ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Philippine Clearing House Mechanism (Phil CHM)

The Philippines is involved in the illegal animal trade not so much as a trading center and source of animals, but more as a way station or entrepot for animals captured in Australia and Philippine bound for markets in Southeast Asia and China. In February 2014, AFP reported: “ Wildlife authorities said they had seized nearly 100 exotic animals that had been smuggled into the southern Philippines in the second such haul in just two weeks. Among the creatures confiscated were 66 wild birds, including a rare Pesquet's parrot, as well as assorted reptiles and mammals such as a long-beaked echidna, a Malayan box turtle, and 10 sugar gliders - squirrel-like animals that can glide from tree to tree. A total of 93 animals from Indonesia and Australia were seized by maritime police in the waters off the southern island of Mindanao, including vulnerable and critically endangered species, said Ali Hadjinasser, the regional chief of the government wildlife board. [Source: AFP, February 26, 2014]

Five Filipinos who were transporting the animals were arrested and will be charged with illegal possession and transport of those species, he told AFP. Some of the animals did not survive their extended confinement in small cages, he said, adding that he was also worried about how to care for and feed the exotic creatures. The seizure came just a week after wildlife officers, also in the southern Philippines, found almost 100 similar animals from Australia and Indonesia, being transported by van to Manila. "They (the two shipments) could be connected. They may have one source because the animals were almost the same types. They may have a large stock so they may have divided it into two," Hadjinasser told AFP. He said the animals were so rare even the wildlife officials could not identify them, and had to ask Filipino hobbyists for help.

The head of the government's wildlife division, Josefina de Leon, said the shipments were suspected to have originated from the same international syndicate which sells the animals to local collectors. She said the two large seizures in two weeks were a sign of improved training of wildlife authorities and better cooperation from the public. "Enforcement is better because there are concerned citizens who are now assisting us in catching the perpetrators," she said. Wildlife officials believe the animals are transported from Indonesia to Malaysia, and then across the porous maritime border to the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Aside from endangering the exotic animals, officials fear the smuggling could spread disease to local animal populations.

Philippines and the Illegal Ivory Trade

Caught in the crossfire: biodiversity conservation paradox of sociopolitical conflict Nature

The Philippines is a transit point for ivory but it is also known for its carving industry producing religious sculptures and artifacts. In 2012, year, National Geographic magazine featured an ivory collection allegedly belonging to a Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor Cristobal Garcia, who was suspended in 2012 by the Vatican because of a sex abuse case. [Source: Hrvoje Hranjski, Associated Press, June 21, 2013 /~/]

The Elephant Trade Information System, which tracks the illegal trade on behalf of the 1989 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, says that the Philippines is among nine countries and territories identified as being most heavily implicated in the illegal trade. The others are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Thailand. Ivory can fetch up to $2,000 per kilogram ($910 per pound) on the black market and more than $50,000 for an entire tusk. /~/

In June 2013, Philippine government workers used a backhoe and an incinerator to crush and burn more than five tons of smuggled elephant tusks worth an estimated $10 million in the biggest known destruction of trafficked ivory outside Africa. Hrvoje Hranjski of Associated Press wrote: “The government said that the destruction of the stockpile, gathered from seizures since 2009, demonstrates its commitment to fighting the illegal ivory trade. It also eliminates any opportunity for corrupt officials to resell the ivory, as was the case in 2006 when the largest single shipment of 3.7 tones vanished from the inventory, according to an international network that tracks the illegal trade. "Ivory is known to have disappeared from a number of government-held stockpiles worldwide, so it is vital that proper protocols are established," said Colman O Criodain from the World Wide Fund for Nature. /~/

“The U.S. Agency for International Development and the anti-wildlife-trafficking Freeland Foundation said they were helping the Philippines analyze DNA of tusks at the Center for Conservation Biology of the University of Washington so that law enforcement agencies will know the origin and transit points of the smuggled ivory. It will also help to dismantle criminal syndicates responsible for poaching in Africa. "This not only sends a message to wildlife traffickers that the Philippine government is taking firm action against the illegal ivory trade, but also takes a stand against corruption by burning their ivory stockpile so it cannot be stolen then sold into the black market," said Steven Galster, director of Bangkok-based Freeland Foundation.” /~/

National Geographic article about the connection between the Philippines, Catholicism and Ivory is called “Ivory Worship”, by Bryan Christy, National Geographic, October 2010 nationalgeographic.com

