Illegal wildlife trade is a global issue; Lithuania enforces strict rules on buying and selling protected species.
🔗 Read the article on delfi.lt
[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]
In Lithuania, regulations govern the trade of protected wildlife and inform buyers about legal acquisition. An unprecedented incident occurred in Italy where customs officers found 300 turtles and 77 parrots in one car at Pozzallo port; the animals were kept in unsuitable conditions, and 76 out of 377 detected animals belonged to species protected by CITES. This case was handed over to prosecutors for violating Italian law implementing CITES. Globally, illegal wildlife trade is a major issue, with INTERPOL’s “Thunder” operation seizing nearly 30,000 animals in one month, though much of the illicit trade involves body parts and products valued at around $20 billion annually. The operation also highlighted increasing illegal trade in meat, marine life, and exotic reptiles worldwide. In Lithuania, environmental protection authorities have recorded numerous administrative offenses related to the illegal trade or sale of protected species, often involving exotic parrots and reptiles, with enforcement relying heavily on monitoring online advertisements and public reports. Customs data shows that while live animals are sometimes smuggled, there is more frequent trafficking of parts and products from protected species. For legal import or export of protected wildlife, specific permits and documentation are required, which the Environmental Protection Agency issues. The agency emphasizes that simple purchase receipts are insufficient; proper documentation must detail the animal’s origin, species, markings, and whether it was wild-caught or captive-bred. Challenges remain in identifying sellers on social media and addressing public lack of knowledge regarding necessary documentation for even captive animals.
