Fauna in Burma
Websites/Multiple Documents
| Title: | | Birma Club Switzerland |
| Description/subject: | | "The Club exists to:
* protect, preserve and promote the breeding and care of Birman Cats
* provide authoritative and reliable information about the breed and their upbringing and care
* promote collaboration and respect between its members
* promote the well-being of cats in general...
The Club shall achieve these aims by:
* organizing gatherings and related special events of owners and breeders of Birman Cats and of cat lovers in general, both at home and abroad
* facilitating exchange of information and views by organizing Birman breeders meetings; such exchanges may include, but not be limited to sicknesses and anomalies
* defining and promoting a code of ethics and standards with regard to the breeding, care and sale of Birman Cats
* loyalty and fairness
* active use of the internet with litter announcements, breeder announcements, and general information..." |
| Language: | | English, French, Francais, German, Deutsch |
| Source/publisher: | | Birma Club Switzerland |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 06 July 2003 |
|
| Title: | | Search results for "Myanmar" on the Traffick website |
| Description/subject: | | "TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature"...85 results for Myanmar (February 2009) |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Traffick |
| Format/size: | | html, pdf |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.traffic.org/home/ |
| Date of entry/update: | | 04 February 2009 |
|
Individual Documents
| Title: | | Tyrants, Tycoons and Tigers |
| Date of publication: | | 25 August 2010 |
| Description/subject: | | Summary: "A bitter land struggle is unfolding in northern Burma’s remote Hugawng
Valley. Farmers that have been living for generations in the valley are
defying one of the country’s most powerful tycoons as his company
establishes massive mono-crop plantations in what happens to be the
world’s largest tiger reserve.
The Hukawng Valley Tiger Reserve in Kachin State was declared by
the Myanmar* Government in 2001 with the support of the US-based
Wildlife Conservation Society. In 2004 the reserve’s designation was
expanded to include the entire valley of 21,890 square kilometers
(8,452 square miles), making it the largest tiger reserve in the world.
Today a 200,000 acre mono-crop plantation project is making a
mockery of the reserve’s protected status. Fleets of tractors, backhoes,
and bulldozers rip up forests, raze bamboo groves and fl atten existing
small farms. Signboards that mark animal corridors and “no hunting
zones” stand out starkly against a now barren landscape; they are all
that is left of conservation efforts. Application of chemical fertilizers
and herbicides together with the daily toil of over two thousand
imported workers are transforming the area into huge tapioca, sugar
cane, and jatropha plantations.
In 2006 Senior General Than Shwe, Burma’s ruling despot, granted the
Rangoon-based Yuzana Company license to develop this “agricultural
development zone” in the tiger reserve. Yuzana Company is one of
Burma’s largest businesses and is chaired by U Htay Myint, a
prominent real estate tycoon who has close connections with the junta.
Local villagers tending small scale farms in the valley since before it
was declared a reserve have seen their crops destroyed and their lands
confi scated. Confl icts between Yuzana Company employees, local
authorities, and local residents have fl ared up and turned violent several
times over the past few years, culminating with an attack on residents
of Ban Kawk village in 2010. As of February 2010, 163 families had
been forced into a relocation site where there is little water and few
fi nished homes. Since then, through further threats and intimidation,
* The current military regime changed the country’s name to Myanmar in 1989
1
others families have been forced to take “compensation funds” which
are insuffi cient to begin a new life and leave them destitute.
Despite the powerful interests behind the Yuzana project, villagers have
been bravely standing up to protect their farmlands and livelihoods.
They have sent numerous formal appeals to the authorities, conducted
prayer ceremonies, tried to reclaim their fi elds, refused to move, and
defended their homes.
The failure of various government offi cials to reply to or resolve the
problem fi nally led the villagers to reach out to the United Nations and
the National League for Democracy in Burma. In March 2010 representatives
of three villages fi led written requests to the International Labor
Organization to investigate the actions of Yuzana. In July 2010, over
100 farmers opened a joint court case in Kachin State.
Although the villagers in Yuzana’s project area have been ignored at every
turn, they remain determined to seek a just solution to the problems in
Hugawng. As Burma’s military rulers prepare for their 2010 “election,”
local residents hold no hope for change from a new constitution that
only legalizes the status quo and the military’s placement above the
law. Companies such as Yuzana that have close military connections are
set to play an increasing role in the economy and will also remain above
the law. The residents of Hugawng Valley are thus at the frontline of
protecting not only their own lands and environment but also the rights
of all of Burma’s farmers.
