Assessing the Illegal Bear Trade in Myanmar Through Conversations With Poachers

Topology, Perceptions, and Trade Links to China

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8071798
AutoresVincent Nijman (0000-0002-5600-4276, Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK, autor de correspondencia), Htun Naing Oo, Htun Oo (Friends of Wildlife, Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar), Nay Myo Shwe (0000-0003-3739-3955, Friends of Wildlife, Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar)
Año2017
Volumen22
Número2
Páginas172-182
Fecha de publicación2017-01-06
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHuman Dimensions of Wildlife (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1087-1209 • E-ISSN: 1533-158X
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10871209.2017.1263768
OpenAlexW2568067280
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas13

Myanmar is home to Asiatic black bears and sun bears. We gained insight into illegal hunting and trade of these species in and out of Myanmar through conversations with 40 self-declared bear poachers. All respondents were males who typically killed or caught one to three bears a year, mostly by setting snares. There was a preference for Asiatic black bear. Perceptions were that bears were less abundant now than 5 years ago, but it was not more arduous to obtain one. Most poachers (75%) consumed less valuable parts and sold the remainder, whereas others trapped only to sell. Preferred tradable parts were gall bladder, meat, and paws. Chinese nationals or Burmese of Chinese descent were mentioned as playing key roles (ordering, buying, selling) in trade. Instead of focusing on poachers, we recommend that authorities focus on disrupting trade networks and markets. Cooperation with neighboring countries, especially China, is needed to stem the flow of bear parts

Advertising · Burmese · Business · China · Geography · International trade · Perception · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Cambodian History and Society · Psychology · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation