Stop "Made in China" - A Global Conservation Movement

29/06/2024

Ivory is a precious material that is oftentimes smuggled to be sold illegally for large sums of money. Its production and sale were officially banned across the world in 1989.

Despite the ban, ivory still remains one of the most widespread objects of illicit trafficking.

It is of particular importance that this isn’t a stand-alone case of ivory smuggling some international organizations.Just last week, another employee of an international organization deployed within the very same Indonesian contingent, was also detained at Bangui Mpoko Airport for illicit transport of ivory.
Two suitcases loaded with ivory were confiscated upon his arrest.

The two strikingly similar smuggling cases have caught attention of the local law enforcement authorities and are currently being closely investigated .

On June 3, a man was arrested at the Bangui Mpoko Airport in the Central African Republic (CAR) for illegal transport of ivory. This is the second case of

09/06/2024

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/poachers-claim-to-have-killed-one-third-of-all-javan-rhinos-indonesian-police-say/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet&utm_campaign=newsletter-post-title_1120
A staggering 26 Javan rhinos may have been killed in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park since 2019, according to local law enforcement.
Once roaming much of Southeast Asia, Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus) today survive in a single park in Java and are one of the most endangered large mammals on Earth. If the death toll is accurate, it would amount to poachers killing at least one-third of all the Javan rhinos left on the planet in the span of just a few years.
The mass slaughter raises questions of how this could happen in what was supposed to be a heavily guarded park.

A staggering 26 Javan rhinos may have been killed in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park since 2019, according to local law enforcement.

13/05/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dztxcwRrWI Rhinos help to shape and maintain their habitats by creating wallows, or mud holes, which are important water sources for other wildlife. They also help to control the growth of vegetation by grazing, which allows other plants and animals to thrive.
Rhinos are also important seed dispersers, they help to spread plant species throughout their habitats. The dung that they produce also supports a diverse array of insects and other animals.

Rhinos help to shape and maintain their habitats by creating wallows, or mud holes, which are important water sources for other wildlife. They also help to c...

13/05/2024

https://informante.web.na/?p=357806 #:~:text=According%20to%20Deputy%20Commissioner%20Kauna,the%20matter%20was%20postponed%20to
NO BAIL!!
They remain in custody.

THE Namibian police have reported that they have arrested five suspects in relation to an incident where a White Rhino bull was shot and...

10/05/2024

https://www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/bloemnuus/rhinos-saved-20240417All four men were sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment each, and Maluleke was sentenced to another five years for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

30/04/2024

https://www.traffic.org/news/trial-date-set-for-malaysias-first-court-case-on-trafficking-of-african-rhino-horns/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2-SWeMacQ2OaBiSyfhtoIVJ2g5V1_jpDlrQoWMwEuwQL-ieCAdaGWB44g_aem_ARBFrQp0dFDA1w41hfNE-NKUPdeifI1CLgMGcGF4M3o5x2xUr1IV5SeBBHVTv7RWne8bsRwrnF_vWlILV7_lT_-R The trial is set to begin this September, close to three years after the 50 pieces of horns were seized not far from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The men sprung a surprise in court today when they opted for a trial. It was a reversal of the guilty plea they had recorded at an earlier court appearance last month. Media and conservation groups gathered at court on Wednesday (24 April) had expected a penalty to be given to the two men.

The highly anticipated trial is now scheduled to take place on 11, 12 and 25 September 2024

Two Malaysian men today claimed trial for illegal possession of African rhino horns in the country’s first prosecution of such a crime, involving one of its ...

25/03/2024

According to him, poaching has cost SANParks an estimated R240 million in the past 12 months, with 16 Kruger National Park field rangers recently charged for assisting poachers.

Save the rhino: SANParks' employee polygraph testing policy - which has been in the pipeline for several years - will soon come into play

23/03/2024

https://selangorjournal.my/2024/03/mozambican-poacher-found-guilty-of-killing-42-lions-gets-30-years-jail/ The carcass of a lion lies in the sun in Machampane tourist camp near the Mozambican border in this file picture on October 10, 2016. — Picture via EARTH TOUCH NEWS
Mozambican poacher found guilty of killing 42 lions gets 30 years jail
March 22, 2024 12:05 pm
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MAPUTO, March 22 — Chabane Assuba, a Mozambican poacher, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of committing crimes against animals protected by law, Xinhua quoted Mozambique’s national Radio Mozambique report.

Assuba, the defendant, was accused of slaughtering at least 42 lions, 20 elephants and four rhinos, and was found in possession of parts of the animals in December 2022 in the city of Maputo, the country’s capital, and intended to sell the products to citizens of Asian origin, the report said quoting the verdict of the Maputo City Judicial Court.

