Latest news with #CITES
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
Man found with snakes hidden in chocolate boxes at Mumbai airport
A man from Tamil Nadu was recently apprehended at Mumbai Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle exotic snakes in the country. The accused identified as Goodman Linford Leo, who was trying to smuggle a total of 16 exotic snakes, was caught red handed by Mumbai Airport Customs on June 27 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the Times of India reported. The airport officials "suspicious of his movement" scanned his check-in baggage only to find five Albino Honduran milk snakes, two garter snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, a coastal banded California king snake, five rhinoceros rat snakes and an albino rat snake. These exotic species, identified by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, were concealed in 15 white cloth pouches tied with thread and rubber bands. To hide these pouches and deceive screening at checkpoints, the accused used chocolate boxes and old clothes. However, the officials grew sceptical of his uncanny moves through the green channel and stopped him for examination. According to custom officials, the accused planned to smuggle these beauties of the wild to sell them in the grey market, as per the report. He sought to exchange them of enormous amount of money that would have fetched him "several" lakhs. Although, neither of the above mentioned species is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) but import of these exotic snake species is illegal without documentation. Moreover, the accused confessed to smuggling them for financial gain. CITES refers to an international agreement between nations to regulates or bans the trade of threatened species. This convention came into force to control international trade in wild animals and plants. CITES seeks to ensure sustainable trade in wild animals and plants without compromising their existence. India, an active participant, complies with the need of permits and re-export certificates while exporting wild animals and plants.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Snakes on a plane! 16 stuffed in cloth pouches amid chocolates
1 2 Mumbai: A man hailing from Tamil Nadu who was allegedly trying to illegally smuggle in exotic snakes into the country was arrested at the city airport on Friday. The accused, Goodman Linford Leo, was intercepted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Mumbai Airport Customs after officials said that they grew "suspicious of his movement" while exiting through the green channel. Customs officials said they examined his check-in baggage, and found 15 white cloth pouches tied with thread and rubber bands, camouflaged among chocolates and old clothes. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai On opening the pouches, officials found live exotic snakes, which were later identified by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau as two garter snakes, five rhinoceros rat snakes, an albino rat snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, a coastal banded California king snake, and five Albino Honduran milk snakes. Officials said that the accused had smuggled these exotic snakes to sell them in the grey market which would have fetched them "several" lakhs. None of the species is listed under the CITES convention, but import without documentation is illegal. The accused admitted to having knowingly smuggled the reptiles for monetary gain, said officials.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Squirrel monkey smuggled from Malaysia seized at Trichy airport
Trichy: A squirrel monkey smuggled alive on a flight from Kuala Lumpur was seized at the Trichy airport on Friday night. Based on a tip, customs officials checked baggage and found the squirrel monkey in a box containing clothes. Forest officials said squirrel monkeys are not native to India and are commonly found in Central and South America. The species is listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The seized animal is healthy, a forest official said. Customs officials interrogated the passenger who smuggled the monkey. The passenger was later arrested and he was remanded in judicial custody on Saturday. The airport officials sent back the monkey to Malaysia.
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
EU proposes eel trade restriction despite opposition from Japan
The European Union on Friday proposed making all eel species, including the Japanese eel, subject to regulation under an international treaty to protect endangered species — a move that Japan opposes. The EU, along with the Dominican Republic, Panama and Honduras, submitted the proposal to the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. The proposal is aimed at putting fry, full-grown eels and processed eel products of all 18 species under regulation. CITES, also known as the Washington convention, lists animals and plants requiring protection in annexes on three levels depending on the degree of regulation. The EU and others seek to add all eel species to the second level. The proposal will be discussed among parties to the pact at a conference in Uzbekistan from November to December. If the proposal is approved, exporters will be obliged to issue permits based on scientific assessments, putting eels and processed products under stricter trade control. Japan, where eels are prized food, opposes the proposal. "There is no risk of eels becoming extinct due to international trade," a fisheries agency official has said. On Friday, agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi voiced deep regret over the situation, adding that his country will do everything it can to block the adoption of the proposal in cooperation with China and South Korea.
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
EU Proposes Eel Trade Restriction Despite Japan's Opposition
BRUSSELS (Jiji Press) — The European Union on Friday proposed making all eel species, including the Japanese eel, subject to regulation under an international treaty to protect endangered species, while Japan opposes the move. The EU, along with the Dominican Republic, Panama and Honduras, submitted the proposal to the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. The proposal is aimed at putting fry, full-grown eels and processed eel products of all 18 species under regulation. CITES, also known as the Washington convention, lists animals and plants requiring protection in annexes on three levels depending on the degree of regulation. The EU and others seek to add all eel species to the second level. The proposal will be discussed at a conference of the parties to the pact to be held in Uzbekistan from November to December. If the proposal is approved, exporters will be obliged to issue permits based on scientific assessments, putting eels and processed products under stricter trade control. Japan, where eels are prized food, opposes the proposal. A Fisheries Agency official has said, 'There is no risk of eels becoming extinct due to international trade.' On Friday, agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi voiced deep regret over the situation, adding that his country will do everything it can to block the adoption of the proposal in cooperation with China and South Korea.
