Carole Mercier
Building frontline capacity to fight wildlife trafficking in Liberia
Building frontline capacity to fight wildlife trafficking in Liberia
Carole Mercier | February 10, 2026
Liberia is home to extraordinary biodiversity—but it’s also a hotspot for wildlife trafficking, particularly involving live animals. Too often, enforcement officers are left without the training or tools they need to act. Recently, I have seen what can happen when that starts to change.
Alongside Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection, and with support from IFAW’s CARE Project, we delivered a workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of Liberian frontline personnel in the interception, confiscation, handling, and care of live wildlife from illegal trade, while also improving procedures for evidence collection and legal prosecution.
Law enforcement officers from across Liberia gather during a CARE Project training focused on improving responses to live wildlife trafficking seizures. Photo: © IFAW
The cohort of 15 participants represented the very backbone of Liberia's enforcement and protection network. Officers spoke about how frequently they encounter trafficked animals—especially primates—and how little guidance they’ve had on handling live seizures. This training filled a real gap, combining legal frameworks with practical protocols for confiscation and care.
“Joining dedicated law enforcement officers from diverse agencies—united under a common mission—was truly inspiring,” said Zinnah Fahnbulleh of the Liberia Immigration Service. “This workshop wove a single, stronger thread from the separate strands of enforcement, care, and legal action. We are now better equipped than ever to ensure that a rescued chimpanzee or any protected species receives the humane care it deserves, while traffickers face the full force of the law.”
Remarkably, during the session, officers were called to respond to an active case involving monkeys—making it the third time that a live seizure has occurred in real-time during one of our CARE trainings. This is not just coincidence. It tells me we’re doing the right work, in the right place, and with the right people.
We distributed confiscator kits to help officers act safely and swiftly in the field—resources they told us were urgently needed. Each kit contains essential equipment for the safe and humane handling of animals like gloves, masks, catch nets, and crates—basic tools that can make the difference between a safe rescue and a failed one. These kits help ensure the safety of both the animals and the officers on the scene.
“Empowering Liberia's frontline rangers and security with the tools to intercept wildlife crime and see it through to justice is a gamechanger,” said Henry P. Toe of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection. “This training helps ensure that every rescued animal is met with expert care, welfare, and guidance, and every prosecution is built on firm evidence. Together with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and our national partners, we are building better barriers against illegal trade, safeguarding both our natural heritage and public health.”
Now, ongoing discussions are taking place with partners in Liberia about how we can continue supporting them over the coming months. What’s already clear is that the appetite for this training is strong, and the potential for impact is even stronger.
This training is just one part of a global initiative under CARE to build lasting capacity where it’s needed most. With additional funding and partnerships, we can extend this impact to more regions on the frontlines.
With the right support, these officers can play a critical role in stopping trafficking before it spreads. IFAW is proud to stand beside them.
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