Wildlife crime takes on many guises: illegal fur trapping, fishing without proper licensure, and poaching small game or massive elephants are all part of the problem. Even so, it wasn’t until 2012 that the United Nations decided to raise the issues of illicit traffic in wildlife products, poaching, and other wildlife crimes. Since then, some giant strides have been taken in putting a stop to crimes that are now being recognized as threats to the international rule of law. Here are some highlights.
Organized Crime worth Billions
During a high level meeting on the Rule of Law, Gabon’s president Ali Bongo stated his nation’s intent to fortify its criminal justice system to combat a phenomenon he describes as “organized crime that is increasingly affecting the environment and biodiversity through poaching and illegal fishing.” He went on to state that the efforts will require greater international legal cooperation.
The United States agreed in a written statement that highlighted the harmful impact wildlife crimes have, saying that “the harm caused by wildlife poaching and trafficking to conservation efforts, rule of law, governance, and economic development is devastating”. In fact, the illicit trade in products made with endangered animals including tiger parts, rhino horn, and elephant ivory is estimated to be worth $5 billion annually, on a global scale. Nations where these animals are poached are losing tourist dollars, and environments are adversely impacted when wildlife is driven to the brink of extinction.
French officials went on to state that there is clearly a need for greater international law, as it is “lacking when it comes to the plundering of natural resources, for example, or the trafficking of fauna.” Pascal Canfin, France’s Minister Delegate for Development, pointed out that there are still entire areas where poaching and illegal fishing go on unabated with no legal safety measures in place.
Taking a Stand
At the meeting’s conclusion, President Bongo reaffirmed Gabon’s commitment to “combating violations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as well as other conventions to protect the environment and biodiversity.”
Then, as a response to soaring levels of African elephant poaching for tusks which are highly valued on Asia’s black market, Bongo took action by overseeing the burning of seized ivory which had been stockpiled in Gabon. This action was fully supported by the wildlife trade monitoring network and by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The armed insurgent groups that target rhinos, elephants, and other wildlife for profit don’t just hurt animals – they harm people, the environment, and economies too, leading to severe consequences. Now that more governments are coming to recognize the seriousness of these crimes, this profitable criminal activity is likely to decrease.
Good governance plays an essential role in preventing crimes including illicit trafficking of wildlife and products made from endangered animals. When the United Nations holds its members accountable to the commitments they make under relevant treaties, the demand for these animals and products will decrease and it is hoped that crimes against wildlife will plummet in response.