IFAW workshop in Guyana targets illegal wildlife trade
1 June 2009
(Georgetown, Guyana) - More than 45 customs agents, forestry officials, border guards, police officers, veterinarians and wildlife law enforcement officials are gathering today in the South American country of Guyana to begin a four-day workshop on combating illegal wildlife trade. The workshop is being jointly organized by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW – www.ifaw.org) and the Guyana Wildlife Management Authority. Countries in attendance include Guyana, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname.
This is the third wildlife law enforcement training being held by IFAW in the region since 2007. The trainings cover implementation and enforcement of international wildlife law, interagency cooperation, intelligence techniques, species identification, management of physical and forensic evidence, and the care and transport of confiscated animals.
The wider Caribbean is rich in biodiversity and home to many commercially important species such as parrots, macaws, snakes and amphibians. However, the illegal and unsustainable trade in wildlife presents a major threat. Many species are harvested to supply the global demand for exotic pets, meat and luxury goods.
In his remarks at Sunday’s opening ceremony, Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Mr. Navin Chandarpal, pointed out that, “In order to be effective, there must be full cooperation among wildlife law enforcement agencies plus all those involved one way or another in legal trade. If we cannot control the illegal trade, then the legal trade will be undermined, people’s livelihoods harmed, and ecosystems destroyed.”
“The illegal
trade in wildlife represents a serious threat to the survival of many endangered
species both globally and in the Caribbean,”
added Kelvin Alie, Senior Program Officer in IFAW’s Wildlife Trade Program. “The
financial cost of the illegal wildlife trade runs into billions of dollars and
its environmental costs are immeasurable.”
Past IFAW wildlife law
enforcement training workshops in the Caribbean nations of Trinidad & Tobago
and Dominica, as well as several in
Middle Eastern and northern African nations, have been well-received and highly
effective, according to participants. Just last month, a seizure of 1000+
animals in Trinidad and
Tobago, was attributed to an IFAW training in
the country just over one year ago.
For media-related inquiries, contact:
Colleen Cullen (IFAW, Headquarters)
Tel: +1 508 744 2236
Email: ccullen@ifaw.org
