2017 marks the five-year anniversary of Annamiticus! Here are the year’s highlights:
69th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, Geneva, Switzerland
The 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, Bangkok, Thailand
In September 2017, Rhishja was invited to facilitate round table discussion on pangolin trafficking at the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora. The event aims to 1) update and report on current situation of trafficking of wild fauna and flora and progress on enforcement effort, 2) strengthen collaboration and build strong partnership and commitment to address the issue, 3) share and exchange best practices and lesson learned on measures and process on combating trafficking of wild fauna and flora, and 4) elaborate and determine the action plan for ASEAN Cooperation on CITES and Wildlife Enforcement (2016-2020). The event is organized by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand; together with USAID Wildlife Asia, IUCN, CITES, and others.
Pangolin Identification Guide commissioned by USAID Wildlife Asia
Rhishja has compiled the Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk, a project commissioned by USAID Wildlife Asia. The Guide is written specifically for law enforcement and customs personnel. The English version of the booklet is expected to be available in late November 2017, followed by the smartphone app in early 2018. Chinese (Simplified), Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese versions of the booklet and app are expected in early 2018.
African Pangolin Conservation Strategy Workshop, Washington, D.C.
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane Society International (HSI), Annamiticus, Tikki Hywood Trust, and other like-minded groups met in Washington, D.C., in May 2017 to work out the next steps for pangolin conservation in Africa. The African Pangolin Conservation Strategy Workshop was an intense gathering of African pangolin experts, scientists, and policy mavens who are dedicated to stopping the trafficking of these animals.
Working to defeat anti-wildlife legislation in Arizona
2017 marks the launch of Annamiticus’ local involvement with protecting wildlife in our own backyard: the Sonoran Desert.
Our first action was taken on March 1, 2017, with Rhishja speaking at the Arizona State Senate Committee on Government to oppose HB2022, along with Melissa Amarello, founder of Advocates for Snake Preservation (ASP).
On April 10, 2017, HB2022 was rejected by the Arizona Senate
Publications, presentations, posters, podcasts … Here are a few highlights of the work that we do: