WILDLIFE CRIME INITIATIVE Annual Update 2015 WILDLIFE CRIME INITIATIVE

WILDLIFE CRIME INITIATIVE: YEAR 1 LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS WILDLIFE CRIME IS

A SERIOUS CRIME and African rhinos. But there are VE Y R A H

some encouraging signs that the TI N

R global movement and actions we have A galvanized to combat wildlife crime are

Illegal undermines the rule of law and threatens © WWF / M “ numbers are inching up in national security; it degrades ecosystems and is a major obstacle some states, as are greater one- horned rhinos in and . In 2013, we saw a slight leveling off in to sustainably manage their natural resources. Combatting the of African elephants, although the numbers are still unacceptably high. Countering wildlife sustainable development, it will contribute to achieving peace crime has also been expanding more rapidly than any other environmental by these illegal activities. I urge all consumers, suppliers and sector in recent years. governments to treat crimes against wildlife as a threat to our Tackling transnational organized wildlife sustainable future. It’s time to get serious about wildlife crime. ” by all partners – and governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil The Wildlife Crime Initiative Following on from the successes of society groups and the private sector the WWF/TRAFFIC Illegal Wildlife was launched in June 2014 respect and trust WWF and TRAFFIC to Trade Campaign, it was clear that we — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, March 2015 and this update outlines the help them lead the way.

considerable progress made in to consolidate the political momentum WWF and TRAFFIC are helping and societal concern generated by the campaign. So we designed and initiated head-on by working closely with law a 10-year collaborative programme of enforcement. We are also developing work – the WWF and TRAFFIC Wildlife best practice models for widespread Crime Initiative (WCI). replication by promoting solutions that are sustainable and driven by the The WCI is now rolling out a strong stakeholders themselves. and catalytic body of work across the globe to help stamp out wildlife Everywhere there is a wildlife crime Front cover crime through the shared vision and problem we have found allies and expertise of WWF and TRAFFIC. The forged alliances that are going to from poachers in a conservancy in Kenya. four WCI thematic pillars (poaching, last. From local community stewards © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF in Namibia to the US and Chinese ahead with strong implementation of presidents, the WCI has made its mark. — Elisabeth McLellan Produced by WWF and TRAFFIC Wildlife Crime Initiative activities, founded on long-standing WWF co-lead Wildlife We have personally seen how the Published in December 2015 by WWF and TRAFFIC. partnerships with governments, the WCI has helped with penalties being Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the Crime Initiative private sector and civil society. strengthened, crime networks being title and credit the above mentioned publishers as the The WCI has taken full advantage of disrupted, consumers rejecting illegal copyright owners. critical emerging opportunities, while products, and wildlife being saved © TEXT 2015 WWF AND TRAFFIC leveraging the combined strengths from poachers’ snares, bullets and of the wider WWF and TRAFFIC poison. You will read in this report Proposed citation: McLellan, E.; Allan, C. (2015). networks. It is too early to say what how far-reaching our work is and how Wildlife Crime Initiative Annual Update 2015. WWF and — Crawford Allan impact the WCI is having on actual much hope we have for the future. It TRAFFIC, Gland, Switzerland TRAFFIC co-lead Wildlife numbers of some of our priority Design by catalyze communications Crime Initiative species, such as African elephants best start possible.

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WHAT IS THE WILDLIFE CRIME INITIATIVE? THEORY OF CHANGE The WCI will contribute to a sustained reduction in the illegal wildlife trade by making it much harder for criminals to succeed and by undermining their motivations – at which point they will VISION turn their attention away from the illicit trade that is driving the poaching crisis. A world where governments and institutions have reduced to negligible levels the catastrophic impacts of wildlife crime on biodiversity and the destabilizing impact of wildlife crime on rule of law and development, enabling wildlife populations to REDUCED POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADE IN PRIORITY SPECIES thrive with continuing benefits to local communities.

GOAL By 2024, the impact of wildlife crime (poaching, trafficking and demand for illegal products) on the REDUCE MOTIVATION FOR CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT IN POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADE conservation targets will be halved.

The Wildlife Crime Initiative (WCI) is a long-term, collaborative initiative between WWF and TRAFFIC INCREASE THE EFFORT INCREASE THE INDIRECT AND REDUCE THE REWARDS to help tackle the unprecedented surge in large-scale, CRIMINALS NEED TO MAKE DIRECT RISKS FOR CRIMINALS FOR CRIMINALS transnational organized wildlife crime.

Launched in June 2014, the WCI will play a 2014 key role over the next decade in international Protection/ Community Law Seize Consumer The Wildlife Crime efforts to address the global poaching crisis by Private sector Visibility and conservation support for enforcement, criminal demand Initiative was launched avoidance exposure expanding the scope and impact of TRAFFIC at source conservation judicial action assets reduction and WWF’s work on wildlife crime. Focusing on four key pillars – stop the poaching, 10 YEAR stop the trafficking, stop the buying and Expanded international policy – the WCI is working in GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY commitment by WWF concert with a wide and growing number of and TRAFFIC external partners, including governments, UN agencies, other NGOs and the private sector. It aims to foster innovative approaches at local, 2024 national and global levels, help catalyse systemic 1 2 3 4 Halving the impact of change, and support governments, businesses, wildlife crime on iconic and consumers to implement the steps necessary species to reduce poaching, trafficking and the global demand for illegal wildlife products. STOP THE POACHING STOP THE TRAFFICKING STOP THE BUYING INTERNATIONAL POLICY By strategically using each organization’s specific skills and resources, and pursuing this cohesive Helping strengthen field Supporting actions to Motivating consumer Mobilizing policy pressure, and collaborative approach, WWF and TRAFFIC protection, conservation and suppress illegal trade behavioural change ensuring transparency and will significantly enhance their collective wildlife stewardship and smuggling to reduce demand compliance contribution towards global efforts to curtail the poaching and illegal wildlife trade crisis. © WWF / JAMES MORGAN

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TIGER NUMBERS TICKING UP Effective anti-poaching measures have REDUCING ILLEGAL IVORY IN OPERATION COBRA III contributed to rising tiger numbers in India, On the policy front, China announced that it The largest ever international law Russia and , along with enhanced would eventually phase out its domestic ivory enforcement operation against community stewardship and greater trade. Meanwhile, TRAFFIC worked with the JUST THE START: wildlife crime was coordinated habitat protection. But are facing a private sector to develop new approaches to across 62 countries in Africa, Asia, deepening crisis in Southeast Asia. tackling illegal wildlife trade through innovative Europe and America. Involving collaborations such as those with Alibaba, which SIGNIFICANT SUCCESSES numerous organizations, including facilitates 80 percent of online trade in China. the Lusaka Agreement Task Force, Europol and Interpol, it resulted in 300 arrests and the seizure of 600 PROVE THAT PROGRESS illegal wildlife shipments. IS POSSIBLE

WORLD UNITES AGAINST WILDLIFE CRIME The first-ever UN General Assembly resolution tackling illegal wildlife trade was adopted by all 193 UN member states. WWF and TRAFFIC helped to ensure passage of this historic HAULING THE TRANSPORT resolution, which marks a SECTOR INTO THE FOLD new phase in the fight against TRAFFIC, IUCN, USAID and wildlife crime. the World Customs Organization facilitated a landmark international workshop for the transport sector on combating illegal wildlife trade in Bangkok. WILDLIFE CRIME BECOMES A SERIOUS CRIME Meanwhile, in China, TRAFFIC The 13th UN Crime Congress represented convened a meeting at which 17 another major advance in international leading courier companies and recognition of the seriousness of wildlife crime. the China post office made a The Doha Declaration called on states to public pledge of zero tolerance This is not a typical annual take wide-ranging measures to counter illegal towards illegal wildlife trade. update. While it focusses wildlife trade and boost global efforts to tackle primarily on the considerable transnational organized . strides that the WCI has taken ZERO POACHING NOT ZERO WILDLIFE in its first year, it also highlights All 13 tiger range states endorsed the some of the key achievements in Zero Poaching framework at a summit the global fight against wildlife in Nepal. The approach has been shown crime that may not have had to work in Nepal, which registered direct WCI involvement, but are another year without losing a single a consequence of the high-level rhino to poachers – the third since 2011. political momentum generated by the successful WWF/TRAFFIC USING CHI TO SAVE RHINOS Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign BURNING WITH INTENT IN BRAZZAVILLE A major campaign based on the ‘strength of Chi’ in 2012-13 – momentum that was launched by TRAFFIC with support from the the WCI is striving to sustain to The international conference on the illegal exploitation and illegal trade of African wildlife and Vietnamese CITES Management Authority to reduce catalyse further global action. TRANSFORMING ’S IVORY MARKET flora was the first major summit on wildlife crime demand for rhino horn in Viet Nam by targeting to be organized by Africa for Africa. It drafted the As part of a series of positive steps, Thailand those who purchase rhino horn as a status symbol. first -African strategy to combat wildlife crime. passed the Elephant Ivory Act, which The authorities symbolically burned a stockpile of regulated its domestic ivory market for the illegal ivory during the event. first time. Over 44,000 people subsequently registered more than 220 tonnes of ivory. Meanwhile, 1.3 million Thais supported a WWF anti-ivory campaign.

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STOP THE POACHING

“Faced with today’s global poaching crisis, we needed an innovative and comprehensive anti-poaching strategy to unite and inspire partners and governments. The answer: the Zero Poaching framework. The brainchild of the WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, the framework was launched at the Towards Zero Poaching Symposium in Nepal in February 2015, where it was endorsed by the governments of all 13 tiger range states as well as a host of key partners. Our stop the poaching pillar will now focus on helping to finalize a zero poaching toolkit and advocate for countries to adopt the framework. The pillar will also support implementation of the framework in WWF priority sites through a growing list of new tools, techniques and technology.”

— Barney Long WWF-US Director Species Conservation Programme and Lead, Stop the Poaching pillar

© OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF

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1 3 GOAL 13 COUNTRIES THAT HAVE ENDORSED By 2018, reduce poaching of flagship ZERO POACHING species by at least one third from 2013 STOP THE , Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, levels within at least 30 priority land Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, and seascapes. Russia, Thailand, and Viet Nam. POACHING UNODC and CITES participated in the Zero Poaching symposium. Both are keen to partner with WWF and TRAFFIC to replicate it in other regions.

ASSESSMENT CAPACITY

Newly developed Protection Audits BRIDGING THE GAP TO ACHIEVE ZERO POACHING The WCI has focused on institutionalizing provide a snapshot of how prepared competency-based training for rangers, a site is to prevent poaching from a including forming a partnership with the protection perspective. The audits will Southern African Wildlife College. contribute to global datasets and provide Discussions have begun with the evidence for recommendations on ranger International Labour Organization on how to welfare and the state of protection efforts. secure global recommendations on ranger Conservation Assured provides working conditions by 2020. Data are independent, professional standards being gathered on the laws, funding and and verification systems to determine PRESENT FUTURE employment conditions relating to rangers. if those standards are being met in The Ranger Federation of Asia – an priority sites. Building on the successful association of rangers, wildlife wardens, rollout of CA|TS (Conservation Assured forest guards, foresters, scouts, watchers Tiger Standards) by WWF and partners, and other frontline field staff – was Conservation Assured is a wider established by WWF in partnership with programme for highly threatened species, International Ranger Federation and particularly those at risk from poaching. PAMS Foundation.

TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY The Spatial Monitoring and Reporting The WCI is using the emerging field of Tool (SMART) is now the leading conservation criminology to develop law enforcement monitoring tool a community-based approach to in conservation areas and is being conservation crime prevention. WWF implemented in over 180 sites in 26 has been working with Michigan State countries. The global SMART partnership University to develop tools to better was strengthened by the participation of understand community perceptions, and Panthera and Peace Parks Foundation. to help rangers to proactively tackle In partnership with United for Wildlife, ASSESSMENT TECHNOLOGY CAPACITY COMMUNITY PROSECUTION COOPERATION problems. WWF has tested this approach an online platform is being designed in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in to provide access to data and lessons Indonesia with positive results. learned from the widespread use of new Involving a wide range of partners, the technology for . This CONDUCT USE THE BEST INCREASE ENGAGE IMPROVE SHARE REGULAR AVAILABLE FIELD STAFF’S WITH LOCAL APPROACHES INFORMATION Beyond Enforcement symposium in will enable conservationists to develop and EFFECTIVENESS TOOLS AND ABILITY COMMUNITIES FOR REGIONALLY AND South Africa recommended ways to implement effective technology-enabled ASSESSMENTS TECHNOLOGIES TO PROTECT PROSECUTION NATIONALLY WILDLIFE engage communities in the fight against solutions to conservation challenges. the illegal wildlife trade.

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ZERO POACHING TURTLE TRAFFICKING OR ZERO WILDLIFE A global report in 2014 highlighted the extent of the illegal trade in marine turtles for their meat, shell and eggs, particularly in Southeast Asia and parts of East Africa. And the trade is expanding. Nepal – Showing the world the way RHINOS UNDER SIEGE Despite a major response from the government and others, rhino poaching in South Africa is escalating. Namibia is also facing an alarming surge. THREE TIMES SINCE 2011, NEPAL HAS NOT LOST A SINGLE RHINO TO POACHERS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR. 2007-2014 RHINO POACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA © WWF / JAMES MORGAN INCREASES >9,300%

4th LARGEST TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 13 83 122 333 448 668 1004 1215 IN THE WORLD 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

© SUMANTH KUDUVALLI / FELIS CREATIONS / WWF DRUG 1 TRAFFICKING TWO HALVES TO THE STORY A decade ago, Nepal was losing Tiger numbers are ticking the poaching war. Rhino numbers GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR IMPLEMENTATION up in some countries, plummeted by a quarter between COUNTERFEIT To assist other countries to achieve zero but poaching remains 2 2000 and 2005. Tigers and elephants poaching, the WCI has developed a set of GOODS a constant threat to the were also targeted since poachers WWF anti-poaching guidelines to support TRAFFICKING survival of the species. were able to operate with impunity in the implementation of all six pillars of the major parks, putting the future the Zero Poaching framework. These of the country’s iconic species at risk. guidelines outline the type of approaches But fast forward to today and the that should be pursued if zero poaching HUMAN 3 battle is being won. is to be achieved. WWF will work with TRAFFICKING © WWF / NATUREPL.COM / EDWIN GIESBERS © NABIN BARAL / WWF-NEPAL governments and other partners to The fight back began in November implement them in priority sites. 2006 when the government launched conservationists, NGOs like Operation Unicornis with support from WWF and the active involvement KEEPING TRACK OF PROGRESS WWF-Nepal. Its goal was simple, yet of local communities. Indeed, The WCI has drafted a Wildlife Crime WILDLIFE ELEPHANT CATASTROPHE 4 ambitious: Zero Poaching of rhinos. Nepal’s achievement validates the Prevention Framework to monitor TRAFFICKING IN TANZANIA And it worked. Three times since 2011, thinking behind the Zero Poaching implementation of all six pillars of Government figures show that Nepal has not lost a single rhino to framework since it was only the Zero Poaching framework. This the country lost 60% of its poachers over the course of a year. And accomplished by tackling a range innovative tool will enable the Stop the elephants in 5 years. Half of once, no tigers and elephants were of weaknesses in the anti-poaching Poaching pillar to demonstrate the impact Mozambique’s elephants were killed either. system – all of which fall under one of our work through changes in species Estimated revenues from wildlife also poached during the same of the framework’s six pillars. populations and track progress towards trafficking, including the vast trade in period. This remarkable success is based zero poaching at the site, national, and on high-level political will, the The WCI is designed to support other illegal timber and fisheries resources, landscape level. place it fourth on the list of transnational tireless dedication of rangers and countries to follow Nepal’s lead. criminal activities. © WWF / NATUREPL.COM / BRUCE DAVIDSON

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STOP THE TRAFFICKING

“We have made major progress in relation to trafficking since the launch of the WCI, and particularly during the last six months. Our specialist skills and expertise are increasingly being recognized, from TRAFFIC being granted the lead role in the pivotal ROUTES project funded by the US government to Etihad Airways asking us to conduct training on illicit wildlife trade. And thanks to a successful training session in South Africa, key TRAFFIC and WWF staff now have the skills to ensure improved data collection and analysis in all regions. This is critical because better data boost countries’ ability to seize illegal wildlife shipments, and close down or seriously disrupt criminal trade routes.”

— Peter Bowles Lead, Stop the Trafficking Pillar, Wildlife Crime Initiative

JANPAI ONGSIRIWITTAYA, WWF-THAILAND WILDLIFE TRADE CAMPAIGN MANAGER © WWF-THAILAND

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The WCI Stop the Trafficking pillar aims to stem the flow of illegal wildlife products by working with governments, law enforcement bodies and the private sector with a combination of intelligence systems, technology, early warning alerts, corporate protocols and capacity building. And it has already accomplished an inspiring amount of work.

TRAINING TO TACKLE AFRICA’S TRAFFICKERS The government of Zanzibar requested the support of TRAFFIC to train customs and wildlife enforcement personnel at its sea and airports. It was the first time the Zanzibar government had ever asked an NGO to assist in this field. © SHALEEN ATTRE / TRAFFIC / ATTRE © SHALEEN In Central Africa, TRAFFIC ran a regional workshop on ivory trafficking and reporting seizures through the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) for 46 wildlife control and law enforcement agents from Cameroon, Gabon, SNIFFING OUT WILDLIFE CRIME Republic of Congo, DRC and CAR. In India, 14 sniffer dogs and their 28 army handlers completed their training in June 2015 with support from TRAFFIC – bringing the total number in the THE STOP THE TRAFFICKING country to 25. The newly trained dogs will be deployed in seven tiger zones across India. After PILLAR HAS PRIORITIZED KEY TRAFFIC raised the issue, German customs TRAFFICKING CHAINS agreed to provide ten breeding dogs to China’s customs to expand their sniffer dog programme. ALAIN ONONINO / WWF © Ivory and rhino horn between Africa and Asia; tiger and rhino trade chains within Asia; and marine turtle products LOW AND HIGH-TECH HELP IN SOUTHEAST ASIA from Southeast Asia and Madagascar to TRAFFIC produced awareness posters for China. This map highlights key chains, Malaysia’s anti-smuggling unit highlighting offences and penalties for wildlife crime. it does not show all trafficking routes. CATALYSING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION The Thai government and TRAFFIC collaborated WWF and TRAFFIC worked with the Cameroonian on the forensic DNA examination of ivory products government to collect and securely store from local markets to assess their origin. African confiscated ivory stockpiles that were held in STOP THE elephant ivory was found to account for a majority courts around the country. The first two missions of the items tested. to eastern Cameroon secured 173 ivory tusks and pieces weighing almost half a tonne. Two court © WWF-THAILAND registrars were also remanded in prison based on TRAFFICKING ENHANCING ENFORCEMENT IN CHINA uncovered evidence of missing ivory. With support from TRAFFIC, the Ningxia forest police launched a major drive against wildlife crime resulting in numerous cases and the seizure 1 GOAL of ivory and rhino horn products. TRAFFIC was 3 then asked to assist the forest police of Gansu, By 2018, trafficking of key illegal Qinghai, Sichuan and the Tibetan Autonomous wildlife products for which trade is Region to combat illegal wildlife trade. already being monitored (ivory, rhino TRAFFIC supported the training of China’s horn, tiger parts and marine turtle National Inter-agency CITES Enforcement Coordination Group. The training contributed to products) is reduced by at least one- the success of Operation Cobra III in China with third from baseline levels. dozens of illegal wildlife products being seized.

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The WCI is committed to working with INCREASING THE AND INCREASING THE partners to force organized wildlife crime syndicates to take far greater risks for much lower rewards. It is a critical component of EFFORT CRIMINALS ONLINE AND ON THE STREETS: RISKS THEY FACE the initiative’s theory of change. KEEPING AN EYE ON THE TRADE But the WCI is just one player and part of the overall NEED TO MAKE A TRAFFIC report Moving targets: approach to raising the stakes is publicizing the Tracking online sales of illegal wildlife achievements of governments, international bodies and products in China highlighted how co- partners even when they are not directly WCI-related. operation between TRAFFIC, enforcement departments and e-commerce platforms has led to a reduction of illegal wildlife trade through e-commerce platforms in China. It also uncovered a shift towards trading on social media. Better information has contributed to a major drop In Viet Nam, TRAFFIC e-commerce POLICE in rhino poaching in India. surveys found that private site-owners are actively deterring the online trade in rhino horn on their sites. CUSTOMS CRACKING DOWN YOU WIN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME Thailand seized two of its largest ever Along with over a tonne of ivory, Preliminary results from ivory market shipments of illegal ivory in 2015 – with a Mozambique seized a record 65 rhino monitoring in Bangkok showed a vast combined weight of around 7 tonnes. horns. A few horns were promptly reduction in the open availability of ivory stolen, but the authorities reacted products in April after Thailand’s new swiftly, arresting four police officers. And Elephant Ivory Act came into force. the president reiterated his commitment TRAFFIC investigators visited ivory to ending wildlife crime. markets across central Africa. While the illegal ivory trade is openly flourishing in Kinshasa, other markets in the region are increasingly being driven underground, and will require new efforts to tackle. Nepal’s notorious © SUMANTH KUDUVALLI / FELIS CREATIONS / WWF rhino poacher, Raj Kumar Praja, was arrested in Malaysia. NOWHERE TO HIDE Nepal’s most wanted rhino poacher was arrested on an INTERPOL warrant in Malaysia and extradited INFORMATION WORKS WONDERS TRANSFORMING THE TRANSPORT SECTOR home to face justice. © INTERPOL TRAFFIC’s information management TRAFFIC partnered with USAID and the system on global wildlife crime is helping World Customs Organization to facilitate to uncover and dismantle transnational the first international workshop for the wildlife criminal networks. global transport sector on combating illegal wildlife trade along transport supply In India, TRAFFIC provided the authorities chains. Held in Bangkok, one of the world’s with information on wildlife crime that top wildlife trafficking hubs, the workshop contributed to numerous law enforcement formulated a new strategic approach to operations. Intensified surveillance help the transport sector play its part in the work, enhanced intelligence and greater fight against wildlife crime. WORLD BITES BACK collaboration – supported by TRAFFIC NINE MOST WANTED and WWF – all played a role in the 35 TRAFFIC was selected with WWF to lead INTERPOL launched its first fugitive Operation COBRA III was the largest-ever percent decline in rhino poaching in India a major USAID-funded, 5-year programme operation targeting individuals coordinated international law enforcement between January-June 2015 compared to entitled Reducing Opportunities for specifically wanted for crimes operation targeting the illegal wildlife the same period in 2014. Unlawful Transport of Endangered concerning the environment, part of an trade. And the most successful - with 300 Species (ROUTES) to build public/private operation backed by its partners in the arrests worldwide. Along with agencies in Critical information concerning the illegal partnerships, capacity and awareness to International Consortium on Combating 62 countries, it also involved international hunting and trafficking of endangered tackle wildlife trafficking along transport Wildlife Crime - CITES, UNODC, World bodies such as the Lusaka Agreement species, including tigers, on the supply chains sector. Bank and WCO. Two of the initial nine Task Force, the Southeast Asian Nations Indonesian island of Sumatra was also kingpins were swiftly arrested. Wildlife Enforcement Network, Europol collected and shared with the authorities. and INTERPOL.

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STOP THE BUYING

“Stop the Buying teams in Asia have had an action packed year delivering behavioural change communications and messaging designed to undermine the main motivations for consumption of illegal wildlife products. We’ve targeted businessmen in Viet Nam who buy rhino horn as a status symbol with the innovative ‘Strength of Chi’ campaign and collectors in China who purchase art made from endangered animal products. We’ve partnered with major Internet firms and courier companies as well as with Chambers of Commerce and Practitioners. Raising awareness of the laws, appealing for compassion for animals or informing people about the threat of species’ extinction will always help to set the tone around what is and isn’t socially acceptable. But it is the strategic partnerships and creative behavioural change communications that we have been developing this year that will reduce the demand that is fuelling the current poaching crisis.”

— Gayle Burgess Lead, Stop the Buying, Wildlife Crime Initiative

© WWF / ROBERT PATTERSON

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1 3 GOAL By 2018, the demand for selected threatened CHANGING CONSUMER STOP THE species products will be reduced by at least one-third in China (ivory, marine turtle shell products, rhino horn and tiger products), Viet BEHAVIOUR IN VIET NAM: BUYING Nam (rhino horn), and Thailand (ivory). THE POWER OF CHI

Stemming the supply of illegal wildlife products is vital, but it needs to be delivered alongside action to change consumer behaviour and reduce demand for these products in order to be effective. Under the Stop the Buying pillar, the WCI has 1300 adopted a multi-pronged approach to changing members of a prominent group the behaviour of consumers in China, Thailand of male business leaders were and Viet Nam. targeted by Chi campaign through The team has been implementing a suite of direct mail strategic approaches to behaviour change, and launched a number of innovative evidence based campaigns targeted at specific consumer groups, and those that influence them.

But like all aspects of the WCI, the work of © WWF / EDWARD PARKER this pillar is intended to catalyse broad action. TRAFFIC and WWF have thus been building relationships with companies, civil society 15 MILLION groups and governments, and encouraging them hits on the Chi website in the first to lead the way - since this is how significant On World Rhino Day 2014, the TRAFFIC also partnered with the 6 weeks change will occur. innovative ‘Strength of Chi’ campaign Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and was launched by TRAFFIC with Industry on an initiative to change committed support from the consumer behaviour by empowering Vietnamese CITES Management business leaders to be ‘wildlife authority and the Ministry of champions’ – and to improve the Agriculture and Rural Development. governance and social responsibility of enterprises in Viet Nam by Using a multi-layered approach, the promoting a zero tolerance approach campaign focuses on the concept to wildlife consumption. of ‘Chi’ (‘will’) within Vietnamese DRIVING DOWN DEMAND IN culture and emphasizes that success, TRAFFIC collaborated with the 100,000

While changing consumer behaviour takes time, © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF masculinity and good luck flow from Traditional Medicine Administration, Vietnam Airlines Platinum and it can be done. Just look at Japan. From being an individual’s internal strength of which is part of the Ministry of Health, Gold cardholders and business the largest consumer of ivory in the world a few character and not from a piece of to develop powerful new messages class passengers reached by Chi decades ago, Japan’s market has plummeted to rhino horn. challenging perceptions around the through boarding pass holders a tiny fraction of its former level. Conservationists efficacy of rhino horn as a treatment succeeded in changing consumer behaviour and for serious illnesses – messaging that reducing demand for ivory through a series of traditional practitioners endorsed. initiatives supported by influential business and political leaders, media and others.

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REDUCING DEMAND CHOR CHANG: FROM CONSUMERS TRANSFORMING THAI TEAMING UP WITH ARTISTS, IN CHINA ALIBABA AND THE AUTHORITIES ATTITUDES TO IVORY

Launched by TRAFFIC at the China A remarkable anti-ivory Seeking to raise awareness around diplomats, government officials Art Handicrafts Expo, the innovative campaign in Thailand has ivory by focusing attention on the link and people from across the country Green Collection campaign targets an garnered awards, government between ivory and elephant poaching, participating. important, niche group of consumers – backing and the support of WWF-Thailand’s Chor Chang Can Save The Chor Chang campaign helped to art collectors. Elephants campaign encouraged people over 1.3 million Thais. highlight the plight of Africa’s elephants It calls on them to seek works of art to symbolically remove the letter ‘Chor as the government was taking critical that are made from sustainably sourced Chang’ – a common letter in the Thai steps to transform the country’s domestic materials rather than from threatened alphabet similar to ‘e for elephant’ – ivory market, including regulating it species. Backed by Wen Wan Tian Xia, CAMPAIGN COINCIDES WITH from their names to highlight the threat for the very first time. Under the new an online art auction and collection that the illegal ivory trade posed to law, over 44,000 Thais came forward company, the launch involved master POSITIVE MEASURES FROM THE Africa’s elephants. And it rapidly went to register their ivory possessions – craftsmen who demonstrated how skill GOVERNMENT viral with celebrities, artists, journalists, amounting to more than 220 tonnes. and artistry can be used to create works of art from alternative materials such as nuts - instead of rhino horn, ivory and turtle shell. Members of the public condemn the killing of elephants for ivory by symbolically Meanwhile, seventeen leading courier removing the letter ‘Chor Chang’ from their names. companies operating in China publicly pledged zero tolerance towards illegal 1.3 MILLION+ wildlife trade. The companies, including Supporters EMS, DHL, FedEx, TNT, SF and the China post office, account for 95% of the parcel courier market in China. TRAFFIC worked with the National 5 MILLION Social Marketing Centre to deliver people reached by social marketing training to around Facebook posts 30 members of the Provincial level Interagency CITES Enforcement Coordination Group to support government efforts to change the #HASHTAG behaviour of consumers of illegal top-trending In Thailand wildlife products. Efforts to change perceptions and Green Collecting campaign at the 6th China Art behaviour around gifting and consuming Handicrafts Expo. illegal wildlife products were given a ‘Wildlife conservation around you’ 4 MILLION major boost by a partnership between campaign on Alibaba’s 1688.com e-commerce platform in April. people saw Boon Chuay TRAFFIC and the Alibaba group, which exhibition is responsible for 80% of online sales in China. As part of the agreement, TRAFFIC and Taobao – the group’s flagship e-commerce platform – jointly “BEST SOCIAL initiated an online awareness-raising campaign involving 200 big sellers, ONLINE CSR” which posted banner ads and pledged 500,000 230,000 95 winner at the Thailand zero tolerance to illegal wildlife trade. views retweets blogs by enterpreneurs Zocial Awards 2015

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INTERNATIONAL POLICY

“We’re working to secure high-level commitments by governments and the necessary political will to ensure concrete action is taken against wildlife crime. But signatures are not enough so our priority will be encouraging countries to implement their commitments and monitoring progress. There have been a string of significant policy achievements during our first year, but the undoubted highlight was the historic UN General Assembly Resolution on Tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife, which exemplifies the approach of the international policy pillar. WCI provided technical advice and advocacy support in the run up to its adoption. Now we will focus on providing assistance to states to help them fulfil their obligations, monitoring progress, and assisting in the annual review of the resolution’s implementation.”

— Rob Parry-Jones Lead, International Policy, Wildlife Crime Initiative

© OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF

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1 3 GOAL “This landmark resolution proves that INTERNATIONAL By 2018, high-level policy commitments made ending wildlife crime is no longer just an at key international and regional fora lead environmental issue and not just limited to to effective implementation of WCI priority a few countries: it has become a priority for POLICY anti-poaching, anti-trafficking and demand every nation.” reduction actions at the national level in at — Marco Lambertini least 10 key countries. Director General of WWF International © UN / ANDREA BRIZZI

For many years, wildlife crime was often treated as a lesser priority – as merely an environmental International issue. But the WWF/TRAFFIC Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign helped spark high-level political interest WORLD UNITES AGAINST WILDLIFE CRIME RAISING THE STAKES IN DOHA in addressing wildlife crime, exemplified by the After three years of diplomatic efforts, the UN General The 13th UN Crime Congress gave a major boost to global landmark London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Assembly adopted its first ever resolution on Tackling the Illicit efforts to stem the unprecedented surge in wildlife crime. Trade in 2014. Trafficking in Wildlife. Initiated by Gabon and Germany and Reflecting much of the language and emphasis of the WCI, co-sponsored by another 84 countries, the resolution commits the Doha Declaration called on countries to counter new The WCI International Policy pillar aims to create all 193 Member States to step up their collective efforts to and emerging forms of crime that have an impact on the an enabling environment to help sustain this new address wildlife crime and put an end to the global poaching environment by “strengthening legislation, international global momentum, and ensure that commitments crisis. WWF and TRAFFIC advocated strongly for the cooperation, capacity-building, criminal justice responses are translated into concrete and effective action at resolution and provided technical support in its development. and law enforcement efforts aimed at, inter alia, dealing the national level. Significant progress was made with transnational , corruption and money- The resolution recognizes the broader impacts of in the initiative’s first year at national, regional and laundering linked to such crimes.” international level. transnational organized wildlife crime, including how it © WWF / MARTIN HARVEY undermines good governance, the rule of law, sustainable development and the well-being of local communities. It BUILDING MOMENTUM IN BOTSWANA calls on states to make wildlife trafficking a “serious crime” and to address corruption. Critically, it urges action all along Kasane hosted the follow up to 2014’s London Conference National Regional the illegal trade chain from helping to stop poaching by on Illegal Wildlife Trade and ensured that the momentum encouraging the “full engagement of communities…as active was maintained. The final declaration incorporated a number NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THAILAND BEEFING UP AFRICA’S RESPONSE IN BRAZZAVILLE partners in conservation”, to reducing demand by “using of key measures, including the need to address money targeted strategies in order to influence consumer behaviour”. laundering and other financial aspects of wildlife crime, After years of talk and little action and facing the threat of Convened by the Republic of Congo and the African Union engage with the transport sector, and enhance community CITES sanctions, Thailand took significant steps to overhaul Commission, the Brazzaville Conference drafted the first stewardship of wildlife. WWF and TRAFFIC participated at its domestic ivory market – long referred to as ‘one of the Pan-African strategy against wildlife crime, which should be the conference and contributed to its successful outcome. world’s largest unregulated markets’. The government adopted at the next AU summit. The WCI provided technical enacted its first ever regulations to control its domestic support to the strategy-drafting committee before and during market, listed the African elephant as a protected species the conference. TIGHTENING THE NET and submitted a well-received interim report to CITES. WWF and Global Initiative launched a major report – Long advocates for change, WWF and TRAFFIC provided Tightening the Net: Towards a Global Legal Framework on extensive technical assistance to the authorities. FIGHTING FOR FOREST ELEPHANTS Transnational Organized Environmental Crime – after a broad While the new regulations show the government’s With poachers and ivory traffickers continuing to target consultative process involving international bodies, such commitment to tackle this issue, WCI will advocate for a Africa’s dwindling number of forest elephants, the Economic as the European Commission, CITES and INTERPOL. The complete ban should Thailand’s efforts fail to shut down the Community of Central African States adopted the ‘Emergency report argues for a new global legal framework to enable illegal ivory trade. action plan against poaching in the forest and savannah universalized jurisdiction over transnational organized regions of Central Africa’ – or PAULAB. The WCI participated environmental crimes, and catalyse responses from non- in the review and drafting of the plans. compliant States. CALLING TIME ON THE IVORY TRADE IN CHINA During the public destruction of a stockpile of illegal ivory, SUPPORTING CITES the Chinese authorities announced that they would “strictly control ivory processing and trade until the commercial The CITES Standing Committee set deadlines for a host of processing and sale of ivory and its products are eventually source, transit and consumer countries to finalise their National halted”. While no timeline was announced, it is a clear Ivory Action Plans (NIAPs) based partly on the updated signal that the domestic market will be phased out. The WCI analysis of ETIS data provided by TRAFFIC. When CITES supports banning China’s domestic trade – considered the sanctions were later recommended against the DRC for failing world’s largest – as swiftly as possible. WWF and TRAFFIC to submit its NIAP, WWF and TRAFFIC supported the country are ready to support the government during the process. to submit a plan that saw the threat of sanctions lifted. © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF

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KEY EVENTS • Workshop for Chinese businesses and citizens in • Wildlife crime chosen as theme Addis Ababa to address illegal DURING THE FIRST of 2nd World Wildlife Day ivory trade • 21 APEC States pledge to reduce • African Elephant Meeting in • Nepal marks another year of YEAR OF THE WCI the demand for illegal wildlife Kasane, Botswana zero poaching of rhinos – the products at the 26th Ministerial 3rd since 2011 meeting in Beijing • Kasane International Conference • Launch of WWF-Thailand’s on Illegal Wildlife Trade • Operation COBRA III results © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF • IUCN World Parks Congress World anti-ivory campaign, Chor in largest ever international © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF Leader’s Dialogue on illegal wildlife Chang Can Save Elephants • ASEAN Regional forum on wildlife crime operation trade • India announces large increase • Mozambique seizes record • INTERPOL General Assembly in tigers from 1,411 in 2006 to • TRAFFIC e-commerce 65 rhino horns and 1.1 tonnes adopts resolution on emerging 2,226 in 2014 monitoring highlights shift in of ivory. Some of the horns threats to environmental security illegal wildlife trade online from subsequently stolen – police • South retailers to social media sites • Arusha Declaration on wildlife crime: 1,215 rhinos were poached in • 2nd Stocktaking Conference new bilateral agreements between 2014 • CITES recommends trade • China announces it will • of The Global Tiger Recovery African States bans on Nigeria, Laos and eventually phase out increase in ivory available in Program (GTRP) sets priorities • Over 8,000 turtles seized in two DR Congo for failing to meet commercial domestic ivory • UN General Assembly adopts domestic Thai market for next two years in bid to • Countries adopt declaration on separate busts in Indonesia deadline to submit national trade as it publicly crushes over resolution on tackling illicit double tigers by 2022 ivory action plans 660 kg of illegal ivory th • 65 CITES Standing Committee Asia Summit in Myanmar • Thailand passes Elephant required Thailand to regulate its • Launch of groundbreaking Ivory Act to regulate domestic • Clampdown in Beihai, China • Green collecting initiative • domestic ivory trade and tackle ‘Strength of Chi’ campaign to • More than 120 members of Guangxi sees major reduction in illegal launched in China to regional economic body to illegal ivory or face sanctions reduce demand for rhino horn Forest Police trained to counteract marine turtle trade in previous encourage collectors to buy become a full member of in Viet Nam wildlife crime • Global logistics and transport hotspot products that do not come from CITES • endangered wildlife six Central African Forest • USAID and TRAFFIC report • Andy Murray becomes WWF Global to deter wildlife smuggling • 17 leading courier companies • Bhutan announces increased Commission (COMIFAC) highlights surge in illegal trade at workshop convened by in China pledge zero tolerance • Tiger numbers rise to as many countries on tackling wildlife crime in ivory and rhino horn and illegal wildlife trade TRAFFIC, WCO and USAID towards illegal wildlife trade as 540 in Russia national survey

JULY SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER JANUARY MARCH MAY JULY

AUGUST OCTOBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY APRIL JUNE

• TRAFFIC signs deal with • Zero Poaching symposium in • UN Crime Congress resolution • Tanzania announces loss of 60 China’s largest online Nepal sees all 13 tiger range calls on countries to tackle percent of its elephants in the commerce company, Alibaba states endorse zero poaching transnational organized past 5 years Group, to reduce illegal wildlife framework environmental crime trade online • • Beyond Enforcement • W Nine major online retailers in to combat poaching and • © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF symposium in South Africa wildlife trade China agree not to allow the recommends greater promotion of illegal wildlife engagement with communities GEF funds new US$90m global Report highlights growth UAE crushes 10 tonnes of • © OLA JENNERSTEN / N IBL WWF sales on their platforms • to tackle wildlife crime • wildlife programme in recent years in trade in illegal ivory • Trade in tigers and other big cats from • TRAFFIC trains Ecuadorian Wildlife Information exchange Myanmar into China • Brazzaville Conference on military to combat wildlife crime (EU-TWIX) reached 40,000 the illicit trade in African wild records in its database of illegal • Major seizure of tortoises • E-commerce companies in wildlife seizures is the latest in a string of declaration Japan strengthen measures busts highlighting growing against illegal online ivory trade • 2nd annual meeting of importance of Laos in wildlife • the South Asia Wildlife of ivory in two major seizures • India doubles number of sniffer Enforcement Network © INTERPOL dogs for wildlife protection Viet Nam Chamber of (SAWEN) agrees on need for • Inaugural World Customs • Commerce and Industry action plan to tackle wildlife INTERPOL Society for Wildlife Forensic • partners with TRAFFIC to help • operation targeting fugitive Regional Customs seminar on Science hears expert tackle illegal wildlife trade the use of detector dogs • One of Nepal’s most notorious perspectives from Southeast rhino poachers arrested in for crimes concerning the Over 44,000 Thais register Asia and Malaysia and deported home to • environment more than 220 tonnes of ivory against illegal wildlife trade face trial under new law Traditional Medicine • USA crushes over 1 tonne of • Democratic Republic of practitioners in Viet Nam • • New plan produced to illegal ivory in New York meet to agree messaging to Congo creates new National conserve Central Africa’s great encourage their peers not to Co-ordination Unit to combat apes, including measures to use illegal wildlife products wildlife crime reduce poaching and illegal wildlife trade

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© WWF / BAS HUIJBREGTS 4 the Four pillars are Stop Poaching, Trafficking and Buying, and International Policy TRAFFIC’s mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants TRAFFIC’s and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. traffic.org Anti-ivory campaign in Thailand was backed by 1.3 million people 1.3 MILLION o. 3785518. The TRAFFIC symbol The UK Registered Charity No. 1076722, Registered Limited Company No. 3785518. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of WWF and ownership is held by WWF. Trademark copyright and Registered Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK – The David IUCN. Headquarters Office, Email [email protected] +44 1223 277427, Tel.

86 Co-sponsors of UN General Assembly resolution against wildlife crime 13 Tiger range States endorsed zero poaching

WILDLIFE CRIME INITIATIVE CRIME WILDLIFE WWF AND TRAFFIC AND WWF