Wildlife Trade
News
Wildlife trafficking ring busted on U.S. soil
Record Rhino Poaching in South Africa January 12, 2012Eight rhinos found dead in one day after a year of record losses
WWF Works to Fight Wildlife Crime August 15, 2011WWF encouraged authorities to hand down a maximum sentence to a suspected tiger smuggler that was put on trial on August 10, 2011 in a West Sumatra, Indonesia district court.
Gabon seizes massive cache of ape parts and leopard skins January 19, 2011Law enforcement officials in Gabon have arrested five men accused of possessing illegal animal products, including those of endangered species.
WWF and TRAFFIC Highlight Dangers of America's 5,000-Plus Backyard Tigers October 20, 2010With more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than survive in the wild, the United States needs a centralized federal database to monitor the big cats, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said today. Weak U.S. regulations could be helping to fuel the multimillion dollar international black market for tiger parts, according to a new review released today by WWF and TRAFFIC, the world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring network.
Russian Tiger Habitat Gets a Boost With Protection of Key Tree Species July 30, 2010The Russian government has introduced measures to protect Korean Pine, a key species found in Amur Tiger habitat in the Russian Far East.
WWF and TRAFFIC: Marine Species Get a Raw Deal at CITES Wildlife Convention March 25, 2010World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC called on nations to focus on science instead of politics as marine species emerged the big losers from a United Nations conference on endangered species trade that ended today. Proposals to better protect marine species such as the Atlantic bluefin tuna, corals and several shark species were repeatedly rejected at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which meets once every three years.
Thailand’s Environment Minister Wins Prestigious Getty Award for Efforts to Wipe Out Wildlife Trade March 25, 2010Suwit Khunkitti, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has been named the winner of the 2009 J. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced today. He is being honored for his efforts to eliminate illegal wildlife trade, save tigers, elephants and sea turtles, and create wildlife corridors and sanctuaries in Thailand.
WWF and TRAFFIC: Sharks Take a Beating as CITES Turns Down Most Bids to Reel In Shark Overfishing March 23, 2010Sharks got little respect today as governments at a United Nations meeting on wildlife trade voted against stronger international trade controls for five shark species, which are in severe decline because of overfishing for their high-value fins and meat.
CITES Throws a Lifeline to Rhinos Amid Global Poaching Crisis March 22, 2010World Wildlife Fund (WWF) welcomed new protections for rhinos around the world – which are suffering a major upsurge in poaching – in a new decree issued today during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting.
WWF and TRAFFIC: Ivory Sales Proposal Fails at CITES Meeting March 22, 2010Requests from Zambia and Tanzania to hold one-off sales of their ivory stockpiles failed during a United Nations species trade meeting today that comes during a worldwide poaching crisis.
Compromise on Tigers, Big Loss for Corals at Wildlife Trade Conference March 21, 2010World Wildlife Fund (WWF) welcomed improvements over trade in tigers and other Asian big cat species at a United Nations meeting on wildlife trade but was disappointed that overharvested red and pink corals – which are heavily imported into the US -- were not given the highest protection.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Trade Ban Fails March 18, 2010World Wildlife Fund is dismayed that discussion of a long-awaited proposal to ban international commercial trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna was cut short today at the world’s largest wildlife trade convention when an immediate vote was pushed through.
Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference March 12, 2010WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife.
World Wildlife Fund Welcomes US Support for International Trade Ban on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna March 03, 2010World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials said they welcomed today’s announcement that the United States government will vote for a ban on international commercial trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the world’s largest wildlife trade meeting which takes place later this month.
Year of the Tiger Begins with Big Cats in Serious Trouble Around the World, Including Here in the U.S. February 10, 2010As many Asian countries prepare to celebrate Year of the Tiger beginning February 14, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that tigers are in crisis around the world, including here in the United States, where more tigers are kept in captivity than are alive in the wild throughout Asia. As few as 3,200 tigers exist in the wild in Asia where they are threatened by poaching, habitat loss, illegal trafficking and the conversion of forests for infrastructure and plantations.
Tiger experts call for urgent action to save species November 03, 2009More than 250 experts, scientists and government delegates from 13 tiger range countries this week called for immediate action to save tigers before the species disappears from the wild, citing the urgent need for increased protection against tiger poaching and trafficking in tiger parts.
Wildlife Conservation Needs More Funding And Cooperation, WWF's Carter Roberts Tells Congress July 28, 2009Illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and a multitude of other threats are pushing some species – such as tigers, elephants and turtles -- to the brink of extinction, World Wildlife Fund CEO Carter Roberts told Congress today. He urged greater cooperation between government agencies, a commitment to saving wild species in their natural habitats and increased funding for biodiversity conservation.
