Myanmar targets closure of notorious wildlife trade hub on Chinese border

Myanmar authorities plan to shut down a notorious border town where exotic animal parts are sold openly, an official said on Tuesday, as Southeast Asia struggles to stem a billion-dollar wildlife trade fuelled by Chinese demand.

Mong La, a lawless border town located in rebel-held territory in Myanmar’s Shan state, is a market for endangered species and products – such as elephant tusks and tiger wine – which are freely traded, largely to Chinese tourists.

It is part of the “golden triangle”, a hotbed of illegal activity, including drug, wildlife and people trafficking, that straddles Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

“We are planning to close the market. But without local people and local police, we won’t be successful,” said Kyaw San Naing, the director of Myanmar’s conservation ministry.

He said previous governments – for decades run by the military – had allowed the trade to flourish making it hard to quickly shutter the lucrative zone.

The ministry plans an education campaign to teach people about the value of protecting Myanmar’s wildlife and natural resources.