·        Wildlife crime refers to the taking, possession, trade, movement, or consumption of wild animals and plants, or their derivatives, in violation of international, regional, or national legislation(s).

·        Factors driving wildlife crime include demand for medicine, pets, bushmeat, and ornamental plants.

·        Illegal traders earn substantial profits by selling exotic animals, plants, and their parts, such as rhinoceros horn.

·        Further, corruption undermines government restrictions on wildlife harvest, trade, and use, facilitating wildlife crime.

Impact of Wildlife Crime

·        Overexploitation leads to reduced populations of wildlife species, while the introduction of invasive alien species increases. Around 40% of the seized fauna are either threatened or near-threatened on the red list.

·        Wildlife crime contributes to money laundering and illegal cross-border financial flows.

·        There are risks of disease transmission to people from live animals, plants, and wildlife meat. Degradation of important services like food, medicines, and energy can occur.

Steps Taken to Combat Wildlife Crime

·        The Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime was established by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2014.

·        The Wildlife Crime Initiative, which is a strategic partnership between TRAFFIC (wildlife trade monitoring network) and the World Wildlife Fund, was implemented to address the global poaching crisis.

·        India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 allows for the forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle, or weapon used in committing wildlife offenses.

·        The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established under the Ministry of Environment and Forests in India to combat organized wildlife crime.