Post on 17-Jan-2016
Wildlife crime – a serious crime
More than just about wildlife
Dr Carlos Drews
Director, Global Species Programme
WWF International
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FIGHTING ILLICIT WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
A consultation with governments
Illegal wildlife trade, including timber and fish
• The 4th largest global illegal trade, worth US$19 billion per year, after
Narcotics Counterfeiting Human trafficking
Hong Kong makes largest ivory seizure worth $3.4m
21. October 2012
4 tonnes (1,200 tusks), hidden in two separate containers from Kenya and Tanzania
Photo: REUTERS/Apple Daily
Wildlife crime is aboutmore than just wildlife
• Can fund regional conflicts
• Destabilises society
• Leads to human deaths
• Is associated to other crimes
Where wildlife crime thrives:
• Corruption, weak enforcement, poverty • Absence of credible law enforcement, prosecution,
penalties and other deterrents • Increasing demand and accessibility• Not viewed as a transnational crime and justice issue • Rangers, police officers and customs officials not sufficiently
trained or equipped.• Lack of collaboration, coordination and accountability
Anson Wong in 2001, sentenced to 71 months imprisonment, pleaded guilty to "40 counts of smuggling, conspiracy, money laundering and violations of US wildlife protection laws”.
Solutions: from low to
high risk crime
• Establish effective deterrents: • Treat illicit wildlife trafficking as a serious crime
• Publicize deterrents
Solutions: from low to
high risk crime
• Adequate resources for law enforcement• Adjust legislation – criminal offence with at least 4
years imprisonment (UNODC)• Strengthening criminal investigation and judiciary• Cross-ministerial collaboration• Hold governments accountable
Solutions:
from high to low profitability
• Demand reduction• High sourcing and distribution costs (from
effective law enforcement)
Download the report:http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/problems/illegal_trade/
wildlife_trade_campaign/wildlife_trafficking_report/
A WWF contribution to