Project update - latest - November 2007

Report from Emily Kisamo, Director of The Lusaka Agreement Task Force

Wildlife criminals are still ruthlessly hunting down the African elephant for its ivory. Recent reports have signalled the alarming rate at which the elephant is falling prey to this illegal trade, with massive loads of ivory being seized.

In Asia alone, over 40 tonnes of illegal ivory have been seized in recent years, representing at least 3,000 dead elephants. Even this number, according to conservationists, signals a dangerous trend that threatens the world's dwindling elephant populations. Sadly, it is only the tip of the iceberg as it is evident that large amounts of illegal ivory reaches its destination undetected.

Law enforcement agencies have been overwhelmed by the escalating wildlife crime in the region and are stretched beyond their resources trying to deal with it. Sadly, the illegal markets that fuel this trade are worse than ever and this, combined with civil unrest and inadequate law enforcement, has contributed to the surge in wildlife crime.

The Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF), a regional wildlife law enforcement agency and Africa's first ever cross border Task Force, has been a key player in addressing the challenges posed by illegal wildlife trade. The Task Force collaborates with other relevant law enforcement bodies to stop wildlife crime mainly through investigations and joint law enforcement operations. These activities have resulted in the seizure of wildlife specimens, the arrest and prosecution of wildlife criminals and the disruption of their powerful and widespread 'mafia' style syndicates.

In the case of 5.2 tonnes of illegal ivory seized by the Customs Authorities in Taiwan, the Task Force was the leading investigations agency working in collaboration with the Tanzania National Bureau and Interpol, which led to the arrest of 13 suspects at the point of export in Dar-es-Salaam.

The war against wildlife crime demands huge collaborative effort to save our rich wildlife heritage from complete decimation. We commend DSWF and its supporters who have resolutely supported our wildlife law enforcement.

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