Worldwide, the international trade in wildlife and wildlife products is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, and to involve more than 350 million plant and animal species. A global increase in human population, easy access to weaponry for hunting, a resurgence of traditional medical practices, and a global demand for animal products such as furs, are just some of the reasons that the global wildlife trade has grown to unsustainable levels. In recent years, the scale and threat to biodiversity of this trade has become increasingly recognized.
Background of Trade in Mongolia
Historically, Mongolia has been home to large populations of a variety of species, including ungulates such as the Mongolian gazelle (numbering in the millions), Przewalski’s horse and the wild Bactrian camel, canids such as the grey wolf, red fox and Corsac fox, and felids such as the snow leopard and Pallas cat. An extremely low human population density, a climate and soil unsuited to intensive agriculture, a lack of infrastructure, and a traditional respect for the natural world all contributed to a landscape teeming with wildlife. Unfortunately, in recent decades this picture has begun to change rapidly.
Mongolia has recently undergone rapid economic and social change. In 1990 the Democratic Revolution saw a transition from the centrally-controlled economy of the communist People’s Republic of Mongolia to an (initially chaotic) free market system. A sudden withdrawal of enforcement for hunting and trade, coupled with the opening of trade borders with China (a country famous for its appetite for natural resources), produced a sudden increase in the domestic and especially international trade of Mongolia’s wildlife.
The resulting pressure on Mongolia’s wildlife has been further exacerbated by changes in land use (as a formerly nomadic population becomes slowly more sedentary and urbanized), and rapid infrastructure development (prompted by the booming extractive industries – especially gold, copper, and oil). Such development almost inevitably threatens local wildlife, primary through the fragmentation, degradation and pollution of habitat, and formation of barriers to migration (such as fences and railway lines). These changes have also led to increases in wildlife trade as traditional systems have broken down.
Current Situation
The general pattern of wildlife trade in Mongolia starts with a hunter in the countryside (either a professional hunter or a herder desiring additional income) shooting an animal, usually without a hunting license. The carcass, skin, and/or meat is then either sold to a wholesaler, or sold directly to consumers at the soum (district) or aimag (province) center. The wholesaler may transport these animal parts to a market on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, where they are stored, processed and prepared for domestic sale or export. Alternatively, in areas close to border points, international export may be direct.
The main categories of wildlife trade in Mongolia are for food, souvenirs/clothing (including urs), and for traditional medicine. While some species are traded for a single purpose (for example fish for food), with other examples such as the grey wolf, almost every part of the animal is put to some use. Commonly traded items include grey wolf skins, meat, and bones, Siberian marmot skins, meat, and oil, red fox skins, Mongolian gazelle meat, horns and legs, badger blood, meat and oil, red deer horns, and Altai snowcock meat. Trade in meat is thought to make up much of the domestic trade, while the international trade is thought to show a larger proportion of furs and items for Chinese medicine.
Most large mammals, birds, and fish in Mongolia are threatened to some degree by this trade. This includes five species listed under CITES Appendix II, one species ‘Endangered’ (IUCN Red List), six species ‘Rare’ (IUCN Red List), and six other species also found in the IUCN Red List.
Activities
Since 2006, WCS has been active in combating the illegal wildlife trade in Mongolia. The acclaimed World Bank-commissioned report ‘Silent Steppe: The Illegal Wildlife Trade Crisis’ highlighted its impact, and made a series of recommendations for tackling this issue. WCS’s actions since have focused on building a multi-agency approach to wildlife trade law enforcement, and building political will to take steps to strengthen the legal framework surrounding wildlife trade law.
In 2007, WCS made surveys of the raw materials and food markets of Ulaanbaatar. Species being traded were identified, and the effectiveness of enforcement efforts was assessed.
In 2008, WCS designed market enforcement patrols with multi-agency teams of enforcement officers. These ‘Multi-Agency Wildlife Trade Crime Units’ include representatives from the National Police, Inspection Agencies, and the Ministry of Nature, Environment, and Tourism. These teams were found to be effective in detecting and taking actions against illegal wildlife trade.
Following these efforts, WCS worked with local experts to assess the gaps in current laws and regulations which hinder effective wildlife trade law enforcement. These recommendations formed the basis of our recent activities:
- WCS was instrumental in encouraging and providing input into the recent amendments to the Mongolian Law on Hunting.
- WCS produced extensive ‘Guidelines for Wildlife Trade Law Enforcement.’
- WCS mobilized the ‘Multi-Agency Wildlife Trade Crime Unit’ in the markets of Ulaanbaatar.
- WCS has been working to engage the national media, including educating the public and participating in televised debates concerning government policy.
While our efforts have been successful (including the seizure of skins, and recorded decreases in the trade and advertising of wildlife products), this is clearly an ongoing battle. WCS Mongolia is currently engaged in ongoing wildlife trade work as part of the Daurian Steppe transboundary SCAPES Project.