Defenders of Wildlife Blog

Rhino horns seized in federal crackdown on illegal wildlife trade

$1 million in cash. Gold bars. Diamonds. Rolex watches. 20 rhinoceros horns.

Father and baby white rhinoceros. Nakuru National Park, Kenya.

What do these items all have in common?

No, they’re not all items you’ll find in a billionaire’s home. They were all seized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local law enforcements in a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade. According to a story today in the LA Times, successful raids took place in a dozen states around the country last weekend.

International crime isn’t just about drug cartels and money-laundering. The international wildlife trade is worth billions of dollars annually, much of it totally illegal under both U.S. and international law.

The most recent enforcement action targeted smuggling rings that traffic rhinoceros horns, which are wrongly believed to cure cancer in Vietnam and China. As a result of the animal’s dwindling numbers, rhino horns are worth upwards of $20,000 per pound on the black market, or nearly $500,000 for a single horn.

But the problem goes far beyond rhinos. Defenders has been working hard in recent years to curb the illegal trade of sharks, parrots, sea turtles and frogs. Many of these species are threatened with extinction, yet still remain a valuable global commodity as food, in the pet trade, in traditional medicine, and for other purposes.

“We need stronger political will, more international cooperation and better consumer education in order to curb the illegal wildlife trade.” –Defenders International Counsel Alejandra Goyenechea

Unbeknownst to most Americans, the United States is one of the world’s largest markets for wildlife, both legal and illegal. In fact, we’re the largest importer and exporter of wildlife products, putting us right at the center of global wildlife trade.

That’s why our international wildlife expert Alejandra Goyenechea will be pushing for better enforcement of laws governing illegal wildlife trade at an important meeting this summer of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).

“Unfortunately, illegal international wildlife trade is rarely detected and prosecuted due to lack of budget and manpower in countries around the globe. The penalties are relatively low in most countries as well, especially compared to drug and weapon trade,” says Alejandra. “We need stronger political will, more international cooperation and better consumer education in order to curb the illegal wildlife trade. Only tougher enforcement will save species from extinction.”

CITES protects more than 35,000 species worldwide and has members from 175 countries. It is one of the most effective international mechanisms in the world today for halting the trade in species threatened with extinction and in fostering sustainable use of other vulnerable species.

Click here to learn more about what Defenders is doing to stop the illegal wildlife trade.

Defenders’ efforts to combat the illegal parrot trade in Mexico are working. Data on the number of birds seized by authorities over the past eight years show the illegal bird trade is declining. Last year only 566 parrots were seized by authorities, down nearly a third from the year before and the lowest number in almost ten years!

“A decrease in the illegal trade is very good news for the conservation of endangered parrots of Mexico,” reports Defenders’ Mexico Program Director Juan Carlos Cantu. “It shows that trade bans do work when accompanied by a broad communications campaign to enlist the help of the people to stop buying wild parrots.”

In 2008, following the release of a major report produced by Defenders, Mexico finally banned the capture and export of wild parrots. After the ban, Defenders began a campaign to promote understanding of the new laws and create awareness and appreciation of these threatened birds. Through radio talk shows, posters, children’s coloring books and teaching kits for educators we have sought to educate people about the parrots’ plight and deter the purchase of these birds.

Our efforts to raise awareness appear to be working. The number of reports filed regarding illegal parrot sales in Mexico has increased dramatically since the 2008 ban and the launch of our education campaign.

“It is a good beginning but we still have a long road to go before we can save parrots from extinction,” says Cantu.

Next to habitat loss, trapping is the greatest threat to the birds’ survival in Mexico, affecting 19 endangered parrot species, such as the yellow-headed and red-crowned parrot. According to a 2007 Defenders’ report, trappers capture roughly 65,000 to 78,500 parrots annually. As many as 75 percent of these (nearly 58,000) die during transport under horrible conditions. The ones that do survive are typically severely traumatized or injured.

This inhumane and devastating practice must be stopped before these national treasures disappear from the wild completely.

What Defenders is Doing

Defenders continues its public awareness campaign across Mexico while monitoring reports and seizures of illegally caught birds. The campaign aims to combat poaching by eliminating the demand for wild parrots and promote bird-watching as an alternative to keeping parrots as pets.

