A few weeks ago, we celebrated some great news – all 15 nations in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) formally adopted the West Africa Strategy on Combating Wildlife Crime, a landmark strategy to ensure that West African countries are equipped to address the illegal wildlife trade that is threatening animal species, biodiversity, ecosystems, communities, and economies in the region.
Now, let’s take a deeper dive into this work and explore how the regional strategy fits into long term plans to protect animals in the region and how Born Free USA is working toward these goals.
The Goals of the Regional Strategy
Wildlife crime is having a devastating, and possibly irreversible, impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and wildlife species in West Africa. Countless species, including elephants, lions, and pangolins, have uncertain futures due in large part to wildlife trafficking.
But, the damage of wildlife crime is not limited just to the natural world. The perceived high reward and low risk associated with wildlife trafficking make it attractive to organized criminal groups, which also take part in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other nefarious activities that harm human communities. In addition, ecosystem destruction and the threat of zoonotic diseases endanger economic activity and human health and safety.
West African governments rightly consider wildlife crime an urgent priority. The regional strategy aims to coordinate a response to this pressing and growing problem, with the goals of…
- Preventing the extinction of threatened species and ecosystems.
- Promoting national and regional economic development.
- Contributing to mitigation against climate change and desertification.
- Reducing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
- Contributing to the preservation of culturally and socially important natural heritage.
- Supporting efforts to reduce other forms of crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking.
West African governments rightly consider wildlife crime an urgent priority. The regional strategy aims to coordinate a response to this pressing and growing problem.
How Does Born Free USA Help Advance these Goals?
Over the last several years, Born Free USA has partnered with West African countries to help develop the regional strategy and to provide training, mentorship, and other resources to those on the front lines of the fight against wildlife crime. Now that the regional strategy has been widely adopted, we will aid in its implementation.
Strengthening capacity building among all authorities involved in wildlife law enforcement. Born Free USA delivers a comprehensive program of training and capacity building targeting all authorities in the wildlife law enforcement chain. In 2022 and 2023, Born Free USA delivered training to 538 officials from 20 nations. More than 20 training programs are currently planned for 2024 and 2025.
Ensuring a coordinated response to wildlife crime between nations. To date, Born Free USA has led needs assessments in nine of the 15 ECOWAS countries to support those nations in developing national wildlife crime strategies and task forces that are responsible for coordination between all authorities involved in wildlife law enforcement. Born Free USA trains and mentors task force members and encourages coordination across national boundaries by bringing members of national task forces together for shared training and other meetings.
Ensuring national and international political commitments to support wildlife crime fighting policies. Born Free USA works within nations to promote awareness and buy-in among political leaders toward national wildlife crime strategies and responses. We also work on policy at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other meetings to secure stronger international commitments to wildlife law enforcement support.
Raising public awareness about wildlife law and the threat of trafficking. Outreach activities are vital to help to raise awareness of the importance of fighting wildlife crime. Born Free USA facilitated the development of targeted wildlife law enforcement posters and brochures made available to West African countries in English, French, and Portuguese with support from USAID. These efforts are now being expanded to include local languages.
Ensuring adequate support and financial resources for wildlife law enforcement. Born Free USA has facilitated the organization of donor roundtables to promote the regional strategy in collaboration with USAID. In 2024, Born Free USA will support the establishment of a steering committee, which will be responsible for developing a fundraising strategy for the regional strategy, including the development of a multi-donor fund.
Promoting critical partnerships to support wildlife law enforcement. Born Free USA has facilitated the establishment of a mentoring panel that formalizes West Africa support from multiple specialized partners including Interpol, the CITES Secretariat, and the forensics laboratory of the University of Washington.
How Can You Help?
Adopt an Elephant.
You can help further this vital work by symbolically adopting an elephant from Born Free USA. Your adoption gift will help protect elephants and other West African wildlife from poaching and wildlife trade. Adopt now!
Follow Along on Social Media.
Follow Born Free USA on social media for updates on our work in West Africa. You will learn about law enforcement training programs, important victories, and more and can share these stories to help spread the word!
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Alice
