INTERPOL Operation
19
December 2014
Hundreds of
animals seized in operation targeting wildlife trafficking across Asia
LYON, France – A five-month long
INTERPOL-coordinated operation targeting wildlife trafficking in tigers and
other big cats across Asia has resulted in the seizure of hundreds of animals
and more than 160 arrests.
Involving 13 countries, Operation PAWS
(Protection of Asian Wildlife Species) also focused on lesser known species
also in high demand by the black market, such as bears and pangolins. Wildlife traders
using the internet and social media in certain countries were also
investigated.
Among the live animals recovered were
tigers, leopards, bears, monkeys, red pandas, lions and crocodiles in addition
to 3,500 kg of elephant ivory, 280kg of pangolin scales, rhino horns and more
than 4,000 kg of red sandalwood. A large number of turtles, tortoises and birds
were also seized across a wide range of countries indicating a high demand for
these species.
Designed and developed by the involved
member countries as a collaborative law enforcement response to wildlife crime,
Operation PAWS was coordinated by INTERPOL’s Environmental security unit as
part of Project Predator, in addition to support from the International
Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).
Aimed at supporting and enhancing the
governance and law enforcement capacity for the conservation of Asian big cats,
INTERPOL’s Project Predator is primarily funded by the United States Agency for
International Development.
The 13 countries which participated in
Operation PAWS which was conducted between July and November were Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. It was also supported by Australia, Canada and
the USA.
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