OneWorld.net (U.S.)

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, IFAW, warns that a number of rare species may face extinction due to the illegal internet trade in exotic animals.

In the course of a single week, the organisation found 146 live mammals for sale on the internet black market. They included a two-year-old giraffe, an adult gorilla and baby chimpanzees. IFAW also found 5,500 products made of ivory and elephant skin and over 500 tortoise shells for sale.

The organisation has called on providers to put an end to the lucrative and anonymous trade in endangered species at internet auctions. It also wants governments to provide information warning consumers that it is illegal to buy endangered species.

Source: Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep