ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN)
Encyclopedia
The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) was officially launched on 1 December 2005 as a regional inter-agency and inter-governmental initiative to counter the illegal cross-border trade in endangered flora and fauna. The network is a direct and proactive response against poaching and wildlife trafficking that has led to alarming levels of biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia. It helps countries share information on and tackle cross-border wildlife crime and facilitates the exchange of regional best practices in combating those crimes. As the world’s largest wildlife law enforcement network, it comprises law enforcement agencies of the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei
, Cambodia
, Indonesia
, Laos
, Malaysia, Myanmar
, the Philippines
, Singapore
, Vietnam
and Thailand
) forming a regional intergovernmental law-enforcement network.
within the ASEAN region. ASEAN-WEN seeks to promote implementation of national wildlife protection laws and international species protection treaties, with the long-term goal of reducing illegal wildlife trade
in Southeast Asia through the dismantlement of the region’s major wildlife trafficking networks. ASEAN-WEN works closely with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
partners include FREELAND Foundation
, and TRAFFIC
, the international wildlife trade monitoring network. ASEAN-WEN has also developed links with partner countries and intergovernmental
organizations such as the CITES Secretariat (Convention on International Trade in Engandered Species), the United States, Interpol
, the United Nations Office on for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
(ACB), The World Bank
, Global Tiger Initiative, and the World Customs Organization (WCO). The network is building partnerships with China, South Asia, the European Community, Africa (through the Lusaka Agreement Task Force) Australia and New Zealand.
ASEAN-WEN is officially mentioned under Objective Two of the Action Plan to encourage networking among law enforcement authorities in ASEAN countries to counter the illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.
The ASEAN-WEN was established on 1 December 2005 in Bangkok.
More on ASEAN-WEN’s background and history, please read on the ASEAN-WEN Homepage-“About Us”.
.
ASEAN-WEN operates on national and regional levels. Each country is expected to establish a national inter-agency task force of police, customs, and environmental officers. The Kingdom of Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia have established fully functioning national task forces. Lao PDR and Viet Nam are preparing to establish their national task forces very soon. These task forces are the enforcing mechanisms of a regional network committed to stopping trans-regional illegal wildlife trade . The concept is similar to already-existing networks dealing with other trans-national crimes such as drug smuggling (illegal drug trade
) and human trafficking
. Law enforcement officers in national task forces receive trainings on investigations, species identification and wildlife laws to improve their capacity and expertise in wildlife crime. National task forces are responsible for stopping wildlife crime in their country and coordinating with counterparts across the region to stop cross-border wildlife crime.
From 2005-2010, via a cooperative agreement with USAID, the ASEAN-WEN Support Program (FREELAND Foundation and TRAFFIC) provided technical and policy support to the development of ASEAN-WEN and its national task forces.
The ASEAN-WEN Support Program has provided consistent technical support to the Network since the start. The USAID-funded Support Program was implemented by FREELAND Foundation
and TRAFFIC
. The Support Program has helped to conduct national assessments, set up the structure of ASEAN-WEN and PCU, and has provided trainings and workshops to enhance capacity among ASEAN Member Countries’ wildlife law enforcement officials and Judiciary
. The Support Program also advised on the sustainability strategy of the Network and international support by engaging civil society and foreign governments, such as China and the U.S, as participants and supporters of ASEAN-WEN.
to increase the capacity of authorities, including Customs
, Police
, CITES, environment and natural resources management authorities, as well as prosecutors and the judiciary, to combat wildlife crime and protect biological diversity. On-the-job training delivered by law enforcement experts assisting ASEAN-WEN is imparting knowledge and targeted investigative support to these authorities.
ASEAN-WEN is facilitating inter-agency and international cooperation on law enforcement and working to strengthen laws designed to protect endangered species and natural ecosystems. Public awareness campaigns are helping to increase the visibility of this issue and reduce demand for endangered species. Civil society
groups are also being involved to support ASEAN-WEN’s mission.
in Southeast Asia has devastating impacts on the region’s biodiversity
, disturbing delicate ecological balances and undermining essential environmental services. This, in turn impacts the people of Southeast Asia
and their well-being. The multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade
supplies one of the world’s largest black markets, surpassed only by illicit commerce in arms and drugs. The illicit harvesting of natural resources
has been defined as a form of transnational organized environmental crime
driving species to extinction by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in their report “The Globalization of Organized Crime- A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment"
A World Bank report from 2008 publishes that the Southeast Asian region functions as a key supplier for global demand for protected wildlife, as well as a consumer and a global transit point - three roles that make the region a crucial area to address in the global fight against illicit trade.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that Southeast Asian countries rank among the highest in the world for density of endangered species. Nine countries in the world’s top 20-list of countries with the most endangered mammal
species are in Southeast Asia.
