"The UNODC released a report this month that said the number of wildlife trafficking seizures in Myanmar is considerably lower than those made elsewhere in the Mekong sub-region but the country is an increasingly important transit point for the illicit wildlife trade. From 2013 to 2017, officials seized 34 shipments of pangolin scales and other parts, totalling more than 1.2 tonnes. Myanmar also has a modest illegal trade in elephant skin, which is often found for sale in popular markets in special economic zones such as Mine Lar and Tachileik in Shan State. “Myanmar has the perfect conditions for the illegal wildlife trade: abundant wildlife, conflict in border regions with little or no government control, located near the infamous Golden Triangle where all sorts of illegal trade thrives, and neighbours with China, where demand for illegal wildlife products is greatest,” Christy Williams, country director of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Myanmar), said. He added, “This means the impact on Myanmar’s wildlife is devastating. To save our wildlife we need to work together across borders to protect our wildlife, stop poaching and end this insidious trade.” WWF and fellow conservation partners are working to support the government in the fight against wildlife trafficking through training, capacity-building and public awareness campaigns, such as Voices for Momos and the Yangon Elephant Museum. Myanmar is trying to reduce or eliminate the illegal trade by burning US$1.15 million (K1.7 billion) worth of elephant tusks and other wildlife parts that were seized this year, a Forest Department official said..."