MONROVIA – Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP) and the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment at Lewis & Clark Law School (GLA), in partnership with Liberia’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ), hosted a workshop titled “Combating Chimpanzee Trafficking Training for Magistrates and Prosecutors” from September 25-27 at the Cape Hotel in Monrovia. The workshop, focused on western chimpanzees, provided prosecutors and judges with knowledge and skills to more effectively prosecute wildlife trafficking cases and contribute to the deterrence of illicit capture and trade. The three day training brought together seventeen lawyers, prosecutors and magistrates from Southeast Liberia, a major wildlife crime hotspot, as well as representatives from Liberia’s James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute. This important workshop was held as part of the Action for Chimpanzees project, led by the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) and supported by the United States Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
In his opening remarks, Acting Director for INL, U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Stephen H. Kissik congratulated MOJ, LCRP, PASA and GLA on conducting “an informative, timely and impactful training.” Kissik also thanked participants for their attendance. During his introductory remarks, Global Law Alliance’s Nicholas Fromherz expressed that his “organization was honored to participate in this important workshop. Reducing wildlife crime is impossible in the absence of informed and committed judges and prosecutors.”
The INL supported training included presentations, theoretical and practical sessions, and group discussions. Topics included the global significance and impact of wildlife crime, relevant legislation and international conventions, case management and court procedures, international cooperation and legal assistance, interagency collaboration and coordination, and more. Representing the Minister of Justice and the Ministry, Cllr. Boakai Harvey requested “ongoing training programs to ensure judges and prosecutors remain updated on emerging issues and best practices in wildlife law enforcement.”
On the final day, the participants were presented with certificates of completion and showed their support for chimpanzees by wearing their LCRP shirts and signing LCRP’s Zero Tolerance Pledge. LCRP is a chimpanzee sanctuary and conservation center dedicated to improving the lives of chimpanzees, both wild and rescued, through rehabilitation, protection and conservation. LCRP collaborates with the government of Liberia, and local and international partners to develop long term strategies that combat the illegal trade and conserve chimpanzees and other protected wildlife.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has identified illegal wildlife trade as the fourth largest illegal trade after arms, human trafficking and narcotics and it is often linked to such crimes, as well as money laundering and fraud. IWT decimates biodiversity, increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission and threatens public health, the economy and national security.
For several decades, global populations of western chimpanzees have been declining due to the persistent threat of poaching, international trafficking and severe habitat degradation. This iconic species is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which means the western chimpanzee is at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Chimpanzees are protected by law in Liberia – it is illegal to hunt, trade, capture, or keep chimpanzees as pets.
Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection is dedicated to improving the lives of chimpanzees, both wild and rescued, through rehabilitation, protection and conservation. We are Liberia’s first and only sanctuary for all chimpanzees in need. Our Conservation Center operates as a one health hub, bringing together partners from diverse sectors to advance local, regional and international wildlife protection and conservation initiatives. LCRP rescues chimpanzees in need and keeps wild chimps wild.