a comparative analysis of wildlife trafficking in australia, new zealand and the united kingdom
TRANSCRIPT
A Comparative Analysis of Wildlife Trafficking in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom
Outline
Purpose
Methodology
Findings Australia NZ UK
Discussion
Purpose
This study adopts a comparative approach incorporating illegal trade data obtained from the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) online trade database.
This will further understanding of the geographic differences, which can then inform efforts to improve policy intervention and prevention strategies.
Methodology
CITES-listed species
Incidents not totals (individual specimens or weight)
Reported to the Secretariat
Methodology
1975-2010
All 178 countries
The source ‘I’ for illegal
Whilst the illegal wildlife was probably confiscated or seized, the CITES data does not give this kind of information
The intention is to gain insight into the species targeted and geographic patterns as well as the type of products that are being smuggled
Findings
Allig
ator
s
Asia
n/Af
rican
Ele
phan
ts
Big
Cats
Croco
dile
s
Gecko
s
Hoodi
a
Mar
ine
Mam
mal
s
Queen
Con
ch
Smal
l Cat
s
Torto
ises
0
20
40
60
Australia Illegal CITES Imports by Species 1988-2010
Genus/Species
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Africa
n Bus
h El
epha
nt
Amer
ican
Ginse
ng
Birdwin
g But
terfl
ies
Boa C
onst
ricto
rs
Costu
s
Cycad
Larg
e Po
lyp
Ston
y Cor
al
Mon
itor L
izard
s
Orchi
ds
Parrot
s
Pyth
on
Reef B
uild
ing
Coral
s
Right
Wha
le
Seah
orse
s
Star
Cor
als
Tige
r
Tree
Fer
ns0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Australia Illegal CITES Exports by Species 1982-2010
Genus/Species
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Aust
ria
Czech
Rep
ublic
Japa
n
Nethe
rland
s
Norway
Sing
apor
e
Sout
h Af
rica
Switz
erla
nd
Unkno
wn
0
200
400
600
800
Destination of Australian Illegal CITES Exports 1982-2010
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
China
Hong
Kong
Mal
aysia
New C
aled
onia
Papu
a New
Gui
nea
Sout
h Af
rica
Thai
land UK US
Viet
nam
0
20
40
60
80
Origin of Australian Illegal CITES Imports 1988-2010
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Afric
an B
ush
Elep
hant
Bear
s
Boa
Const
ricto
rs
Costu
s
Giant
Cla
m
Mar
ine
Mam
mal
s
Orchi
ds
Queen
Con
ch
Sea
Turtl
esTi
ger
0
400
800
1200
New Zealand Illegal CITES Imports 1989-2010
Genus/Species
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Afric
an B
ush
Elep
hant
Boat
Orc
hids
Cactu
s
Croco
dile
s
Mar
ine
Mam
mal
s
New Z
eala
nd T
ree
Fern
Orchi
ds
Sea
Turtl
es
Sper
m W
hale
Ston
y Cor
al
Tree
Fer
n0
10
20
30
New Zealand Illegal CITES Exports 1983-2010
Genus/Species
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Aust
ralia
Aust
ria
China
Germ
any
Indo
nesia
New Z
eala
nd
Norway
Portu
gal
Russia
Sing
apor
e
Solo
mon
Isla
nds
Spai
n
Swed
en UK
Unkno
wn US
0
40
80
120
Destination of New Zealand Illegal CITES Exports 1983-2010
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Aust
ralia
China Fi
ji
Hong
Kong
Japa
n
Mal
aysia
Sam
oa
Sout
h Af
rica
Thai
land
Unkno
w
Vanu
atu
Zim
babw
e0
200
400
600
800
1000
Origin of New Zealand Illegal CITES Imports 1989-2010
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Afric
an B
ush
Elep
hant
Asia
n/Af
rican
Ele
phan
t
Cobra
s
Croco
dile
s
Leop
ard
Orchi
ds
Pyth
ons
Ston
y Cor
al
Torto
ises
0
100
200
300
UK Illegal CITES Imports by Species 1980-2010
Genus/Species
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Africa
n Bus
h El
epha
nt
Asian
Elep
hant
Bear
Caim
an
Corco
dile
s
Dabbl
ing
Ducks
Giant
Cla
m
Hoodi
a
Mar
ine
Mam
mal
s
Orchi
ds
Pyth
on
Sea
Turtl
es
Snow
drop
s
Ston
y Cor
al
Tegu
s Liza
rds
Tige
r
Wal
rus
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
UK Illegal CITES Exports 1982-2010
Genus/Species
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Angu
illa
Bahr
ain
Canad
a
China
Czech
Rep
ublic
Isra
el
Japa
n
Kuwai
t
Mon
tser
rat
New Z
eala
nd
Pola
nd
Sout
h Af
rica
Thai
land UK
020406080
100120140
Destination of UK Illegal CITES Exports 1982-2010
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Austra
lia
Brazil
China
Fran
ce
Guyan
aIn
dia
Keny
a
Mal
aysia
Niger
ia
Russia
Sout
h Afri
ca
Tanz
ania
UAE
Unkno
wn
Zimba
bwe
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Origin of UK Illegal CITES Imports 1980-2010
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Findings
Australia New Zealand UK0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
Illegal CITES Imports and Exports 1980-2010
ImportsExports
Country
Nu
mb
er
of
Incid
en
ts
Discussion
Not possible to determine if the trends witnessed are due to increased or decreased enforcements efforts, an increase or decrease in illegal activity or some combination
It does highlight the following:
Discussion
Australia Essentially no export of live wildlife CITES permits for imports too Harsh penalties
NZ Controlled imports and exports Relatively harsh penalties
UK Controlled imports and exports Moderate penalties
Further Studies
NZ has the highest imports Because WEG detects more or if more is occurring?
Australia’s success
Convictions and the use of the range of penalties
Trade of marine species and corals
‘Unknown’ importer and exporter
Overseas territories as a means of laundering or smuggling