Philippine wildlife trafficker kills animals before being caught by authorities, A suspected illegal wildlife trader in the Philippines killed five crocodiles, 14 critically endangered turtles and other rare species to avoid being caught by police reported the Bangkok Post on July 6.The dead animals were found in the home of an alleged wildlife trafficker in Manila’s Tondo slum district, one of the biggest slums in the Philippines.
The juvenile saltwater crocodiles, as well as 90 birds, were killed by the trader shortly before police and environment officials raided the place, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.
"What's particularly alarming about this poaching incident is that there were reports that most of these endangered animals were intentionally killed to avoid detection by authorities," Paje said in a statement.
The authorities also found 14 live Philippine forest and pond turtles which are considered "critically endangered" according to the global "red list" compiled by the Swiss-based International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
All the animals, which also included 78 Palawan hill mynahs and 12 blue-naped parrots, are protected by Philippine law, which prohibits their trade or capture.
Paje said an eye witness tipped off the government that a wildlife smuggler was shipping protected animals to Manila from the western Philippine island of Palawan, one of the country's last wildlife refuges.
The animals were to have been sold in Manila markets known for peddling wild animals as pets, Paje stated.
Police and wildlife officers found the dead animals outside the house, which reeked of a foul odor he added.
"The administration is dead serious about stopping not only the destruction of our environment but also wildlife crime,” said Paje, who also denounced the suspects’ cruelty to animals.
The Philippines became the first Asian country to destroy its ivory stockpile confiscated from smugglers when it crushed five tons of elephant tusks last month.
Title: Philippine wildlife trafficker kills animals before being caught by authorities
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