By Craig Tarasoff

Unfortunately, Vietnam continues to struggle with its illegal wildlife smuggling industry. As one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, thousands of illegal hunters prowl the forests of Vietnam looking to cash in. The pangolin, which is almost extinct, is a prized capture, selling for $60 per pound. Unlike in other countries of the world, those caught trafficking wildlife in Vietnam often evade punishment. The founder of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, Nguyen Van Thain, has worked to intercept poached animals before they reach the black market. He has helped rescue 20 pangolins, in the past three months. Read more about his story at the New York Times.

Read More

April 24, 2015

By Aliza Kempner

The Malaysian government is getting serious about ending the illegal ivory trade and is calling on the wildlife trade monitoring network group TRAFFIC for guidance.

Over the last five years, Malaysian ports have seen close to 45 tons of illegally traded African Elephant ivory pass through. Under the new program, employees of the Malaysian Customs Department will receive ivory identification training, discuss smuggling techniques and routes, and talk about opportunities and solutions for ending Malaysia’s role as a transit hub for the pricey and harmful commodity.

Participating officers include those specifically assigned to oversee the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations.

Read more about what TRAFFIC has to say about this innovative program. 

Read More

September 19, 2013