Traders
plead guilty in world's largest shahtoosh haul
IFAW releases
exclusive video of massive shahtoosh stash
LONDON (13-APR-00) - The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) today released dramatic and exclusive video footage shot yesterday of 138 illegal shahtoosh shawls seized by London Metropolitan Police in what they call the world's largest haul ever.
Inspector John Francis of the Metropolitan Police, said that over 1,000 Tibetan Antelopes were killed to weave these 138 shawls - representing no less than 2% of the world population of Tibetan Antelopes, also known as chiru.
"This case is tragic in that over a thousand endangered Tibetan Antelopes were killed for nothing more than extravagant luxury," said Karen Steuer, IFAW Director of Commercial Exploitation and Trade. "But this case also illustrates the growing commitment by local authorities not to allow illegal wildlife trade within their jurisdiction."
The shawls seized had a total estimated value of £353,000, with some shawls measuring more than 6 meters in length and valued individually at over £6,500. These shawls, said Inspector Francis, were likely made from up to 21 Tibetan Antelopes each.
The haul was seized in 1997, while the London trading company, The Renaissance Corp., was only charged yesterday. The company pleaded guilty and was fined a paltry £1,500.
"Higher fines must be imposed for traders to feel the effects of legal action against them," said IFAW's Karen Steuer. "This is an animal that carries as much international protection as the great Panda, yet fines for the illegal trade in shahtooshs made from it carry no weight whatsoever."
Contact Jennifer Ferguson-Mitchell, IFAW, Kenya Tel: 254-72-524000; Tel: 072-524000 Email: jfm@ifaw.org
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