PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Wildlife crime (WLC) is a worldwide concern with widespread adverse consequences for wild species. Europe may not have been the focus of global headlines on WLC in recent years, however, the European Union’s (EU) biodiversity remains in peril due to the ongoing threat of the illegal killing of wild species that are all too often threatened and require greater protection. While a systematic record to chart and monitor WLC across the EU has only just been established, the scale of the problem in Europe is reflected in the growing number of reported cases.
Many populations of animals of community interest in central Europe have seen their numbers decline dramatically or become extinct due to direct mistreatment and the loss of their natural habitats. This applies to mammals like lynx, wolves, bears, beavers, and otters. Other birds of prey such as the white-tailed eagle, imperial eagle, marsh harrier, and red kite, however, have seen a significant return in recent decades. These important examples of success in the conservation of species, often enabled by EU financing initiatives – especially through the LIFE Programme – and national governments, are jeopardised by ongoing illegal activities such as poisoning, shooting and the trapping of animals considered a nuisance or competitor by some people. The nine species referenced above are all listed in Annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive and Annex I of the Birds Directive.
Illegal killing remains the most frequent cause of death for many birds of prey in central Europe. It is estimated that between 15 100 and 68 500 individual vertebrates are killed in Europe each year. The illegal killing of large carnivores is a danger for species such as lynx, wolves and bears in many European countries. Among the Bavarian-Bohemian-Austrian population of the Eurasian lynx it is estimated that up to 20 % of the population is illegally killed every year. This factor makes the prevention of poaching in their natural habitats the highest priority for the conservation of the species.
OBJECTIVES
The project’s main aim is to support the recovery of endangered species by preventing WLC. This can be achieved by enabling the necessary governance conditions for successful WLC investigations along the law enforcement chain, starting with civil society and competent authorities under investigation until judiciary. Geographically, the project focuses on six hotspots in Austria and Germany. It tackles all relevant governance actions needed to reduce WLC: prevention, case-management, prosecution, and conviction of any crimes detected. It identifies bottlenecks and shortcomings to improve effectiveness at all stages.
The projects’ specific objectives are:
- Strengthening reliable cooperation between supportive NGOs and governance authorities against WLC;
- Improving the subsequent steps along the governance process and boosting replication among governance partners across Europe;
- Supporting the shaping of adequate policies to effectively and efficiently fight WLC.
In joint effort with the target groups along the law enforcement chain and based on the close connection to EU-wide policy development processes, the project aims to enhance policy development on a regional, national and EU level through precise recommendations throughout the individual phases of the WLC governance process.
The sustainability, uptake and replication of project results is based on two pillars: building up and stabilising the necessary structures in two countries and the use of the partner’s strong networks and their ties to governance institutions to facilitate the replication of best practices to shape protective policies across Europe.
RESULTS
The goal of the project is to achieve the following results:
- Implementation of at least 100 training sessions and workshops to improve the knowledge of public and private actors on wildlife crime;
- Training of at least 1 000 individuals in combatting WLC;
- At least 10 proactive police patrols in hotspot areas of WLC will increase awareness and have deterrent effects on potential perpetrators;
- The loss of biodiversity will be reduced or stopped in an area of around 40 000 km²;
- The loss of nine species will be stopped by taking preventative action against WLC;
- 500 jobs will be upgraded by the introduction of new knowledge, approaches and tools;
- The timeframe from detection of a suspected case of WLC to the delivery of forensic results will be shortened in 20 % of cases.
