A group of men from the National Forestry Department check maps and prepare for a night incursion into the park. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

This 50-year-old bull sits with its legs chained as it has killed five handlers in its lifetime. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

A ranger takes cover from a male rhino. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

A shop-owner shows off her wildlife products in a market near the Thai-Burmese border. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

At a bear farm a tranquilized bear is removed from its cage in order to have bile removed from its gall bladder. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

One of a four-member poaching team is arrested and has his name, age, and the nature and date of his crime written on a board that hangs around his neck. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

Poachers arrested in the Royal Chitwan National Park sit inside the cell where they are most likely to spend the next 20 years. Of the nine-member poaching team, only one escaped. He has since formed a new gang, as rewards are considered greater than the risks involved. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

One of the main smuggling routes from India to Nepal is on the far western border of Nepal. The rope hanging across the road indicates the border. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

A rare Burmese python rests in the sun at the border between China and Burma. The snake is for sale but until it is sold, tourists pay to have a photo taken with the python around their neck. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

A shipment of Pangolins intercepted at Bangkok International Airport. The Pangolins are considered a delicacy and prized for their use in traditional medicine in China and elsewhere. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

Inside the animal protection unit at Scotland Yard, an officer displays a tiger's head seized during a raid in London. Asian wildlife is being plundered and trafficked on an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that wildlife traders export 25,000 to 30,000 primates every year, along with millions of birds, reptiles and tropical fish. The animals are kept as pets, and their body parts used for decoration, or for medicinal and magical purposes. Small-time local poachers are caught and jailed, but more powerful, organized traffickers often operate unhindered due to official corruption and inertia.

People in the News - 2nd prize