DPP Ingonga Calls for Global Crackdown on Wildlife Trafficking Networks

Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has urged global collaboration to dismantle wildlife trafficking networks, warning the illicit trade is becoming more sophisticated and linked to corruption and other organized crimes. Ingonga pointed out that wildlife traffickers are now targeting rare reptiles, plants and marine life beyond iconic species like elephants and rhinos.

He attributed this to criminal networks exploiting international transport, digital platforms and financial systems to hide their activities. At the 10th Wildlife Inter-regional Enforcement Conference in Nairobi, Ingonga cited UNODC data showing over 140,000 wildlife seizures across 162 countries between 2015 and 2021 involving approximately 4,000 species.

This, he said, demonstrated the scale and diversity of the problem, with wildlife trafficking contributing to ecosystem destruction, livelihood loss and funding for other crimes. The DPP highlighted a recent Singapore-South Africa operation that seized 55.4 kilograms of rhino horns and other animal parts, underscoring the need for timely intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations.

He warned that traffickers increasingly use digital platforms, encrypted communications and financial systems to conceal their operations and manipulate wildlife permits. Ingonga called for prosecutors to enhance use of digital evidence, wildlife forensics and financial intelligence, urging closer cooperation with investigators from the start of investigations.

He emphasized that enforcement agencies should target financiers, organizers and corrupt officials facilitating the trade, not just the illegal products. The ODPP reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening prosecution-guided investigations, improving evidence handling and facilitating international legal assistance in wildlife trafficking cases.