FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING FIELD ASSESSMENT REPORT

NOVEMBER 2018 i

This document was made possible by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC) program. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of its authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. For more information on the West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change program, contact: USAID/West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change Tetra Tech 2nd Labone Link, North Labone , Tel: +233(0)302 788 600 Email: www.tetratech.com/intdev Website: www.wabicc.org

Stephen Kelleher Chief of Party Accra, Ghana Tel: + 233 (0) 302 788 600 Email: [email protected]

Vaneska Litz Project Manager Burlington, Vermont Tel.: +1 802 495 0577 Email: [email protected]

Citation: Republic of Liberia Forestry Development Authority, 2019. Understanding Threats to West African Biodiversity and Linkages to Wildlife Trafficking: Liberia Field Assessment Report. Edited by Balinga M. and Stroud A in 2019. Cover photo: Chimpanzees at the Rescue and Protection Center in Liberia. Credit: Charles Mackay

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements ...... 1 Acronyms ...... 2 I.0 Introduction ...... 3 1.1 Background information on Liberia ...... 3 1.2 Methodology and scope of the assessment ...... 8 2.0 Assessment of wildlife trafficking at markets and entry points ...... 10 2.1 Markets: Duala Market and Red Light Market ...... 10 2.2 Airports: Roberts International Airport and James Spriggs Payne Airport ...... 11 2.3 Seaport: Freeport of ...... 13 2.4 Land boundary border post ...... 15 3.0 Overview of wildlife law enforcement ...... 17 3.1 Proactive enforcement as deterrent to wildlife trafficking ...... 17 3.1.1 Enforcement priority ...... 17 3.1.2 Serious crime...... 17 3.1.3 National enforcement strategy ...... 18 3.1.4 National cooperation ...... 19 3.1.5 International cooperation ...... 20 3.1.6 Strategic risk management ...... 20 3.1.7 Proactive investigations ...... 20 3.1.8 Staffing, recruitment and law enforcement training ...... 21 3.2 Detection of wildlife trafficking by law enforcement agencies……………………21 3.2.1 Targeted enforcement presence ...... 21 3.2.2 Joint / Supportive operations ...... 21 3.2.3 Border control staff ...... 21 3.2.4 Border control equipment ...... 22 3.2.5 Inspection and seizure powers ...... 22 3.2.6 Disposal of confiscated wildlife specimens ...... 22 3.3 Wildlife trafficking thoroughly investigated using an intelligence-led approach . 23 3.3.1 Investigative capacity ...... 23 3.3.2 Information management ...... 23 3.3.3 Intelligence analysis ...... 24 3.3.4 Intelligence-led investigations ...... 24 3.3.5 Follow-up investigations ...... 24 3.4 Specialized investigative techniques used to combat wildlife trafficking...... 24 3.4.1 Use of specialized investigative techniques ...... 24 3.4.2 Forensic technology ...... 24 3.4.3 Financial investigations ...... 24 3.4.4 Use of criminal law ...... 25 3.4.5 Case file preparation ...... 25 4.0 Conclusions and recommendations ...... 26

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4.1 Trafficking routes and seizures ...... 26 4.2 Challenges raised by participants ...... 32 4.3 Primary recommendations ...... 34 Annex 1: Schedule of the assessment ...... 36 Annex 2: Participants interviewed during the field mission...... 37 Annex 3: National Priority Actions Identified at the Assessment Report Validation Workshop ...... 39 Annex 4: Final Communiqué /Resolution on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking and Threats Assessment Report Workshop for Liberia...... 44

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report would not have been possible without the diligent work and support of Blamah S. Goll, Technical Manager and CITES Focal Point, and Trokon Grimes, Biologist and MIKE Focal Point, within the Forestry Development Authority’s Conservation Department. Both professionals worked tirelessly with their team on the ground to organize and lead the assessments, conduct interviews, and secure the national validation of the report and its findings. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to customs officials and other staff at the land, air and seaports, as well as staff within the National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia (NaFAA), Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Trans-National Crime Unit (TCU), Interpol Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), Farmers Associated to Conserve the Environment (FACE), Forestry Cry Liberia, Fauna and Flora International (FFI), Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Conservation International Liberia Office, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP). We are also grateful to Dr. Samuel Koffa, Community Forestry Consultant, for participating in the assessments and providing valuable insight into his activities. Finally, we would like to acknowledge and thank the many other individuals and organizations who have also helped WA BiCC ensure excellence in the production of this report. The staff of WA BiCC extend their gratitude to all those who invested their precious time, effort, and thought to improving our organization’s understanding of the existing threats to West African biodiversity and the linkages to wildlife trafficking.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 1 ACRONYMS

BLETWG Biomonitoring and Law Enforcement Technical Working Group BNF Bureau of National Fisheries CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States FDA Forestry Development Authority GDP Gross Domestic Product IWT Illegal Wildlife Trade MT Metric tons NGO Non-Governmental Organization TCU Transnational Crime Unit WCF Wild Chimpanzee Foundation WACI West African Coast Initiative WA BICC West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change program

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 2 I.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON LIBERIA A verdant country with a damp coastal climate located along the Atlantic Ocean, Liberia shares land borders with , and .1 Liberia is situated in the fragmented bank of forest known as the Upper Guinean Ecosystem which is one of the two most significant forest blocks in Africa (the other being the Congolese Forest).2 Liberia is a relatively compact country (111,369 sq km) with a small population (4.4 million in 2016).3 An estimated 700,000 households directly depend on the country’s forest resources and agricultural biodiversity for their livelihoods, including food and tree crops, fisheries and livestock.4 Liberia’s economy in 2014-2015 faced the twin shocks of the Ebola epidemic and a global slump in commodity prices, and consequently suffered a growth rate of -1.6% in 2016. The slowdown in economic activity had a negative impact on fiscal revenue, inflation (7.3% in 2016), exchange rate stability and poverty rate (49.8% in 2017). The recent depreciation of the Liberian dollar against the U.S. dollar (20% in the first half of 2017) has exacerbated inflation. The resultant rise in the cost of living, especially the cost of food, which is mostly imported, increased fiscal pressures on citizens.5 In addition to foodstuffs, import commodities include fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment and manufactured goods. In 2017, Liberia had an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.3 billion USD, and a GDP per capita for current prices at 518 USD. Exports of goods and services were 23.5% of GDP in 2015. Export commodities include rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa and coffee. Oil palm has become an additional key tree crop export. In the forestry sector, more than 60 tree species are of economic value. In terms of international trade in 2015, Liberia’s major trade partners were Poland, China, India, United States, Greece and France (for exports), and Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan and Philippines (for imports). Liberia has one main airport located in the town of Harbel (Margibi County) 56 km outside the capital city of Monrovia, Roberts International Airport. Informally known as Robertsfield, it is the principal airport of Liberia and is one of only two airports with paved runways in the country, the other being James Spriggs Payne Airport located 5 km from downtown Monrovia. James Spriggs Payne Airport is a single runway airport that has evolved from being an exclusively domestic airport to now also handling limited international commercial flights. James Spriggs Payne Airport was the chief site for domestic

1 http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview

2 https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lr

3 https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/country-data/liberia-gdp-country-report

4 https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lr

5 http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 3 services within Liberia since the 1950s, although the airport’s primary activity today consists of United Nations air operations. Liberia is also equipped with a total of four seaports in the cities of Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville and Harper; the seaports of Monrovia and Buchanan are the country’s main commercial ports.6 The Freeport of Monrovia encloses a basin of 300 hectares of protected water, with a main pier 600 meters long and capable of berthing 3-4 ships, and an additional three finger piers that handle mining exports.7 In 2014, the Freeport of Monrovia’s handing figures included: 391 vessel calls, 78,579 container traffic (TEUs), 560,000 bulk (MT) and 240,000 break bulk (MT).8 The Port of Buchanan has recently seen increased shipping activities on account of logging and equipment cargo, and now handles the majority of the nation’s exports. The Port of Greenville has 2 berthing facilities, and anticipates high vessel traffic in the coming years resulting from the recent signing of nearby logging, iron ore and oil palm concessions. The Port of Harper is located in southeastern Liberia near the border with Ivory Coast, and its activities are centered on the exportation of logs and sawn timber with an anticipated rise in exports from the oil palm sector and other derivative economic activities in the nearby areas.9 At the Freeport of Monrovia, there is a Customs office at the port and outside the terminal. All the relevant documents concerning any shipment should be finalized by the customs before the arrival of the ship at the port. After the arrival of the ship, the cargo is offloaded from the vessel directly on the trucks provided by the Monrovia Freeport Truckers Association. For the containers, they are offloaded on the empty handlers which will position them in the container stock area. The Freeport of Monrovia has concessions partnerships with APM Terminals, Firestone, China Union and Western Cluster.10 The Freeport of Monrovia main quay’s container and bulk terminal and port equipment are managed privately by APM Terminals. Subcontracted by APM Terminals, the port’s security services have been enhanced in the past few years such as through providing adequate lighting during the night. APM Terminals is planning to double the actual capacity of the port by introducing new equipment such as a modern terminal operating system and a terminal accounting system. This 35 million USD terminal modernization program will include safety features, a new Administration and Operations building, yard pavement, new cargo gates, real time updates of container movements, a conventional drainage system, a biometric access control system, a GPS base container location system, and a closed-circuit television system to monitor all movements.11 In spite of its small size, Liberia has an extensive and unique biodiversity, originating from its once completely forested lands. In fact, Liberia is considered one of the 14 centers of global plant endemism. Liberia possesses over 2,900 different vascular plants (including 225 tree species), 600

6 http://www.npa.gov.lr/index.php; http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/LBR.php

7 http://www.npa.gov.lr/index.php/corporate/2016-04-21-15-25-27

8http://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/2.1.1+Liberia+Port+of+Monrovia;jsessionid=486AC98D53B0AF501D218D3F7C1EF302

9 http://www.npa.gov.lr/index.php/corporate/2016-04-21-15-25-27 10 http://www.npa.gov.lr/index.php/operations/freeport-of-monrovia

11http://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/2.1.1+Liberia+Port+of+Monrovia;jsessionid=486AC98D53B0AF501D218D3F7C1EF302

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 4 species, 150 mammal species, and 75 reptile species.12 Many endemic or endangered species of West Africa can still be found within Liberia’s forests, and the country is considered to represent the best hope for the conservation of these species in the sub-region.13 Liberia has one of the largest protected area networks in the region, covering 1.4 million hectares of forestland, which is estimated to be 30% of the land area of the country. The main threats to Liberia’s biodiversity comprise illegal and quasi-illegal logging, shifting cultivation, mining, expansion of agro-industrial crop production and alien invasive species. Coastal ecosystems are threatened by the overexploitation of marine species (e.g. fish and sea turtles), beach sand mining, beach erosion and mangrove loss. Other pressures on Liberia’s biodiversity are linked to: lack of alternative financing; lack of capacity; weak enforcement of existing laws, with policies and legislation being far removed from the realities they are trying to influence; a low level of community awareness of policies and legislation; the absence of a law enforcement division; a lack of a holistic approach to environment/natural resource management; barriers to alternative livelihoods; and insecure land and resource tenure. The issue of sourcing wild for human consumption poses a threat to Liberia’s biodiversity. For instance, fish is a source of protein for nearly 70% of the population. Overfishing is regarded as a potential threat to inland fisheries while the overexploitation of demersal fish species has threatened coastal ecosystems in Liberia.14 Likewise, the overharvest of wild animal meat is a major threat to many wildlife species in Liberia.15 Wildlife harvest rates for subsistence use and the commercial bushmeat trade represent a threat to the maintenance of the country’s biodiversity.16 Rural communities have traditionally hunted and eaten wild animals, although the bushmeat trade has now become more commercialized and dried meat is transported from rural to urban areas for sale. Furthermore, poachers are known to have overrun some of the country’s national parks and are killing protected animals, both endangered and non-endangered species (using snares, wire traps and guns) for sale on the bushmeat market in Liberia as well as exported to Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.17 Bushmeat is a staple source of protein in the country, and many families are too poor to afford more expensive meats and have little choice but to buy it.18 Liberians frequently eat bushmeat, which they either hunt themselves or purchase, and which tends to be cheaper than domesticated meat, because they prefer the taste and because it is a traditional part of their diet. Satisfying such high demand has created, in some places, “empty forests” that are otherwise pristine but are devoid of wildlife.19 The ecological impacts of over-hunting wild

