Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55507
Title: Examining the role of transnational organised criminal networks in the illegal tiger trade
Authors: Naja, Karolina-Martha
Keywords: Wild animal trade
Tiger trade
Illegality
Wildlife crimes
Offenses against the environment
Issue Date: 2019
Citation: Naja, K.-M. (2019). Examining the role of transnational organised criminal networks in the illegal tiger trade (Bachelor's dissertation).
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to bring attention to the illegal tiger trade by examining the role of organised criminal networks within it. The illegal tiger trade is a horrible crime that will cause the wild tiger species to go extinct in the next generation. It is rooted in the Asian tradition of using every inch of the tiger for medicinal use or as a symbol of wealth and power. Yet, so many people are unaware of what is pushing the species towards the brink of extinction. Therefore, the aim of this research was achieved by carrying out an in-depth analysis on three objectives. The first objective was to examine the motivations and drivers surrounding the persecution of tigers within a green criminology paradigm by constructing a criminological profile of those involved. The second was to analyse the sophistication of the transnational organised criminal group networks which included the mapping of established routes. The final objective was to investigate the government and enforcement efforts and corruption. This resulted in pursuing further investigations on tiger farming which stood out in literature as creating a parallel legal market through Chinese legislation. This allowed OCGs to take advantage of the legal market by leaking illegal tiger products obtained from captivesourced tigers into the legal market. Furthermore, the criminological profiles of the players established key issues in relation to government and enforcement responses. Poaching is a traditional route taken by societal outcasts in countries like India, while the supplier is the central node in the network who controls the actions of every person in the criminal organisation and is also the hardest to detect. Lastly, the majority of buyers are law enforcement and government officials who benefit from the legislations in place. The routes identified also implicate lack of enforcement in known areas but also revealed a growing demand in the United States of America which is not highly researched about by many scholars. The implications of these findings suggest that high political figures do not view the illegal tiger trade as a top priority crime even though the wild tiger species might become extinct. This may be because tiger farms have a thriving population and are being utilised to meet the demand for tiger parts from those political figures and those meant to be enforcing the law. The fact that governments in some countries still don’t invest enough in law enforcement to allow intelligence-led investigations implies that the illegal tiger trade is not viewed as a serious and sophisticated organised crime.
Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55507
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacSoW - 2019
Dissertations - FacSoWCri - 2019

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