scholarly journals The illegal exploitation of the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 25-39
Author(s):  
Lalita Gomez ◽  
Chris R. Shepherd

Indonesia is home to the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and the Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi), both of which are threatened by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict issues and the illegal wildlife trade. Leopards and clouded leopards are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade across their range, however, very little is known of the illegal trade in these two species in Indonesia, or of the efforts made to tackle this crime. Both the Javan Leopard and Sunda Clouded Leopard are protected species in Indonesia and both species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning commercial international trade is generally prohibited. To better understand the trade, and efforts to end this trade, we collected records of seizures and prosecutions relating to Javan Leopards and Sunda Clouded Leopards in Indonesia for the period 2011–2019. Despite both species being protected by law, this study reveals the prevalence of extensive poaching, illegal domestic trade and international trafficking of both species. A total of 41 seizure records were obtained from 2011 to 2019, which was estimated to amount to approximately 83 animals, which likely represents only a fraction of the total number of cases and therefore the risk may be substantially greater. Approximately half of the cases resulted in successful prosecution and of these, the highest sentence given was 2 years in jail and a fine of IDR50mil (~USD3300). The majority of the penalties handed down for these crimes were far below the maximum potential penalties and are unlikely to be effective deterrents.

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Ramesh P Chaudhary

Review of Cites Implementation in Nepal and India – Law, Policy and Practice by Ravi Sharma Aryal Bhrikuti Academic Publications, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2004 200 pp, ISBN 99933-673-4-6 NRs 995, US$ 25 (paperback) The international illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is one the major engines driving species to extinction. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which defines standards for use of wildlife and their products, represents a major global commitment to reverse this trend. It remains to be seen whether the terms of this treaty will be enforced. Focusing on Nepal and its neighbors, Aryal discusses the obstacles to its successful implementation: imprecise legislation, inconsistent policies, lack of coordination among relevant institutions (particularly, those responsible for regulating international trade), and the deadly threat posed by poachers determined to protect their endangered livelihoods. Aryal’s recommendations are detailed, far-reaching, and compelling. Himalayan Journal of Sciences 2(3): 15-16, 2004 The full text is of this article is available at the Himalayan Journal of Sciences website


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 17229-17234
Author(s):  
Yadav Ghimirey ◽  
Raju Acharya

We document trade of the Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Nepal based on pelt seizure reports published in wildlife trade reports and in newspapers.  Just 27 cases in three decades seem little to suggest targeted illegal trade of the species, the seizure information in recent years indicate that illegal trade of Clouded Leopard body parts is still taking place.  Hence an in-depth assessment is necessary to understand properly the intensity and magnitude of illegal trade on Clouded Leopard in the country.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-8
Author(s):  
Nikola Sagapova ◽  
Radim Dusek

Wildlife trade involves many animal and plant species and their products. CITES (Convention on International Trafe in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims on protecting endangered plants and animals from being overharvested for the purposes of international trade through system of regulations, permits and monitoring. CITES Trade Database is a tool dedicated for the evidence of international trade of endangered wildlife species. We used records from the CITES Trade Database to conduct the analysis of the legal wildlife trade in the Czech Republic in the period 2008-2018. A total amount of 12,615 shipment records were extracted from CITES Trade Database. Amongst most imported taxons belong mammals (mostly genuses Ursus and Panthera) and reptiles (primarily genuses Varanus and Triocerus), while most exported taxons are birds (prevailing genuses Platycercus, Polytelis and Falco) and mammals (especially genus Lemur). While the export records showed an increasing trend, the imports were culminating around the average level of 642.3 records per year and lowest amount in the last year of the period. We emphasise smuggling of snowdrops and tigers and their products, which were reported to be seized, but with lack of records in legal trade.


2007 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Nijman ◽  
Chris R. Shepherd

In 1973 the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was called to life as to regulate the international wildlife trade, and to prevent species becoming (economically and biologically) extinct. The trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises in Asia is so huge that it threatens the survival of many species. In 2006 and 2007, during three surveys at Chatuchak market in Bangkok, Thailand, we recorded a significant trade in non-native CITES-listed freshwater turtles and tortoises to be used as pets. We documented a total of 688 individuals of 19 species from different regions of the world, many of which are globally threatened with extinction. Most commonly recorded were three species of tortoise from Madagascar and Africa, i.e. Radiated Tortoise Geochelone radiata, Spurred Tortoise G. sulcata and Leopard Tortoise G. pardalis. Five species were listed on CITES Appendix I, precluding all international trade, and an additional six Appendix II or III-listed species that can be traded albeit regulated, were not registered as being imported into Thailand in the last six year. CITES I-listed species were not more expensive than CITES II or III listed species, nor was there a relationship between retail price and numbers of turtles observed. The large number and availability of illegally sourced animals indicates a blatant disregard for law and authority by traders both from Thailand and from exporting countries. We conclude that the trade in these species, in such significant volumes, is of serious conservation concern, and in order for CITES to be more effective it is imperative that Parties recognize the scale of the international trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises and respond accordingly.


Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Sánchez-Mercado ◽  
Marianne Asmüssen ◽  
Jon Paul Rodríguez ◽  
Lisandro Moran ◽  
Arlene Cardozo-Urdaneta ◽  
...  