12 https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lr

13 https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/3300.pdf

14 https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lr

15 http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0005450

16 https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/3300.pdf

17 https://www.voanews.com/a/370590.html

18 http://www.irinnews.org/feature/2015/06/24

19 https://www.voanews.com/a/liberia-ebola-bushmeat-consumption/3791022.html

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 5 animals include the direct effect on the hunted populations, as well as indirect effects on ecosystem function and structure (such as from the loss of seed-dispersers).20 The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entered into force in Liberia in 1981. The country is currently listed in national legislation category 3 which means that its legislation is believed generally not to meet any of the four requirements for effective implementation of CITES.21 On account of its inadequate national legislation, Liberia has been subject to a recommendation to suspend all commercial trade since SC66 (March 2016).22 Liberia was cited for its failure to adopt appropriate legislative measures to implement the Convention. In January 2018, the CITES Secretariat issued a notification which stated: “Liberia has adopted new legislation to implement the Convention, set out in its Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas Act of 2016. However, this legislation does not meet the CITES minimum requirements to national legislation, summarized in Resolution Conf. 8.4 (Rev. CoP15) on National laws for implementation of the Convention and has not been placed in Category 1 under the CITES National Legislation Project. Therefore, the recommendation to suspend commercial trade with Liberia is maintained.”23 A review of commercial trade in wild specimens of CITES listed species indicates that the broad majority of Liberia’s legal commercial exports are in live of Appendix II and III species. Between 2000 and 2016, international commercial trade in wild specimens of CITES listed species from Liberia was focused primarily on Timneh grey parrots, an African grey parrot subspecies now listed in CITES Appendix I, and parrots (see table 1 below with most commonly traded species highlighted in orange). In addition to live birds, Liberia also exported for commercial trade 2 live lions, and a few reptile leather products.

Table 1. Summary of commercial trade in wild specimens of CITES listed species from Liberia between 2000 and 2016 according to the CITES Trade Database CITES Class Latin Name Common Name Commercial Trade Status MAMMALS Panthera leo Lion II 2 live BIRDS Amandava subflava Zebra Waxbill III* 25 live caerulescens Lavender Waxbill III* 325 live Estrilda melpoda Orange-cheeked Waxbill III* 1525 live Estrilda troglodytes Black-rumped Waxbill III* 1500 live Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch III* 25 live Lonchura bicolor Black-and-white Mannikin III* 1500 live Mandingoa nitidula Green Twinspot III* 200 live Musophaga violacea Violet Turaco III* 160 live Nettapus auritus African Pygmy-goose III* 10 live

20 http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0005450

21 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/prog/Legislation/CITES_national_legislative_status_table.pdf

22 https://www.cites.org/eng/resources/ref/suspend.php

23 https://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/notif/E-Notif-2018-012.pdf

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 6 Poicephalus gulielmi Red-fronted Parrot II 600 live Poicephalus robustus Cape Parrot II 155 live Poicephalus senegalus Senegal Parrot II 3910 live Psittacus erithacus timneh Timneh Grey Parrot II** 4945 live Pytilia hypogrammica Yellow-winged Pytilia III* 200 live Pytilia phoenicoptera Red-winged Pytilia III* 400 live Tauraco persa Guinea Turaco II 130 live Uraeginthus bengalus Red-cheeked Cordonbleu III* 200 live REPTILES Crocodylus novaeguineae New Guinea Crocodile II 5 leather products (small) Ptyas mucosus Oriental Rat Snake II 10 leather products (small) Python sebae African Rock Python II 19 leather products (small) * Species was listed in Appendix III at time of export but is no longer listed in CITES ** Species was listed in Appendix II at time of export but is now listed in Appendix I Note: Most commonly traded species highlighted in gray. Purpose Code: T (Commercial Trade); Source Code: W (Wild Specimens) Data compiled using highest trade data reported by either the importer or the exporter.

Specimen trade levels reported for Liberia in the CITES trade database between 2000 and 2016 indicate that during that period, for all sources and purposes combined, live birds dominated the export trade. Live bird specimens were either wild-sourced or captive bred. The taxonomic order dominating Liberia’s international trade was Psittaciformes (parrot-type birds), accounting for 71% of all wildlife specimens exported, with Passeriformes (perching birds) accounting for a further 24% of all specimens. Various other birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians accounted for the remaining 5% of all specimens exported. The top species by trade volume, for all sources and purposes combined, were: 24% Senegal parrots (Poicephalus senegalus), 18% Timneh grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus timneh), 7% African grey parrots (Pstitacus eritachus), and 6% Orange-cheeked Waxbills (Estrilda melpoda). A full 97% of all CITES specimens exported by Liberia were for commercial trade purposes, while 60% of all specimens were wild-sourced.24 A graphic representation of trade routes used for reported legal international trade in wild specimens from Liberia during this period is included below.

24 CITES Trade Database available at: https://trade.cites.org/#

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 7 Figure 1: Map of trade routes used for the export of wild specimens from Liberia (all purposes combined) between 2000 and 2016. Source: CITES Trade Database. Graphic representation produced using TradeMapper.

1.2 METHODOLOGY AND SCOPE OF THE ASSESSMENT The mission was organized in Liberia from 27 November – 2 December and was coordinated under the leadership of Ms. Trokon Grimes from the Conservation Department of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) of Liberia. The assessment took place in the capital city of Monrovia, at the international airport in Harbel and at various other locations where interviews were conducted with environmental (forestry, fishery), customs and law enforcement officers. When leading interviews, the assessment team collected qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data was recorded via the use of smartphones. The team undertaking the assessment included: ▪ Charles Mackay, MK Wildlife Consultancy (customs expert) ▪ Sean O’Regan, Freeland-Africa (enforcement expert) ▪ Trokon Grimes, Conservation Department, Forestry Development Authority

This report was validated by Liberian stakeholders at a validation workshop in September 2018. Recommendations resulting from the workshop for donors, partners and researched are listed in section 4.3 Primary Recommendations. National priority actions from the validation workshop have been included in Annex 3, and the final communiqué is available in Annex 4.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 8 Figure 2: Map of Liberia and sites visited for the assessment.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 9 2.0 ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AT MARKETS AND ENTRY POINTS

2.1 MARKETS: DUALA MARKET AND RED LIGHT MARKET According to a report by the Concerned Environmentalists for the Enhancement of Biodiversity,25 Monrovia’s markets are known as the transport hub for the bushmeat trade in Liberia. The main markets identified with wildlife products include: Airfield market, Barnersville market, Duala market, ELWA market, Freeport market, Freeway market, General market, Gorbachev market, Jorkpent Town market, Logan Town market, New Georgia market, New Kru Town market, Old road market, Rally Time market, Rally Town market, Red Light market, and Sinkor. As the experts were advised that there were no markets geared towards tourists, the team opted to visit two of the larger local markets – Duala Market and Red Light Market – with an objective to look for bushmeat. These markets contain a huge number of stalls selling everything from food to household goods. Red Light Market is Liberia’s biggest, and Duala Market is the second in size, with hundreds of petty traders selling their goods daily.26 At Duala Market, there were 3 stalls selling smoked primate meat, either as a whole carcass, various limbs or small pieces. The price for a whole smoked monkey ranged from L$500 - 5,000 depending on the size. At Red Light Market, there were approximately the same number of stalls selling bushmeat, a few of which were selling smoked monkey. There was also small antelope and antelope meat for sale as well as fish, but no other bushmeat of protected species on display. FDA staff felt they observed less bushmeat in the local markets during the team’s mission than expected. Apparently, primate bushmeat was presently in short supply although the market traders did not know why that was the case.

Photo 1. Bushmeat for sale at Duala Market

25 http://www.cepf.net/Documents/Final.CEEB.Liberiabushmeat.pdf 26 https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/duala-market-stinks/

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 10 In addition, whilst driving through Monrovia, the team observed two men by the roadside offering for sale two live tree pangolins (Manis tricuspis) for $35 each (although it was unclear whether it was $35 USD or L$35,000 Liberian (around 280 USD)). According to the staff of the FDA and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), wildlife selling is a common occurrence in Monrovia. Live pangolins are sold on the streets in Monrovia for meat, at least one Chinese restaurant in Monrovia sells pangolin soup, and pangolins are also sold in large numbers outside a mining concession area. Live chimpanzees and African grey parrots are sold openly on the streets in Monrovia. According to an NGO, it is rumored that sea turtle eggs are sold on a regular basis to the Chinese ambassador in Liberia. Photo 2. Tree pangolins for sale on the street in Monrovia

2.2 AIRPORTS: ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND JAMES SPRIGGS PAYNE AIRPORT Roberts International Airport in Harbel is the principal airport of Liberia, whereas James Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia also services the capital city. These represent the only two airports with paved runways in Liberia and the only airports with international flights into and out of the country.27 At present, there are one to four international flights that depart from Roberts International Airport each day.28 The airport is the nation’s busiest and most important aviation facility, offering the only connections to Europe.29 The main airlines currently Photo 3. Roberts International Airport in serving Roberts International Airport are KLM, Harbel Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Kenya Airways.30 Several other airlines in the past few years have suspended services to Roberts International Airport due to either the Ebola outbreak or weak passenger demand and low profitability.31 Formerly a domestic airport, James Spriggs Payne Airport has handled limited international flights for Liberia since

27 http://www.airports-worldwide.com/liberia/monrovia_spriggs_payne_liberia.php

28 https://www.monrovia-airport.com/timetable_monrovia_airport.php

29 http://www.airports-worldwide.com/liberia/monrovia_roberts_tl_liberia.php

30 https://www.monrovia-airport.com/flights_monrovia_liberia.php

31 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberts_International_Airport

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 11 1991, especially to Accra, Ghana, with scheduled regional commercial services currently operated by Asky Airlines.32 The main terminal building of the Roberts International Airport suffered major damage during the Liberian Civil War, and consequently remains vacant and unused. At present, the Roberts International Airport terminal facilities consist of two passenger buildings: a small terminal used for departures by most commercial carriers and all arrivals, and another terminal primarily used by the United Nations. A VIP terminal is housed in a third airside building adjacent to the vacant main terminal.33 In 2016, the government of Liberia and the Exim Bank of China signed a USD 50 million loan contract to rehabilitate the runway and expand the terminal building of Roberts International Airport.34 The James Spriggs Payne Airport facility consists of a collection of small, single-story buildings. The airport is equipped with immigration facilities to handle international arrivals. The terminal has a passenger x-ray screening area at the entrance as well as a waiting room and a small bar, and there is a ticket office outside the terminal building. The United Nations occupies several operational offices facing the airside tarmac, and the airport’s primary activity consists of United Nations helicopter and aircraft operations.35 Photo 4. James Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia The team conducted interviews with security officers at Roberts International Airport and with the authorities at James Spriggs Payne Airport. During the team’s visit to the Roberts International Airport, they conducted interviews at both the cargo and the passenger sections. According to the security officer working at the passenger section, officers have a good knowledge about CITES and were trained on the identification of CITES-listed species. Security therefore claimed that they were able to identify wildlife specimens and had regularly referred illegal items like ivory to the FDA. However, the information provided by the airport security officers seems to have been exaggerated (in an attempt to impress the team) claiming that it was impossible to smuggle anything in/out of the country via airplane, or else proved through other interviews to be wrong. For instance, the FDA confirmed that they had never received any confiscated ivory from airport security. The team also interviewed a customs officer at the passenger section who reported that four officers are involved in the search of passengers each day. The checks are done manually and by x-ray machines. Although passengers leaving the country are checked regularly, the main priorities of customs are focusing on revenue, narcotics and illegal weapons. This suggests that customs officers are actually not looking for illegal wildlife trade. Additionally, passengers in transit are not checked by customs. The customs officer mentioned that they received trainings on the

