From Twitter at the police station
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February 26, 2021EnglandThe West Midlands Police Department announced on Twitter that “80 crocodile heads have been confiscated in today’s search!” In the posted photo, the heads of the crocodile and the crocodile were lined up, and there were many comments such as “What should I do if I collect the heads of the crocodile” and “I’m horrified just thinking about it.”
The trigger for the investigation was a sneak peek at the police station. The National Wildlife Crime Department (NWCU), which was requested to cooperate, immediately set out to investigate. NWCU is the world’s first police organization established in 2006 to prevent smuggling of wildlife.
On the morning of the 26th, a joint investigation by NWCU and the police station was conducted in a house on the outskirts of Birmingham, and a total of 80 “crocodile heads” were seized. Perhaps it was very rare, the police station also tweeted, “This is the first time for such a seized item.”
According to the announcement, the landlord, a 44-year-old man, illegally imported crocodile heads and sold them to buyers and enthusiasts around the world through the auction site eBay. The man’s suspicion was enacted in 2018 “Endangered speciesLaw” violated.
The law has been involved in the trafficking of “rhino horns,” “elephant fangs,” “sperm whale teeth,” “tiger bones,” and “taxidermy of tiger children.”ArrestThere are people.
Speaking of crocodile, “crocodile skin” used for wallet and bag cloth is famous, but what is the head used for? If you look at the marine life and reptile shopping sites, there is a category called “crocodile products”, and small ones are sold for less than 1,000 yen, and large ones over 45 cm are sold for about 12,000 yen.
In addition to the head, many products such as “crocodile bone knife”, “crocodile tooth necklace”, and “crocodile leg” are on sale, but it is still a maniac to decorate the wall with a huge head. It seems to be the real thrill of. When stuffed, the skin and skull harden, so it is said on the sales site that it will last for many years.
The import and export of endangered species is also restricted internationally. The basis is the Washington Convention, but leather products such as the American crocodile, Siamese crocodile, and African crocodile cannot be brought into Japan. Crocodile, alligator, etc. also need a permit to bring in.
Crocodiles are not so familiar in Japan, but they can become extinct if easy buying and selling continues. Further protective measures will be needed.
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