Writer Bryan Christy has spent a decent part of the last few years following the niche segment of the global black market that trades in living wildlife as well as animal parts. Published twice in National Geographic since 2010, he covered the illicit activities and eventual capture of the notorious Anson Wong--perhaps the most powerful figure in trafficking endangered species--as well as the recent rebound of ivory trade in Africa and east Asia.
This month in National Geographic his latter article was featured, and I just finished reading it--his field research is thorough and fascinating. I was most impressed by his blunt methods, as he sought information on how to smuggle ivory into the US by innocently approaching artisans, vendors, and even clergy in Thailand or the Philippines and asking for tips. They were quickly to suggest all sorts of approaches to concealing ivory in your luggage, bribing officials, or otherwise skirting the authorities. The ivory trade has increased recently, after the international treating organization seeking to suppress it's illegal exchange decided to allow Japan and then China to sell it "legally"--meanwhile, several tons of illegal ivory are being seized in ports through Southeast Asia and an estimated 25,000 or more elephants were poached in 2011. I definitely suggest reading the entire piece, aptly named "Ivory Worship".
Christy's last National Geographic feature is, in my opinion, even more fascinating, being that it covers a much broader part of the black market. Click here to read "The Kingpin".
Keep an eye out for a longer piece I hope to write in the coming weeks on the global black market and some of its more interesting subsections. I've been reading about the trade and sale of human organs in places like China and Pakistan, among other uncouth and unusual goods.
This month in National Geographic his latter article was featured, and I just finished reading it--his field research is thorough and fascinating. I was most impressed by his blunt methods, as he sought information on how to smuggle ivory into the US by innocently approaching artisans, vendors, and even clergy in Thailand or the Philippines and asking for tips. They were quickly to suggest all sorts of approaches to concealing ivory in your luggage, bribing officials, or otherwise skirting the authorities. The ivory trade has increased recently, after the international treating organization seeking to suppress it's illegal exchange decided to allow Japan and then China to sell it "legally"--meanwhile, several tons of illegal ivory are being seized in ports through Southeast Asia and an estimated 25,000 or more elephants were poached in 2011. I definitely suggest reading the entire piece, aptly named "Ivory Worship".
Christy's last National Geographic feature is, in my opinion, even more fascinating, being that it covers a much broader part of the black market. Click here to read "The Kingpin".
Keep an eye out for a longer piece I hope to write in the coming weeks on the global black market and some of its more interesting subsections. I've been reading about the trade and sale of human organs in places like China and Pakistan, among other uncouth and unusual goods.
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