32 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spriggs_Payne_Airport

33 http://www.airports-worldwide.com/liberia/monrovia_roberts_intl_liberia.php

34 https://www.monrovia-airport.com/monrovia_international_airport.php

35 http://www.airports-worldwide.com/liberia/monrovia_spriggs_payne_liberia.php

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 12 identification of CITES-listed species but the level of knowledge about CITES is poor amongst the staff. Overall, the lack of CITES knowledge, the lack of information about illegal wildlife trade, and the fact that it is a low priority for customs were identified as the primary challenges faced by the customs officer working at the passenger section. The team conducted an interview with the Senior Collector customs officer at the cargo section of the Roberts International Airport. On an average, two officers are in charge of searching freight and 10 freights are cleared through the airport on a daily basis. Exported and in transit freights are targeted by security checks through x-ray, while imported freights are targeted by setting profiles on an automated clearance system. A special intelligence unit is involved during this process and the illegal wildlife trade is included in risk profiles. However, no information on illegal wildlife trade is disseminated or received. Illegal wildlife trade information is received when there is a case, but the intelligence team collects no information proactively. According to the Senior Collector customs officer, there is a good working relationship between customs and security staff, and illegal wildlife trade cases are reported to the police when found. However, the Senior Collector customs officer reported that no illegal wildlife trade cases were found at the airport over the past three years. Although some officers were trained on CITES, the lack of CITES knowledge and the identification of specimens remain the main challenges. The team also interviewed an officer from the Ministry of Commerce (Division of Trade) based at the cargo section of the airport, who explained that their role is to check freight consignments for quality control purposes and issue permits to export freight. It was claimed that they check for prohibited goods and that they can identify wildlife products and would refer any discovered to the FDA. The interviewed security officer in the freight section indicated that the x-ray machine was not presently operational, so the officers had to do manual examinations or take small items to the passenger terminal to be scanned. Several government agencies are working at the James Spriggs Payne Airport, including Customs, Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Immigration and Port Health. There are usually three customs officers on duty. A case of smuggled pangolin scales with a fake CITES permit was discovered at this airport, but no other wildlife seizures were reported. Trainings conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority have been provided to the screeners on various types of skills including illegal wildlife trade. Given the small size of the airplanes utilizing this airport, there is not much cargo coming in and export freight is even more infrequent. Cargo occasionally arrives on Ghana and connections from China flights.

2.3 SEAPORT: FREEPORT OF MONROVIA The National Port Authority is a state-owned corporation established to manage, plan, and build all public ports in Liberia. At present, the network has four ports: Freeport of Monrovia, Port of Buchanan, Port of Greenville, and Port of Harper. The Freeport of Monrovia is the largest port within the National Port Authority’s network and is the gateway to the country’s capital city, while the Port of Buchanan is the network’s second largest port and currently handles the majority of the country’s exports.36 Being Liberia’s main port for container traffic, the team conducted interviews at the Freeport of Monrovia, where they met with the Head of Security and a Senior Collector customs officer. According to the Head of Security, officers are well trained and well informed about CITES at the seaport. The

36 http://www.npa.gov.lr/index.php

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 13 Head of Security stated that there is a rigorous inspection service and that every consignment gets 100% physical turn out at the port, and claimed that no wildlife specimens had been found in the 20 years he had been working there. However, the information provided by the security officers seems to have been exaggerated (in an attempt to impress the team) claiming that it was impossible to smuggle anything in/out of the country, or else proved through other interviews to be wrong. FDA officers do not have a presence at the seaports. The seaports are actively targeted by multiple agencies for certain commodities, but not specifically wildlife. Since some of the goods being exported from Liberia were heading to destinations like Malaysia, Europe, India and China, these are considered high risk routes. According to the Senior Collector customs officer, 75 officers are based at the Freeport of Monrovia and an average of seven freight is checked on a daily basis. The Risk Management Unit clears freight through an automated system set up. These checks are carried out when the containers are packed and the seals checked at the seaport. While security staff claimed that all containers are physically checked when entering the seaport, customs officers reported that only the seals are checked as customs officers supervise the packing process at exporters’ premises. If the seals are checked, customs officers then clear the goods for export. Additionally, the only scanner at the seaport was provided by a Chinese company and has not been operational for the past two years when the contract with the Chinese company expired and Liberia had no funds to fix the machine. Similarly to the airport, the main priorities of customs at the seaport are revenue, narcotics and illegal weapons. Customs officers received no training about CITES and have no knowledge about it. According to the customs officer interviewed, no wildlife specimens have been found at the Freeport of Monrovia over the last three years. In addition, the team met with the Bureau of National Fisheries (BNF) at the nearby Mesurado Pier on Bushrod Island, where the BNF had recently moved into a new building facility (funded by the World Bank) and receive up to date information for monitoring vessels by satellite. Fisheries officers reported having received trainings on shark fin identification from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. Nevertheless, the BNF appears to be unaware of the extent of the illegal shark fin trade of Photo 5. Bureau of National Fisheries sharks caught in Liberia’s waters, and claims to have not yet come across any CITES species in their work. The BNF is a member of the Joint Monitoring and Surveillance Committee, along with a number of other government agencies, that currently meet on an ad hoc basis but could be used for coordinating anti-trafficking activities. Government agencies that are in some way associated with the monitoring, surveillance and control of activities in Liberian territorial waters include the BNF, Liberia Maritime Authority, Liberian Coast Guard Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, and Ministry of Justice.37 The government also has a hotline for the public to call in with information about illegal fishing activities in Liberia.38

37 https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/liberia-tops-west-africas-fisheries-msc-mechanisms/

38 https://www.liberiafisheries.net/index.php

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 14 2.4 LAND BOUNDARY BORDER POST The borders between the countries in this part of the subregion are very porous, particularly between Liberia and Sierra Leone and Guinea, and trafficking occurs with some frequency. For instance, during the team’s mission to both Sierra Leone and Guinea, interviewees indicated that cross border poaching is commonplace and that Liberians were crossing into their forests to hunt for bushmeat, especially primates, and taking the animals back across the border to sell to middlemen who supply the markets in Liberia. The FDA confirmed to the team that this practice occurs often. The team visited the border post of Bo Waterside, located along the land boundary border between Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Bo Waterside area is reported to be one of the busiest places in western Liberia.39 Liberia’s porous borders have many unofficial crossing points which are not properly manned, so trafficking between countries is commonplace. In Liberia, the army does not patrol the borders, so it is left to the Police, Immigration and Customs (to a limited extent) to do this. Official land boundary ports are actively targeted by multiple agencies for certain commodities, but not specifically wildlife. FDA officers do not have a presence at the land border posts and are mainly located at the FDA offices and FDA rangers are located in the reserves. At Bo Waterside, the main government agencies operating at this border post are the National Police, Local Police, Ministry of Agriculture, Customs, and Bureau of Immigration. Customs officers at Bo Waterside explained that they do patrol the border sometimes, but lack of manpower and transport meant it was not often. Immigration officers do more of this and call Customs or Police if they find anything. In this area of Liberia, the FDA are based at a checkpoint a mile or two inland from Bo Waterside, rather than at the border itself. Agriculture officers posted at Bo Waterside, however, did not appear to know about FDA’s role and informed the team that they never thought to contact the FDA when encountering travelers trying to pass with bushmeat. During the team’s visit to the Bo Waterside border post, the Senior Collector for customs indicated that customs officers working at the border post received no CITES training. Vehicles are selected for examination after checking documents or speaking to the drivers and passengers. There is no intelligence unit at the border to assist customs officers with this selection process. Overall, there are Photo 6. Bo Waterside border post very few lorries carrying commercial freight going through the border as the road is in poor condition on the Sierra Leone side. The main vehicular traffic are motorbikes ferrying people to and from markets on each side of the border. According to the customs officer interviewed, no illegal wildlife trade has been found at this border post, as only dried fish passes though. However, some of the other officers mentioned that they do sometimes see travelers passing through the border with smoked monkey meat. The team was informed that officers tend to allow travelers carrying bushmeat to pass though the land boundary since the passengers complain that otherwise this will be detrimental to their livelihood. Also, the officers

39 https://www.liberianobserver.com/columns/women/the-real-bo-waterside/

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 15 further indicated that there would be nowhere to store the bushmeat if they did confiscate it. The Ministry of Agriculture’s quarantine officer revealed that he allows the traffickers to pass because the women will cry and say that if the officers take the bushmeat away then they will not be able to make a living. This scenario is similar to published reports of travelers being asked at the border gate where they were going, and those who indicated that they were passing through in order to go to the market would be allowed to cross. This is especially true for women who live near the border and who cross to buy and sell market foodstuffs at Bo Waterside. Bureau of Immigration officials have indicated that they know these local women and so let them cross the border easily without documents.40

40 https://www.liberianobserver.com/columns/women/the-real-bo-waterside/

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 16 3.0 OVERVIEW OF WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT

3.1 PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT AS DETERRENT TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

3.1.1 ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY Based on feedback received during meetings conducted with local NGOs, Liberia Police, Customs, INTERPOL and FDA, the combating of wildlife crime is not regarded as high priority in Liberia. For instance, there are very few wildlife crime cases that are brought to trial or result in conviction. Officials stated that with more capacity building and awareness, there would be a positive change that may lead to the recognition of combating wildlife crime as a high priority for national law enforcement agencies. Part of the growing effort of the Liberian Government to curtail the wildlife crime situation is its stand to go from just confiscation, to actual prosecution of poachers and vendors. In Liberia, there is some awareness of the drivers of wildlife crime with respect to supply of illicit products such as bushmeat. However, there is sometimes a reluctance for the FDA and other law enforcement to tackle wildlife crime because most local communities are not aware of the law and so simply think that the FDA is taking away their livelihoods. Wildlife law enforcement therefore needs to be supported by initiatives raising the awareness of the population.

3.1.2 SERIOUS CRIME The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime41 defines serious crime as conduct constituting an offence punishable by imprisonment for at least four years or a more serious penalty. In Liberia, criminal offences such as poaching and wildlife trafficking involving organized criminal groups are not recognized as serious crime. Regarding the extent to which Liberia’s national legislation penalizes wildlife crime offences in a manner that reflects the nature and severity of the crime, the existing wildlife legislation, the 1988 Wildlife and National Parks Act – Liberia, was identified as very weak by all organizations interviewed during the mission. Currently the maximum sentence is between 6-12 months in prison and/or a small fine up to $1,000. Amendments to the legislation have been proposed, however. In Liberia, poaching and wildlife trafficking prohibitions are primarily enforced by the FDA who are limited to lower level arrests and seizures taking place. No intelligence driven wildlife trafficking investigations leading to identifying organized criminal groups have or are being conducted. The Liberian law enforcement agencies including FDA do not have a wildlife trafficking intelligence gathering database or the skills to manage and conduct analysis of data. Also, little capacity building has been done to upskill enforcement capability in this area. Recognition of wildlife crime as a serious crime under the law is

41 https://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/UNTOC/Publications/TOC%20Convention/TOCebook-e.pdf

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 17 urgently needed along with initiatives to strengthen the capacity of enforcement authorities to tackle wildlife crime.

