“THE appalling number of seizures by UK Border Force has exposed the scale of the horrendous slaughter of endangered tigers, rhinos and elephants.
Anti-smuggling teams have prevented thousands of products made from ivory, skin, bones and horns coming into the country in an illicit trade that is pushing these iconic creatures inexorably towards extinction.
New figures from UK Border Force show there have been 2,853 seizures of illegal products over the past six years, with at least 1,165 ivory products, 127 rhino horn items and 1,682 tiger products from 257 separate confiscations.
China is the most frequent country of origin for these illicit products, closely followed by the USA.
Wildlife crime is now one of the most lucrative forms of organised crime and is also being used by terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab to fund their violence.
Britain has become one of the leading nations in fighting the slaughter, with both Prince Charles and his son Prince William outspoken voices.
While UK Border Force is taking on the wildlife smugglers at points of entry, the National Wildlife Crime Unit is constantly monitoring the sale of illegal items across the country.
Last week the unit had a major success when 29-year-old jewellery-maker Catherine Emberton was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 120 hours’ unpaid work and 12-month community service order after admitting offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species regulations relating to the illegal dealing in tiger claws and teeth.
Emberton was selling jewellery containing tiger teeth and claws around the world on eBay, claiming her products were antique and did not require Government permits.
Although the law does exempt items “worked” before 1947, the NWCU said Emberton’s did not qualify because they were mostly raw teeth or claws set in metal.
NWCU investigating officer Andy McWilliam said: “Any person who chooses to trade in endangered species has a duty to know and comply with the law.
“The regulations are not an optional extra; they are there to protect species that are at risk.
“Some species, such as tigers, are on the brink of extinction.
“People who offend run the risk of going to prison.”
A graphic produced by WWF-UK shows how Britain has become a hub for wildlife smuggling with illicit products coming to the country from five continents.”
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Source: Express.co.uk
