Help Stop Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

On June 2, 2015, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) conducted two major raids that resulted in the confiscation of 44 various horns and skulls and the rescue of 82 live animals. The day began with a house raid in O’Krieng Village in the Sambo District of Kratie Province. The team received information about the trader from its network of informants and subsequently conducted investigations and surveillance on the suspect. Once their investigations confirmed that the trader was involved in illegal wildlife dealing, the WRRT went into action.

At dawn, the WRRT surrounded the house, preventing the trader from escaping or destroying evidence. Once inside, the team apprehended the suspected trader and conducted its search of the property, ultimately rescuing 27 Bengal monitors, one water monitor, three elongated tortoises, five rat snakes, one myna, and one changeable hawk! Unfortunately, the team isn’t always able to save every animal from this cruel trade. That morning, the WRRT also seized 31 various horns and 12 muntjac skulls and 0.2 kg of bear bone. These items are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, and the trade is putting a tremendous strain on wild populations.

Later that day, the team travelled to Tapaing Pring Village where they conducted a similar raid. The WRRT rescued four king cobras, 8 rat snakes, 23 tortoises, three civets, one softshell turtle, four Bengal monitors, and one python. In both instances, the traders were levied heavy fines, rescued animals were taken to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center, and confiscated wildlife parts were destroyed.

Driven by the sharp rise in demand for rare animal products in countries like China and Vietnam, the prolific trade in illegal wildlife is estimated to be worth $19 billion. The WRRT works tirelessly to protect Cambodia’s wildlife, by investigating traders and bringing them to justice.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to stopping wildlife trafficking. Make your gift go further this Bonus Day! On July 15th, donations of up to $1,000 made through GlobalGiving will be matched at 50% while funds last - hurry because funds run out quickly! With your help, we can stop Cambodia's wildlife from being hunted to extinction before it's too late!

Mark your calendars for July 15th and don't forget to share this great opportunity with your friends!

The WRRT is a Forestry Administration law enforcement unit led by the Forestry Administration, in cooperation with the Military Police, with technical and financial support from Wildlife Alliance.

Wildlife Alliance is proud to announce that the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) has been selected as a winner of the United Nations Environment Program’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Award (AEEA). The award from the United Nations recognizes the WRRT’s excellent work in combating environmental crime in Cambodia. Wildlife Alliance hopes that this acknowledgement dedicated to raising awareness about wildlife crime, will highlight the urgent need for more support and action in order to end illegal trafficking of wildlife and wildlife parts.

The award ceremony took place on May 20, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand, before the Asia-Pacific Roundtable on Environmental Rule of Law for Sustainable Development. Senior officials including Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary, ESCAP, Chief Justices and Environment Ministers in Asia participated in the Roundtable and presented the award to the winners of AEEA. In his opening statement, Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director and United Nations Under-Secretary-General said, "Environmental crime undermines sustainable development. It is not only a threat to species, to habitats and to ecosystems, but also to human health, livelihoods and national economies. Enforcement action and efforts need to be recognized and awarded."

Since 2001, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team, a wildlife crime investigation and counter-trafficking unit composed of government and non-government staff, have fought to curb the illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. The WRRT conducts operations on roads, in restaurants, in forests and in known and suspected wildlife markets. The team travels around the country intercepting illegal shipments of wildlife, responding to tips from informants and anonymous sources, investigating known wildlife trade offenders for potential new offenses, and rescuing wildlife victimized by wildlife traders, or caught in human-wildlife conflicts. Since its launch, the WRRT has rescued over 60,000 victims from the wildlife trade, resulting in a 75% reduction in wildlife trafficking country-wide, and a 90% decrease in wildlife sales in Phnom Penh restaurants. Their tireless hard work has led to the arrest or fining of over 2,700 offenders. Without the constant surveillance of the WRRT, endangered species throughout Southeast Asia would have disappeared entirely.

We applaud the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team for their accomplishments and commitment to ending the illegal wildlife trade. We would also like to thank all the generous supporters that believe firmly in this mission. Their incredible work would not be possible without your dedication and passion for wildlife protection.

The WRRT is a Forestry Administration law enforcement unit led by the Forestry Administration, in cooperation with the Military Police, with technical and financial support from Wildlife Alliance.