WILDLEX

The appellant pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in fraudulently evading the prohibition on the importation of a prohibited species of endangered falcon. He was stopped while entering the country with his car, which was found to contain four young birds of prey, Gyr falcons, worth between GBP 10,000 - 15,000 each.

The appellant was convicted of one count of keeping and offering for sale a peregrine falcon and six counts of selling such birds, contrary to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement)Regulations 1985.

The appellants pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell restricted specimens, rhinoceros horn, contrary to the control of the Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985.

The defendant was a breeder of rare parrots. He was charged in an indictment with four counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a restriction, by virtue of an enactment, on the importation of goods, contrary to section 170(2)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

The petitioners are dealers and artisans in ivory who carry on the business and trade in ivory including the manufacture of articles derived from ivory lawfully imported into India prior to the ban. They imported part of the stock of mammoth ivory from Russia and part of it from Hong Kong for the purposes of the business.

This appeal concerns the fate of four chimpanzees, brought from Zaire (in today's Democratic Republic of the Congo) by the Respondent. The animals are still in custody of the Uganda authorities, having been seized at Entebbe Airport as they were about to be exported to Dubai.

As a result of an earlier ruling, namely reversing the verdict of acquittal of the District Judge and recording a conviction against both respondents, it is now the task of the Court of Appeal ("the Court") to impose such sentence as is proper in the circumstances.

This applicant appeals against a total sentence of 10-month in respect of fraudulently evading the restriction on the export of elephant tusks and sperm whale teeth, of selling those items and of making false statements and altering or falsifying permits and certificates for the purposes of the same and similar transactions.

As mentioned above, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Department disguised themselves as potential customers of the defendant, who was in possession of large amounts of ivory with the intention for sale.

The appellant pleaded guilty to various offences consisting of dealing with specimens of rare orchids,which were protected by regulations made in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).