Biodiversity, including numerous unique endemic species of flora and fauna, is part of the ecological heritage of the whole region. Despite laws and treaties, this irreplaceable resource is being sold off illegally to consumers not only in East Asia, but also in Europe and North America at an unsustainable rate.
However, law enforcement efforts to protect Southeast Asia’s endangered species are increasing. In 2008, 67 major and model law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities were reported to the network. More than 31,590 live animals and 31,684 dead animals, animal parts and derivatives were recovered, which adds up to over 53 tons of seized wildlife.
In 2009 alone, more than 140 reported major and model law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities. More than 26,261 live animals rescued from illegal trade along with almost 10,000 deceased animals, animal parts and derivates (over 268 tons of seized wildlife) during these interdictions. According to estimates by wildlife authorities and non-governmental organizations, this confiscated contraband was worth more than US$40 million on the black market. In addition, the 156 related arrests and 45 convictions across 7 countries during 2009 illustrates improving law enforcement and action by the judiciary to break-up criminal syndicates responsible for the illegal wildlife trade.
The rapid development of economies and markets, incomes and increasingly efficient regional infrastructure increase the profitability of illegal wildlife trade further. Growing technological capacity means consumers with computer access can easily procure illicit wildlife products from a growing online marketplace.
Finally, poor awareness about the importance of conservation and impacts of over-exploitation has also contributed to the rapid and widespread destruction of the region’s rich fauna and flora.
Main Article: What's Driving the Illegal Wildlife Trade?, World Bank Report 2008
See also: Wildlife Trade- what is it?
For a range of estimates, see also
While arrests and interceptions are on the rise, they expose only a small fraction of this underground criminal enterprise.
Scientists predict 13-42% of Southeast Asia’s animal and plant species could be wiped out this century. At least half those losses would represent global extinctions. Poaching
and illegal wildlife trade
contribute to this trend. Populations of species of high commercial value have already drastically declined (e.g. Tiger subspecies (Endangered Subspecies of Tiger
), the Javan Rhinoceros
, the Asian Elephant
, the Pangolin
, freshwater turtles and tortoises and wild orchids in Southeast Asia.
Poaching to supply illegal wildlife trade causes degradation of natural ecosystems and essential environmental services. This can precipitate the complete unraveling of living ecosystems that underpin fresh water supply and food production.
With scientists predicting severe impacts from a changing climate, reducing other man-induced pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems, such as poaching, is imperative. Illegal wildlife trade also threatens sustainable development in rural and coastal communities, as it destroys those valuable natural and biological resources upon which thousands of people around the globe depend for their survival and livelihoods.
Moreover, human health is endangered by unregulated trade in wild animals that can spread and pass on viruses and zoonotic diseases. SARS and Avian Influenza, for example, were transferred by wild animals to human beings. The lack of health standards within the trade chains increase the transmission of diseases to people, who come into contact with trafficked live or deceased animals.
Another consequence is the strengthening of organized crime
. Profits from illegal wildlife trade, which now ranks among the most lucrative types of black market commerce, can support other forms of criminal activity. Links are now being detected between wildlife crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking
.
The lack of public awareness about illegal wildlife trade and its impacts is another significant challenge. ASEAN-WEN is working with government and non-government partners to increase public awareness about protected species and the dangers that wildlife trafficking poses to the environment, human health and security. By raising awareness, ASEAN-WEN is strengthening ties with civil society groups and citizens to reduce consumer demand for endangered species and combat illegal wildlife trade. Awareness campaigns are also helping to build further international political will to tackle this unsustainable and exploitative illegal trade, and to establish an internationally-linked network trade- off authorities working to suppress it.
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, Malaysia, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
) forming a regional intergovernmental law-enforcement network.
What is ASEAN-WEN?