World Bank debunks tiger farming benefits July 09, 2009Experimenting with tiger farming is too risky and could drive wild tigers further toward extinction, the World Bank told a key international wildlife trade meeting today.
Elephant-size loopholes sustain Thai ivory trade June 25, 2009Legal loopholes and insufficient law enforcement mean that Thailand continues to harbour the largest illegal ivory market in Asia, says a new report from the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC.
Illegal trade devastates Sumatran orangutan population, TRAFFIC Report Says April 16, 2009Lack of law enforcement against illegal trade in Indonesia threatens the survival of orangutans and gibbons on Sumatra, a new study by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC shows.
Turtles no longer turn to souvenirs in Dominican Republic March 25, 2009Critically endangered hawksbill turtles are no longer being sold as tourist souvenirs in the Dominican Republic after a powerful government campaign cracked down on shops illegally trading such items. More than 99 percent of these souvenirs have been withdrawn or confiscated, the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC reports.
Border Guard Funds Soccer Trips Through Elephant Smuggling December 10, 2008A border guard in Myanmar takes bribes to smuggle elephants into Thailand so he can travel to World Cup soccer matches, according to an undercover investigation by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The report found that so many live elephants have been smuggled to support “elephant trekking” tourism in Thailand that some parts of the Myanmar appear to have lost their elephant populations.
Wildlife Consumption in China Rising November 11, 2008China’s traditional medicine trade has grown at annual rate of 10 percent since 2003, with exports valued at 144 million dollars to North America alone says a new report from TRAFFIC that reviewed wildlife trade in China in 2007.
Flawed U.S. Regulations Make Tigers in Captivity Vulnerable, New Report Shows July 31, 2008Huge gaps in U.S. regulations for tigers held in captivity could make the big cats a target for illegal trade, wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC and World Wildlife Fund found in the first-ever comprehensive report on captive tiger regulations across the United States
China approved for controlled ivory imports from Africa July 15, 2008China has been approved as a buyer of legally stockpiled African elephant ivory under strict conditions. The decision was made today at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. A Bitter Pill to Swallow July 01, 2008
Two reports from TRAFFIC, the world's largest wildlife trade monitoring network, on traditional medicine systems in Cambodia and Vietnam suggest that illegal wildlife trade, including entire tiger skeletons, and unsustainable harvesting is depleting the region’s rich and varied biodiversity and putting the primary healthcare resource of millions at risk.
Wildlife Protection Bill Advances in House April 30, 2008WASHINGTON – Legislation to protect endangered and iconic animals, including leopards, cheetahs and gray wolves, passed a key congressional panel today and was cleared for a vote by the full U.S. House of Representatives. World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) chief scientist, Dr. Eric Dinerstein, testified in support of the bill at a hearing in September.
Body Part by Body Part, Sumatran Tigers Are Being Sold into Extinction February 12, 2008WASHINGTON – Laws protecting the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger have failed to prevent tiger body parts being openly sold in Indonesia, according to a TRAFFIC report launched today.
Lack of meat for Africa’s Largest Concentration of Refugees Causing Large Scale Poaching January 22, 2008Washington - A new report released by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and WWF finds that the lack of meat in refugee rations in East Africa is causing a flourishing illegal trade in wild meat, threatening wildlife populations and creating a food security issue for rural communities.
Tigers get more protection in Russia’s Far East, says WWF December 19, 2007Vladivostok, Russia--Today the Russian Government created a new national park that is habitat for the endangered Siberian tiger in the country’s Far Eastern region after six years of research and negotiation by World Wildlife Fund. Roughly the size of Rhode Island, Anyuiskii National Park—1562.5 square miles--is the largest of three protected areas established by the Russian government in 2007.
Wild Salmon Illegally Caught in Russia and Shipped to the U.S. November 13, 2007WASHINGTON--East Asian countries are importing between 50 and 90 percent more Russian Sockeye salmon thanRussia is reporting as caught and much of it is destined for theU.S. according to a new report from TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and WWF.
New treaty boosts protection of gorillas says World Wildlife Fund, TRAFFIC October 26, 2007PARIS – Today’s new agreement endorsed by nine African countries to better protect gorillas is a major conservation achievement, said World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.
