Trees were illegally logged in Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary

The Forest Department of Myanmar has seriously paid attention to combat illegal wildlife trade as well as associated trade such as the illegal timber trade that leads to deforestation, forest degradation and loss of royalties. Combating this trade is the collaborative action between the Forest Department, National Police Force and local administration. In the month of July in 2013 alone, a total of 3,279.51 cubic meters of illegal timber were seized from 1,070 cases. The suspects involved in this illegal trade were held accountable for violation of the law, particularly the Forest Law (1992).

It was also reported that on 3 July 2013, a patrol team from Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary recovered 10.91 cubic meters of illegally logged timber from the Sanctuary. No suspect was identified in said case.

Illegal Hand-made firearms found in Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary

From 28-29 July 2013, officers from the Chattin Wildlife Sanctuary and Myanmar National Police Force were able to confiscate 15 hand-made firearms at four different places inside the wildlife sanctuary. The firearms were believed to be used for hunting wild animlas, especially the Myanmar Golden Deer (Cervus eldi thamin), an endemic species of Myanmar. Chattin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the Protected Areas in Myanmar that protect the deer.