Factsheet Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia BACKGROUND Southeast Asia is a global hotspot for the poaching, trafficking, and consumption of protected wildlife. The region’s high biodiversity and accessible transport links make it a target for illegal trade in protected species. Light penalties and limited awareness among the civil population contribute to the problem, while growing affluence is increasing demand for wildlife products. Investigations have found that illegal wildlife traders utilize wellestablished and highly organized crossborder networks. Trade in illegally harvested timber and endangered species has devastating impacts. In addition to habitat loss, poaching and trafficking to supply demand from the fashion industry, pet dealers, restaurants, and Photo by Bussara Tirakalyanapan (FREELAND) traditional pharmacies is driving many species towards extinction. As these organisms are lost, so are their inputs to critical natural processes and ecosystem resilience, causing other spe- Wildlife Crime Impacts cies to disappear. Many of those involved in the trade, including consumers, are unaware of the impact their actions have on biodiversity and the • Massive and irrevocable biodiversity loss: If trends environment. continue, scientists predict 13-42% of Southeast Asia’s SCALE AND REACH OF THE TRADE The scale of the illegal wildlife animal and plant species trade is alarming. Due to the nature of illicit trade, it is hard to obtain exact could be wiped out this figures, but some experts estimate the value of the illegal wildlife trade century. At least half those at 10-20 billion US dollars annually. While arrests and interceptions are losses would represent on the rise, they expose only a small fraction of this underground criminal global extinctions. enterprise. The illegal wildlife trade affects all Southeast Asian nations. The rich biodiversities of Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar are particularly targeted. Smugglers are frequently caught utilizing transport links through Thailand and Vietnam. However, poaching, transit and consumption occurs in all countries to varying degrees. A significant proportion of wildlife trafficked through Southeast Asia is purchased by wealthy consumers outside the region, in China, Europe and the United States.
Common illegal wildlife trade routes in SE Asia based on case studies
• Degradation of natural ecosystems and essential environmental services: Poaching to supply wildlife trade disturbs delicate biological balances. Knockon effects can precipitate the unravelling of living ecosystems that underpin fresh water supply and food production. With scientists predicting severe impacts from a changing climate, reducing other man-induced pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems, such as poaching, is imperitave. • Human health is endangered by unregulated trade in wild animals that can spread and pass on viruses and diseases. (CONTINUES OVERLEAF)