HERE IN SINGAPORE!

The illegal wildlife trade is not just an international issue, but also a local one. Due to Singapore’s excellent and efficient transportation network, Singapore has landed herself in the ranks of the world’s top 10 illegal wildlife smuggling hubs. Criminal organisations manipulate the transport network, smuggling endangered wildlife species and products to fuel the emergent appetite of the increasingly affluent population in the region. They source for goods from countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, and then ship these goods to larger consumer markets such as China and Europe.

Singapore has been trying its best to stamp out these illegal activities. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) started in Singapore in 2006, aiming to protect the world’s biodiversity and decrease Singapore’s ecological footprint. It organises activities such as awareness campaigns and outreach programs to educate Singaporeans on the environment.

Every individual on the planet needs to be aware of how our actions are endangering wildlife and how we can each play a part to conserve it. One simple way is to voice your concerns and get involved locally. By letting national governments know that you’re concerned about endangered species, you’re increasing the likelihood that someone will do something about it.