Sindh gives poachers turtles, scorpions

KARACHI:

In Sindh, the illegal trade of endangered species — turtles, black scorpions and leopard geckos to name a few — is as common as the trade of goats, sheep and buffaloes.

Unfortunately, the provincial government only acknowledges turtle smuggling and denies that any other animal is being smuggled, despite reports that various species, including certain frogs, are being traded at ‘good prices’.



While the poaching of black scorpions and geckos is rampant, their final destinations have yet to be ascertained as no buyers have been caught with a consignment. Reports claim these animals are being traded locally but wildlife officials claim this whole thing is a hoax as scorpions that big do not exist. “I don’t think a scorpion can weigh a kilo, or even 500 grams,” said Sindh Wildlife Department head Javed Ahmed Mahar.

However, despite denying the existence of scorpion and gecko smuggling, the Sindh government has imposed a ban on their illegal movement.

“Even a 100-gram scorpion is worth its weight in gold,” countered Abdul Latif, who is involved in the illegal trade of geckos and scorpions. “These animals are being exported, and they are being used to produce certain experimental medicines.”



However, Mahar and Latif do agree on a single crucial point: both the black scorpion and the gecko are on the verge of extinction. Latif claimed that even green frogs are being bought and sold, even though their rates are not as high as that of the scorpion.



Wildlife officials do, however, admit that the turtle is being traded. The business started 15 years ago and it has driven eight kinds of turtles to the verge of extinction, including the black-pond turtle. “The soft shell and the hard shell turtles have almost disappeared,” an official told The Express Tribune.

The laws are lax, the punishment soft and the rewards lucrative. “There is no need for a permit to buy and sell turtles,” said Zeeshan Ahmed, who illegally buys and sells turtles and other endangered species. “All the government can do is impose a fine of several thousand rupees.”



Air and sea ports have no mechanism in place to prevent turtle smuggling. “No one can stop the trade until sniffer dogs are deployed at the exit points,” said a senior wildlife official, who wished to remain anonymous. “We aren’t allowed to deploy people at airports, so smuggling them out is an easy job.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2014.