Cambodia launches unit to tackle wildlife trafficking

The Cambodian government has formally launched the the Cambodian Wildlife Enforcement Network Co-ordination UnitPhnom Penh, Cambodia, 13 August 2010—the Cambodian government will further its commitment to combating illegal wildlife trade by today launching the Cambodian Wildlife Enforcement Network Co-ordination Unit (CWCU).

The CWCU will be led by Cambodia’s Forestry Administration and link national and international agencies involved in policing the wildlife trade.

His Excellency Chan Sarun of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will officially inaugurate the CWCU, linking Cambodia to the regional ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) and the anti-trafficking efforts of neighboring countries.

The CWCU will serve as the focal point within the Cambodian government to combat wildlife crimes, and will communicate with border police and customs in Cambodia and the ASEAN-WEN co-ordinating units and task forces of all ASEAN countries. 

Since 2001, the Cambodian government, with support from Wildlife Alliance, a CAWT Partner, has been cracking down on the illegal wildlife trade through the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT)—the wildlife crime investigation and counter-trafficking unit of the Forestry Administration.

Staffed by forestry officers and military police, WRRT has rescued more than 43,000 live wild animals from traffickers, closed hundreds of restaurants and shops selling wildlife, and dramatically reduced wildlife sales in Cambodia.

The field-based WRRT enforcement unit will continue cracking down on wildlife shipments throughout the country and function as the enforcement arm of the CWCU.

Linking the WRRT with the ASEAN-WEN framework will enhance investigations and enable the rescue team to work with other agencies, such as Cambodian police and customs and law enforcement officers of neighboring countries, to conduct transboundary investigations and target wildlife traffickers who have left Cambodian borders.

The launch of the CWCU and implementation of ASEAN-WEN in Cambodia has been funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).

Core support for ASEAN-WEN is provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State. FREELAND Foundation and CAWT Partner TRAFFIC, via a cooperative partnership with USAID, provide technical assistance to government agencies implementing ASEAN-WEN.