Poisoned vulture © Tim Snow
Poachers seek quick, quiet and easy methods, so poisoning is escalating exponentially. Similarly, predator damage to livestock and crop losses are expensive and avoidable. At least through application of management techniques and systems, loss and damage may be reduced. Indiscriminate poisoning may endanger human health, upset environmental balances and lead to many unexpected consequences.
To counter poisoning, we offer a variety of solutions including:
Proactive training for enforcement officials including Police, Special Units, Environmental Management Inspectors, National Park Rangers, Provincial Conservation Rangers and Conservationists working for International NGOs in Southern and East Africa. For the year 2016 we intend to train at least 50 park rangers in pesticide crime scene investigation and forensics. On completion of this course, rangers/enforcement staff should be familiar with:
- Most frequently abused pesticides in Southern Africa
- The extent of poisoning
- Practical DNA sample collection
- Practical crime scene investigation
- Forensic pathology
- Forensic photography
- Sample and evidence collection
- Handling samples and the chain of evidence
- Handling poachers/ accused
- Handling surviving animals
- Physical matches and identification
- Clearing the crime scene of toxic materials
We also offer proactive training for farmers and land managers to enable full understanding of wildlife interactions and systems; and to enable the land manager to farm profitably with nature by implementing logical interventions, rather than constantly fighting against the elements.
We also offer a reactive component which includes a post-training mentorship and support service to field enforcement operations, toxicology and guidance to investigators and prosecutors and ensures that poachers and poisoners are brought to account for their crimes through the judicial systems.
Closure of the circle means we go back to the chemical industry with facts, to seek their organisational support through management action to pre-empt recurrence.
As with all of our work we are reliant on donors and sponsors to make it happen. Please click ‘Donate’ in our menu at the top of the page to assist. Thank you.
Delegates at Anti Poisoning workshop, Namibia
Illegal pesticide sales on the streets © Tim Snow