Chinese special economic zones hotspots for wildlife trafficking, surveys say

Chinese special economic zones hotspots for wildlife trafficking, surveys say

SINGAPORE — Special economic zones set up to promote trade between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors are facilitating a black-market trade in wildlife products, according to watchdog group TRAFFIC. Tens of thousands of prohibited wildlife parts and products are being sold across open and unregulated markets in five Southeast Asian countries, with a significant […]

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Wildlife trafficking, like everything else, has gone online during COVID-19

Wildlife trafficking, like everything else, has gone online during COVID-19

MANILA — When COVID-19 emerged in early 2020 in Southeast Asia, its governments took rapid containment actions: lockdowns, travel restrictions and trade suspensions, alerting the public about the virus. The pandemic has also put illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade under the spotlight due to enhanced restrictions on movement and increasing awareness about the public health […]

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Africa’s forest elephant has been largely overlooked. Now we need to fight for it

Africa’s forest elephant has been largely overlooked. Now we need to fight for it

Science and conservation politics have finally agreed that Africa is home to two elephant species: the savanna and forest elephant. The debate lasted about two decades, with the politics of elephant conservation and the ivory trade delaying the decision, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has finally concluded its evaluation. Africa’s most […]

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