1 Resurgence of the Illegal Wildlife Trade
Introduction This report is based on data on the illegal wildlife trade gathered and analysed in the form of a literature review, which was focused on but not limited to the international security implications of the illegal trade in wildlife. The majority of research into the impacts of the illegal wildlife trade tends to focus on the biodiversity and conservation issues of endangered species. This approach is still highly relevant; many endangered species face greater challenges than ever before owing to rapid urbanization, loss of habitat and the illegal trade in live animals and animal parts. The security implications of the illegal wildlife trade have not been examined as extensively as have the threats facing endangered species; however, the problem now concerns the stability of governments as well as the security of endangered species’ habitats. Wildlife trafficking now ranks among the top five most lucrative illicit trades in the world, alongside drug-smuggling, weapons proliferation, counterfeit goods and human trafficking.1 Organized criminal groups and armed non-state actors involved in wildlife crime channel funds raised from the international trade in elephant ivory, rhino horn or tiger parts into civil conflicts often taking place in the very heart of these animals’ habitats. The report aims to identify knowledge gaps regarding the security implications of the illegal wildlife trade and presents a range of recommendations for further research which could help shape policy to counter this destructive crime. Using published and unpublished literature, journal articles and media reports, as well as data from multilateral environment agencies such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and transcripts from high-level discussions on the topic, over 200 sources were examined. Although a number of information sources are published in Chinese and Russian, in particular, there is undoubtedly some English-language bias in the selection presented in Part II. Of the sources examined, 58 publications and speeches were analysed in detail, under the following categories:
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Transnational organized crime and illegal wildlife trafficking;
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Demand, seizures and policy responses;
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The ivory trade before the 1989 CITES ban;
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Political engagement, legislation and CITES.
Council on Foreign Relations (2013), ‘Tracking the Traffickers: President Obama Against Poaching’, 15 July: http://blogs.cfr.org/ campbell/2013/07/15/tracking-the-traffickers-president-obama-against-poaching/.
