News

Operation Charm: Media frenzy

1 November 2006

Operation Charm hit the headlines in November last year with the launch of the campaign at New Scotland Yard. The Evening Standard gave over its entire front cover to the launch (17 November 2006) and featured a photograph two stuffed tiger cubs that had been seized by police from a shop in London - tiny victims of the black market trade that exists in the capital.

More examples of past seizures were on display for the media attending the press conference, including Traditional Chinese Medicines that contained endangered tiger and leopard parts, rhino horn, elephant ivory tusks, and a polar bear rug.

The event was also covered on BBC London News, ITV’s London Tonight, Metro and numerous national newspapers, and helped to focus Londoner's attention on the very real threat posed to the world's endangered species by the illegal trade that is going on in our own neighbourhoods. The story also appeared in India, China and Tibet, helping to convey the important message that wildlife crime and enforcement is taken seriously in London. This shows that what we do locally has an effect globally.