“On the Trail” n°47, the defaunation bulletin

On Sunday, a vehicle struck and killed an American black bear (Ursus americanus, Appendix II) on Route 16. His body was found on the side of the road with his four paws cut off, likely to be sold or used in soup. (Canada, p.43 ref.2).

The mongoose, locked in a cage, was doused with kerosene, and a young man, acting as an authoritarian and legitimate judge, said, “You ate my hundred chicks and caused me a loss of 10,000 takas [80 US$],” and a second later, the mongoose caught fire. The police rushed to Akbar Hossain Hridoy’s home, but he had fled. There are 3 species of mongoose in Bangladesh: the Indian grey mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi, Appendix III in India and Pakistan), the crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva, Appendix III in India), and the small asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus, Appendix III in India and Pakistan).). (Bangladesh, p.74 ref.9).

Failed attempt to smuggle 40 Cuban bullfinches (Melopyrrha nigra, Appendix III in Cuba), including 2 dead specimens. The Cuban had made himself a belt out of hair curlers. “FAILED miserably!” wrote the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Capital letters and exclamation marks are currently in vogue in the US administration. (United States of America, p.81 ref.14).

It was perhaps 100 years old and measured 4.3 metres long, even though it had lost the tip of its tail in an unknown fight or ambush. It was respected by the Aboriginal people and the entire community. It was described as the guardian of their waterways, a link between reef and the rainforest. Big John, the salt-water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus, Appendix II), was found decapitated. (Australia, p.126 ref.19).

Customs inspection of a bus bound for China. One of the passengers is returning home with nothing but read, but he seems nervous. And for good reason: there are 2 fragments of walrus tusks (Odobenus rosmarus, Appendix III in Canada), weighing 1.5 kg in total, inside the 2 loaves of bread. He admitted to having bought the ivory at Zabaykalsk and wanting to make chopsticks and spoons out of them. (Russia, p.179 ref.4).

In China, a judge pointed out that the 2020 edition of the Chinese pharmacopoeia has removed pangolin scales from the list of active ingredients and that their use for medical purposes is based solely on popular belief (p.8 ref.22).

“Compliance with grazing rules, protection of wildlife habitats, protection of livestock by sheepdogs and prevention of their widespread destruction are essential measures that farmers must take to help safeguard leopards and bears.”, recalls a senior official in Iran (p.37 ref.58).

“Rare species must be preserved responsibly for future generations and [residents should] “immediately alert the relevant authorities if wild animals are found outside their natural habitat, rather than resorting to violence or panic.” Watchword of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Environment Directorate (p.62 ref.5).

“#TuCasaNoEsSuCasa”. “Your house is not his house.” Watchword of the Mexican justice system to fight wildlife trafficking after the seizure of a baby red howler monkey (p.65 ref.17).

Vultures,”these remarkable birds, are essential to our ecosystem, playing a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by disposing of carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases,” recalls Amadou Camara, member of the National Assembly of The Gambia (p.79 ref.3).

” Under my watch, no illegal shipment will pass through this airport. My officers are on high alert at all times. Their eagle eyes are trained to detect and intercept any unlawful activity.” Nigerian customs officials on the seizure of more than 1,600 birds (p.79 ref.4).

“Wildlife is a beautiful gift of nature, and people from all walks of life—especially the youth— should take active steps for its conservation.” A senior official in Pakistan on the seizure of 10 falcons (p.97 ref.59).

” This is the time of year when children are outside. Fathers who own air rifles must keep them locked away. Farmers must come to their senses and abandon their superstitions.” Management of the Kysuce protected area in Slovakia on the poaching of a buzzard (p.102 ref.81).

“Do not capture and do not keep wild animals in captivity; their place is in nature.” Watchword of the Colombian justice system against wildlife trafficking (p.134 ref.22).

“We try to do our work honestly and conscientiously with the limited resources we have,” says a forest ranger dealing with a canoe of caiman poachers in Suriname (p.136 ref.34).

“As the turtle disappeared behind the waves, nature seemed to whisper, ‘Welcome back, Guardian of the Ocean!!’” About the release of a green turtle rescued by a fisherman in Indonesia (p.174 ref.17).

Brazilwood, vultures, singing seedeaters, rattlesnakes, tarantulas, dorcas gazelles, saiga antelopes, okapis, abalones, eels, whale sharks and sea cucumbers will also be at the centre of the debates during this CITES meeting.
Access to proposals and working documents: https://cites.org/eng/meetings/cop
Access to Robin des Bois publications: https://robindesbois.org/en/convention-sur-le-commerce-international-des-especes-de-faune-et-de-flore-sauvages-menacees-dextinction/

“On the Trail” is carried out by Robin des Bois with the support of the Fondation Franz Weber, the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, donors and members of Robin des Bois, and the Séché Environnement group.