Consumers warned against internet offers of free sport supplement products

Australia, June 2013—Australia's federal department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has warned consumers against taking up offers via the internet for importing sports and other health supplements containing endangered plant and animal species.

The department is particularly concerned by recent advertising for free bottles of Max Thermo Burn capsules from North America.

Max Thermo Burn capsules contain Hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like plant and is listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

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Seized Assets to Pay for Conservation of Rhinos

Los Angeles, USA, May 2013—The sentencing on May 15 of two California businessmen in Los Angeles for trafficking in rhino horn will send both to prison and ensure that $800,000 of their illegally acquired "profits" end up helping protect rhinos in Africa. 

Saying she wanted to send a message against the “extremely serious” crime of trafficking in rhinoceros horns, federal judge Christina Snyder remarked that she had traveled to Africa and personally witnessed the effects of poaching.

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Record illegal wildlife seizure results in guilty plea from Sydney school teacher

Australia, 19th April 2013—A Parramatta man has entered a guilty plea in the Parramatta Local Court to 24 charges of possessing illegal wildlife products made from endangered species.

The charges against the 43-year-old school teacher, John Kolettas, relate to the haul of illegal wildlife products found during a search of premises in Western Sydney. Mr Kolettas' home was targeted as part of an extensive criminal investigation called Operation Bonaparte.

Altogether, 61 illegal wildlife products made from 24 endangered species were found in Mr Kolettas' possession. Among the illegal products seized were 11 orangutan skulls and 25 other skulls of monkeys, lynx, bears and a tiger. Other illegal items included teeth and skins from protected species such as orangutans, lynx, otters, and a feather headdress from a bird of paradise.

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls for global action on wildlife trafficking

On November 8 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted the event, Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation, A Call to Action at the U.S. Department of State.

The event brought together US Government officials and ambassadors from countries around the world, as well as leaders from international organisations, non-governmental conservation organisations and the private sector.

The event aimed to energise and strengthen the global commitment to combat the illegal trade in wildlife and promote conservation by placing it squarely on the foreign policy and security agenda.

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