Comparison of methods to estimate the size of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) scale seizures using species-specific conversion parameters

The absence of robust species-specific methods to estimate the number of animals in seizures of pangolin scales is a major barrier to effective law enforcement. Therefore, studies focused on developing methods to establish accurate conversion parameters are a priority. This study proposes improved methods to estimate the number of pangolins in the illegal trade to inform law-enforcing authorities. Based on the observations of 25 specimens, Indian pangolins were on average found to possess 511 scales. Three morph-types of scales were identified: broad rhombic (n=411), elongated kite shape (n=69), and folded scales (n=31). The mean dry weight of the three-scale morph-types was 7.5 g, 4.9 g, and 6.2 g. Based on the average frequency and mean dry weight of each scale morph type, the species-specific dry weight of scales for Indian pangolins was 3.6 kg. Accordingly, we propose new and improved methods based on scale morph-type frequencies and species-specific dry weight of scales to estimate the number of Indian pangolins from quantities of scales. Their accuracy was compared with current methods, and the improved methods were found to be more accurate.

PERDAGANGAN ILEGAL KUKANG (Nycticebus spp.) DI JAWA BARAT BERDASARKAN INFORMASI MEDIA SOSIAL 2019-2020

Slow lorises in the one of Indonesia's protected primates. Slow lorises are nocturnal (active at night) animals that move very slowly with a variety of habitat types. Slow lorises are also the second most popular primate animal as a pet. The high level of illegal slow loris trade in Indonesia is thought to be due to low knowledge and awareness of the community and driven by economic factors due to the high interest in traded animals. This study aims to obtain data on the types, conditions or body parts of slow lorises traded and to map the hotspots for illegal online slow loris trade in the West Java. Testing data on the illegal online slow loris trade uses primary and secondary data. Data on the online illegal trade in slow lorises was obtained through social media observations, data analysis is carried out in quantitative and qualitative descriptive methods. The results of this study show that lorises in a dead (dead) condition are more common, and the hotspots for the illegal trade of slow lorises in the West Java region through social media are Ciamis, Pangandaran, Indramayu, Kuningan, Tasikmalaya, Depok, Bandung, and Bogor

Kara śmierci za przestępstwa dewizowe w totalitarnym systemie komunistycznej Polski Ludowej

The subject of the article is the penalisation of foreign exchange crimes in the Act of October 28, 1950 on the prohibition of possessing foreign currencies, gold coins, gold, and platinum, as well as the tightening of penalties for certain foreign exchange offenses. In this act, illegal foreign exchange trading was threatened with the most severe penalties, including the death penalty. The article contains a historical outline of liability for foreign exchange crime, from the legal regulations in the Second Polish Republic to the Fiscal Penal Code in force. The author pays special attention to the Act of 1950, which is a symbol of criminal law during the period of Stalinist repressions in Polish People’s Republic. The author introduces the atmosphere of those years, related to the currency reform and radical tightening of criminal liability for foreign exchange offenses, in particular for the illegal trade in foreign currencies. The article indicates the axiological foundations of applying penal repression in the economic area of the state, typical for the totalitarian system of the communist Polish People’s Republic.

Preventing The Illegal Trade of Smuggling Small Arms And Light Weapons (SALW) through UNPoA in Indonesia

<em>Action is needed to combat the illegal trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) because transnational crime is not easy to commit. However, internal conflicts make Indonesia more vulnerable to firearms smuggling, considering its geographical conditions and weak supervision at the border. Consequently, the government cooperates with neighboring countries to maintain national integrity and safety. Also, the government is active in the international regime to deal with illegal trade of SALW through the United Nations Program of Action. This study is legal research by incorporating primary, secondary, and tertiary data. The results showed that Indonesia's position in the United Nations Program of Action helps prevent firearms smuggling and increase capacity-building assistance.Furthermore, the government collaborates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and amends and revises Law Number 8 of 1948 concerning Registration and Granting of Permits for the use of Firearms to prevent illegal trade of SALW. In the regional scope, similar collaboration is also conducted with Southeast countries. This is supported by implementing the PoA to Combat Transnational Crime by holding the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC). In the international scope, the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Crime and its three protocols were introduced to eradicate the illegal trade of SAWL.</em>

