Bangkok--16 Mar--ASEAN-WEN LEEO
Airline and airport staff in one of the world's most active wildlife trafficking hotspots are now better equipped to detect, report and combat wildlife crime. End of February 2016, Wildlife Friendly Skies workshop at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, more than 300 participants received training in identifying common smuggling methods and routes, signs of trafficking, effective first-response actions and examined real-life case studies.
Extensive criminal networks regularly move large volumes of illegal wildlife and wildlife products through global commercial transport systems – including flights and airports. Everything from individual tiger cubs stuffed in suitcases ivory tusks and rhino horns concealed in cargo containers pass through international boundaries routinely. Live reptiles, birds and small primates are often intercepted while being smuggled, invariably in cruel, inhumane conditions.
Participants at the Wildlife Friendly Skies workshop, including flight attendants, cargo handlers and customs officers, learned more about what they can do to combat this crime. Experienced instructors presented an in-depth, country-specific analysis of the trade, as well as tips on how to identify wildlife crime and criminals, and reporting tools. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a supporting partner of Wildlife Friendly Skies, and has facilitated the training of transport staff from Africa to Asia.
Mr.Vatanarak Suranartyuth, Director of ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network Law Enforcement Extension Office (ASEAN-WEN LEEO) said "Wildlife Friendly Skies is a training course for employees of commercial airlines on how to stop wildlife trafficking. A significant amount of the wildlife traded around the world travels on commercial flights. This includes both legal and illegal trade. Transport of illegal wildlife can be extremely cruel and mortality rates are high when animals are treated as luggage.Proper training for employees of commercial airlines will help stop wildlife trafficking".
Wildlife Friendly Skies is part of the ASEAN-WEN LEEO and Asia's Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking program, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).