New Wildlife Crime Exhibition at ZSL London Zoo
Monday 12 September 2011
The image of an 10 day old stuffed tiger cub and countless illegal ivory souvenirs is a sad sight for many.
The reality is the illegal trade of endangered species is very much still alive across the globe.
To highlight and raise awareness on the issue, ZSL London Zoo is hosting a unique exhibition from 12th September to
12th October 2011 organised by Operation Charm, the Metropolitan Police initiative.
It's a sorry statistic, but since 1995 Operation Charm has seized more than 30,000 endangered species items.
Displayed in our old Elephant House, the exhibition shows confiscated items including ivory shaving brushes from a London barber, a
Shahtoosh shawl found in a Mayfair boutique and a crocodile skin handbag seized by police.
Sgt Ian Knox urges for members of the public to help fight this illegal trade and try to be "vigilant and let us know if
they see any products like those in the exhibition." He adds: "It is a highly destructive trade and if we can help to reduce
demand for endangered species products in London, there will be a positive impact in the countries where these animals are hunted."
From the image: Items seized by Operation Charm officers in London: a stuffed 10 day old tiger cub, a taxidermy tiger - believed
to be a highly endangered Sumatran tiger of which there are only 300 remaining in the wild, ivory carvings made from hippo and
elephant ivory, an Egyptian tortoise.
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