There is a new shocking AlJazeera undercover documentary just out, on the ongoing mass killing of rhinos and elephants in Africa to supply the market in China and Vietnam (which acts as a smuggler’s route for China), with Johannesburg-based Chinese “businessmen” giving details on camera, about their smuggling of these animal parts to China (even via Beijing airport) — it is quite amazing as an undercover film revealing how the local Chinese middlemen, as well as dealers in Fujian, actually talk about these crimes, how difficult it is to commit them, the prices, the members of the latest Chinese presidential delegation also buying these things in SA, etc.:
http://www.aljazeera.com/investigations/the-poachers-pipeline/
The network’s description:
“An Al Jazeera undercover team penetrated the network of dealers, agents and traffickers who profit from the multi-million dollar trade in Rhino horn. An illegal business that is decimating the Rhino population close to the point of extinction.”
You can also see it on Youtube: “Al Jazeera Investigates – The Poachers Pipeline.” Al Jazeera English. Published on Nov 12, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMguWY99q6s
+ On their website, see more followup, such as on the turmoil in South Africa over the state security minister who is now under investigation because of his alleged involvement, being photographed with a self-confessed Chinese smuggler in Johannesburg who claims him as his “friend,” etc.:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2016/11/journey-rhino-horn-161114115320075.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/bloody-gift-shape-souvenir-rhino-horn-161113121111999.html
ps.
The Economist last week also had an excellent piece on how Vietnam serves as a transit for China’s smuggler market:
“Grim pickings: Vietnam’s crackdown on traffickers of endangered species is only superficial
.” The Economist, Nov 12th 2016 | HO CHI MINH CITY.
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21710019-vietnams-crackdown-traffickers-endangered-species-only-superficial-grim-pickings
–posted by Magnus Fiskesjö <nf42@cornell.edu>