How is Southern Africa dealing with trafficking in plants and reptiles?

This event explores responses to prevent and combat the growing illegal trade in wildlife.

Date: 2024-10-23

Time: 09:00 to 11:15

Venue: Online via Zoom

The illegal trade in ornamental plants and reptiles has soared recently, with many species removed from the wild in the Succulent Karoo region of South Africa’s Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces. Authorities have seized more than 1.2 million illegally harvested plants across 650 species.

In the Southern Africa region, reptiles are threatened by the lucrative international pet trade, driven by collectors in Europe, the United States and Asia. This event explores current responses to preventing and combatting this illegal trade, which include analysis, collaboration and the use of technology.

In-person attendance at this event is by invitation only.

Moderator: Ronak Gopaldas, Director, Signal Risk and ENACT Advisory Board member

Opening remarks: EU representative

Panelists:

• Dominique Prinsloo, Project Manager, TRAFFIC
• Head, Criminal Analytical Unit, Malawi, INTERPOL ENACT
• Carina Bruwer, Senior Researcher, ISS ENACT
• Melissa Castlemaine, Analyst, ECOSolve, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime