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WCC 2016 Res 014 - Activity Report

Submitted by Andre.BOTHA on Thu, 02/07/2019 - 08:37
General Information
Combatting the illegal poisoning of wildlife
IUCN Constituent: 
Endangered Wildlife Trust
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN Member
Period covered: 
2018
Geographic scope: 
Africa
Country/Territory: 
Botswana
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
Zambia
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
Administracao Nacional das Areas de Conservacao ( ANAC ) / Mozambique
Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & The Environment ( DEA ) / South Africa
BirdLife International / United Kingdom
IUCN Commissions: 
F717E09E-5094-E611-97F4-005056BA6623
IUCN Secretariat: 
No
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
The Peregrine Fund, Hawk Conservancy Trust, Raptors Botswana, NARREC, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Zambia), Zambia Carnivore Project, African Parks, African Lion Working Group, Gorongosa Management Authority
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Capacity-buildingThe EWT conducted Wildlife Poisoning Response training to 247 learners from the conservation, veterinary and law enforcement sectors in South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya and Botswana. Following the training of trainers in Kenya at the end of 2016 and in September 2018, a further 400+ people have received training in this regard in Kenya during 2018.On-going
Convene stakeholders/NetworkingSee comments on the Wildlife Poisoning Workshop hosted by DEA in Pretoria in August 2018. A lead poisoning focus group has been established and will focus on addressing the threat of lead poisoning to wildlife and people in southern Africa. the first workshop for this group is scheduled for the 18th and 19th of February 2019.On-going
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessWe are currently working on awareness materials aimed at all sectors of society with regard to the human health risk associated with the use of wildlife products acquired by means of poisoning which will be dissemenated through our various networks upon completion, probably towards mid-2019.On-going
FundraisingThe EWT has secured a significant grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service in September 2018. The funding will be used to conduct further Poisoning Response Training in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia working with a range of in-country partners aiming to train at least another 50 individuals per country. We will also identify individuals in these target countries and conduct train-the-trainer workshops to enable them to also conduct training in this regard independently within their areas of operation.On-going
Policy influencing/advocacyThe EWT has been working in support of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) towards the implementation of the CMS guidelines for the prevention of poisoning of wildlife in the SADC region. A workshop to discuss implementation and cross-border cooperation in this regard was hosted by DEA in Pretoria in August 2018. DEA has also engaged in the drafting of a National Conservation Action Plan for Vultures based on the CMS Vulture MsAP which includes a significant focus on the combatting of wildlife poisoning which is the most significant threat that impact these birds. Similar discussions have also been engaged with Botswana, Mozambique and Kenya. As a result of the Wildlife Poisoning Response Workshop conducted in Kenya in 2016, the Kenya Wildlife Service in February 2018 has formally adopted a protocol to combat illegal wildlife poisoning within Kenya and all their conservation staff will be trained in this regard.On-going
Scientific/technical activitiesContinue the management and maintenance of the African Wildlife Poisoning Database that attempts to capture and collate data on all wildlife poisoning incidents in Africa that are known. The database also has an App that enables people in the field to up-load data directly after registration. Data from this database was instrumental in drafting a range of poisoning risk and maps for incusion in the CMS Vulture MsAP.On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
All actions are on-going.
More than 2000 individuals in 8 countries in east and southern Africa have been trained in Poisoning Response to date.
There have been a number of notable successes in areas targeted for training with significant reduction in the number of mortalities recorded during incidents where training has been used and effective poisoning response strategies have been implemented.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
The two most significant challenges in terms of implementation is lack of awareness and will from national governments with regard to this important matter. As reported, some progress has been made in terms of engagement with government in certain countries, but a lot more needs to be done, especially in West Africa. Capacity to analyse collected samples is often lacking many African countries.
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
Capacity-buildingExpand the network of training who can assist with conducting Poisoning Response Training across southern and east Africa with a view to expanding said activities to West Africa in the next 2-3 years as capacity allows. Continue with the training of target groups in identified wildlife poisoning hotspots to reduce the impact of and number of mortlaities during incidents. Target to have trained at least 4000 learners across Africa by 2023.
Convene stakeholders/NetworkingParticipation in and support of the work of the CMS Wildlife Poisoning Working Group. Continue to participate in the working of the southern African Wildlife Poisoning Working Group.
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessWork on a range of awareness materials in appropriate languages to create greater awareness of this threat among the public. Engagement with chemical manufacturers and distributors in terms of their civil responsibilities related to the threat posed by the products they manufacture and sell. Greater engagement with government in terms of awareness of the threat and more effective enforcement of existing policies and legislation.
Policy influencing/advocacyGreater engagement with government in terms of awareness of the threat and more effective enforcement of existing policies and legislation. Encouraging governments to implement the various resolutions related to wildlife poisoning at national level.
Scientific/technical activitiesWorking towards improving capacity and more innovative protocols with regard to sample collection and analysis. Facilitate more effective capture and collation of wildlife poisoning data from all range countries.
Additional Information
Upload document: 
PDF icon Monadjem et al 2018 - Scientific Reports - Spatially_explicit_poisoning_risk_affects_survival.pdf