A gaffe of Amazonian proportions

environment

the rest

International Trade

regional director

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Amazon India

M MARANKO

Increasing urbanisation and subsequent loss of habitat have claimed more than their fair share of wildlife and biodiversity. Adding to this rapid depletion, it now looks like e-commerce sites such as Amazon, too, are endorsing forbidden animal parts in the form of showpieces, jewellery or simply as rare items of interest.For activists working to protect the, this has brought up a new challenge. “It seems incredible that a company like Amazon would sell specimens listed as protected in India. We hope the website will take these down immediately on compassionate grounds and also in respect of India’s laws and ongoing conservation efforts. Surely a company like Amazon does not need to garner revenue by propagating cruelty and endangering wildlife thatof India is struggling to protect,” said Kartick Satyanarayan, cofounder of Wildlife SOS, an organisation working for wildlife conservation which also runs rescue centres.The site had an array of protected species, ranging from alligator heads to preserved snakes, butterflies, seahorses and rare beetles. There are also wildlife trapping equipment and books on how to ensnare animals, though hunting in India is illegal.“We recently rescued a three-month-old sloth bear cub named Rose, who lost a limb because of a snare like the ones Amazon is selling. The snare tore off her left forelimb, leaving her severely injured and handicapped for life. Witnessing her trauma sealed our conviction that snares are the cruellest of hunting devices. We were horrified when we discovered that a reputable company like Amazon is selling wildlife trapping equipment online, as well as instruction manuals on how to make your own snares. We have urged the site to act immediately,” said Geeta Sheshamani, another co-founder of Wildlife SOS.Said Dr Santosh Gaikwad, professor of anatomy at Bombay Veterinary College and a wildlife taxidermy expert for the forest department, “When preserving crustaceans, the water percentage from their body is removed so that they last longer. They are then preserved in a chemical inside a block of acrylic and the piece is used as a paperweight, etc. In countries outside India, selling preserved animal parts is fairly common. However, hunting and selling is banned in India according to the Convention onin Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”Wildlife researchers say this trend has been on the rise for the past three to four years, especially since technology has enabled better access to information and visuals of specimens. “There are other e-commerce sites, too, which are selling protected species. I had even seen lion cubs up for sale. Also, there is an increase in the use of social media for the sale of such species through closed access groups. International traders participate in this as well. There are deer being transported in gunny bags. A huge market also exists for snakes and geckos,” said Amit Sayyed, a researcher from the Wildlife Protection and Research Society in Satara.“Animals such as starfish, seahorses, etc, are Schedule One species and appear on the CITES list. Selling them is a blatant violation of the law. The government needs to take note of this. There are some sarpamitras involved in this trade and sometimes even hand-in glove with concerned officials. Reptiles are especially in demand, but other animals, even monkeys, are sold as well. They are sometimes trapped in houses and bred. There is also a market for parts such as tiger testicles and leopard skin. The more exotic the species, the bigger is the racket. When such animals are rescued, they should ideally be returned to the wild. But, sometimes rescuers hoard them,” explained Amruta Ubale, executive director of Animal Equality India.MMaranko,of the, said, “I will have to check the website. However, it is a fact that starfish and seahorses are protected items. The seahorse is a Schedule 1 item and the sale of it includes three to seven years of prison under the Wildlife Protection Act.”Replying to a query by Mirror, which was sent along with screenshots of the protected specimens, anspokesperson said, “Amazon.in supports wildlife protection efforts. We are in the process of informing the seller of these items so that they can take corrective action wherever necessary.”█ It is a fact that starfish and seahorses are protected items. The seahorse is a Schedule 1 item and sale of it includes three to seven years of prison under the Wildlife Protection Act