Wildlife Conservation Cambodia Project #13963

Help Stop Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

by Wildlife Alliance

Project Report | May 13, 2015
Thank You for Helping us Protect Primates!

By Sheena Thiruselvan | Communications Associate

Rare baby douc langur rescued by the WRRT

This week, we launched a microproject to help the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) rescue trafficked primates in Cambodia. We would like to thank you for your continued support, and share some of the important work the WRRT does to combat this illicit trade.

There are 634 species and subspecies of primates in the world, from humans and apes to monkeys and prosimians. These incredible animals are known to show a range of emotion, have opposable thumbs, use tools and have complex, species-specific social behaviors. People are often fascinated by these diverse, highly intelligent, social creatures, because so much of our own behavior and evolution is reflected in them. Sadly the future of mankind’s closest relatives is uncertain. Rampant habitat destruction exacerbated by poaching for food and to supply traditional Chinese medicine and the illegal pet trade are decimating primate populations. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 48% percent of all primate species are threatened, and over 70% of Asian primates are facing extinction. In Cambodia nine out of the 10 primate species are listed as either Endangered or Threatened. Entire families and troops are caught in order to be sold as food or for lab research, and infants are torn away from their mother and sold into the exotic pet trade until owners realize they cannot control these wild animals.

While the situation maybe dire, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) is actively fighting to protect these 10 species before it’s too late. Since 2001, the WRRT, a law enforcement squad devoted solely to combating the illegal wildlife trade, has rescued over 2,500 gibbons, langurs, macaques and lorises. Last year alone, the team rescued 85 live primates from 8 different species. Seven of the 8 species types rescued last year are listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered, all with decreasing population trends. The WRRT’s presence in Cambodia to rescue primates and halt the illegal wildlife and pet trade is critical. Every individual primate rescued is significant to the survival and continuation of the species. Rescued animals that can no longer survive in the wild are given a life-long home at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center (PTWRC).

Caretakers at PTWRC work hard to rehabilitate the animals, and house them in spacious enclosures to facilitate natural behavior. These large, natural enclosures enable the process of de-humanization in order to make their offspring suitable for reintroduction into the wild. Wildlife Alliance has been reintroducing primates back into the wild for several years, most notably with the recent release of gibbons and langurs into the Angkor Temple Forest Complex. It costs the WRRT approximately $55 to rescue a primate and approximately $500 to conduct a successful operation. This consists of paying informants, researching trade networks, conducting undercover investigations, saving the animals, and providing care to rescued animals during transit to a release site or Phnom Tamao Rescue Center. This Bonus Day, make your gift go even further by supporting our new campaign to Help Rescue Primates from Illegal Trafficking! Your gift will help the WRRT continue to protect, conserve and save primate species in Cambodia!

Endangered gibbon captured from the forest

Baby pygmy slow loris rescued from the pet trade

Baby black shanked douc langur kept as a pet

Links:

Help Rescue Primates from Illegal Trafficking

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Apr 15, 2015
An Inside Look into Fighting Wildlife Crime

By Sheena Thiruselvan | Communications Associate

Risking their lives to save endangered animals

On March 12, 2015, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) concluded a long running investigation on a trader previously identified by an informant in the province of Stung Treng. The team conducted extensive undercover surveillance in order to determine who was involved in the trading activities and to identify the best possible time to conduct a raid to ensure offenders were apprehended with wildlife in their possession. To avoid any information leaks or tip offs, the team withheld details of the operation from all other agencies until the morning of the raid when local court officials, Forestry Administration and local police were brought on board to assist.

After surrounding the house, access was gained but the traders refused to cooperate and even released live king cobras to distract the team. Undeterred, these highly experienced officers carefully captured each of the venomous snakes and a thorough search of the house resulted in the seizure of the 4 large king cobras, 5 rat snakes, 1 dried slow loris, 26 elongated tortoises, 2 giant Asian pond turtles and 4 snail-eating turtles. As king cobras are a threatened species, the traders were arrested and are currently being held in pre-trial detention, awaiting trial in the provincial court. All live wildlife was later transported to a protected area at Stung Proat in Koh Kong Province where they were successfully released back into natural habitats. The dried loris was destroyed at the local Forestry Administration office.

A lot of time and preparation goes into each operation conducted by the WRRT to ensure their efforts result in an open-and-shut prosecution. Wildlife trafficking uses a sophisticated network that preys on poverty stricken nations and people. Throughout the developing world, it is necessary to take precautions against corruption and information leaks, and doing so often puts the team dangerously at odds with other officials. However, these vigilant wildlife heroes remain unfaltering. Since 2001, they have rescued over 60,000 animals and confiscated 30 tons of wildlife products from poachers and illegal wildlife traders. The recent acceleration in demand – that is especially prevalent in China and Vietnam – requires us to expand our efforts and impact. It is critical for us to continue to provide direct protection to animals, many of which are facing extinction. Thank you for your commitment to help the WRRT in their efforts to stop illegal wildlife trafficking, and we hope you will continue to support this important cause.

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.

Tackling another snake

Confiscated animals and animal parts by the WRRT

Rescued snail-eating turtle

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Jan 29, 2015
Sun Bear Cub and Gibbon Rescued from Pet Trade

By Sheena Thiruselvan | Communications Associate

The team found the cub in appalling conditions...

On December 4th, the WRRT responded to a call on Wildlife Alliance’s 24-hour rescue hotline number about a sun bear cub being kept illegally. The caller, who lives in Phnom Penh, found the bear hidden illegally on his second property in Stung Treng province. When the team arrived, they found the cub in appalling conditions, locked up in a small cage and malnourished. They provided it with necessary food and care while transporting it directly to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center (PTWRC). Another important rescue occurred on December 19th, when the WRRT responded to a call from a concerned citizen about a gibbon being kept as a pet by a family in Kampot. Pileated gibbons are listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered, making this a high priority rescue. The team successfully confiscated the animal, and educated the owners about the consequences of illegally keeping wildlife. The young animal was then taken to PTWRC to be rehabilitated and cared for.

Due to lack of education and knowledge of laws governing wildlife, animals kept as pets are often kept in horrendous conditions, subjected to cramped spaces and poor diets. However, Wildlife Alliance’s Anti-Trafficking Campaign, using billboards and Public Service Announcements, has helped improve awareness and the number of calls reporting on illegal wildlife has increased. Last month, a total of 97 calls were made to the rescue hotline. Of those, 37 were from informants, 22 from local Forestry Administration offices, and 38 from the general public. Without these tips, it would be impossible for the team to conduct nearly as many raids and rescue operations. Thank you for supporting the WRRT in the past, we hope you will continue to support the team and help them raise awareness, rescue animals and put an end to the cruel wildlife trade by making another gift!

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.

The cub was in a small cage and malnourished

The bear was taken to PTWRC for care

On Dec 19, the team rescued an endangered gibbon

The gibbon was taken PTWRC for rehabilitation

Links:

Help care for these rescued animals at PTWRC!

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