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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for wildlife management
56 results foundAuthor: Chardonnet, P. Title: Managing the Conflicts Between People and Lion: Review and Insights from the Literature and Field Experience Summary: Not long ago, when large mammals harmed people we talked of accidents; when they damaged people’s assets we referred to incidents. Nowadays, human/wildlife conflicts are regarded as common occurrences. It seems that what were once considered exceptional or abnormal events have become normal or usual. Whether this is a result of higher frequency and amplitude is not clear, because we do not have reliable statistics to make accurate comparisons. Similarly, human-eating and livestock-raiding lions might be seen as normal lions expressing their carnivorous nature in particular circumstances. Contemporary lions are not wilder or crueller or more dangerous than before: it is just that these particular circumstances seem to be recorded more frequently. Also, communication is now instant and universal: news of a casualty in a remote wilderness can be reported at once on the internet, spreading the information worldwide. Furthermore, a problem lion seems to have a greater psychological impact than a problem crocodile: a crocodile victim disappears, but a lion victim is more likely to be noticed; also, according to B. Soto, a lion incident might be perceived as an intrusion into the human environment, whereas a crocodile incident might be viewed as a human intrusion into the crocodile environment. The result is that the lion might be regarded as more at fault than the crocodile, even though the consequences are the same. In any case, the interface between humans and wildlife is increasing: growing human population and encroachment into lion habitat have simply augmented the incidence of contact between people and lions. Similarly, the harvesting of wildlife has increased, leaving less natural prey for lions. Obviously, the probability of clashes between people and lions now tends to be higher. Longestablished traditional ways of deterring fierce, fully-grown lions might become partly ineffective, and lethal methods are not always acceptable by modern standards. Triggers for human eaters and cattle raiders are being investigated, and knowledge of behavioural factors is improving. New methods to protect people and livestock from lions are being tested in a number of risk situations; these methods are also designed to conserve the lion itself from eradication over its natural range. Conservation of the lion is now a topical concern because our ancestors, the hunted humans (Ehrenreich, 1999) of the past who were chased by predators have become hunting humans and predators themselves. Interestingly, this study was undertaken during a period of rising general interest in conservation of the lion. Two regional strategies for the conservation of the African lion have been developed under the auspices of the Cat Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission, one for West and Central Africa, the other for Eastern and Southern Africa.1 And more and more lion-range states are developing national action plans. This provides evidence of the effort invested in tackling the diverse issues related to lion conservation. By focusing on the human/lion interactions, the present study is complementary to the work of the World Conservation Union. This study also echoes the dynamic forum facilitated by the African Lion Working Group.2 We hope that this review will contribute to the challenge of long-term conservation of the African lion. Success will be attained when the lion changes from being perceived as vermin or a pest to being regarded as a wealth or an asset. Details: Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Naitons, 2010. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Wildlife Management Working Paper 13: Accessed December 1, 2012 at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/k7292e/k7292e00.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/k7292e/k7292e00.pdf Shelf Number: 127084 Keywords: Human-Animal ConflictIllegal HuntingLionsWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Nellemann, Christian Title: Elephants in the Dust - The African Elephant Crisis. A Rapid Response Assessment Summary: The African elephant, the largest remaining land mammal on the planet, is facing the greatest crisis in decades. Reports of mass elephant killings in the media vividly illustrate the situation across many African elephant range states. Results from monitoring and systematic surveys conducted under the UNEP-hosted CITES treaty reveal that poaching levels have tripled in recent years, with several elephants killed every single hour of the day. In Central and West Africa, the elephant may soon disappear from whole areas unless urgent action is taken. Organized syndicates ship several tons of ivory at a time to markets in Asia, and hundreds of elephants are killed for every container sent. Indeed, this report documents nearly a tripling in the number of large-scale ivory seizures by customs authorities, revealing the scale and heavy involvement of international criminal networks that must be addressed. The report, however, also provides optimism if action is taken by governments within Africa and in ivory market countries. Improved law enforcement methods, international collaboration with the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, the World Customs Organization and INTERPOL and measures to reduce demand can be implemented with success if countries and donors join forces. Indeed, large and previously secure elephant populations in Southern Africa are evidence of the fact that both elephants and their habitats cannot only be well-managed, but, coupled with tourism, can also become a source of income. Improved public awareness is also key. Many people including businessmen and women are often unaware that the ivory they may be exchanging as gifts could have been sourced illegally. Among other awareness activities, UNEP is currently working with its Goodwill Ambassador, actress Li Bingbing, and the City of Shanghai to bring the issue of ivory poaching to the attention of the public. Details: Norway: GRID-Arendal, UNEP, CITES, IUCN, TRAFFIC, 2013. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 11, 2013 at: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/elephants/ Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/elephants/ Shelf Number: 127909 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIvoryOrganized CrimeWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources(IUCN) Title: Parks and Reserves of Ghana: Management Effectiveness Assessment of Protected Areas Summary: Ghana is endowed with diverse ecosystems, which results in a relatively high degree of diversity of plant and animal species. The network of protected areas is a fair representation of all these ecosystems namely: Guinean savannah woodland, transition between dry forest and guinea savannah, dry semi-deciduous forest, moist evergreen forest, transitional zone between moistevergreen and moist semi-deciduous forest types, and dry evergreen forest. The diversity of Ghana Wildlife Protected Areas (WPAs) protects a very wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, vascular plants and butterflies. Some WPAs are part of the upper Guinean rain forest which is very rich in biodiversity. The transboundary nature of other parks like Kyabobo makes it possible for buffalos and elephants to move between Ghana and Togo (Fazao-Malfakassa National Park). In Ghana, the Wildlife Division (WD) of the Forestry Commission is responsible for the protection and management of wildlife protected areas (WPAs). Until 1999 the Wildlife Division was known as the Wildlife Department, a single, centralized government institution directly under the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, now Lands and Natural Resources. Since its creation in 1967, WD has been severely under-resourced and unable to perform its mandate effectively. This has led to a serious reduction in management capability and, as a result, the conservation of a lot of PAs has suffered. There are twenty one (21) WPAs in Ghana totalling 1,347,600 ha or 5.6% of the country. The protected area network includes 7 National Parks, 6 Resource Reserves, 2 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 Strict Nature Reserve and 5 coastal wetlands. These PAs are of economic importance as they contribute to improving standards of living of communities surrounding them. Livelihood support programmes exist in some communities surrounding the park, as well as community based tourism programmes. Some plant species are used for wood production and some of the PAs contain medicinal plants. Some PAs also have cultural, religious or spiritual significance with shrines and sacred grooves, for example, and some have aesthetic attractions such as the Bamboo Cathedral and Rapids in Ankasa; Waterfalls, Magnificent Caves in Bomfobiri, and Kakum. WPAs in Ghana are subject to pressures and threats, the main pressures being poaching, bush fires and land conversion due to farming or grazing around or within the PAs. Illegal gathering of wild plants and animals (poaching) is present in all PAs at different degrees of severity. There is a high demand for bush meat, rattan and chewing stick. Rattan is poached for craft; elephants are hunted for their tusks, and leopard for skin. But killing of animals is also a result of human/wildlife conflict. Poaching is less severe in some PAs because of better law enforcement or the setting up of community initiatives that regulate harvesting of non-timber forest products, which contributes to reduction in poaching. Land conversion is mainly due to cocoa farming outside the parks in southwestern Ghana. In Shai Hills, illegal grazing by livestock affects the overall productivity of the reserve. These pressures increase the PAs' vulnerability, which is an issue in most of the PAs. Indeed, there is high demand for resources for cultural and economic purpose; in some parks like Mole, group hunting is a cultural practice, and bush fires are sometimes caused by fire festival, and for the installation of a chief, part of some key species like elephant or lion are sometimes needed. Details: Ouagadougou, BF: UICN/PACO, 2010. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2013 at: http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2010-073.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Ghana URL: http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2010-073.pdf Shelf Number: 128007 Keywords: Animal PoachingEnvironmental CrimesNatural Resources (Ghana)Offenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife CrimeWildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Management |
Author: Schoppe, Sabine Title: Status, Trade Cynamics and Management of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora Amboinensis in Indonesia Summary: The Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis - one of 29 native freshwater turtles in Indonesia - is a globally vulnerable species and the survival of substantial populations in general is particularly threatened by the extensive international trade for consumption and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to East Asian countries. In order to control the trade, the species and its congeners were included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2000. Prior to the export of Appendix II species from a country of origin, a so-called nondetriment finding (NDF) should be conducted to determine the number of individuals that can be harvested without a negative impact on the survival of wild populations. Such a finding should be the basis for any annual harvest and export quota of the species. An NDF however requires knowledge on socioeconomic factors and of species’ life history, distribution, population densities and threats. Indonesia is the main supplier of Cuora amboinensis to the international meat, TCM and pet markets but no scientifically-based assessment has formed the basis for a NDF and the current national harvest quota of 20 000 individuals per year is based on the export realisation of previous years rather than on the results of comprehensive scientific surveys. Considering the above, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia identified the Southeast Asian Box Turtle as a heavily traded species to be used as a case study for science-based management, which could serve as a model for other CITES Appendix II species (particularly reptiles) in trade. The present study therefore aimed to review information on the biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle, assess the legislation in place to regulate trade in wildlife especially in freshwater turtles and tortoises, identify past and current harvest and trade levels, and determine whether the abundance of the species has changed over time. The literature review revealed that the Southeast Asian Box Turtle plays an undefined but likely important role in food webs of wetland ecosystems, and serves as seed disperser. Therefore, its temporary or permanent removal from its natural habitats leads to an imbalance of the ecosystem structure, the significance and consequences of which currently cannot be determined. The species has a low and relatively slow growth. The Southeast Asian Box Turtle has a low reproductive rate: in captivity, it might reach maturity in four years and five months; in the wild it will take about 5½-6 years to attain maturity, and one female produces an average of only six eggs per year, three of which might reach juvenile stage. The species is adaptable to man-made habitats which makes it very accessible for harvest. There are only very few if any properly protected areas in Indonesia, whose turtle populations could serve as assurance colonies. Despite being a commensal species, it is nowadays difficult to find a Southeast Asian Box Turtle in the wild near residential or agricultural areas in Indonesia. Its life cycle combined with continuous harvest for the food and TCM trade has led to over-exploitation of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle in Indonesia and to local extinction around trade centres. The present study concentrated on harvest and trade centres in Java, Sulawesi, Sumatra and Kalimantan was conducted from March to July 2006 and indicated a decline in the mean size of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle as a result of long-term over-exploitation of adults. In Indonesia, local utilization of the species is negligible but international trade for consumption and TCM is extensive and represents the major threat to the survival of the species. Illegal trade is extensive and includes all levels and kinds of traders such as collectors, middlemen, suppliers and exporters of registered and unregistered companies. Also alarming is the extent of plastrons and carapaces illegally traded, which mostly remain undetected due to easy concealment. The population size of the species in two hectare of a peat swamp forest in a protected area, the Taman National Rawa Aopa Watomohai in the south-east of the island of Sulawesi was estimated to be 120 individuals or 60 individual/ha. The population composition in terms of immature to mature ratio was almost 1:1 (54.9% immature and 45.1% mature). Harvest surveys of the species in an openly accessible area in East Kalimantan have shown that four middlemen alone easily assemble more than half of the nation’s annual quota in one year. The composition of harvested individuals in the study site in Kota Bangun, East Kalimantan was significantly in favour of large adults (95.8%) and contained only 4.2% immature individuals. Most of the Indonesian registered pet traders stated that nowadays it is more difficult to get a certain number of individuals compared to some 5-10 years ago. Generally, populations of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle near centres of trade are over-exploited and in many cases, even locally extinct. The main ports of illegal exports are Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Makassar, Tembilahan, Medan and Pekanbaru. Major international destinations are Hong Kong SAR, mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia. Illegal export in the species is believed to far exceed the number of individuals that can be legally exported (18 000 individuals). The most conservative estimate is that illegal trade amounts to 10 times the volume of legal trade, but probably it is rather 100 times the volume of legal trade. A total trade ban is not expected to solve the problem of unsustainable harvest but illegal trade has to be eradicated to allow sustainable management of this and other wildlife species. Tortoises and freshwater turtles including the Southeast Asian Box Turtle may only be exported live from Indonesia. The export of dead animals, parts (carapace or plastron) or derivatives is illegal under the Indonesian quota system. Some members of the CITES MA, especially at the provincial level are not aware of this. Export of dead specimens, parts and derivatives of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle from Indonesia has increased since the species became listed in Appendix II. This trend seems to apply also to other freshwater turtle species that recently became CITES-listed. Furthermore, increased control of live shipments has led to an increased volume of illegally traded shells. Many of the illegal shipments have forged CITES export permits. Enforcement officers are insufficiently trained and/or do not check CITES permits thoroughly. Illegal export of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle and other freshwater turtles from Indonesia is possible because many shipments are not inspected, many law enforcement officers do not know the conservation status of the different freshwater turtle species, and still cannot distinguish between the different species. Indonesia has a substantive enough legislative framework in place to govern the management of wildlife harvest and trade, and it is comparatively stronger than that of many neighbouring countries. Unfortunately, the enforcement of these laws is very weak. None of the establishments that sold the Southeast Asian Box Turtle for local utilization obtained the specimens from licensed collectors nor were these outlets licensed to sell. The Indonesian CITES MA has a very detailed, complex and difficult licensing and permit system. The quota setting in Indonesia is not science-based but driven by the demand from traders to supply importing countries especially those in East Asia where large volumes are consumed for food and traditional medicines. The distribution of the national quota among provinces is not related to local abundance nor to sustainability of trade but to the presence of a trader. Locations for harvest or capture are not carefully selected based on biological and ecological assessments, but rather in accordance with the preferred collection sites of the trader. The fact that some freshwater turtle species fall under the jurisdiction of the PHKA (Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation under the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia) while others are under the management of the DKP (Indonesian Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries), has led to considerable confusion and weakness in law enforcement. Results of this study have shown that the exploitation of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle in Indonesia has reached a level that requires immediate action. Harvest needs to be regulated and illegal trade to be eradicated. Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2009. 105p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2013 at: http://www.trafficj.org/publication/09_Status_Trade_SE_Asian_Box_Turtle.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: http://www.trafficj.org/publication/09_Status_Trade_SE_Asian_Box_Turtle.pdf Shelf Number: 128051 Keywords: Asian Box TurtleIllegal Wildlife TradeWildlife Crimes (Asia)Wildlife ManagementWildlife Smuggling |
Author: JALA – the Advocacy Network for North Sumatra Fisherfolk Title: When Fishing Turns Deadly: The Environmental and Social Impacts of Illegal Trawling in North Sumatra Summary: North Sumatra is particularly significant to the antitrawler movement in Indonesia because it is here that the numbers of trawlers are greatest, and therefore also here that the conflict between traditional fishing communities and trawlers has been the most widespread and severe. The large increase in the number of trawlers in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in large decreases in catch and income levels for local fishermen10, particularly in the 3 mile zone reserved for traditional fishing activities. Trawlers have often illegally entered these areas, a practice that frequently continues to this day. There was and is little enforcement of the law by any level of government. The result has been anger and frustration on the part of local fishing communities over their decrease in income and the lack of government action. The incursions by trawlers into the traditional fishing zone and resulting contact with local fishermen have had tragic consequences. Trawlers have crushed small fishing boats, resulting in injuries and loss of equipment, and in some cases deaths11. In response traditional fishermen have attacked and burnt trawlers. These clashes between traditional fishermen and trawlers result in injury and loss of life on both sides; many fishermen have been injured, disappeared or died. JALA estimates that the conflict has resulted in over 200 casualties in North Sumatra over the last 15 years. These events continue to be of serious concern; the most recent deadly confrontation occurred at the end of February 2007 near Pantai Cermin, Deli Serdang district. JALA strongly condemns the violent actions taken by both sides, and promotes non-violent solutions amongst the local fishing communities to the problem of trawlers. Together with other NGOs and fishermen organizations, JALA is active in resolving the conflict by providing non-litigation support for traditional fishermen. JALA also works with the NGO Legal Aid Foundation (LBH), which provides professional legal representation for local fishermen impacted by the conflict, who otherwise would not be provided with any information or assistance Details: London: Environmental Justice Foundation, 2008. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: http://www.imcsnet.org/imcs/docs/when_fishing_turns_deadly_north_sumatra.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Indonesia URL: http://www.imcsnet.org/imcs/docs/when_fishing_turns_deadly_north_sumatra.pdf Shelf Number: 128055 Keywords: Illegal Fishing (North Sumatra, Indonesia)Maritime CrimeWildlife CrimeWildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Management |
Author: Milledge, Simon Title: Rhino Horn Stockpile Management: Minimum standards and best practices from east and southern Africa Summary: This document presents recommended practices for rhino horn stockpile management and is based upon best examples of management currently employed throughout east and southern Africa. A wide variety of rhino horn stockpile management policies and practices are found throughout Africa. In this regard, there is no single correct method, and for certain issues there is no need to reinvent the wheel when trying to recommend particular aspects of stockpile management. However, without exception, every rhino range State could benefit from the lessons learnt and best practices from neighbouring countries. During 2001 to 2003, TRAFFIC reviewed the rhino horn stockpile management practices employed throughout east and southern Africa. Based upon this regional review, a stakeholder workshop was held in 2004, which was attended by government officers directly responsible for managing all of the largest horn stockpiles in Africa, including Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal province, Limpopo province, Mpumalanga province, North West Parks and Tourism Board, and Kruger National Park), Swaziland and Zimbabwe. This document is the main outcome from the workshop, consolidating available knowledge and summarizing recommended best practices for all aspects of horn stockpile management. It covers the collection of horns from the field, measuring and marking, registration, storage and security, audits and reconciliation, and several other important components of stockpile management for both State and privatelyowned horns. This document contains recommended minimum standards that should be implemented in all countries, as well as optimal practices for those striving for the best possible benchmark. It is hoped that any nation wishing to improve any or all of the above ingredients for stockpile management may refer to this document. Details: Dar es Salam, Tanzania: TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa, 2005. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: www.traffic.org Year: 2005 Country: Africa URL: Shelf Number: 128056 Keywords: Animal PoachingIvoryRhinocerosWildlife Crime (Africa)Wildlife Management |
Author: Blanc, J.J. Title: African Elephant Status Report 2007: An Update from the African Elephant Database Summary: The AESR 2007 presents the latest information on elephant population estimates and range at the site, national, regional and continental levels. This edition presents some important new features. New tables assist in interpreting the possible reasons why estimates have changed since the previous edition; comparisons are made for methodologically comparable estimates at the regional level; and a system for prioritizing has been developed to guide governments and funding agencies in planning future surveys. Details: Gland, Switzerland: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of nature and Natural Resources, 2007. 276p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.african-elephant.org/aed/pdfs/aesr2007.pdf#nameddest=intro Year: 2007 Country: Africa URL: http://www.african-elephant.org/aed/pdfs/aesr2007.pdf#nameddest=intro Shelf Number: 128057 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Africa)Wildlife Management |
