Wildlife Crime Prevention

The illegal wildlife trade refers to crimes involving live wildlife, wildlife products or their derivatives, both flora and fauna, across the world. International awareness and concern about wildlife trafficking has increased and the plight of elephant and rhinos is receiving increasing attention. However, the illegal wildlife trade is much more complex, involving a multitude of species and a variety of markets and drivers. Unprecedented wildlife trafficking threatens Africa's vulnerable biodiversity. Wildlife criminal syndicates often recruit individuals living in communities adjacent to protected areas. These communities are attracted to such illegal activities due to poverty, human-wildlife conflict often coupled with poor anti-poaching enforcement and therefore reduced risk. Such poaching quickly evolves into a supply chain that is monopolized by organised crime syndicates. Additionally, when borders are under monitored the ease at which transnational illegal wildlife trafficking takes place is increased.WCP | Wildlife Crime Prevention supports the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to reduce the illegal wildlife trade across Zambia and neighbouring countries throughout the region.Zambia is a vital range state for many elephant populations, a stronghold for significant carnivore populations as well as a number of other rare and endangered species. Zambia is located at the centre of several Southern African transit networks. Illegal wildlife products, including those from neighbouring countries are transported from and through Zambia destined for a variety of transit routes and markets, often ultimately ending up in Asia.