AbstractIllegal wildlife trade is one of the major threats to Neotropical psittacids, with nearly 28% of species targeted for the illegal pet trade. We analysed the most comprehensive data set on illegal wildlife trade currently available for Venezuela, from various sources, to provide a quantitative assessment of the magnitude, scope and detectability of the trade in psittacids at the national level. We calculated a specific offer index (SO) based on the frequency of which each species was offered for sale. Forty-seven species of psittacids were traded in Venezuela during 1981–2015, of which 17 were non-native. At least 641,675 individuals were traded, with an overall extraction rate of 18,334 individuals per year (35 years of accumulated reports). Amazona ochrocephala was the most frequently detected species (SO = 3.603), with the highest extraction rate (10,544 individuals per year), followed by Eupsittula pertinax (SO = 1.357) and Amazona amazonica (SO = 1.073). Amazona barbadensis, Ara ararauna and Ara chloropterus were the fourth most frequently detected species (SO = 0.564–0.615). Eleven species were involved principally in domestic trade (> 60% of records). Our approach could be the first step in developing a national monitoring programme to inform national policy on the trade in psittacids. Patterns and numbers provided may be used to update the official list of threatened species, and could also be used in planning conservation actions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 51-69
Author(s):  
T. G. Supun Lahiru Prakash ◽  
W. A. A. D. Upul Indrajith ◽  
A. M. C. P. Aththanayaka ◽  
Suranjan Karunarathna ◽  
Madhava Botejue ◽  
...  

The illegal wildlife trade is considered one of the major threats to global biodiversity. Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) have been highly valued by various cultures for use in religious and spiritual contexts, as a draft animal, and more recently, as a tourist attraction. Thus, the demand for captive elephants is high. Wild Asian elephants are taken from the wild, often illegally, to maintain these captive populations due to the unviability of captive breeding programs. For the first time, we documented the extent to which wild elephants are being illegally captured and traded in Sri Lanka between January 2008 and December 2018. We collected data from case records maintained by the Sri Lanka court system where the suspects of illegal elephant trade were prosecuted in addition to information gathered by archives and interviews with various stakeholders. We documented 55 cases where elephants were illegally traded. This is probably an underestimate due to the mortality rate of elephants during capture operations, and challenges in collecting data on this highly organized illicit trade. Nearly equal numbers of male and female elephants were traded and more than 50% of them were juveniles, aged ≤5 years. Significantly more elephants were found to be seized in 2014–2015 than in the other time periods combined. We found evidence of the illegal capture of wild elephants from wildlife protected areas and state forests. More importantly, we identified evidence of corruption of wildlife officers, involvement of politicians and other high-ranking personnel in the illegal wildlife trade, and lack of active enforcement of wildlife law as major challenges to overcome if the illegal capture and domestic trade of wild elephants in Sri Lanka are to be halted. Based on our study, we make a series of recommendations that should result in implementing policy to reduce the trafficking of Asian elephants in Sri Lanka and improve the conservation management of the species.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
PENTHAI SIRIWAT ◽  
VINCENT NIJMAN

SUMMARYThe illegal wildlife trade is covert by nature, and thus is often challenging to study. Seizure data is traditionally the most common means to gain insight into the trade for many species. Online media-sourced seizure records were applied to study the illegal trade of Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), one of 33 timber species of hongmu (rosewood), which is logged to produce luxury products predominantly for Chinese markets. Despite recent international pressure to strengthen the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations, illegal trade of Siamese rosewood is prevalent in its range states. This paper will explore seizure reports in Thai online media and analyse spatial, temporal and other factors that potentially explain the trade. Between January 2014 and April 2016, 835 independent seizures were reported in 37 of 76 provinces in Thailand. Seizures occurred mostly in the north-eastern and eastern provinces with higher numbers of seizures closer to the border. The number of seizure reports decreased over time, and the average number of logs seized per seizure was consistent over the 28-month study period. Inadequate domestic legislation is a key factor facilitating the trade. Improvements are needed to the legislation and enforcement ahead of implementing other regional timber-specific initiatives and regulations. In this specific context, CITES also appears to be unacknowledged and ineffective in hampering the Siamese rosewood trade. Importantly, we find that using media-sourced seizure data is highly apt in Thailand's context, considering Thailand's sensitive political state and the prevalence of trade in other non CITES-listed rosewood species. The approach demonstrated here is applicable to many other wildlife species.


Author(s):  
Alison Hutchinson ◽  
Nathan Stephens-Griffin ◽  
Tanya Wyatt

Wildlife faces a number of threats due to human activity, including overexploitation from excessive and/or illegal trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the main international legal instrument to address such overexploitation. However, not all species threatened by excessive trade are protected by CITES, leading to criticism that it is an instrument for the preservation of exploitation as opposed to the protection of wildlife (Goyes and Sollund 2016). This article explores whether CITES classifications can be said to perpetuate speciesist thinking. We highlight which species are more likely to receive protection by analysing which species are listed and how some species move between the CITES Appendices and comparing this to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) classifications for traded wildlife. We find that a species’ market value, charisma, and survival status form a complex set of characteristics that lead (or not) to the continual trade of some species, even though they are facing extinction from human consumption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 914 (1) ◽  
pp. 012013
Author(s):  
T Sayektiningsih ◽  
B Broto

Abstract Wildlife trade is one of the main constraints in biodiversity conservation. International wildlife trade is regulated by The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Approximately 34,000 plants and animals are grouped into three Appendices related to the degree of threats posed due to international trade. Annually, CITES provides global trends in wildlife trade through its official website. However, there are some limitations demonstrated by the CITES database, which may indicate unsustainable trade. Using the CITES trade database, we offer an overview of the international trade of crab-eating Macaca (Macaca fascicularis) from Indonesia. Results show that Indonesia had recorded 440 transactions of M. fascicularis in both live animals and non-live forms for 30 years (1990-2019). A total of 117,193 live M. fascicularis had been traded, with the United States being the primary importer. There were challenges in using the CITES trade database in analyzing M. fascicularis trade, including a mismatch between trade volume reported by the exporters and importers, undefined trade purposes, and unitless reports. We hope that our findings can help the community understand international M. fascicularis trade and guide future conservation efforts and policy changes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document