Southeast Asia's Illegal Wildlife Trade | Bushmeat Crisis Task Force

Authors:

Sullivan, M National Public Radio

Document Type:

Media

Citation:

Sullivan, M. (2003, November 3-5). Southeast Asia's Illegal Wildlife Trade. National Public Radio. [Online]. Available: http://www.npr.org/programs/re/archivesdate/2003/nov/wildlife/index.html [2003, November 3-5].

Ref Type:

radio

Year Published:

2003

Sec Title:

Profits, Demand Fuel Commerce in Endangered Species

Type Work:

Audiovisual Material

Availability:

Online

Language:

English

Country:

Thailand

Url:

http://www.npr.org/programs/re/archivesdate/2003/nov/wildlife/index.html

Bushmeat Asian Type:

Wildlife Trade

Keywords:

Southeast Asia; trade; illegal; crime; Thailand; Myanmar; Burma

Abstract:

Illegal wildlife trade totals billions of dollars a year globally, but conservationists say the problem is most acute in Southeast Asia. Despite international and local laws designed to crack down on the trade, live animals and animal parts -- often those of endangered or threatened species -- are sold in open-air markets throughout the region. Growing demand, porous borders and the lure of big money make it a lucrative business. For National Geographic Radio Expeditions, NPR's Michael Sullivan reports. The animals involved in the trade end up as trophies, or in specialty restaurants. Some are used in traditional Asian medicines. Chris Shepherd of the monitoring group Traffic International says that as a result, many species are simply disappearing. "The two species of Asian rhinos in Southeast Asia -- Sumatran and Java rhinos -- are locally extinct in many places, and some countries have lost them altogether," Shepherd says. "Freshwater turtles in a lot of areas are finished...