26 July 2000



Campaign To Stop Tourists Buying Souvenirs

The WWF and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) are launching Souvenir Alert, a new campaign to stop holidaymakers buying souvenirs made from endangered species.

The latest seizure figures released by DETR and HM Customs show that 52,000 illegal wildlife items were confiscated in the last twelve months. These included wildlife souvenirs, Traditional Chinese Medicines and over 1,500 live animals. On a global scale, the illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth over £5 billion each year, second only to the trade in illegal drugs. Every year British holidaymakers bring back wildlife items such as coral, ivory, animal skins and turtle shell products, and most are unaware that importing them is either illegal or requires a special permit.

As holidaymakers head abroad for the summer, the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher, is warning them to avoid becoming unwittingly involved in the illegal wildlife trade and not to buy souvenirs made from endangered species. The message is: "If in doubt, don't buy".

"Tourists could be placing some of our most beautiful and unusual wildlife on the road to extinction, all for the sake of an exotic gift," warns Stuart Chapman, Head of WWF's Wildlife Trade Programme. "They are also exposing themselves to the possibility of prosecution and a hefty fine. Use the new Souvenir Alert leaflet to check that your gift will not be confiscated and to avoid breaking international and national wildlife law. "

Alligator and crocodile products remain the illegal wildlife souvenirs most frequently brought back by tourists. One passenger was stopped in the green "Nothing to declare" channel at Heathrow Airport, unaware that the six-foot stuffed Nile crocodile he was carrying required a special import permit. When questioned, he said that he had bought it in a shop in South Africa and had not been questioned about his unusual package when he left the country. His actions made him liable for criminal prosecution.

Earlier this year, Customs Officers at Gatwick Airport discovered Russian seamen trying to exchange tortoises for cigarettes. Realising they were heading for trouble, the seamen began abandoning their animals around the terminal building. A total of 22 tortoises were recovered, as well as five chameleons, which were found amongst some potted plants.

Leaflets, posters and luggage labels, all showing images of rare and endangered species, are being prepared for the Souvenir Alert campaign. The leaflets are being distributed at airports, ports and international rail terminals to help stop the illegal wildlife trade. It is hoped that, with record numbers of tourists flying abroad this year, the campaign will drastically reduce the number of wildlife souvenirs purchased.

Mr Chapman concluded: "Ignorance is not a defence, so if in doubt don't buy."

To find out more about restrictions on wildlife souvenirs, visit the WWF Souvenir Alert website.

First Published at: http://www.wwf-uk.org/