Grant awarded to global animal welfare and conservation charity to improve the handling of confiscated wildlife to aid survival and successful prosecutions

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Close to $1million (U.S.) has been awarded to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to help ensure live animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade are handled properly while in custody to improve recovery and strengthen judicial processes leading to prosecutions.

IFAW and three partnering organizations will develop technical resources on the safe handling of live animals during seizure or confiscation and will train frontline enforcement officers on best practices for animal welfare, evidence collection, and biosafety.

Project teams will also produce resources on international legal best practices and practical tools for live seizures, and confiscations. In Indonesia, Congo, and Guyana, trainings on best practices to foster legal and policy reforms will be offered to those working in the judicial sector.

IFAW will partner with Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), and Legal Atlas to implement the Confiscated Animals – Rescue & Enforcement (CARE) Project, an innovative and holistic approach to combat illegal wildlife trafficking in Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia), Republic of the Congo (Congo) and Co–operative Republic of Guyana (Guyana). All three countries are significantly impacted by the illegal wildlife trade, frequently confiscate live animals and have the potential to foster best practices regionally.

"Wild animals are being illegally captured, transported, and sold live at an increasingly shocking rate. The animals targeted by illegal traffickers are primarily from threatened or protected species. The Confiscated Animals – Rescue & Enforcement Project allows IFAW and our partners to develop the tools needed to ensure confiscated animals are treated in a humane and safe way, receiving the best possible care while in custody," says Loïs Lelanchon, Program Manager for Wildlife Rescue at IFAW.

Lelanchon went on to say, "Globally, current efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade are largely focused on wildlife products, with limited attention on the scale, significance, and risks associated with live animals being illegally trafficked. This phenomenon not only threatens wildlife conservation efforts, but also animal health and welfare, and public health. IFAW and our partners will establish sustainable resources and activities on three continents and our goal is to have a foundational framework that can aid other countries facing similar challenges."

"Congo's wildlife is among the most trafficked," said Shawn Sweeney, JGI USA Associate Vice President, Communications & Policy. "Those who survive - often juvenile orphans - require specialized care to not only help them recover from their trauma, but to also ensure their unique needs are met. We hope our work in Congo, and this work with IFAW can help ensure every animal rescued from this trade can experience the highest quality standard of care."

"We continue to find shocking examples of wild animals being smuggled inside pipes, suitcases, crates and other containers. Often, critically endangered species are targeted and need emergency care once confiscated. We are very excited to implement the CARE project in Indonesia with our governmental partners and IFAW. Fast and proper aftercare to rescued wild animals, ultimately means more lives can be saved," says Femke den Haas, International Director at JAAN. 

"We will contribute to breaking down legal and conceptual complexities for common challenges faced by field enforcement agents. Legal resources are urgently needed to support successful prosecutions and the survival of confiscated live animals. Legal Atlas will produce these resources through legal gap analyses, training, and technical assistance to improve legal frameworks and practices for confiscated animals in Indonesia, Congo and Guyana," says Maria Pascual, Co-Founder of Legal Atlas.

"These reforms are crucial to reconciliate the requirements to successfully prosecute wildlife crimes with animal welfare imperatives and to maximize the role that confiscated live animals can play for in situ conservation," said Lelanchon.

Contact:
Melanie Mahoney
E: [email protected]

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)—The International Fund for Animal Welfare is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org.

About Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)—Jakarta Animal Aid Network is non-governmental, non-profit organization established in January 2008 to help and protect wildlife and improve the welfare of animals in Indonesia. JAAN works with the Indonesian public and authorities to rescue animals from exploitation, runs programs to help minimize wildlife extinction, works to halt the illegal animal trade, and to improve animal welfare in Indonesia.

About Jane Goodall Institute (JGI)—Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global, community-centered conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall in over 30 countries around the world. We aim to understand and protect chimpanzees, other apes, their habitats, and empower people to be compassionate citizens in order to inspire conservation of the natural world we all share. JGI uses research, collaboration with local communities, best-in-class animal welfare standards, and the innovative use of science and technology to inspire hope and transform it into action for the common good. Through our Roots & Shoots program for young people of all ages, now active in over 50 countries around the world, JGI is creating an informed and compassionate critical mass of people who will help to create a better world for people, other animals and our shared environment. Learn more about JGI at janegoodall.org and follow @JaneGoodallInst on social media.

About the Legal Atlas—Legal Atlas is dedicated to decoding the complexities of law, making it understandable and accessible on a global scale. Our work is guided by a vision of smarter laws for a smarter planet. We provide open access to our online global legal intelligence platform at https://legal-atlas.net. We join the global alliance against wildlife crimes that threaten the earth's rich biological diversity. Our goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the legal challenges we all face in the protection of wildlife around the globe. Understanding of the legal challenges we all face in the protection of wildlife around the globe.

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare

Related Links

https://www.ifaw.org