UAE:Border officials in the UAE are seizing more exotic animals in their battle against traffickers using Dubai as a transit point, a new report suggests.
A detailed review focusing on air transport found the UAE had the third-highest number of smuggling cases worldwide between 2009 and last year.
This included seizures of animals and animal products at Dubai airports, or at hauls further down the line, mainly in Asia. Some of those overseas hauls were the result of international efforts involving Dubai Customs and police.
China and Thailand topped the list with the most cases of smuggling in the data released by the US Agency for International Development.
As a key transit route, border authorities in Dubai continue to face a battle to stop the trafficking of illegal animals, particularly of birds.
Kinda Jabi, from the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Dubai, said major transit centres such as Dubai International Airport are popular with smugglers.
“About 90 million passengers pass through Dubai airport every year, so it’s expected that wildlife traders would use Dubai as a transit point on their way from Africa to Asia,” Ms Jabi said.
The fund has a partnership with Dubai Customs to train inspectors on the best way to tackle and prevent smuggling.
In May, a spokesman for Dubai Customs said officers continued “to raise awareness around the importance of protecting these endangered species and abiding by international agreements and treaties in this field”.
Etihad Airways and Emirates have pledged support for anti-trafficking campaigns and sought to highlight the misery the trade brings to animals and the criminal networks it supports.
“More information and intelligence about seizures or possible smuggling attempts needs to be exchanged so authorities can take action,” Ms Jabi said.
