According to a study released in March 2013, an estimated 100 Million sharks are being killed each year. Researchers attribute the biggest driver of shark fishing to the demand for shark fin soup. The soup is considered a luxury in China. Source: Matt McGrath, “Shark kills number 100 million annually, research says,” BBC News, March… Continue reading Estimated Number of Sharks Killed Each Year
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 Ivory as of March 2013
According to a report in the New York Times, a pound of ivory is selling for $1,300 in China as of March 2013. The value of the ivory is higher than the $900 per pound reported in October 2012. In 2011, a pound of ivory was selling for $270. (More illegal wildlife trade prices.) Source:… Continue reading Price of Ivory as of March 2013
Number of Animals Trafficked Each Year
Environmental protection agencies and wildlife charities estimate that up to 350 million specimens are illegal bought and sold on the black market each year. The entire illicit trade in wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth $19 Billion. Source: Damian Carrington, “People and animals at immediate risk from wildlife crime, Cites chief warns,” Guardian, March… Continue reading Number of Animals Trafficked Each Year
Illegal Cheetah Trade
According to statistics collected by the Cheetah Conservation Fund, 104 cheetahs were killed in 2012 due to trafficking activities in the illegal pet trade. Smugglers who attempt to sell cheetahs lack the proper equipment and training to safely move the animals, thus leading to 5 out of 6 cheetahs dying while in transit. Source: Laurie… Continue reading Illegal Cheetah Trade
Pacific Region Losses
According to a campaigner from Greenpeace, illegal fishing in the Pacific Ocean causes the region to lose up to $2 Billion (2 Billion Australian Dollars) every year. Up to one-third of the fishing activities that take place in the Pacific Ocean is believed to be either illegal or unregulated. Source: “Interpol moves to halt illegal… Continue reading Pacific Region Losses
Raw Ivory Tusks Seized in 2012
Wildlife protection officers and police around the world seized 5,259 raw ivory tusks during 13 raids, according to information from the WWF and wildlife monitoring organization Traffic. The WWF estimates that up to 30,000 elephants are killed by poachers in Africa each year in order to supply the ivory market. Source: “Yingluck to ‘consider’ ivory… Continue reading Raw Ivory Tusks Seized in 2012
Tax Evasion in the Philippines
An estimated $20 Billion a year is lost in tax revenue in the Philippines due to black market smuggling. Commodities such as petroleum, rice and fertilizer are among the items that avoid taxes. Source: Cai Ordinario, “‘PH loses $20-B to smuggling each year’,” Rappler, February 26, 2013.
Tibetan Antelope Wools Seizures in Nepal
Between January and February 2013, police in Nepal broke up a smuggling ring where they recovered 1,580 kilograms of Tibetan Antelope Wools. Police and wildlife officials estimate that at least 10,000 endangered Tibetan Antelopes were killed in order to produce that much wool. Source: “Nepal busts wild animal parts smuggling racket,” Gulf Times, February 22,… Continue reading Tibetan Antelope Wools Seizures in Nepal
Losses to the Oil Industry in Nigeria from Theft
The Government of Nigeria estimates that it is losing up to $6 Billion a year to oil theft and oil smuggling on the black market
Losses to Theft of Oil Equipment in West Texas
Count police in West Texas estimate that oil drillers in the area are losing equipment worth $20 Million a year to theft. Thieves steal drilling equipment and other items in order to resell the goods on the black market. Some of the equipment are brought over the border and sold in Mexico. Source: Dave Fehling,… Continue reading Losses to Theft of Oil Equipment in West Texas