In the accompanying article, Interpol agents describe him as one of the world’s biggest wildlife traffickers, a wiry Austrian who, on that day alone, admitted to smuggling wildlife worth more than $350,000. The multibillion-dollar wildlife trade is the primary reason for species extinction, according to a study by US and British scientists. He fell into trafficking rare birds by chance. Zillinger recalled the proposal: Smuggle birds back to Europe, your trips will be paid for, and you can keep some to breed. His former financier, who did not respond to requests for comment, was convicted under Austrian law of wildlife trafficking and trafficking in protected species and fined $43,200.

Source: bd News24 November 29, 2020 05:36 UTC