LATF has entered into a tripartite partnership with ITC - University of Twente (Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation) in the Netherlands and United Nations University-Japan to acquire and implement a robust regional database and applications software known as WEMS (Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System) among the Lusaka Agreement member states and eventually expand to cover all countries in Africa.

WEMS is an environmental governance model defined in accordance with the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Development and assists in monitoring the effectiveness of enforcement and compliance of wildlife law at a national level. It is a database that will monitor enforcement effort against trafficking and illegal trade in wildlife through joint efforts carried out by United Nations bodies, national governments, private industries, civil society and research institutions, by building a common data collection and reporting mechanism at regional and national levels.

The project will bring together various national institutions to a common information sharing platform and thereby build the capacity of the states to manage knowledge on wildlife crime trends and threat assessments. The compiled data will then be analyzed and selected non-nominal information will be made available online through the WEMS website. WEMS will also be helpful in providing analyzed information electronically to all the national enforcement agencies Customs, Police, Wildlife and Forestry and international policy makers including Interpol and the CITES Secretariat. Selected information will be shared with the public for creating awareness on wildlife Crime. The WEMS initiative works by bringing together these agencies to a common information sharing platform within the national governments and this will improve inter agency cooperation in tackling environmental crime.

This Africa-wide project will be part of the activities culminating to the elephant law enforcement day and will be inaugurated for implementation with the initial phase covering Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania which will commence in May 2011 before bringing on board other member states and African countries.

This Special Account to be managed by LATF will be launched on/before the enforcement day and will draw funds from Lusaka Agreement member states, donor community, conservation NGOs, environmental agencies, enforcement agencies, business fraternity and well wishers. The funds raised will be earmarked specifically for the support of law enforcement activities geared towards conserving the elephant (a key stone species that is increasingly under poaching threat) within the member states to the Lusaka Agreement and eventually support other elephant range states in Africa. The Account will be governed by the Bureau of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council which has on oversight function over affairs of LATF and will also be periodically monitored with its transaction reports being at disposal for review by all contributors to the account.

LATF appeals to the Lusaka Agreement Parties and all agencies, institutions, organizations, private companies, Embassies as well as persons of goodwill to donate to this Special Account for purposes of safeguarding the African Elephant against illegal exploitation. Contributors to this account will be duly recognized during the African Elephant Law Enforcement Day’s main celebrations. Pledge form

The School is a facility for training rangers and other law enforcement personnel. LATF in consultation with the Kenya Wildlife Service identified the School as the best site for safe custody and maintenance of the 6.5 tonne contraband ivory since its arrival from Singapore in March 2004. At the occasion of disposal of the ivory, LATF deems it prudent that the school be recognized for the support in securing the contraband ivory and their integral role in building wildlife law enforcement capacities in the region. One of the means to demonstrate this appreciation is to donate some books and other relevant learning materials useful to the school. LATF is liaising with the School administration to identify the required books and materials which will be handed over on/before enforcement day by the President of the Lusaka Agreement Governing Council.

LATF is therefore calling upon organizations as well as friends of conservation to contribute these learning materials for the benefit of this important training facility.