Dicerorhinus sumatrensis ( Fischer, 1814 )
LEGAL STATUS
The Sumatran Rhinoceros is completely protected by legislation throughout Indonesia, Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak), and Thailand.6 Live rhinos are fully protected by law in Myanmar but it is legal 'to sell blood an
d other parts as medicine'.24
The rhinoceros was listed on Appendix 1 of CITES in 1977. Hence international trade in this species is prohibited. Laws controlling trade in rhino horn have been tightened since 1992 and in October 1993 Korea, one of the major importers of rhino horn, joi
ned CITES. However, Yemen, another significant importer still remains a non party.14 On 11 April 1994 the USA placed limited trade sanctions on Taiwan and threatened similar action against China because of their failure to
stop illegal trade in rhino horn and tiger bone. This represented the first use of the Pelly Amendment (1978) of the US Fisheries Act. This authorizes the use of trade sanctions if countries are identified by the US Secretary of the Interior as diminishin
g the effectiveness of any international programme for endangered or threatened species. Taiwan's response was rapid; within 10 days they announced a US $38 m programme to strengthen the protection of endangered species and clamp down on illegal trade in
wildlife.5 The sanctions placed on Taiwan were lifted in 1995.
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