Engaging local communities in tackling illegal wildlife trade: A synthesis of approaches and lessons for best practice

Roe, Dilys; Booker, Francesca

doi:10.1111/csp2.26

Cited by 45 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…During the present study, aside from bear parts, pangolin scales, hornbill casques and rhino horn, all 'totally protected' species, were also observed for sale in TCM outlets. While enhanced enforcement against poachers and hunters is crucial, the importance of engaging local communities that live near wildlife is also seen as essential in complementing enforcement efforts to disrupt the illegal exploitation of wildlife (Challender & MacMillan 2014, Hubschle & Shearing 2018, Roe & Booker 2019. As noted in Hubschle & Shearing (2018), local communities are more likely to support illegal wildlife trade or poaching activities if they remain on the margins of protected areas and are excluded from the economic benefits of conservation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illegal trade of sun bear parts in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak

Gomez¹,

Shepherd²,

Khoo³

2020

Endang. Species. Res.

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Malaysia is a known source and consumer of bear bile products in Asia, and sun bears are persistently poached to meet the demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Surveys of TCM outlets in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak were conducted in 2018 and 2019 as part of continuing efforts to monitor the availability of bear bile products in the country. Despite being illegal, the trade in bears and their parts persists, although with fewer TCM outlets offering such products in comparison to numbers reported in previous studies. In 2012, 42% of TCM outlets in Sabah and 35.4% in Sarawak were found to contain bear bile products. This has since dropped to 35% in Sabah and 19.3% in Sarawak in 2018-2019. Gall bladders were the main type of commodity for sale in both states, and were reportedly sourced predominantly by indigenous people. It was evident that most retailers surveyed were aware that the trade in bears and their parts was strictly prohibited, and some traders claim to have stopped selling illegal bear products for this reason. However, some traders who continue to trade in these illegal commodities have become more discreet. These factors contribute to the reduction in TCM outlets observed selling bear bile products. This reduction may also be due to diminishing sun bear populations, as some traders have claimed to have stopped selling bear bile products because of the rarity of or difficulty in procuring genuine bear gall bladders. The threat of illegal trade, combined with loss and degradation of suitable habitat and food resources as well as conflict with humans, puts sun bears at considerable risk. Efforts to mitigate these threats are urgently needed. Reduction of demand for bear parts is essential, as is stronger legal protection, enhanced enforcement and increased community involvement in bear conservation actions to ensure the long-term survival of viable bear populations in Asia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illegal trade of sun bear parts in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak

Gomez¹,

Shepherd²,

Khoo³

2020

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…Traditional antipoaching law enforcement approaches thus often create hostility between wildlife authorities and communities that can last for decades (Annecke & Masubelele, 2016; Duffy & St John, 2013). For these reasons, there is increasing international momentum to establish more effective antipoaching law enforcement policies that involve and support local communities (e.g., Cooney et al, 2017; Gaodirelwe, Masunga, & Motsholapheko, 2020; Roe & Booker, 2019; IIED and IUCN‐SULi, 2019; Skinner, Vishwanath, Dublin, Niskanen, & Roe, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ranger perceptions of the role of local communities in providing actionable information on wildlife crime

Anagnostou

Mwedde

Roe

et al. 2020

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Wildlife crime in protected areas remains a major challenge to conservation. However, little is known about the role of local communities in providing information on illegal activities to help improve law enforcement efforts in protected areas. As an initial exploration of this complex topic, we aimed to understand the perceptions of law enforcement authorities working directly with local communities on the conditions under which local people provide information to park rangers, using Murchison Falls Protected Area in Uganda as a case study. We used semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to understand the perceptions of staff from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and nongovernmental organizations. There was consensus among participants that people who provide information are those who have trusted relationships with rangers; interact regularly with community outreach rangers (either formally through community programs or informal socializing); and believe that the protected area benefits them and their community. All respondents believed that information provided by local people can enable the success of wildlife crime investigations, but that associated ethical issues must be addressed. This study indicates that engaging communities in protected area conservation is crucial for law enforcement efforts to be effective in addressing wildlife crime. K E Y W O R D S

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“…Apart from these lessons, Canada appears to have several elements of good practice that might help other Parties to improve: a specialised set of authorities, an element of public health integration, and their approach to protecting native species, including local and indigenous communities’ consultations, which has been identified as critical to protecting wildlife (see Roe and Booker 2018 among others for a complete discussion of community engagement in conservation).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canada and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Lessons Learned on Implementation and Compliance

Wyatt

2020

Liverpool Law Rev

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Unsustainable and illegal wildlife trade are contributing to the unprecedented levels of biodiversity loss and possible extinction of one million species. Law enforcement and the criminal justice system have a role to play in helping to regulate and monitor such trade. The main international instrument to regulate wildlife trade is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This mixed methods study researched the lessons learned and best practice in regards to implementation of and compliance with CITES. As part of the study, three countries were identified as case studies and Canada was selected as one of these. Lessons can also be learned from Canada’s Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, which is cumbersome to update when species protections change within CITES. Canada has several elements of good practice, such as the remit, effectiveness and relationships of the three CITES authorities located within Environment and Climate Change Canada, the public health approach to some wildlife imports, and the protection of native CITES species. CITES needs to be improved to further protect endangered species and lessons from Canada and other countries can contribute to this improvement.

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Engaging local communities in tackling illegal wildlife trade: A synthesis of approaches and lessons for best practice

Cited by 45 publications

References 33 publications

Illegal trade of sun bear parts in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak

Illegal trade of sun bear parts in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak

Ranger perceptions of the role of local communities in providing actionable information on wildlife crime

Canada and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Lessons Learned on Implementation and Compliance

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