The Kachin Development Networking Group stands fi rmly with
these communities and therefore calls on Yuzana to stop their project
implementation to avoid any further citizens’ rights abuses and calls on
all Kachin communities and leaders to work together with Hugawng
villagers in their brave struggle." |
| Language: | | English and the other EU languages |
| Source/publisher: | | Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) |
| Format/size: | | pdf (2.6MB) |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.aksyu.com/images/stories/tyrants_tycoons_n_tigers.jpg |
| Date of entry/update: | | 25 August 2010 |
|
| Title: | | "Undercurrents" Issue 3 |
| Date of publication: | | April 2009 |
| Description/subject: | | this issue focuses on how the expanding influence of Chinese interests in the Golden Triangle region, from rubber plantations to wildlife trading, is bringing rapid destructive changes to local communities. There are also articles on opium cultivation, mining operations, the mainstream Mekong dams in China, and unprecedented flooding downstream.....
Mekong Biodiversity Up for Sale:
A new hub of wildlife trade and a network of direct buyers from China is hastening the pace of species loss...
Rubber Mania:
Scrambling to supply China, can ordinary farmers benefit?...
Drug Country:
Another opium season in eastern Shan State sees increased cultivation, mulitple cropping and a new form of an old drug...
Construction Steams Ahead:
A photo essay from the Nouzhadu Dam, one of the eight planned on the mainstream Mekong in China...
Digging for Riches:
An update on mining operations in eastern Shan State...
Washed Out:
Unprecedented flooding wreaks havoc in the Golden Triangle. |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Lahu National Development Organization (LNDO) |
| Format/size: | | pdf (3.6MB) |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs07/undercurrentsissue3.pdf |
| Date of entry/update: | | 11 April 2009 |
|
| Title: | | Rats and Kyats: Bamboo Flowering Causes a Hunger Belt in Chin State, Burma |
| Date of publication: | | 30 July 2008 |
| Description/subject: | | "The bamboo species Melocanna baccifera blossoms approximately every 48 years. This type of bamboo grows throughout a large area of Northeast India (primarily in Mizoram and Manipur States) as well as regions of Burma (mainly Chin State) and Bangladesh (Hill Tracts.) It densely covers valleys and hillsides in the rugged terrain of the region. The blossoming bamboo produces fruit, then dies off. During the fruiting stage of the cycle, forest rats feed on the bamboo fruits/seeds. Once the population of rats has stripped the forest of bamboo fruit/seeds, rat swarms invade farms and villages to devour crops and stored rice. This phenomenon, known as the Mautam, has historically resulted in mass starvation among indigenous peoples of the region where Melocanna baccifera bamboo grows. While the current Mautam bamboo/rat cycle as it affects Northeast India has been covered by journalists, and food aid is being provided there and in the Bangladesh Hill Tracts, the Mautam crisis across the borders in Burma is less well known. In Burma's Chin State, local groups are attempting to provide aid, but there is not yet a large scale organized relief effort in the Mautam affected areas.
The Project Maje resource report, "Rats and Kyats" is intended for journalists, aid workers and other researchers who may become interested in the bamboo/rat cycle as it affects Burma. News stories and documents are reproduced or linked in it, and there is also a links list of background information on the bamboo/rat cycle as it affects Mizoram, Manipur and Bangladesh." |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Project Maje |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 30 July 2008 |
|
| Title: | | Goodbye to the Butterflies |
| Date of publication: | | March 2008 |
| Description/subject: | | How greedy loggers are destroying Mount Popa’s natural wonders...
"First it was the tigers. Then came the fish of Burma’s rivers and polluted Inle Lake. Now Burma is losing its butterflies.
Mount Popa, in the Myin Gyan District of Mandalay Division, is an extinct volcano best known as the revered abode of spirits known as nats and a nationally famous place of pilgrimage. Less well-known is its importance as the habitat of some of the world’s rarest butterflies, including the beautiful Shwe Hnget Taung (biological name: Taoides aceacus).
