Illegal wildlife trade: Analyzing the relationship between seizures’ characteristics and sanctions

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

While illegal wildlife trade involves environmental, political, economic, and health issues, law enforcement initiatives to deter this trade are scarce. Plus, sanctions are rarely enforced nor adequately administered. To this date, little is known on illegal wildlife trade sentencing and few studies have examined how seizures’ characteristics influence wildlife crime sentences. This study addresses such a limitation by analyzing how the characteristics of seizures influence the decision to arrest and charge. A total of 866 seizure cases recorded across the globe between January and May 2021 were analyzed. The results reveal that seizure characteristics do relate to the sanction administered. Indeed, the region of the world, type of commodity, seizure scene, and the threat status of the seized species all play a role in the decision to arrest and charge. The results of this study provide insights into what influence wildlife crime sanctions and points toward inequalities in how such crimes are treated across the globe.

Author

• Léanne Rumeng Vincendon, University of Montreal