ASEAN Meets on Illegal Wildlife Trade

21 May 2007: Jakarta

Wildlife officials from Southeast Asia open a four-day meeting today in Indonesia aimed at cracking down on the thriving animal smuggling trade. Officials will discuss how to build stronger links between the 10 ASEAN nations to stop cross-border trafficking in some of the richest and most spectacular wildlife in the world. "Those involved in illegal trading of species in the region are very organised-which calls for an organised response," said Sagita Arhidani from the ASEAN secretariat.

Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are also set to be briefed by customs and law enforcement agencies on the latest trends and routes for smuggling within the region.

The multi-million dollar trade continues despite efforts of governments and environmental groups, experts say.

The trade is fuelled in part by strong demand for animal body parts for use in traditional medicines, particularly in China, according to wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic.

Animals are also sought as pets and to be made into consumer goods.

Creatures hunted range from bears, Sumatran rhinos, elephants, tigers and sambar deer through to turtles, tortoises, many species of snakes, pangolins and ant-eaters, it says.

The conference is being held in Bogor outside Jakarta.

Interpol officers are expected to attend, along with CITES officials, charged with monitoring the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Link: Financial Express (Dhaka)