WILDLIFE MAFIA PLUNDERING ASIAN JUNGLES

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, July 25 (Bernama) -- Tiger, tiger, burning bright...
Crafty international syndicates which once thrived on illicit drugs and arms smuggling, are now training their cross-hair on the jungles of Asia.

The 'Wildlife Mafia', as they are referred to by the authorities, want to monopolise wildlife trafficking as it appears to be a safe, money-spinning enterprise which wildlife experts have summed up as a US$20 billion (RM60 billion) industry.

"It is a convergence of crimes, arms smugglers to human traffickers and now, moving into wildlife smuggling. A soft option to get good returns," Samir Sinha, head of Traffic India, a wildlife monitoring agency, told Bernama in a recent interview.

Animal activists fear the rampant cross-continent wildlife crime, if left unchecked, could adversely empty rich Asian forests blessed with precious species –- some facing extinct.

Tigers and Indian star tortoise, Indonesian endangered Javan Lutungs (loris), Bangladesh turtles and small crocodiles, Malaysian freshwater turtles and the Philippine geckos are very much in demand in the international black markets.

For instance, the penis of a tiger, a popular aphrodisiac, could easily fetch US$2,000 (RM6,000) a piece, while Indonesian loris, used in traditional cure of asthma, is priced at US$20 (RM60) each.

Some animals are caged up as souvenirs or decorative trophies in living rooms.

"Wildlife crime is dangerous but it is not viewed like other organised crimes, it is time to see it as another trans-national crime.

"It has reached a stage where iconic species are being threatened," warned Sinha.
-- BERNAMA