Author: Shepherd, Chris R. Title: An Overview of the Regulation of the Freshwater Turtle and Tortoise Pet Trade in Jakarta, Indonesia Summary: Trade in wildlife is extensive in Asia, including a large number of species specifically traded live to supply the demand for pets. In an attempt to gain a greater insight into the drivers behind wildlife trade and to increase our understanding of how to regulate this trade, this survey provides an overview of the management and control of wildlife harvesting in Indonesia. Within Indonesia all commercial trade in wild animals is subject to a quota system, with no harvest or (domestic or international) trade allowed in any species without an allocated quota. Wildlife trade, whether legal or not, is performed openly; in general, regulatory law enforcement regarding wildlife protection and trade management is less than optimal. Indonesia is home to some 10 per cent of the world’s tortoise and freshwater turtle species. Persistent trade is one of the main threats to their survival, and large volumes can be observed in trade in Indonesia’s domestic markets, as well as being exported from Indonesia. This makes tortoises and freshwater turtles an appropriately indicative group to evaluate the management and control of wildlife harvesting and trade in Indonesia. To this end, two discrete, yet complementary datasets, have been analysed. The first dataset focuses on the quota-setting process, the requirement for non-detriment findings under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and regulations determining the legality of the trade and identifying gaps in the current trade-regulation system. The second dataset focuses on the trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles for pets in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, quantifying this trade, analyzing how the market affects different species in trade, and assessing the effectiveness of trade regulations. Annual reported imports of CITES-listed species to Indonesia range between 0-1050 turtles per year, averaging 230 turtles per year for the 2000-2004 period. Numbers of CITES-listed exotic species observed in trade at any moment often exceed the reported import figures of these species for several years. Although for meaningful quota-setting for CITES Appendix II-listed species, non-detriment findings are required to be carried out under Article IV of the Convention, this has not been done in detail for any of the Indonesian tortoises or freshwater turtles in trade. In 2004, harvest of selected species was allowed in 17/31 provinces throughout the country, with harvest often being permitted in one province but not in the adjacent provincial jurisdiction, with no apparent justification for the demarcation. Large regions of the country do not have harvest quota allotted to them, yet species distributed in these geographic areas do show up in trade. Although there are a number of regulations and guidelines in place to regulate the trade in tortoises and turtles, few of the collectors, middlemen, and traders (especially the smaller operators), abide by these rules. All of the allotted quotas for species traded as pets are divided between members of the Indonesian Reptile and Amphibian Trade Association (IRATA), almost all of whom are in the wholesale business. Hardly any of the retail pet dealers are members of IRATA, yet throughout Indonesia there are hundreds of specialized turtle sellers to supply domestic market demand. In 2004, TRAFFIC surveyed 20 pet retailers in the greater Jakarta area, and recorded stock volumes and turnover for 48 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises. Twenty-two indigenous species that were An overview observed (1884 individuals) came from all over the country, and included all six nationally protected species. Indigenous species recorded were especially common among the high stock–high turnover species group. Asking prices by dealers for individuals in this species group were lower than those in the other species groups. A total of 26 exotic species (1439 individuals) were recorded, including species from Madagascar, West Africa, North America and Japan: 18 of these are in one of the CITES Appendices. According to the Indonesian CITES Management Authority, the majority, if not all, of these were imported into Indonesia without proper permits. Furthermore, no import was ever reported in UNEP-WCMC CITES trade database. Exotic species were more expensive than indigenous species, and tended to fall in the high stock–low turnover species group. Species that cannot be traded legally (i.e. species that are protected and species listed in one of the CITES Appendices and that were illegally imported into Indonesia) were approximately twice as expensive as the ones that could be sold legally. Species that could be sold legally were frequently in the high stock–high turnover species group. CITES-listed species (indigenous and exotic) were more expensive than non- CITES listed species, but there was no relation between stock availability / turnover and CITES-listing. Apparently, for retailers, CITES-listed species were not more difficult to obtain than non-CITES listed species, nor was it difficult to sell them. There are no significant price differences between globally threatened and non-threatened species. All species in the low stock–high turnover species group are classified as Threatened under the IUCN Red List, suggesting that although retailers had a low stock of threatened turtles and tortoises they had no difficulties in selling them. Extrapolating from the data collected, the total annual retail value of tortoises and freshwater turtles sold in the greater Jakarta area ranges between USD 135,000 and USD 350,000, of which the illegal component amounts to some USD 90,000-220,000 in value. Details: Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2007. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_reptiles12.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Indonesia URL: Shelf Number: 128058 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTurtles and TortoisesWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Indonesia)Wildlife Management |
Author: O'Connell-Rodwell, Caitlin Title: An Assessment of China's Management of Trade in Elephants and Elephant Products Summary: The serious decline of elephants in many Asian and African range countries due to demand for ivory throughout the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in East Asia, resulted in the adoption of various international measures to reduce the threats to elephants. In 1976, the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus was included in Appendix I and the African Elephant Loxodonta africana included in Appendix II of CITES. With continuing declines in populations of the African Elephant, the species was transferred to Appendix I of CITES in 1989, thereby effecting a ban on all commercial international trade in elephants, their parts and derivatives. China took a reservation to the 1989 Appendix I-listing of the African Elephant in order to protect the ivory carving industry, the majority of whose stocks were reported to be pre-Convention stocks (legally obtained prior to China’s accession to CITES). In August of the same year, the CITES Management Authority of China (CNMA) registered a total of 110 importers, exporters and ivory carving workshops, as well as 110 tonnes of raw and worked ivory, most of which was pre-Convention stock. Effective 11 January 1991, China withdrew its reservation and the ban on international commercial trade in ivory took effect in China. Although stocks acquired before the ban were reported to be pre-Convention, analysis of CITES Annual Reports, show that from 1991 to 1999, China exported 571 tusks, 1,006,111 ivory carvings as well as 345 kg of ivory carvings (an additional 9,442,401 ivory carvings were exported in 1990). However, information on the permits and / or the Annual Reports did not record the ‘Source’ of the exports. Of the 566 tusks reported as being exported in 1992, 554 tusks were recorded by China as being from pre-Convention stocks. Japan, however, did not report the import of these tusks - and only 1,769 ivory carvings exported from China from 1991 – 1999 were reported as being pre-Convention stock. The proliferation of safari parks in China since the mid-1990s is reflected in the increasing trend of live elephants imported into China. From 1989 to 2000, China reported the import of a total of 91 live elephants, of which 82 were imported between 1996 and 2000. In addition to the import of live elephants into China, elephants from China are also used for display or performances. Smuggling of live elephants has also been reported, with between five to seven elephants illegally imported from Myanmar in 1995. Not all reported imports appear to have been conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. The conservation purposes and benefits of the import, in 1996, of 16 captive bred elephants from Myanmar for ‘Breeding’ are questionable. Perhaps of greater concern is the import, in 2000, of a single shipment of 20 wild elephants from Malaysia for ‘Zoos’. This trade is difficult to justify when there are captive bred specimens which could also have been used for the stated purpose. Furthermore, at least one safari park in China, the Guangzhou Panyu Safari Park, has an animal exchange programme under which it recently exported four red pandas, Ailurus fulgens, to Malacca zoo in Malaysia. It would appear that commercial trade in CITES Appendix I-listed species is being conducted where the profit is ‘in kind’. Seizure information for any illegal products, by its very nature, can only provide an indication of levels of illegal trade. Assessing China’s full role in the illicit ivory trade is exacerbated due to serious deficiencies in China’s seizure reporting system. Data that is available often lacks details on the date, number of pieces and/or weight of the seizure. The actual scale of illicit ivory trade in China therefore is likely to be considerably larger than current data shows. Nonetheless, available data clearly shows that China is a significant consumer of illegal ivory. Based on available data for the period January 1998 to September 2001, a minimum of 30 - 45 tonnes of ivory were seized destined for or entering China. Rhinoceros horn was also intercepted in some shipments from Africa. In addition to illicit ivory in trade, elephant skin reported to be equivalent to 20 elephants, believed to have originated in Myanmar and destined for a medicine manufacturing company in Shanghai was seized in 2000. In 2001, a further 10 tonnes of elephant skin, from an original 15 tonnes purchased in 1993, were seized in a Guangzhou traditional Chinese medicine company. The 15 tonnes were believed to represent 260 elephants. Smaller quantities of elephant skin also were observed by TRAFFIC staff for sale in the border areas of Laos and Myanmar. The state-run ivory carving industry has declined since the international trade ban in 1989 and it is likely that much of the ivory-carving industry now is run through private, and illegal, family operations. The main buyers of ivory are believed to be Chinese nationals, and the prosperous cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing believed to be the main centres of ivory consumption. One vendor in a Beijing outlet visited in 2000 remarked that he could obtain as much new ivory as was required. In general, Chinese nationals mainly purchase ivory at the lower end of the price range, particularly smaller pieces such as jewellery, name chops and chopsticks. China’s emergence as an ivory consumer market, and its potential to develop even further, can be explained, in part, through the growth of China’s private retail sector, the strong and increasing purchasing power of Chinese consumers and weak enforcement of ivory trade regulations within China. Consumer expenditure has surged in recent years and retail sales for jewellery, the most relevant category for ivory for which retail sales statistics in China are available, increased from over USD 360 million (RMB 3 billion) in 1994 to over USD 1.85 billion (RMB 15.3 billion) in 2000. Strong trade links with Africa also shed light on the dynamics of the illegal ivory trade. Seizures of illegally imported ivory from expatriate Chinese returning from Africa and sent by post are common. The China-Africa link supports earlier evidence, documented by TRAFFIC, of Africa-based,Asian-run ivory processing operations which produce semi-worked and worked ivory products for illicit export to selected Asian markets including to China. The majority of ivory in China’s markets is believed to be from African elephants. Illegal ivory imports from Myanmar have been documented, but ivory vendors and carvers expressed a preference for African ivory. Corruption, although a common phenomenon throughout the world, can not be treated lightly: diplomats representing the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have been involved in a number of documented cases of ivory smuggling on a large scale. There is little evidence to suggest that North Korea has a domestic ivory carving industry within its own borders, and all seizure cases involving North Korean diplomats returning ‘home’ with consignments of raw ivory had air tickets which involved a stopover in Beijing, a routing which would make it convenient to move large volumes of ivory into China as diplomatic cargo (T. Milliken, pers. comm., June 2002). Recently an official from airport Customs and a shipping worker from China Air were implicated in a smuggling case of around 14 tonnes of ivory. The involvement of an unnamed ‘organ in China of a foreign country’ in this recent case also was alleged although further details are not available. The Wild Animal Protection Law (1989), the Enforcement Regulations for the Protection of Terrestrial Wildlife of the People’s Republic of China (1992) and the Customs Law (1987) are the principal legal instruments regulating import and export, processing and sale of Asian and African Elephant products. The State Forestry Administration also recently issued Notification 2001/234 urging relevant agencies to pay close attention to illicit ivory trade and established price standards for ivory so that illegal trade could be treated as criminal cases. Some successful enforcement actions have been carried out as reflected in the seizures made by Customs. Successful joint investigations and operations involving a range of relevant agencies also have been carried out on a number occasions. While these efforts are to be commended, so far they have been one-off exercises only and their impact would be greatly increased if carried out on a regular basis. Overall, however, enforcement of legal instruments is weak. Since registration in 1989, no further monitoring of ivory stocks in China has been conducted. Traders are not required to have a specific permit to sell ivory despite the Class I protected status of the African and Asian Elephant and despite the understanding that only vendors that registered in 1989 would be considered legal operators. It is therefore no possible to determine whether ivory seen in the markets of China is derived from stocks registered in 1989 or whether it has been more recently, and thus illegally, acquired. Implementation of legislation is hindered by a lack of inter-agency communication, overlapping responsibilities of government agencies and the consequent lack of clarity as to which agency is responsible for implementing which aspects of the law. This situation is particularly apparent with regard to the disposal of products confiscated from illegal trade. It is not clear which agency is responsible for holding confiscated stocks and whether confiscated ivory is kept in storage, destroyed or released / sold on to the domestic market. Details: TRAFFIC East Asia, 2002. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: TRAFFIC Online Report Series No.3: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: http://www.traffic.org/mammals/ Year: 2002 Country: China URL: http://www.traffic.org/mammals/ Shelf Number: 128059 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal Wildlife TradeIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (China)Wildlife Management |
Author: Milliken, Tom Title: No Peace for Elephants: Unregulated domestic ivory markets in Angola and Mozambique Summary: Recent reports suggest that Angola is fast emerging as an important country in the illegal trade in African Elephant Loxodonta africana ivory (Milliken et al., 2004). For the most part, however, the country’s wildlife trade remains poorly understood. Owing to a prolonged civil war that only ended with the signing of a peace agreement on 4 April 2002, there have been no systematic surveys of Angola’s wildlife resources for over three decades. This study marks a first attempt to conduct a spot check and assess the ivory trade in Luanda, Angola’s bustling capital and major port city on the Atlantic Ocean. From 4 to 10 June 2005, TRAFFIC researchers visited retail outlets and craft markets in and around Luanda to collect information on the amount of ivory available for sale, ivory prices and sources, and other trade dynamics. As information relating to Angola’s legislation on the hunting of elephants and trade in ivory was not readily available, investigating the current legal status of the species and trade in elephant products was an important aspect of the survey. The following results derive from this effort: • The Government of Angola, through its National Assembly, formally approved the country’s membership in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on 17 January 2001, however, this decision has yet to be gazetted. Moreover, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has failed to file an instrument of accession with the Swiss Government, the requisite procedure for becoming a member of the Convention. Finally, it remains unclear to what extent the Angolan authorities have apprised the CITES Secretariat of these developments and sought guidance to complete the process. Consequently, with the accession of Lesotho to CITES on 30 December 2003, Angola now remains the only southern African country that is not a Party to CITES. • Current legislation relating to the hunting of elephants and the trade in elephant products in Angola dates back half a century to the colonial era with Decree 40.040 of 1955 and Decree 2:873 of 1957. The fees relating to the issuance of hunting licences and penalties for the illegal killing of animals, however, have subsequently been updated, most recently through Decree 36/99 of 1999. Regardless, there is an urgent need to review and update the substance of Angola’s legislation that relates to wildlife in general and wildlife trade and CITES in particular. • Implementation and enforcement responsibilities for the country’s wildlife laws lie principally with the Institute of Forestry Development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Regardless, very little, if any, meaningful enforcement has taken place in recent years, largely as a result of the absence of political will within government and a lack of human capacity and resources. • Despite legislation stating that the possession of ivory without proper documentation is illegal, a total of 41 retail outlets were observed selling ivory products that collectively were estimated to weigh a total of 1 573.4 kg during this survey. About 90% of this ivory was found at the Mercado do Artesanato (Artists’ Market) at Benfica, south of Luanda. • Little information was gathered on the presence and operation of ivory carving workshops in Luanda, but it appears that most local craftsmen work from their homes. Further, it appears that significant quantities of ivory are being carved in neighbouring Congo Basin countries to the north and routinely imported into the Angolan market in violation of CITES. • Observations of local conservationists and long-term residents suggest that the ivory trade in Luanda has increased dramatically in recent years, possibly doubling in scale within the last year. By the same token, the majority of retail traders indicated that Luanda represented a growing market for ivory products, and that such business was generally good. • Raw ivory appears to be relatively easy to acquire for vendors in the main market, with prices ranging from USD35 per kg up to USD100 per kg. While it is likely that some of this ivory is derived from Angolan elephants, the majority of the stock is believed to originate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The high proportion of French-speaking traders in Luanda’s principal ivory market further suggests a strong link with the ivory trade in Francophone countries in Central Africa immediately to the north of Angola, particularly DRC and Congo (Brazzaville). • There is no evidence to suggest that the conditions noted in Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP12) for the control of internal trade in ivory are being met or implemented in Angola. As a non-Party to the Convention, the country is under no formal obligation to CITES in this regard. Still, the continued trade in ivory has serious implications for Angola’s remaining elephant populations, which are thought to be small and highly fragmented (Blanc et al., 2003). Further, the current trade is believed to involve a persistent illegal importation of unprocessed elephant tusks and worked ivory products from neighbouring countries that are Parties to CITES. • Angolan authorities responsible for developing policy and enforcing legislation in the wildlife sector showed a genuine enthusiasm to address ivory trade issues. The desire to better monitor and protect the country’s remaining elephant populations, however, faces two significant obstacles. Firstly, the political will of senior politicians remains very much focused on social issues and rebuilding the collapsed infrastructure of the nation in the post-war period, rather than with the environment in general and wildlife in particular. This sector remains a remote secondary concern on the national agenda of priorities. Secondly, environmental institutions in Angola remain very weak and the capacity of the wildlife authorities to carry out their duties is routinely circumscribed by a lack of human and material resources. • There is a need for a protracted programme of external support to assist Angolan wildlife authorities in their efforts to build strong environmental institutions from which to protect and manage the country’s wildlife resources. Assisting Angola to complete the interrupted process of accession to CITES would be an important first step in this regard. Reviewing and updating Angola’s antiquated wildlife legislation is called for, as well as a broad programme of capacity-building and training for law enforcement personnel, including police and Customs officers. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC International, 2006. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: TRAFFIC Online Report Series No.11: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: http://www.traffic.org/mammals/ Year: 2006 Country: Mozambique URL: http://www.traffic.org/mammals/ Shelf Number: 128060 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal Wildlife TradeIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Mozambique)Wildlife Management |
Author: Lack, M. Title: Catching On? Trade-related Measures as a Fisheries Management Tool Summary: This report examines the experience of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) with the use of trade-related measures. There has been a marked increase in the use of trade-related measures by RFMOs over the last decade. This has been driven by: the deteriorating status of many fish stocks; uncertainty as to the actual levels of fishing mortality on these stocks; and the undermining of conservation and management measures by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Details: Cambride, UK: TRAFFIC International, 2007. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: http://www.traffic.org/fisheries-reports/traffic_pub_fisheries1.pdf Year: 2007 Country: International URL: http://www.traffic.org/fisheries-reports/traffic_pub_fisheries1.pdf Shelf Number: 128061 Keywords: Illegal FishingWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Environmental Justice Foundation Title: Lowering the Flag: Ending the Use of Flags of Convenience by Pirate Fishing Vessels Summary: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) or ‘pirate’ fishing is plundering fish stocks, devastating marine environments and stealing from some of the poorest people of the world. IUU is the term given to any fishing activity that contravenes national or international laws, such as using banned fishing gears; targeting protected species; operating in protected or reserved areas or at times when fishing is prohibited; or operating without any form of permit or license to fish. IUU fishing vessels cut costs to maximise profits and use a variety of means, including Flags of Convenience to avoid detection and penalty for wrongdoing. • Globally, pirate fishing accounts for US$10 – 23.5 billion a year, representing between 11 and 26 million tons of fish. It is a highly profitable activity being driven by the enormous global demand for seafood, threatening the future of world fisheries. The impacts are social, economic, and environmental. Many IUU operators deliberately target poor developing countries. • While international law specifies that the country whose flag a vessel flies is responsible for controlling its activities, certain states operate ‘open registries’ that allow foreign-vessels to fly their flag for a relatively tiny fee. Known as Flags of Convenience (FoC), many of these countries lack the resources or the will to monitor and control vessels flying their flag, allowing pirate fishing operations to avoid fisheries regulations and controls. • FoC are notoriously easy, quick and cheap to acquire, obtainable over the internet for just a few hundred dollars. Vessels can re-flag and change names several times in a season, a practice known as “flag hopping”. Backed by shell companies, joint-ventures and hidden owners, FoC reduce the operating costs associated with legal fishing, and make it extremely difficult to identify and penalise the real owners of vessels that fish illegally. • Available data indicates that there are currently 1061 fishing vessels equal to or longer than 24 metres registered with FoC. Globally a further 8.5% of fishing vessels are listed as ‘flag unknown’, although it is likely that some of these are flying FoC. Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) blacklists are dominated by vessels registered to FoC or flag unknown. While some RFMO whitelists of authorized vessels do contain a number flagged to FoC, total RFMO lists added together do not approach the total number of FoC fishing vessels - leaving open the question of how and where these vessels are operating. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • As well as fishing vessels, refrigerated transport vessels (know as ‘reefers’) flying FoC have been widely implicated in IUU fishing operaons; in West African field investigations undertaken by EJF virtually all IUU reefers were documented flying FoC. Reefers allow IUU fishing vessels to tranship their catches, restock on food and bait, refuel and re-crew without having to make the lengthy (and costly) journey to port. 700 reefers are currently registered with FoC; Panama, Bahamas and Liberia account for 70%. Even those reefers whitelisted by RFMOs favour FoC; 86% of Fish Carriers on ICCAT lists are taking advantage of FoC registration • European Union(EU) and East Asian companies dominate the ownership of FoC vessels. Taiwanese, South Korean, Chinese and Japanese companies are significant, while overall EU ownership of fishing vessels flying FoC has increased by 9% since 2005. There has been a recent large shift in ownership of vessels flying FoC to Panamanian companies, however it is likely that many of these are shell companies registered in Panama by foreign, and hidden, beneficial owners. • Economically the benefits to FoC States of registering fishing vessels are minimal. Annual revenues are estimated to accrue US$3-4 million to the major FoC registries from flagging fishing vessels, a tiny amount when compared to the millions of dollars lost by individual countries and the billions lost globally to IUU fishing. • Among FoC States further economic losses are now likely as a result of trade sanctions by RFMOs, as well as the incoming EU-IUU regulation, due to be implemented in January 2010. This will target non-cooperative States, leaving FoC countries that depend on fisheries exports extremely vulnerable to losing access to the largest seafood market in the world. • In light of the current crisis facing global fisheries, failure to end the exploitation of FoC by IUU fishing operations will undermine efforts to achieve sustainable fisheries management, marine ecological security and the development of many, primarily developing, coastal States. Closing open registries to fishing vessels offers an efficient and cost-effective measure to combat IUU fishing. This report therefore calls for action to end the granting of Flags of Convenience to fishing vessels, and those vessels that support fishing activities, by individual States, RFMOs, and bodies such as the European Union, Commonwealth and United Nations. Details: London: Environmental Justice Foundation, 2009. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2013 at: http://www.illegal-fishing.info/uploads/Loweringtheflagfinal.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.illegal-fishing.info/uploads/Loweringtheflagfinal.pdf Shelf Number: 128063 Keywords: Illegal FishingWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Shepherd, Chris R. Title: The Export and Re-export of CITES-listed Birds from the Solomon Islands Summary: Large numbers of birds, including more than 68 000 wild-caught and reportedly captive-bred CITES-listed individuals, were imported from the Solomon Islands in the 2000s. The vast majority were imported by Malaysia and Singapore and often re-exported, particularly in the case of Singapore. In terms of species composition, there were a few species native to the Solomon Islands, however the majority (77%) were non-native species from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. 13 736 individuals of these non-native species were exported as “captive-bred”. However, it is unclear how the parent stock of these captive-bred birds was acquired as there is no documented export of these CITES-listed species to the Solomon Islands. In terms of the number of individual birds involved in the trade, the majority of exports were species native to the Solomon Islands (54 793). Of these native bird species, 13 692 were declared as wild-caught and 41 101 were reportedly captive-bred. These large numbers of native and non-native captive-bred birds suggest the existence of commercial breeding facilities on the Solomon Islands capable of housing thousands of breeding pairs. However, in 2006, CITES reported the Solomon Islands was “not known to have substantial bird breeding facilities” and a comprehensive State of the Environment report published by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meterology (the Solomon Islands’ CITES Scientific Authority and Management Authority) in 2008 makes no mention of captive-breeding or captive-breeding facilities for birds. Meanwhile the Environment Conservation Division (ECD) informed TRAFFIC researchers (in litt.) that although there were registered bird breeders in the islands, they were not breeding birds, only taking them from the wild. Furthermore, the ECD wrote: “There are no breeding facilities, only some confusion with storing facilities. Most of the exported birds were captured and kept in holding sites only.” Given the official confirmation of a lack of suitable bird breeding facilities in the Solomon Islands, these data lead to the inescapable conclusion that large numbers of wild-caught birds have been laundered into the global wildlife trade through being declared as captive-bred. Over the past decade, Singapore and Malaysia combined have accounted for 93% of all birds imported from the Solomon Islands, with significant amounts being re-exported elsewhere, such as Taiwan. The vast majority, if not all the birds declared as captive-bred are in fact sourced from the wild. This has grave implications for maintaining healthy populations of birds in the wild. In light of the above, TRAFFIC makes the following recommendations: • The CITES Standing Committee should evaluate the captive breeding operations of the Solomon Islands and consider recommendations that address the concerns raised in this report. In the event the Standing Committee makes recommendations and the Solomon Islands fails to comply, TRAFFIC then recommends the Standing Committee consider a trade suspension. • The CITES Management Authority of the Solomon Islands should investigate species’ origins, including whether individuals were wild-caught versus legitimately captive-bred as well as the origin and legality of non-native stock. • The CITES Management Authorities of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea—the range States of the majority of non-native bird species exported from the Solomon Islands—should contact their counterparts in the Solomon Islands as well as in Singapore and other export destinations, to investigate the potential laundering of birds. This recommendation is extended to the Management Authority of Taiwan and all other importers of birds declared as originating from the Solomon Islands. • All countries reporting data to CITES based on permits issued should take steps to provide more accurate information. Reporting should reflect the actual numbers of permits used to ensure transparency in the international wildlife trade and to enable the UNEP-WCMC CITES trade database to be used to its fullest potential. Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/sb_report__final_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Solomon Islands URL: http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/sb_report__final_1.pdf Shelf Number: 128067 Keywords: BirdCITESIllegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Solomon Islands)Wildlife Management |
Author: Verité Title: Research on Indicators of Forced Labor in the Supply Chain of Shrimp in Bangladesh Summary: Verité carried out research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the production of goods in seven countries from 2008 through 2011. Research was carried out on the production of shrimp in Bangladesh; Brazil-nuts, cattle, corn, and peanuts in Bolivia; sugar in the Dominican Republic; coffee in Guatemala; fish in Indonesia; rubber in Liberia; and tuna in the Philippines. The following report is based on research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the Bangladesh shrimp sector. This research was not intended to determine the existence or scale of forced labor in the countries and sectors under study, but rather to identify the presence of indicators of forced labor and factors that increased workers' vulnerability to labor exploitation. Context/Objectives -- Bangladesh is a country facing high levels of poverty, with approximately 50 percent of the population living below the international poverty line. The shrimp sector has been promoted as a needed source of development, and indeed, has provided income to many workers. At the same time previous research has tied the shrimp sector to labor, environmental, and human rights abuses. However, little of the previous research specifically explored indicators of forced labor. The primary objectives of the project were to: obtain background information on the shrimp sector in Bangladesh; create a methodology to study the presence of indicators of forced labor in the Bangladesh shrimp sector; identify and document indicators of forced labor among workers in the shrimp sector in Bangladesh; document the broader working conditions that workers in the shrimp sector experience; and determine the risk factors for indicators of forced labor and other forms of exploitation in the Bangladesh shrimp sector. Details: Amherst, MA: Verite, 2012(?). 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Shrimp%20Sector__9.16.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Bangladesh URL: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Shrimp%20Sector__9.16.pdf Shelf Number: 128087 Keywords: Forced LaborIllegal FishingNatural ResourcesShrimp Industry (Bangladesh)Wildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Daly, B.G. Title: Perspectives on Dehorning and Legalised Trade in Rhino Horn as Tools to Combat Rhino Poaching Summary: This report presents the proceedings of a workshop held to assess the use of legal trade in rhino horn as a tool in combating poaching as well as a detailed assessment of the efficacy of dehorning as a deterrent to poaching. Details: Johannesburg: Endangered Wildlife Trust, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 22, 2013 at: http://www.ewt.org.za/programmes/LPP/20110301%20RhinoWorkshopReport[1].pdf Year: 2011 Country: Africa URL: http://www.ewt.org.za/programmes/LPP/20110301%20RhinoWorkshopReport[1].pdf Shelf Number: 128088 Keywords: Animal Poaching (Africa)Rhino DehorningRhinocerosWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife ManagementWildlife Trade |
Author: Ervin, J., N. Sekhran, A. Dinu. S. Gidda, M. Vergeichik andJ. Mee. Title: Protected Areas for the 21st Century: Lessons from UNDP/GEF's Portfolio Summary: The world’s biodiversity – the species, ecosystems and ecological processes that compose the natural world – are of incalculable value to humanity. The world’s agricultural systems depend upon biodiversity to sustain genetic plant and animal diversity, to provide pollination services, and to maintain irrigation services. The world’s cities depend upon biodiversity to provide clean drinking water to their burgeoning populations. The world’s coastal communities, in which one-half to two-thirds of all of humanity resides, depend upon the natural infrastructure of coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangroves to buffer them from the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and increased storm surges. The world’s inland communities depend upon the natural infrastructure of healthy forests, grasslands and wetlands to buffer them against increased drought, flooding, disease and natural disasters. While biodiversity provides the fundamental goods and services upon which all life depends, including human societies, it is of particular importance to the 2.7 billion people – more than a quarter of the world’s population – who survive on less than $2 a day. As much as 70 percent of the world’s poorest people depend critically upon biodiversity to provide them with life’s most basic necessities, including food, water, shelter, medicine and their livelihoods, and a sixth of the world’s population depends upon the biodiversity within protected areas for their livelihoods. Despite the fundamental importance of biodiversity to human life and social development, the world is facing unprecedented and largely irreversible losses in biodiversity. Current extinction rates are approaching 1,000 times the background rate, and may climb to over 10,000 times the background rate during the next century if present trends in species loss and climate change continue. As many as 70 percent of the world’s known species are at risk of extinction by 2100 if global temperatures rise more than 3.5o Celsius. The loss of biodiversity and the resulting destabilization of ecosystem services undermine the very foundations of human welfare – in short, the social costs of biodiversity loss are enormous and immeasurable. Protected areas are the cornerstone of global biodiversity conservation. Over the past 40 years, governments and non-governmental organizations alike have made unprecedented investments in the establishment of protected areas around the world. As a result, the world’s terrestrial protected areas encompassed more than 18 million sq km in 2010, compared with just over 2 million sq km in 1970. As the first decade of the 21st Century comes to a close, emerging drivers of change are transforming our concept of protected areas – what they are and what they should do. Protected areas are expected to do more – in terms of their ecological, social and economic contributions – than ever before. Not only are they expected to provide habitat for endangered wildlife, but also to contribute to livelihoods for local communities, to generate tourism revenues to bolster local and national economies, and to play a key role in mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, among many other diverse functions and contributions. Purpose and objectives of this publication The following report looks at how changing 21st Century expectations about the roles and functions of protected areas are beginning to shape protected area management around the world and identifies emerging best practices for protected areas under a new paradigm that views protected areas as part of a planetary life support system. The report is based on case studies drawn largely from the portfolio of projects financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GEF is the world’s most significant multilateral funding source for protected areas. Since the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas was ratified in 2004, UNDP/ GEF has supported work in more than 700 protected areas around the world, covering nearly every goal, target and action under the Programme of Work. Following this introductory section, which presents background on historical and evolving concepts of protected areas and their roles, the report is organized according to eight key themes that are shaping protected areas management in the 21st Century. These themes range from enabling policy environments to management planning, governance, participation, and sustainable finance, to name but a few. For each of the eight themes, the report presents a snapshot of the current status of implementation, a set of emerging best practices, and one or more case studies that illustrate innovative and successful approaches. Details: New York: United Nations Development Programme and Montreal: Convention on Biological Diversity, 2010. 132p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/ecosystems_and_biodiversity/protected_areas_forthe21stcentury.html Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/ecosystems_and_biodiversity/protected_areas_forthe21stcentury.html Shelf Number: 128095 Keywords: BiodiversityConservationNatural ResourcesWildlife Management |
Author: Global Tiger Workshop Title: Saving Wild Tigers: Kathmandu Summary Document A Report from the Global Tiger Workshop October 27-30, 2009 Kathmandu, Nepal Summary: Tigers are symbols of all that is powerful, mystical, and beautiful in nature. But wild tigers are in crisis, having fallen in numbers from about 100,000 in 1900 to just 3,200 today as a result of adverse human activities, including habitat destruction and a huge illegal trade in tiger parts. The decline continues to this day. This decade is the last opportunity to save wild tigers and the ecological riches they and the landscapes they inhabit represent. The good news is that despite serious loss, enough habitat remains in Asia that can be restored to support as many as 20,000 wild tigers. To develop recommendations to reverse the wild tiger’s decline, more than 250 participants from 13 of the 14 tiger range countries (TRCs) and the international community met in Kathmandu from October 27-30, 2009, as part of a process designed to lead to the Vladivostok Tiger Summit in September 2010. The workshop resulted in the unanimous adoption of the Kathmandu Recommendations—actions that will help achieve the goal of doubling the population of wild tigers within the next ten years. These recommendations emerged from the national priority actions that each TRC identified in individual country sessions, after thematic sessions that offered ideas and approaches for their consideration. Each TRC’s priority transformational actions are a unique set and many of these are already under implementation. They can be summarized under the following broad themes: Make core tiger breeding areas inviolate with commitments from TRCs and financing institutions to not build infrastructure in these areas. Engage in cross-sector dialogue to integrate tiger conservation into land-use and infrastructure plans. Ensure local support in favor of tiger conservation based on participatory, community-based programs that provide social and economic incentives for conservation and pro-actively manage human-wildlife conflict through mitigation and compensation. Relocate villages from core tiger breeding area using best practices. Develop innovative sustainable financing mechanisms for tiger conservation. Determine full costs of tiger conservation activities. Pilot mechanisms to transfer resources from infrastructure activities to conservation programs. Assess carbon stocks in TCLs to make the case for funding from REDD Build institutional capacity to train the next generation of leaders in protected-area and landscape management, networked in a regional community of excellence, and develop science-based management plans for protected areas and tiger landscapes. Dramatically reduce poaching and illegal trade by enhancing national law-enforcement capacity and strengthening coordinated support from international wildlife law enforcement bodies. Implement the Pattaya Manifesto and CITES resolution Conf.12.5. Garner political will for improved law enforcement. Reduce demand for tiger parts through large-scale, targeted campaigns to change behaviors and perceptions of consumers of tiger parts and socialize opposition to tiger consumption. To guide the international community and the Global Tiger Initiative, each TCR also identified specific areas for which it requires international support. Country requirements naturally vary but converge on capacity building, knowledge sharing, financing to fill critical gaps, cross-border law enforcement and protected-area management, global campaign to change consumer attitudes, and creating and sustaining political will. Generating political will to conserve tigers—to take full advantage of the expertise that exists and transformational ideas that are emerging—is the most important step toward saving the world’s most iconic species. This effort will intensify at the Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in January 2010, in Thailand, which will aim to define the support needed to accelerate the implementation of national programs. At the Vladivostok Tiger Summit in September 2010, the global goals, programs, funding, and implementation and monitoring mechanisms will be launched. Details: Kathmandu, Nepal: Global Tiger Workshop, 2009. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/download/GTI-Kathmandu-Outcomes.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/download/GTI-Kathmandu-Outcomes.pdf Shelf Number: 128096 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Asia)Wildlife Management |
Author: Gurung, Bhim Title: Tiger Human Conflicts: Investigating Ecological and Sociological Issues of Tiger Conservation in the Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Final Report Summary: Historically, there was contiguous forest all across the terai region of Nepal and tigers were distributed in high densities. The situation changed during early 1960s because the tiger habitat in the terai was drastically reduced as a result of human resettlement program. The destruction of habitat and fragmentation lead to the sharp decline in tiger population. Sport hunting and poaching also contributed to its decline. Like other tiger range countries Government of Nepal worked to overcome this crisis since early 70s. Protected areas were established, strict protection was adopted, and stiffer wildlife laws against wildlife criminals were endorsed. To further increase the land base for tigers buffer zone community forests around the parks and reserves were promulgated and moreover, Nepal initiated an ambitious Tarai Arc Landscape project not only to increase land base for tigers but also to restore connectivity between reserves. Tiger conservation effort in Nepal has been successful. After establishment of protected areas in the early 1970s tiger numbers increased and since late 1970s numbers have been stable in protected areas. Density, based on mean female home range size, is the highest anywhere. The improvement of habitat quality in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park and elsewhere across the terai has increased the overall land base where tigers reside. Breeding has been recorded at five sites outside of protected areas. Such increase in habitat use by tigers in the multiple use buffer zone community forests resulted in conflict between tiger and human. Over the last quarter of a century 88 people have been killed by tigers in and around the park. The trend of human loss has been increased significantly from an average of 1.5 persons per year (1979 – 1998) to 8.25 per year since 1999. The increasing trend of people killed was significant in the buffer zone but not inside the park. A total of 37 tigers were involved in killing 88 people. Of these, 17 were removed because of their man-eating behavior. The number of problem tigers removed per year increased dramatically in 2004-05. Four relevant factors were associated with man-eating tigers: (1) injured or aged tigers find it difficult to kill natural prey, (2) imbalance between tiger and prey base, (3) aggressive tiger behavior and, (4) defensive or accidental killing. Management actions were not taken against if it appeared that tigers killed humans accidentally; however, if possible the tigers that turned into deliberate “man-eaters” were removed. A high percentage (38%) of humans killed by tigers occurred in the south sector of the park, i.e. Madi Valley. This study focused on the status of tigers and its prey in Chitwan National Park and in the Madi Valley buffer zone. Tiger and prey were relatively more abundant in the park than buffer zone. However, the disturbance factors, measured as encounter rate of livestock and human were significantly higher in the park than the buffer zone. Reduced human activity in the buffer zone as compared to the park is because there is a stronger incentive to local people to control local use of buffer zone forest. Support of local people is critical in tiger conservation in the human dominated landscape. To understand the perceptions of Madi population towards tigers and its conservation, a household questionnaire survey was conducted. Majority of the people in Madi valley did not like tigers in the neighboring forests because of threat to people and livestock. However, just less than half of the people liked tigers because of ecological, utilitarian, and moral values. To mitigate the conflict the study recommends establishing a system to regularly monitor tigers in cooperation with the local “Bagh Heralus” attached to each community forestry user committee. Each committee in cooperation with Park staff would supervise the “Bagh Heralu” and the overall goal of the tiger and prey monitoring program would be to understand the activity pattern of tigers living in the buffer zone, implement a tiger conservation awareness program designed to educate local people on tiger biology and research, and to create a problem tiger response team to act immediately and efficiently to assist in conflict situations. Local participation between local user groups in Madi valley and park staffs is also needed to reduce grazing along the southern border of the park. Details: Kathmandu, Nepal: WWF-Nepal Program, 2006. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.panthera.org/sites/default/files/STF/2005-0013-014.2.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.panthera.org/sites/default/files/STF/2005-0013-014.2.pdf Shelf Number: 128099 Keywords: Forest ManagementHuman-Animal ConflictTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Management |
Author: Misra, Manoj Kumar Title: Enhancing Our Heritage: Improving Protection and Building Capacity of Staff At Kaziranga National Park Summary: The main objective of this study in Kaziranga National Park (Assam) was two fold: 1) Review of protection strategies and suggestion to enhance their effectiveness and 2) Development of a comprehensive capacity building plan for frontline staff in their efforts to prevent wildlife crime, habitat destruction, etc. Details: Paris: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2005. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Technical Report No. 04: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-331-12.pdf Year: 2005 Country: India URL: http://whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-331-12.pdf Shelf Number: 128100 Keywords: Animal PoachingWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (India)Wildlife Management |
Author: Yadav, N.P. Title: Forest Law Enforcement as an Underlying Driver of Forest Governance in Nepal Summary: Historically, forest of Nepal is exploited by rulers of the state for revenue generation and political interest. Although strong and protection oriented forest laws with judicial power to district forest officer has been formed but it was not enforced effectively, consequently deforestation and illegal logging continued. Since 1980 the participatory forestry emerged and restoration of forest cover in the hills and the relation of people and department of forest improved. DoF staff changed from policing to service providers. People oriented bylaws and guidelines prepared by the ministry of forest and several donors and NGOs involved in forestry sector for facilitating community based forest management. To some extent the process of community based forest management has brought positive impact considering the different dimension of forestry benefits. However over all forest governance is becoming poor due to weak forest law enforcement at different level. The annual deforestation rate and different form of illegality are increased and also foster corruption. Government mode of forest operation is command and control, hierarchical, bureaucratic and informal rules of the game is often take precedence. The outcome of this system became in favour of politically and economically powerful people. Local interests marginalised, passive forest management due to lack of specific plan, ‘timber men and politicians’ become de facto owners of the resource and state foresters become their agents–professionalism is undermined etc. The legal ownership on Nepal's forest is mainly lies communal and government authority with essence of common property that hinder good governance. The major characteristics of ‘good governance' are such as participatory decision-making process, accountability, transparency, responsive, effective and efficiency, equitable and inclusiveness which are weak in forestry institution because of vested interest of stakeholders. Over all the status of law enforcement for forest protection in Nepal is very weak; and legal instruments for penalties and punishment are largely ineffective. Weak forest law enforcement is an underlying driver of poor forest governance that causes forest degradation and corruption. The government mechanisms have been unable to control forest encroachment, illegal logging and wild-life poaching, which resulted in a substantial loss of forests cover and wild lives. The Quality of forest administration and plan based forest operations is important for good governance. To a great extent, the new concept is emerging to involve many more actors for improving forest governance. In particular there is a realization that plan based, multi-stakeholder processes and joint monitoring are key drivers to improve forest governance. The participation of multi-stakeholders in the process of decision making and implementation of forest operations is elements that support to improve forest governance and reduce corruption and crime in forestry sector. Details: Nepal: Forestry Nepal, 2013. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.forestrynepal.org/images/publications/Yadav_2012_forest_governance.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.forestrynepal.org/images/publications/Yadav_2012_forest_governance.pdf Shelf Number: 128101 Keywords: DeforestationForest ManagementIllegal LoggingWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (India)Wildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Management |
Author: Tsioumanni, Elsa Title: Wildlife Legislation and the Empowerment of the Poor in Asia and Oceania Summary: This paper ia a comparative analysis of national wildlife legislation in Asia and Oceania, with the aim of identifying strengths and weaknesses of legal frameworks in the promotion of sustainable wildlife management and in allowing disadvantaged people, particularly indigenous and local communities, to directly benefit from it. Authored by Elsa Tsioumani and Elisa Morgera, this study formulates recommendations and proposes specific legal options to improve legal frameworks in the region, with a view to supporting environmental sustainability, socioeconomic development and the empowerment of the poor. Part II presents country studies on national legislation from twelve countries in Asia and Oceania, highlighting the main legal provisions affecting wildlife management and use by local communities and aiming at highlighting specific legal tools for pro-poor sustainable wildlife management Details: Rome: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: FAO Legal Papers Online No. 83:: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://biodiversity-l.iisd.org/news/fao-legal-paper-wildlife-legislation-and-the-empowerment-of-the-poor-in-asia-and-oceania/ Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://biodiversity-l.iisd.org/news/fao-legal-paper-wildlife-legislation-and-the-empowerment-of-the-poor-in-asia-and-oceania/ Shelf Number: 128103 Keywords: Wildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (Asia, Oceania)Wildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Management |
Author: India. Ministry of Environment and Forests Title: Committee Constituted to Holistically Address the Issue of Poaching in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Report Summary: 1. Biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are very rich in biodiversity, harbouring unique endemic life forms. The islands have both rich terrestrial as well as marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds. The marine biodiversity includes marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, dugong; marine turtles; estuarine or salt water crocodile; fishes; prawns and lobsters; corals; sea shells including rare and endangered Trochus species and Giant Clam Shells and numerous other marine life forms including coelenterates and echinoderms etc. 2. Reasons for threat to biodiversity: Economically also, many of the above species are highly valuable and some of them such as sea cucumbers, sea-shells, sharks, marine turtles, salt water crocodiles etc. are under severe pressure of over exploitation from illegal foreign fishing boats and poachers. Historically, these species had been exploited by people from neighbouring countries, mainly due to the low protective cover and low priority accorded to conservation of the marine biodiversity in general by the enforcement agencies of the country. 3. Legal measures for protection of biodiversity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Several legal measures have been in place for protection of the marine biodiversity of the region. The Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels Act, 1981, Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 (last amended in 2011), Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, etc. coupled with establishment of 9 National Parks and 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries for a more focused conservation initiative, have all strengthened the enforcement regime in the region. Besides, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has also taken measures for protecting the flora and fauna of the islands. Some of these National Parks are exclusively for the protection of the marine species. These include Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, etc. As on date, an area of 1619.786 sq. kms has been covered under the Protected Area network in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 4. Management of biodiversity in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Forest Department-The Wildlife Wing of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, responsible for the protection of the biodiversity of the islands, is headed by the Chief Wildlife Warden, in the rank of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and has four divisions under his control. In addition to this, there are six territorial Divisions that carry out protection duties outside the designated Protected Area network. Coastal Police- Twenty Coastal Police Stations have also been established on the islands to upgrade regulatory and law enforcement regime in the coastal waters. The Coastal Police Stations are being equipped with latest infrastructural communication and patrolling equipments. Coast Guard: The Coast Guard has been assisting the Forest Department in apprehending the poachers in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as along the coast. 5. Issues that require attention: (a) Issue of foreign poachers: Despite the concerted efforts by various departments and agencies, the very availability of rich marine resources attracts foreign poachers to Indian territorial waters. Although, the enforcement agencies routinely apprehend several foreign poachers, it is believed that a large number of them get away undetected. Most of the poachers are habitual offenders and had been in Indian prisons several times. It has been observed that the western part of the Andaman Islands was the most vulnerable to poaching and also that the volume of the poaching has considerably increased over the years inspite of the best efforts by the Administration to contain the problem. Further, it is also believed that the problem of foreign poachers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has a long history, and there are a large number of ethnic people of Myanmar origin settled in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These people are believed to be often conniving with the poachers. (b) Issue of Trochus and Sea cucumbers: It has been observed that although there was good population of Sea Cucumbers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there were contradicting reports of the status of the species as a whole in the country’s waters. Therefore, there is need for carrying out detailed scientific study on the population status of Sea Cucumbers. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), who has the required wherewithal for carrying out such scientific studies, is being requested for undertaking the study. The report of ZSI would be dovetailed with this report, as soon as the same is received from ZSI. A similar study on Trochus niloticus, would also be taken up. (c) Issue of livelihood: The reduction in forestry operations has reduced the employment opportunities considerably for the local people of islands. It may be added that this sector was one of the biggest local employers for the last five decades. Subsequent ban on certain marine species after their inclusion in the Scheduled lists of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has also adversely affected the livelihoods of the fishers community in the last decade. Strategy and measures suggested for improvement: In order to reach the desired goal, a three pronged strategy has been suggested which, inter alia, includes tightening and improving the protection regime for conservation of marine resources, taking care of the livelihoods of local fisher folk, both qualitatively and quantitatively so as to increase their stake in conservation of marine biodiversity, and to open a diplomatic channel with the Government of Myanmar to address the issue of ingress of its illegal fishers (poachers) into the waters and shores of A&N Islands with a view to finding a solution to this problem and stop the illegal practice jointly. The report concludes with a number of recommendations to address the various issues. Details: New Delhi: Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2011. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/report-on-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-poaching-issue.pdf Year: 2011 Country: India URL: http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/report-on-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-poaching-issue.pdf Shelf Number: 128105 Keywords: Animal PoachingBiodiversityForest ManagementIllegal FishingWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (India)Wildlife Management |
Author: Turtle Conservation Coalition Title: Turtles in Trouble: The World’s 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles—2011 Summary: Turtles are in serious trouble. They are among the world’s most endangered vertebrates, with about half of their more than 300 species threatened with extinction. We commonly hear about the plight of other animal groups; however, turtles are much more at risk of impending extinction than birds, mammals, amphibians, or sharks and rays, and paralleled among the larger vertebrate groups only by the primates (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2010, www. iucnredlist.org, Hoffmann et al. 2010). Turtles throughout the world are being impacted by a variety of major threats, to which many are gradually succumbing. They are being collected, traded, and eaten or otherwise used, in overwhelming numbers. They are used for food, pets, traditional medicine—eggs, juveniles, adults, body parts—all are exploited indiscriminately, with little regard for sustainability. On top of the targeted onslaught, their habitats are being increasingly fragmented, destroyed, developed, and polluted. Populations are shrinking nearly everywhere. Species worldwide are threatened and vulnerable, many are critically endangered, others teeter on the very brink of extinction, and a few have already been lost forever, with eight species and two subspecies having gone extinct since 1500 AD (see table, p. 5). The world’s living tortoise and freshwater turtle species are a remarkable evolutionary success story. There are about 328 currently recognized modern species (452 taxa; Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2010). Turtles have existed for about 220 million years, since the Late Triassic Era, outlasting their early contemporaries, the dinosaurs. Turtles and tortoises have evolved a remarkable armored shell that has remained relatively unchanged through evolution, and while other vertebrate species have evolved and gone extinct, the basic body form of turtles has remained an obvious testament to their success and their ability to survive millions of years of natural selection. However, the previously successful survival adaptations of turtles, including delayed sexual maturity, high fecundity combined with high juvenile mortality, and a long adult life-span with low natural adult mortality, have left turtle populations vulnerable to new and devastating threats posed by human exploitation and habitat loss. Turtles and tortoises are major biodiversity components of the ecosystems they inhabit, often serving as keystone species from which other animals and plants benefit— Desert and Gopher Tortoises in North America, Giant River Turtles in the Amazon basin of South America, Pig-nosed Turtles in Australia and New Guinea, Giant Tortoises in the Galápagos and Seychelles islands, and large Flapshell and Softshell Turtles in Asia—all represent major components in their environments and are part of the web of interacting and co-dependent species that constitute healthy functioning ecosystems. Without turtles and tortoises, those ecosystems and the critically important human-welfare ecoservices they provide, would gradually suffer from the loss of biodiversity and degrade in ways still incompletely understood and difficult to predict. No turtle species should be lost to extinction, as none are expendable or unimportant. Increasingly, however, human activities are endangering many turtle and tortoise species while driving others into extinction. We are facing a turtle survival crisis unprecedented in its severity and risk. Humans are the problem, and must therefore also be the solution. Without concerted conservation action, many of the world’s turtles and tortoises will become extinct within the next few decades. It is now up to us to prevent the loss of these remarkable, unique jewels of evolution. Without intervention, countless species will be lost. We need to work together for the survival of turtles throughout the world, to understand the risks and threats turtles face, to define survival and conservation objectives, and to develop the successful management strategies and organizational alliances that can help us reach those goals. Details: Lunenburg, MA: IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservation Fund, Turtle Survival Alliance, Turtle Conservancy, Chelonian Research Foundation, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and San Diego Zoo Global, 2011. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/top_25__turtles_in_trouble_2011__2_.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/top_25__turtles_in_trouble_2011__2_.pdf Shelf Number: 128106 Keywords: TortoisesTurtlesWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Horne, Brian D. Title: Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years Summary: The workshop entitled "Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years ” hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), 21-24 February 2011. Nearly 70 delegates from 17 countries –including 14 Asian nations – attended. A primary directive and the basis of the workshop, participants were tasked with looking back at the last decade of turtle conservation since the pivotal meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1999 that first brought together the region’s turtle experts. By assessing the past eleven years, participants were able to identify what actions worked well, which ones did not work as well as hoped, and which recommendations/priorities had not been adequately addressed. Next, the participants were asked to look forward to determine emerging trends and new developments and dilemmas/challenges in the continuously changing habitat impacts and market trade in turtles and turtle products. This report presents a set of recommendations and conclusions arising from presentations, discussions, and break-out sessions at the workshop. The first set of overall recommendations represent the immediate steps necessary for staving off extinction of Asia’s most endangered turtles. These recommendations are of the highest priority. Key policy recommendations are then made, arising from an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red-Listing process that was incorporated as part of the Singapore workshop. In addition, a specific session on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held. These recommendations dovetail into recommendations for proposed changes to the CITES listing of Asian turtles and how specific species need to be more strictly regulated and supervised in their international trade to protect wild populations. The key policy recommendations should be pivotal in encouraging participating countries to enforce existing laws and regulations and in some cases create new laws or regulations. Two genera have been identified as priority groups as they make up a large percentage of the most critically endangered turtles in Asia. This is followed by a section on emerging threats and includes recommendations for dealing with these new issues. After which a number of emerging opportunities are detailed for turtle conservation in Asia. The report then features two potential species for pilot reintroduction programs. Before the report concludes, it details species-specific recommendations for the 36 confirmed and proposed Critically Endangered Turtles and Tortoises in South and Southeast Asia, and lastly, there is a short section on the need to gather information on species’ ranked as Data Deficient in order to determine such species population status. Details: Singapore: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/Singapore_Report_complete.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/Singapore_Report_complete.pdf Shelf Number: 128107 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTurtles and Tortoises (Asia)Wildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Bromley, Tom Title: Development AND Gorillas? Assessing fifteen years of integrated conservation and development in south-western Uganda Summary: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are two afromontane forests considered as extremely important biodiversity areas, with global significance, due to their population of highly endangered Mountain Gorilla. Threats to the two parks include uncontrolled exploitation of forest resources as well as fire damage and the indirect pressures of demand for land. In response to these threats, a range of “integrated conservation and development” strategies have been applied in and around Bwindi and Mgahinga. This report summarises the findings of a study which tested the effectiveness of these strategies in reconciling biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development interests. It confirms the validity of the assumption that linking local people to a resource and helping generate a steady stream of benefits increases willingness to manage and protect that resource, over the long term but notes inconclusive evidence that providing alternative livelihoods is an effective conservation strategy. Details: London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://pubs.iied.org/14592IIED.html Year: 2010 Country: Uganda URL: http://pubs.iied.org/14592IIED.html Shelf Number: 128108 Keywords: BiodiversityGorillasWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: India. Tiger Task Force Title: Joining the Dots: The Report of the Tiger Task Force Summary: The Tiger Task Force report begins by placing itself in context (see: The assessment, p 1-20). There is an immediate context to this report: the widely reported and discussed event of the disappearance of tigers in Sariska. There is also a larger context: the discourse and practice of tiger conservation in India. In terms of the immediate context, the Sariska debacle, the Task Force investigated the affair. The report presents the conclusions (see: The Sariska shock, p 14-20). The protection system there has completely collapsed. While officials were busy misreporting the record of tiger numbers, poachers roamed about and cleaned the reserve out. A powerful mining lobby, keen to carry out mining operations in the reserve fringe, is thrilled. Local politicians now want the protected area denotified: “What is there to protect?” they ask. Villagers here regard the tiger, and the park administration, as their common enemy no 1: they live sandwiched between the two, and are bitter about their desperately wretched existence and continued harassment. The park management talks about relocation, but has done little. In the meantime, even the one village that had been moved out has come back into the reserve. There is unease all around. In this situation, protection cannot and does not work. In terms of the larger context (see: Conserving the tiger, p 2-13), the report finds important, but forgotten, moments in the recent history of official conservation planning. The report of the 1972 task force headed by Karan Singh, Project Tiger: a planning proposal for preservation of tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in India, inaugurated the tiger conservation programme in India (and official conservation as well). It is a remarkable blueprint. It gave the programme a promising start. If “people versus parks” — and its inevitable corollary, “people versus tigers” — is one contentious point of the debate around conservation in India today, the report finds extremely sensitive deliberations upon this issue in the past. It is obvious that some, among those that have given direction to official conservation policy, were horribly aware that in India, forests are not unpopulated tracts of wilderness. The 1983 Eliciting public support for wildlife conservation — report of the task force, by a committee headed by Madhavrao Scindia, focuses on the dependence of rural people on forests: “In their precarious existence, enforcement of restriction in wildlife reserves triggers antagonism”. This report wanted development programmes and funds for villages located in the periphery of conservation zones. It calls these zones “islands of conservation”. “If the land surrounding such effort continues to deteriorate in productivity affecting the availability of resources for communities, these islands are bound to succumb one day to the community’s demands”. In the 1990s, a furious storm breaks, reminiscent of today. The tiger is in deep trouble. Project Tiger, India’s flagship conservation programme, is in deep trouble. Conservation itself is in deep trouble. This was an opportunity to change directions. But what emerges is: One, the conservation regime rededicates itself to a command-and-control mode of wildlife preservation. Two, it becomes no longer necessary to refer to or think of “people” while speaking of or planning for conservation. The Sariska debacle is irrevocably because of this direction we chose. It is incumbent upon the Tiger Task Force to look to the future. The Task Force realises that, so far as conservation policy and practice are concerned, any such blueprint must be predicated upon three unavoidable variables (see: A paradigm change, p 21-26). As the report puts it, “The protection of the tiger is inseparable from the protection of the forests it roams in. But the protection of these forests is itself inseparable from the fortunes of people who, in India, inhabit forest areas”. There is the tiger. There is the forest. There are the people, living inside these forests and on the fringes of these forests. Details: New Delhi: Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (Project Tiger), 2006. 217p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 23, 2013 at: http://projecttiger.nic.in/TTF2005/pdf/full_report.pdf Year: 2006 Country: India URL: http://projecttiger.nic.in/TTF2005/pdf/full_report.pdf Shelf Number: 128109 Keywords: Animal PoachingTigersWildlife Conservation (India)Wildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: TRAFFIC-India Title: The Roar of the Tiger: A compilation of the in-session documents, information documents and interventions at the CITES CoP14 on Agenda Document CoP14 Doc 52 ‘Asian Big Cats’ Summary: Tigers and Asian big cats were at the centre stage of an important debate at the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties of the CITES at the Hague, The Netherlands. Led by India and other range states like Nepal, China, Bhutan and Russia, the 14th CoP was able to garner strong support for conservation of tigers in the wild. After the 14th CITES CoP in The Hague, there was naturally a lot of interest in India on the tiger issue, and consequently several versions of the entire debate, unfortunately some of them inaccurate, being discussed. Given the significance of the debate and its long-term implications for tiger conservation, this compilation attempts to put together the in-session documents, information documents, interventions and other relevant documents of the debate around the Agenda Document CoP14 Doc 52 ‘Asian Big Cats’. As such, the statements made by various countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan and China on the floor gather significance. One of the key messages to emerge on this important international forum was that “Tigers should not be bred for their parts or derivatives.” Given the significance of the debate and its long term implications for tiger conservation, this compilation attempts to put together the decisions and other relevant documents of this debate. While the summary records and the resolutions are excerpted from the official record of CITES, the interventions of various countries have been compiled from various sources including unofficial transcripts. Details: New Delhi: TRAFFIC-India, 2007. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/traffic_pub_cop14_19.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Asia URL: http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/traffic_pub_cop14_19.pdf Shelf Number: 128110 Keywords: Animal PoachingTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Asia)Wildlife Management |
