Endangering Species: Listing Can Make Animals Valuable Black Market Commodities

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS:
Endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, originally from Canada, were captured in New York State during an international wildlife smuggling bust.

HIDDEN CARGO:
Two eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, listed as endangered in New York State, are found hidden in a vehicle.

NVIRONMENTAL CRIME:
A threatened North American wood turtle is photographed for evidence following a sting operation by New York State's Environmental Crimes Investigation team.

FOR SALE:
This endangered yellow spotted Amazon River turtle was purchased by an undercover agent in the parking lot of a reptile show in New York State.

MARKET FOR ENDANGERED LISTEES?:
Tanks of endangered tortoises are illegally offered for sale at a weekend market in Bangkok, Thailand.

SNAKE-NECKED TURTLE:
When a journal announced the discovery of the Roti Island snake-necked turtle in 1994, excited illegal collectors nearly drove the animal to extinction.
JAVAN HAWK EAGLE:
After Indonesia gave Javan hawk eagles special protected status in 1993, poachers began removing them from the wild for sale on the black market, as shown here.
Fuente: Scientific American 14 de septiembre de 2009