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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th February 2012
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Crackdown on illegal tiger trade
13 nations to tighten controls

Delegates of policing and customs enforcement organisations from 13 nations have agreed to improve cross-border co-operation and tighten controls after a two-day meeting in Bangkok. The seminar, hosted by the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and organised by Interpol, was attended by 26 senior officials from the world's leading criminal justice organisations and delegates from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Delegates also took the opportunity to formally endorse Project Predator, an Interpol-led effort to counter tiger smuggling. The project, which was launched in November 2011, has the stated objectives of:
  • Organising collaborative, high-level international efforts to improve political will to tackle the problem of illegal trade in tiger parts.
  • Transforming politicians' will to act into tangible support from government departments and agencies.
  • Training enforcement officers in the necessary skills.
Delegates resolved to build on the efforts of a previous high-profile summit in St Petersburg in 2010, in  which a pledge was given to protect tiger habitats, address illegal trade, tackle poaching and fund the plan. Commenting, CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon said "[Our efforts to fight tiger crime] must not just result in seizures - they must result in prosecutions, convictions and strong penalties to stop the flow of contraband."

Also present was Interpol's Executive Director of Police Services, Jean-Michel Louboutin, who observed that "This important seminar has highlighted the environmental crime challenges facing senior law enforcement officers, and the need for enhanced international co-operation. Criminals cannot prosper from abusing our shared national heritage."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.