Working to protect nature

ORGANISED: ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST AT FOREFRONT OF ILLEGAL TRADE CRIME FIGHT

- Citizen reporter

HELPING. Eight Javan slow lorises are released into the wild at Ujung Kulon National Park in Banten, Indonesia. The slow lorises had been rehabilitated after being rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Picture: AFP

(AFP)

As the effects of the illegal trade in wildlife are becoming more evident, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has moved to strengthen its efforts to address this scourge.

Wildlife crime is not limited to large charismatic species such as the rhino. It is contributing to the decimation of succulents and other ornamental plant species, as well as smaller animals, such as tortoises, geckos, sungazers and armadillo girdled lizards, snakes and spiders.

"The stripping of our natural environment for financial gain has become one of the most lucrative international organised crimes run by syndicates whose activities threaten entire ecosystems. Thus, the EWTs focus on addressing these crimes," says EWT CEO Yolan Friedmann.

A 2016 UN Environment Programme-Interpol Rapid Assessment Report, The Rise of Environmental Crime, concludes that the illegal trade in wildlife is estimated to be worth up to $20 billion (about R345 billion) a year.