Oak Foundation has awarded the Wildlife Justice Commission a grant of EUR 1,260,000 to support its mission in the coming 3 years, to disrupt and help dismantle the criminal networks that profit from the trafficking of wildlife, a major crime that brings species to extinction and puts global security and public health at risk.
“Oak Foundation is proud to continue providing core support to the Wildlife Justice Commission in its fight against transnational organised wildlife crime. We believe the work of the Wildlife Justice Commission is tremendously important in protecting our planet’s biodiversity. This is a critical component in countering climate change. It is time to act now.”
Christopher Parker, Trustee at Oak Foundation.
With this grant, the Wildlife Justice Commission will focus on those involved in the illegal trade of elephant ivory, rhino horn and pangolins scales. In partnership with law enforcement partners, the aim is to severely disrupt several major trafficking networks at both the Africa and Asia end of the supply chain.
Since the early days of the Wildlife Justice Commission, Oak Foundation has been a strong and committed supporter. Oak Foundation awarded a first core grant in 2016.
“In just six years, the Wildlife Justice Commission has seen incredible results, helping to secure the arrests of 161 wildlife criminals, dismantling 36 criminal networks, and seizing tonnes of their product. This not only severely disrupts these criminal networks, but due to the interconnectedness of the international illegal wildlife trade, the impact extends across the region and globally and sends a message that the risk/reward ratio for wildlife crime is changing.”
Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission.