Download or read book Best Practice for Prosecution of Wildlife Crimes in Southern Africa written by Didi Wamukoya and published by African Wildlife Foundation. This book was released on 2017-02-01 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, comprising about 10 countries. These include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The region has varied ecosystems and climate that support many wildlife species. The primary ecosystems in the region include desert, savanna, montane and forest ecosystems. The region also has some of the world’s most spectacular flora and fauna. The wildlife includes large mammals such as white rhinos, elephants and lions. Wildlife is a key revenue generator for the economies of many southern African Countries. It supports local communities for traditional uses such as food, medicine, fuel and clothing. Wildlife tourism is an important industry that brings benefits to private sector tourism businesses and local people alike. Unfortunately, wildlife in southern Africa is under increasing threat from illegal activities such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Countries in the region are currently faced with a sharp increase in wildlife crime levels perpetuated by organized criminal syndicates, mainly from south-east Asia. These syndicates work together with local counterparts and have established highly organised ways to evade law enforcement and traffic wildlife products to south-east Asia. Cultural beliefs and practices in south- east Asia drive the demand for wildlife products from Africa. Besides poaching and illegal wildlife trade, other threats to wildlife in Southern Africa include human wildlife conflict and shrinking habitats. Human wildlife conflict is exacerbated by water insecurity and increasing human populations which encroach into wildlife areas. Poverty is also a problem in the region and this leads to communities depending directly on wildlife resources for their livelihoods. This dependence on wildlife resources is now becoming unsustainable. Increase in human population coupled with infrastructure development is also negatively impacting wildlife habitats in the region. Because of this, conservation and enforcement of protection are critical to ensure that wildlife species endure. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement (PWCLE) in 1999 to establish a common framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources in the region and to assist with the effective enforcement of the laws governing those resources. Effective law enforcement is important in stopping loss of wildlife through illegal activity. Prosecution is an important component of law enforcement as it ensures application of the law, especially where there is a breach.