A Burmese Forest Ministry report in 1982 listed around 100 species of butterfly on Mount Popa. This number had dropped to 60 when Mount Popa’s Environment and Wild Animals Conservation Department conducted a survey in 2000. Seven years later, researchers found only 32—and no Shwe Hnget Taung..." |
| Author/creator: | | Kyi Wai |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | "The Irrawaddy" Vol. 16, No. 3 |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 27 April 2008 |
|
| Title: | | Elephant and Ivory Trade in Myanmar |
| Date of publication: | | 2008 |
| Description/subject: | | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
"Myanmar has been a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1997. Illegal trade in ivory and other Asian Elephant Elephas maximus
products remains widespread, especially in markets along Myanmar's international borders. In 2006,
TRAFFIC surveyed 14 markets in Myanmar and three border markets in Thailand and China, and
found some 9000 pieces of ivory and 16 whole tusks for sale, representing the ivory of an estimated
116 bulls. Illegal killing and capture of elephants for trade continues to be a major cause of decline for
Myanmar's wild Asian Elephant populations. Ivory and other elephant parts are routinely smuggled
out of Myanmar in contravention of the Protection of Wildlife and Wild Plants and Conservation of
Natural Areas Law (State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No.583/94.1994), suggesting a
serious lack of law enforcement and a blatant disregard for international conventions and national laws.
The fact that retail dealers openly display ivory and other elephant parts, and rarely hesitate in
disclosing smuggling techniques and other illegal activities with potential buyers, further highlights
that effective law enforcement is lacking. The observed and reported levels of cross-border trade
indicate that neighbouring countries, especially China and Thailand, also have enforcement problems,
and that illegal international trade is frequently carried out with minimal risk of detection.
In addition to trade in ivory, TRAFFIC documents reports of some 250 live Asian Elephants being
exported from Myanmar to neighbouring countries in the last ten years; this is mostly to supply the
demand of tourist locations in neighbouring Thailand. It is important to note that no cross-border
exports or imports of live elephants have been reported to CITES by either Myanmar or Thailand.
Based on observations and discussions with interviewees, the capture of live elephants may be at such
a rate that it is also having a negative impact on wild populations..." |
| Author/creator: | | Chris R. Shepherd, Vincent Nijman |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | TRAFFIC Southeast Asia |
| Format/size: | | pdf (1.34MB) |
| Date of entry/update: | | 04 February 2009 |
|
| Title: | | THE WILD CAT TRADE IN MYANMAR |
| Date of publication: | | 2008 |
| Description/subject: | | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
"A total of 1320 wild cat parts, representing an absolute minimum of 1158 individual animals were observed
during 12 surveys carried out in Myanmar (formerly Burma) between 1991 and 2006. These parts
represented all eight species of wild cats found in Myanmar.
Under Myanmar's Protection of Wild Life and Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Law (State
Law and Order Restoration Council Law No.583/94.1994) only five of eight species of native wild cats are
protected. Large numbers of parts from totally protected cat species were observed openly displayed for
sale during these surveys. Protected species (Tiger Panthera tigris, Leopard P. pardus, Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosa, Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata, Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii) were
offered in similar numbers as non-protected species (Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverinnus, Leopard Cat
P. bengalensis, Jungle Cat Felis chaus), but species that are globally threatened are offered in
significantly larger numbers than non-threatened species. This, and the frankness of the dealers, suggests
a serious lack of enforcement effort to prevent this illegal trade, and highlights the threat that trade poses
to already threatened species.
Three of the four markets surveyed were situated on international borders, catering to international buyers.
Myanmar is a signatory to the Convention on international Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), prohibiting any cross-border trade of cat species (including their parts and derivatives)
listed in CITES Appendix I, and requiring permits for export of species listed in Appendix II. Dealers
openly acknowledge that the trade is illegal and give suggestions on how to smuggle these contraband
wildlife products across borders. No dealers indicated that they were able to trade any of these specimens
legally. According to the CITES trade database managed by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre
(WCMC), no cats of any species have been legally exported from Myanmar since becoming a Party to the
Convention in 1997..." |
| Author/creator: | | Chris R. Shepherd, Vincent Nijman |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA |
| Format/size: | | pdf (1.1MB) |
| Date of entry/update: | | 04 February 2009 |
|
| Title: | | Myanmar Investment Opportunities in Biodiversity Conservation |
| Date of publication: | | November 2005 |
| Description/subject: | | Due in part to decades of economic and political isolation, Myanmar supports some of the most intact natural habitats and species communities remaining in the "Indo-Myanmar Hotspot", as well as many endemic and globally threatened species. It represents a unique opportunity to invest in a country at a stage when it is still possible to avoid the patterns of degradation and loss of natural ecosystems that have been witnessed elsewhere in south and Southeast Asia. This document is based upon the results of two stakeholder workshops held in Yangon in 2003 and 2004 when over 30 stakeholders from NGOs, academic institutions, government institutions and donor agencies attempted to reach multi-stakeholder consensus on geographic, taxonomic and thematic priorities for biodiversity conservation in Myanmar. It identifies biological targets set by these stakeholders for 144 globally threatened species in Myanmar and sets out 76 key biodiversity areas (KBAs) and 15 conservation corridors that link many of these sites in order to facilitate long-term conservation of the country's threatened species. The text is mainly English in but there is a useful introduction in Burmese. Excellent illustrations, charts, tables maps. Unfortunately, the online version omits the final segment of the original printed version. |
| Author/creator: | | Andrew W Tordoff, Jonathan C. Eames, Karin Eberhardt, Michael C. Baltzer, Peter Davidson, Peter Leimgruber, U Uga, U Aung Than |
| Language: | | Mainly in English with an introduction in Burmese |
| Source/publisher: | | Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund; Bird Life International in Indochina; UNDP |
| Format/size: | | pdf (3.0 MB) |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/biodiv.pdf |
| Date of entry/update: | | 05 September 2006 |
|
| Title: | | Myanmar zoologist addresses bat research meet in Poland |
| Date of publication: | | 12 September 2004 |
| Description/subject: | | "A ZOOLOGIST from Myanmar gave a presentation at the 13th International Bat Research Conference held in Mikolajki, Poland, from August 23-27.
