Furniture shop illegally selling endangered wildlife parts

The Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) searched a furniture shop in Cambodia’s capital after obtaining a warrant. Inside, they found the horns of Endangered and Vulnerable animals mounted on wood heads and nearly 100 feathers from endangered green peafowls. The horns consisted of three pairs of gaur (V) horns, one pair of sambar deer (V) horns, and three pairs of banteng (E) horns. These species all have declining populations, shrinking habitats and are heading towards extinction, and yet they are targeted by hunters so they can be turned into décor. The international trade in wildlife parts is one of the main threats facing all four of these species. The WRRT is combating the illegal wildlife trade by identifying and cracking down on trade networks.

The furniture shop owner was penalized with a hefty fine of $6,980.55 (27,922,200 KHR) for illegally selling endangered wildlife parts.