The establishment of ASEAN-WEN was a response by the governments of Southeast Asia to the serious threat of illegal wildlife trade. ASEAN-WEN aims to address illegal exploitation and trade in CITES-listed endangered speciesEndangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
within the ASEAN region. ASEAN-WEN seeks to promote implementation of national wildlife protection laws and international species protection treaties, with the long-term goal of reducing illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
in Southeast Asia through the dismantlement of the region’s major wildlife trafficking networks. ASEAN-WEN works closely with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Who are the partners?
ASEAN-WEN is currently supported by USAID, the US Agency for International Development. Non-governmental organizationNon-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
partners include FREELAND Foundation
Freeland Foundation
The Freeland Foundation is an international non-governmental organization working across Asia on both environmental conservation and human rights and is headquartered in Asia...
, and TRAFFIC
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
, the international wildlife trade monitoring network. ASEAN-WEN has also developed links with partner countries and intergovernmental
Intergovernmental
Intergovernmental can refer to:*Intergovernmentalism*Intergovernmental Risk Pool*Intergovernmental organization...
organizations such as the CITES Secretariat (Convention on International Trade in Engandered Species), the United States, Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
, the United Nations Office on for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
ASEAN Center for Biodiversity
The ASEAN CENTRE FOR Biodiversity is an intergovernmental regional centre of excellence that facilitates cooperation and coordination among the members of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organizations on the Conservation and Sustainable use of biological...
(ACB), The World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, Global Tiger Initiative, and the World Customs Organization (WCO). The network is building partnerships with China, South Asia, the European Community, Africa (through the Lusaka Agreement Task Force) Australia and New Zealand.
History and Background of ASEAN-WEN
In October 2004, ASEAN Ministers expressed their support for cooperation to improve CITES implementation. In May 2005, the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora (2005–2010) was developed. This Action Plan, which includes the ASEAN-WEN, was endorsed and adopted the following August in Phnom Penh during the Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF).ASEAN-WEN is officially mentioned under Objective Two of the Action Plan to encourage networking among law enforcement authorities in ASEAN countries to counter the illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.
The ASEAN-WEN was established on 1 December 2005 in Bangkok.
More on ASEAN-WEN’s background and history, please read on the ASEAN-WEN Homepage-“About Us”.
Why do we need ASEAN-WEN?
Wildlife smugglers are often part of organized criminal syndicates, taking advantage of Asia’s strong transport infrastructure to traffic wildlife within and out of the region. Governments must therefore mount a coordinated respond, if they want to combat the illegal wildlife trade and protect endemic and unique biodiversity. Environmental agencies and NGOs don’t possess the authority or the capacity to stop organized crime. ASEAN-WEN facilitates a multi-agency and cross-border response, including Police, Customs and the Judiciary, which is necessary to effectively counter these syndicates. US Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary Clinton, highlighted the urgency for strengthening partnerships with networks like ASEAN-WEN hoping to building similar networks in South Asia and Central America to preserve the world’s biodiversityBiodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
.
ASEAN-WEN’s National & Regional Structure
ASEAN-WEN is an integrated network among law enforcement agencies and involves CITES authorities, customs, police, prosecutors, specialized governmental wildlife-law enforcement organizations and other relevant national law enforcement agencies from across the ASEAN region.ASEAN-WEN operates on national and regional levels. Each country is expected to establish a national inter-agency task force of police, customs, and environmental officers. The Kingdom of Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia have established fully functioning national task forces. Lao PDR and Viet Nam are preparing to establish their national task forces very soon. These task forces are the enforcing mechanisms of a regional network committed to stopping trans-regional illegal wildlife trade . The concept is similar to already-existing networks dealing with other trans-national crimes such as drug smuggling (illegal drug trade
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
) and human trafficking
Human trafficking
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery...
. Law enforcement officers in national task forces receive trainings on investigations, species identification and wildlife laws to improve their capacity and expertise in wildlife crime. National task forces are responsible for stopping wildlife crime in their country and coordinating with counterparts across the region to stop cross-border wildlife crime.