Dr Mar Mar Thi, a professor at the Zoology Department of the University of Distance Education (Yangon), gave a presentation titled Bat Research in the Department of Zoology of Yangon University of Myanmar..." |
| Author/creator: | | Ba Saing |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Myanmar Times |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 09 October 2004 |
|
| Title: | | MITHUNS SACRIFICED TO GREED -
The Forest Ox of Burma's Chins |
| Date of publication: | | February 2004 |
| Description/subject: | | "This report is a brief summary of information about the mithun, a type of domesticated bovine found in the Himalayan foothills of South/Southeast Asia, particularly addressing its situation in the Chin State of Burma. The spelling "mithun" (accurate in terms of pronunciation) is used here for the bovine species Bos frontalis, although "mithan" is also a common spelling, and "mythun" is another spelling in use. This name probably came from Assamese dialects. The Chin people, one of the Zo ethnic groups, who live in western Burma, call these animals "sia." Mithuns are also known as "gayals" in India.
This report is by no means a comprehensive or scientific document on mithuns. It is inspired by accounts of mithun confiscation and commercialization of mithun raising in the Chin State. It is intended as an alert about the present situation of this particular mammal in this particular area. Under Burma's military dictatorship, the Chin people have been subjected to numerous human rights violations, including religious persecution. Most Chins are Christians, with Animist traditions. Their relationship to the mithun has strong elements of remaining Animist culture. The Chins' mountain forest environment has been in jeopardy in recent years, as Burma's military regime carries out logging and unsustainable harvest of forest products, and promotes plantation agriculture..." |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Project Maje |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 06 April 2004 |
|
| Title: | | On The Wild Side |
| Date of publication: | | June 2003 |
| Description/subject: | | "Preserving Burma’s forests and wildlife is a pursuit that goes beyond politics...
On his first expedition into the forests of northern Burma, Alan Rabinowitz and his team traveled 100 miles down the Chindwin River and then hiked for several days into the heart of Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary. There he began to hunt for signs of tigers, elephants, and the rare Sumatran rhino. Like many conservationists, he believed that Burma’s forests contain Southeast Asia’s healthiest wildlife populations. But he found Htamanthi’s forests strangely empty.
