The Principles of Wildlife Conservation Funds and Restitution – Additional remedy to wildlife and forest offenses

The Principles of Wildlife Conservation Funds and Restitution – Additional remedy to wildlife and forest offenses in East Asia and the Pacific alone, the estimated value of the illegal trade in wildlife is US$2.5 billion a year (excluding illegal timber and off-shore fishing). Wildlife and forest crimes have transformed into one of the largest transnational organized criminal activities alongside the trafficking in drugs, arms and humans. Yet one of the biggest issues faced by many wildlife law enforcement agencies in the region is the lack of prioritization and funding by their governments. This is a fundamental issue for the training of staff, setting up of enforcement networks, monitoring and evaluation systems, as these all require funding.