Nam for a number of years.

 “Currently hundreds of rhinos are being poached each year in South Africa, their horns hacked off and smuggled to meet the soaring demand in Asia including Viet Nam, where rhino horn is considered as ‘miracle medicine’, despite a lack of supporting medical evidence. It is high time to stop the poaching crisis and save African rhinos from extinction” said WWF-Vietnam Communications Manager, Ms Nguyen Thuy Quynh.

Illegal wildlife trade has become an issue of global concern that is pushing wildlife populations to the brink of extinction. Rhinos killed by poachers in South Africa have surged from 13 in 2007, to 668 in 2012. Already more than 200 rhinos have been killed in South Africa since the beginning of 2013, with other African and now also Asian countries experiencing a surge in rhino poaching.

”We are seeking support and cooperation from many corporates, businesses, celebrities, universities, international organizations and mass media who all have an important voice in reaching and influencing the community” Ms Nguyen Thuy Quynh said.

The adverts will be displayed through many different communication channels, including mass media such as newspapers, television, in public areas as well as social media platforms like Facebook.  In partnership with Mindshare, a global marketing and media network, WWF and TRAFFIC have been able to secure a number of placements including in hundreds of offices and residential buildings, airports, corporate offices and universities throughout Viet Nam.

The public can support and join the campaign by visiting facebook.com/Vietnamwwf and pledging their commitment not to use rhino horn.

In order to help stem the poaching crisis, and to strengthen, elevate and accelerate Viet Nam’s efforts to address the country’s illegal trade in, and consumption of rhino horn, WWF and TRAFFIC have launched a national campaign against the illegal trade of rhino horn. The campaign is seeking better law enforcement, more effective deterrents against traders and sellers and a reduction in demand for rhino horn in Viet Nam.

To learn more about WWF and TRAFFIC’s global campaign against the illegal trade in wildlife, visit traffic.org/illegal-trade-campaign or panda.org/killthetrade

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/4/18/ad-campaign-aims-to-reduce-vietnamese-demand-for-rhino-horn.html

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Tokay Geckos are in high demand for use in traditional medicines © C Gomes / TRAFFIC Kuala, Lumpur, Malaysia, 11th April 2013—A new TRAFFIC report finds that millions of Tokay Geckos are being harvested from the wild to supply the traditional medicine (TM) trade in East Asia. At the same time, the trade in Tokay Geckos for Novel Medicinal Claims (NMCs), including as a supposed cure for AIDS, has declined markedly.

The attractively patterned Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko is an adaptable lizard species found across much of Asia and in high demand for use in traditional medicines to treat a range of ailments including asthma, diabetes and skin disorders as well as for the international pet trade.

Since 2009, demand for Tokay Geckos in South-East Asia was reported to have sky-rocketed following rumours that extracts from the lizard could cure HIV/AIDS, a claim refuted by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Following such reports, TRAFFIC examined the Tokay Gecko trade in the region, including a case study in Peninsular Malaysia, the purported centre of demand in the NMC trade, but found that while such trade had been substantial, it has declined massively. In contrast, the trade in Tokay Geckos for traditional medicines was found to be booming according to the new study jointly funded by WWF-Malaysia and Wildlife Reserves Singapore: “The Trade in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko in South-East Asia: With a case study on Novel Medicinal Claims in Peninsular Malaysia.”

Tokay Geckos are widely consumed in traditional medicine in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Viet Nam. In mainland China and Viet Nam, Tokay Geckos are reportedly bred in captivity, however; the supply does not meet demand and the industry relies predominantly on wild caught individuals. This has led to reported population declines in parts of the species’s range, notably in Thailand and Java, the primary source locations for Tokay Geckos in trade.

“More research is crucial to understanding the implications of the trade in Tokay Geckos on wild populations,” said Dr Chris R. Shepherd, Deputy Director of TRAFFIC in South-East Asia.

“Regulations and science-based quotas should be put in place and enforced if any trade is to continue at a sustainable level.”

Tokay Geckos carcasses during processing before export © M Auliya / TRAFFIC According to Customs records, Taiwan has imported an estimated 15,000,000 dried Tokay Geckos since 2004. Over two thirds (71%) of these Tokay Geckos, came legally from Thailand. The remainder were from Java, Indonesia, where national legislation only permits the export of live Tokay Geckos for the pet trade. In 2011 a shipment of 6.75 tonnes (an estimated 1,200,000 individuals) of dried Tokay Geckos, illegally harvested in Java, was intercepted en route to Hong Kong.

Dealers interviewed during the TRAFFIC study claimed that fraud and criminal elements were rife in the trade, with robberies of Tokay buyers a common occurrence. They also reported that online forums were populated with fake-sellers, while the weight—and therefore the price—of individual Tokay Geckos was sometimes artificially inflated using silicone and metal implants. Heavier Tokay Geckos are thought to be more potent.

TRAFFIC has produced buntings to raise public awareness of the penalties for illegal trade in Tokay Geckos. The materials, produced in collaboration with Malaysia’s Wildlife and National Parks Department and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services, will be displayed at selected border crossings.

ENDS

For more information, please contact: Elizabeth John, Senior Communications Officer, tel. +6012 2079790, email: elizabeth.john@traffic.org Richard Thomas, Global Communications Co-ordinator, tel. +44 1223 651782, +44 7526646216 (m), email: richard.thomas@traffic.org

ReportDownload the full report, The Trade in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko in South-East Asia: With a case study on Novel Medicinal Claims in Peninsular Malaysia (PDF, 1.2 MB).

Read the full report online

A quick, 30-second overview of the Tokay Gecko trade in Asia

Article source: http://www.traffic.org/home/2013/4/11/aids-cure-rumours-short-lived-tokay-geckos-mainly-traded-for.html

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