The next day his team met two Lisu hunters who admitted that they came each year for wildlife parts—tiger bones, bear gall bladders, even rhino horns before the animal disappeared—to sell to Chinese traders. "That’s indicative of what’s going on across the country," Rabinowitz says, as he sits down for an interview outside a camp shelter in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park. "Despite the beautiful amounts of forest, the wildlife is getting hammered."..." |
| Author/creator: | | Chris Tenove |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | "The Irrawaddy" vol. 11, No. 5 |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 18 September 2003 |
|
| Title: | | A NATIONAL TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR THE UNION OF MYANMAR |
| Date of publication: | | May 2003 |
| Description/subject: | | In 1999, the Myanmar Forest Department commissioned a study to determine the current status and distribution of tigers, and formulate an updated national strategy for their future management and conservation. The document ?A National Tiger Action Plan for the Union of Myanmar? is the end product of a three-year program conducted jointly by the Myanmar Forest Department and the Wildlife Conservation Society with funding from the US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and ExxonMobile?s ?Save The Tiger Fund?. The Plan details what is needed to save Myanmar?s tigers from extinction and so provides a valuable prospectus for future conservation. It will become a part of the Myanmar forest policy for recovery of the species. U Shwe Kyaw: Director-General, Forest Department, Myanmar Ministry of Forestry |
| Author/creator: | | Antony J. Lynam Ph.D |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Wildlife Conservation Society & Myanmar Forest Department, Ministry of Forestry, Myanmar |
| Format/size: | | pdf (3.28MB), html |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.wcs.org/international/Asia/hukaungvalley/myanmarNTAP?preview=&psid=&ph=class%3DAWC-14877... |
| Date of entry/update: | | 08 January 2005 |
|
| Title: | | INTERIM REPORT OF BURMA'S TIGER SURVEY |
| Date of publication: | | 27 February 2002 |
| Description/subject: | | This report, originally published in 2000, describes the first two years of the tiger survey in Burma that eventually resulted in the formulation of the National Tiger Action Plan. It contains valuable details and attachments not found in the final report of the three year study. |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Windlife conservation Society & Ministry of Forestry,Myanmar |
| Format/size: | | pdf (454KB) |
| Date of entry/update: | | 08 January 2005 |
|
| Title: | | BUDDHISM AND DEEP ECOLOGY FOR PROTECTION OF WILD ASIAN ELEPHANTS IN MYANMAR: A RESOURCE GUIDE |
| Date of publication: | | 2002 |
| Description/subject: | | Keywords: Burmese elephants, Burma.
I. THE ASIAN ELEPHANT:
A. Cultural;
B. Ecological and Conservation Issues;
C. Conservation Measures...
II. BUDDHISM AND DEEP ECOLOGY:
A. Need for Spiritual Approach;
B. Buddhism;
C. Deep Ecology;
D. Wildlife (poaching);
E. Forest Protection (D and E are considered the two major elephant threats)...
III. DHAMMA/ECOLOGY GLOSSARY...
IV. APPENDIX: DHAMMA/DEEP ECOLOGY EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES...
"
Dr. Henning’s resource guide, which combines Buddhist principles and Asian elephant
conservation in Myanmar, is an innovative approach to Asian elephant conservation. I
have never seen someone with a biological background such as Dr. Henning’s attempt
this approach in such a clear, concise manner. I found the resource guide to be an
excellent potential teaching tool not only for Myanmar but also for any Buddhist country
in which elephant conservation is an issue.
I could easily envision this guide as the first in a series of written materials that deals
with such conservation issues, perhaps beyond elephants. I would think that any
individuals or agencies interested in conserving Asian elephants would be interested in
this guide and would want to help make it available to a wider audience."...
"The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), an endangered species listed in Appendix I of CITIES, is
thought to number between 34,000 to 56,000 in thirteen Asian countries. According to U Uga,
there are less than 4,000 elephants in the wild in Myanmar, which has the largest population in
the ASEAN countries (India has a larger population for the continent). The total Asian elephant
population is less than 10 percent of its more glamorous cousin-the African elephant.
The Myanmar elephant is internationally endangered and is regarded as a worldwide flagship
species. Throughout their range states, the wild elephant is severely threatened by habitat
destruction, poaching, and fragmentation into small isolated groups. Many population biologists
believe that nowhere in Asia is there a single wild population large enough to avoid inbreeding
over the long term.
..." |
| Author/creator: | | Daniel H. Henning PhD |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Daniel H. Henning |
| Format/size: | | pdf (832K) |
| Date of entry/update: | | 23 February 2004 |
|
| Title: | | The Trade of Elephants and Elephant Parts in Myanmar. |
| Date of publication: | | 2002 |
| Description/subject: | | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
"The Asian Elephant Elephas maximus was listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at the first Conference of the Parties (CoP1) in 1976. At
the same time, the African Elephant Loxodonta africana was placed on CITES Appendix II, but with the rapid
decline in wild populations during the 1970s and 1980s, was up-listed to CITES Appendix I in 1989 â“ thereby
affecting a ban on all commercial trade of elephants, their products and derivatives.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, acceded to CITES in 1997. It has the second largest population of wild
Asian Elephants (after India) and the largest number of domesticated elephants in Asia. Myanmar has a long
tradition of using domesticated elephants, thought to number as many as 6000-7000 in 1997, as working animals
for the logging industry. In 1995, Myanmar banned the capture of wild elephants although some sources indicate
that capture still continues.
This report was produced as a component activity under the WWF initiative known as the Asian Rhino and
Elephant Action Strategies (AREAS), to better understand the trade dynamics in Asian Elephants, ivory and
elephant derivatives in Myanmar.
