RECENT headlines on wildlife dying after being rescued by the authorities have struck a deep chord of resonance with Malaysians. While it is encouraging to know that we as a nation are ready to be the voice for protected animals, it is vital to understand the bigger picture and dark reality of wildlife trafficking which represents the crux of the matter.
The illegal wildlife trade is an organised crime that is threatening the existence of many species due to over-exploitation, and has caused many of them to be classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Endangered Species. Poaching is one of the key reasons the Sumatran rhino was declared extinct in the wild in Peninsular Malaysia in 2015. The illegal wildlife trade operates the same way illegal drugs and weapons are dealt with – by dangerous international networks – linking across the globe.