WCC 2016 Res 009 - Activity Report

In 16th May 2017, an updated trade hotspot map by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and TRAFFIC reinforced the position of China and Indonesia as the world’s most important countries involved in the illegal trade in Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil parts and products. The map, released on the first day of an International Hornbill Conference, draws on data from EIA, TRAFFIC, Born Free Foundation and others. The analysis shows at least 2878 Helmeted Hornbill casques, skulls and products were seized from at least 59 known confiscations from 2010 to 2017. It points to high poaching levels in Indonesian Borneo, with the Supadio and Sepinggan Aiports in West and East Kalimantan respectively being the most reported locations of seizures in Kalimantan. The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta is Indonesia’s major international exit point for trafficked wildlife, including species from Kalimantan, such as the Earless Monitor Lanthanotus borneensis. Shenzhen and Hong Kong stand out as the most important ports connecting hornbill part shipments from Indonesia to mainland China. Vigilance at these bottleneck exit and entry points is crucial to intercept illegal shipments.
High numbers of seizures were also recorded in Fujian province, in particular Putian and Xianyou, where there is a traditional hornbill casque carving industry.