Myanmar has a long history of ivory carving, with artisans learning several distinct techniques or styles in order
to be considered an accomplished ivory carver or master. This tradition continues today, despite lower
availability of ivory but as domestic use of elephant products is negligible and ivory, for the most part, is not
purchased by locals, the continued production of worked ivory is believed to supply predominantly foreign
market demand.
Myanmar's legislation allows trade of products derived from domesticated elephants, which creates a potential
loophole in which wild-caught elephants and elephant parts from Myanmar, as well as other countries, could be
"laundered". Enforcement agencies are not capable of determining the actual source of elephant products, and
are therefore unable to prosecute. This loophole appears to be knowingly exploited by traders.
The results of the survey team's work in Myanmar showed that trade in ivory still continues, involving both
domestic and imported sources. Traders openly acknowledge that ivory is being imported from India and other
source countries, but the exact quantities are unknown. Myanmar's increasing popularity as a destination for
visitors on business and tourist itineraries has exposed the country to a range of potential buyers for these
products. Exports of worked ivory are known to be routed out of Myanmar into Thailand, and dealers reported
that buyers from Japan, Taiwan, China, Italy, and Germany, in addition to Thailand, are among the biggest
purchasers of ivory when visiting Myanmar.
Enforcement at official border crossings between Myanmar and India, China, Thailand, Bangladesh and Lao
PDR remains severely lacking, and is not believed to operate at all for the more informal border crossing points.
This report makes the following recommendations to better enforce legislation in place to protect elephants and
to control the trade of elephants and their parts and derivatives:
1. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia should continue to monitor the trade in Asian Elephant products in Myanmar,
especially at key exit locations such as Tachilek. Information gathered during monitoring activities should
be passed on to the relevant authorities. Enforcement agencies in Myanmar, as well as from neighbouring
countries, should be encouraged to act upon information given to them and be encouraged to take further
actions against the illegal trade.
The Trade of Elephants and Elephant Products in Myanmar
i
2. Implementation of national legislation needs to be reviewed and weaknesses addressed. TRAFFIC is in
a good position to begin dialogue with the CITES Management Authority in Myanmar, to explore the needs
of the country to improve its legislation, and enforcement thereof, relating to elephant conservation and trade
in elephants and their products.
3. Authorities in India should be made aware of the fact that ivory is being smuggled out of India into
Myanmar and appropriate action should be taken to address this.
4. Authorities in Thailand should be made aware of the fact that ivory continues to be smuggled into
Thailand for sale. Thailand's enforcement agencies should be encouraged to increase efforts to prevent
wildlife from being smuggled into Thailand from Myanmar through increased surveillance of border
markets and key trans-boundary supply routes.
The Trade of Elephants and Elephant Products in Myanmar." |
| Author/creator: | | Shepherd, Chris R. |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | TRAFFIC International. |
| Format/size: | | pdf (500K) |
| Date of entry/update: | | 04 February 2009 |
|
| Title: | | Landmines: a New Victim |
| Date of publication: | | May 2001 |
| Description/subject: | | Elephants are becoming the latest victims of landmines planted along the war-torn Thai-Burma border. |
| Author/creator: | | Helen Anderson |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | "The Irrawaddy", Vol. 9. No. 4 |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 03 June 2003 |
|
| Title: | | Integrating Deer Specialist Group Activities with Biodiversity Research and Protected Area Conservation in Myanmar |
| Date of publication: | | June 1997 |
| Description/subject: | | "In Dinerstein and Wikramanayake's recent analysis of biodiversity conservation in the Indo-Pacific region, Myanmar and Laos
were identified as the mainland countries having the highest species richness and endemicity, and the largest remaining expanses
of unprotected forest. The Deer Specialist Group initiated an ecological investigation of Eld's deer in Myanmar in 1995 (see
Species, Vol. 23). The project has been integrated with several related initiatives to address a wide range of conservation needs,
and this report summarizes work so far..." |
| Author/creator: | | Chris Wemmer |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Deer Specialist Group, IUCN-The World Conservation Union |
| Date of entry/update: | | 03 June 2003 |
|
| Title: | | Myanmar Reptile Survey |
| Description/subject: | | "Building upon a newfound partnership with biologists in Myanmar (formerly Burma), scientists with the Wildlife Conservation Society are working to update research on the numerous reptiles' species that inhabit the coastline and forests of one of southeast Asia's richest ecosystems..." |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Wildlife Conservation Society |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 07 July 2003 |
|
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