Best Practice for Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes in Southern Africa

Best Practice for Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes in Southern Africa PDF Author: Didi Wamukoya
Publisher: African Wildlife Foundation
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 40

Get Book Here

Book Description
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, comprising about 10 countries. These include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The region has varied ecosystems and climate that support many wildlife species. The primary ecosystems in the region include desert, savanna, montane and forest ecosystems. The region also has some of the world’s most spectacular flora and fauna. The wildlife includes large mammals such as white rhinos, elephants and lions. Wildlife is a key revenue generator for the economies of many southern African Countries. It supports local communities for traditional uses such as food, medicine, fuel and clothing. Wildlife tourism is an important industry that brings benefits to private sector tourism businesses and local people alike. Unfortunately, wildlife in southern Africa is under increasing threat from illegal activities such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Countries in the region are currently faced with a sharp increase in wildlife crime levels perpetuated by organized criminal syndicates, mainly from south-east Asia. These syndicates work together with local counterparts and have established highly organised ways to evade law enforcement and traffic wildlife products to south-east Asia. Cultural beliefs and practices in south- east Asia drive the demand for wildlife products from Africa. Besides poaching and illegal wildlife trade, other threats to wildlife in Southern Africa include human wildlife conflict and shrinking habitats. Human wildlife conflict is exacerbated by water insecurity and increasing human populations which encroach into wildlife areas. Poverty is also a problem in the region and this leads to communities depending directly on wildlife resources for their livelihoods. This dependence on wildlife resources is now becoming unsustainable. Increase in human population coupled with infrastructure development is also negatively impacting wildlife habitats in the region. Because of this, conservation and enforcement of protection are critical to ensure that wildlife species endure. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement (PWCLE) in 1999 to establish a common framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources in the region and to assist with the effective enforcement of the laws governing those resources. Effective law enforcement is important in stopping loss of wildlife through illegal activity. Prosecution is an important component of law enforcement as it ensures application of the law, especially where there is a breach.

Best Practice for Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes in Southern Africa

Best Practice for Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes in Southern Africa PDF Author: Didi Wamukoya
Publisher: African Wildlife Foundation
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 40

Get Book Here

Book Description
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, comprising about 10 countries. These include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The region has varied ecosystems and climate that support many wildlife species. The primary ecosystems in the region include desert, savanna, montane and forest ecosystems. The region also has some of the world’s most spectacular flora and fauna. The wildlife includes large mammals such as white rhinos, elephants and lions. Wildlife is a key revenue generator for the economies of many southern African Countries. It supports local communities for traditional uses such as food, medicine, fuel and clothing. Wildlife tourism is an important industry that brings benefits to private sector tourism businesses and local people alike. Unfortunately, wildlife in southern Africa is under increasing threat from illegal activities such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Countries in the region are currently faced with a sharp increase in wildlife crime levels perpetuated by organized criminal syndicates, mainly from south-east Asia. These syndicates work together with local counterparts and have established highly organised ways to evade law enforcement and traffic wildlife products to south-east Asia. Cultural beliefs and practices in south- east Asia drive the demand for wildlife products from Africa. Besides poaching and illegal wildlife trade, other threats to wildlife in Southern Africa include human wildlife conflict and shrinking habitats. Human wildlife conflict is exacerbated by water insecurity and increasing human populations which encroach into wildlife areas. Poverty is also a problem in the region and this leads to communities depending directly on wildlife resources for their livelihoods. This dependence on wildlife resources is now becoming unsustainable. Increase in human population coupled with infrastructure development is also negatively impacting wildlife habitats in the region. Because of this, conservation and enforcement of protection are critical to ensure that wildlife species endure. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement (PWCLE) in 1999 to establish a common framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources in the region and to assist with the effective enforcement of the laws governing those resources. Effective law enforcement is important in stopping loss of wildlife through illegal activity. Prosecution is an important component of law enforcement as it ensures application of the law, especially where there is a breach.

Analysis of Select Wildlife Cases in South Africa

Analysis of Select Wildlife Cases in South Africa PDF Author: Didi Wamukoya
Publisher: African Wildlife Foundation
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 53

Get Book Here

Book Description
The world is in the midst of a poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) crisis which threatens survival of many species. Poaching and IWT involves a wide range of species including insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals. IWT has been estimated by different sources to be worth USD 7–23 Billion annually. Targeted species in South Africa include terrestrial mammals such as rhino, endangered plants including cycads and marine species such as abalone. South Africa lost 1,215 rhinos to poaching in 2014 up from 13 rhinos lost in 2007. Demand for wildlife and wildlife products was driven by need for pharmaceuticals, food, pets, ornamental and traditional medicinal purposes. The poaching crisis and IWT are no longer emerging issues. The poaching crisis began in the mid 2000’s when demand for ivory and rhino horn significantly increased. From that time, wildlife crime has become more sophisticated and now involves large‐scale, transnational organised crime. The spike in wildlife crime poses a growing threat not only to wildlife but also to national security, rule of law, sustainable development, and the well‐being of local communities. The scale and nature of the challenges posed by wildlife crime have been recognized in international fora. International organizations such as CITES and INTERPOL have held discussions and made decisions on interventions to reduce or curb this crime. High level political conferences have also addressed the issue. Despite these national and international efforts, corruption, weak legislation, weak judicial systems and light sentences allow criminal networks to continue being involved in IWT because, to them, it is a low risk business with high returns. South Africa has enhanced its law enforcement efforts to combat poaching and IWT. The South African governmentʹs approach to criminal justice is contained in the overarching 1996 National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). The NCPS motivated a shift in emphasis from crime control to crime prevention which is a shift towards understanding crime as a social issue rather than a solely security issue. It is based on 3 pillars, that is, improving the criminal justice process, reducing crime through environmental design, changing public values and education and reducing transnational crime. The 1998 White Paper on Safety and Security builds on this NCPS framework. It focuses on three key areas, namely law enforcement, crime prevention and institutional reform to meet delivery goals. While both these documents are still applicable to understand South Africa’s approach to criminal justice, the overall strategies seem to have shifted. The South African Police Service adopted a high profile strategy in March 2000 to combat crime in particular hotspots. The White Paper on Local Government 1998 also calls for crime prevention and encourages its integration with other aspects of local development. Partnerships with NGOs and community‐based organizations are called for especially in areas where local government lacks skills, including crime prevention. In 2012 Cabinet approved the Integrated Social Crime Prevention Strategy developed by the National Department of Social Development. Further the White Paper on Community Safety Forums (2012) led to the establishment of community safety forums, which are supposed to be coordinating structures at local government level. The National Development Plan published in 2012 also attaches significant importance to the safety. The key enforcement institution for wildlife crimes in South Africa is the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) through its Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI). According to the DEA, illegal hunting continued to be the predominant wildlife crime in the 2014/2015 fiscal year. There were 386 arrests for rhino related offences which was an increase from 343 arrests in 2013. The number of environmental crimes finalised increased from 165 to 265 cases in the 2014/2015 reporting period, compared to the 2013/2014 reporting period. The conviction rate also increased from 86% to 94.7%.

World Wildlife Crime Report 2020

World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 PDF Author: United Nations Publications
Publisher: UN
ISBN: 9789211483499
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Get Book Here

Book Description
The report presents the latest assessment of global trends in wildlife crime. It includes discussions on illicit rosewood, ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, live reptiles, tigers and other big cats, and European eel. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has highlighted that wildlife crime is a threat not only to the environment and biodiversity, but also to human health, economic development and security. Zoonotic diseases - those caused by pathogens that spread from animals to humans - represent up to 75% of all emerging infectious diseases. Trafficked wild species and the resulting products offered for human consumption, by definition, escape any hygiene or sanitary control, and therefore pose even greater risks of infection.

Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa

Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Richard Primack
Publisher: Open Book Publishers
ISBN: 1783747536
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 712

Get Book Here

Book Description
Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa comprehensively explores the challenges and potential solutions to key conservation issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. Easy to read, this lucid and accessible textbook includes fifteen chapters that cover a full range of conservation topics, including threats to biodiversity, environmental laws, and protected areas management, as well as related topics such as sustainability, poverty, and human-wildlife conflict. This rich resource also includes a background discussion of what conservation biology is, a wide range of theoretical approaches to the subject, and concrete examples of conservation practice in specific African contexts. Strategies are outlined to protect biodiversity whilst promoting economic development in the region. Boxes covering specific themes written by scientists who live and work throughout the region are included in each chapter, together with recommended readings and suggested discussion topics. Each chapter also includes an extensive bibliography. Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa provides the most up-to-date study in the field. It is an essential resource, available on-line without charge, for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a handy guide for professionals working to stop the rapid loss of biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere.

The Environmental Crime Crisis

The Environmental Crime Crisis PDF Author: C. Nellemann
Publisher: UN
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 108

Get Book Here

Book Description
Wildlife trafficking -- Forest crime -- Role of wood and illegal wildlife trade for threat finance.

Towards a sustainable, participatory and inclusive wild meat sector

Towards a sustainable, participatory and inclusive wild meat sector PDF Author: Coad, L.
Publisher: CIFOR
ISBN: 602387083X
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 200

Get Book Here

Book Description
The meat of wild species, referred to in this report as ‘wild meat’, is an essential source of protein and a generator of income for millions of forest-living communities in tropical and subtropical regions. However, unsustainable harvest rates currently

Guidelines for Legislation to Implement CITES

Guidelines for Legislation to Implement CITES PDF Author: Cyrille de Klemm
Publisher: IUCN
ISBN: 9782831701165
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 124

Get Book Here

Book Description
This publication covers all the major aspects of CITES implementation, stresses the role of Resolutions and contains recommendations for specific measures that might be taken by the Parties. It is a reference for any Party that is faced with enacting legislation for the adequate implementation of CITES.

The Laws Protecting Animals and Ecosystems

The Laws Protecting Animals and Ecosystems PDF Author: Paul A. Rees
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 111887644X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 531

Get Book Here

Book Description
There is currently no basic text in wildlife law suitable for the wide range of courses in wildlife conservation and animal welfare at both bachelors and masters level, or for the large number of people who work in conservation and animal welfare; The Laws Protecting Animals and Ecosystems fills the gap in this significant market for a basic law text applicable to students and professionals whose primary training is in biology but who require a basic understanding of the laws relating to the protection of animals and ecosystems. The text is applicable to a wide range of subjects, including wildlife conservation, animal handling, animal welfare, animal husbandry, and veterinary science. This foundational text supports those studying animal and ecosystem law by providing an overview of the basic legal principles, national and international laws, terminology, the legal mechanisms used to protect animals and ecosystems, and a compendium of the major animal welfare and conservation laws in major English speaking countries. Dr. Rees has been teaching wildlife law for 20 years and ecology for over 35 years and is ideally placed to write this book.

Handbook on Wildlife Law Enforcement in India

Handbook on Wildlife Law Enforcement in India PDF Author: Samir Sinha
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788181581341
Category : Wildlife conservation
Languages : en
Pages : 198

Get Book Here

Book Description
This is an illustrated book that points out wildlife crimes conducted in India -- it shows how poachers work, their mechanisms and how officials can control and curb wildlife crime -- which accounts for a shockingly large percentage of illegal trade and crime in the world.

Guidelines for Protected Areas Legislation

Guidelines for Protected Areas Legislation PDF Author: Barbara J. Lausche
Publisher: IUCN
ISBN: 2831712459
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 400

Get Book Here

Book Description
The central aim of this publication is to consider the key elements of a modern, comprehensive, and effective legal framework for successful management of protected areas. They provide practical guidance for all those involved in developing, improving, or reviewing national legislation on protected areas, be they legal drafters and practitioners, protected area managers, interested NGOs, or scholars. These guidelines include fifteen case studies, eight dealing with the protected area legislation of individual countries and six cases dealing with specific sites providing fundamental solutions that stand the test of time.