Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team
In 2001, Wildlife Alliance responded to a request from the Cambodian Forestry Administration to address the rampant and devastating illegal wildlife trade. Cambodia’s forests and national parks were under siege from wildlife poachers and traders who sought out endangered wildlife to sell as food, traditional Asian medicine, or for other purposes such as pets and tourist attractions.
“Wildlife Alliance’s Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team is leading the fight in Cambodia’s illegal wildlife trade. To date they have saved more than forty thousand animals from the black market, reducing the illegal wildlife trade in Phnom Penh by 90%.” - Jeff Corwin, June, 2009
We established the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team staff in cooperation with the Cambodian Ministry of the Environment and the Forestry Administration. Three teams of dedicated law enforcement specialists, with logistical and technical support from Wildlife Alliance staff, respond to information from public wildlife crime hotlines and informants to track down the poachers, sellers, and middlemen in the wildlife trafficking business. The Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team works to:
- Conduct investigations of possible wildlife trafficking networks
- Inspect restaurants and other businesses believed to be selling wildlife products
- Intercept shipments of wildlife along the borders.
As of 2011, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team has rescued more than 50,000 live animals and confiscated large quantities of animal parts and other contraband. Wildlife Alliance maintains offices, vehicles, and equipment (GPS units, digital cameras, etc.) for the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team.
How can you help? Never consume wildlife products, or “rescue” live animals by buying them from traders. That just perpetuates the illegal trade. If you’re in Cambodia and see wildlife for sale (live or dead) call the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team hotline 012-500-09, in English or Khmer.
When the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team rescues live animals, those that are healthy and suited for the wild are immediately released in an appropriate habitat. Animals that cannot be released because of injuries or trauma are cared for by the Care for Rescued Wildlife Program at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center.
