Conservation advocates concerned about a dearth in funding are urging governments, aid organizations, and international agencies to include wildlife protection into a broad range of institutions and interventions. They see this holistic approach as having the best chance to make an impact in reducing wildlife crime and supporting local communities.
Global representatives meeting in South Africa at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora welcomed a recent boost in wildlife funding from the World Bank’s new $131 million Global Environment Facility. Further resources are now flowing into wildlife crime prevention from governments and philanthropists, John Scanlon, CITES general secretary, told Devex.
But truly addressing the challenges of poaching and the illegal wildlife trade will require much more — and more comprehensive — funding, advocates told Devex. Funding wasn’t a standout item on the agenda, but many conservationists spent the conference busily pursuing potential donors at side events and special meetings.
About the author
Eva-Lotta Jansson
Eva-Lotta Jansson is a photojournalist and video journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She often travels the region on assignments. And when she can get away, she loves to go to the bush and work on her elephant book.
