The trafficking of exotic wildlife species presents a grave threat, necessitating heightened international collaboration and exchange of intelligence among law enforcement agencies, CBI Director Praveen Sood said on Thursday.

Sood made the remarks after inaugurating an international meeting on the issue co-hosted by the CBI and Interpol.

The regional investigative and analytical case meeting on exotic species trafficking, convened at the CBI headquarters, is hosting domain experts from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The primary focus will be on comprehending the modus operandi and trafficking routes employed for live exotic animals and birds within the region, among other pertinent topics.

Experts participating in the meeting will not only identify information lacunae but will also explore the potential for sharing criminal information, discern transnational networks, and deliberate on prioritizing targets implicated in trafficking transactions.

In his inaugural address, Sood underscored that each participating nation harbours a diverse biodiversity, including rare and endangered species, targeted by transnational poaching and smuggling networks. Reiterating India’s commitment to the conservation and protection of exotic species, he highlighted the multi-faceted approach combining legal frameworks, robust enforcement mechanisms, international cooperation, and community involvement.

He said the trafficking of exotic wildlife species presents a grave threat, necessitating heightened international collaboration and exchange of intelligence among law enforcement agencies.

Hyuk Lee, Criminal Intelligence Officer from Interpol’s Environmental Security Unit, emphasized the imperative to enhance understanding of trafficking routes and modus operandi.