走出非洲：打击野生动物网络犯罪（英文版）_32页_4mb

IFAW Summary: Out of Africa - Byting Down on Wildlife Cybercrime

Core Content

This report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) focuses on the growing threat of online wildlife trade in Africa, particularly its impact on endangered species. IFAW has been researching this issue since 2004, highlighting the increasing scale of wildlife trade facilitated by the Internet. The report details findings from a six-week research period in seven African countries, where IFAW identified 990 advertisements across 33 online marketplaces and three social media platforms, offering 9,481 specimens of wildlife and their parts or products. The total estimated value of these goods was approximately US $5,828,608.

Main Points

• Online Wildlife Trade Scale: The Internet has become a major platform for the illegal trade of wildlife, with over 90% of the trade occurring on online marketplaces. Social media platforms are also increasingly used, especially in South Africa, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast.
• Species Involved: Reptiles, particularly crocodiles and alligators, make up the majority of the trade, accounting for 82% of all specimens. Elephant products, including hair and ivory, are also heavily advertised. Other species include cats, rhinos, and giraffes.
• CITES and Legal Frameworks: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is central to regulating wildlife trade, with species listed on Appendices I and II receiving the highest level of protection. However, online trade often bypasses these regulations, as sellers may not reference CITES permits.
• Enforcement Challenges: Cybercrime investigations face jurisdictional difficulties, and enforcement efforts are often limited. IFAW has worked with governments and international bodies like INTERPOL to improve policies and training for enforcement agencies.
• Internet Access in Africa: Internet penetration is growing rapidly, with mobile subscriptions just under 70% and mobile broadband access making up over 90% of Internet usage. Despite this, Internet access remains expensive and unevenly distributed across the continent.

Key Findings

• Top Trading Countries: South Africa and Nigeria had the highest number of wildlife trade advertisements (718 and 219 respectively), indicating a greater risk of illegal trade in these regions. In contrast, the Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia had very limited trade.
• Species Breakdown:
  • Appendix I/II: 501 advertisements (50.61%) and 8,184 specimens (86.32%)
  • Appendix II: 253 advertisements (25.56%) and 867 specimens (9.14%)
  • Appendix I: 191 advertisements (19.29%) and 346 specimens (3.65%)
  • Other (Appendix III and domestic legislation): 45 advertisements (4.54%) and 84 specimens (0.88%)
• Ivory Trade: Ivory was featured in 6% of advertisements, with 63 total ads identified. Many were disguised as "ox bone" or "faux ivory" to avoid detection.
• Action Taken: IFAW handed over 33 information logs (representing 392 advertisements) to national enforcers for further investigation, identifying potential breaches of legislation.

Methodology

• Research Scope: IFAW analyzed online marketplaces and social media platforms used by traders in Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Advert Classification: Traders were classified based on their stated location in advertisements.
• Data Collection: Researchers identified 990 advertisements over six weeks, focusing on both local and international platforms, including Alibaba and eBay.
• Collaboration: The research was part of a broader project funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), which included training for enforcers and online companies, as well as reviewing legislation related to wildlife cybercrime.

CITES and Wildlife Cybercrime

• CITES Appendices:
  • Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction, with international trade prohibited.
  • Appendix II: Species not immediately threatened but requiring strict regulation for trade.
  • Appendix III: Species protected by national legislation and needing international cooperation.
• Legal vs Illegal Trade: Distinguishing between legal and illegal trade is difficult online due to lack of documentation and anonymity. IFAW encourages better enforcement and collaboration with online platforms to combat this.

Internet Use in Africa

• Penetration Rates: Africa has only 6% of global Internet users despite having 15% of the global population. Mobile broadband accounts for over 90% of Internet subscriptions.
• Cost and Accessibility: Internet access in Africa is significantly more expensive than in developed countries, with some users paying up to 30-40 times more.
• Growth Trends: Internet access is growing rapidly, especially in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, which may explain their higher levels of wildlife trade.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Threat to Species: Online trade poses a serious threat to the survival of endangered species, with crocodiles and elephants being the most commonly traded.
• Need for Action: Governments and online platforms must collaborate to strengthen legislation, improve enforcement, and raise consumer awareness.
• Recommendations:
  • Enhance national legislation to address wildlife cybercrime.
  • Support enforcement agencies with better training and resources.
  • Encourage online platforms to implement stricter policies and cooperate with authorities.
  • Continue monitoring and reporting on online wildlife trade to track trends and identify risks.

Summary Results

• Reptiles: 82% of all specimens, with crocodiles and alligators (7,263) being the most common.
• Mammals: Featured in over half of all advertisements, with elephants being the most numerous (876 specimens).
• Ivory: 6% of advertisements, with 63 ads identified, including 28 as elephant ivory and 14 as whale ivory.
• Other Species: Includes 123 cat specimens, 54 giraffes, 41 primates, 30 whales, and 27 rhino specimens.

This report underscores the urgent need for global and local action to combat wildlife cybercrime, especially as Internet access continues to expand across Africa.