Latest news with #wildlifeTrafficking
CBS News
13 hours ago
- CBS News
Undercover investigation exposes illegal ivory sales in Pennsylvania
A major investigation is exposing the illegal sale of ivory in Pennsylvania, including in the Pittsburgh area, according to the Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States. The agency was in Harrisburg with lawmakers on Monday and said its findings show that it's time to end wildlife trafficking in Pennsylvania. Illicit ivory sales in Pennsylvania Images captured during a Humane World for Animals' undercover investigation show some of the 383 pieces of ivory for sale across Pennsylvania. "The items showed signs of originating from elephants, whales, warthog, hippos, walruses and mammoths, or were ivory of underdetermined origin," said Whitney Teamus, senior director of investigations for Humane World for Animals. The investigators also found a giraffe's taxidermied head, neck and shoulders on sale for $6,000. Of the 63 stores and online retailers investigated, Humane World for Animals said 37 had ivory or other wildlife products for sale, including four stores in Allegheny County and two in Butler County. Teamus said in total, they found jewelry, figurines, letter openers and other trinkets worth $38,000. "Not one of the sellers had or could provide any information or documentation to verify the age or origin of the ivory items. Without such documentation, it is impossible to know whether those items were imported in violation of federal law. Some items identified as ivory were labeled as bone. This is often a misleading sales tactic we and others have witnessed in other investigations to obscure the trade of these items," Teamus said. Investigators said their findings show the ivory trade is thriving in Pennsylvania, adding that something needs to be done to stop it. "Iconic species across the planet continue to face the threat of extinction due to demand for their body parts," said Gabe Wigtil, program director of wildlife trafficking for Humane World for Animals. "If there are no markets left for such products, there is no incentive for poachers to continue to kill animals for their skin, teeth, tusks, bones, or anything else," Wigtil added. Pennsylvania lawmakers move to protect animals Several state representatives are hoping House Bill 994, which prohibits wildlife trafficking in Pennsylvania, will become law. It would ban the sale and purchase of parts from at-risk animals, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and many more. "House Bill 994 would combat wildlife poaching and trafficking by ensuring that Pennsylvania residents are not supporting the illegal wildlife trade," said state Rep. Leanne Krueger, primary sponsor of HB 994. "We have the opportunity now to make change, hearing the groundbreaking results of your investigation and thinking of all the animals we can save," said state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Animal Protection Caucus. "This greatly deserves our attention before it's too late for these animals and they disappear in our lifetime," said state Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill passed a House committee on Monday, and the state representatives expect it to be on the House floor soon. The bill includes a long list of at-risk animals and civil penalties on those who sell and buy ivory and other animal products. Rep. Krueger's memo to other lawmakers reads in part, "Specifically, my legislation will prohibit the purchase, sale, offer for sale, or possession with the intent to sell covered at-risk animal parts or products with certain exceptions. My legislation will levy civil penalties for the following: A first violation with a value under $250 for a covered animal part or product will subject to fine not to exceed $5,000. A first violation with a value over $250 for a covered animal part or product will be subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000. A second or subsequent violation with a value under $250 for a covered animal part or product will subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000. A second or subsequent violation with a value over $250 for a covered animal part or product will be subject to a fine not exceeding $20,000."
Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Bloomberg
Former Secret Agents Enter the Battle Against Wildlife Smugglers Backed by Drug Cartels
By Mark Davis loves to pretend he is a criminal. During a 30-year career working undercover for the FBI as a special agent, Davis posed as a cocaine smuggler, negotiated million-dollar deals with money launderers and showed up at a criminal rendezvous with $200,000 in cash. Davis retired from the FBI in 2016 to work another beat. Today, he runs undercover assignments to help arrest rhino horn smugglers, jaguar skin dealers and spider monkey brokers. Davis specializes in gathering evidence for international law enforcement agencies, working to take down smugglers profiting from the illegal trade in wildlife and endangered species. In Bolivia, he secretly filmed meetings with jaguar traffickers and, in China, he negotiated the sale price for shark fin. In a McDonald's parking lot in Chula Vista, California, near the border with Tijuana, Davis surveilled the scene as a fellow informant set up a faux deal to sell a quarter of a million dollars worth of organs from the totoaba, an endangered Mexican fish so valuable that traffickers call it 'The Cocaine of the Sea.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man faces severe penalties after being caught selling bizarre illegal goods on eBay: 'A nationwide crackdown'
A man from South Carolina has violated federal wildlife laws after spending years importing and selling sperm whale bones. According to reports by USA Today, Lauren H. DeLoach pleaded guilty to importing whale parts from across the globe and selling them on eBay. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina stated that DeLoach imported whale teeth and bones from September 2021 through September 2024 into South Carolina. The shipments were falsely labeled as "plastic" to pass through U.S. customs and came from multiple countries, including Australia, Norway, Latvia, and Ukraine. DeLoach then sold the whale parts online, violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trade of illegally possessed wildlife. After one search, authorities uncovered and seized $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts. Reports also show that DeLoach had sold at least 85 items on eBay, worth more than $18,000. After pleading guilty, DeLoach faces prison time and a $250,000 fine for violating the Lacey Act. Wildlife trafficking exploits vulnerable species and disrupts entire ecosystems. By killing endangered species for parts, wildlife traffickers threaten the survival of the species as a whole. Since 1970, sperm whales have been listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. However, despite federal protection, these mammals are subject to trafficking. "Whales are among the world's most iconic species, and they're also among the most vulnerable to illegal harvest driven by commercialization," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Doug Ault said in a statement. Authorities have investigated DeLoach and reinforced their dedication to stopping the illegal trade of wildlife. "The illicit trade in sperm whale teeth and ear bones contributes to the monetization of at-risk marine mammal populations that America protects through federal laws and international treaties," Ault told USA Today. "As part of 'Operation Raw Deal' — a nationwide crackdown on the illegal trade in whale parts — this investigation demonstrates our commitment to bringing justice to those who exploit protected wildlife for profit." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- The Independent
Thai police rescue 2 baby orangutans and arrest a trafficking suspect
Two baby orangutans have been rescued from being sold in Thailand 's capital Bangkok and a suspected trafficker arrested, police said. The orangutans were seized Wednesday night and the alleged courier for the seller was arrested at a gas station, police said. The suspect was charged with illegal possession of protected wildlife and faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Police said orangutans generally sell for 300,000 baht ($9,000) each. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists orangutans as critically endangered, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits cross-border trade in the animals. Orangutans are found only in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo, but their habitat is shrinking due to the growth of agricultural land, making them more vulnerable to poaching. Thailand over the past two decades has repatriated dozens of orangutans to Indonesia. U.S. Immigration and Customs' Enforcement and Interpol, the international police organization, estimate the annual value of the illicit wildlife trade at $10 billion to $20 billion. Police handed over the two orangutans to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for care and safekeeping.
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Thai Police Rescue 2 Baby Orangutans, Arrest Trafficking Suspect
Two baby orangutans have been rescued from being sold in Thailand's capital Bangkok and a suspected trafficker arrested, police said. The orangutans were seized Wednesday night and the alleged courier for the seller was arrested at a gas station, police said. The suspect was charged with illegal possession of protected wildlife and faces up to four years in prison if convicted, The Associated Press reported. Police said orangutans generally sell for 300,000 baht ($9,000) each. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists orangutans as critically endangered, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits cross-border trade in the animals. Orangutans are found only in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo, but their habitat is shrinking due to the growth of agricultural land, making them more vulnerable to poaching. Thailand over the past two decades has repatriated dozens of orangutans to Indonesia. US Immigration and Customs' Enforcement and Interpol, the international police organization, estimate the annual value of the illicit wildlife trade at $10 billion to $20 billion. Police handed over the two orangutans to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for care and safekeeping.
