Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs Office
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society and the U.S. Embassy recently provided training to the U.S. military in Afghanistan to help reduce illegal trade that threatens one of this nation's most precious natural resources – its unique wildlife.
The training took place at Bagram Airfield to educate the U.S. Army Post Office and other military personnel who may unknowingly purchase pelts from endangered species and attempt to ship them home as souvenirs.
Afghanistan is home to endangered snow leopards, Marco Polo sheep and other unique wildlife protected by international laws and treaties. However, skins, pelts and other animal parts from endangered species killed by poachers still regularly wind up in local markets.
According to Dr. Alex Dehgan, who works for the Wildlife Conservation Society's Afghanistan program (funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development), the training work is part of a larger campaign against wildlife trade in Afghanistan. The campaign includes advertisements, posters in airports, and educational materials for schools, along with editorials and newspaper articles for the Afghan and expatriate community. Even many fur shops are now assisting WCS in the process, providing samples for genetic tests, and for training military personnel.
"The training that the Wildlife Conservation Society recently gave at Bagram Airbase for nearly all the U.S. Customs and Military Postal Service officials in Afghanistan went extremely well," said Dr. Dehgan. "The Soldiers were very enthusiastic and dedicated to learning and started developing ideas among themselves to make this initiative successful."
Those in attendance were thankful for the training.
"We had a very informative briefing and hands on session. The more people who we can bring awareness to on this issue, the better for everyone in the long run," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Thomas A. Lockhart, operations sergeant. "Many are not aware of what they are purchasing, and I have not met any service members that would knowingly traffic illegal animals and furs."
The Wildlife Conservation Society is working to increase efforts to stop furs from being sold at United States, International Security Assistance Force, and coalition airbases, and to train the Afghan customs officials as well. WCS is currently the only organization to conduct scientific conservation studies in Afghanistan in the past 30 years, and is working with the Afghan government to establish a network or parks and protected areas.
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2007 07:12 |
| Story ID: | 11927 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 108 |
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