Wildlife crime, CITES CoP17, Malagasy Rosewood and more – in the latest TRAFFIC Bulletin
Cambridge, UK, 2nd May 2017—The first issue of the 29th volume of the TRAFFIC Bulletin is published today, featuring topical analyses and reports on global wildlife trade issues. This flagship journal is the only publication exclusively devoted to wildlife trade and covers frontline updates on the latest associated regulations, investigations and seizures from leading conservationists and academics.
This edition is introduced by Rob Parry-Jones, Lead on International Policy for the Wildlife Crime Initiative, WWF International, and explores how corruption facilitates the far-reaching impacts of wildlife crime.
Recent years have seen greater recognition that the repercussions of wildlife crime extend beyond the target species and that in most source countries the issue is a direct threat to national economies, effective governance and positive human development. Although there has been encouraging international progress in anti-corruption collaboration, his editorial reveals how individual conservationists and NGOs can bring more to the table than many might currently believe.
The crisis facing African timber is an ongoing wildlife trade issue that has drawn a huge degree of recent attention. The Bulletin explores this topic through a featured report: The Trade of Malagasy Rosewood and Ebony in China. The study builds on previous TRAFFIC findings concerning the devastating effect of illegal logging on Madagascar’s forests, largely driven by demand from Asian markets. The report reveals its extensive findings and makes urgent recommendations to various Chinese and Malagasy government agencies, and others, on how they can help tackle the issue.
Other topics in this edition include an expert analysis of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) and a paper examining aspects of trade relationships and ways to increase participation in the FairWild initiative for ethical and sustainable harvesting of wild-sourced plants. The regular ‘Seizures and Prosecutions’ section returns once more, showcasing a selection of significant wildlife seizures by country and species.
Stay abreast of the latest wildlife trade issues, reports and analyses from experts in the field – download the latest edition of the TRAFFIC Bulletin.