Can Canine Units Help Prevent Illegal Wildlife Trafficking in East Africa?

In 2020, the Global Environment Fund (GEF) estimated the global value of illegal wildlife trade to be worth between US$7 and US$23 billion annually, ranking it among the most lucrative illegal industries. Run by sophisticated operatives whose tentacles are spread across the world and are capable of corrupting law enforcement systems, particularly in poor countries with weak institutional capacities, the illegal wildlife trade is a global and transnational criminal syndicate.

What is being done, and should be done to stop this decimation of East Africa’s natural capital for quick and unsustainable financial gain? Some say dogs may be the answer. By using canines to detect contraband at ports and airports, law enforcement may be able to prevent illegal wildlife products from going undetected.

Watch this webinar discussion aimed at journalists and conservationists in the region to assess the role canines play in combating illegal wildlife trade in East African sea ports and airports, and what it takes to set up and run an effective anti-wildlife trafficking canine unit.

Speakers:

• Dr. Phillip Muruthi — Vice President, Species Conservation and Science, Africa Wildlife Foundation
• Mark Kinyua — Head of Marine and Community Programmes, Kenya Wildlife Service
   

Moderator:

• Kiundu Waweru — Project Manager, East Africa Wildlife Journalism Project, Internews' Earth Journalism Network

Please click on the speakers' names to download their presentations.