Snakes, spiders and rare birds seized by Border Force in month-long operation | Illegal wildlife trade

More than 250 threatened species and illegal wildlife products have been seized at the UK border in a single month, new figures have revealed, including spiders, snakes and birds.

The illicit shipment was discovered as part of an annual campaign to combat wildlife trafficking known as Operation Thunder, led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization.

Two rainbow boa constrictors were discovered hiding under blankets in a car by Border Force officers and were apparently purchased by the driver at a German reptile exhibition without a license.

More than 2,000 live tarantulas were found in another vehicle. Their value was estimated at around £70,000 and included 300 protected species.

Between September 13 and October 15, during searches of the country’s airports, ports and postal depots, Border Force also discovered a car carrying more than 100 endangered birds, including green-cheeked conures and lovebirds. They were held in appalling conditions and some died.

“In recent years we have seen an increase in the trafficking of birds, reptiles, invertebrates and flora,” said Danny Hewitt, director of operations for the British command.

King cobra balm, a tiger claw bottle, ivory sculptures and shark meat were among the products seized.

Home Secretary Mike Tapp said wildlife trafficking was a serious organized crime that “fuels corruption, drives species to extinction and undermines the security of our borders” – with this year’s operation cutting off a major source of funding for dangerous gangs.

“We will not stop until we break this economic model,” he warned. “Anyone attempting to bring illegal wildlife products into the UK – by air, sea or post – will be searched and prosecuted. »

Wildlife crime is the fourth largest illegal activity in the world – behind guns, drugs and human trafficking – and could be worth up to £17 billion a year globally.

The Interior Ministry said that wherever possible, seized items would be repatriated or used for research purposes. Dame EJ Milner-Gulland, a professor at Oxford University, praised Border Force and said the illegal wildlife trade poses a major threat to species.

“This can range from individuals bringing items they purchased at tourist markets, without knowing that a permit is required, to large-scale organized crime,” she added.

Milner-Gulland said sharing intelligence to preventively intercept and combat wildlife crime is essential and requires collaboration between international governments, NGOs, the public and academics.

She explained that “exciting new approaches”, including AI-based prediction tools, are being developed, but added: “We also need to remember that the illegal wildlife trade relies on people’s willingness to buy these products from traffickers, and those who take them from the wild in the first place – this requires understanding and changing people’s motivations for engaging in this trade. »

Dr Jenny Maher from the University of South Wales said the seizures by Border Force were very encouraging and a stark reminder of the immense suffering endured by countless animals.

But the associate professor of green criminology noted that concerns have been raised about prosecutions and penalties for offenses relating to the illegal wildlife trade.

“Very few wildlife smuggling offenses result in a conviction and even fewer incarceration, despite the considerable harm and profit involved,” Maher said.

“Another point to consider is that these seizures were the result of a targeted operation, which raises the question of how many offenses go undetected when such resources and focused attention are not applied to combating the illegal wildlife trade. »