Author: Upadhyay, Sanjay Title: Conserving Protected Areas and Wildlife: A Judicial Journey Summary: The Centre for Environment Law (CEL) – WWF India was formally launched in 1993 and soon developed into an active centre for legal action through out the country. The Bhitarkanika case to protect the Olive Ridleys against an ecologically flawed jetty construction in Kendrapara, Orissa; the Narayan Sarovar Case against the Sanghi Cements Giant to save the Chinkara in the Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary in Gujarat and then an intervention in the Delhi ridge case in the early 90s have put CEL-WWF India at the forefront of fighting legal battles on wildlife conservation. The TRAFFIC India was equally active on fighting legal battles on specific illegal wildlife trade issues. It was around this time that the M.C. Mehta cases on various aspects of environment including river pollution, coastal areas, urban development were also at the peak of its judicial activism. It was then thought1 that a piece meal approach may not be the most appropriate manner to tackle wildlife conservation from the legal perspective. A preliminary research brought out that in most of the National Parks and Sanctuaries, the implementation of provisions as envisaged in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WLPA) is incomplete and therefore, it would be prudent to approach the Apex Court to ensure that the State Governments which were nodally responsible for managing the Protected Areas (PAs), expedite the process and inform the correct position of the Protected Area management in India. It was also felt that the status quo on this integral process is not benefiting either the conservation objectives or the social objectives. It is on this premise that the Civil Writ Petition No. 337 of 1995 was filed by CEL –WWF India in May, 1995 in the Supreme Court of India for the protection and development of the National Parks and Sanctuaries in India. The main prayer was for directions to the concerned authorities (Central Government, State Governments and the District Collectors) to: a) discharge their statutory functions provided under Sections 19-25 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and b) enquire into and determine the existence, nature and extant of the rights of any persons in or over the land comprised with the limits of the National Parks and Sanctuaries In addition to the above contentions, a number of other ancillary issues pertaining to the preservation and protection of wildlife were also raised by the petitioners subsequently after more than one year later in October, 1996. Although, procedurally this seemed awkward, the additional reliefs sought by the petitioner brought to the fore the issues of Tiger Conservation2, meeting of the Indian Board of Wildlife3 which had not met since eight preceding years, constitution of Wildlife Advisory Boards and nomination of members such as Wildlife Wardens as contemplated under Section 6 of the WLPA, appointment of Honorary Wildlife Wardens in each district in accordance with Section 4 of the WLPA and to take appropriate measures to enforce the recommendations4 mentioned by the petitioner through a survey conducted on 16 Tiger Reserves in the country. It was a strategic move to broad base the petition that further covered the entire gamut of implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Whether the strategies worked or not will be clear in the subsequent sections, which analyses the impact of Court orders not only at the national level but also the trends that emerged or are emerging at the States’ level. The analysis does not question the merit of the Court’s observations but attempts to capture the trends as well as make an assessment of the raison de etre’ of the case and whether it had achieved what it set out to do or not as yet! The Court upon hearing the petition admitted the case and issued notices to various State Governments and to the Union of India in February, 1997 5 i.e. two years after the petition was filed. While carefully scrutinizing the case it can be seen how time and again the Court has used several strategies including contempt notices to the Union and the States to adhere to its orders for implementing the relevant provisions of the Act. The current analysis follows two broad patterns. The analysis of orders which have national implications and those which have State implications. The attempt is also to capture the trend that is emerging within each State and the seriousness with which each State has responded on the fast depleting wildlife in the country. Details: New Delhi: Enviro Legal Defence Firm and World Wildlife Fund For Nature, 2009. 289p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://awsassets.wwfindia.org/downloads/conserving_protected_areas_and_wildlife_1.pdf Year: 2009 Country: India URL: http://awsassets.wwfindia.org/downloads/conserving_protected_areas_and_wildlife_1.pdf Shelf Number: 128111 Keywords: Wildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (India)Wildlife Management |
Author: Rangarajan, Mahesh Title: Gajah: Securing the Future for Elephants in India. The Report of the Elephant Task Force Summary: Securing a future for the elephant in India, its continued survival in the wild and its humane care in captivity constitute a major challenge. They call for drawing on the best in our communities of knowledge and governance. The Task Force is crystal clear on one point. India can secure the future for Gajah and its forest home. It will be a challenge but one we possess the ability to surmount, provided we have the will, demonstrate the wisdom and deploy the means necessary. It is not immediate extinction as much as attrition of living spaces and the tense conditions of the human-elephant encounter on the ground that require redress. As a long lived and sociable animal familiar to all of us since childhood, elephants may seem to require little help. But the shrinking of habitat and the selective killing off of tuskers in key populations by ivory poachers are cause for grave concern. Elephants in captivity are close to our hearts but there are times standards fall short of the humane treatment and welfare they are surely entitled to. Their care givers, Mahouts and veterinary doctors too need recognition and better amenities. Project Elephant has, since 1992, done much commendable work. But its successes notwithstanding, it needs more than an accretion of resources. Elephant habitats are under immense pressure. Rapid economic expansion and development pressures require far more attention to land use plans from an ecological perspective. New knowledge needs to be brought to bear in population and habitat assessment. Above all, systems of mitigation to alleviate human-elephant conflict need to re-energise and be made much more accountable. To accomplish this requires administrative overhaul and better machinery. The Task Force strongly favours new institutions and mechanisms to achieve these wider objectives. We need a new National Elephant Conservation Authority (NECA) on the lines of the structure for tiger conservation. Nestled with it will be a new Consortium of Elephant Research and Estimation (CERE) who will develop and apply the best methods for enumeration. Transparency of methods and results will uphold standards and inculcate a scientific temper. Along with similar changes at the state level, there will be a new category of Elephant Landscapes. These, ten in number will include the existing and proposed 32 Elephant Reserves. While no new reserves are proposed, there will be a consolidation of the existing reserves. Over 40 per cent of the Elephant Reserves is not under Protected Area or government forest. The Task Force favours Ecologically Sensitive Area status under the Environment Protection Act to regulate activity that may be ecologically negative. Elephant Corridors that link critical populations had already been identified prior to the Task Force by scientists, administrators and reputed voluntary organizations. We have now ranked the Elephant Corridors according to priority and feasibility for action. Our main emphasis is on innovative methods to secure habitats beyond the Protected Areas. These could include Community or Conservation Reserves, Ecosystem Services payments and conservation easements. Protected Area expansion can also be considered but so too can other measures. These will forge partnerships and reinforce alliances for conservation at ground level. It is vital to stress that elephant conservation is about combining quality of land use. While securing viable habitats, there has to be accommodation in other zones, to enable wildlife and people to be compatible. The increased financial outlay of Rs. 600 crore over the 12th Five Year Plan period has sound logic to back it up. A third of the allocation will be to secure vital habitats that serve as links between populations that may be cut off. Rather than land acquisition which is often conflict prone, we propose a range of other instruments from conservation easements to Community Reserves. Similarly, human-elephant conflict requires urgent redress, and not only for making good loss of crops or homes. It requires preventive measures that can be monitored, verified and held accountable. One sixth of resources asked for are earmarked for conflict issues. The Task Force favours a permanent and continuing mission in high conflict zones, with innovative methods to alleviate tragic loss of life of both humans and animals. Conflict Management Task Forces can commence work in known zones of high conflict. These will include experienced foresters, scientists, wildlife vets, and social scientists. Elephant human conflict is a wider phenomenon than these foci of high conflict. Mandatory taluka-level hearings at different times in the sowing and harvesting season in all conflict areas can bring together affected citizens, officials and elected representatives. Given the Elephant Reserves cover 65,000 square kilometres and that this is a vital input into larger land use planning, the proposed outlay is necessary and justifiable. The Task Force appreciates need for transparency. 50 Crores is for research, monitoring and study vital for sound policy. It has suggested specific ways to bring elected representatives and those with domain knowledge in close and continuing contact with local citizens through appropriate forum. Elephant Reserve Committees will enable redress, consultation and transparency. Bringing science, administration and applied social science together is the key. Protection in the wild with conflict management to help both humans and elephants will demand Herculean effort. So will upgrading care of elephants in captivity, with Citizens Elephant Welfare Committees. Assuring Gajah a future for tomorrow will require resources today, whether living space or funds, the application of the best of technical and scientific knowledge or the fashioning of responses that makes partners of citizens who live in proximity with the species. science with humane administration. A mobile mega herbivore, Elephas maximus is often in sharp indirect or direct conflict with our own patterns Details: Delhi: Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2010. 187p. Source: Internet Resource: Accesssed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/ETF_REPORT_FINAL.pdf Year: 2010 Country: India URL: http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/ETF_REPORT_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 128112 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (India)Wildlife Management |
Author: India. Ministry of Environment and Forests (Project Tiger) Title: Evaluation Reports of Tiger Reserves in India Summary: Project Tiger was launched in 1973, covering 9 Tiger Reserves. Today there are 28 reserves spread over 17 States. The project has saved the endangered tiger from extinction by fostering a path of recovery. Over the years, the increase in biotic pressure on account of firewood, pasture, and timber along with diverse land uses in the forested landscape have adversely affected the tiger bearing forests. The illegal international demands for the body parts of tiger have increased the pressure of poaching. Despite these limitations, the ecological status of Tiger Reserves is relatively better and harbour source populations of tiger, copredators and prey animals. Project Tiger is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to promote tiger conservation in the designated Tiger Reserves, considering its significance which transcend State boundaries. Traditionally, management of forests and wildlife is the responsibility of States. The field implementation of the project, protection and management in the designated reserves is done by project States, which also provide the matching grant to recurring items of expenditure, field staff / officers and their salaries. The Project Tiger Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Forests is mandated with the task of providing technical guidance, funding support and overall coordination. The achievement of physical and financial targets under the project is monitored through utilization certificates received from States, apart from supervisory visits and review. However, monitoring the “impact” of investment vis-à-vis the goals of the project necessitated a more systematic approach by independent experts, with prescribed parameters. It should be appreciated that the Project Tiger is a holistic, ecosystem project where most of the results are intangible, not falling in the category of “target driven” projects. All of the 28 Tiger Reserves were evaluated. The evaluation report of individual Tiger Reserves are presented in this report along with the 'Results at a Glance' in the form of graphics. Details: New Delhi: Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2006 244p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://projecttiger.nic.in/Report-2_EvaluationReportsofTRinIndia.pdf Year: 2006 Country: India URL: http://projecttiger.nic.in/Report-2_EvaluationReportsofTRinIndia.pdf Shelf Number: 128113 Keywords: Animal PoachingWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (India)Wildlife Management |
Author: Global Tiger Initiative Secretariat Title: Global Tiger Recovery Program Implementation Report 2012 Summary: In November of 2010, leaders of the 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) assembled at an unprecedented International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. With the extinction of wild tigers looming, they unanimously adopted the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation and endorsed its implementation mechanism, the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP). The overarching goal of the St. Petersburg Declaration and the GTRP is to double the global number of wild tigers across their range by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger, from an estimated 3,200 to more than 7,000. This Summit, the first-ever devoted to an endangered species, marked a historic milestone in tiger conservation and in biodiversity conservation more broadly. The St. Petersburg Declaration represents a commitment to go beyond governments and NGOs creating isolated impacts to working collaboratively for collective impact to achieve a shared vision. The comprehensive GTRP comprises the National Tiger Recovery Priorities (NTRP) of the 13 TRCs and Global Support Programs to be spearheaded by international and national partners to bolster country efforts. The GTRP outlines the concerted country-specific and collaborative actions required in the first five years of the program to move toward the 2022 goal. These actions fall under several broad themes: policy and institutional change; habitat protection and management; controlling tiger and prey poaching; institutional strengthening and capacity building; increasing community engagement and reducing human-tiger conflict; controlling illegal trade in tigers and reducing the demand that drives it; cooperation to manage transboundary tiger landscapes and to combat illegal trade; scientific monitoring, surveys, and research; and finding new sources of sustainable financing for tiger conservation. The emphasis on these themes varies from TRC to TRC, depending on each TRC’s unique challenges and situation. To track progress toward the shared goal, TRC governments committed to transparent mutual accountability for implementing the actions necessary for recovering tigers in their particular context. Partners are holding themselves accountable to the TRC’s for fulfilling their promised support programs. All agreed to periodic stocktaking to review progress, consider new information, and establish future program directions. The First Stocktaking Meeting of Senior Officials and Experts to Review Implementation of the GTRP took place on May 15- 17, 2012, in New Delhi, India. All 13 TRCs reported on their progress as well the challenges and obstacles each faced in implementing their Priority Implementation Activities (PIAs). Partners also reported on their progress and setbacks. At the same time, the TRCs and partners outlined priorities for 2012-2013. Progress in 2011 and the first half of 2012 was impressive and a clear sign that the political will generated at the 2010 Tiger Summit is leading to action on the ground. TRCs completed or made progress on most of their PIAs and partners did the same. TRCs are actively collaborating, sharing knowledge and experience. Some activities took longer to get going than planned, but that is to be expected in a new and highly ambitious undertaking involving 13 governments and dozens of partners in NGOs and international organizations. After some initial delay, external funding streams have begun to flow, and the outlook for developing the resources needed to fully fund the GTRP seems bright. The Global Tiger Initiative was founded just four years ago, in June 2008. It will take considerably more time for tigers to begin to recover and to determine whether we are moving toward the goal of doubling their numbers. The progress reported here gives cause for some optimism but it is imperative that the momentum be maintained. Also encouraging is news of a potential new TRC. Kazakhstan, once home to the Caspian tiger subspecies, is working toward reintroducing tigers to their former range there. Other TRCs with very low tiger numbers are also beginning to plan for restoring tigers to their priority landscapes. How this Report was Prepared and is Organized The St. Petersburg Declaration charged the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) Secretariat, based at the World Bank where the GTI was founded in 2008, with a coordinating role in implementing the GTRP and supporting and encouraging the TRCs in their efforts. Before the Tiger Summit, the GTI and the TRCs were engaged in a rigorous interactive process to develop the NTRPs and the GTRP. Since the Summit, this process has continued as TRCs developed individual lists of PIAs: these were the milestones the TRC planned to reach by the end of the first implementation period. Similarly, a Partners’ To-Do List of milestones was agreed upon. All were periodically revised and updated through mid-2012. It was agreed that progress would be assessed against the PIAs and Partners’ list. To develop this first Global Tiger Recovery Program Implementation Report 2012, each TRC provided to the GTI Secretariat a two-page summary of their progress in implementation of its PIAs, including a self-assessment of whether it completed a PIA, made significant or some progress toward completing it, or made no progress. Each TRC also contributed brief information on a best practice or success story, major challenges, and PIAs for 2012-2013. Before and after the stocktaking, TRCs had opportunities to revise their summaries. These country summaries form the bulk of this report. Details: Washington, DC: The World Bank,, 2012. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/GTRP_Implementation_Report_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/GTRP_Implementation_Report_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128117 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Global Tiger Initiative Secretariat Title: Global Tiger Recovery Program 2010–2022 Summary: Wild tigers are under threat of extinction across their entire range. Wild tigers (Panthera tigris) have for centuries occupied a very special place in the nature and culture of Asia. These magnificent big cats sit at the top of the ecological pyramid in vast Asian forest landscapes. The presence of viable populations of wild tigers is an indicator of the integrity, sustainability, and health of larger ecosystems. However, wild tigers are on the brink of extinction, with only about 3,200 to 3,500 surviving today, scattered among 13 Asian Tiger Range Countries (TRCs): Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand, and Vietnam. Diverse, rich, but undervalued tiger ecosystems are degrading and disappearing. Tiger landscapes support tigers, their prey, and a vast amount of biodiversity. They also contribute to human well being, locally and globally, through the provision of many ecosystem services such as water harvesting, carbon sequestration, plant genetic materials, food security and medicinal plants, and opportunities for community-based tourism. Most of these benefits are not currently monetized so tiger landscapes are significantly undervalued in national and global agendas. As a result, degradation, fragmentation, and loss of natural habitats, depletion of prey animals, and poaching to supply a large illegal global trade in their body parts, have pushed wild tigers and their landscapes to the brink of extinction. These threats are exacerbated by limited capacity for conservation action and, in most TRCs, by insufficient resources. The Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) seeks to empower TRCs to address the entire spectrum of threats, domestic as well as those that are transboundary in nature, and work toward increased financial sustainability through the integration of conservation objectives into development. To solve the tiger crisis, which represents the larger Asian biodiversity crisis, the TRCs, international organizations, and civil society have come together on a collaborative platform within the framework of the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI). After a two-year process of sharing knowledge and best practices and developing a common vision, the GTRP was developed, with the shared goal of doubling the number of wild tigers globally by 2022 through actions to: (i) effectively manage, preserve, protect, and enhance tiger habitats; (ii) eradicate poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade of tigers, their parts, and derivatives; (iii) cooperate in transboundary landscape management and in combating illegal trade; (iv) engage with indigenous and local communities; (v) increase the effectiveness of tiger and habitat management; and (vi) restore tigers to their former range. The foundation of the GTRP is 13 individual National Tiger Recovery Priorities (NTRPs) that outline the urgent priority activities each TRC will take to contribute to the global goal. These NTRPs are buttressed with other actions that TRCs need to do in concert with others, such as arresting transboundary illegal trade, knowledge sharing, and establishing robust systems for monitoring populations, habitats, and overall progress. Additional actions to eliminate illicit demand for tiger parts and their derivatives and to undertake habitat valuation in order to promote payment for ecosystem services schemes are also included in the GTRP portfolio of 80 activities. The GTRP calls for incremental financing of about US$350 million over the first five years of the program, over and above the domestic financing to be provided by individual TRCs, based on their ability. TRCs have identified policy and institutional reforms to enhance the effectiveness of these proposed expenditures. TRCs have built considerable early momentum in implementing policy and institutional actions. Financial support for GTRP implementation is to be through a flexible financing mechanism that enables all potential funders—official bilateral programs, multilateral development banks, and the GEF, international NGOs, as well as private and corporate entities—to support the GTRP portfolio, which is to be kept current. Program management and coordination arrangements are built on the establishment and strengthening, as needed, of robust national implementation mechanisms, supported by TRC-wide and global processes to ensure mutual accountability and transparency through vigorous monitoring and reporting of progress. The existing Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is to be strengthened to play its mandated intergovernmental role and, until longer-term coordination arrangements are agreed upon, the TRCs asked the GTI Secretariat to support the implementation phase. Suitable collaborative platforms for those providing support to TRCs, through financing, capacity building, or arresting illegal trade, are to be created. Expected results include stabilized tiger populations in most critical habitats by year five and overall doubling by 2022; critical tiger habitats becoming inviolate and protected areas professionally managed; significant reduction in poaching and illegal trade and trafficking along with decreased illicit demand for tiger body parts and derivatives; consistent monitoring in place; and economic valuation of all tiger landscapes completed as a basis for sustainable financing. The GTRP is the last best hope for tigers. Wild tigers are at a tipping point and action, or inaction, in the coming decade will decide their fate. Action will lead to the tiger’s recovery; inaction or mere maintenance of the status quo will lead to its extinction. The GTRP represents the last best hope for the survival of the world’s most magnificent species and the conservation of the valuable landscapes in which it lives. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2011. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/download/St_Petersburg/GTRP_Nov11_Final_Version_Eng.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/download/St_Petersburg/GTRP_Nov11_Final_Version_Eng.pdf Shelf Number: 128118 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Blake, Stephen: Wildlife Conservation Society Title: Central african Forests: Final Report on Population Surveys (2003-2004) Summary: In 1997, at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Conv ention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Parties resolved to establish a monitoring system across the entire range of the African and Asian elephants [Resolution Conf. 10.10]. It was intended that this system would facilitate decision -making by the Parties regarding the protected status of elephants. This was also the first attempt to provide a systematic and detailed assessment of the impact of the Parties’ decisions to allow, restrict, or suspend trade in a particular species (and/or its parts and derivatives). The monitoring system, now known by its acronym MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants), was endorsed at the 41 st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee in February 1999, and between 1999 and 2001 a Pilot Program, funded by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society was implemented in central Africa to assess the feasibility of full scale implementation of the program in forest ecosystems (Beyers et al. 2001). During implementation of the pilot program and in the light of some lessons already being learned, the goals and structure of the MIKE program was discussed again at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in 2000, which led to a revision of Resolution Conf. 10.10, and the objectives previously agreed were broadened to include ‘establishing an information base to support the making of decisions on appropriate management, protection and enforcement needs’ and ‘building capacity in range States’. The MIKE program currently has the following aim: ‘To provide information needed for elephant range States to make appropriate management and enforcement decisions, and to build institutional capacity within the range States for the lo ng-term management of their elephant populations.’ More specific objectives within this aim are: (1) ‘To measure levels and trends in the illegal hunting of elephants’, (2) ‘To determine changes in these trends over time’, and (3) ‘To determine the factors causing such changes and to assess to what extent observed trends are related to CITES changes in listings or ivory trade resumptions’ (www.cites.org/eng/prog/MIKE). The MIKE program plans to achieve these objective through a site-based system of collecting data on elephant population trends, the incidence and patterns of illegal killing, and the effort and resources employed in detecting and preventing illegal hunting and trade. The MIKE program is also charged with developing and using a standardized methodology for data collection and analysis. The pilot project, which focussed on three sites, the Lope Ituri, and Odzala protected areas in Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) demonstrated that implementation of MIKE in forests was indeed feasible, and a fullscale program involving 55 sites across Africa was initiated thereafter. The plan is to repeat surveys in each site every 2–3 years. Within the range of forest elephants in central Africa 11 sites were chosen, each based around a protected area. This document reports on progress made toward achieving forest elephant population surveys during 2003-2004 at six MIKE sites in five nations within the range of forest elephants in central Africa (Figure 2). Sites included were Salonga, Bangassou, Dzanga - Sangha, Nouabalé -Ndoki, Boumba Bek, and Minkebe. An elephant inventory was also planned for Mont Alen in Equatorial Guinea, though for funding reasons this site was eventually excluded. Details: Washington, DC: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2005. 122p. Source: Internet Resource: Long Term System for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE): Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.cites.org/common/prog/mike/survey/central_africa_survey03-04.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Africa URL: http://www.cites.org/common/prog/mike/survey/central_africa_survey03-04.pdf Shelf Number: 128125 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (Africa)Wildlife Management |
