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London trader
prosecuted for selling endangered species fur coats
Wildlife groups say the conviction of a
fur dealer for selling coats made from endangered cat species
highlights the value of London's wildlife crime unit.
Michael Moosah, 65, of Camden, North London,
was found guilty yesterday at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court
of keeping for sale coats made from the skins of endangered species
including leopard, ocelot and even one made from tiger. Magistrates
imposed a fine of £900 and ordered him to pay £47
towards costs.
This comes at a time when London's Wildlife
Crime Unit is threatened with being reduced by half due to budget
cuts. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that they may cut
two of the four roles within the unit after April 2008.
The confiscated skins were found to have
been made from tiger, leopard and ocelot skins, which are subject
to trade controls under the provisions of the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK, says:
"This seizure highlights London's thriving illegal trade
in items made from the skins of some of the world's most endangered
species. It is also a testament to the vital work of the Met's
Wildlife Crime Unit in tackling the black market in goods derived
from protected animals and successfully prosecuting those responsible
for maintaining this gruesome trade."
He continues: "However, this essential
crime fighting unit is facing losses due to policing budget cuts
which we believe would be disastrous for the future of thousands
of endangered animals. Wildlife criminals would be able to operate
freely across London, with little fear of prosecution, allowing
this illegal trade to thrive and further escalate."
Following a tip off, officers from the Metropolitan
Police Wildlife Crime Unit and Camden Borough seized eight fur
coats from the dealer's premises on Thursday 2 November 2006.
"This conviction is great news but
the penalty does not seem to reflect the severity of the crime,"
said Heather Sohl, wildlife trade officer for WWF. "Wildlife
trade is driving many species to the brink of extinction and London
plays a big part in fuelling this illegal trade. We need dedicated
police support and tough sentences to deter wildlife criminals."
Other goods seized by the Wildlife Crime
Unit include items made from rhinos, bears, elephants, reptiles
and musk deer. As well as prosecuting wildlife criminals and running
crime prevention campaigns, the unit serves as a model for enforcement
officials in China, India and other countries with problematic
trade in wildlife. Investigations into wildlife crime often uncover
other criminal activities, including drugs and organised crime.
Last November, Operation Charm - a partnership
between the Wildlife Crime Unit, the Greater London Authority
and NGOs* - was re-launched to crack down on illegal wildlife
trade. A number of seizures and prosecutions have already been
made by the Wildlife Crime Unit under the initiative.
Notes
CITES is an international agreement which
has been signed by 171 countries. It bans commercial trade in
the world's most endangered species and strictly controls trade
in many others. Tigers and leopards are among the species banned
from commercial trade.
Operation Charm was launched by the Metropolitan
Police in 1995. It is the only current police initiative against
the illegal trade in endangered species in the UK and uses a combination
of law enforcement and publicity in London.
In 2006, Operation Charm became a partnership
between the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit, the Greater
London Authority, *the Active Conservation Awareness Programme
(ACAP), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), WWF-UK
and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF).
There are believed to be less than 5,000
tigers left in the wild. Poaching for trade of their skin and
bones is the main threat to their survival, with habitat destruction,
loss of prey and conflict with local people exacerbating the situation.
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
You can also help by becoming a member
of DSWF. Click here for more information
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