Endangered wildlife trade flourishing in China despite government efforts

Authors: 
Agence France-Presse
Document Type: 
Media
Citation: 
Agence France-Presse. (2004, September 29). Endangered wildlife trade flourishing in China despite government efforts. [Online]. Available: http://www.mywire.com/pubs/AFP/2004/09/29/589763?extID=10037&oliID=229 [2008, February 21].
Year Published: 
2004
Type Work: 
News Release
Availability: 
Online
Language: 
English
Country: 
China
Url: 
http://www.mywire.com/pubs/AFP/2004/09/29/589763?extID=10037&oliID=229
Bushmeat Asian Type: 
Wildlife Trade
Keywords: 
China; trade; government; smuggle; medicinal; clothes; ornamental; enforcement
Abstract: 
China has emerged as the world's fastest growing market for illegal wildlife smuggling, although activists credit it as the only country in Asia proactively hunting ringleaders of the global trade. TRAFFIC, which monitors international wildlife laws, said China was a major destination and source country for medicines, ornaments and clothes made from almost every endangered species favored by smugglers. "Since 2002 what we have seen in terms of wildlife trade in China is unprecedented, but much of this is because much tougher enforcement has revealed the full scale of the problem," said James Compton, regional director of TRAFFIC. "China is also very proactive in engaging other Asian countries in fighting the trade, which makes the country unique in the region," he said. Beijing has worked not only with Southeast Asia but also with much of South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka on the issue. The organisation warned that...
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