Outline. Wildlife trade enforcement and public awareness

Transcription

1 Wildlife trade enforcement and public awareness 2013 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference Trinidad & Tobago Outline Quick brief about IFAW IFAW in the Caribbean International wildlife trade Caribbean s role in international wildlife trade. IFAW s Approach Gaps around wildlife trade enforcement Case study (USFWS) IFAW focuses its efforts on protecting individual animals and populations from critical threats: Cruelty and disaster-induced suffering Illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade Habitat loss and degradation 1

2 Where We Work Staff in 15 countries and projects in more than 40 countries, where we identify both critical need and exemplary local partners. The Wider Caribbean Region Geographical and political fragmentation (28 states and 10 territories) 5 official languages Disparity in development and economies Geographic diversity in size of island states (1 km to 100 km²) Protecting whales and sea turtles 2

3 Companion Animal Care Reduce cruel and inhumane treatment of companion animals. Animal Rescue Wildlife Trade 3

4 Caribbean - Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Class of 2012/2014 International wildlife trade Major Wildlife Trade Routes Major exporting areas South America Central America Caribbean Africa Asia Major importing areas North America Europe Middle East East Asia Major importing & exporting areas Singapore Hong Kong South Africa Eastern Europe International wildlife trade Globalization and worldwide economic growth is creating a level of consumer demand for wildlife products that is simply unsustainable. 4

5 Caribbean s Role in wildlife trade Collection for the pet, aquarium and horticultural trades, both local and international. Major source and transit route for illegal wildlife trafficking. Many species are harvested to supply the global demand for exotic pets, meat and luxury goods. CITES in CARICOM Countries Below shows the year each CARCIOM member country entered CITES. Antigua and Barbuda October 1997 Bahamas September, 1979 Barbados March, 1993 Belize September, 1981 Dominica November, 1995 Grenada November, 1999 Guyana August, 1977 Haiti Jamaica July, 1997 Montserrat St. Kitts & Nevis May, 1994 St. Vincent & the Grenadines February, 1989 Suriname February, 1981 Trinidad & Tobago April 1984 Some key species traded in the Caribbean Blue & Gold Macaw Caiman Scarlet macaw Pilot whale Corals Orchids Queen conch sea turtle Rainbow Boa 5

6 Illegal imports from 13 countries in the Caribbean to the US, Amphib ians Birds Corals Fish Invertebr ates Mamm als Orchi Reptiles ds Total Antigua & Barbuda Bahamas 1 1, , ,555 Barbados 17 4, ,339 Belize , ,592 Costa Rica , ,367 Dominica Dominican Republic , ,358 Grenada Guyana Jamaica St. Lucia Trinidad & Tobago St. Vincent & Grenadines Total 61 1,023 1,884 4, , , ,177 Source: IFAW analysis of USFWS LEMIS data Legal exports from 13 countries in the Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda Amphibi ans Birds Cactus Corals Mammals Orchids Reptiles Total Bahamas ,024 6,586 Barbados 3 5,464 2,271 7,838 Belize ,061 1,100 6, ,104 Costa Rica 126, ,667 3,353,160 3,814 3,486,438 Dominica Dominican Republic 102 1,569,789 44, , ,679,318 Grenada Guyana 1,067 18,328 3, , ,924 Jamaica , ,098 St. Lucia Trinidad & Tobago 2, ,516 4,060 St. Vincent & Grenadines Total 127,791 21,541 1,569,812 85,430 12,486 3,457, ,010 5,417,542 Source: IFAW analysis of USFWS LEMIS data Illegal Wildlife trade Responsible for an estimated 40% of species facing extinction. Results in the introduction of invasive species that prey upon, or out compete native species. Undermines nations' efforts to manage their natural resources sustainably and causes massive economic losses. Causes tremendous causing tremendous suffering of individual animals 6

7 IFAW s Global Approach: Lack of Wildlife Law Enforcement Capacity. Increasing demand for wildlife and wildlife products, especially species of high commercial value. The existence of uncontrolled and unregulated markets for wildlife products. Inadequate policy, laws and regulations for tackling the illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade. 7

8 IFAW makes Intervention at key links on the trade chain Hunting/Poaching Smuggling/Trade Market/Consumption Engaging Governments in the Caribbean Engaging governments to help address the need for: Technical training for better implementation of the CITES Convention within the Caribbean Region. Improved capacity in species recognition, identification of fraudulent documents, profiling and smuggling, proper handling of confiscated specimens, and collection of intelligence and other information Improving enforcement at the national and regional level. Public awareness initiatives at the national and regional level aimed at reducing the demand and consumption of endangered species. Regional Cooperation on Trans-boundary Wildlife Law Enforcement Operations and Information Sharing. Wildlife Smuggling Prevention of Wildlife Trafficking/Smuggling 8

9 Public Awareness Welfare of Confiscated Animals One major reason that enforcement officers do not follow up on live animal cases is reluctance to take on the burden of caring for the animals once seized Animals may end up being left in the care of the accused, for the lack of any alternative 9

10 Rehabilitation of live birds confiscated in trade Brigand Hill Gaps around wildlife trade enforcement Regional Cooperation on Trans-boundary Wildlife Law Enforcement Operations and Information Sharing. Understanding of the enforcement chain is limited. Internal communication of CITES Authorities could be improved. Additional equipment and resources for enforcement and regulation are needed. Enhanced political will is needed to provide greater resources for wildlife enforcement and management. Judiciary is unaware of-or underestimates-seriousness of wildlife trade crimes. Thank you! And thanks also to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement For sharing data and many of the photos 10

11 THANK YOU! 11