18833 - WCP Impact Report 22 (np 3jul) proof 4a.indd

Wildlife Crime Prevention

The WCP Vision

Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP)
Zambia was founded in 2016 and works
across Zambia and southern African landscapes with partners to address wildlife and environmental crime and its impact on communities. We work across the crime continuum to reduce illegal wildlife and timber trade, strengthen effective investigation and prosecution, and raise public awareness.

By the close of 2022, WCP Zambia was supporting 30 Zambian law enforcement units, monitoring 56 courts, implementing six campaigns and has Memoranda of Understanding with four Zambian government departments (Department of National Parks and Wildlife, National Prosecution Authority, Drug Enforcement Commission and Zambia Correctional Services). This makes us the only NGO working nationwide across Zambia with this remit.

Impact of Climate Change

The United Nations has identified climate change and biodiversity loss as major global challenges. In 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

SDG 13 focuses on climate action, while SDG 15 focuses on life on land and specifically aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

In addition, the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) has identified illegal wildlife trade as one of the most profitable forms of transnational organized crime, with an estimated value of up to $23 billion per year. The UNODC has also highlighted the social and economic impacts of illegal wildlife trade, including its links to corruption, money laundering, and other forms of organized crime. In WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020, WWF warns that wildlife populations around the world have declined by an average of 68% since 1970, driven by habitat destruction, overexploitation, and illegal wildlife trade. These issues exacerbate poverty, inequality, and social justice.

Post-pandemic, in 2022, WCP Zambia widened its outlook to include climate change as a vital component of addressing wildlife and environmental crime and its impact on affected communities. As the global challenge of climate change impacts developing countries in the global south, Zambia is no exception, and both wildlife and human populations will be affected.

Law Enforcement

WCP has continued to make significant strides to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT) through supporting law enforcement efforts in Zambia.

In partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), WCP focuses on building the capacity of the Intelligence and Investigation Units (IIUs), expanding the Rapid Deployment Teams, and fostering strong institutional partnerships with local NGOs and government departments.

In recent years, WCP has strengthened IIUs’ capacity to move up the criminal chain, leading to an increased number of national and regional syndicate members. The introduction of Rapid Deployment Teams and Detection Dog Units has contributed to a significant increase in seizures and arrests throughout Zambia.

Wildlife Criminal Justice Programme

WCP’s Wildlife Criminal Justice (WCJ) team is made up of nine Zambian lawyers who work as Legal Assistants with both DNPW law enforcement teams including anti-poaching and intelligence and investigations officers, public prosecutors (NPA), and magistrates across various activities.

Courtroom monitoring takes place in over 56 courts across the country to better understand wildlife crime case outcomes. Five years of data has been collected to identify weaknesses and solutions.

IN TOTAL, IN 2022:
618 new wildlife crime court cases were monitored.

Protect the Pangolin

Pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world and Zambia’s pangolin population is no exception. WCP has supported the seizure of 763 pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade through partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

The WCP pangolin rehabilitation centre provides treatment and care to give sensitive animals the best chance of a successful release back into the wild. A pilot project tagging released individuals commenced last year to better understand their distribution and survival rates after release.

What's Next for WCP

Moving forward, WCP’s strategy focuses on the following important issues:

  1. Forestry: Expand efforts in forestry conservation and promote sustainable practices.
  2. Crime Convergence: Address the interconnected nature of wildlife crime with other forms of criminal activities.
  3. Project Safe Passage: Safeguard wildlife corridors and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
  4. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Integrate climate mitigation strategies into conservation programmes.
  5. Pangolin Campaign: Raise awareness, enhance law enforcement efforts, and support rehabilitation programmes for pangolins.
  6. Increased Government Collaboration: Strengthen collaboration with government agencies to align conservation efforts.
  7. Social Analysis: Improve understanding of social issues impacting wildlife crime.
  8. Prison Reform: Advocate for reforms to effectively combat wildlife crime.