Illegal Wildlife Trade: Scale, Processes, and Governance

Posted: 23 Oct 2019

See all articles by Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes

Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes

University of Oxford

Daniel W.S. Challender

University of Oxford

Amy Hinsley

University of Oxford

Diogo Veríssimo

University of Oxford

E.J. Milner-Gulland

University of Oxford - Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science

Date Written: October 2019

Abstract

Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) has increased in profile in recent years as a global policy issue, largely because of its association with declines in prominent internationally trafficked species. In this review, we explore the scale of IWT, associated threats to biodiversity, and appropriate responses to these threats. We discuss the historical development of IWT research and highlight the uncertainties that plague the evidence base, emphasizing the need for more systematic approaches to addressing evidence gaps in a way that minimizes the risk of unethical or counterproductive outcomes for wildlife and people. We highlight the need for evaluating interventions in order to learn, and the importance of sharing datasets and lessons learned. A more collaborative approach to linking IWT research, practice, and policy would better align public policy discourse and action with research evidence. This in turn would enable more effective policy making that contributes to reducing the threat to biodiversity that IWT represents.

Suggested Citation

‘t Sas-Rolfes, Michael and Challender, Daniel W.S. and Hinsley, Amy and Veríssimo, Diogo and Milner-Gulland, E.J., Illegal Wildlife Trade: Scale, Processes, and Governance (October 2019). Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 44, pp. 201-228, 2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3472230 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033253

Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes (Contact Author)

University of Oxford ( email )

Mansfield Road
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4AU
United Kingdom

Daniel W.S. Challender

University of Oxford ( email )

Mansfield Road
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4AU
United Kingdom

Amy Hinsley

University of Oxford ( email )

Mansfield Road
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4AU
United Kingdom

Diogo Veríssimo

University of Oxford ( email )

Mansfield Road
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4AU
United Kingdom

E.J. Milner-Gulland

University of Oxford - Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science ( email )

United Kingdom

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