What You Can Do

Defenders of Wildlife urges U.S. consumers not to purchase parrots that lack proper documentation so as not to inadvertently support the illegal parrot trade. Determine if your parrot is legal before you buy.

Learn more about the U.S. demand for parrots here.

Defenders’ Mexico Program Director Juan Carlos Cantu scored a major year-end victory for the parrots and mangroves of Mexico. After four long years of raising public awareness and applying pressure behind the scenes, he helped secure protections for four different species of coastal mangrove trees and seven different species of imperiled parrots.

A lilac-crowned chick, fitted with a transmitter.

Disappearing parrots

Habitat loss in Mexico is negatively affecting parrots that thrive in tropical and mountain forests, but there is also a more sinister culprit for the decline of many species. A large number of parrots are sold each year as part of an illegal pet trade both within Mexico and internationally. According to a comprehensive report published by Defenders in 2007, an estimated 65,000 to 78,500 parrots are trapped illegally each year. That’s why Mexico’s 22 species of parrots and macaws are in serious trouble.

Though Mexican authorities have monitored the situation for years, enforcement is difficult and often given very low priority. PROFEPA, the Mexican environmental law enforcement authority, seizes about 1,300 parrots each year—just two percent of the total implicated in illegal trade. Furthermore, a shocking 77 percent of all captured parrots are believed to die during the process of confinement and transportation.  That means 50,000 to 60,000 parrots die needlessly each year, most of them species that are already threatened or endangered.

In 2008, a ban on trapping and trade of parrots was enacted which has helped to decrease illegal trade. With the passage of the latest protections, 11 parrot species will now be classified as endangered, six will be classified as vulnerable, four warrant “special protection” and only one species remains unclassified. These added protections will ensure that the species are included in the government conservation programs for priority species based on natural protected areas. It will also help forestall initiatives in Congress by bird trapper unions and pet industry to revoke the 2008 ban.

An estimated 65,000 to 78,500 parrots are trapped illegally each year. More than 75 percent die in transit.

There is still a huge amount of work to be done to ensure that parrots are safe. Defenders is facilitating the ongoing work of PROFEPA by creating materials to help inspectors identify parrot species. Much of the illegal parrot trade consists of baby parrots that are taken directly from their nests, so proper identification is critical. This year we will publish a parrot identification guide for environmental authorities which will be the first bird guide that includes chicks.

We will also continue our outreach campaign to ensure that all Mexicans are aware of the new laws regarding conservation status and the ban on parrot trading.

Threatened mangroves

Coastal mangrove forests buffer ocean waves with strong root networks that extend above and below the tide.

Mangrove forests exist in the tropical zones up and down the coasts of Mexico where they perform critical ecosystem services. During serious storms and tsunamis, mangroves provide a buffer to dampen the energy of surging storm waters and crashing waves. Their elaborate root networks hold strong in even the wildest tempests, dissipating the force of storms and reducing their impacts on inland infrastructure. Mangroves also hold sand, silt and soil in place, preventing them from being swept out to sea where sediment can suffocate coral reefs.

Like all forests, mangroves help remove carbon dioxide from the air on a global scale and provide refuge and food for myriad birds, fish, insects and other wildlife in coastal regions. It has been estimated that up to 70% of the tropical commercial fishery species depend directly or indirectly on mangroves. As the global climate changes, mangroves will also play an increasingly important role in mitigating the impacts of sea level rise with their unique ability to survive in the transition zone between land and water.

But even ignoring climate change, coastal mangroves are under constant threat from development. These zones occupy prime real estate for beachfront vacation resorts as well as important fishing areas such as shrimp farms. Removing mangrove forests, however, leaves coastal areas more vulnerable to storm damage and may reduce the viability of native fisheries. Reports from Mexico estimate that 1 to 2.5 percent of mangroves are being lost annually, and experts predict that nearly half of the country’s mangroves will be lost by 2025 if no action is taken.

Nearly half of Mexico’s mangroves will be lost by 2025 if no action is taken.

The upgraded “threatened” status of Mexico’s four key mangrove tree species will help keep development pressures at bay and preserve the critical function of coastal ecosystems. This increased protection will close down legal loopholes in wildlife laws that have been used in the past by tourism developers, urban developers, the oil industry and aquaculture industry to circumvent the ban on the use of mangroves.

Great work, Juan Carlos. Viva los manglares y los pericos!