3.1.3 NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY Liberia has no national wildlife crime enforcement strategy and/or action plan in place at present. However, the Biomonitoring and Law Enforcement Technical Working Group (BLETWG) was established in 2016 by the FDA in collaboration with partners, Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Fauna and Flora International, Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia, United States Forest Service and World Resources Institute, to facilitate the development of national strategies for biomonitoring and law enforcement for the FDA. Instituting the BLETWG for Liberia opens up an avenue for consistent and coordinated standards and protocols with the goal of ensuring biodiversity conservation is implemented to the highest standards utilizing multidisciplinary expertise and proven strategies. This includes standardized sampling methodologies and law enforcement strategies leading to effective conservation and management of Liberia’s protected areas and wildlife. The BLETWG is essential in bringing together all stakeholders involved in these efforts with FDA in a collaborative approach to achieving mandates. Indeed, due to the recent wildlife case involving the killing of a sea turtle and ultimately a quick arrest and sentencing of the offender, the presiding judge became sensitized to wildlife crime and joined the BLETWG and now attends meetings. The passing of the new wildlife law provides an opportunity to develop a collaborative and national strategy for law enforcement, providing additional and more effective tools in executing law enforcement activities impacting the protection of Liberia’s forests and wildlife. The survival of many of Liberia’s wildlife species is currently threatened, making the development of consistent and coordinated efforts critical to saving the country’s natural resources. The overall aim of the BLETWG is to develop coordinated, comprehensive and effective law enforcement strategies to support the implementation of Liberia’s 2016 Wildlife Act. The BLETWG’s Proposed Goals and Objectives include: ▪ Develop and formalize Standard Operating Protocols for: - investigating wildlife trafficking - conducting arrests in and outside protected areas - conducting patrols in protected areas, community forests and commercial concessions - monitoring legal procedures to ensure the law is correctly enforced by the FDA and other law enforcement officials - confiscating wildlife and forest products ▪ Identify the FDA’s needs related to effectively enforcing the wildlife law ▪ Identify additional stakeholders to be involved in wildlife and forest law enforcement ▪ Identify mechanisms to ensure full cooperation of related government agencies ▪ Develop protocols and support for the BLETWG law enforcement task force to curb illegal trade of wildlife/bushmeat.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 18 3.1.4 NATIONAL COOPERATION There is little coordination between the various government agencies which is needed to tackle wildlife trafficking in and through Liberia. Roles, protocols, rules and activities that fall under the FDA’s purview don’t always seem clearly defined. The FDA appears to have little clout with other agencies and would benefit from seeing the importance of its role in wildlife law enforcement strengthened and clarified. The relationship between FDA and Customs in particular at times seems strained. Customs will not allow FDA into the screening rooms for passengers and cargo at Roberts International Airport and there does not appear to be any synergy between them at border posts. The screening room in the passenger area is very small and that is given as one of the reasons for not allowing the FDA in. When the new terminal is completed, it is imperative that FDA have full access to these areas. The FDA has had some awareness sessions on wildlife crime with Customs, but this was not part of any regular program. In the past, there also seemed to have been better collaboration between the Police and the FDA who provided awareness training on wildlife crime issues. Nevertheless, there are some mechanisms in place for inter-agency cooperation among national law enforcement agencies to combat wildlife crime. There are four groups that the team was made aware of. ▪ Biomonitoring and Law Enforcement Technical Working Group (BLETWG) – see III.A.3. ▪ WCF advised the team that they are in the process of setting up a Confiscation Unit that will be comprised of FDA agents, police, community representatives and organization leaders. This will support the work of WCF and FDA in tackling the illegal possession/sale of chimpanzee and other live animals. ▪ Transnational Crime Unit (TCU). To better address the menace of transnational organized crimes, including drug trafficking, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and INTERPOL launched in 2009 the West African Coast Initiative (WACI)42, to support the implementation of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)43 Action Plan to Address the Growing Problem of Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Drug Abuse in West Africa. The TCU is operational in Liberia, thus allowing national and international cooperation to be centralized in one inter-agency unit, making use of a wide array of law enforcement expertise and benefiting from the synergies of this cooperation. The FDA could be included within the TCU structure which may provide a platform for wildlife crimes to be elevated to a high priority status. It was reported to the team that the TCU had previously been more active in tackling wildlife trafficking and claimed to have had many successes, but that once funding was diverted away due to the Ebola epidemic, the unit was left with limited capacity. ▪ The Joint Monitoring & Surveillance Committee which included Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Commerce, BNF, Liberian Maritime Authority, Ministry of National Defense, Bureau of Immigration, UN Mission in Liberia and the National Port Authority. The Bureau of National Fisheries indicated to the team that FDA would also be welcome in joining this group. Wildlife

42 https://www.unodc.org/westandcentralafrica/en/newrosenwebsite/TOC/waci.html

43 http://www.ecowas.int/

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 19 trafficking is not on the Committee’s agenda, but there is the potential of including protected marine species in their planning and coordination meetings.

3.1.5 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION There are no bilateral treaties for international cooperation in criminal matters currently in place between Liberia and its neighboring countries Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast. There have been no cases that the team is aware of where international cooperation was required to support the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime. At the time of writing, there are no regional wildlife enforcement networks in place involving Liberia. However, a West Africa wildlife enforcement network based on the concept of Wildlife Enforcement Network Southern Africa, Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network, or European Union Enforcement Working Group could be established. Similarly, there are no mechanisms in place to facilitate international cooperation to combat wildlife crime. However, a possibility of a regional law enforcement agreement could be initiated through the WACI, which includes Organized Crime as one of the priorities. ECOWAS could likewise facilitate multilateral cooperation through its regional Action Plan to Address the Growing Problem of Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Drug Abuse in West Africa, to also include combatting wildlife trafficking within its Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation objective.

3.1.6 STRATEGIC RISK MANAGEMENT In Liberia, no strategic risk management practices are used to identify high-risk activities, locations and individuals, and target operational enforcement planning and the implementation of measures to combat wildlife crime. Only commonly employed practices such as customs profiling of revenue and possibly narcotics and other prohibitions are conducted but these are not specific to wildlife trafficking.

3.1.7 PROACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS Proactive investigations to target prominent or emerging wildlife crime threats and pre-identified targets, individuals and groups are not commonly conducted in Liberia. Cobra III was the only proactive investigation that the team was made aware of. The Liberia national authorities tend to mainly be reactive in conducting their investigations rather than proactive. The NGOs seem to be the driving force behind supporting FDA and pushing enforcement up the government agenda. Without the local NGOs, confiscations of chimpanzees and other animals would not be taking place and the fact that they have organized recue centers has made it all possible. In particular, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection along with the FDA and police are beginning to target individuals in possession/selling chimpanzees, and a successful operation took place to confiscate a chimpanzee on the day the team left Liberia. However, enforcement action is currently restricted to confiscation and does not include prosecution.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 20 3.1.8 STAFFING, RECRUITMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING It was established during the meeting with Customs that their rotation of staff is a maximum of six- month periods where within that six months some officers are moved to other posts and/or dismissed for certain reasons (presumably corruption). It was indicated to the team that this did not allow any time for any experience to build up in areas of enforcement. Nonetheless, staff resources in national law enforcement agencies was not mentioned as a problem with regards to combatting wildlife crime.

3.2 DETECTION OF WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

3.2.1 TARGETED ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE In Liberia, locations most affected by or used for wildlife trafficking are not sufficiently targeted by law enforcement. Law enforcement activities are not strategically targeted geographically. For instance, due to recent suspension of an FDA officer there is no FDA presence at Roberts International Airport. Nor do FDA officers have a presence at the seaports or land border posts. Airports, seaports and official land boundary ports are actively targeted by multiple enforcement agencies for certain commodities, but not specifically for wildlife. The borders between countries are porous with many unofficial crossing points which are not properly manned. FDA officers are mainly situated at the FDA offices and FDA rangers are based in the reserves.

3.2.2 JOINT / SUPPORTIVE OPERATIONS In Liberia, national law enforcement agencies seldom initiate multi-disciplinary enforcement operations targeting wildlife crime but at times do participate on those rare occasions when there is a seizure at the airport or a road block. In a recent case involving the killing of a live sea turtle, the FDA, police and prosecutor worked together to arrest, prosecute and sentence the offender to a three-month prison term. There are mechanisms in place to establish multi-disciplinary operations but these are rarely used. The rescue of chimpanzees from illegal ownership is carried out by multi-agencies in Liberia. The NGO, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, takes an active role in organizing the confiscation of chimpanzees. With backing and funding from the BLETWG, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection is setting up a Chimpanzee Confiscation Unit which will involve themselves, the FDA and police, with training provided on the relevant laws, confiscation processes, welfare and handling of live animals.

3.2.3 BORDER CONTROL STAFF In Liberia, ports of entry and exit are not staffed with law enforcement officers that are aware of and trained in detecting and responding to wildlife crime. Due to a recent suspension of an FDA officer, there is currently no FDA presence at the international airports. FDA officers do not have a presence at the seaports or land border posts. Customs officers based in these locations are not trained in detection or in responding to wildlife crime.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 21 3.2.4 BORDER CONTROL EQUIPMENT In Liberia, law enforcement officers at ports of entry and exit generally cannot access equipment, tools or materials to detect and respond to wildlife crime. All examinations must be manually undertaken. Yet there are no wildlife species identification manuals available at entry and exit points. Nor are there are sniffer dogs anywhere in Liberia. Moreover, at the time of the mission, the cargo scanner at Roberts International Airport and the container scanner at the Freeport of Monrovia had not been operational for at least the past half-year due to a lack of funds allocated or budgeted for maintenance and repairs.

3.2.5 INSPECTION AND SEIZURE POWERS In Liberia, national legislation has empowered law enforcement agencies regarding illegally traded wildlife. Customs has the authority to inspect, seize and confiscate suspected consignments of illegal wildlife specimens. If security detects wildlife products, they refer the shipment to customs. Once detected, the FDA will be contacted and will attend to the detection. FDA officers have powers of arrest and will coordinate with the police to enforce arrests.

3.2.6 DISPOSAL OF CONFISCATED WILDLIFE SPECIMENS In Liberia, the systems and procedures that are in place for managing, securely storing, auditing and disposing of confiscated wildlife specimens, including live specimens, are inadequate. For instance, the team viewed two bags of pangolin scales in a small storeroom inside a FDA office. The scales had apparently been seized at James Spriggs Payne Airport two years prior (June 2015), although no auditing system was in place and there were no data records of seizures. The current practice is that the FDA keeps seized specimens in their office, and if a case goes to court then the specimens are lodged there. However, it is not clear what happens to the specimens Photo 7. Pangolin scales (12 kg) seized at James Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia thereafter, and there does not appear to be any accountability. It is important for enhanced transparency and reporting purposes, that a proper system for storage and disposal of confiscated specimens in Liberia is kept by responsible government agencies.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 22 The majority of wildlife specimens seized in Liberia are of live animals, particularly chimpanzees, but also a number of other species. Live specimens are either immediately released back into the wild or handed over to private rescue center sanctuaries, who do keep records. There are two rescue centers in country, one specifically for chimpanzees (Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection) and one for various other animals such as monkeys, pangolins, reptiles, parrots, ungulates, etc. (Libassa Animal Rescue Centre). Both of these self-funding NGOs play a vital role in providing for the welfare and housing needs of confiscated wildlife specimens, and need to expand. The Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection is looking to move from its temporary home to a much larger area where the chimpanzees will have more living space. Likewise, the Libassa Animal Rescue Centre is looking to get additional land as they are running out of space to house confiscated and injured wildlife animals. The Manager of the Libassa Animal Rescue Centre mentioned that hosting pangolins was an issue as they need to be walked 1.5 hours per day in the forest to feed on ants. She mentioned that increasing the number of cages for monkeys will reduce the space for pangolins, and so recommended finding a space in a forest elsewhere for rescued pangolins although noted that raising the requisite funds will be very difficult.

Photo 8. Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Photo 9. Libassa Animal Rescue Centre Protection

3.3 WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED USING AN INTELLIGENCE-LED APPROACH

3.3.1 INVESTIGATIVE CAPACITY In Liberia, national law enforcement agencies have the capacity to investigate only basic wildlife crime cases. However, there are not many arrests and/or prosecutions. The FDA is the only agency with staff who investigate wildlife crime cases. Other agencies do have trained and empowered staff with capacity to investigate wildlife crime cases.

3.3.2 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT In Liberia, there are no national procedures and systems that have been established to collate information on wildlife crimes. INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Monrovia does have a database

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 23 for consolidating crime information, but it appears to be very limited with respect to any coverage of wildlife crime.

3.3.3 INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS In Liberia, no information on wildlife crime is being verified and analyzed to generate criminal intelligence. INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Monrovia does have a database but its coverage of wildlife crime is very limited and there is no analysis thereof.

3.3.4 INTELLIGENCE-LED INVESTIGATIONS In Liberia, no criminal intelligence generated through analysis is used to support of wildlife crimes investigations into wildlife crime.

3.3.5 FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS In Liberia, the extent to which follow-up investigations are conducted for wildlife crime cases at national and international levels only occurs at a basic scale and mostly stop when once a confiscation is made. The only case that the team was made aware of involved the illegal killing of a sea turtle in which a follow-up investigation resulted in an arrest and prosecution.

3.4 SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES USED TO COMBAT WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

3.4.1 USE OF SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES In Liberia, no specialized investigation techniques have been used by national law enforcement agencies to combat wildlife crime due to a lack of capacity and lack of training. According to feedback the team received from the FDA in-house lawyer, there is no legal authority to use specialized investigation techniques against wildlife crime. However, this should be checked with the police to see whether national legislation makes provision for the use of specialized investigation techniques against other types of crime which could in turn be used for wildlife crime investigations, as it might be a case of not connecting the two.