A search was then carried out at the defendant’s residence, where more than 600 kg of products of the banned species were seized, said Judge Evandra Uamusse from the Tenth Criminal Section of the Court, quoted the report.

“They correspond to the parts of the prohibited species found in the defendant’s house, including 14 lion skulls, 128 bundles of lion tails, 88 lion claws, 57 kg of lion bones divided into three bags, 55 pieces of ivory tusks, 74 elephant bones, and 24 lion jaws,” said Uamusse, when reading the sentence.

MAPUTO, March 22 — Chabane Assuba, a Mozambican poacher, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of committing crimes against animals protected by law, Xinhua quoted Mozambique’s national Radio Mozambique report. Assuba, the defendant, was accused of slaughtering at l...

23/03/2024

https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/wildlife-conservation-traditional-medicine-collide-in-eswatini/7537565.html?fbclid=IwAR3mt9XvUHWftYrO6a8DUOThJyppwl74P_ZRZPN34TS90u-fTvfXlJRIVf8 poaching for traditional medicinal purposes is a leading cause of biodiversity decline, and she wants stronger regulations to protect wildlife.

MANZINI, ESWATINI — Traditional medicine, or "muti," is an important part of Eswatini's culture. However, an increasing demand for muti has placed some of the southern African kingdom’s animal species at risk of extinction. That’s something conservationists and molecular biologists want to...

23/03/2024

https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-authorities-seize-huge-haul-of-elephant-tusks-bound-for-dubai-photos-256096/ The Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and Mozambique Tax Authority (AT) yesterday intercepted a 20-foot container containing 651 pieces of elephant tusk ivory at the port of Maputo. The consignment was bound for Dubai.

According to Moçambique Bio, the prohibited items were hidden in the centre of the container, surrounded by bags of corn.

The Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and Mozambique Tax Authority (AT) yesterday intercepted a 20-foot container containing 651 pieces of elephant tusk ivory at the port of Maputo. The consignment was bound for Dubai. According to Moçambique Bio, the prohibited items were hidden in the cen

13/03/2024

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/mbombela-judgment-rhino-poaching/ he High Court in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, is expected to hand down judgment on whether to grant a postponement or not in a rhino poaching case. The defence is challenging the constitutionality of party of the testimony.

The rhino poaching kingpin Joseph Nyalunga and his co-accused say they need more time to challenge the evidence. They are suspected of being part of a rhino poaching syndicate in the Kruger National Park.

Rhino poaching kingpin Joseph Nyalunga and co-accused say they need more time to challenge evidence.

03/03/2024

https://www.customs.gov.hk/en/customs-announcement/press-release/index_id_4088.html?fbclid=IwAR3Ini4oSR7xziqr4fBwXCagZuc1G_Qw7MRF7czeeAqM_chu4abSratwH9Q

Man jailed for conspiring to smuggle and illegally possessing pangolin scales
28 Feb 2024

A 52-year-old man was sentenced to 48 months' imprisonment today (February 28) at the District Court after an earlier conviction for conspiring to smuggle and illegally possessing pangolin scales, in contravention of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance. In December 2...

17/02/2024

World Pangolin Day.
Yet, another specie being decimated by China and her SE Asia friends. For what?
Soup?
Bogus medicine?
Somehow, this must stop!!

26/01/2024

More good news!! There is hope!!
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/first-lab-assisted-white-rhino-pregnancy-offers-hope-for-near-extinct-animals?fbclid=IwAR0-gZM4xyfO56xJTJFJDJZsy3yJ9k1LWwoxpluqt7S0CqCUCic6kG3DHyI&loggedin=true&rnd=1706287712888

A new medical breakthrough with embryo transfer offers hope for Africa’s northern white rhinos—there are only two left.

18/01/2024

Good news for a change!!!
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-12-20-turning-the-tide-weve-lost-just-one-rhino-in-350-days-sabi-sand/

‘I don’t celebrate dehorning, but it’s effective’
For security reasons, the reserve’s rhino numbers remain under wraps, but Olivier singles out an upgraded fence system, detection and surveillance technology, drones and staff polygraph tests as crime-busting techniques that have helped keep this critical local population viable.

To combat the surge in poaching incidents, the reserve initiated a dehorning programme in May 2022.

This move aimed to reduce the attraction of rhino horns by removing them.

“I don’t celebrate dehorning,” Olivier cautions, “but it’s been an effective interim tool.” The data demonstrate a significant drop in security incidents following the dehorning initiative, underscoring its effectiveness.

In 2021, the protected area, including neighbouring Mala Mala and Sabie game reserves, lost a total of 25 rhinos. In 2022, poachers claimed the lives of four animals. Since dehorning last year, poaching in the protected area has dropped by 96% to just one individual this year — a dehorned animal.

