Algeria
Egypt
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Libya
Morocco
Palestine *
Syria *
TunisiaCombatting Wildlife Crime in Palestine: A Joint Effort to Protect Biodiversity Amidst Conflict
Internationally, wildlife criminality is in the top 10 most profitable activities for criminal organisations.
Palestine makes no exception. Furthermore, environmental threats, global in nature, are exacerbated in situations of conflict.
This is why EUPOL COPPS Environmental Investigation Adviser held a joint lecture on combatting wildlife and nature crime with the director of the Palestinian Society for Environment and Sustainable Development, Sa’ed Shomaly, attended by 19 officers from several Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) branches, on 17 September in Bethlehem.
Although small, Palestine is home to a precious and huge biodiversity (379 kind of birds, 42 types of reptiles, 98 species of mammals), which is under threat, as the Palestinian environmental expert detailed about, showing real case videos of captured eagles and hyenas cubs being freed and released in the environment they belong to, as examples.
EUPOL COPPS Environmental expert detailed on international Conventions and investigations, the importance of cooperation among agencies and authorities and the relevance of cooperation with civil society.
The pertinence of accurate reporting and investigating on the profits of such crimes and on animal cruelty was also discussed in a climate of high interaction and palpable genuine interest in the room.
Countries covered:
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Palestine *
