Understanding Threats to West African Biodiversity and Linkages to Wildlife Trafficking Côte D’Ivoire Field Assessment Report
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UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING CÔTE D’IVOIRE FIELD ASSESSMENT REPORT FEBRUARYUNDERSTANDING 2020 THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | COTE D’IVOIRE 1 This document was made possible by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the West Africa 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 Accra, Ghana 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: Ministry of Water and Forests, 2020. Understanding Threats to West African Biodiversity and Linkages to Wildlife Trafficking: Côte d’Ivoire Field Assessment Report. Edited by Balinga M. and Stroud A. in 2020. Cover photo: Aerial shot of the Cavally forest in Côte d’Ivoire. Credit: WA BiCC UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | CÔTE D’IVOIRE i TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... v Acronyms and abbreviations ....................................................................................................... vi I.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background information on Côte d'Ivoire .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives of the assessment ................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Methodology and scope of the assessment ........................................................................................................ 6 2.0 Assessment of wildlife trafficking at markets and entry points ...................................... 7 2.1 A Visit to Markets in Adjamé, Cocody de Saint-Jean and Yopougon ........................................................ 7 2.2 Abidjan international airport .................................................................................................................................... 8 Customs…………….. ........................................................................................................................... 9 Airport police………. ........................................................................................................................... 9 Airport safety……….. ........................................................................................................................... 9 Airport Water and Forestry Inspection Service ........................................................................... 10 Airport Anti-trafficking Unit (CAAT) .............................................................................................. 10 2.3 SEAPORT: the Autonomous Port of Abidjan ................................................................................................. 11 Customs…………….. ......................................................................................................................... 12 Port safety……………........................................................................................................................ 13 2.4 Noé land border crossing ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Customs…………….. ......................................................................................................................... 14 Police………………… ....................................................................................................................... 15 Water and Forestry Ministry ............................................................................................................. 15 3.0 Overview of wildlife law enforcement ............................................................................. 16 3.1 Proactive enforcement as a deterrent to wildlife trafficking ...................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Enforcement priority ............................................................................................................ 16 3.1.2 Serious crime ……………………………………………………………………...16 3.1.3 National enforcement strategy ........................................................................................... 17 3.1.4 National cooperation ............................................................................................................ 17 3.1.5 International cooperation .................................................................................................... 19 3.1.6 Strategic risk management ................................................................................................... 19 3.1.7 Proactive investigations ........................................................................................................ 19 3.1.8 Staffing, recruitment and law enforcement training ...................................................... 19 3.2 Detection of wildlife trafficking by law enforcement agencies .................................................................. 20 3.2.1 Targeted enforcement presence ........................................................................................ 20 3.2.2 Joint supportive operations ................................................................................................. 20 UNDERSTANDING THREATS TO WEST AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY AND LINKAGES TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING | CÔTE D’IVOIRE ii 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 ................................... 24 3.3.1 Investigative capacity ............................................................................................................. 24 3.3.2 Information management ..................................................................................................... 24 3.3.3 Intelligence analysis ................................................................................................................ 24 3.3.4 Intelligence-led investigations .............................................................................................. 24 3.3.5 Follow-up investigations ....................................................................................................... 25 3.4 Specialized investigative techniques used to combat wildlife trafficking ................................................. 25 3.4.1 Use of specialized investigative techniques ...................................................................... 25 3.4.2 Forensic technology .............................................................................................................. 25 3.4.3 Financial investigations .......................................................................................................... 25 3.4.4 Use of criminal law ................................................................................................................ 26 3.4.5 Case file preparation ............................................................................................................. 26 3.4.6 Case clearance rate and administrative penalties .......................................................... 28 3.4.7 Prosecutorial capacity ........................................................................................................... 28 3.4.8 Prosecution guidelines .......................................................................................................... 28 3.4.9 Available penalties ...................................................................................................................... 28 4.0 Conclusions and recommendations ................................................................................. 30 4.1 Trafficking routes and seizures ............................................................................................................................. 30 4.2 Challenges raised by participants ......................................................................................................................... 33 4.3 KEY recommendations ..........................................................................................................................................