Statistics released by the United Nation’s’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) showed that 1,215 rhinos were killed in South Africa in 2014. The number of rhinos killed for their rhino horn was a record high. 1,004 rhinos were poached and killed in South Africa in 2013. 668 were killed in 2012. 341… Continue reading Number of Rhinos Killed in South Africa in 2014
Category: Environmental Threats
News and information on various environmental issues Provides data and statistics on illegal wildlife smuggling, poaching, gas and oil smuggling and other illegal markets.
Price of Elephant Ivory in China in 2014
According to reports from wildlife organization Save the Elephants, the price for raw ivory in China was $2,100 per kilogram. Back in 2010, the price of the ivory was $750 per kilo. Between 2010 and 2012, up to 33,000 elephants were poached and killed on average each year. (See the price of elephants for sale… Continue reading Price of Elephant Ivory in China in 2014
Deforestation Rate in Indonesia Highest in the World
A study published in Nature reported that the deforestation rate in Indonesia is the highest in the world. Between 2000 and 2012, Indonesia lost 6.02 million hectares of forest due to logging and other clearing activities. According to the researchers from the University of Maryland, up to 40 percent of the deforestation in Indonesia was… Continue reading Deforestation Rate in Indonesia Highest in the World
Illegal Charcoal Smuggling and Revenue in Africa
According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme and Interpol, black market smuggling of charcoal across Africa causes losses up to $9 Billion a year across the continent, with governments losing at least $1.9 Billion in tax revenue. The value of the illegal charcoal trade in Africa is reportedly three times the amount… Continue reading Illegal Charcoal Smuggling and Revenue in Africa
Illegal Crab Poaching in Russia and Alaska
Security and intelligence officials in Russia estimate that over $700 Million worth of crab is illegally fished and poached from its waters each year. Most of the boats that poach crab from Russian waters are registered in Cambodia or Sierra Leone with its crew being from Russia. Most of the illegally caught crab is transported… Continue reading Illegal Crab Poaching in Russia and Alaska
Number of Elephants Killed by Poaching in 2013
Based on statistics released by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), there were at least 20,000 elephants killed world wide by poachers in 2013 for their ivory tusks. The number of elephants killed was slightly down from the 22,000 elephants killed in 2012 and the 25,000 poached in 2011. At the end… Continue reading Number of Elephants Killed by Poaching in 2013
Amount of Illegal Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Caught in 2013
Environmental authorities seized at least 186 tonnes of illegally fished bluefin tuna from the Atlantic in Italy, Spain and Tunisia in 2013, according to statistics released by the Pew Charitable Trust and MedReAct.org. Fishing boats from Italy accounted for 130 tonnes of the illegally fished tuna. In an example of the type of smuggling that… Continue reading Amount of Illegal Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Caught in 2013
Illegal Waste Smuggling in China in 2013
Security agencies in China confiscated 976,500 metric tons of illegal waste materials that was in the process of being smuggled, according to the Customs Department. The amount of waste material seized in 2013 was 150 percent higher than in 2012. The illegal waste was intercepted over the course of 221 cases, a threefold increase from… Continue reading Illegal Waste Smuggling in China in 2013
Illegal Coal Mining in Ukraine
According to an investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), there are around 2,500 illegal mining pits located across Ukraine. Most of the illegal “kopanki” pits are located in the Donbas region near Donetsk. Experts in the mining industry estimate that tens of thousands of illegal miners are working in these… Continue reading Illegal Coal Mining in Ukraine
Fuel Smuggling on the East Timor Border
Fuel smugglers in Indonesia are using motorcycles to smuggled subsidized fuel into East Timor, which does not receive government subsidies for its gasoline purchases. According to a report in the Jakarta Globe, smugglers quickly drive up to gas stations located in the Belu district of Timor. The smugglers cut in front of the line and… Continue reading Fuel Smuggling on the East Timor Border