Wednesday 18 June 2003
WWF and TRAFFIC applaud government for tackling wildlife crime
WWF and TRAFFIC would like to congratulate the UK government for tabling amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill, which will for the first time make illegal trade in the world's most endangered species an arrestable offence inside the UK and more than double the custodial penalties available.
Monday 9 June 2003
Easy access to information on wildlife trade controls in the EU
The first international website providing information on wildlife trade controls in the European Union (EU) has been launched. In preparation for the summer holiday season, the site aims to raise the awareness of those involved in wildlife trade - from importers, wholesalers and retailers to consumers and travellers - by informing them about their legal responsibilities under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations. This targeted information campaign in 11 EU languages is an initiative of and financed by the European Commission. The website was developed and is managed by TRAFFIC Europe, with support from the CITES Management Authorities of all EU Member States. Check it out: www.eu-wildlifetrade.org
Wednesday 21 May 2003
Digging the dirt on UK gardeners
The UK garden trade poses serious environmental threats. A new TRAFFIC and WWF report calls on gardeners to stop and think before they stock up for the summer. UK residents consume a vast amount of wild animals and plants and every item bought makes a small but lasting impression on biodiversity and communities around the world.
The report, Making a Lasting Impression, highlights threats ranging from the widespread use of peat-based compost that is helping to destroy some of Europe's most threatened plants and habitats to the serious threat posed by the introduction of 'alien invasive' species.
Thursday 27 February 2003
Two new police officers to fight wildlife crime
WWF today applauded the Metropolitan Police's decision to allocate two police officers to work on combating wildlife crime in London.
"I am delighted that there will be more officers dedicated to help stamp out wildlife crime," said Andy Fisher, Met Police Wildlife Liaison Officer. "The UK is a global centre for the illegal wildlife trade, with London being one of the prime destinations for endangered species."
Wednesday 15 January 2003
WWF welcomes government proposals on wildlife crime
WWF and TRAFFIC have hailed the government's proposed increase in penalties for wildlife criminals as a major step forward in stamping out the UK's illegal wildlife trade.
This announcement by Elliot Morley, the minister responsible for nature conservation, follows the government's creation of the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit last year and shows its commitment to dealing with the serious threat of wildlife crime in the UK.
Friday 10 January 2003
Laptop aids police raid on shop selling wildlife products
A laptop computer donated by WWF and TRAFFIC's Wildlife Trade Campaign has played a vital role in a raid by officers from the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit on a shop selling traditional Chinese medicine in North-east London.
The raid, which was part of the Operation Charm initiative, seized more than 260 items suspected of containing endangered species. These included plasters thought to contain musk deer, products made from pangolins, and various threatened plant species. The computer provided the investigating officers with easy access to lists of illegal wildlife products.
Wednesday 11 December 2002
UK's top ten wildlife smuggling channels exposed
A new report from WWF and TRAFFIC reveals for the first time the top ten illegal wildlife trade channels into the UK. Entry points most used by smugglers include major airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, as well as London's Waterloo International Station.
Wednesday 20 November 2002
New guidance for sentencing environmental criminals
The Environment Minister, Rt. Hon. Michael Meacher, has launched the Magistrates' Association's comprehensive information toolkit covering many aspects of environmental crime that includes, for the first time, guidance on sentencing wildlife and conservation crimes.
This move shows the forward thinking of the Magistrates' Association and how seriously they take environmental crime. The toolkit covers many environmental offences and will provide the best advice to magistrates.
Thursday 7 November 2002
New evidence of growing threat to Asian leopards
WWF has launched a new publication that reveals evidence of the growing threats to the survival of Asian leopards, including the snow leopard - one of the most endangered big cats in the world.
Asian Leopards was released in collaboration with the International Snow Leopard Trust at the Twelfth Conference of the Parties (CoP12) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It coincides with a resolution at the conference that calls on all governments to make conservation of snow leopards and other Asian big cats a priority.
Thursday 22 August 2002
Public urged to help stamp out wildlife crime
WWF and TRAFFIC are calling on the public to help them stamp out the illegal trade in wildlife, which is pushing some species to the brink of extinction.
The Eyes & Ears initiative, which is part of WWF and TRAFFIC's Wildlife Trade Campaign, encourages people to report any suspicious trade in wildlife in the UK and abroad using a dedicated hotline or online report form. Every report will be treated confidentially and followed up by specialist wildlife investigators. There is also an accompanying guide with examples of what to look out for, which can be obtained by calling the hotline: 01483 426111.
Friday 26 July 2002
New computer to help fight wildlife crime in London
WWF and TRAFFIC's Wildlife Trade Campaign has presented the Metropolitan Police with a new laptop computer to support Operation Charm, which is cracking down on wildlife criminals operating in London.
The capital has always been a centre for the commercial trade in endangered species, from shahtoosh shawls to stuffed baby tiger cubs sold as ornaments. Past raids have shown that some of the world's largest seizures of threatened wildlife have taken place in London.
Monday 17 June 2002
Organised gangs move into wildlife trafficking
A new report from WWF and TRAFFIC reveals that organised criminal gangs, including the Russian Mafia and drugs cartels, are using existing smuggling routes for illegal commodities such as small arms and drugs to trade in highly profitable wildlife.
Produced as part of WWF and TRAFFIC's Wildlife Trade Campaign, International wildlife trade and organised crime shows that 50 per cent of wildlife criminals prosecuted nationwide have previous convictions for drugs, violence, theft and firearms offences.
Wednesday 8 May 2002
UK legal system fails to deter wildlife traffickers
A new report commissioned by WWF and TRAFFIC reveals that some of the world's most endangered animals are being pushed towards extinction by British traffickers who are encouraged by weak wildlife laws.
Launched by Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross as part of WWF and TRAFFIC's Wildlife Trade Campaign, Crime and punishment in the wildlife trade examines the laws governing wildlife trade in the UK and reveals that, under the current system, the risk of detection is low and the threat of serious punishment is remote, while the potential profits are huge and the damage is incalculable.
Monday 22 April 2002
New crime unit vital for world's wildlife
WWF welcomes the creation of the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit as a major step forward in the fight against wildlife crime.
The creation of this unit is recognition that wildlife crime in the UK is a serious issue. During recent years, high profile wildlife cases in the UK, such as that of The Renaissance Corporation in Mayfair, in which 138 shahtoosh shawls made from the wool of the endangered Tibetan antelope were seized, have clearly demonstrated the scale and profitability of the illegal wildlife trade.
Monday 18 February 2002
Wildlife trade flourishing in the UK
An alarming new WWF report uncovers the flourishing trade in illegal wildlife products in the UK.
Traded towards extinction?, which includes the first full analysis of illegal wildlife imports seized by HM Customs and Excise, reveals that over one million wildlife items were confiscated during the last five years - an average of around 570 per day.
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