China, Thailand and Vietnam are leaders in the black market trade of endangered animal parts. Though these sales are technically illegal in all countries, they continue because of light penalties and failure of authorities to police key trading areas.
Record numbers of rhinos were killed in South Africa last year and 200 tiger carcasses are found every year. Their parts are sold on the Asian black market as traditional medicine. No reputable studies show that these medicines have any effect on the ailments they're intended to treat.
Tens of thousands of elephants are killed illegally every year for their tusks, which are used to make decorative ivory items.
Black market traders are driving rhinos, elephants and tigers to extinction with each unnecessary kill. Please urge officials to improve law enforcement procedures and put an end to the illegal trade of endangered animal parts.
To: Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai Officials
We, the undersigned, are concerned with the ongoing black market sales of endangered animal parts in your countries. We know that these sales are illegal, but we are concerned that light penalties and failure to police key trading areas allow these sales to continue.
Record numbers of rhinos were killed in South Africa last year and 200 tiger carcasses are found every year. Their parts are sold on the Asian black market as traditional medicine. No reputable studies show that these medicines have any effect on the ailments they're intended to treat.
Tens of thousands of elephants are killed illegally every year for their tusks, which are used to make decorative ivory items.
Black market traders are driving rhinos, elephants and tigers to extinction with each unnecessary kill. We urge you to improve law enforcement procedures and put an end to the illegal trade of endangered animal parts.
