Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Critical Review in Bangladesh

Abstract

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the greatest threats to wildlife which is highly active throughout the world and pushing wild animals to become endangered species whereas some endangered species to the blink of extinction. This critical review was back grounded on illegal wildlife trade with special emphasis on occurrence of seized skin (mainly tiger and deer skin) in Bangladesh. The review exhibited the most current picture of illegal wildlife trade reviewing a total 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) of seizure records compiled by Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) and Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle (WL&NCC). These records subsume 374 offenses with 566 offenders along with 37,572 seized wildlife and trophies. Total detection percentage of offences and offender were not known, due to clandestine nature of the trade. According to these report, reptiles were rescued most with the occurrence of 51.1% which indicate the highest demand. Seizures of wild birds (mynas, munias, parakeets, lorikeets, water birds etc.) were 46.5% due to domestic demand of birds as pet. Alongside percentage of rescued mammals and trophies were about 1.1% and 1.2% respectively. In case of skin seizure, deer skin occupies the most percentage (70%) than that of tigers (30%). About 36% of Tiger skin and 46% of deer skin were rescued from different places of Khulna and the source is the largest mangrove track of the planet. The monetary value of wildlife crime in the country is approximate $0.72M per year and the maximum value counted for reptiles around $0.45M especially for high level trafficking of geckos and turtles. In conclusion some recommendations were proposed for policy implementation and wildlife management to combat illegal wildlife business.