Asean embarks on collaborative effort to combat the menace of wildlife trafficking
The region needs a clear action plan to tackle wildlife trafficking, experts stressed this past weekend as the leaders of Asean nations meeting in Bangkok endorsed the “Chiang Mai Statement of Asean Ministers Responsible for CITES and Wildlife Enforcement”.
The document’s goal is to address wildlife trafficking in the region.
Surapon Duangkhae of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation said official efforts to combat wildlife crime remained disorganised and too weak, given the sophistication and scale of transnational trafficking networks
“Dealing with wildlife trafficking is difficult because the illegal trade is very big transnational crime that generates massive profits for these crime lords,” Surapon said.
Pratch Rujivanarom
