The operation, codenamed Cobra II, was co-organized by China, the United States, South Africa, the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF), the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network and the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network, along with the support of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the World Customs Organization and Interpol.

The global crackdown focused on key species that are subject to illegal trade and achieved “excellent” results, according to John E. Scanlon, Secretary General of the CITES.

Huge success

Operation Cobra II led to the conclusion of more than 350 cases and the arrest of over 400 suspects. Seized illegal animal products included more than 3 tons of raw ivory and ivory products, 1,000-plus hides, 36 rhino horns and a large number of other wildlife products, according to the China Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office.

In total, 28 countries were involved in the operation, while the first Cobra operation, launched a year earlier, involved 22 countries. “Six more countries were involved this year, resulting in even greater cooperation,” said Wan Ziming, Director of the Law Enforcement Department with the China Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office.

According to Wan, China played a leading role in carrying out Operation Cobra II. China’s forestry, customs, police, judiciary and quarantine authorities assigned more than 100,000 staff on the operation, and uncovered over 200 cases involving more than 250 suspects, which ended up accounting for more than half of all cases cracked.

For the first time, China sent enforcement staff to Kenya to arrest a man suspected of ivory trafficking and to host lectures on wildlife protection.

“The success of Operation Cobra II came from the coordination, cooperation and intelligence generated to combat wildlife crime syndicates,” said Bonaventure Ebayi, Director of the LATF. The task force is an intergovernmental organization with the main function of facilitating cooperative activities in and amongst the party states to the Lusaka Agreement. These involve carrying out investigations on violations of national laws pertaining to illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.

Ebayi added, “As much as the seizures of contraband were welcomed, the real impact was in the intelligence gained, networks developed and the number of investigations, arrests and prosecution of the suspects behind these illegal shipments.”

Edward Grace, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, said that the operation sent a powerful message to poachers and smugglers across the globe, and that the world’s endangered wildlife and plant resources are not theirs for the taking.

“Only as global partners can we protect the world’s wildlife,” Grace said.

Senior superintendent Uttam Kumar Karkee of the Nepal police said that this operation has proved itself as an excellent model for fighting transnational crime.

Stopping trafficking

“This second Operation Cobra initiative shows what can be achieved when law enforcement authorities across range, transit and destination states work together in a coordinated manner. It also serves to highlight that intelligence-led operations are essential in the fight against transnational organized wildlife crime,” Scanlon said.

Wildlife is the world’s fourth most smuggled item, after drugs, counterfeit goods and human trafficking.

“Leaving aside timber and marine products, it is estimated that the annual value of the illegal wildlife trade is up to $20 billion and it has often been regarded as a high-profit low-risk crime - although this is starting to change as states recognize its negative economic, social and environmental impacts,” Scanlon said at the International Wildlife Trafficking Symposium held in London on February 11-12.

According to China Daily, every year, about $1 billion worth of python skins are smuggled from Southeast Asia into Europe, to meet the needs of the luxury goods industry.

At least 5 percent of the wild rhinos and elephants in Africa are killed for their horns and ivory every year, usually to meet demand in Asia. On top of this, wild animals are often smuggled out of their habitats to be kept as pets.

“Wildlife trafficking is now more organized, lucrative, widespread and dangerous than ever before. We need strong partnerships to fight the global problem of illicit wildlife trafficking,” Wan said.

China is a major destination for ivory, rhino horns, pangolin scales, as well tiger and leopard products. In China, ivory has traditionally been used in the carving of exquisite sculptures and ornaments. Rhino horns, pangolin scales and tiger bones are prized ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. Leopard fur is loved for its attractive pattern and opulent status.

To regulate trade in wildlife, China joined the CITES in 1981. The convention aims to prevent international trade from threatening the survival of wild flora and fauna.

Today, CITES regulates international trade is close to 35,000 species of plants and animals, including their products and derivatives, according to the convention’s website.

After signing the convention, China has made significant progress in its wildlife protection efforts. In 1988, China’s Law on the Protection of Wildlife went into effect. That year, China made it illegal to kill or sell 256 species of wild animals.

Border patrol and customs officers actively clamp down on wildlife trafficking. In addition, the government has also tackled the problem online.

“During the 30 plus years since joining the convention, China has actively fulfilled its responsibilities and participated in international cooperation, and played an important role in wildlife protection and trade regulation,” Scanlon said at the 16th meeting of the CITES’ Conference of the Parties in Bangkok, Thailand, last March.

Zhang Jianlong, Director of the National Interagency CITES Enforcement Collaborative Group and Deputy Director of the State Forestry Administration, said that China will continue to cooperate with other countries to strengthen wildlife protection and thoroughly fulfil its international obligations.

 

Participants of Operation Cobra II (In alphabetical order)

Botswana, Brunei- Darussalam, Burundi, Cambodia, China including Hong Kong SAR, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe