IUCN -Wildlife Law Enforcement in Sub-Saharan African Protected Areas- A Review of Best Practices

Across Africa, illegal killing and trade in wildlife, especially of iconic species such as elephants and rhinos, has now reached crisis proportions. Illicit wildlife trafficking now comprises the fourth largest illegal trade internationally after arms and drugs trafficking, and trafficking in human beings. In recent years, tens of thousands of elephants have been killed every year for their tusks. Faced with this unprecedented level of poaching and organized wildlife crime, many conservationists now fear that species such as elephants and rhinos may disappear in the wild within our lifetime.

In response to this poaching crisis, African countries and their development partners have convened a number of high-level forums aimed at raising international awareness of the seriousness of the situation, and identifying strategies to address the crisis at site, national and international levels. These forums have included the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in 2014, at which 41 participating countries committed themselves to measures designed to eradicate the market for wildlife products, ensure effective legal frameworks and deterrents against wildlife crime, strengthen law enforcement, and support sustainable livelihoods. This was followed by the Kasane Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in early 2015, at which participating countries reiterated their commitment to halting the illegal killing and trafficking of wildlife, and defined additional measures aimed at addressing key aspects such as the role of communities in supporting conservation efforts and combating poaching based on benefit sharing, and engaging the private sector, which is often the conduit for the illicit wildlife trade, but which if effectively engaged has the means to prevent it.

As part of these international efforts to combat wildlife crime, the German Government is supporting tangible measures to fight poaching and illegal trade in range countries of rhinos and elephants and in countries where ivory and rhino horn-based products are consumed, as well as at the international level. This is part of Germany’s commitment to make available €500 million annually from 2013 onwards for the conservation of forests and other ecosystems worldwide. Practical initiatives include strengthening the capacity of park managers and rangers in key protected areas across Africa, working with local communities to enhance their participation in wildlife protection and management efforts as well as to improve sustainable livelihoods, and promoting transboundary collaboration in protecting wildlife and combating wildlife crime.