3.4.2 FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY In Liberia, national law enforcement agencies do not have the capacity to use forensic technology in country to support the investigation of wildlife crime. However, they may be able to utilize the wildlife forensic laboratories of the USFWS and/or South Africa, upon request. The use of remote forensic technology outside of Liberia would however necessitate funding.

3.4.3 FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS In Liberia, there is an established Financial Investigation Crimes Agency which the FDA could collaborate with to support the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime. However, the FDA does not currently engage the Financial Investigation Crimes Agency.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 24 3.4.4 USE OF CRIMINAL LAW In Liberia, wildlife crime cases are not prosecuted under a combination of relevant national legislation and criminal law. While there are other laws in place with higher penalties that can be used to prosecute offenders linked to wildlife crime such as money laundering and tax evasion, these laws have not yet been used to prosecute wildlife crime offenders. For example, if relevant to a case, the FDA could collaborate with the Financial Investigation Crimes Agency to charge and prosecute wildlife crime offenders. However, there are no legal provisions currently in place in Liberia for asset forfeiture and recovery for any criminal activities, and so asset forfeiture has never been used in wildlife crime cases. The team was advised by the police that new national legislation is in the draft stage, but has not yet been passed into law. In Liberia, there is also an established Anti-Corruption Commission agency that could be engaged to be used for investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes. The Anti-Corruption Commission is not currently engaged in any wildlife crimes cases or investigations, however. Lastly, the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, can be used by Liberia to investigate and prosecute wildlife crime.

3.4.5 CASE FILE PREPARATION In Liberia, staff of national law enforcement agencies responsible for the investigation of wildlife crimes have a basic knowledge and capacity to compile wildlife crime case files and submit to the FDA in-house lawyer. Staff have limited understanding of judicial procedures or experience of preparing for and giving evidence in court, however.

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 25 4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 TRAFFICKING ROUTES AND SEIZURES Liberia is known to be involved in transnational crimes within the West African region. Illicit weapons are moving from Ivory Coast into Liberia and significant seizures of illegal weapons in large numbers from former soldiers occurred between 2008–2011.44 In contrast, there are few seizures of specimens of illicitly-traded wildlife emanating from Liberia, which may indicate that the country is not an exporting or final transit point used by wildlife traffickers. In Liberia, there have been no wildlife crime cases of a transnational nature that were reported in the last five years to databases of intergovernmental organizations mandated to receive and maintain such data such as INTERPOL, World Customs Organization and Elephant Trade Information System. In fact, there have not been any large-scale wildlife seizures recorded for Liberia at all to date, although any number of small seizures have taken place in the last several years. Most wildlife seizures taking place within Liberia were carried out by the FDA. The majority of the seized specimens are of live animals, particularly chimpanzees, but also a variety of other species. There have been a small number of confiscations of parts and derivatives of animals. Internet research and data collected during the field mission indicate that the following cases of wildlife seizures and arrests involved Liberia and/or Liberians: ▪ March 2018: Arrest of a foreign fishing vessel F/V Hai Lung (a notorious Antarctic and Patagonian tooth-fish poaching vessel) in Liberia’s waters for having a forged flagging documentation Certificate of Nationality.45 ▪ December 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in Liberia.46 ▪ December 2017: Seizure of 1 live black bellied tree pangolin (Manis tetradactyla) weighing 2 kg for sale in Liberia.47 ▪ November 2017: Inspection of the fishing vessel Labiko 2 which had used gillnets instead of the longlines required by the Liberian fishing license; some sharks and 30 shark fins were found on board.48 ▪ November 2017: Seizure of 1 live female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2.5 years old in Lofa County, Liberia.49

44https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Transnational%20Organized%20Crime%20in%20West%20Africa.pdf

45 https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/fishe/

46 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_19.pdf

47 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_19.pdf

48 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_19.pdf

49 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 26 ▪ November 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) being sold on the beach in Libassa, Liberia.50 ▪ November 2017: Arrest and sentence of offender in Buchanan, Liberia for having killed 1 leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).51 ▪ November 2017: Seizure of 1 live female green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) being kept as a pet in Island Clinic, Liberia.52 ▪ October 2017: Seizure of 1 live male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 1 year old in Lofa County, Liberia.53 ▪ October 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile female sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys) in Liberia.54 ▪ October 2017: Seizure of 1 live Timneh grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh) being illegally smuggled near the airport in Liberia.55 ▪ October 2017: Seizure of 1 live female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2 years old in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.56 ▪ September 2017: Seizure of 2 live bay duikers (Cephalophus dorsalis) being kept as pets in Island Clinic, Liberia.57 ▪ September 2017: Seizure of 3 live pangolins (Manis spp.) in Liberia.58 ▪ September 2017: Seizure of 2 live juvenile female sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) being kept as pets in Bomi County, Liberia.59 ▪ August 2017: Seizure of 1 live female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 1.5 years old in Gola Forest.60 ▪ August 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile female tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) being sold as a pet in Grand Bassa County, Liberia.61 ▪ July 2017: Seizure of 3 tons of pangolin scales (Manis spp.) in Cocody, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, which represented 4,000 dead pangolins killed in Ivory Coast, Liberia and .62 ▪ July 2017: Seizure of 1 live male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2 years old in Lofa County, Liberia.63

50 Libassa Wildlife Centre

51 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_19.pdf

52 Libassa Wildlife Centre

53 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

54 Libassa Wildlife Centre

55 Libassa Wildlife Centre

56 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

57 Libassa Wildlife Centre

58 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_19.pdf

59 Libassa Wildlife Centre

60 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

61 Libassa Wildlife Centre

62 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_18.pdf

63 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 27 ▪ July 2017: Seizure of 1 live male sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys) being kept as a pet in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.64 ▪ July 2017: Seizure of 1 live female baby chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 0.5 year old at a police checkpoint in Grand Bassa County, Liberia.65 ▪ July 2017: Seizure of 1 live female tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in Liberia.66 ▪ July 2017: Seizure of cutting equipment and 1,303 kg of ivory (437 pieces) from a store in Uganda that was intended to have transited through Burundi. Arrested were accomplices 2 Guinean nationals (Kourouma Bangaly and Mohammed Kourouma) and 1 Liberian national (Kromah Moazu); the Liberian had made cash transactions of 190,000 USD from 2014-2017 between a Vannaseng Trading Company in Laos and an Eco Bank branch in Kampala, Uganda.67 ▪ June 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile female Bosman’s Potto (Perodicticus potto) in Liberia.68 ▪ June 2017: Seizure of 1 live African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) in Monrovia, Liberia.69 ▪ April 2017: Seizure of 3 live West African mud turtles (Pelusios castaneus) in Liberia.70 ▪ April 2017: Seizure of 1 live male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2 years old in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.71 ▪ April 2017: Seizure of 8 live forest hinged tortoises (Kinixys erosa) in Gbarnga, Liberia.72 ▪ March 2017: Seizure of 1 live female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2.5 years old in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.73 ▪ March 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile palm-nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) in Liberia.74 ▪ March 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile male Maxwell’s duiker (Philantomba maxwellii) in Liberia.75 ▪ March 2017: Seizure of 1 live palm-nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) in Liberia.76 ▪ March 2017: Boarding of a fishing vessel Star Shrimper XXV actively taking part in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) that had left from Ivory Coast and was fishing without a permit in Liberia’s waters for giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon). The Turtle Excluder Device

64 Libassa Wildlife Centre

65 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

66 Libassa Wildlife Centre

67 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_18.pdf

68 Libassa Wildlife Centre

69 Libassa Wildlife Centre

70 Libassa Wildlife Centre

71 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

72 Libassa Wildlife Centre

73 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

74 Libassa Wildlife Centre

75 Libassa Wildlife Centre

76 Libassa Wildlife Centre

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 28 (TED) – a tool that allows sea turtles to get free when they are caught in trawling nets and therefore allows shrimp to be exported to the U.S. – was not activated at the time of boarding.77 ▪ February 2017: Seizure of 3 foreign vessels that were fishing illegally in Liberia’s waters including a Chinese trawler Shenghai 9 with young sharks in the holds.78 ▪ February 2017: Seizure of 1 live male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2 years old confiscated from a young boy selling the animal on behalf of the poacher.79 ▪ February 2017: Seizure of 9 live Timneh grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus timneh) in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.80 ▪ February 2017: Seizure of 1 live female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 1 year old confiscated from the poacher.81 ▪ February 2017: Seizure of 1.5 tons of elephant ivory (437 pieces) in Kampala, Uganda (at an opulent and fortified house used to hide contraband stocks), and arrest of 1 Liberian and 2 Bissau- Guinean nationals planning to ship the imported ivory items overseas. The suspects are part of a West African criminal syndicate known to supply ivory and rhino horns to wildlife criminal syndicates in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.82 ▪ February 2017: Seizure of 1 live juvenile female bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis) in Gbarnga, Liberia.83 ▪ January 2017: Seizure of 1 live male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.84 ▪ January 2017: Arrest of a wildlife trafficker in Guinea and seizure of 22 skins and 30 parts of skins of protected mammals and reptiles (e.g., leopard, serval, African civet, crocodile, boa, monitor lizard), all sourced from . The wildlife trafficker, who was arrested in the south of the country in Macenta, is a central figure in the business of animal skins and has been trafficking wildlife products since 2010 in the border area, selling in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.85 ▪ January 2017: Seizure of a pair of 2 elephant tusks (3 kg total for the pair) in Liberia.86 ▪ December 2016: Arrest of 2 wildlife traffickers (brothers) in Ivory Coast who were trying to sell 1 live baby chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) for 1400 USD (to an undercover journalist pretending to be a representative for a rich Asian buyer) and supplying false export permits supposedly from the National Park Services of Liberia.87

77 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_16.pdf 78 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_16.pdf

79 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

80 Libassa Wildlife Centre

81 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

82 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_16.pdf; http://www.traffic.org/traffic- bulletin/traffic_pub_bulletin_29_1_seizures.pdf; http://www.eagle-enforcement.org/news/-A280/

83 Libassa Wildlife Centre

84 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

85 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_16.pdf

86 Government of Liberia

87 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_17.pdf

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 29 ▪ December 2016: Seizure of 3 live Timneh grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus timneh) in Liberia.88 ▪ December 2016: Seizure of a pair of 2 elephant tusks (1 kg total for the pair) in Liberia.89 ▪ August 2016: Seizure of 1 live baby female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 0.5 year old in Monrovia, Liberia.90 ▪ March 2016: Seizure of a pair of 2 elephant tusks (2 kg total for the pair) in Liberia.91 ▪ March 2016: Seizure of 790 kg of ivory in Uganda’s airport destined for Singapore and concealed in barrels of shea butter; 1 Liberian and 2 Bissau-Guinean nationals are connected to the trafficking.92 ▪ December 2015: Seizure of 1 live male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 2 years old.93 ▪ November 2015: Seizure of 1 live female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) 3.5 years old in Monrovia, Liberia confiscated from the Liberian owner and animal trader.94 ▪ June 2015: Seizure of 12 kg of pangolin scales (Manis spp.) found at James Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia, Liberia.95 According to the FDA, the pangolin scales were from a Chinese passenger on his way to China via Accra, Ghana. ▪ February 2015: Seizure of a cargo of hunting trophies sent from Monrovia, Liberia, to New York, U.S. including 8 skulls and 8 skins of Maxwell’s duiker (Cephalophus maxwelli), Bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), Zebra duiker (Cephalophus zebra), Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor) and Brooke’s duiker (Cephalophus brookei) detected in air freight arriving in transit at Brussels Zaventem Airport, Belgium since the CITES certificates were forged.96 ▪ November 2014: Seizure of 1 rhino horn (4 kg) from a trader in Liberia who had smuggled it from Kenya.97 ▪ July 2014: Seizure of 1,471 kg of pangolin scales (Manis spp.), representing 10,000 pangolins killed, hidden in baskets amongst a container of herring on the fishing vessel Med Pearl, which is registered under the Liberian flag. The seizure was made in the Port of Hai Phong, Vietnam and the intended recipient was the Giang Import Export Company Cam Mong Cai, located in a northern city bordering with China.98

88 Libassa Wildlife Centre

89 Government of Liberia

90 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_14.pdf

91 Government of Liberia

92 http://www.eagle-enforcement.org/news/-A280/

93 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

94 Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP)

