Wildlife crime profound threat to nations, says report

 

 
A tiger cub rescued from smugglers in Thailand en route to China
 

The global illegal trade in wildlife

is worth $19bn (£12bn) a year and is threatening the stability of some

governments according to new research.

Carried out for conservation group WWF, a report highlights a "new wave" of

organised wildlife crime by armed groups operating across borders.

It says funds from trafficking are being used to finance civil conflicts.

The study comes as Malaysian officials captured about 20 tonnes of ivory in one of the

biggest seizures ever made.

“The bloody ivory trade has reached new heights of destruction and depravity in 2012”

Will Travers Born Free Foundation

According to Jim Leape, WWF International director

general, the report underlines the fact that wildlife crime has escalated

drastically over the past decade and now posed a greater threat than

ever.

Armed by ivory

 
A tiger testicle, described by   

the WWF as of dubious authenticity, on sale in Bangkok