Responding Effectively to Wildlife Crime in Asia with Species Victim Impact Statements

Abstract

Illegal wildlife trade is a global concern, threatening biodiversity, animal welfare and public health. It is a particular problem in parts of China where wild animals are sourced for food, medicines, exhibition and the pet trade. In the wake of COVID-19, wildlife prosecutions are currently a focus for increased enforcement in the region where, despite having some of highest penalties for wildlife crimes in the world, sentences for wildlife trafficking and poaching have been low. Within the criminal justice system, a failure of legal professionals to connect adequately with science has resulted in lack of recognition of the true impact of illegal trade. Responding appropriately to wildlife crime necessarily requires not only a scientific assessment of harm to the animals targeted by offending, but also the harms caused to biodiversity and the ecosystems within which the animals live. In an effort to assist in the effective deterrence of wildlife crime, collaborators in law and conservation biology at the University of Hong Kong have developed an initiative to provide a series of species victim impact statements for use by investigators, prosecutors and judges in determining the impact of wildlife crime offences. Known as the Species Victim Impact Statement Initiative (SVIS), victim impact statements for wild species are giving a voice to animals in the criminal process and have significantly affected sentencing for wildlife crime in China.