Online wildlife traders are operating so brazenly, that they even trade in critically endangered animals such as pangolins, using local express buses as part of their delivery network. Text messages from an online wildlife trader, who takes orders and arranges for delivery of wildlife without ever coming in contact with the animal itself. Critically endangered animals like these and the pangolin are usually the domain of wildlife trafficking syndicates, who smuggle wildlife across borders to countries where they can fetch higher profits. “These online traders are different from the syndicates, ” said Dr Pazil. Photo by Elroi Yee / R.AGE“Trying to catch these online wildlife traders is like trying to catch a shadow, ” said Elizabeth John, Senior Communications Officer of Traffic.

Source: The Star December 09, 2019 23:34 UTC