London a hotspot for wildlife crime

12/04/2007 00:00:00 November 2006. A major Metropolitan Police initiative against the illegal sale of endangered species in London’s Chinese medicine shops has been launched with the support of the Chinese community, the Greater London Authority and Britain’s leading wildlife charities. The new initiative will see a tough new focus on Chinese medicine practitioners selling goods that are made from, or even claim to be made from, endangered species. The launch is run under the banner of Operation Charm by the MET’s Wildlife Crime Unit.

Through a hard-hitting poster campaign, the MET and its Operation Charm partner organisations are aiming to raise awareness and stress the public responsibility not to purchase goods that may contain endangered species. The MET’s Wildlife Crime officers have been contacting businesses all over London with an Operation Charm Sticker Scheme, so that businesses can display a sticker supporting the campaign.

While most of London’s Chinese medicine retailers are reputable and do not sell illegal items, there is a growing market in products that are destroying some of the world’s most charismatic and endangered animals.

These include products made from tiger bone, rhino horn, bear bile, and musk. Largely as a result of illegal trade, there are now estimated to be fewer than 3,000 tigers left in the wild – down from an estimated 100,000 in 1900 – and, unbelievably, at least one per day is still being poached to satisfy the growing demand for tiger bone in Chinese medicine. Also, since 1970, 98% of the world’s black rhino have been killed due to demand for their horn – a trade driven by Chinese medicine.

Andy Fisher, head of the MET Police’s Wildlife crime unit said: ‘It is quite unacceptable that illegal acts in London are contributing to the decline of creatures like the tiger. In Operation Charm we aim to stop the illegal trade in these animals in London. Anyone who persists in doing so could spend 5 years in prison.’ Barry Gardiner, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs said ‘This operation sends a clear message to the criminals who seek to profit from trading in endangered species. Their activities will not be tolerated. They will be investigated, prosecuted, and punished. Operation Charm is an excellent example of partnership working between the police and other organisations. We can make an impact on wildlife crime only by continuing to work closely together.’

London’s Chinese community is fully supportive of the crackdown and the launch will be attended by Professor Bo-Ying Ma, President of The Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FTCM).

Professor Bo-Ying Ma said ‘The Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as the largest association of Chinese medicine practitioners, Chinese medicine wholesale companies and Chinese medicine clinic companies will endorse and definitely support the protection of endangered species. We are not utilising or selling such materials in any form.’

The campaign has the backing of Operation Charm’s partner organisations - the Greater London Authority, WWF-UK, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Active Conservation Awareness Programme and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has also added his weight to the campaign. He said: ‘I find it incredible that any one would want to buy a product containing endangered animals. It's not just illegal, it's sick and perverse. And don't think you can ease you conscience with ‘It was already dead’ or ‘It's old or second hand’. To purchase such goods is perpetuating and endorsing the market in killing species. Report any activity you think is linked to such revolting business.’

See www.operationcharm.org for further details.