Author: Altherr, Sandra Title: Canapés to Extinction: The international trade in frogs’ legs and its ecological impact Summary: In some regions of India, frogs are called “jumping chickens,” as their taste is similar to chicken. Their palatability to humans is why billions of frogs are consumed annually. In many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America frogs are collected for subsistence or local consumption. Some of these same countries are engaged in the commercial trade of frogs and frog products— including frogs’ legs—supplying markets in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA), where native frog populations have been seriously depleted (Mohneke 2011, Lannoo et al. 1994). While frog farming plays an increasing role in meeting the global demand for frogs’ legs, in several countries millions of frogs are still taken from the wild to satisfy international demand. The exploitation of wild frogs to sustain this trade mainly focuses on larger-bodied species of the family Ranidae, such as the Asian brackish frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) and giant Javan frog (Limnonectes macrodon, formerly Rana macrodon). Some experts warn that even for common, fast-growing and fecund amphibian species, present levels of exploitation may be far from sustainable (Mohneke 2011, Bickford pers. comm. 2010, Lau et al. 2008). Within the last 20 years, Indonesia has become the world’s leading exporter of frogs’ legs, followed by China, Taiwan. The present report gives an overview of recent developments, trends, and the impacts of the frogs’ legs trade since the 1980s. The role of the EU and the USA as the main consumer markets is documented. During the last decade the EU imported an annual mean volume of 4,600 tonnes of frogs’ legs. With 84% of total imports, Indonesia is by far the leading supplier for the EU market (with the vast majority of those frogs being wild-caught). Belgium, France and the Netherlands are the main importers within the EU (see Section 3.1). In recent years, the USA has been annually importing on average 2,280 tonnes of frogs’ legs of the species Rana spp. Almost the same volume of live frogs (2,216 tonnes)—mainly American bullfrogs—is imported by the USA to supply the Asian-American market (see Section 3.2). The report recommends measures exporting and importing countries should take to reduce the extreme burden on wild frog populations as well as avoid other ecosystem risks within both range states and importing countries. Details: Munich, Germany: Pro Wildlife; Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife and Animal Welfare Institute, 2011. Source: Year: 2011 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 128133 Keywords: Frog's LegsIllegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Choudhury, Sujoy Title: Predator Alert: Attacks on humans by leopards and Asiatic black bear in the Kashmir valley - Analysis of case studies and spatial patterns of elevated conflict Summary: The sudden increase in human-wild animal conflict in Jammu and Kashmir has caused immense loss to human life and property which has translated into a public outcry. The government on its part has been concerned and instituted a study conducted jointly by the Wildlife Trust of India and the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir. The purpose of this study was to suggest measures which could be employed to reduce this conflict. The study was mainly centered in the Kashmir valley although surveys were also conducted in the Poonch- Rajouri region of Jammu. Over 200 victims were interviewed and over a hundred locations visited and inspected. The purpose of this exercise was an attempt to understand the underlying causes of this conflict and then suggest prescriptions for its mitigation. 1. The data suggested a seasonal pattern in attacks with bear attacks appearing more in autumn, coinciding with the fruit ripening season while leopard attacks were more common in the winter-spring seasons. Most attacks occurred in daylight hours. 2. Most current attacks by bear occurred in agricultural fields (including orchards) while 52% of all leopard attacks occurred close to habitations. 3. The majority of bear attacks occurred in the southeast of the valley (Tral and Khrew) with some attacks occurring in Kulgam area also. Leopard attacks are higher in concentration in the Kupwara, Handawara areas (north Kashmir) with some dispersed in Khrew-Khonmoh and Shangus areas also. 4. The bear conflict areas were significantly correlated to patch density, total edge length and the juxtaposition of patches of forests. In case of leopards, strong positive associations were found with mean temperatures and annual precipitation, and a lower mean distance to forest edges. The report made the following recommendations: ØIt is also proposed to re-align the current compensatory mechanism. As a first step, it is suggested that the term 'compensation' be dropped in favor of 'ex gratia payments'. A floating pool of funds should be made available at the level of the Wildlife Warden from which immediate payment of Rs.5,000/- to the victim/next-of-kin should be made. Inter-sectoral cooperation from the State's Department of Health is suggested, such that the victim of the attack need not spend the ex gratia payment on treatment. To prevent the considerable social opportunity costs often borne by victims who have been permanently disabled, it is suggested that mechanisms for their rehabilitation be developed in consultation with other Government Departments (e.g. the Department of Social Welfare) and the non-government sector. ØAwareness programs, targeted at conflict mitigation need to be conducted at all levels – from community levels at the grassroots, through frontline staff and higher echelons of the DWLP and Forest Department. Sensitization programs at all levels targeting decision makers, the legislature, bureaucracy, the Police and Security Forces need to be conducted. Training in trapping and tranquilization techniques, research and monitoring (pug mark, signs, scrapes recognition etc), and on data entry, analysis and reporting need to be introduced at all levels of the DWLP and FD. The Police and the Civil Administration can also play a significant role in helping to manage conflict, and their active participation should be sought. They should be encouraged to attend training programs on dealing with conflict situations. ØThe establishment of a Central Conflict Mitigation Command Center (CMCC) to facilitate the 24/7 availability of a telephone number which communities can call to report any incident involving wildlife (sighting, crop raiding, livestock lifting or attacks on people) would form the first step in the process. o The development of community-level Primary Reaction Teams (PRTs) should be encour a ged, compr i s ing of e i t he r paid/volunteer local members whose primary responsibilities would include isolation of animals involved in conflict and more importantly, in crowd control, to ensure that local communities do not attempt to tackle dangerous animals without supervision. o The creation of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to deal with conflict is essential, requiring both training and investment in specialized equipment. separate RRTs be c re a t ed should b e e s t a b l i shed a t Divisional/Regional levels to deal with distinct but complimentary aspects of conflict management. ØAs the majority of incidents recorded have occurred outside of Protected Area jurisdictions, the DWLP is already at a considerable disadvantage - the primary felt need is thus to improve the manpower resources available to the DWLP. Poor mobility and communications facilities available to the frontline staff which hampers prompt response to conflict incidents should be addressed at the earliest. At Regional level, mobile animal intervention vans, capable of transporting animals, should be made immediately available. One Wildlife Veterinary officer should also be appointed to each region Active involvement of the frontline staff of the Territorial Forest Department, Social Forestry Department, SMC Department and other Government agencies would go a long way which calls for both inter-sectoral cooperation, as well as the need for awareness and training programs for frontline staff beyond just the DWLP. ØIt is critical that the DWLP establish a monitoring and evaluation system. Such a system will help in terms of conservation management where decisions on the fate of individual animals cannot be taken without a thorough understanding of factors like the density, distribution and dynamics of the surrounding population. There are three distinct means of collecting, processing and analyzing the data necessary for detailed research into these issues: o develop and maintain capacity of the DWLP and Forest Department; o establish linkages with local educational/ research establishments; and o contract the work to agencies external to the State. ØLong-term measures that should also be considered include habitat improvements/ restoration. However, these would need to be carefully considered as any improvement should only be applied in areas where populations of the carnivore in question can be safely augmented rather than by random application. Details: Uttar Pradesh, India: Wildlife Trust of India, 2008. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 26, 2013 at: http://199.79.62.14/~wtior33y/publications/predator-alert.pdf Year: 2008 Country: India URL: Shelf Number: 128144 Keywords: Asiatic Black BearHuman-Animal Conflict (India)LeopardsWildlife Management |
Author: Barlow, Adam C.D. Title: The Sundarbans Tiger: Adaptation, Population Status, and Conflict Management Summary: The Sundarbans of India and Bangladesh is the only mangrove in the world where tigers still live. The Sundarbans is of relatively recent origin and has gone through substantial changes over time, driven by sea level changes, sedimentation, neotectonics, climate change, and human use. The area is of great economic value, provides essential ecosystem services, and is deeply embedded in the culture of the region. The Sundarbans has been under various forms of management for about 2,000 years, and is classified as a Tiger Conservation Landscape of Global Priority. Little is known about the Sundarbans tigers, which are threatened by habitat destruction, prey depletion, and direct tiger loss. This goal of this study was to increase understanding of tiger evolution, population status, and human-tiger conflict. Skulls and body weights of Sundarbans tigers were found to be distinct from other subspecies, indicating that they may have adapted to the unique conditions of the mangrove habitat. Female home ranges, recorded using Global Positioning System collars, were some of the smallest recorded for tigers, indicating that the Bangladesh Sundarbans could have one of the highest densities and largest populations of tigers anywhere in the world. A survey based on tiger track frequency along creek banks in the Bangladesh Sundarbans showed that tigers are still present throughout the landscape, but that abundance is variable. A monitoring program based on this technique has a reasonable power to detect future change in tiger abundance. A review of human-tiger conflict data showed that the number of tiger and human deaths has declined in recent decades. A management framework was developed to support activity selection for the mitigation of human-carnivore conflict, and was applied to human-tiger conflict in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. Collaring problem tigers and creating teams to respond to tiger attacks were identified as the most cost-effective means to reducing the conflict. The monitoring program allows managers to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation strategies. The activity selection framework supports decision-making for the mitigation of human-carnivore conflict. This study highlights the Sundarbans as a high priority area for tiger conservation, and the information collected has been used to help create a national tiger action plan. Details: Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, 2009. 205p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed March 27, 2013 at: http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/files/thesis/barlow_2009_phd.pdf Year: 2009 Country: India URL: http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/files/thesis/barlow_2009_phd.pdf Shelf Number: 128150 Keywords: Human-Animal ConflictTigers (India, Bangladesh)Wildlife ConservationWildlife Management |
Author: Morgera, Elisa Title: Wildlife Law and the Empowerment of the Poor Summary: There is a wide variety of interests to be balanced in wildlife management. These interests range from the conservation of biodiversity and specific endangered species and their habitats, to valuable opportunities in ecotourism or hunting tourism, to the needs and traditions of the local population relating to hunting and collection of animals or their product for cultural/religious practices. Although revenues from the wildlife sector may be considered irrelevant as a contribution to the national gross domestic product, wildlife’s influence on local economies can be significant. Some rural communities see wildlife as a source of food. Some see wildlife habitat as potential timber or farmland. And some see wildlife hunting or ecotourism as a source of cash. Good laws can provide a framework for good wildlife management. An appropriate legal framework can conserve wildlife while reducing poverty and increasing food security. Enacting effective legal reforms, though, remains challenging. In 2007–2008, FAO and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) reviewed legislation on wildlife management in Western and Central Asia. This review launched a regional dialogue on international obligations and standards on wildlife management, based on current challenges at national and regional levels. This regional initiative led to a set of design principles on how to develop effective national legislation on sustainable wildlife management (available at www.fao.org/legal). These principles sought to provide tools for the analysis of existing legal frameworks, as well as provide guidance for developing new legislation based on international standards and best practices. In addition, the principles aim to help decision-makers, legal drafters and resource managers to understand wildlife legislation, engage in participatory and interdisciplinary legislative drafting, and use legislation to support sustainable wildlife management for the empowerment of the poor and environmental sustainability. In 2009, FAO undertook to further refine these principles, taking into account the challenges faced and lessons learnt by wildlife legislators in other regions of the world. To this end, a series of regional studies examined the legislation of selected countries in Africa, Latin America, South-east Asia and Oceania.1 These studies analysed laws concerning wildlife tenure (ownership and use rights and obligations, links with land and forest tenure), public participation in wildlife decision-making and planning, and community-based wildlife management. The purpose was to identify legal tools that allow disadvantaged people to directly benefit from wildlife management, thereby improving food security, alleviating poverty, enhancing rural livelihoods and ultimately contributing to the legal empowerment of the poor.2 The studies also considered the strengths and weaknesses of current legal frameworks in promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic development. The present study synthesizes and analyses the findings of the abovementioned regional legal reviews, identifies current trends and shortcomings, and singles out innovative legal solutions. On this basis, it also refines the design principles to develop effective national legislation on sustainable wildlife management, emphasizing the legal tools that empower the poor, particularly local and indigenous communities. Details: Rome: Development Law Service, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Legal Office, 2010. 340p. Source: Internet Resource: FAO Legislative Study 103: Accessed March 30, 2013 at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1906e/i1906e00.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1906e/i1906e00.pdf Shelf Number: 128176 Keywords: BiodiversityWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Law (International)Wildlife Management |
Author: Schoppe, Sabine Title: Science in CITES: The biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle and its uses and trade in Malaysia Summary: The Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis is one of 18 freshwater turtle and tortoise species native to Malaysia. It is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, having four subspecies with similar habitat requirements but different geographic distribution. Among them, the Malayan Box Turtle C. a. kamaroma occurs in Malaysia. In Malaysia, as elsewhere throughout its range, the Southeast Asian Box Turtle is considered the most common freshwater turtle. Nevertheless, the survival of the species is in peril due to over-exploitation. Of the hard-shelled freshwater turtle species in Asia, it has the highest exploitation rate, and is the species most sought after by East Asian consumers and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) markets. Thousands are harvested annually in Southeast Asian source countries and exported. The Southeast Asian Box Turtle has a slow reproductive cycle characterized through late maturity and limited number of eggs. It is therefore feared that the continuous highvolume exploitation in combination with its life history might lead to serious population reductions and finally to local extinction. Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2008. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2013 at: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/science_in_cites_the_biology_and_ecology_of_the_southeast_asian_box_turtle.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Malaysia URL: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/science_in_cites_the_biology_and_ecology_of_the_southeast_asian_box_turtle.pdf Shelf Number: 128315 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTurtlesWildlife Crimes (Malaysia)Wildlife ManagementWildlife Protection |
Author: Caillabet, Olivier S. Title: The Trade in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko in South-East Asia: with a case study on Novel Medicinal Claims in Peninsular Malaysia Summary: South-east Asia is rich in biodiversity. It is also a global hub for wildlife trade, both as a source and as a consumer. Wildlife trade, for use in Traditional Medicine (TM), as pets and for food, poses a significant threat to the conservation of many species in the region. The Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko is one such species potentially threatened by trade. This species is found throughout South-east Asia in both urban and naturally forested environments. It has been traded for traditional medicine for hundreds of years and more recently as a pet, mainly to the EU and North America. In 2009 a novel trade emerged in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko reportedly as a cure for HIV/AIDS. This trade spread throughout South-East Asia with a demand purportedly centred on Peninsular Malaysia. In late 2011, TRAFFIC was granted funding by WWF and Wildlife Reserves Singapore to investigate the trade related to Novel Medicinal Claims (NMCs) in late 2011 in Peninsular Malaysia and the wider trade in South-east Asia for TM. The aims of the study were to substantiate some of the claims surrounding NMCs; highlight the trade routes and trade hotspots for targeted enforcement action and; provide a regional overview of the trade through a desk top study and provide data to support a CITES Appendix II listing for this species. Informal interviews were held with private dealers and pet shops/aquaria selling Tokay Geckos throughout the peninsula. Nineteen dealers were interviewed and more than 250 Tokay Geckos were observed for sale. Several questions surrounding the recent Tokay Gecko trade spike for NMCs remain unanswered, however; following this study, some of the claims can be substantiated. There is no evidence to support the claims of an HIV/AIDS cure. Interviews with dealers in Peninsular Malaysia indicate that considerable sums of money have been paid, in particular, for large individuals weighing over 300 g. Several dealers stated that Tokay Geckos weighing over 400 g are valued above USD 1 000 000, however; TRAFFIC does not believe these claims to be true. The significance of this weight-price threshold is unclear. Price data gathered during this study are inconsistent with claims that heavier individuals are more valuable. Additionally, it is doubtful that Tokay Geckos can naturally reach 400 g. This is the likely reason why some dealers are said to have artificially augmented the weight using silicone or metal pieces. There is no evidence that such huge sums of money, as claimed by dealers in Peninsular Malaysia, have been paid for Tokay Geckos weighing over 400 g. TRAFFIC does not believe that these statements are credible. The motivations for dealers to make these claims are not known though it has previously been suggested that it could be part of an elaborate hoax. To what end, however, is not clear. Based on interviews with Tokay Gecko dealers and seizure records, the trade in Tokay Geckos for NMCs appears to have begun around late 2009 and peaked in 2010/2011. This trade now appears to be in decline. The reasons for this are unclear but could be related to a combination of improved enforcement, realisation among consumers that NMCs are unfounded or the prevalence of scams, as reported by Tokay Gecko dealers and in the media. Results of surveys and interviews with dealers suggest that the online trade in this species is populated by fake sellers. Additionally, private dealers interviewed highlighted that the trade in this species, particularly in Thailand, is dangerous and often involves robberies and hold-ups. Tokay Geckos traded in Peninsular Malaysia for NMCs appear to be originating in Thailand, as well as in Lao PDR and Myanmar. They are harvested from the wild and transported overland to Malaysia. Seizure records indicate that the Philippines is also an important origin for Tokay Geckos traded for NMCs in Peninsular Malaysia, however; no Tokay Geckos from the Philippines were encountered during field surveys. The more prominent Tokay Gecko dealers in Peninsular Malaysia appear to be concentrated close to the Thai border and also to be the source of Tokay Geckos entering the country. According to dealers interviewed during surveys, the primary consumers of Tokay Geckos for NMCs appear to be Singaporeans and local Malaysians. Some even claim use of Tokay Geckos by Europeans and North Americans for medical research. Tokay Geckos were openly sold in 11 pet shops/aquariums across the peninsula. This can be attributed to lax enforcement; however, interviews with pet shop/aquarium staff, as well as information gathered from private dealers, also suggest that there is a lack of awareness of the national law pertaining to the trade in Tokay Geckos. Several private dealers encountered during surveys had licences issued from local Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) (Malay acronym “PERHILITAN”) offices allowing them to trade in Tokay Geckos. However, according to PERHILITAN’s head of enforcement, no licences to trade in Tokay Geckos have ever been issued. Given the system in place, whereby state offices report permits issued to the PERHILITAN head office, this observation is surprising and potentially indicative of a miscommunication/lack of coordination between PERHILITAN headquarters and state offices. The trade in Tokay Geckos for NMCs is reported to have led to localised population declines of wild Tokay Geckos in Bangladesh. Regionally, however, the scale of this trade, in terms of numbers of individual Tokay Geckos removed from the wild, appears to be relatively small. This contrasts directly with the trade in Tokay Geckos for TM. The international trade in Tokay Geckos for TM is colossal. The vast majority of Tokay Geckos traded for TM originate from Thailand and Java, Indonesia. Customs import data show that Taiwan has imported ~15 000 000 Tokay Geckos since 2004, 71% of which were imported from Thailand with the remainder mostly coming from Indonesia. While this trade appears to be legal but unregulated in Thailand, the trade in Tokay Geckos from Java appears to be entirely illegal. It is important to note that Taiwan is not the sole consumer of Tokay Geckos for TM. A seizure in 2011 bound for Hong Kong from Indonesia is estimated to have consisted of 1 200 000 dried Tokay Geckos. Aside from Taiwan and Hong Kong, large quantities of Tokay Geckos are also consumed for TM in mainland China and Viet Nam. The extent of this trade is unknown but thought to be substantial. Considerable volumes of Tokay Geckos are also traded beyond Asia: between 1998 and 2004, 8.5 tonnes of dried Tokay Geckos were imported into the USA. Taking this into consideration, it is reasonable to believe that the total trade in Tokay Geckos exceed the already substantial known trade. Tokay Geckos consumed for TM in Southeast Asia are mostly harvested from the wild. In mainland China and Viet Nam, Tokay Geckos are reportedly bred in captivity to supply the local TM trade; however, the production cannot meet demand. Despite the fact that Tokay Geckos have a large geographical distribution, have high reproductive rates and can thrive in human dominated landscapes, populations are still susceptible to over-harvesting. The trade for NMCs is relatively small and does not does not appear to pose a threat to the conservation of wild Tokay Geckos. However, as mentioned, the trade for TM is substantial and could likely threaten wild populations of Tokay Geckos. This is evidenced by the reported declines of wild populations in Thailand and Java, as well as the past deterioration of populations in mainland China, Given the substantial volume of international trade in this species and the observed population declines, questions surround the legality and future sustainability of the Tokay Gecko trade, particularly for use in TM. Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2013 at: Year: 2013 Country: Malaysia URL: Shelf Number: 128379 Keywords: BiodiversityGeckosIllegal Wildlife Trade (Malaysia)Wild Animal TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Lowther, Jason Title: Crime and Punishment in the Wildlife Trade Summary: The attitude of the UKs legal system towards the ever-increasing illegal wildlife trade is inconsistent. It does not adequately reflect the nature and impact of the crimes, and it is erratic in its response. The result is that the courts perceive wildlife crime as low priority, even though it is on the increase. Having said that, there are positive indications that change is taking place, thanks largely to increased political awareness of environmental issues, and increased lobbying by nongovernmental organisations. The United Kingdoms laws regulating the trade in wildlife reflect a tripartite system of control encompassing international, European Community (EC) and our own domestic legislation. Within each tier is the potential for difference in implementation, and while the EC is a strong centralising force, for the member states there remain discrepancies in implementation and practice. While the UK has a legislative framework that is generally supportive of the fight against wildlife trade crime, it lacks effectiveness in some areas because it allows the imposition of low penalties in the majority of prosecuted cases. Not only that, but there are also only limited provisions for joined-up working between the principal agencies involved in bringing such cases to court. This relative ineffectiveness does not derive from lack of effort on the part of the enforcing authorities, but rather by laws which, in theory and in practice, do not provide an appropriate deterrent to offenders. There is an apparent lack of seriousness attached to wildlife trade offences. This is surprising, given the potentially high rewards at stake for very little risk of detection and penalty, and because of the seriousness of their impact on species sustainability. Issues of seriousness and tolerance need to be examined, so that public and judicial attitudes towards such offences can be re-shaped. One response to this challenge would be to make offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (COTES) arrestable. This change in the law would give the police increased powers and would enable enforcement agencies to take more effective action against wildlife criminals. At the same time it would rightfully acknowledge the seriousness of the illegal trade itself. This would not be out of line with offences committed under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA) which are arrestable: indeed, it would incorporate an element of certainty into the law that is at present missing. Compared with other jurisdictions, the UK has a relatively well-developed system of laws. However, it does not compare favourably with the US, where custodial sentences are often imposed for wildlife trade offences and levels of fines are higher. The UK has the potential to impose higher penalties, but chooses not to. Now, our membership of the EU and the free market without borders offers important opportunities to frame effective law, but presents a challenge in terms of greater internal control. The illegal wildlife trade has immeasurable impacts that can potentially affect biodiversity through the loss of endangered species. These impacts are not adequately taken into account by the courts when cases are prosecuted. One way of addressing this would be to develop and issue effective sentencing guidelines. At present, no specialised guidance or awareness training is given to judges or magistrates, many of whom will rarely come across wildlife trade offences because prosecutions are so infrequent. In addition, the present system of precedent-based guidance in the UK is insufficient, given the very few cases that reach the higher courts It would therefore be useful for those who impose sentences to have guidelines at their disposal. These could be along the lines of those already developed for certain environmental offences, such as water pollution, where issues affect human quality of life. These have succeeded in raising the perception of the seriousness of environmental offences, and there is no reason why similar guidelines may not be successful in relation to wildlife trade offences. Overall, there are varying and inconsistent approaches to the law by enforcement and other agencies, as there are in terms of the imposition of penalties for illegal wildlife trade. This raises doubts about any deterrent value. Of course, the fear of a severe penalty is not a sufficient deterrent in itself the potential offender must realise at the outset that there is a certainty of detection and arrest, and that the authorities will prosecute. At present, this is unlikely. The risks that wildlife offenders take are minimal, and the rewards extremely high, when balanced against the chance of getting caught and the likely penalty that would be imposed. Details: Godalming, Surrey, UK: World Wildlife Fund - UK, The Species Programme, 2002. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2013 at: http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/crime_and_punishment.pdf Year: 2002 Country: International URL: http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/crime_and_punishment.pdf Shelf Number: 111723 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Campbell, Ken Title: Sustainable Use of Wildland Resources: Ecological, Economic and Social Interactions. An Analysis of Illegal Hunting of Wildlife in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Summary: A common problem for protected area managers is illegal or unsustainable extraction of natural resources. Similarly, lack of access to an often decreasing resource base may also be a problem fo rural communities living adjacent to protected areas. In Tanzania, illegal hunting of both resident and migratory wildlife is a significant problem for the management of Serengeti National Park. Poaching has already reduced populations of resident wildlife, whilst over-harvesting of the migratory herbivores may ultimately threaten the integrity of the Serengeti ecosystem. Reduced wildlife populations may in turn undermine local livelihoods that depend partly on this resource. This project examined illegal hunting from the twin perspectives of conservation and the livelihoods of people surrounding the protected area. The research aimed to improve understanding of factors related to or responsible for the promotion of game meat hunting as a viable livelihood activity. Details: Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute, 2001. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2013 at: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/R7050d.pdf Year: 2001 Country: Tanzania URL: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/R7050d.pdf Shelf Number: 128434 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal HuntingNatural ResourcesWildlife Crime (Tanzania)Wildlife Management |
Author: Ngure, Paulo Wilfred Title: Patterns of Wildlife Exploitation in the Ugalla Ecosystem of Western Tanzania Summary: Unsustainable use of wildlife is a global conservation challenge. Understanding ecosystem specific patterns of wildlife exploitation is key to addressing this challenge. This thesis explores the nature of wildlife exploitation in and around Ugalla Game Reserve in western Tanzania. The reserve is divided into Ugalla east and Ugalla west tourist hunting blocks. First, I assessed the status of wildlife in the hunting blocks. Overall, estimates of wildlife population parameters suggested that Ugalla west was somewhat more exploited than Ugalla east. Second, I looked at the degree to which the hunting blocks experienced illegal wildlife hunting (poaching) and factors behind this. The spatial distribution of poaching signs and household interviews revealed that poaching was widespread, more so in Ugalla west than Ugalla east. Proximity to the reserve encouraged poaching, although bushmeat consumption increased with distance from the reserve. A wide range of bushmeat species was favoured, but the common species were impala Aepyceros melampus, dik-dik Madoqua kirkii and common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia. Availability of alternative sources of animal protein, agricultural production and income had significant influences on poaching. Different forms of poaching were specialist activities largely independent of each other. To address poaching, the main focus of attention has been on creating wildlife management areas (WMAs) along with allowing legal subsistence hunting by the communities around the reserve. Third, I assessed the impact of legal subsistence hunting on the wildlife species, and showed that it is not well managed and wildlife populations are contracting. This leaves WMAs as a potentially viable option for the conservation of Ugalla. Therefore, lastly, I identified and recounted some options for promoting the sustainability of WMAs. This thesis presents the first detailed assessment of wildlife exploitation in Ugalla, thus contributing to the existing body of knowledge on tackling the bushmeat crisis in Africa. Details: Nottingham, UK: University of Nottingham, 2012. 210p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 25, 2013 at: http://etheses.nottingham.ac.uk/2564/2/Paulo_W.N..pdf Year: 2012 Country: Tanzania URL: http://etheses.nottingham.ac.uk/2564/2/Paulo_W.N..pdf Shelf Number: 128502 Keywords: Animal PoachingBushmeatWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes (Tanzania)Wildlife Management |
Author: Roe, Dilys Title: Community Management of Natural Resources in Africa: Impacts, Experiences and Future Directions Summary: Across sub-Saharan Africa, natural resources remain central to rural people’s livelihoods. Local norms and customs shape people’s everyday forms of resource use. In contrast, the commercial uses of natural resources often remain highly centralized, conditioned by government policies of the colonial and post-colonial eras. During the past several decades, there has been a shift from this predominantly centralized natural resource management towards more devolved models known very broadly as Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM). CBNRM models work to strengthen locally accountable institutions for natural resource use and management, enabling local groups of people to make better decisions about the use of land and resources. Because it involves the transfer of authority over natural resources to local communities, including of potentially valuable resources such as wildlife and timber, CBNRM is often about major institutional reforms and fundamental changes in power. This pan-African review of the impacts, challenges, and future directions of CBNRM highlights the diverse range of forms of community involvement in natural resource management that have emerged across the continent during the past twenty years. CBNRM means different things to different actors in different places across sub-Saharan Africa. In much of western and central Africa, CBNRM is interpreted by government authorities, donor agencies, and NGOs as benefit-sharing or outreach between national parks and adjacent communities. In such instances communities are not empowered as authorized local resource managers but are involved principally as passive recipients of benefits controlled elsewhere. This form of outreach and benefit-sharing is also a characteristic of some protected area management in East African countries. In Southern Africa, CBNRM is most clearly defined in terms of the devolution of rights to make management decisions, and capture benefits, in relation to resources located on communal lands. In all instances CBNRM involves some degree of co-management of resources between central authorities, local government, and local communities which share rights and responsibilities through diverse institutional arrangements. The various forms of CBNRM and their many locally-specific adaptations have greatly diversified approaches to natural resource governance in sub-Saharan Africa. Some notable ecological, economic, and institutional achievements have been documented. Details: London: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 2009. 207p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2013 at: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17503IIED.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Africa URL: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17503IIED.pdf Shelf Number: 128597 Keywords: Community ParticipationEnvironmental ConservationForest ManagementNatural Resources (Africa)Wildlife Management |
Author: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Title: Status of African elephant populations and levels of illegal killing and the illegal trade in ivory: A report to the African Elephant Summit Summary: The IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) works with the two CITES-mandated elephant monitoring systems: the programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE), managed by the CITES Secretariat, and the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS), managed by TRAFFIC, to bring together updated and critical information and data on elephants, poaching and the illegal ivory trade in an integrated manner. Consolidated reports, including inputs on Asian elephants from the IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, on legal ivory trade by UNEP-WCMC, and implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan, have been provided to the 61st and 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee to CITES. These updates, along with the 2013 report, "Elephants in the Dust" have provided comprehensive and up to date information to elephant conservationists, managers, and policy makers. This update includes data from 2012 on elephant populations, levels of illegal killing, and levels of illegal trade in ivory. The results of this analysis show that levels of poaching and the illegal ivory trade started to increase again in the mid-2000s, following an easing in the 1990s, the rate of increase jumping dramatically from 2009. The overall trend appears to be leveling off in 2012 compared to 2011, but at an unsustainably high level. The MIKE analysis suggests that 15,000 elephants were illegally killed at the 42 monitored MIKE sites in 2012. The estimated poaching rate of 7.4% in 2012 remains at an unsustainably high level, as it exceeds natural population growth rates (usually no more than 5%). Likewise, the ETIS analysis shows a slight leveling off in the bias-adjusted trend for illegal ivory in 2012. However, a number of countries have not yet reported their 2012 seizures. The overall weight and number of large-scale ivory seizures (more than 500kg) in 2013 exceeds any previous year in the ETIS data. These data have not been bias-adjusted, and the increase may reflect enhancement of law enforcement effort, or could signify an increase in overall levels of illegal trade. With the high levels of poaching being observed through the MIKE programme, the amount of illegal ivory in trade should be expected to remain high. Poverty and weak governance in elephant range States, together with demand for illegal ivory in consuming nations, are the three key factors identified by repeated MIKE analyses, including this one, as being most strongly associated with observed poaching trends. Monitoring of elephant populations, apart from at a few well-monitored sites, is sporadic and inconsistent. The low precision of most estimates makes it difficult to detect any immediate repercussion on elephant numbers in the short-term but this does not mean there are no changes. While it remains to be seen whether the situation is stabilizing, it is clear that international cooperation on law enforcement and public awareness is vital. Improved monitoring is also essential to allow informed decision-making. There is a need for continued and improved reporting to the MIKE and ETIS programmes, as well as improved and more frequent monitoring of elephant populations, including carcass counts wherever possible. The new annual reporting requirement for CITES Parties to provide information on national ivory stockpiles will also provide much-needed information. Details: Geneva: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 16, 2014 at Year: 2013 Country: Africa URL: https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/african_elephant_summit_background_document_2013_en.pdf Shelf Number: 131773 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIvoryOrganized CrimeWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Agger, Kasper Title: Kony's Ivory: How Elephant Poaching in Congo Helps Support the Lord's Resistance Army Summary: Kasper Agger and Jonathan Hutson traveled to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2013. In Garamba they were hosted by African Parks, which has the jurisdiction to manage the park and its surroundings under a management agreement with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, or ICCN. Recommendations about how to more effectively combat the Lord's Resistance Army are made in this report. All actions within Garamba and its surroundings, however, need to be approved by and in coordination with African Parks and the ICCN. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2013. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 3, 2014 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/KonysIvory.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/KonysIvory.pdf Shelf Number: 132616 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: World Bank Title: Enforcing Environmental Laws for Strong Economies and Safe Communities Summary: This roadmap for environmental and natural resources law enforcement (ENRLE) sets forth a course of action for the World Bank's ENRLE Community of Practice for FY2013-15. It outlines for senior management a strategy to mobilize and strengthen the Bank's engagement in the fight against environmental and natural resource crime, an issue that has significant detrimental effects on the economic, social, political, and environmental stability of our client countries. The roadmap also serves as a mobilizing tool for staff and management in regional departments to demonstrate the importance of ENRLE and to outline the menu of solutions that the Community of Practice (COP) can offer to strengthen our clients' fight against environmental and natural resource crime. Recent spikes in poaching, in illegal logging, and in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have amplified the already urgent need for action. These crimes increase poverty, shrink prosperity, and magnify social and political tensions that undermine healthy communities and strong economies. Investment returns in wise environmental and natural resource law enforcement can be high. Criminal activities that affect the environment and natural resources are on the increase and pose an increasingly serious threat to development. Data and analyses reviewed by the World Bank's Community of Practice on ENRLE begin to show the magnitude of illegal logging, poaching of wildlife, trade in endangered species, wildland arson, criminal toxic releases, and other environment and natural resource-related crimes. They also show the diversity of the criminal threat, ranging from small-scale, artisanal crime that arises from poverty and inequities to growing problems of organized transnational criminal networks and enterprises using corruption, money laundering, technology, and other sophisticated methods to exploit persistent weaknesses in resource management and law enforcement. All World Bank client countries suffer from these crimes and are underserved by existing international law enforcement institutions and available mechanisms for support, capacity building, and operational cooperation. Vulnerability to environment crimes is often deepened by overarching problems of governance, corruption, and weaknesses in accountability at the national level. Environmental and natural resource crime is common, but in many countries it is rarely prosecuted. The very elements that make these crimes possible-that natural capital is undervalued, seldom properly guarded, and often has unclear or contested ownership-also compromise prosecution. This Roadmap FY2013-15 builds on recently scaled-up support for ENRLE that includes project commitments on the order of $50-60 million per year. Along with investments, the Bank supports advisory and analytic work and leadership in regional and international processes and dialogue. While the Bank is not a law enforcement agency, its established programs to support natural resource and environmental management and to safeguard global public goods, its commitment to strengthening good governance and to fighting corruption, and its partnerships with key law enforcement agencies such as Interpol and Europol give it an opportunity and responsibility to do more. This report discusses how the World Bank Group (WBG) will mobilize to work better on ENRLE. Recognizing the evolving global context, a new and fully mobilized Community of Practice will put more emphasis on building a constituency within the WBG to work on the range of ENRLE issues, on building the capacity of WBG staff to provide investment and technical assistance on ENRLE, on strengthening analytical work to develop a pipeline of ENRLE investments, and on fostering demand among clients for Bank investment in ENRLE. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2014. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Agriculture and environmental services discussion paper ; no. 5: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/02/20/000442464_20140220144545/Rendered/PDF/843960REVISED0000Enforcing0Env0Laws.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/02/20/000442464_20140220144545/Rendered/PDF/843960REVISED0000Enforcing0Env0Laws.pdf Shelf Number: 132778 Keywords: Crimes Against the EnvironmentCriminal NetworksNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Chandran, Remi Title: Bytes beyond Borders: Strengtning Transboundary Information Sharing on Wildlife Crime through the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System (WEMS) Initiative, Summary: The multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade is a global crisis that not only threatens the conservation of protected species but also has deep implications for peace and security in nations across the world. As wildlife trafficking becomes more organized and illegal trade of wildlife continues to flourish on the ground and in cyberspace, there is an urgent need for a concerted international effort to gather and share wildlife crime information among law enforcement and policymakers, empowering them to stem the tide of wildlife trafficking. There are several good examples out of such efforts, primarily by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and INTERPOL, to combat wildlife poaching and transboundary illegal wildlife trade. At a policy level, the formation of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)1 can be considered as one of the major achievements in recent times, where CITES, INTERPOL, World Bank, UN Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and World Customs Organization have come together as one unit to address the issue. The good work done by civil society, including WWF, TRAFFIC, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and member organizations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Species Survival Network (SSN) including grass root NGOs, is noteworthy as well. Yet, combating wildlife crime remains a big challenge. The collective efforts of the conservation community and governments are still unable to check the behaviour of poaching syndicates and organized criminals. We remain far behind in finding an adequate response to the crisis. Details: Yokohama: United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies, 2013. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief: Accessed October 22, 2014 at: http://archive.ias.unu.edu/resource_centre/bytes_beyond_borders-strengthening_transboundary_information.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://archive.ias.unu.edu/resource_centre/bytes_beyond_borders-strengthening_transboundary_information.pdf Shelf Number: 133794 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: WildAid Title: Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve: Control and Vigilance System Design Summary: This assessment represents the work of a multi-national team and was carried out in Belize over a 2-week period in March 2013. Research methods were developed and applied by WildAid in cooperation with the Belize Fisheries Department. Interviews were carried out with the following actors: Fishery officials, Belize Coastguard, Port Honduras MPA Administrators, TIDE, WCS, Belize Audubon Society, oak Foundation, members from both Northern and National Fishing Cooperatives, two Turneffe tourism operators, and Turneffe Atoll fishermen. The 2012-2017 Turneffe Atoll Management Plan proved invaluable as well. Despite both resource and time constraints, we are confident that sufficient information was collected to create a practical, yet versatile C&V system. The main objective of this assessment is to design a cost effective control and vigilance system for the newly created Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve (TAMR). The specific objectives are: 1. Develop a practical control and vigilance system for the TAMR based on interviews of local enforcement actors, analysis of existing co-management strategies, and a comprehensive site visit of the Turneffe Atoll. 2. Prioritize a series of recommendations to optimize patrol costs as well as increase detection efficacy using Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS). The final recommendations will include the surveillance system design including potential electronic systems, patrol vessels, human resource requirements, energy supply needs, and overall cost estimate: Capital Expenses (CAPEX) and Operating Expenses (OPEX) for a five-year investment plan Details: San Francisco: WildAid, 2010. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 2, 2016 at: http://www.wildaid.org/sites/default/files/resources/TurneffeAtoll_Assessment.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Belize URL: http://www.wildaid.org/sites/default/files/resources/TurneffeAtoll_Assessment.pdf Shelf Number: 137740 Keywords: Crime PreventionFisheriesOffenses Against the EnvironmentSurveillanceWildlife CrimeWildlife ManagementWildlife Protection |
