POACHING has left the number of Sumatran Rhinos in the country to just three, one male and two females, testifying to the urgent need to preserve wildlife diversity. The world over, the problem has threatened a long list of species. In fact, for some it is already too late. Even the orang utan is now categorised as critically endangered despite the existence of sanctuaries. The same is true of the elephants in Sabah. So cruel are the poachers that not too long ago, they set fire to the Sabah orang utan sanctuary. These are the sort of vile life that the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has to contend with.
Malaysia is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and Perhilitan is doing its utmost to fulfil its obligations under the convention. Its recent Op Chameleon has resulted in the arrest of 12 men and the seizure of smuggled animal parts — elephant tusks, tiger skins and teeth, bear claws and beaks of hornbills — worth RM2 million. As of last month, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Customs Department foiled the attempted smuggling of parts of scheduled animals including ivory valued at RM10 million. In short, contraband items from protected species are being smuggled through this country. Often they are sent as unaccompanied parcels where senders and recipients are false, making apprehension difficult. The arrest of the 12 animal traffickers, therefore, is quite an achievement and their nationalities — Vietnamese, Chinese and Malaysians — is proof that these smuggling syndicates are international, thus explaining the intelligence sharing between Perhilitan, Interpol and the Wildlife Justice Commission, which made success possible.
The global trade in contraband items of scheduled animals and animal parts thrives because there is a global market for these items. China is the biggest market for ivory, contraband and otherwise. It is also where rhino tusks and many other banned animal products end up as health concoctions. Exotica such as tiger skins go to serve the fashion industry. Is it any wonder that with efficient, modern hunting methods, many species are on the brink of extinction? These animals are being killed at unsustainable rates.
The most effective way of preserving the endangered species would be if countries where people deal in the illicit trade would come down hard on the related industries. Trade in illicit items feed the smugglers. If the industries are closely monitored and controlled, limiting them to permitted imports — official documentation tracing products from source through to distribution channels and to final destinations as proof — then illegal slaughter would end. Of course, there needs to be a major global mobilisation of stakeholders headed by governments. Only then can country enforcement be effective. Instead, a look at the war on terrorism shows how despite the pontificating by some governments, they are themselves not averse to exploiting it for their own ends. So too the drug trade. Genuine commitment by all signatories to the Wildlife Convention, therefore, is needed. Only then can this evil be eliminated.