62. Illegal trafficking in endangered species is a long-standing problem that grewenormously under the transitional Government. Trafficking has occurred in tortoises andother wildlife, as well as in precious woods such as ebony (Diospyros), palisander and,especially, rosewood (both of which are in the Dalbergia genus). Logs have been exportedas raw material for highly valuable furniture in foreign markets, especially in China, wherea metric ton of rosewood is worth about $25,000.53 Madagascar rosewood trees are nowfound only in protected areas, including in particular the Masoala National Park in thenorth-east. Although selective logging of valuable trees might seem to be less harmful thanclear-cutting, many other trees must also be cut to remove the trees of value. Illegal loggingalso contributes to other problems, including harassment and violence directed againstthose who try to defend the protected areas. The failure to stop illegal logging sends adiscouraging message to local communities that their efforts to conserve these forests arepointless, because the resources will be exploited by the so-called “rosewood mafiabarons”, the relatively small number of individuals in Madagascar who profit from the
62. Illegal trafficking in endangered species is a long-standing problem that grew enormously under the transitional Government. Trafficking has occurred in tortoises and other wildlife, as well as in precious woods such as ebony (Diospyros), palisander and, especially, rosewood (both of which are in the Dalbergia genus). Logs have been exported as raw material for highly valuable furniture in foreign markets, especially in China, where a metric ton of rosewood is worth about $25,000.53 Madagascar rosewood trees are now found only in protected areas, including in particular the Masoala National Park in the north-east. Although selective logging of valuable trees might seem to be less harmful than clear-cutting, many other trees must also be cut to remove the trees of value. Illegal logging also contributes to other problems, including harassment and violence directed against those who try to defend the protected areas. The failure to stop illegal logging sends a discouraging message to local communities that their efforts to conserve these forests are pointless, because the resources will be exploited by the so-called “rosewood mafia barons”, the relatively small number of individuals in Madagascar who profit from the trafficking.