Secretariat of ASEAN-WEN
The Secretariat of the ASEAN-WEN is the ASEAN-WEN Program Coordination Unit (PCU), located in Bangkok, Thailand. The PCU facilitates regional communication, encourages information-sharing, coordinates trainings and workshops, and builds high-level support. The PCU has permanent staff members and will soon second temporary staff (secondments) from national enforcement agencies from ASEAN Member Countries. These seconded staff will work in specific fields to improve the Network’s range of expertise.ARREST Program (Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking)
Together with the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN-WEN is currently supported by the ARREST Program (Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking): ARREST is a five-year program funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FREELAND Foundation. The program is fighting the trafficking of illegal wildlife in Asia in three ways: reducing consumer demand; strengthening law enforcement; and strengthening regional cooperation and anti-trafficking networks. ARREST unites the efforts of the member states of ASEAN, China and South Asia, NGOs, and private sector organizations. Together, these dedicated people and organizations are helping Asia respond to the challenge of protecting its unique wildlife.From 2005-2010, via a cooperative agreement with USAID, the ASEAN-WEN Support Program (FREELAND Foundation and TRAFFIC) provided technical and policy support to the development of ASEAN-WEN and its national task forces.
The ASEAN-WEN Support Program has provided consistent technical support to the Network since the start. The USAID-funded Support Program was implemented by FREELAND Foundation
Freeland Foundation
The Freeland Foundation is an international non-governmental organization working across Asia on both environmental conservation and human rights and is headquartered in Asia...
and TRAFFIC
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
. The Support Program has helped to conduct national assessments, set up the structure of ASEAN-WEN and PCU, and has provided trainings and workshops to enhance capacity among ASEAN Member Countries’ wildlife law enforcement officials and Judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
. The Support Program also advised on the sustainability strategy of the Network and international support by engaging civil society and foreign governments, such as China and the U.S, as participants and supporters of ASEAN-WEN.
Areas of Involvement & Trainings
U.S-Government sponsored ASEAN-WEN training courses and workshops are taking place across Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
to increase the capacity of authorities, including Customs
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
, Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, CITES, environment and natural resources management authorities, as well as prosecutors and the judiciary, to combat wildlife crime and protect biological diversity. On-the-job training delivered by law enforcement experts assisting ASEAN-WEN is imparting knowledge and targeted investigative support to these authorities.
ASEAN-WEN is facilitating inter-agency and international cooperation on law enforcement and working to strengthen laws designed to protect endangered species and natural ecosystems. Public awareness campaigns are helping to increase the visibility of this issue and reduce demand for endangered species. Civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
groups are also being involved to support ASEAN-WEN’s mission.
Illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia
Trade in endangered speciesEndangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in Southeast Asia has devastating impacts on the region’s biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
, disturbing delicate ecological balances and undermining essential environmental services. This, in turn impacts the people of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and their well-being. The multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
supplies one of the world’s largest black markets, surpassed only by illicit commerce in arms and drugs. The illicit harvesting of natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
has been defined as a form of transnational organized environmental crime
Environmental crime
Environmental crime can be broadly defined as illegal acts, which directly harmthe environment. International bodies such as the G8, Interpol, EU, UN Environment Programme and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute have recognised the following environmental crimes:* Illegal...
driving species to extinction by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in their report “The Globalization of Organized Crime- A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment"
A World Bank report from 2008 publishes that the Southeast Asian region functions as a key supplier for global demand for protected wildlife, as well as a consumer and a global transit point - three roles that make the region a crucial area to address in the global fight against illicit trade.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that Southeast Asian countries rank among the highest in the world for density of endangered species. Nine countries in the world’s top 20-list of countries with the most endangered mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
species are in Southeast Asia.
Biodiversity, including numerous unique endemic species of flora and fauna, is part of the ecological heritage of the whole region. Despite laws and treaties, this irreplaceable resource is being sold off illegally to consumers not only in East Asia, but also in Europe and North America at an unsustainable rate.
However, law enforcement efforts to protect Southeast Asia’s endangered species are increasing. In 2008, 67 major and model law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities were reported to the network. More than 31,590 live animals and 31,684 dead animals, animal parts and derivatives were recovered, which adds up to over 53 tons of seized wildlife.
In 2009 alone, more than 140 reported major and model law enforcement actions by Southeast Asian authorities. More than 26,261 live animals rescued from illegal trade along with almost 10,000 deceased animals, animal parts and derivates (over 268 tons of seized wildlife) during these interdictions. According to estimates by wildlife authorities and non-governmental organizations, this confiscated contraband was worth more than US$40 million on the black market. In addition, the 156 related arrests and 45 convictions across 7 countries during 2009 illustrates improving law enforcement and action by the judiciary to break-up criminal syndicates responsible for the illegal wildlife trade.
