A Florida man nicknamed “The Monkey Whisperer” is once again facing legal troubles, this time for allegedly trafficking marmosets. Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, 61, from Parrish, has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and wildlife trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. His brother, Johnny D-Lane Hammonds, […]
Tag: illegal wildlife trade
Patrol Tools to Protect Wildlife Habitat: Modern Solutions for Conservation
Introduction to Wildlife Conservation Tools Wildlife conservation tools are crucial for safeguarding biodiversity and preventing habitat loss and poaching. Using these tools, you can help protect endangered species and preserve ecosystems. Importance of Biodiversity Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes all species of plants, animals, and microorganisms and the ecosystems they […]
Madagascar lemurs, tortoises seized in Thai bust reveal reach of wildlife trafficking
In May, authorities in southern Thailand arrested six people for illegally transporting 48 lemurs and more than 1,200 critically endangered tortoises, all of which had reportedly been obtained from the wild in Madagascar. The seizure is the latest in a string of illegal wildlife trade busts in Thailand. Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), monitor lizards, snakes […]
Fraud and corruption drive illegal wildlife trade in the Amazon
In 2017, authorities at the Miami airport inspected a commercial shipment from Europe. Inside a container, they found 21 splash-backed poison frogs (Adelphobates galactonotus), a species known for its vibrant colors and poisonous skin. The species is endemic to the southern tributaries of the Amazon River and highly sought after by private collectors worldwide. When […]
Abandoned ‘Pet’ Lions Start a New Life in 455-Acre Sanctuary in South Africa
Six young lions, once purchased as status symbols and later abandoned in Kuwait, have begun a new chapter at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, the lions – males Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, Saif, and females Dhubiya and Aziza – were found in Kuwait City and its surrounding deserts. […]
New Global Wildlife Crime Report Finds 4,000 Species Being Targeted in 162 Countries
A new report from the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has found that more than 4,000 wildlife species are targeted worldwide for illegal trade, and about 162 countries have active illegal wildlife trading. According to the latest edition of the UNODC’s World Wildlife Crime Report, the third of its kind, more than […]
4 Dominicans are accused of smuggling wildlife and throwing 113 birds overboard to their deaths
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– Today a federal grand jury indicted four men from the Dominican Republic who attempted to smuggle hundreds of exotic birds into the Dominican Republic and were interdicted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard. According to court documents, on or about May 3, 2024, defendants Frankluis Carela […]
Houston Woman Sentenced for Illegal Sale of Endangered Animals
A recent case in Houston has highlighted the grim reality of the illegal wildlife trade, particularly concerning endangered species. Savannah Nicole Valdez, a 21-year-old woman, has been sentenced to prison for her involvement in the illegal sale of exotic animals, including a spider monkey and toucans. Valdez’s sentencing came after a thorough investigation initiated in […]