After years of investigations and appeals, Bach “Boonchai” Mai, the alleged leader of a major international wildlife trafficking ring, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Thai Supreme Court. Mai was convicted of attempting to smuggle 14 rhino horns into Thailand, but his network, Hydra, has been involved in trafficking ivory, rhino […]
Tag: illegal trade
Urgent Measures Needed to Prevent the Extinction of Hippos, a Vital Species in African Ecosystems
Hippos are one of the most iconic and beloved animals in the world. But they are also facing a dire situation that could push them towards extinction. Despite a population decline in recent years, the United States continues to import hippo parts at an alarming rate. Between 2009 and 2018, the US imported over 9,000 […]
A Cuban Crocodile Gallops Like a Horse in Pursuit of a Man in a Florida Theme Park
Just a few weeks ago, an image of a handbag made of crocodile skin on exhibit at the London Zoo drew the attention of many on social media. Instead of a live Siamese crocodile inside the glass enclosure, the zoo has chosen to display the handbag with a placard that reads: “This bag used to […]
Traditional Witch Doctors Blamed For Murder of Over 100 Vultures They Use For Potions
After 100 vultures in a South African park died, witch doctors are being blamed for poisoning them so that they can use their body parts in black magic potions. At least 150 critically endangered vultures were poisoned to death in Botswana and South Africa in two separate events last week. Around 100 were found dead […]
Pangolin Rescued From Poachers Enjoys A Fun Day In The Water
We sometimes hear about dogs or cats getting rescued, but this is perhaps the first time that we talked about a pangolin getting rescued. As it turns out, it happened to Dithlong (Ditsi) the pangolin and she is now enjoying life at the Manyoni Private Game Reserve in South Africa. When rescuers first found Ditsi, […]
Back from the brink of extinction: The Spix’s macaws are returning to the wild
It’s been 20 years since the last Spix’s Macaw has been seen in the wild, but the near-extinct species could be set to make a comeback. In a few days, the bird will be reinstated in a reserve, located in Caatinga in northeastern Brazil, thanks to a breeding and rehabilitation program. The Spix’s macaw, one […]
Elephant ivory traders can evade new UK ban by disguising their products as walrus or narwhal
Campaigners have warned that ivory peddlers may continue to sell elephant tusks after a new ban if they disguise their products as walrus or narwhal derivatives. The trading in elephant teeth and tusks became prohibited in the UK on Monday, and violators could face fines of up to £250,000 or five years in prison under […]
Smuggling of exotic animals in India reaches high as kangaroos spotted in Bengal
Illegal wildlife trafficking gangs have begun transporting kangaroos – native to Australia – to the eastern Indian state of West Bengal as the smuggling of exotic animals via India rises exponentially. Three of the marsupials were rescued by wildlife officers last month after a botched smuggling attempt when residents called in sightings in West Bengal’s […]