TRAFFIC calls for more attention to the wildlife trade in Central Asia

Central Asia is a unique region characterized by vast, open steppes, deserts and high mountain ranges. Stretching from China’s borders to the Caspian Sea, these countries are home to charismatic wildlife found nowhere else, such as the Saiga Antelope, Snow Leopard, Pallas’s Cat and the Central Asian Tortoise.

When it comes to the illegal wildlife trade, conservation attention is often focused on the major trade routes between Africa, Southeast Asia and China, and for good reason. Meanwhile, illegal and unsustainable trade in Central Asia endangers both species and societies; this trade cannot afford to be neglected.

On Monday, TRAFFIC organized a side event aimed at shedding light on wildlife trafficking in Central Asia at the IUCN Regional Conservation Forum for Europe, North and Central Asia. Bakytbek Tokubek uulu, TRAFFIC project manager in Central Asia, presented an overview of wildlife trade in the region and examples of recent capacity building activities that TRAFFIC and its partners Fauna & Flora, Ekomaktab and ACBK have implemented in the region.

The Central Asian region has long been overlooked in global efforts to tackle poaching, unsustainable and illegal wildlife trade. The recent recovery of the region’s Saiga antelope population has shown that conservation efforts can be effective and support recovery.”

Bakytbek Tokubek uulu, TRAFFIC Project Manager, Central AsiaRecent TRAFFIC analyzes of wildlife trade assessed the situation in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The report identifies the four countries as major importers of CITES-listed products¹ species, and Uzbekistan in particular as a prominent source country, for example for the Central Asian tortoise.

Although much of this trade is legal, illegal trade is a major problem; the horns of the Saiga antelope and live specimens of the Central Asian tortoises are among the most commonly reported species in attacks, as are Ferula species (a herbaceous plant used in medicine), goitered gazelles, Siberian ibexes, Argali and even the rare and elusive Snow Leopard.

Over the past two years, TRAFFIC and its partner organizations have worked closely with government authorities to strengthen their efforts to address these issues. For example, collecting and reporting poaching and illegal trading incidents, promoting greater information sharing at national and regional levels, and supporting law enforcement agencies with training and practical tools such as identification guides.

At the IUCN Regional Conservation Forum, TRAFFIC highlighted the relevance of combating wildlife trafficking in the Central Asian region and highlighted how the sustainable use of community-managed wildlife resources can bring benefits to local communities.

One such resource that fuels local economies and is found in food, tea and medicines around the world is licorice. If managed properly, the roots can provide vital income for local businesses and communities and contribute to the conservation of the landscape. However, licorice needs a long recovery time between harvests. If poorly managed, this can jeopardize the plant’s survival and leave the land prone to landslides and flooding. TRAFFIC can make recommendations to government and other organizations to manage this careful balance and ensure that important transactions such as this continue in the future.

TRAFFIC and its partners are committed to supporting Central Asian governments and others in their efforts to tackle unsustainable and illegal trade in animal and plant species and thereby achieve greater conservation success.

Bakytbek Tokubek uulu, TRAFFIC Project Manager, Central Asia

To provide further support to CITES authorities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, TRAFFIC has just launched the first edition of the CITES Central Asia Newsletter, providing the latest updates on successful wildlife trade seizures by the Central Asian countries, new instruments, resources and events. such as new ID guides and upcoming training for law enforcement officers. This newsletter is available in English and Russian and will be published twice a year to support law enforcement agencies in Central Asian countries and shed more light on this important region.

Read the newsletter in English. Read the newsletter in Russian