The crack down on illegal wildlife trade

The consignment is seized; the passenger's passport retained; and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries contacted for verification and further action.

In point of fact these were genuine wild animal skins, including that of the snow leopard, one of the most endangered big cats in the world. The man from Afghanistan also carried other wild cat and bear skins, the commercial trade in which is prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The UAE became a signatory to CITES in 1990. It did so because the federal government had given priority to preservation and conservation of the environment. However, this ratification remained on paper only, as it was followed up by over a decade of virtual non-compliance.

That is now history. A dramatic shift in course took place when the UAE was suspended from the CITES trade partnership largely on account of its role in massive illegal caviar trade, as also in other endangered species such as falcon. The suspension, imposed in 2001-2002, was withdrawn in 2003.

Currently, compliance with CITES is commendable and there is an attempt towards rigorous implementation. Dr. Frederic Launay, Director, WWF UAE project office sums it up. "Certainly, what the UAE has done in such a short time is tremendous. From a member facing a trade suspension on account of non-implementation of the Convention, to being positioned among those member states having the best legislation and mechanism to implement CITES. Today, the UAE is one of the leading countries in terms of legal implementation of CITES," he enthuses.

The WWF UAE undertook a rapid survey of the 'mechanism' that Dr. Launay spoke of and found that systems are in place and functioning. The UAE systematically addresses CITES requirements - legal, administrative, scientific, enforcement, capacity building and awareness raising. Keeping in view the magnitude of trade, regulating commerce related to falcons, caviar, pets and certain wildlife products have received special attention.

A series of wildlife confiscations and seizures took place in the weeks that we, at the WWF, conducted our reconnaissance. None of these would have been possible were it not for the domestic legislation under which defaulters can be prosecuted. Federal Law No. 11 for 2002 Regulating and Controlling International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the by law of 2003 specifying roles and responsibilities of the various implementing agencies involved, are definitely in force and being used to good effect.

Government officials relevant to CITES enforcement have now been trained through a series of workshops organised by the WWF UAE in collaboration with the Geneva-based CITES Secretariat and the UAE government agencies responsible for the Convention's implementation - Federal Environmental Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Environmental Research and Wildlife development Agency (ERWDA).

Even future trainers, capable of training in Arabic language, have been identified. The WWF UAE has brought out several awareness publications on CITES and profiles of species most commonly traded through the UAE. In addition, a simple identification pictorial guide to species is currently being prepared by ERWDA, designated the UAE CITES Scientific Authority.

Falcons would, at one time, freely pass in and out of the country for falconry, despite this being against CITES regulations. During our survey, we learnt that the registration of birds and issue of falcon passports have now largely controlled such movement. Falcons bred in the UAE are also fitted with closed rings for identification. Simultaneously, illicit caviar trading has been regulated by the selection of five specific companies that are the only ones authorised to import caviar; and only among these permitted to re-export.

As far as pet shops are concerned, all those in Dubai have registered with the municipal authorities and are functioning under their supervision. While this is not entirely the case in Abu Dhabi, a similar move is on the cards.

So, what's left? "There is still much to be done," feels Dr. Launay. However, enhancing awareness on wildlife trade across the Emirates is considered of prime importance. Members of the public, customs, pet shop owners, tourists, consumers at large, as well as those government departments not directly linked with CITES, need to be sensitised about species lost on account of illegal trade.