"No buying, no killing." The slogan raises awareness of an
international poaching crisis, but the truth is that endangered
wildlife species face a variety of grave threats.
Aside from publicizing the importance of protecting wildlife,
tougher penalties need to be implemented to prohibit poaching and
smuggling. From December 30, 2013 to January 26, 2014, China led a
campaign against transnational wildlife crimes, in cooperation with
27 other countries and international organizations. The operation,
code-named Cobra II, inflicted a stunning blow on poachers and
smugglers. It cracked over 350 cases involving more than 400
suspects, and captured more than 3 tons of ivory and ivory
products, including over 1,000 hides and a number of other wildlife
products.
Wildlife poaching and smuggling has become a serious global
issue. As early as September 2012, the Chinese Government called
for a multinational crackdown on the crimes, initiating the first
Operation Cobra, involving 22 countries, in early 2013.
The two Cobra operations show that the international community
is highly united and strongly determined in cracking down on crimes
of wildlife poaching and smuggling. Furthermore, Cobra operations
have provided a strong example of joint law enforcement and offer
international cooperation experience in each participating
country.
Wildlife smuggling cannot be resolved by only one country or
even several international operations. All countries involved
should prepare to make enduring efforts to control wildlife crimes.
During the Operation Cobra II, joint law enforcement activities
encountered difficulties.
Nature is an integrated whole. Once a biological chain is
destroyed, the rest of nature will fall into irretrievable chaos.
Thus, protecting wildlife and endangered species is a measure of
protecting the human race. Following the Operation Cobra II, people
shall call for more international campaigns to fight against
wildlife poaching and smuggling.
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