The Legal Frameworks of Protecting Archaeology in Africa

Archaeological heritage is fragile and nonrenewable. In Africa, it is vulnerable to developmental projects in construction, mining, and agriculture as well as intentional and unintentional vandalism through everyday use and tourism. Looting, illegal trade of antiquities, and terrorism have also emerged as other significant threats to archaeological heritage in Africa. Looting and vandalism of sites and objects result from lax monitoring mechanisms and a general lack of awareness of archaeological matters among the public. Although most African countries have the legal protection of archaeological heritage, the effectiveness of these has been under question. African heritage legislations have been criticized for the lack of predevelopment assessments that would ensure the protection of recorded and unrecorded archaeological heritage. They have also been censured for protecting just the physical aspects of archaeological heritage, leaving out the intangible aspects that actually give the heritage value, especially among African communities. Another challenge was the exclusion of local communities and customary management systems in the protection of archaeological heritage. Provisions for counteracting looting and illegal trade in antiquities, coming especially from archaeological sites, were also considered weak and requiring improvements. The response to the debate on the effectiveness of the legal protection of heritage has been varied across the continent. Some African countries have responded by writing new laws, amending old ones, or providing other supporting legal provisions such as national cultural policies or regulations. Countries that have instituted new legal provisions include Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Mali, Egypt, Mauritania, and the Republic of the Congo. Those who reworked their protective mechanisms have attempted to address many of the issues raised. Countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and Mali have included clearly defined provisions for predevelopment assessments. Others such as Liberia included archaeological heritage in their environmental protection laws. Although fewer countries have had legislation to protect intangible aspects, supporting legal provisions such as national cultural policies have helped in this regard. However, very little has been done on the inclusion of customary laws and systems of archaeological protection. Going forward, African nations have to quickly consider emerging issues such as digital manipulation, heritage-based product development, increased need for intervention conservation, and sustainable economic utilization of heritage for the development of individuals, communities, and nations. The legislative process in Africa has to be expedited to quickly and efficiently deal with these issues before they cause harm to the archaeological heritage.

Technical note: Development of DNA quantitation and STR typing systems for Panthera tigris species determination and individual identification in forensic casework

The aim of this technical note is to provide an overview of methodical approaches used to develop molecular systems for species determination/DNA quantification called Ptig Qplex and individual identification called Ptig STRplex of Panthera tigris samples. Both systems will help to combat the illegal trade of endangered species and create a worldwide shared database of DNA profiles.

Assessing the Relative Impacts of Roadkill and Nest Poaching on the Population Viability of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna (Aves: Psittaciformes), in a Brazilian National Park

The blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) is suffering from higher roadkill rates (RK) at the Emas National Park (ENP), an important Brazilian National Park in the Cerrado biome. This species is also a victim of nest poaching for illegal trade. We modeled the blue-and-yellow macaw population’s viability in ENP and how this viability is affected by roadkill and nest poaching. We hereby report that the species is critically at risk and could be extinct in about a decade when considering both threats. Without considering any threat, 150 individuals are necessary to maintain a viable population. When individuals are harvested at a roadkill rate of 0.008 individuals/km/year and at twice this level, the viability figures increase to 4500 and 7500 birds, respectively. For nest poaching, we estimated that 2000 individuals are required to maintain a viable population. When both threats are present, 5000 individuals are necessary. The dynamics of the population are highly sensitive to the age at which females reproduce for the first time and the proportion of reproducing adult females, followed by the rate of adult survival. Our model demonstrates how even a non-threatened highly mobile species, such as the blue-and-yellow macaw, may be at risk due to human activities.

Conservations Javan Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) in Gunung Picis Ponorogo Nature Reserve

The Javan Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is a bird prey species (raptor) at the top of the food chain cycle that only exists in Java’s Island. Population the Javan Hawk Eagle is endangered due to illegal trade, poaching, and land narrowing. The purpose of this study is to know the population of the Javan Hawk Eagle in Gunung Picis Ponorogo Nature Reserve. The identification method used is by using the suitable method and direct observation. The study results explained that in the area, the Javan Hawk Eagle was found following food supplies in nature, so that area was very suitable for the breeding process of endemic birds in Java’s Island. In 2016, one young Javan Hawk-Eagle was released in this area. In 2017 and 2018, a young Javan Hawk-Eagle and 1 adult Javan Hawk-Eagle were found. Then at the end of 2019, they released one adult Javan Hawk-Eagle at location A, so there have been four adult Javan Hawk-Eagle. Observations lasted until 2020 in that area with the same result as in 2019. Observations made in that conservation area in February - March 2020 show that the Javan Hawk-Eagle conservation continues to increase, marked by the presence of young individuals.