Dubai to crack the whip on animal smugglers

Dubai: A crackdown on the smuggling of rare and endangered animals into the UAE was announced by Dubai Customs on Wednesday.

The move comes as new figures reveal the number of cases brought against people trying to smuggle endangered species into the country increased by 20 per cent in 2008.

Abdul Rahman Al Saleh, Senior Executive and Director of Corporate Affairs at Dubai Customs, said traffickers attempted to bring endangered lions, stuffed crocodiles, stuffed foxes and rare birds, deers and falcons into the UAE in 2008.

"It is very hard to identify the source as obviously trafficking is not a legal and formal movement. Many traffickers don't give reliable information about where the endangered animal came from. But we do know a lot of animals come from Africa and their final destination is Europe. The majority of items seized are considered to be of a very high value," he said.

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has designated Thursday as a day for intensifying efforts and tightening measures for combating the smuggling of endangered species and plants. Dubai Customs plans to participate by holding an event on January 26 under the theme of "Customs and Environment – Protection of Natural Legacy".

Mohammad Al Merri, Executive Director of Customs Cargo Operations, said: "Dubai is a trade hub and many smugglers, carrying ivory in particular, are in transit on their way through the UAE. However, the visit visa allows them to stay in the country for three months and they try and take advantage of the UAE's infrastructure to trade in such items."

The international trade in wildlife, including hundreds of millions of species of fauna and flora, is estimated to be worth billions of dollars per annum. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreement was signed by the UAE in 1990.

Yousuf Al Sahlawi, Executive Director of Dubai Customs' Policies and Legislations Division, said: "Dubai Customs has set up a section dedicated to these cases. We are in close coordination with government entities and legal and law enforcement organisations. Dubai Customs provides tangible evidence and acts a witness in each respective case."

Azzedine Downes, Executive Vice President of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), said training was being provided to Dubai Customs officers.

"We are in discussion with Dubai Customs about how we can participate further in the fight against illegal animal trafficking. We are also helping with regard to species identification and we have published a manual that lists the 25 most traded species in the region; the next manual will feature 80 different species.

"Another issue is the falsification of CITES permits. A lot of people have managed to get their hands on fake permits and we need to raise awareness that this is happening."

Quick facts

Number of cases brought against smugglers in 2008: 145
Number of cases brought against smugglers in 2007: 119
Number of elephant tusks confiscated in 2008: 125
Number of rare birds confiscated in 2008: 7
Different types of endangered animals confiscated in 2008: 13

Do you think there is enough awareness regarding animal rights and cruelty? Is it time that a law be passed on it? Should tougher penalties be implemented against those dealing in endangered species?

A Fantastic move ahead. If this is implemented strictly to protect endangered species, this would be a great move and very laudable. Please do something for the creatures who can cry but not talk to complain, we are their mouth piece to make sure justice is done for them. Please do something soon.
Peeku Punjabi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 15, 2009, 10:23

First step would be to educate people. We should conduct education outreach programs targeted to the demand and supply communities. Knowing the wildlife and its significance is the first step towards protecting it (at least for the consumers). It must be communicated and understood that nature can survive without us(humans) but we need nature (including wildlife).
Seema Sangra
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 15, 2009, 07:50