On the Trail - Robin des Bois

Multi-Species Reptiles
Seizure of a monitor lizard carcass (genus Varanus),
a python and an Asiatic softshell turtle
(Amyda cartilaginea, Appendix II) and 5.5 kg of
python meat
Serian and Balai Ringin, Sarawak, Malaysia
July 2013
The animals were confiscated after 2 raids in the
nearby towns of Serian and Balai Ringin. The python
and softshell turtle were taken to the shelter
for wildlife in Matang where they will be taken care
of before being released into the wild. 4 species of
Malaysian lizards are listed on CITES appendix (3 in
Appendix II and 1 Appendix I). 4 species of Malaysian
pythons are listed under Appendix II. The Asiatic
softshell turtle is found in Southeast Asia. It measures
up to 83 cm long. It is poached for its meat
and according to CITES large amounts are illegally
exported to China and Vietnam. This is the most
commonly consumed turtle in Malaysia. It was
listed in Appendix II in 2005. The state of Sarawak
is infamous for the massive destruction of the rain-
Seizure of 4 live royal pythons (Python regius,
Appendix II), one caiman and a stuffed turtle
Blénod-lès-Pont-à-Mousson, Meurthe-et-Moselle,
France
5 July 2013
A postal service employee of Blénod-lès-Pont-à-
Mousson in the east of France discovered the 2 royal
pythons, the caiman and the turtle in a package.
The authorities went to the home of the sender
and found other royal pythons, 2 stuffed animals
and 800 g of cannabis. The owner of the animals,
who did not have the administrative licence, was
arrested and the 4 serpents were collected by a zoo.
Royal pythons are poached for their meat, their
skin and to fuel the domestic reptile market. The
price for a specimen on the black market is about
300 euros, but it varies depending on the patterns
and colors of the animal. Python traffic is active in
France, Belgium and Switzerland.
Sequestration of 147 live animals among them:
Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus, Appendix I
except for 13 countries where it is listed in Appendix
II), saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus,
Appendix I except populations of Australia,
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), Siamese crocodile
(Crocodylus siamensis, Appendix I), spectacled
caiman (Caiman crocodilus, Appendix II),
Cuvier’s dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus,
Appendix II), Asiatic rock python (Python
molurus, Appendix II), green anaconda (Eunectes
murinus, Appendix II), yellow anaconda
(Eunectes notaeus, Appendix II), monitor lizard
(Varanus salvadorii), green oguana (Iguana
iguana, Appendix II)
Russia Exhibition Centre, Moscow, Russia
July 15, 2013
The travelling “crocodile farm” was closed down as
a precautionary measure during its exhibit in Moscow.
The reason was due to the absence of proper
documentation and CITES permits for several animals.
Added to the count of 147 reptiles, are fennec
foxes (Vulpes zerda, Appendix II) which were also
exhibited in cages and did not have the necessary
CITES documentation. The owner of the «crocodile
farm» denies any illegal animal smuggling and puts
it down to a “paperwork mix up».
© Bruno Congar, Robin des Bois
Seizure of 300 cobras (400 kg) and 569 turtles
(1,200 kg)
Rattanawapi District, Nong Khai, Thailand
July 13 th , 2013
The smugglers made a profit of US$ 3,200 for the
first trip between Thailand and Laos. During the
second trip, their overloaded pickup truck was
intercepted by a patrol of the Thai Royal Marines
who have authority over the Mekong River and its
banks. Thailand counted 5 species of cobras, all of
which are registered under Appendix II. 2 species
of turtles were part of the seizure – the Siebenrockiella
crassicollis (Appendix II) and the box turtle
of Western Asia (Cuora amboinensis, Appendix II).
These were terrestrial and freshwater species. The
turtles were poached for consumption and for sale
as domestic pets.
© MCOT
All-Russian Exhibition Centre (VVTs)
© All-Russian Exhibition Centre
On The Trail # 2. Robin des Bois
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