95 Government of Liberia

96 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_8.pdf; http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/2015_overview_important_seizures_in_EU.pdf

97 Government of Liberia

98 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_6.pdf

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 30 ▪ June 2014: Seizure of 1 river otter skin in Liberia.99 ▪ May 2014: Seizure of 1 leopard skin (Panthera pardus) in Liberia.100 ▪ May 2014: Seizure of elephant tusks and a consignment of bushmeat from a trader within the vicinity of the Gola Forest National Park in Liberia.101 ▪ August-September 2013: Several seizures of African elephant ivory made from the luggage of transiting passengers (Chinese nationals) arriving from Liberia at an airport in Belgium, with an intended final destination of China.102 ▪ July 2013: Seizure of an ivory bracelet from the wrist of an U.S. passenger returning from Liberia at Baltimore International Airport, Maryland, U.S.103 ▪ May 2013: Seizure of 21 kg of elephant tusks and worked ivory (bracelets, decorative samples and beads) placed in 176 separate packages heading to China via Liberia and South Africa, discovered by customs at International Airport, with 3 suspects (2 Chinese and 1 Malian) arrested.104 ▪ March 2013: Seizure of 1 bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) horn (23 kg) in Liberia.105 ▪ August 2012: Seizure of 1 leopard (Panthera pardus) skin at Roberts International Airport, Liberia, detected during the screening of luggage belonging to a foreign national leaving the country.106 ▪ May 2012: Seizure of 0.5 kg of pangolin scales (Manis spp.) made from the luggage of transiting passenger (Chinese national) arriving from Liberia at an airport in Belgium, with an intended final destination of China. This was one of several similar seizures that took place in Belgium in 2012.107 ▪ August 2010: Seizure of a pair of 2 elephant tusks (30 kg total for the pair) in Liberia.108 ▪ Generally: Sharks are being caught by local fishermen and landed at West Point. Chinese and Ghanaian fishing boats operate in Liberian waters and it is likely that these vessels are involved in trafficking of shark fins and possibly other wildlife species.

Based upon these seizure records and information gathered during the team’s missions to Liberia and to neighboring countries in West Africa, the following wildlife trafficking routes have been identified: ▪ From Liberia to Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast: bushmeat ▪ From Liberia and Burkina Faso to Ivory Coast: pangolin scales ▪ From Sierra Leone and Guinea to Liberia: bushmeat, primate bushmeat ▪ From Sierra Leone to Liberia and Guinea: timber

99 Government of Liberia

100 Government of Liberia

101 Government of Liberia

102 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/Overview%20significant%20seizures%202013.pdf

103 http://www.robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/ON_THE_TRAIL_2.pdf

104 http://207.204.5.11/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ON-THE-TRAIL-1.pdf

105 Government of Liberia 106 http://www.traffic.org/traffic-bulletin/traffic_pub_bulletin_24_2.pdf

107 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/Overview%20significant%20seizures%202012.pdf

108 Government of Liberia

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 31 ▪ From Nigeria to China transiting via Liberia and South Africa: elephant ivory ▪ From Liberia to China: shark fins ▪ From Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique and Madagascar) to China and Hong Kong transiting via the E.U. (France and Germany): pangolin scales ▪ From Monrovia, Liberia to Sierra Leone via Grand Cape Mount County: chimpanzees ▪ Within Liberia, from Voinjama (Lofa County) and Zwedru (Grand Gedah County) to Monrovia: chimpanzees

4.2 CHALLENGES RAISED BY PARTICIPANTS 1. Inadequate CITES knowledge and wildlife law enforcement training:

The knowledge level of wildlife trafficking and how to prevent it is low throughout all government agencies in Liberia. Capacity building on CITES and wildlife law enforcement is required in all areas of national law enforcement, to varying degrees. The FDA has no institutional training program to build capacity to combat wildlife crime, although the FDA relies on Sierra Leone for their ranger training. Neither customs nor police have wildlife law enforcement training in their curriculum. As CITES does not currently feature on the customs training syllabus for new entrants, this gives them the impression that regulating the international wildlife trade is not important. The University of Liberia/CITES Scientific Authority did mention having trained some FDA officers at seaports and airports, however. 2. Insufficient coordination between authorities and lack of intelligence sharing

Lack of coordination between authorities is a recurring problem impacting wildlife law enforcement and is in part facilitated by a lack of FDA presence at strategic posts. The lack of synergy between the FDA and customs at border posts and in key strategic areas has a prejudicial impact on wildlife law enforcement. The FDA has had some awareness sessions on wildlife crime with Customs or with the Police, but this was not part of any regular program. No information on illegal wildlife trade is proactively collected, disseminated or shared between the various authorities involved in the wildlife law enforcement chain which impedes the efficiency of anti-trafficking activities. 3. Weak national legislation

A wildlife law in Liberia, the 1972 Wildlife Act, has been enacted but is not fit for purpose and is not conducive to effective enforcement when the penalties are so low. Chapter 8 of the law addresses trade in wild animals, protected animals and wildlife products, although no regulations have been developed. Section 6-2.2 of the wildlife law gives FDA the mandate to regulate. While amendments to the legislation have been proposed, it may take some time before these are passed by the government and enter into force. 4. Insufficient judicial awareness and legal support

The extent of awareness of wildlife crime among the Liberia judiciary and the appropriateness of the verdicts handed down is low. The team was informed by sources such as the FDA and police that members of the judiciary do not see wildlife crime as a serious matter, perhaps because the penalties are so minimal. The recent case where a person was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 32 killing a sea turtle was a rare success. Stronger laws and more awareness training targeting the prosecutors and judges were identified as a priority need. 5. Few prosecutions of wildlife cases

In Liberia, there are prosecutors with the capacity to manage wildlife crime cases, although this remains a challenge. The FDA has an in-house lawyer for their prosecutions but according to FDA staff, she is hard to reach so this makes it difficult to seek advice; the team tried unsuccessfully to meet with the FDA lawyer. Prosecutors have received limited training for wildlife cases and would benefit from more. Very few wildlife crime cases are brought to trial in Liberia. There was only one wildlife crime case prosecuted in court that the team was made aware of, which involved the illegal killing of a sea turtle. Furthermore, there have been no wildlife crime cases that were resolved with administrative penalties. While there have been many cases of chimpanzees and other animals being confiscated from traders and owners keeping them illegally, there is a reluctance to go any further into a court action because law enforcement does not feel enough public awareness has been done yet. Even with the high number of chimpanzee confiscations, the team is aware of only one arrest and the offender was not charged. 6. Lack of public awareness

Currently, most people in Liberia do not understand which species are protected and what the law is, and so they are not aware that they are breaking the law when they are selling or buying live animals and wildlife products. There has been very little done in Liberia in the way of sensitizing the public at large to raise awareness of wildlife crime and its environmental, social and economic impacts. However, some efforts have been made with local communities in and around the national parks by FDA rangers and the FDA Eco Tourist Awareness Team to raise awareness of wildlife crime. With funding from NGOs, the Eco Tourist Awareness Team has also started a comprehensive education program in schools, at border points, for local communities, and the public at large and has issued posters, flyers, leaflets and used media outreach. However, initiatives are needed to increase the awareness of the regulated community of the laws that apply to the sustainable use of wildlife and the requirements under the legislation or the penalties for non-compliance. 7. Strong drivers of wildlife crime

There is some awareness of the drivers of wildlife crime in Liberia in terms of consumer demand. For instance, approximately 85% of the population have either eaten or still do eat bushmeat. The FDA on average discovers 35 bushmeat carcasses per month during their regular patrols in the Gola forest area. According to the CITES Scientific Authority, consumption of bushmeat is not only about taste, but is a cultural part of Liberia’s daily life. Hence, the drivers behind the bushmeat trade need to be understood better. It will require careful, sensitively planned long term community awareness campaigns to change this thinking. There have been some ad hoc initiatives by FDA to tackle this problem through engagement with local communities by rangers and awareness raising work in schools (using posters, leaflets and flyers), but nothing targeted. The University of Liberia/CITES Scientific Authority has likewise been involved in engagement with the local communities, having undertaken some awareness campaigns and alternative employment initiatives. 8. Corruption in the government sector

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 33 Within customs, corruption is such a problem that staff are shifted after 6 months of them being in a post to try and counter this. Within the FDA, a problem they have had is with fake/forged Liberian CITES permits being used to traffic wildlife products. A fake permit from Liberia had been picked up in Belgium earlier in 2017. The team was shown the latest fake CITES permit which was for 5,000 kg of tree pangolin scales, where an official stamp had been used and the Director’s signature had been forged. The permit was sent to Liberia for verification by the CITES Management Authority of China, although apparently no goods had been sent with the permit. Three FDA officers were suspended without pay, two in the Management Authority and one officer based at Roberts International Airport. 9. Lack of equipment and tools to facilitate controls and confiscations

In Liberia, law enforcement officers face shortages of equipment and tools needed to assist in the performance of their job duties. For instance, the cargo scanner at Roberts International Airport and the container scanner at the Freeport of Monrovia are both not operational, and there are no sniffer dogs in country, so all examinations must be conducted by hand. Yet there are no wildlife species identification manuals available as a resource for the officers. There are also no forensic laboratories in country. There are no protocols in place and no infrastructure/equipment available for the disposal or storage of confiscated specimens. FDA faces many challenges such as lack of resources, funding and training. With a very minimal operational budget, it is difficult for FDA staff to conduct wildlife law enforcement activities since their vehicles are often unavailable and reimbursements for fuel, communications and incidentals are not provided. 10. Limited local community engagement

In Liberia, the extent to which local communities are engaged in law enforcement activities to combat wildlife crime is limited. Villagers do sometimes inform the FDA if hunters from another village encroach in their part of the forest to hunt. However, local communities have not yet been sensitized enough to understand the need for sustainable resource use, nor the need to protect wildlife in the forests. The FDA acknowledges that much more work is needed in this area if the communities are going to support law enforcement efforts, and advised the assessment team that this is planned.

4.3 PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations for taking forward this report on Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and trafficking in Liberia were proposed at the report validation workshop for the consideration of donors, partners, researchers, etc., and are based on the report findings. Additional information can be found in Annex 4: Final Communiqué /Resolution on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking and Threats Assessment Report Workshop for Liberia.

▪ Establish a donor engagement driven platform to bring together national and international donors and partners over time, especially in person meetings, to increase communication and collaboration. This will allow donors to proactively discuss issues, share information and lessons learned to enhance decision making, establish synergies, and support wider efforts to combat IWT in Liberia. Data should be exchange on an annual basis

▪ National government should provide support to all law enforcement personnel to combat IWT through: capacity building (training), logistics and equipment (vehicles, computers, cameras, scanners, etc.), research and data establishment and management, communication strengthening, and monitoring

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 34 and transboundary collaboration and coordination

▪ Conduct a nationwide IWT assessment that will take into consideration getting more information on plants and marine species of both fauna and flora

▪ Liberia be advised by USAID WABICC and Born Free USA on how to source more funding for combatting IWT

▪ Establish platforms on IWT for national and regional collaboration to permit discussions and actions across different State agencies beyond those responsible for nature and wildlife conservation, such as administration, finance, defense, and judiciary

▪ Build national government staff and other stakeholders’ capacity on IWT intelligence gathering techniques

▪ Establish functional and effective inter-state operational anti-poaching and anti-trafficking staff capable of carrying out activities in the different parts of Liberia

▪ Sensitize the general public and also specific groups through the creation of protocols of accord or toolkits for IWT

▪ Coordinate Liberia’s forest region investments and project baselines to track future donor funding commitments and activities with donor representatives, including embassy staff and other relevant agencies, to map ongoing and planned IWT investments, sequence, and de-conflict donors working in Liberia where coordination wildlife trafficking is limited

▪ Pilot donor strategic planning activities in one or more forested regions of Liberia

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 35 ANNEX 1: SCHEDULE OF THE ASSESSMENT

Monday, November 27th – Monrovia and Harbel ▪ Meeting with Forestry Development Authority/CITES Management Authority of Liberia ▪ Meeting with Customs Directorate/Liberia Revenue Authority at Roberts International Airport ▪ Meeting with Ministry of Commerce (Division of Trade) at Roberts International Airport ▪ Meeting with Security at Roberts International Airport ▪ Meeting with the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection

Tuesday, November 28th – Monrovia and Bushrod Island ▪ Meeting with National Police of Liberia and INTERPOL office ▪ Meeting with National Port Authority/Freeport of Monrovia ▪ Meeting with Security at Freeport of Monrovia ▪ Meeting with Bureau of National Fisheries

Wednesday, November 29th – Monrovia ▪ Group Meeting with Conservation International, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, Libassa Animal Rescue Centre, Tai-Grebo-Sapo Forest Complex (all BLETWG members)

Thursday, November 30th – Bo Waterside and Monrovia ▪ Meeting with Customs Directorate/Liberia Revenue Authority at Bo Waterside Border Post ▪ Meeting with National Police, Local Police, Ministry of Agriculture at Bo Waterside Border Post ▪ Visit to the Duala Market

Friday, December 1st – Monrovia ▪ Meeting with INTERPOL/Police Commissioner ▪ Visit to the Red Light Market ▪ Meeting with Customs Directorate/Liberia Revenue Authority at James Spriggs Payne Airport ▪ Meeting with Security at James Spriggs Payne Airport ▪ Meeting with University of Liberia Forestry Department/CITES Scientific Authority of Liberia

Saturday, December 2nd – Monrovia ▪ Visit to the Libassa Animal Rescue Centre ▪ Meeting with Fauna & Flora International

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 36 ANNEX 2: PARTICIPANTS INTERVIEWED DURING THE FIELD MISSION

Title Name Email and phone number Managing Director, Forestry Development Darlington S. Tuagben Email: [email protected] Authority (CITES Management Authority) Tel: +231 (0) 886 798 425 +231 (0) 776 194 210 Deputy Managing Director, Forestry Borwen L. Sayon Email: [email protected] Development Authority Tel: +231 (0) 886 620 712 +231 (0) 770 620 712 Law Enforcement Ranger, Forestry Abraham Gbassay Tel: +231 (0) 888 170 952 Development Authority, Bo Waterside Border Post Associate Dean of Forestry Department, Prof. John T. Woods Email: [email protected] University of Liberia (CITES Scientific Tel: +231 (0) 886 564 070 Authority) +231 (0) 770 564 070 Consultant, University of Liberia Samuel N. Koffa Email: [email protected] Tel: +231 (0) 886 592 329 Senior Collector, Customs/Liberia Peter J. Solo Email: [email protected] Revenue Authority, Roberts International Tel: +231 (0) 886 534 861 Airport Senior Collector, Customs/Liberia Jerry M. Dia Email: [email protected] Revenue Authority, Freeport of Monrovia [email protected] Tel: +231 (0) 880 434 628 +231 775 165 613 Senior Collector, Customs/Liberia Henry T. Tengbeh Tel: +231 (0) 886 463 715 Revenue Authority, Bo Waterside Border Post Junior Collector, Customs/Liberia Monnah Sarmie Tel: +231 (0) 886 528 816 Revenue Authority, Bo Waterside Border Post Port Coordinator Roberts International Arthur K. Nessian Tel: +231 (0) 886 534 861 Airport, Ministry of Commerce Acting Focal Person, Ministry of Kofa Togba Email: [email protected] Commerce Tel: +231 (0) 886 738 927 Senior Security Supervisor, Roberts Jeston B. Addy Jr. Email: addyjr.jestion.gmail.com International Airport Tel: +231 (0) 886 560 796 Cargo Security Supervisor, Roberts Archie T. Weefur Email: [email protected] International Airport Tel: +231 (0) 777 537 614

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 37 Administrative Manager, Liberia Airports Abraham A. Ajavon Email: [email protected] Authority [email protected] Tel: +231 (0) 770 555 080 +231 (0) 770 189 027 +231 (0) 770 142 116 Commissioner of Police for Crime Charles B. Blake Email: [email protected] Services Department (CSD) / Criminal Tel: +231 (0) 886 573 038 Investigation Department (CID) & +231 (0) 770 800 106 INTERPOL Affairs, Liberia National Police Chief of INTERPOL, Liberia National Theresa J. Grandoe Email: [email protected] Police Tel: +231 (0) 886 556 552 +231 770 800 257 +231 777 254 475 Deputy Chief of INTERPOL, Liberia Clement K. Wisseh Tel: +231 (0) 777 554 705 National Police National Security Officer, Liberia National G. Cary Karzon Tel: +231 (0) 777 266 419 Police Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) Officer, Allison Z. Souh Tel: +231 (0) 880 822 384 Liberia National Police D/Div/Ops, National Port Authority, Nathaniel K. Zoegar Email: [email protected] Freeport of Monrovia, Liberia Seaport Tel: +231 (0) 886 522 517 Authority Chief of Intelligence, National Port Myer Saysaw Email: [email protected] Authority Tel: +231 (0) 886 579 727 +231 (0) 777 603 104 Chief of Operations, National Port Andrew G. Dugbe Email: [email protected] Authority Tel: +231 (0) 886 517 209 Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) Patrick N. Davis Email: [email protected] Supervisor, Bureau of National Fisheries Tel: +231 (0) 776 137 274 Quality Director, Bureau of National Mildred Morris Email: [email protected] Fisheries Tel: +231 (0) 778 050 991 Managing Director, Airport Authority, Emmanuel Taplah Tel: +231 (0) 777 549 090 James Spriggs Payne Airport Founder, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Jenny Desmond Email: [email protected] Protection Tel: +231 (0) 770 479 183 Manager, Libassa Animal Rescue Centre Julie Vanassche Email: [email protected] Tel: +231 (0) 777 614 444 +231 (0) 881 118 211 Programme Manager (Maternity Cover), Michelle Klailova Email: [email protected] Fauna & Flora International Tel: +44 (0) 1223 747 666 County Director, Conservation Jessica D. Allen Email: [email protected] International Tel: +231 (0) 886 646 778 Country Director, PREDICT II Jim Desmond Email: [email protected] Tel: +231 (0) 776 147 565 Deputy Head of Mission, Tai-Grebo-Sapo Jan F. Broekhuis Email: [email protected] Forest Complex Tel: +231 (0) 881 118 060

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 38 ANNEX 3: NATIONAL PRIORITY ACTIONS IDENTIFIED AT THE ASSESSMENT REPORT VALIDATION WORKSHOP

Supporting Target and lead Priority Actions partners institutions Focal Area 1. Law enforcement and national level coordination Develop a strategy to combat poaching and wildlife EU, USAID, FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, trafficking UNODC, WB, WB, MOJ (LNP, LIS), LRA Establish a multi-agency national task force with CITES, IUCN, GEF sufficient resources and mandate Enhance co-ordination across agencies and UNODC, FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, organizations in fighting poaching and wildlife INTERPOL, CITES, MOJ (LNP, LIS), LRA, trafficking (i.e. implement coordinated multi-agency IUCN, GEF INTERPOL approach and strategic partnership), building on FDA’s performance-based reporting model with other agencies and neighboring countries. Set up information sharing and exchange EU, USAID, FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, mechanisms across national law enforcement UNODC, WB, LRA, MOJ/LNP/ INTERPOL, agencies (i.e. clearing house mechanisms) CITES, IUCN FIU Implement a multi-stakeholder approach that EU, USAID, FDA, EPA, Tourism and includes the private sector and local communities as UNODC, WB, Transport Associations/ well as government agencies CITES, Operatives, Oil Palm Companies, CBOs Focal Area 2: Law enforcement: Capacity building, awareness raising, data collection and dissemination Build internal capacity across relevant law EU, USAID, WB, FDA, MOJ (LNP, LIS), LRA, enforcement agencies, such as strengthening FDA CITES, UNODC, MoA, NaFAA capacity in the intelligence section, PAM Division, INTERPOL awareness and Ecotourism, and Wildlife Divisions of the FDA, Law Enforcement Division, improving detection capacity on poaching and wildlife trade and trafficking, strengthening wildlife crime investigations capacity Strengthen capacity for wildlife crime investigations EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MoA, NaFAA, and crime scene/ evidence management IUCN, CITES, JUDICIARY UNODC, INTERPOL

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 39 Strengthen/improve capacity for prosecution, EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, NaFAA, litigation and judiciary CITES, IUCN Judiciary, MOJ (LNP, LIS), CSOs Raise capacity of key stakeholders (local EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MOJ (LNP, LIS), communities, law enforcement officers, key CITES, WCS, LRA, FFI, CI, WCF, SWGL, government agencies) to identify key species in Academia (University SCNL, CSOs/CBOs trade of Liberia, Cuttington University, Stella Maris, AMEU, UMU, etc. Identify and mandate nationally- recognized experts EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MOJ (LNP, LIS), in particular taxa who can serve as resources for CITES, WCS, LRA, FFI, CI, WCF, SWGL, different agencies Academia (University SCNL, CSOs/ CBOs of Liberia, Cuttington University, Stella Maris, AMEU, UMU, etc. Document and disseminate information on the EU, USAID, WB, Tourist/ tourism and species in legal and illegal trade for all concerned CITES, FDA, FFI, CI, Transport Associations/ stakeholders (local communities, law enforcement Born Free USA, operatives, Private officers, key government agencies) WCF, SCNL IUCN, companies (i.e. MRU, ECOWAS, logistics/freight forwarders), AU, CBD LNP, INREPOL, UNODC, Judiciary, LRA, CSOs Focal Area 3: Law enforcement: methods and tools Adopt the use of modern technology for combating EU, USAID, FDA, LNP/INTERPOL, LIS, poaching and wildlife trade and trafficking UNODC, Born Free, EPA, LRA, MFDP, Sea and CITES, GRASP, CI, Airport Authorities FFI, WCF Enable and support wildlife crime courts and EU, USAID, FDA, Judiciary, EPA, MOJ, specialized wildlife crime prosecutors UNODC, WB, LNP, LIS, CJPS USFWS/ARCUS Foundation, NSWG, UNODC Secure adequate funding to support and expand EU, USAID, FDA, FIU, MOJ (LNP, LIS) incentive-based intelligence networks (i.e. incentives UNODC, UKAID, and contributions for intelligence information USFWS/OLE, systems) UNODC, LWOB, NWC, NRCN Establish a fully-fledged joint investigation at FDA Intelligence Agencies FDA, FIU, MOJ (LNP, LIS) of donor countries, UNODC and INTERPOL Establish a forensic lab at FDA through MFDP WB. EU, UNODC, FDA, FIU, LIS, MOJ (LNP, (depending on funding and further evaluation) and WB, CITES, LIS) establish collaborative agreements with existing INTERPOL, Born forensic labs in the region (MRU) Free USA Use modern information technology in CITES FDA, LNP, MOJ, MFDP, investigations LRA, EPA, FIU, LIS, NaFAA

Focal Area 4: Law Enforcement: Policy / legislation

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 40 Undertake necessary legislative and policy reforms CITES, EPI, FDA, MOJ, JUDICIARY, to ensure that sentences serve as deterrents and to INTERPOL House of Legislation, FIU remove loopholes Develop or strengthen standard prosecutors and CITES and FDA FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, sentencing guidelines for judges/magistrates in MOJ, LNP, LIS, FIU, LRA, wildlife crime JUDICIARY Disseminate all relevant laws and policies CITES, INTERPOL, MOJ, LNP, LIS, FIU, URA, concerning wildlife to all stakeholders EPA, NaFAA, MOJ, JUDICIARY, MICAT FDA Focal Area 5: Ivory stock and other specimen management Improve ivory stock management and security, CITES and UNODC FDA, FDA, MOT, LRA, including exploring the possibility of a central, LNP/INTERPOL secure ivory stockpile, in consultation with all relevant agencies Explore ways to improve the handling of exhibits in CITES, INTERPOL, FDA, JUDICIARY, EPA, court cases in order to reduce the security burden NSWG, USAID, NaFAA, LRA, LIS of managing high-value exhibits UNODC LNP/INTERPOL, FIU

Develop standard operating procedures for handling CITES, INTERPOL, MOJ, NaFAA, EPA, FDA, exhibits MOJ, USAID, LRA, FIU NSWG, UNODC Focal Area 6: Wildlife trade/trafficking and seizures information management Ensure harmonization and cross-referencing across CITES, UNODC, FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, different databases (seizures and illegal trade, legal INTERPOL LRA, LNP, LIS, FIU, LISGIS, trade, CITES database, court cases, financial MFDP investigation files kept by FDA, LRA, LNP, FIU, LISGIS, MFDP) so that data is: • consistent with Liberia’s international reporting requirements • available to a wide range of stakeholders Explore the possibility of a central data clearing- EU, USAID, FDA, LRA, EPA, NaFAA, house to ensure that relevant data is available to all UNODC, WB, LISGIS, MFDP, Judiciary, stakeholders CITES FIU, LNP, LIS, MoA, SWGL Broaden data collection protocols for wildlife CITES, UNODC FDA, LRA, EPA, NaFAA, exports in order to record a greater level of detail LISGIS, MFDP, Judiciary, on wildlife trade recorded through Liberia Institute FIU, LNP, LIS, MoA, SWGL of Statistics and of Geo-Information Services Bureau of Statistics (LISGIS) Undertake an analysis of data sources, information CITES, UNODC FDA, LRA, EPA, NaFAA, available, and gaps in information needs and use. LISGIS, MFDP, Judiciary, FIU, LNP, LIS, MoA, SWGL Establish a mechanism for sharing, dissemination and CITES, UNODC FDA, LRA, EPA, NaFAA, feedback of data and information from identified LISGIS, MFDP, Judiciary, stakeholders FIU, LNP, MoA, SWGL Minimize the number of data returns – rationalize CITES, UNODC FDA, LRA, EPA, NaFAA, information collection and distribution, including LISGIS, MFDP, Judiciary, paths of data flow FIU, LNP, LIS, MoA, SWGL Focal Area 7: Partnering with local communities Identify and implement incentive mechanisms CITES, NGOs FDA, MIA, CSOs, Local

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 41 (besides the current or in addition to the current Coalition, SCNL FFI, Governments, CBOs benefit sharing) to enhance engagement of local USAID, WB, CI, communities in anti-poaching and combating of WCF, USAID, EPI wildlife trafficking Address human-wildlife conflict interventions CITES, NGOs FDA, MIA, CSOs, Local Coalition, SCNL FFI, Governments, CBOs, MoA, USAID, WB, CI, NaFAA , MFDP WCF, USAID, EPI Ensure clarity of messages at the local community CITES, IUCN, Local government, CBOs, level regarding legal vs. illegal harvesting USAID, EU FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, MFDP Focal Area 8: Education and awareness Undertake targeted awareness programs about EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, NaFAA, LNP, poaching and wildlife trafficking for Judiciary, police, CITES, UNODC, CI, LRA, MOE, Judiciary LRA, Customs & immigration (and any other WCF, FFI, UNODC relevant law enforcement agency) Raise political awareness of poaching and wildlife EU, USAID, WB, FDA MD, EPA ED, Minister trafficking, particularly at parliamentary and cabinet CITES, UNODC, CI, of Finance level WCF, FFI, UNODC

Raise public awareness of the cultural and economic EU, USAID, WB, Public, media, public relation importance of Uganda’s wildlife and the impact of CITES, UNODC, CI, offices of main Ministries wildlife crime on this natural capital WCF, FFI, UNODC and agencies

Focal area 9; Transboundary and regional cooperation Harmonize legislation (particularly penalties) and CITES, LATF, MRU, EPA, FDA, NaFAA, MOJ, policies across borders ECOWAS, AU Judiciary, MFA, Transboundary organizations/ bodies Integrate national-level priority actions into the CITES, Permanent FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ, implementation plan of the African Union’s African Representatives NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA Strategy on Combating Illegal Exploitation and Illegal Committee of the Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa AU, LATF, ABIDJAN Convention Secretariat, AEC, EPI Explore mechanisms for enhanced co-ordination CITES, USAID, MRU FDA, EPA, NaFAA, MoA, through the structures, mechanisms, policies and and, ECOWAS MFA strategies of the ECOWAS and Mano River Union Secretariat states and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Identify and implement best practices from Sierra CITES, Sierra Leone, FDA, EPA, MFDP, NaFAA, Leone, Cote d`Ivoire and Guinea and other west Cote d`Ivoire, INTERPOL, Judiciary, African states Guinea, biodiversity Transboundary conservation, Organizations Wildlife and environmental management Authorities Focal Area 10: Resources, logistics and Finance mobilization and management

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 42 Mobilize needed logistics to support IWT programs EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ, and activities CITES, UNODC, CI, NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA, WCF, FFI, UNODC MFDP Publicize IWT support and activities nationally EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ, CITES, UNODC, CI, NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA, WCF, FFI, UNODC MFDP Guide Liberia institution on priorities and trends EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ, and hence on where they should channel their CITES, UNODC, CI, NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA, support WCF, FFI, UNODC MFDP Providing timely documentation – progress and EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ, accountability reports CITES, UNODC, CI, NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA, WCF, FFI, UNODC MFDP Focal Area 11: Monitoring and evaluation of national wildlife trade and trafficking programs and Activities Form a consortium at the national level that will EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ, focus on the regional and international enforcement, ECOWAS, MRU, NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA, commitment, public-private partnership and UNODC MFDP coordination Strengthen enforcement and compliance capacity by EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ (LNP, encouraging all citizens to use its wildlife wisely ECOWAS, MRU, LIS), Judiciary, NaFAA, UNODC SWGL, MoA, MFA, MFDP Prioritize wild life trade and trafficking and EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ (LNP, strengthen law enforcement agencies to prevent, ECOWAS, MRU, LIS), NaFAA, Judiciary, investigate and prosecute wildlife crimes and reduce UNODC INTERPOL, SWGL, MoA, the demand for illegal wildlife products in Liberia MFDP

Develop a national wildlife and forest crime EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ (LNP, analytical toolkit ECOWAS, MRU LIS), INTERPOL, NaFAA, SWGL, MoA, MFA, MFDP Support community-based wildlife conservation EU, USAID, WB, FDA, EPA, MFA, MOJ (LNP, ECOWAS, MRU, FFI, LIS), Judiciary, NaFAA, CI, WCF, UNODC SWGL, MoA, MFDP

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 43 ANNEX 4: FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ /RESOLUTION ON ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AND THREATS ASSESSMENT REPORT WORKSHOP FOR LIBERIA

We, the Participants, Inter-governmental institutions, Conservation partners, donors and Civil Society Organizations, academia and research institutes; Having met in Monrovia, Liberia, within the Corina Hotel Conference Room on the 28th day of September 2018 on the occasion of the Draft Report validation on Liberia Wildlife Trafficking and Threat Assessment with theme entitled” Understanding Threats to West African Biodiversity and Linkages to Wildlife Trafficking; Aware that wild fauna and flora species from Liberia form an integral and irreplaceable part of humanity’s natural heritage and must be protected for future generations; Recognizing that numerous fauna and flora species in the Liberia, sub regions and global community are threatened with extinction as a result of consumption, illegal exploitation and illegal trade, including assorted threatened species listed on CITES and/or IUCN Redlist such as Western Chimpanzees, African Forest Elephant, Pygmy Hippopotamus, Pangolins, crocodiles, assorted bird species, sharks and sea turtles among others; Recalling the United Nations Convention on the Law of Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which provides the legal framework; However, despite high-level recognition of the problem, the emphasis in solutions to date has been largely on strengthening law enforcement efforts and reducing consumer demand for illicitly sourced wildlife commodities. Considerably less emphasis has been placed on the role of the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities who live with wildlife; Recalling that illegal wildlife trade has an enormous impact on such people, who are affected by insecurity and the depletion of important livelihood and economic assets, while often being excluded from the benefits of conservation. They can also be very negatively affected by heavy-handed, militarized responses to wildlife crime that frequently make little distinction between the illegal activities driven by large scale profits—crimes of greed—versus those driven by poverty—crimes of need;

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 44 Recalling the African strategy on combating illegal exploitation of and illicit trade in wild fauna and flora in Africa, adopted in 2015, in particular its provisions concerning the illicit trade in fisheries products and other marine species; Recalling Cop 17 Doc. 30 P-1and the 2016 African Wildlife crime enforcement support in West and Central Africa and development of CITES demand-reduction guidelines; Strongly supporting the Abuja Recommendations on the Development of a Coordinated Counter Wildlife Trafficking Response in West Africa endorsed by ECOWAS on 4 July 2018; Recalling Decision CoP.12/14 that encourages partners to support an assessment of the capture for commercial purposes terrestrial and aquatic mammals, reptiles and amphibians and to collect data on the origins of the live species, meat and specimen used for pet, consumption and trade, on the traditional nature of the captures and consumption and the extent of the domestic and external trade; Considering recommendation of Born Free Hired under USAID /WA BICC to Conduct a national validation of the Assessment Study Report with relevant institutions and partners, to develop a plan of action to combat illegal wildlife trade, illicit trafficking, consumption and other uses of protected, endangered and/or vulnerable terrestrial, marine and coastal fauna and flora; We hereby approve the creation of a partnership mission of which is “To directly support implementation of the African Common Strategy on Combating Illegal Exploitation and Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa by addressing the issue of trade, capture, consumption and other uses of species, including threatened and/or protected terrestrial and aquatic species across Liberia, through coordinated, collaborative and effective action at local, national, We, the participants express our gratitude and thanks to the FDA, other relevant government institutions and people of Liberia, Born Free USA, participants, international and national conservation partners, and donors for your hospitality and support, Moreover, The Forestry Development Authority Management extends its thanks and appreciation to Born Free USA and USAID-WABiCC for their active involvement and support for the successful organization of this assessment and compilation of Report entitled “Understanding Threads to West African Biodiversity and Linkages to Wildlife Trafficking » National Validation Workshop held on this 28th day of September 2018 within the Conference Room of the Corina Hotel, Monrovia, Liberia. And we recommend the below:

• Development of legal Framework for managing IWT in Liberia

• Development of Framework for interagency collaboration and coordination for IWT nationally

• Strengthen Law enforcement in order to control, and increase the capacity for identification of species and specimens

• Finance and establish the use of modern tools and technologies for identification, detection of smuggled items and safe storage of collected evidence

• Review current legislation and make sure that new, stricter provisions are promulgated and enforced

• Data harmonization and sharing among national institutions

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 45 • Establish relevant co-operation and involvement mechanisms to partner with local communities and ensure that they share the benefits of wildlife conservation, and play an active role in local management initiatives

• Promote wildlife conservation through organizing targeted educational and awareness programmes for sector operators, high-level political leaders, and the general public

• Promote transboundary cooperation, through the establishment, for example, initiate Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and other types of agreements to strengthen information sharing and the coordinated organization of anti-poaching/anti-trafficking actions and operations

• Formulate a platform for national stakeholders’ engagement and conduct nationwide awareness for IWT

• Create a mechanism for strengthening publicity, education and awareness on IWT

• Revisit existing laws on wildlife to meet CITES Standards

• Develop regulations and standard operating procedures and distribute to relevant stakeholders for action and implementation on IWT

• Conduct training/capacity building of relevant stakeholders for effective enforcement on IWT

• National government should provide support to all laws enforcement personnel to combat illegal wildlife trade

• Conduct stakeholders’ analysis on IWT nationally

• Include missing stakeholders in the Law Enforcement Sub-committee of the Species Working Working Group of Liberia (SWGL) for achieving IWT goals in Liberia

• Develop questionnaire to know first hand perceived roles and responsibilities of each stakeholders working on IWT

• Hold workshop with stakeholders to clarify roles and responsibilities for managing driving IWT programs in Liberia

• Identify knowledge gaps and develop training modules on IWT nationally

• Increase awareness and Conduct behavioral change assessment

• Update and validate list of protected Fauna, Flora, aquatic and species for successful IWT implementation and monitoring.

We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the FDA, other relevant government institutions and people of Liberia, Born Free USA, participants, international and national conservation partners, and donors for your cordial hospitality and support, Moreover, The Forestry Development Authority Management extends its thanks and appreciation to Born Free USA and USAID-WABiCC for their active involvement and support for the successful organization of this assessment and compilation of Report entitled “ Understanding Threats to West African Biodiversity and Linkages to Wildlife Trafficking » National Validation Workshop held on this 28th day of September 2018 within the Conference Room of the Corina Hotel, Monrovia, Liberia.

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UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 47

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 Tel: (202) 712-0000 Fax: (202) 216-3524 www.usaid.gov

UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | LIBERIA 48