Small Arms Survey Eric Berman Managing Director, Small Arms Survey 24 SEPTEMBER 2012 Militarization of poaching and anti-poaching in Africa Beyond Enforcement: Communities, governance, incentives and sustainable use in combating wildlife crime Khristopher Carlson, Small Arms Survey February 2015 Muldersdrift, South Africa

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Militarization The militarization of anti-poaching initiatives includes the use of military or para military personnel, training, equipment, technologies, and partnerships in wildlife conservation (Lunstrum) The militarization of poaching activity includes the use of advanced weaponry, equipment and tactics. … “war on poaching,” “rhino wars,” “conservation war”…

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Firearms Poachers’ guns: Hunting rifles (.375 &.458 calibre common) Craft weapons (shot guns, muzzle loaders, etc… ) Military style rifles (AK-47 variants, SMGs, …) Sources: Diversion (police, border guards, military), illicit markets, commanditaires/sponsors, theft… … weak national firearms control mechanisms in many states

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Armed poachers Armed Groups (Janjaweed, Seleka, Mai Mai militias, FDLR, LRA, … ) Military / Government (FARDC, UPDF, S Sudan and Sudan, … ) Other (criminal groups, transnational networks…) Subsistence (local people)

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Militarised anti-poaching responses Boost ranger patrols and army presence (people, helicopters, weapons…) Employ high-tech monitoring systems, e.g., drones, satellites Shoot on sight policies and “sweeps” Private security providers

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Outcomes of militarised anti- poaching responses Rise in number of arrests Seizures of weapons, ammunition and illegal wildlife Killing of poachers, anti-poaching members, civilians High state expenditures Do these strategies lead to lower poaching rates? …more data is needed

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Impacts on communities Insecurity Decreased access to land and resources (insecurity, fences, …) Killing, rape, torture, disappearances, property destruction/theft Erosion of community confidence in and cooperation w/ gov’t and (armed) anti-poaching activity

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Finally… Poor national firearms control and widespread proliferation = readily accessible weapons for poaching Militarization of anti-poaching strategies fuel poachers’ response and vice versa… arms race

SMALL ARMS SURVEY Beyond Enforcement 2015 Thank You