Airport officials in Kyrgyzstan arrested five Maltese poachers in April for attempting to smuggle dozens of endangered birds out of the country.

What happened?

According to Newsbook, authorities detained the poachers at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, the country's capital, after the Bioresources Control Department and the Department for Combating Smuggling and Violations of Customs Rules discovered the birds. 

The unnamed citizens were charged with the illegal transportation and removal of wildlife, in addition to unauthorized hunting. An official statement from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision did not reveal what bird species were involved in the incident. 

Authorities have fined the smugglers 180,000 Kyrgyz soms (around $2,058), and a civil lawsuit ordered them to pay 270,000 soms (roughly $3,087) to cover harm to wildlife. 

The ministry reported that Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies are investigating the situation.

Why is the smuggling attempt concerning?

Newsbook reported that wildlife trafficking is a significant issue in Kyrgyzstan, as the country is home to many endangered bird species, including the Bearded Vulture, Sociable Lapwing, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, and the Saker Falcon. Species like the Marco Polo sheep, argali, brown bears, and wolves are hunted for trophies.

External demand drives the illegal wildlife trade in Kyrgyzstan, with foreign criminal groups often working with local individuals. According to Traffic.org, Central Asia's open borders make it easy for wildlife to be smuggled across countries. Historically, some officials have even been involved in the exploitation of endangered animals.

Smuggling not only harms animals but also contributes to ecological imbalances if they're released in countries where they're not native. Invasive species can wreak havoc on the environment because they outcompete native plants and animals for critical resources. 

In addition, poaching affects humans because it makes natural areas less appealing to tourists and could impact revenue for communities that rely on ecotourism. The illegal wildlife trade also increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, including monkeypox and possibly COVID-19. 

What's being done to combat wildlife trafficking?

Kyrgyzstan has enforced stricter environmental protection laws and increased penalties for wildlife crimes to conserve the country's biodiversity. Additionally, the Snow Leopard Trust — a nonprofit based in Washington — along with the Kyrgyz government, established the Citizen-Ranger Wildlife Protection Program, which trains and rewards rangers and local community members who apprehend illegal hunters.

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All over the globe, officials have been cracking down on illegal trafficking schemes. In Spain, police rescued over 50 animals, including sand boas, scorpions, and endangered lizards, from a family involved in wildlife smuggling. Nearly 5,000 miles away in India, authorities discovered 72 parrots kept in horrible conditions at a smuggler's home and relocated them to a rehabilitation center. 

If you notice suspicious activity at airports, neighbors' homes, or even while driving, make sure to report it to wildlife authorities or anti-trafficking government hotlines or websites. You may also consider donating to environmental organizations that help combat trafficking. 

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