Here's the audio file (MP3/12.2MB/0:53:19) for this Saturday, October 18, 2008, session: Download C4_Land
By Christopher Cox
The panel on wildlife trafficking consisted of freelance environmental writer and moderator Laurel Neme; the North American director of the World Wildlife Fund’s TRAFFIC initiative Crawford Allan; the Northeast regional assistant special agent for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Salvatore Amato; and Peter Jenkins, the director of International Conservation for the Defenders of Wildlife.
Discussion covered areas including both legal and illegal wildlife trade, enforcement of regulations, and the role of the Internet. Panelist Amato informed the audience that online trafficking has drastically changed the dynamics of wildlife trade, with suppliers and consumers finding new ways of exchanging information and products. These changes in the industry have made it necessary for “undercover” agents of regulatory institutions to heavily rely on web-based investigation.
Allan presented a PowerPoint citing specific examples around the globe of illegal trade, including concerns on the emerging tiger-bone wine market, and the crisis status of the pangolin (scaly anteater) in Southeast Asia, the area Allan mentioned as the “major concern” in regard to wildlife trafficking.
Jenkins spoke on the dramatic 23 percent budget cut imposed on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, despite a 50 percent increase in wildlife trafficking over the past decade. While trafficking is on the rise, increased and consistent funding for regulatory agencies will allow for more comprehensive inspection of ports to regulate the import and export of wildlife products, while providing support for agents who track this form of illicit trade on the web.
Comments