Combating Rhino Poaching and Other Wildlife Crimes: South Africa
Chad and South Africa’s wildlife are threatened by illegal wildlife trade, with both countries targeted by organized criminal networks and cross-border poaching incursions. Wildlife trafficking jeopardizes species survival and exacerbates underlying issues, including weak governance. Members of the GWP project in Chad traveled to visit GWP South Africa in February 2025 to discuss both projects’ experiences combating wildlife crime.
Representatives from Chad’s Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment shared insights into their approaches to managing environmental offenses. Discussions covered institutional structures and mandates for dispute resolution, relevant legal frameworks, and practical strategies for addressing challenges such as poaching and human-wildlife conflict around protected areas.
