Partnership with Dubai Customs: A local collaboration preventing wildlife crime

This week, Dubai Customs and International Fund for Animal Welfare in Dubai signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU aims to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals.

The MoU was signed by Mrs. Feryal Twaakul, Executive Director of Community Affairs and Government Partnership, and Dr. Elsayed Mohamed, Internatioanl Fund for Animal Welfare Middle East and North Africa Regional Director.

By 2015, IFAW MENA will train 1,700 officers and inspectors at Dubai Customs. Dubai customs’ officers will receive a wildlife law enforcement training from IFAW MENA experts.

“Dubai occupies a strategic location and became one of most important trade points in the World. Dubai Customs plans to train all its officers and inspectors on how to fight wildlife trafficking.” said Dr. Elsayed Mohamed.

“The training workshops will help officers to understand CITES, identify and stop illegal wildlife products and smuggled animals.” He added.

“In 2011, there were 35 wildlife seizures, compared with 69 in 2010. There have been 19 so far this year.” said Ali Al-Mugahwi, the director of the passenger operations department at Dubai Airport Customs, to the National Newspaper.

--MO