Combine community patrols, enforcement and trade disruption

Build enforcement around the full chain of harm: local detection and reporting, fair and accountable patrols, evidence collection, investigations, prosecution and disruption of transport, online markets and financial flows. Community participants should have a defined role, safe reporting channels, compensation where appropriate and safeguards against abuse.

CITES provides the international framework for regulating trade in listed wildlife, but effective protection also depends on national law, local legitimacy and enforcement capacity. Activity metrics such as patrol distance or seizures should not substitute for biological outcomes and independent oversight.

Enforcement alone will not resolve livelihood dependence, conflict or legal but unsustainable exploitation. Those require complementary interventions.