New Treaty Strengthens Gorilla Protection October 26, 2007WWF Chief Scientist Testifies on Behalf of Great Cats, Rare Canids and International Cranes September 06, 2007
WASHINGTON- Dr. Eric Dinerstein, Chief Scientist and Vice-President for Conservation Science at World Wildlife Fund testified before the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans of the House Committee on Natural Resources today on three bills - H.R. 1464, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Act of 2007, H.R. 1913, the Great Cats Conservation Act of 2007, and H.R. 1771, the Crane Conservation Act of 2007. Modeled on the highly successful conservation programs for elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, sea turtles and neotropical migratory birds, the bills would establish conservation programs to protect some of the world's most endangered and iconic species.
Luxury Store Owner Convicted for Wildlife Trafficking August 27, 2007Bangkok - A Bangkok luxury store owner was convicted today for breaching Thailand's wildlife protection law. The store owner, Mr Reyaz Ahmad Mir, an Indian national from Kashmir, pleaded guilty to charges of illegally importing and selling "shahtoosh" shawls made from the wool derived from poaching highly endangered Tibetan Antelopes (Pantholops hodgsonii).
WWF Photographs Three-Legged Sumatran Tiger That May Have Survived Capture, Escaped from Snare July 05, 2007WASHINGTON - A WWF camera trap inside an Indonesian national park has captured photographs of a Sumatran tiger in the wild that appears to have escaped from a snare by cutting its paw off.
World's largest photo mosaic of tiger unveiled at CITES; World leaders urged to end tiger trade June 07, 2007WASHINGTON - A two-storey-high photo mosaic of a tiger, created from personal photos of nearly 25,000 tiger lovers worldwide, was unveiled in The Netherlands today to urge world leaders to end all trade in tigers. Individuals from more than 140 countries contributed their pictures to it.
Study: Viable Tiger Populations, Tiger Trade Incompatible June 05, 2007The Hague – In the cover story of this month’s BioScience journal, leading tiger experts warn that if tigers are to survive, governments must stop all trade in tiger products from wild and captive-bred sources, as well as ramp up efforts to conserve the species and their habitats. The paper, “The Fate of Wild Tigers,” describes the wild tiger's population decline as "catastrophic" and urges international cooperation to ensure the animal's continued existence in the wild.
WWF Experts at Global Tiger Forum Available to Discuss Big Cat Conservation, China Tiger Trade Ban April 17, 2007Kathmandu, Nepal – The world’s leading tiger experts and delegates from at least 12 countries are gathering in Nepal this week to discuss the future of the world’s endangered wild tigers at the International Tiger Symposium and Global Tiger Forum. WWF and TRAFFIC scientists, policy experts and wildlife trade authorities are available to provide updates and comment on the meetings.
Lifting Chinese Tiger Trade Ban a Death Sentence for Wild Tigers say WWF and TRAFFIC March 13, 2007WASHINGTON- Any easing of the current Chinese ban on trading products made from tigers is likely a death sentence for the endangered cats, according to a new TRAFFIC report released today by World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC-the wildlife trade monitoring program of WWF and IUCN.
The Real Story of Illegal Wildlife Traders Who Smuggle 'Snakes on a Plane' August 17, 2006The storyline of this summer's blockbuster might seem far fetched but illegal wildlife trade specialists know the plot all too well. In recent years, there have been several instances of people literally smuggling snakes on a plane.
Thai police bust smugglers selling rare shahtoosh wool in Thailand July 25, 2006WASHINGTON - For the first time in Thailand, Thai authorities busted a major smuggling ring involved in the illegal trade of shahtoosh wool, which is only obtained by killing the endangered Tibetan Antelope. During a raid on three Bangkok stores located in a high-end tourist area, police seized over 250 purported shahtoosh shawls which are well known in the fashion world for their exceptional quality. A single shawl requires wool from three to five dead antelopes.
Illegal Trade is Propelling Rare Turtle Toward Extinction, New Report Finds February 02, 2006WASHINGTON - A new report released today finds that the illegal trade in the Roti Island snake-necked turtle, found only on one island in Indonesia, has left it all but extinct in the wild. Exotic pet enthusiasts in Europe, North America and East Asia are fueling the illegal trade for the turtle, often without realizing that they are contributing to its demise. No legal trade of this species has been allowed since 2001.
WWF Experts Available For Comment On Avian Flu, Bird Trade and Wildlife Impacts November 03, 2005WASHINGTON - World Wildlife Fund has two experts available to discuss avian flu, the impact to wildlife and North American quarantine policies.
-
Take Action
Take action through WWF's Conservation Action Network, where you can speak out for wildlife and wild places around the globe.
-
Adopt an Animal
Make a symbolic animal adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts.