Author: Weru, Sam Title: Wildlife Protection and Trafficking Assessment in Kenya. Drivers and trends of transnational wildlife crime in Kenya and Summary: This report is an assessment of the status, drivers and trends of transnational wildlife crime in Kenya and its role as a key transit point for wildlife species illegally traded from East Africa. The assessment has been carried out under the auspices of the USAID-funded five year Wildlife Trafficking Response, Assessment, and Priority Setting (Wildlife-TRAPS) Project implemented by TRAFFIC and IUCN. The Wildlife-TRAPS initiative aims to increase understanding of the true character and scale of the international response required, identify intervention points, test non-traditional approaches, and develop and deliver a suite of ground-breaking partnerships and pioneering approaches to tackle wildlife crime between Africa and Eastern Asia. The project therefore strengthens the knowledge base, resolve and co-operation of governments, inter-governmental organizations, the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in tackling wildlife trafficking between Africa and Eastern Asia. This report examines wildlife crime in Kenya and its linkages to illegal wildlife trade dynamics in the East African region. It is informed by a review of available literature, internet sources and intelligence from and interviews with knowledgeable individuals and agencies. It is also greatly informed by discussions and outcomes of the "Kenya Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking Stakeholder Workshop" held in Nairobi on April 14 and 15, 2015. This workshop was organized and hosted by TRAFFIC in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), USAID and IUCN and brought together relevant stakeholders from UN agencies, donors, NGOs, regional wildlife enforcement networks and the private sector to discuss a range of anti-trafficking issues, culminating in the identification of priority actions for future high-value interventions. Discussions and presentations at the workshop focused on key thematic areas: the biological status of key species involved in illegal wildlife trade; poaching and trafficking in Kenya; community wildlife policing; wildlife policy and law enforcement; and an overview of the role of development partners in securing Kenya's wildlife. The main results of the Assessment Report are contained in chapter three, starting with the biological status of key species involved in trade. This is followed by an assessment of the extent of poaching and trafficking in Kenya, including trends and key drivers of the trade, the structure of poaching syndicates, consumer hotspots, and key trafficking routes. The Assessment also documents arrests and seizures of wildlife contraband in Kenya, and the linkages between the illegal wildlife trade and organized crime. Kenya's policy and legal environment on combating wildlife trafficking is analysed, including the effectiveness of prosecution and the strengths and weaknesses of the Wildlife Law. The Assessment also discusses regional and international co-ordination efforts in the fight against poaching and trafficking. Kenya is home to some of the richest biodiversity and most iconic landscapes in Africa, characterized by high levels of habitat and species diversity, endemism, ecological interconnectedness, and globally recognized conservation hotspots. Landscapes range from coastal/marine to freshwater and saline lakes, from tropical montane forests to savannah plains and arid and semi-arid lands. Kenya is home to 9152 documented species of higher order wild flora and fauna, out of which 2148 are animals. Kenya's savannah ecosystems play host to dramatic wildlife spectacles like the world famous Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus migration and are inhabited by iconic species such as the African Elephant Loxodonta africana and the Critically Endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis michaeli. The marine waters and contiguous coastal forests are inhabited by a variety of endangered species, including the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas and the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis, respectively. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC, 2016. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2016 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/157301/27010478/1462446890040/Kenya-report.pdf?token=NwhziN9IRuNnc9zow37leGMcHuQ%3D Year: 2016 Country: Africa URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/157301/27010478/1462446890040/Kenya-report.pdf?token=NwhziN9IRuNnc9zow37leGMcHuQ%3D Shelf Number: 139130 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTrafficking in WildlifeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife ManagementWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Raxter, Patricia Anne Title: Wildlife Crime and Other Challenges to Resource System Resilience Summary: Although wildlife crime has exploded in Africa over the past decade - "commercial poaching" now kills an estimated eight percent of the continent's elephant population each year - some governments have proven more successful than others at protecting wildlife and preserving habitats. To explain this variation, this study examines how the policies of three states (Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana) have enhanced or undermined the resilience of the continent's elephant ecosystem. Using the social-ecological system framework, the study illustrates how each state's changing practices have either exacerbated the stresses wrought by wildlife crime or successfully protected local populations from poaching. The study finds that monocausal explanations cannot explain social-ecological systems outcomes. Cross-level and cross-scale dynamics, including temporal, geospatial, epistemological, and institutional linkages, explain variation in system functionality. These dynamics include colonial policies, governance practices, the international conservation community, and resource use decisions. Details: Norfolk, VA: Old Dominion University, 2015. 387p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 23, 2016 at: http://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=gpis_etds Year: 2015 Country: Africa URL: http://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=gpis_etds Shelf Number: 139135 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: McKeown, Kathleen Title: Tracking Wildlife Conservation in Southern Africa: Histories of Protected Areas in Gorongosa and Maputaland Summary: In this dissertation, I argue that the development and demarcation of protected areas in southern Africa has not only been a process of defining boundaries but also of defining belonging. I focus specifically on how wildlife has been determined to belong in particular areas and how these animals have been claimed as belonging to individuals, communities, provinces, nations, and regions. I focus on the histories of wildlife conservation in Mozambique and the northern part of KwaZulu Natal, with particular emphasis on Gorongosa and Maputaland during the period from the early 1960s to the late 1990s, a time of great social and political change in both South Africa and Mozambique. I have selected these areas not to propose points of comparison between conservation practices in these neighboring countries, but rather to demonstrate complex continuities, exchanges, and cross-fertilizations. Ideas about wildlife conservation crossed national borders, as did animals, their advocates, and, eventually, protected area boundaries. By employing a transnational perspective on protected area histories, I illustrate and analyze this movement of personnel, non-human animals, and conservation practices between nation-states. By interrogating the scientific knowledge production and policy-making of protected area development, my narrative foregrounds the ways that wildlife has been implicated in and impacted by ideas about where these animals belong and to whom. Conceptions of indigeneity and nativeness, which tie belonging to place, have impacted the territories and scales of protected areas, as well as what (or who) has the right to dwell within their borders. However, these categories of belonging are not inherent to the wildlife species they have been attributed to. Instead, "belonging" is a condition that is made through a complex network of biocultural interactions. It is produced through dynamic constellations of political conditions, cultural values, economic interests, scientific ways of knowing, and animal behavior. Details: Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 2015. 290p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 1, 2016 at: http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/175690 Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/175690 Shelf Number: 139266 Keywords: Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crime Wildlife Management |
Author: International Rhino Coalition Title: Assessing the Risks of Rhino Horn Trade Summary: INTRODUCTION: In April 2014 economists, conservationists, researchers, consumer state representatives and wildlife law consultants from around the world gathered in Pretoria to discuss the risks or rhino horn trade in South Africa. This report is a summary of their presentations. Topics include the impact of a legal ivory trade on Africa's elephant population, wildlife trade management in Vietnam and the work of WildAid in consumer states to name a few. Details: Cape Town, South Africa: Conservation Action Trust, 2014. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: A Journal of Arguments Presented at the April 2014 Conference in South Africa: Accessed June 1, 2016 at: http://conservationaction.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Assessing-the-risks-of-the-rhino-horn-trade.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://conservationaction.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Assessing-the-risks-of-the-rhino-horn-trade.pdf Shelf Number: 139270 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeIvoryRhinocerosWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Mwedde, Geoffrey Title: Cutting the Roots of Wildlife Crime: Local People's Preferences for Wildlife Crime Reduction Policies Summary: Several studies have cited people living in the neighbourhood of protected areas as the perpetrators of illegal use of wildlife resources. As a result, several interventions led by State and non-State actors to address these negative practices have targeted this category of people. However, the success of these interventions is not straightforwardly determinable, if not limited, because interventions fail to take into consideration the factors that cause people to engage in illegal practices. In the presence of multiple policy options, it is critical that the often scarce resources are invested in policies and interventions that give the greatest satisfaction to those likely to engage in wildlife crime in order to attain the desired behavioural change. This research, conducted in villages around Murchison Fall and Queen Elizabeth protected areas in Uganda, evaluated people's preferences for policies aimed at reducing wildlife crime using the Stated Choice Experiment method. Results show that people strongly preferred and generated more perceived benefits from (i) allocating 50% of revenue sharing funds (which hitherto have largely been used for development activities) to human wildlife conflict mitigation, (ii) establishment of eco-friendly enterprises and (iii) employing of eco-guards. Preference for the first two options was most probably driven by the devastation that park adjacent communities suffer as a result of negative wildlife related effects such as crop raiding as well as need to improve livelihoods. Increasing probability of detecting offenders was surprisingly strongly preferred compared to the status quo, implying people's support for wildlife conservation. Unexpectedly, respondents had no significant preference for allowing of hunting in national parks compared to the current situation where no hunting is allowed. Whilst this research identified the most preferred options for the reduction of wildlife crime, complementarity between the different options and interventions needs to be considered during implementation. A more thorough assessment the implementation contexts is recommended before a chosen option is carried out and, more crucially, long-term engagement and commitment of resources by implementers is necessary for sustained impacts to be realized. Details: London: Imperial College London, 2015. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed June 8, 2016 at: http://www.iccs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Mwedde_Geoffrey_Consci_2015_.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Uganda URL: http://www.iccs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Mwedde_Geoffrey_Consci_2015_.pdf Shelf Number: 139310 Keywords: Wildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Gupta, Saloni Title: Contesting conservation: shahtoosh trade and forest management in Jammu and Kashmir, India Summary: This thesis examines the recent politics of wildlife and forest conservation with reference to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state in India. It analyses two processes initiated in 2002, and their effects on conservation and livelihoods: a) the international ban on the trade of shahtoosh (wool derived from the Tibetan antelope), resulting in the loss of the traditional occupation of a large number of shawl workers in the Kashmir valley; and b) the implementation of joint forest management projects under the 'National Afforestation Programme' in Jammu region, resulting in new spaces for cooperation and conflict between forest bureaucracy and local communities. The thesis explains how global environmental policies permeate different layers of politics from macro- to microlevels in the process of implementation. The following four questions are addressed in the thesis: first, how does power determine access to and control over natural resources? Second, how are global conservation interventions understood, accepted and reshaped by various actors? Third, what has been the impact of these recent interventions on different categories of resource users? Fourth, in what ways do these conservation processes converge with the attempts of historically powerful actors (state and local elites) to dominate the poor and marginalised populations, specifically shawl workers and forest dependent communities? On the basis of a detailed examination of the two processes, I argue that nature conservation policies do not go unchallenged but are contested and coloured by the power, agendas and interests of different stakeholders. I demonstrate that in the pursuit of conservation measures, powerful actors are able to secure their respective interests while directing the cost of nature conservation to the poor who are traditionally dependent on wildlife and forest resources for sustenance. This is not to deny the seriousness of environmental concerns, but to point out the repercussions of a blanket ban on the livelihoods of the shahtoosh workers, and of limiting the access to forest resources for local communities, who are trying to survive in an already fragile economy amidst militant separatist movement in J&K. Details: London: University of London, Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, 2011. 324p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 1, 2016 at: http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/12759/1/Gupta_3264.pdf Year: 2011 Country: India URL: http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/12759/1/Gupta_3264.pdf Shelf Number: 145782 Keywords: AntelopeForestsWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Booker, Francesca Title: First line of defence? A review of evidence on the effectiveness of engaging communities to tackle illegal wildlife trade Summary: Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in wild species and products is at the top of the international conservation agenda. But it is not just a concern for conservationists - it also has implications for economic and social development, and security. The level of international concern about IWT is reflected by the level of investment that has been made in tackling it - more than US$1.3 billion since 2010 (Wright et al. 2016). It is well recognised that tackling IWT requires a multi-pronged approach and that, beyond reducing demand for illegal products and increasing anti IWT law enforcement along the entire wildlife value chain, a third critical strategy is engaging local communities in conservation. By virtue of their proximity to and knowledge of wildlife, local people are well placed to participate in or support poaching and IWT. The same characteristics mean, however, that they are equally well placed to detect, report on, and help prevent it - if the appropriate incentives are in place. But community engagement has received far less attention and investment than law enforcement or demand reduction to date. Only about 15 per cent of the US$1.3 billion has been allocated to initiatives intended to support sustainable use and alternative livelihoods. Part of the problem is that there is no blueprint approach. While global and regional policy commitments to engaging communities abound, details of how these should be implemented and how they impact IWT remain vague. This report attempts to take a first step in addressing that vagueness. It does so by reviewing existing evidence on the effectiveness of different approaches to engaging communities in efforts to tackle IWT. Through a literature review and through submissions to IIED's Conservation, Crime and Communities (CCC) database (www.communitiesforwildlife.iied.org), we identified 49 different examples of community-based initiatives for tackling illegal wildlife trade from Africa (25 initiatives), Asia (18 initiatives) and Latin America (6 initiatives). The most common approach to community engagement in the 49 initiatives was direct involvement in anti-poaching activities - as guards/rangers or informants. Another common approach was the introduction of alternative livelihoods (both wildlife and non-wildlife based). Wildlife tourism development was the most common form of livelihood support activities deployed specifically to engage poachers in one case, but more commonly used to generate conservation incentives for the broader community. Human wildlife conflict mitigation was also employed in over 20 per cent of the initiatives. Very few (four) initiatives involved community members benefiting from sustainable harvesting and legal trade as a conservation incentive. Of the 49 initiatives identified, only 26 (53 per cent) reported on their effectiveness (either in terms of reducing poaching or maintaining or increasing wildlife populations), although a further six noted that the initiatives were at too early a stage in their development to report on effectiveness. For the 26 that reported on effectiveness, 19 (73 per cent) reported that they were effective - although in four cases effectiveness was partial (it varied over time or was site specific); two were not effective; and five were unclear (either they did not provide an assessment of the community engagement component of a broader anti-IWT initiative, or they showed contradictory results). Of the 26 initiatives with a reported impact on poaching/wildlife numbers, only seven (8 per cent of the total dataset) provided details of how this impact had been assessed - including through interviews with local community members, through analysis of records on reported poaching incidents, and through visual assessments. Of these seven, four found that illegal activities (poaching, logging, illegal plant collection) had declined and one found no change; one found that target populations had increased and one found no change. Details: London: IIED, 2017. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2017 at: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17591IIED.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17591IIED.pdf Shelf Number: 145348 Keywords: Community EngagementCrime PreventionIllegal Wildlife TradeNatural Resource ManagementNatural ResourcesWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Niskanen, Leo Title: Strengthening Local Community Engagement in Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade: Case studies from Kenya Summary: The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and associated poaching - particularly of iconic species such as African elephants and rhinos - is one of the highest profile conservation challenges today. A recent analysis by the World Bank (Wright et al., 2016) estimated that donors have contributed over $1.3 billion to tackling IWT since 2010. There is growing recognition among practitioners and policy makers of the need to engage and invest in rural communities that neighbour or live with wildlife as key partners in tackling IWT, particularly as they form a "first line of defence". However, to date, this strategy has received far less attention than other approaches including law enforcement and demand reduction. This is partly because there is no "one size fits all" solution to community engagement and a framework to guide such interventions on the ground has been lacking. In response, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and partners developed a dynamic Theory of Change (ToC) that seeks to better understand the different incentives and disincentives that influence whether local people engage in IWT or help to prevent it. An initial draft of the ToC was developed for a workshop led by the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) held in the run up to the Kasane Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in 2015 (IUCN SULi et al 2015) and was subsequently refined through expert consultation. The ToC identifies four causal pathways for community-level actions, each underpinned by a series of key assumptions. The four pathways are: (a) strengthening disincentives for illegal behaviour; b) increasing incentives for wildlife stewardship; c) decreasing costs of living with wildlife; and d) supporting non-wildlife related livelihoods. Underlying all four pathways are a number of "enabling actions" to strengthen governance from the local to national to regional and to international scale including supporting the institutional framework to enforce against IWT; increasing the perceived fairness of wildlife laws; strengthening laws for community management of and benefit from wildlife; and fighting corruption. In addition, underlying all the actions in the ToC is the need for enhancing community capacity - to both manage and benefit from wildlife. The ToC is informed by situational crime prevention (SCP) theory. SCP recognises that any individual is capable of committing an offence at any time if the opportunity arises, and that the likelihood of the opportunity arising is completely context specific. SCP is based on five key principles: increase the effort, increase the risks, reduce the rewards, reduce provocation, and remove excuses (Clark 2009). While the four pathways in our ToC do not directly mirror these principles, many of the strategies that underlie the SCP principles are reflected in the pathways, particularly Pathway A on increasing the disincentives for illegal activities and Pathway C on reducing the costs of living with wildlife. Our ToC however goes beyond SCP to also explicitly focus on increasing positive incentives for "good behaviour" - wildlife stewardship and alternative livelihoods. The SCP framework was developed in a context of general, non-wildlife related, crime prevention where such incentives are generally not relevant. In a wildlife management context, however, decades of experience of community based wildlife management point to their importance. It should also be noted that our ToC focuses explicitly on community based interventions to tackle IWT and does not take account of efforts to reduce IWT through other means. Our ToC is just one part of the bigger puzzle. If evidence shows that IWT is declining or increasing in a particular location - be it at the local, regional or national scale - our ToC can help explain how community based approaches may have contributed to those observed outcomes. It is not intended to explore how other types of intervention such as conventional top-down law enforcement might also have contributed. It also cannot show causal linkages between community actions and IWT outcomes. The Strengthening Local Community Engagement in Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade project (2016-2018) intends to test the ToC with the aim of further refining it and then providing practical guidance to conservation programme designers, implementers, donors and policymakers who have an interest in engaging communities to tackle IWT. Funded by UKaid through the UK government's Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF), the project is implemented by IUCN (IUCN East and Southern Africa Regional Office, Conservation Areas & Species programme; the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG); and the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi)) in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED); Royal Roads University; Big Life Foundation (BLF); the Cottar's Wildlife Conservation Trust (CWCT); and the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA). The project is also sharing lessons and methodologies with the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO), which works with Maasai communities in a large swathe of southern Kenya to help develop and enhance a network of conservancies and to strengthen its community-based approaches to reducing IWT. The project's long term goal is "More effective and widespread community engagement in tackling IWT resulting in reduction in pressure on African elephant populations and increased benefits from improved wildlife stewardship." The anticipated outcome of the project is "The conditions for stronger engagement of local communities to combat - rather than participate in - IWT while positively contributing to local livelihoods is better understood and forms the basis of practical guidance for anti-IWT policy and programme development in Kenya (and beyond)." Details: Nairobi: IUCN, International Institute for Environment and Development, 2018. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2018 at: https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/olderkesi_kilitome_case_study_final_press_ver.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Kenya URL: https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/olderkesi_kilitome_case_study_final_press_ver.pdf Shelf Number: 150325 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |