2024 World Wildlife Crime Report

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Context:

• The rhino and the cedar were the animal and plant species most affected by global illegal wildlife trade during 2015-2021, the 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime noted.

Key Findings:

• Most Affected Species: The report identifies the rhino and the cedar (along with other Sapindales species) as the most affected animal and plant species, respectively. Rhino horn constituted 29% of the observed illegal wildlife trade, while cedars and other Sapindales comprised 47% of the plant trade.
• Top Markets: Among animal species, the markets for pangolin scales (28%) and elephant ivory (15%) follow rhino horn in terms of volume. For plants, rosewoods (35%) and agarwood (13%) are significant markets after cedars.
• Diversity of Seized Products: Seizures of biodiversity products during the period were diverse. Corals comprised 16% of all seizures, followed by crocodilians (9%), and elephants (6%).
• Types of Commodities Seized: Coral pieces constituted the largest portion of seizures (16%), followed by live specimens (15%), and animal product medicines (10%).

Key Takeaways from the report:

• Persistent Challenge: Despite efforts, wildlife trafficking persists globally. Traffickers remain adaptable and utilize various methods to evade detection.
• Need for Stronger Cooperation: The report emphasizes the need for policy harmonization, and international cooperation across the trade chain to address wildlife trafficking effectively.
• Addressing Corruption and Technology: Corruption undermines regulation and enforcement, while technology facilitates traffickers' global reach. The report advocates for modernizing criminal justice responses to counter these challenges.
• Strategic Interventions: With numerous species affected, interventions must be prioritized and strategically made.
• Organized Crime Connection: Wildlife crime is often intertwined with organized crime. Therefore, a broader strategy to address organized crime as a whole is necessary to combat wildlife trafficking effectively.

Conclusion:

• The 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report calls for the urgent need for concerted international efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade.
• By addressing corruption, enhancing cooperation, and adopting strategic interventions, stakeholders can work towards mitigating the devastating impacts of wildlife trafficking on biodiversity and ecosystems globally.

Source:

https://theprint.in/india/leopard-cat-sighted-in-maharashtras-pench-tiger-reserve-for-first-time-official/2081611/