Maximum black market prices

Ploughshare tortoises: �35,000 Lears macaws: �120,000 Rare orchids: �6,000.

"They use violence, corruption and extortion to obtain and traffic the wildlife."

Mr Abbott said: "Britain is not only a consumer of endangered species but also a principal point of entry to Europe. This is why we have a responsibility to help bring this pernicious trade under control.

"Wildlife crime is a specialist area of crime which needs a specialist and co-ordinated response."

The international wildlife trade

30,000 endangered plants and animals are regulated Illegal trade worth an estimated �3.5bn worldwide UK customs seize about 570 items per day

In the UK, investigations will also focus on the illegal trade in rare birds' eggs, and badger baiting and hare coursing.

Martin Roberts, who led the research team, said: "The big problem is that wildlife crime is viewed as victimless and the law tends to see this as less serious and so penalties are low.

"People [are] moving into types of wildlife crime where they can use the same skills from other offending activities, with low risk but potentially the same rewards".

Wildlife pressure groups welcomed the setting up of the new unit, but said it must be followed up by higher sentences from the courts if criminals are to be deterred from this highly profitable crime.

Ignorant tourists

About 350m animals, worth approximately US$20bn, are traded every year around the world, with 25% of the trade thought to be illegal.

Figures compiled last year showed UK customs officers were seizing about 570 illegal wildlife items every day.

But not all were smuggled by sophisticated gangs - many were brought in by holidaymakers who had not realised souvenirs made from materials such as ivory, coral or rare animal skin could be illegal.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said tourists who bought souvenirs made from endangered species were threatening them with extinction, and said: "If in doubt, don't buy".