LATF PROMOTE NETWORKING TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF WILDLIFE PRODUCTS IN TANZANIA

One of the Lusaka Agreement Task Force mission is to complement and support the Parties’ efforts in reducing and ultimately eliminating illegal trade in wild fauna and flora.  Following the escalating trend of illegal trafficking in wildlife specimens particularly elephant ivory, the Task Force (LATF) is spearheading efforts to establish an institutional network to deal with the situation through holding a series of national interagency workshops.

From 5th to 7th May 2010, LATF in partnership with Tanzania Wildlife Division and Interpol General Secretariat (IPSG) co-organized an Inter-Agency Wildlife Law Enforcement Awareness workshop in Arusha, Tanzania. Selected government Law Enforcement Agencies and some stakeholders who are directly and/or indirectly involved in the enforcement of wildlife law participated in the workshop.

This was the second workshop in Tanzania in 2010 after the one in Dar es Salaam January 2010. The objective of this workshop was to share understanding on the value and role of interagency law enforcement in combating illegal trade in wild fauna and flora and strategize on how to improve information sharing as well as networking on wildlife law enforcement. This was achieved by participants unanimously resolving to establish focal points in key agencies engaged in combating wildlife crimes and forming a wildlife forum that will involve relevant stakeholders to facilitate effective communication, networking and address the escalating problem of illegal trade in wildlife specimens.

The Participants were content that the objectives of the workshop were achieved and encouraged more of such forums in future.

Group photo of the participants of the workshop