Drivers of illegal wildlife trade
The drivers of the illegal wildlife trade are numerous and varied. They include demand for bones, scales and other ingredients for traditional medicines; demand for live animals as pets and zoo exhibits; demand for their parts and bodies as collectors’ trophies; decorations and luxury items; demand for wild meat and exotic dishes from restaurants, etc. In Southeast Asia, wealth seems to be a stronger driver for illegal wildlife trade than poverty. Demand for wildlife has grown along with growing wealth in Asia. It is reported that there is hardly any species of flora or fauna that has not yet been traded for a valuable part of it, and that, the rarer a species, the more money are customers willing to pay for it. Amongst other reasons contributing to the exploitation of Southeast Asia’s natural resources by criminal syndicates perpetrating illegal trade are the region’s high biodiversity, porous borders, well-established trade routes and accessible transport links. This ease combined with low risks further elevate the attractiveness of smuggling wildlife.The rapid development of economies and markets, incomes and increasingly efficient regional infrastructure increase the profitability of illegal wildlife trade further. Growing technological capacity means consumers with computer access can easily procure illicit wildlife products from a growing online marketplace.
Finally, poor awareness about the importance of conservation and impacts of over-exploitation has also contributed to the rapid and widespread destruction of the region’s rich fauna and flora.
Main Article: What's Driving the Illegal Wildlife Trade?, World Bank Report 2008
See also: Wildlife Trade- what is it?
Extent & Consequences of illegal wildlife trade
Due to the undisclosed nature of illicit trade, it is hard to enumerate exact global figures of this trade, but some estimate the value of the illegal wildlife trade at a minimum of US$5 billion and may exceed US$20billion annually.For a range of estimates, see also
- US Interagency Working Group, International Crime Threat Assessment Report
- US Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs
- United Kingdom National Wildlife Crime Unit
- INTERPOL, Wildlife Crime
While arrests and interceptions are on the rise, they expose only a small fraction of this underground criminal enterprise.
Scientists predict 13-42% of Southeast Asia’s animal and plant species could be wiped out this century. At least half those losses would represent global extinctions. Poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
and illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
contribute to this trend. Populations of species of high commercial value have already drastically declined (e.g. Tiger subspecies (Endangered Subspecies of Tiger
Endangered Subspecies of Tiger
There were nine subspecies of Tiger in the world: the Siberian Tiger, the South China Tiger, Indochinese Tiger, the Sumatran Tiger, the Bengal Tiger, the Malayan Tiger, the Balinese Tiger, the Javan Tiger, and the Caspian Tiger or Persian Tiger...
), the Javan Rhinoceros
Javan Rhinoceros
The Javan Rhinoceros or Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros is a member of the family Rhinocerotidae and one of five extant rhinoceroses...
, the Asian Elephant
Asian Elephant
The Asian or Asiatic elephant is the only living species of the genus Elephas and distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m....
, the Pangolin
Pangolin
A pangolin , also scaly anteater or Trenggiling, is a mammal of the order Pholidota. There is only one extant family and one genus of pangolins, comprising eight species. There are also a number of extinct taxa. Pangolins have large keratin scales covering their skin and are the only mammals with...
, freshwater turtles and tortoises and wild orchids in Southeast Asia.
Poaching to supply illegal wildlife trade causes degradation of natural ecosystems and essential environmental services. This can precipitate the complete unraveling of living ecosystems that underpin fresh water supply and food production.
With scientists predicting severe impacts from a changing climate, reducing other man-induced pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems, such as poaching, is imperative. Illegal wildlife trade also threatens sustainable development in rural and coastal communities, as it destroys those valuable natural and biological resources upon which thousands of people around the globe depend for their survival and livelihoods.
Moreover, human health is endangered by unregulated trade in wild animals that can spread and pass on viruses and zoonotic diseases. SARS and Avian Influenza, for example, were transferred by wild animals to human beings. The lack of health standards within the trade chains increase the transmission of diseases to people, who come into contact with trafficked live or deceased animals.
Another consequence is the strengthening of organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
. Profits from illegal wildlife trade, which now ranks among the most lucrative types of black market commerce, can support other forms of criminal activity. Links are now being detected between wildlife crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking
Human trafficking
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery...
.
