Nature Lovers Fret over Russian Rare Animals Trade
5/18/99
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Title: Nature lovers fret over Russian rare animals trade
Source: Agence France-Presse
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: May 18, 1999
MOSCOW, May 18 (AFP) - The trade in rare and exotic wild animals
is booming in Russia, to the dismay of ecologists who have no way to
check it, because the legislation does not exist.
"Ninety percent of animals are imported totally illegally and
their sale is not controlled in any way," said Tatiana Beliakova, an
expert on the State Committee for Ecology.
There is no doubt that most of these birds, beasts and reptiles
should be protected under the International Convention on Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) but no statistics are available,
Beliakova said.
"The only solution is for the sale of such animals to be legally
regulated, with sanctions for illegal trading, including criminal
prosecution," she added.
Meanwhile at the Moscow Bird Market all sorts of animals, such
as lemurs, mongoose, parrots and rare monkeys, can be obtained at a
price which indicates very good business indeed for the vendors.
"A tamarind monkey from Peru, for example, fetches an average of
3,600 dollars," Beliakova said.
One of the sellers, also called Tatiana, offered an Australian
parrot for 2,500 dollars, while a small notice beside its cage said
she could also supply baby lemurs.
"There are four at home", she said. "It's too cold to bring them
with me. But if you're interested you can make an appointment and
choose the one you like best."
Nearby another trader, who gave her name as Natasha, had a
mongoose for 800 dollars, two lemurs for 400 dollars, and a rare
South American monkey. She indicated there were more species at
home, but flatly refused to say how she acquired them.
Veterinary surgeon Nikolai Lonin said most exotic species needed
special care and the animals sold were certain to die in the hands
of ignorant owners.
One trader, called Vladimir, admitted he did not care who bought
his animals or whether they had the knowledged to look after them.
"It's business, and what counts is the money," he said.
Russian customsmen do what they can to stop the trade before the
animals get into the country.
Official statistics show that last year they seized 268 live
animals and 157 dead ones, as well as 50 kilos (110 pounds) of
prized bear and musk ox gall.
"At the end of last year we arrested a passenger from Lima who
was carrying in his luggage eight monkeys, 32 caymans, 11 snakes and
49 parrots," said Nikolai Semenenko, head of Customs.
"None of these animals had the necessary authorisation and
veterinary certificates."
To escape the checks, smugglers resort to shutting animals in
their suitcases, where they die of suffocation. Also last year, half
of those brought in by a passenger from Asia intercepted by
customsmen at Sheremetyevo airport had failed to survive.