On October 16-18, 2013, WCS conducted a training workshop for law enforcement officers of the China Customs in Guangzhou. A total of 46 officers have attended the event, receiving training on wildlife conservation and trade patterns. This event featured both Chinese and international experts delivering presentations and hands-on practice. Covered topics ranged from wildlife conservation regulations to the identification of commonly traded wild animals and wildlife products, including timber.
Wildlife trade continues to be viewed as the single greatest threat to many species across the globe. Currently, China is regarded to be one of the major importers of turtles, snakes, ivory, horns, tiger skins and bones, and pangolins. Guangzhou is the main terminal of such trade flows, which originate as close as neighbouring countries (pangolin, Saiga horn) and as far as Africa (rhino, elephant ivory).
Trainees practising on turtle species identification.
The Customs Bureau plays a crucial role in controlling wildlife smuggling given its role of gatekeeper. Several success cases have shown the relevant impact that law enforcement at this trade node potentially has, such as the seizure of 2090 dead pangolins and 1.8 ton of scales seized in Jiangmen city in July 2010. However, WCS believes that such cases represent only a minor fraction of the actual trade size, and investing in the efficiency of front-line officers is necessary in order to increase the effectiveness and impact of illegal wildlife trade law enforcement.
Trainees practising on wildlife species identification.
In the past four years, WCS has built strong relationships both with the General Administration of Customs (GAC), and its local bureaus in Beijing and Guangzhou. In a number of occasions we have been directly approached for technical consultations and capacity building initiatives. Building on these solid foundations, we have been able to deliver this ad hoc training workshop in Huangpu – the major river port of Guangzhou.
Trainees practising on wildlife species identification using WCS newly developed Wildlife Guardian mobile app.
Trainees practising on wildlife species identification.
Trainees practising on wildlife species identification.
Trainees practising on wildlife species identification.
Trainees practising on the identification of elephant ivory.
Trainees practising on the identification of rhino horn.
Scott Roberton (WCS) training Customs officer on the identification of ivory vs. plastic through the use of UV lights.
Trainees practising on the identification of elephant ivory.
The Wildlife Conservation Society would like to express its deepest gratitude to the Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden for its continued support to our training programs targeting South China law enforcement officers. This workshop was made possible also thanks to the collaboration of the Guangzhou Customs authority and the China CITES Management Authority.