South Africa’s most exclusive enclave of private nature reserves reveals their hidden security nerve centre — and shows what they’ve done to thwart horn poachers for nearly a record year.

12/01/2024

Truth!

09/01/2024

Finally...

25/12/2023

A Christmas Gift
https://www.barrons.com/articles/vietnam-jails-ivory-rhino-horn-trafficker-for-12-years-93e57b85

Vietnam has sentenced a man to 12 years in jail for smuggling rhino horns and elephant ivory from Angola, said a wildlife protection group, adding that strict penalties were a key deterrent.

The Southeast Asian nation is a transport hub for illegal wildlife in Asia, as well as being a significant consumer.

Ninh Ba Dien, 36, was hired by an anonymous person to deliver two packages of goods containing nearly 12 kilograms of rhino horn and five kilograms of elephant ivory from the African country, according to Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV).

Vietnam has sentenced a man to 12 years in jail for smuggling rhino horns and elephant ivory from Angola, said a wildlife protection group, adding that strict penalties were a key deterrent.

21/12/2023

https://fb.watch/p44mKdaAXb/
A wonderful Christmas story.

12/12/2023

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-12-04-poacher-found-inside-kruger-national-park-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison/ The Skukuza regional court on Monday sentenced Friday Ngobeni to 10 years’ imprisonment for poaching-related offences from six years ago.

The court convicted Ngobeni, 45, of trespassing, possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to commit an offence, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm with the serial number obliterated.

The Skukuza regional court on Monday sentenced Friday Ngobeni to 10 years imprisonment for poaching-related offences six years ago.

29/11/2023

https://tapchitaichinh.vn/phat-hien-bat-giu-sung-te-giac-va-nga-voi-nhap-lau-qua-duong-hang-khong.html?fbclid=IwAR1-cvj4_JkAsR1xmZlXnWheL7WCxukG2o7LmMaq_Pmpr3KanMi8B7ZQDw0 #

Chi cục Hải quan cửa khẩu sân bay quốc tế Nội Bài (Cục Hải quan TP. Hà Nội) vừa phối hợp với lực lượng chức năng tiến hành kiểm tra, giám sát đối với hành lý, hàng hóa của người xuất cảnh, nhập cảnh qua đường hàng không, qua ....

21/11/2023

https://worldanimalnews.com/major-victory-canada-bans-the-trade-of-elephant-ivory-rhino-horn-in-historic-decision/

Horrifically, as many as 25,000 elephants and 1,300 rhinos are killed at the hands of poachers in Africa every year. In March 2021, the IUCN updated its Red List of Threatened Species and declared the African forest elephant to be Critically Endangered and the African savanna elephant to be Endangered. Black rhinos, found in Africa, are classified as Critically Endangered.
With this announcement, the United States’ neighbor to the North is doing its part to combat the $20 billion illegal wildlife trade worldwide that pushes many iconic animals to the brink of extinction while increasing global instability

The Canadian government has just announced a ban on the domestic trade of elephant ivory and rhino horn, as well as the import of hunting trophies containing these parts. The landmark measures fulfill a 2021 Ministerial mandate which is a critical step in protecting these iconic species from extinct...

22/10/2023

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/tcm-endangered-animal-parts-beijing-tong-ren-tang-tianjin-jilin-aodong-3865351?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/tcm-endangered-animal-parts-beijing-tong-ren-tang-tianjin-jilin-aodong-3865351?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/tcm-endangered-animal-parts-beijing-tong-ren-tang-tianjin-jilin-aodong-3865351?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Three listed Chinese TCM firms used endangered animal parts as ingredients.

Three listed Chinese TCM firms used endangered animal parts as ingredients: Report
Three listed Chinese TCM firms used endangered animal parts as ingredients: Report
A rescued pangolin bought off a wildlife seller is seen resting at the Green Finger Garden in Lagos, Nigeria July 29, 2020. (File photo: REUTERS/Seun Sanni)

23 Oct 2023
SHANGHAI/HONG KONG: Three publicly traded Chinese drugmakers which count global banks such as UBS and HSBC as investors have used parts of endangered animals as ingredients in their products, an environmental group said.

In a report published Monday (Oct 23), the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency urged global investors in the three firms - Beijing Tong Ren Tang group, Tianjin Pharmaceutical group and Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group - to divest their stakes.

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG: Three publicly traded Chinese drugmakers which count global banks such as UBS and HSBC as investors have used parts of endangered animals as ingredients in their products, an environmental group said. In a report published Monday (Oct 23), the London-based Environmental Investiga...

