Video | Q&A: Endangered wildlife trading at the Myanmar-China border
Alex Hofford reports on the elephant skin, giant flying squirrels and Tibetan antilope horns sold in the lawless border areas
Hong Kong-based conservation photojournalist Alex Hofford visited the turbulent and crime-ridden border area of Shan State Special Region Four, between China and Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, to report on the rampant trade in endangered species there. He shared his impressions from both sides of the border with the South China Morning Post:
Where is the market seen in the video and what is for sale there?
I visited two markets. One in Burma [Myanmar], one in China. The one in the video is in Burma. Alas I do not have video of the one in China. I found pieces of elephant skin, bundles of porcupine quills and a lot of muntjac antlers, clouded leopard and golden cat skins, pangolin scales, giant flying squirrel, green-pigeons and Tibetan antelope horns. Real and fake ivory jewellery and fake tiger canines were also being also sold.
Why are these goods traded there?
The goods are traded in Mong La, Burma, because it is a lawless black hole where all kinds of illegal activities can thrive; drugs production and trafficking (heroin and methamphetamine), people trafficking (sex workers), arms trafficking and illegal wildlife products. It is at the crossroads of Burma, Laos and China, and as such it is an ideal spot where illegal trade routes intersect.