Challenges
With generally weak laws governing wildlife trade, low penalties and limited awareness of the problem among the civil population, criminals see an opportunity to make money trafficking wildlife with very little risk. Strengthening relevant laws and their enforcement remains the biggest challenge ahead. This is the only way to create effective deterrents for illegal wildlife trade and dismantle the criminal syndicates behind it. ASEAN-WEN is working with policy makers and courts across Southeast Asia to strengthen relevant laws and close loopholes. To strengthen front- line law enforcement capabilities, ASEAN-WEN and its partners regularly hold law enforcement training courses and workshops for ASEAN Member Country authorities.The lack of public awareness about illegal wildlife trade and its impacts is another significant challenge. ASEAN-WEN is working with government and non-government partners to increase public awareness about protected species and the dangers that wildlife trafficking poses to the environment, human health and security. By raising awareness, ASEAN-WEN is strengthening ties with civil society groups and citizens to reduce consumer demand for endangered species and combat illegal wildlife trade. Awareness campaigns are also helping to build further international political will to tackle this unsustainable and exploitative illegal trade, and to establish an internationally-linked network trade- off authorities working to suppress it.
ASEAN-WEN Success Stories
The ASEAN-WEN has already achieved many milestones. The launch of the network itself has created a framework for continued long-term cooperation to stop illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. ASEAN-WEN is the largest such inter-governmental initiative dedicated to tackling wildlife crime. Its achievements have primarily been in enforcement capacity building, which is resulting in increasing action to protect wildlife. Species Identification Guides, training manuals and instructor guides have been developed in local languages. These resources are being integrated into national training programs for Police, Customs and Environmental officers. Since 2008, ASEAN authorities have reported more than 200 wildlife law enforcement actions across the region, almost 58,000 seized live animals, 42,000 seized deceased animals and derivatives and have done more than 200 arrests. The black market value of seized contraband in the ASEAN region during this period is conservatively estimated to be in excess of US$45million.See also
- Endangered SpeciesEndangered speciesAn endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
- Wildlife smugglingWildlife smugglingWildlife smuggling or trafficking involves the illegal gathering, transportation and distribution or animals, and their derivatives. This can be done either internationally or domestically...
, Wildlife tradeWildlife tradeThe international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,... - CITES- Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species
- BiodiversityBiodiversityBiodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
, Biodiversity hotspotBiodiversity hotspotA biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” , revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in... - Endangered Species ActEndangered Species ActThe Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
- ExtinctionExtinctionIn biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
, Mass extinction - IUCN Red ListIUCN Red ListThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
- IUCN
External links
- The official homepage of ASEAN-WEN
- ASEAN-WEN Quarterly Action Updates on wildife seizures in Southeast Asia (ASEAN-WEN publications)
- Launch of ASEAN-WEN
- Homepage of ASEAN
- FREELAND Foundation
- TRAFFIC website on ASEAN-WEN
- CITES Homepage
- USAID Asia website on ASEAN-WEN
- CAWT- Coalition Against Wildlife Trade
- Global Tiger Initiative Homepage
- Wildlife Alliance Homepage
- Safe the Tiger Fund Homepage
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Homepage
Publications
- INTERPOL, Wildlife Crime
- WWF- Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia
- Black Market-Inside the Endangered Species Trade in Asia, Ben Davies, Earth Aware Editions, 2005
- Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia- TRAFFIC Publication
- The Globalization of Crime: A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment, Chapter 7, UNODC Report, June 2010
- International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy, Liana Sun Wyler/Pervaze A. Sheikh, Congressional Research Papers, 2008
- TRAFFIC Bulletin, Vol.22/No.2, June 2009
- The Black Market for Wildlife: Combating Transnational Organized Crime in the Illegal Wildlife Trade, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 36 (5) 1657-1689 (November 2003)
Articles
- Fighting Wildlife Crime, Voice of America http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2009-09-15-voa1.cfm
- Monkeys, butterflies, turtles… how the pet trade's greed is emptying South-East Asia's forests; Adam, David, The Guardian, February 2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/21/illegal-wildlife-trade
- Pangolins face worst threat in Southeast Asia, AFP, March 2009 http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iVZj41SEArClPySogN7ov1jlcG2Q
- 18,225 new species discovered in 2008; Hence, Jeremy, Mongabay, May 201 http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0527-hance_new_species.html