Philippines Animals Targeted by Poachers and Smugglers

Among the Philippines mammals targeted by poachers and smugglers are the endemic Palawan Pangolin (Manis culionensis) is one of the most heavily targeted species. Poachers systematically collect these animals for their meat, which is served as a luxury delicacy, and for their keratin scales, which are heavily traded for traditional medicinal remedies. Primates like the Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta) and the Philippine Slow Loris (Nycticebus menagensis) are also actively removed from their forest habitats, driven exclusively by high demand in the domestic and international exotic pet trade due to their unique features. [Source: Traffic,org, Mongabay]

Avian species are routinely extracted from forest environments to satisfy the demands of the cage-bird market. The critically endangered Blue-naped Parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis), locally known as "Angcoy," along with the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), suffer severe population declines due to intensive poaching for bird traders. Similarly, the Philippine Talking Myna (Gracula religiosa) and the Common Myna are poached in massive volumes from wild habitats, valued for their ability to mimic human speech.

Reptiles are exploited both for international collections and false health remedies. The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) experiences massive over-collection fueled by widespread, unfounded claims that its body parts can cure severe medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS. Freshwater turtles are equally targeted: the critically endangered Palawan Forest Turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis) fetches high prices among high-end black-market collectors, while the Southeast Asian Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis) is statistically the most frequently confiscated native Philippine turtle. Additionally, water monitor lizards, including the West Visayas and Mindanao water monitors, are harvested for their skins, bushmeat, and live pet trade.

An emerging front in illegal wildlife poaching centers on native invertebrates, which are increasingly traded online. Native species such as the Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus) and native tarantulas like the Philippine Orange Tarantula (Orphnaecus philippinus) are routinely collected from the wild to supply illicit, unregulated social media trade groups. Many of these native species face over-collection before their wild populations can even be formally documented or assessed for conservation status.

Ten Tons of Pangolin Meat Seized on a Chinese Boat in the Philippines

In April 2013, Philippine authorities discovered more than 10 tonnes of frozen pangolin meat aboard a Chinese vessel that had run aground in Tubbataha National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Palawan. About 400 boxes containing pangolin carcasses were found during an inspection of the vessel. [Source: Damian Carrington, The Guardian, April 15, 2013]

The 12 Chinese crew members were arrested and faced charges related to poaching, possession of pangolin meat, and damage to the protected coral reef. The case highlighted the illegal trade in pangolins, whose meat and scales were highly valued in parts of Asia. All trade in the 4 Asian pangolin species had been prohibited internationally since 2002.

The Chinese fishing vessel, named the F/V Min Long Yu, reportedly originated from Malaysia or Indonesia according to varying statements from the detained crew and local authorities, The Guardian reported: The 12 Chinese crewmen from the wrecked vessel are being held on charges of poaching and attempted bribery, damaging coral reef and possessing pangolin meat. Tubbataha reef is a marine sanctuary and popular diving destination 640 kilometers south-west of Manila. The Philippine military quoted the fishermen as saying they accidentally wandered into Philippine waters from Malaysia. The fishermen face up to 12 years' imprisonment and fines of up to $300,000 (£196,000) for the poaching charge alone. For possessing pangolin meat, they can be imprisoned up to six years and fined,

The seizure was one of the largest recorded at the time and illustrated the intense pressure on Southeast Asian pangolin populations. Two species, the Sunda pangolin and Chinese pangolin, were classified as endangered, while the Philippine pangolin, found only on Palawan, was considered threatened by the Philippine government because of continuing illegal trade.

Giant Clam Shells Worth $25 Million Seized in Philippines Raid

In April 2021, Philippine authorities seized about 200 tonnes of illegally harvested giant clam shells on an island in Palawan. The shells were estimated to be worth nearly $25 million, making the seizure one of the largest recorded in the country. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal harvest. [Source: BBC, April 17, 2021]

The seized shells included those of Tridacna gigas, the world's largest clam species. Giant clams can grow to more than 1 meter (3.3 feet) across and weigh up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds). The Philippines is home to most of the world's species of tropical giant clams.

Giant clams play an important role in coral reef ecosystems. They contain symbiotic marine algae that provide food and contribute to the productivity of reef habitats. Their populations are threatened by illegal harvesting for meat and by demand for their large shells, which are sometimes used as substitutes for ivory in jewelry and decorative items.

The seizure occurred in Palawan, an ecologically important region with extensive marine habitats. Philippine law prohibits the killing and collection of endangered wildlife, with violations potentially carrying prison sentences of up to 12 years and substantial fines.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: CIA World Factbook, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, Philippines Department of Tourism, The Guardian, National Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Encyclopedia.com, Wikipedia, BBC, CNN, and various books, websites and other publications.

Last updated August 2026