By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, has demonstrated his continued dedication to fostering interagency cooperation by welcoming a delegation from TRAFFIC International, an organization recognized for its leadership in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.
As stated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), TRAFFIC’s initiatives focus on diminishing the illegal and unsustainable trade of wildlife species while enhancing the social, economic, and environmental advantages that legal and sustainable trade can provide to communities.
“Ms. Mikala Lauridsen, the Programme Office Director at TRAFFIC, assured the DPP of her organization’s continued partnership with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She reaffirmed TRAFFIC’s commitment to supporting the prosecution of wildlife crimes through specialized training for prosecutors and joint community sensitization efforts,” the ODPP said.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has indicated that the partnership will specifically focus on communities situated in proximity to conservancies and national reserves, where the risk of illegal wildlife trafficking is most significant.
TRAFFIC International has stated that the trade in wild species represents one of the most urgent challenges in conservation and development globally.
“Over recent decades, the global supply chains for wild species have expanded dramatically, with trade volumes and values reaching unprecedented levels. This expansion has created critical economic opportunities, providing income and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of the world’s poorest communities,” the ODPP added.
The ODPP also highlighted that the trade has exerted significant pressure on the planet’s ecosystems, driving numerous species to the edge of extinction and contributing to environmental degradation.