Rivera Shannon N, Knight Andrew, McCulloch Steven P
Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK.
Animals (Basel). 2021 Feb 8;11(2):439. doi: 10.3390/ani11020439.
Increased focus on the illegal global wildlife trade has resulted in greater numbers of live animals confiscated by authorities, increasing the need to manage these animals responsibly. Most wildlife seizures take place in Southeast Asia, with global demand for live animals fuelling much of the trafficking. Guidelines for the 'disposal' of live specimens are provided by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), although individual Parties must implement provisions through national laws and regulations. 'Disposal' is the term used for the management of illegally traded wildlife upon confiscation. Confiscated live animals can be euthanised (i.e., killed), repatriated to their native country and released, or kept in captivity. This study investigates barriers to proper care and disposal of confiscated live animals in Southeast Asia, where roughly one quarter of the global multibillion dollar illegal wildlife trade takes place. Interviews were conducted with 18 professionals working within conservation, wildlife crime, and confiscated live animal management. Eight limitations to the proper care and disposal of confiscated wildlife were identified: (1) political will, (2) policy, (3) funding, (4) capacity, (5) expertise (6) attitudes and behaviours, (7) exploitation, and (8) corruption. Based on interviews, we propose seven key reforms to support the efficient and humane management of illegally traded wildlife for national authorities and CITES parties. These are wildlife seizure management, legislative support, enhanced political will, demand reduction, global participation, registry of rescue centres, and terminology change. This research highlights major barriers to the proper care and disposal of live confiscated animals and proposes key reforms to improve the conservation of threatened species and the welfare of millions of illegally traded animals.
对全球非法野生动物贸易的关注度不断提高，导致当局没收的活体动物数量增加，因此更有必要对这些动物进行妥善管理。大多数野生动物缉获行动发生在东南亚，全球对活体动物的需求助长了大部分非法交易。《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》（CITES）提供了关于活体标本“处置”的指导方针，不过各缔约国必须通过国家法律法规来实施相关规定。“处置”是指没收后对非法交易野生动物的管理方式。被没收的活体动物可以被安乐死（即杀死）、遣返回原产国并放生，或者圈养起来。本研究调查了东南亚在妥善照料和处置被没收活体动物方面存在的障碍，全球非法野生动物贸易规模达数十亿美元，其中约四分之一发生在东南亚。研究人员采访了18位从事保护、野生动物犯罪及被没收活体动物管理工作的专业人士。研究确定了妥善照料和处置被没收野生动物存在的八个限制因素：（1）政治意愿；（2）政策；（3）资金；（4）能力；（5）专业知识；（6）态度和行为；（7）剥削；（8）腐败。基于访谈结果，我们为各国政府部门和CITES缔约国提出了七项关键改革措施，以支持对非法交易野生动物进行高效且人道的管理。这些措施包括野生动物缉获管理、立法支持、增强政治意愿、减少需求、全球参与、救援中心登记以及术语变更。本研究突出了妥善照料和处置被没收活体动物的主要障碍，并提出了关键改革措施，以改善对濒危物种的保护以及数百万非法交易动物的福利。