28/09/2023

https://www.weekendpost.co.bw/38322/news/north-korea-diplomats-in-suspected-illegal-ivory-trade/Reeling under the increasing barrage of stinging international sanctions, the isolated North Korean regime is reportedly up to its old trickery, this time in a more complicated web of murky operations that have got the authorities of five southern African countries at sixes and sevens as they desperately try to tighten their dragnet around Pyongyang’s spectral network of illicit ivory and rhino horn trade.

Reeling under the increasing barrage of stinging international sanctions, the isolated North Korean regime is reportedly up to its old trickery, this time in a more complicated web of murky operations that have got the authorities of five southern African countries at sixes and sevens as they desper...

28/09/2023

https://www.weekendpost.co.bw/38322/news/north-korea-diplomats-in-suspected-illegal-ivory-trade/Reeling under the increasing barrage of stinging international sanctions, the isolated North Korean regime is reportedly up to its old trickery, this time in a more complicated web of murky operations that have got the authorities of five southern African countries at sixes and sevens as they desperately try to tighten their dragnet around Pyongyang’s spectral network of illicit ivory and rhino horn trade.

28/09/2023

Ching was arrested by the Royal Thai Police in Thailand on 29 June 2022, at the request of the United States, and was extradited to the United States on 7 October 2022.

Ching is considered the leader of a major organised crime group based in Asia and served as the Asian connection for the notorious Kromah network. His arrest and imprisonment has significantly disrupted the illegal wildlife trade.

Teo Boon Ching, one of the largest wildlife traffickers operating across the world, has been convicted of wildlife trafficking in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment.

22/09/2023

https://wildlifejustice.org/world-rhino-day-making-headway-in-the-fight-against-rhino-horn-trafficking/?utm_source=WJC+Newsletter+Distribution+list&utm_campaign=9a645ee300-BBC+reports+on+our+achievements_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56b8f54249-9a645ee300-105923611In addition to the displacement of rhino poaching hotspots within South Africa and to Namibia, another concerning trend is the apparent shift toward Angola as the next primary African gateway in the trafficking of rhino horn and ivory to Asia. This shift is evidenced by seizure data and intelligence for late 2022 and early 2023. Effective law enforcement action targeting key crime areas in Mozambique and Nigeria is leading to the displacement of criminal activity to locations with a lower risk of detection. In 2022, approximately 60 kg of rhino horn seized were shipped from Angola, and all cross-border shipments seized in 2023 so far have originated from Angola.

As we approach World Rhino Day tomorrow, I would like to highlight the threat to rhinos from transnational organised criminal networks and...

07/09/2023

https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/pangolin-saved-by-clever-uber-driver-who-stopped-at-roadblock/?fbclid=IwAR2ZaZXnkOrvZoOFsLDScL7VWgSv8g4kXyLMJoyO9CpICTXN4B_Qkd2Kv5k

An Uber driver bravely faced animal traffickers to save the life of a Pangolin; this pregnant female would have never been found, had the driver not noticed

03/08/2023

https://news.mongabay.com/2023/07/amid-government-inaction-indonesias-rhinos-head-toward-extinction-analysis/?mc_cid=3f02c2aed7&mc_eid=b96e45d078
The Sumatran and Javan rhinos, arguably the world’s two most endangered large mammals, are in worse shape than widely reported, according to expert interviews and a recent report.
The Sumatran rhino is down to fewer than 50 animals in the wild and a much-touted capture program has only caught a single female, which still hasn’t been put into a breeding program.
Meanwhile, new evidence points to overcounting of the Javan rhino population, putting in doubt the health of its population.
Experts say the rhinos’ predicament is in part due to a lack of will or a willingness to take risks by the Indonesian government.

Margaret Kinnaird has worked in conservation for decades, from North America to Africa. But it was only when she started working in Indonesia that she heard the acronym NATO, or “No Action, Talk Only.” And for Indonesia’s two rhino species, there’s been a lot of talk. The Sumatran rhino (Dic...

01/08/2023

Asian Markets
https://news.mongabay.com/2023/06/brazil-claims-record-shark-fin-bust-nearly-29-tons-from-10000-sharks-seized/?mc_cid=40066ac30b&mc_eid=b96e45d078
The seized fins were reportedly destined for illegal export to Asia, where they are used to make shark fin soup, a delicacy. They came from an estimated 10,000 blue (Prionace glauca) and anequim or shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) sharks, Brazil’s federal environmental agency IBAMA said in a news release. Shortfin mako sharks joined the country’s list of endangered species in May, whereas blue sharks are under consideration for inclusion. Internationally, shortfin makos are listed as endangered and blue sharks as near threatened by the IUCN.