GUARD Wildlife

Global United Action to Reduce and Dismantle Wildlife Crime

The Context

Illegal trafficking in wildlife ranks among the world's largest forms of organized crime, generating billions in profits annually while fueling corruption and other transnational crimes such as drug and human trafficking. This illegal trade disrupts ecosystems, destroys habitats, and drives species to extinction, creating profound imbalances in nature and biodiversity. Organized crime networks are at the heart of wildlife trafficking, adapting to demand, using advanced technologies, and exploiting legal loopholes to expand their operations.

While some progress has been made, particularly in reducing the trafficking of elephant and rhinoceros horns, efforts to combat wildlife trafficking remain insufficient to meet global targets, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 15.7 on ending wildlife trafficking. The World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 reveals that between 2015 and 2021, wildlife trafficking impacted 162 countries and 4000 species.

The response to wildlife trafficking remains fragmented, with numerous actors working at national, regional, and international levels, often leading to overlapping efforts and a lack of coordination. This disconnected approach results in gaps in enforcement and inefficient use of resources to address the issue.

Webstories

EU, ICCWC and civil society join forces to combat wildlife crime

THE APPROACH

Funded by the European Union, the GUARD Wildlife Project - Global United Action to Reduce and Dismantle Wildlife Crime - aims to reduce the international trafficking of wildlife and forest products, with a focus on organized criminal networks. Led by UNODC, the project will be implemented through a close partnership between members of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) - the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization (WCO) - and civil society organizations. The initiative will leverage the expertise of EU Member States and work closely with national authorities and law enforcement agencies.

By promoting international cooperation and strengthening enforcement capacity in key regions, particularly in Africa and Asia, GUARD Wildlife seeks to tackle the international dimension of criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking while improving the capacity of national authorities and agencies to enforce more consistent and proportionate legislation. The initiative supports coordinated efforts among law enforcement, judiciary authorities, civil society organizations, and international partners, to disrupt criminal networks and prosecute offenders. It enhances national systems, such as customs, police, and border controls, through specialized training, mentorship, and institutional support in priority countries across the globe. Another key component of the project, implemented by an alliance of four civil society organizations, focuses on reducing demand for illicit wildlife products in consumer markets through targeted behaviour change strategies, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

Outcome 1

Improved international collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutorial and judicial authorities

Outcome 2

Improved capacity of national authorities and agencies

Outcome 3

Science-based and gender responsive behaviour change interventions delivered

"The GUARD Wildlife initiative will enhance coordinated responses at the national, regional and international levels to combat  trafficking in wildlife. ICCWC partners will work side by side with national authorities to support their work, providing them with the tools, services and technical support they need. This project will support achieving the ICCWC Vision 2030 to expand our impact and advance our shared mission of conserving wildlife, combating transnational crime and ensuring sustainable futures for communities around the world."

Yvonne Higuero
^{CITES Secretary-General}

“The European Union is proud to support the fight against wildlife crime through the GUARD Wildlife initiative. Organized wildlife crime is a serious transnational threat that not only endangers biodiversity but also fuels corruption and weakens the rule of law. This €27 million investment reflects the EU’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, strengthening enforcement, and reducing the demand that drives illegal wildlife trade.”

Cristina de Avila
^{Head of Global Environmental Cooperation & Multilateralism, Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission}

“Wildlife crime threatens ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. This project unites partners from diverse sectors and regions to confront criminal networks driving the illegal exploitation of our planet's natural resources. UNODC is proud to manage this initiative, leveraging the collective expertise and commitment of our partners to strengthen enforcement, disrupt illicit supply chains, and protect biodiversity.”

Ghada Fathi Waly
^{UNODC Executive Director}

The content of this webpage is the sole responsibility of UNODC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime