WCC-2025-Res-057 - Activity Report submission form

General Information

Period covered
IUCN Constituent
Association Française des Parcs Zoologiques
IUCN Constituent type
IUCN Member organisation
Activities carried out to implement this Resolution
Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec Activities Overview Description Status
All
Capacity building
France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition appointed AFdPZ to create and manage SAASS, its national assistance service for seized wildlife, launched in December 2024. Working with authorities, it centralises requests, coordinates placements when release is impossible, and monitors live seized wildlife nationwide. Europe’s first such scheme, it implements Annex 3 of CITES Resolution Conf. 17.8 (Rev. CoP20) on plans for seized live specimens.
On-going
All
Policy influencing/advocacy
Participation in numerous national and international meetings (CBD and CITES CoPs, CITES Secretariat, WAZA, EAZA, European Commission and French Interministerial Committee,...) to highlight the issue addressed by the resolution and France’s response through SAASS, share lessons learned, promote this service which is unique in Europe, and advocate for the effective implementation of relevant CITES and IUCN resolutions.
On-going
1b
2b
2c
2h
Convene stakeholders/Networking
With the IUCN CSS France: Strengthen coordinated national action to prevent and reduce illegal wildlife trade in France through collaboration among government authorities, conservation organisations, and IUCN SSC Specialist Groups
Planned
1
2c
2e
Scientific/technical activities
With the IUCN CSS France: Establish a national working group with key stakeholders and government to adapt and develop IUCN SSC guidelines on the management of confiscated live organisms to the national context.
Planned
Actors involved in this resolution
IUCN Members IUCN Commissions IUCN Secretariat Other non-IUCN related organisations
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2026-2029
No
Challenges / lessons learned
Challenges / lessons learned Description
Insufficient / lack of resources

A lack of suitable authorized placements (provided voluntarily and free of charge by host institutions: zoos and aquariums, sanctuaries, and so on) affects one-third of cases, while insufficient funding, particularly for transport, affects one-quarter. Transport costs can be especially challenging when the available placement is far from the animal’s location.

Coordination issues

In France, confiscation falls under the jurisdiction of several competent authorities across different ministries, making effective communication and coordination essential.

Report status
Published