Big metropolises predominate illegal trade of wildlife species: report

Lahore

Illegal trade of wildlife species is predominantly recorded in big metropolises like Lahore and Karachi, WWF-Pakistan said in a report Thursday in Lahore.

The WWF-Pakistan report “An Assessment of the Scale of Illegal Wildlife Trade in Pakistan” highlighted the importance and complexities of curbing the upward trend in illegal wildlife trade in the country.

The study was compiled through a survey of 288 shops and street vendors across 55 markets in 23 cities.  Illegal trade of wildlife species was predominantly recorded in bigger metropolises like Lahore and Karachi, where the demand for exotic pets is higher as compared to other cities.

Karachi was found to have the highest number of markets and shops dealing in illegal wildlife, i.e. 12 markets and 42 shops, followed by Peshawar with seven markets and 33 shops.  The survey teams recorded 55 wildlife species on sale in these markets, of which 40 percent comprised mammals, 39 percent birds, 19 percent reptiles and two percent invertebrates. 

Further review of the protected status of these species revealed that five of these are listed as endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List of threatened species, four species are listed as near threatened (NT), six as vulnerable (VU) while 18 are listed as least concerned (LC). Seven species found were listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), 15 in Appendix II and six in Appendix III.

The survey teams did not find any animal markets in Islamabad, Gwadar, Jiwani, Murree or Nagar Parkar districts. The report findings also indicate that the Internet has greatly expanded the possibilities for the crimes such as wildlife trafficking. The survey teams found 14 social media sites and the same amount of Facebook pages, actively involved in the illegal sale of wildlife in Pakistan. 

Dr Uzma Khan, technical adviser wildlife, WWF-Pakistan, said that the analysis of the challenges highlighted in the report added important weight to the case for urgent and effective action by various stakeholders to tackle this critical threat.

“With over-exploitation being the second-largest direct threat to many species after habitat loss the world over, WWF-Pakistan is always on the forefront to address illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade as a priority issue.

The developing countries like Pakistan were often found lacking appropriate equipment, training and funds to address the issue of illegal wildlife trade, Dr Uzma said, adding that it was the need of the hour to fill these loopholes. 

Pakistan is home to a wide array of biodiversity, but the lack of effective management and poor law enforcement has resulted in prevalent and often unreported wildlife crime.

As a source, consumer and transit country for consignments of live animals, their parts and derivatives, Pakistan is strategically located with road, air and sea transit routes that are easily accessible and not closely monitored. Pakistan is known to face trade of several species of reptiles, mammals, birds, timber, as well as medicinal plants. Commercial exploitation of these fauna and flora has been on the rise due to the established network of wildlife poachers and dealers. 

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recognizes wildlife crime as the third largest transnational crime after drugs and human trafficking, which undermines state authority and socio-economic development.

Besides its disastrous effects on biodiversity, there is also increasing evidence of illegal wildlife trade fuelling conflict and destabilising national security while causing great economic loss.