WILDLIFE CRIME

In Suriname, there is both legal and illegal wildlife trade. Legal trade operates within national laws and international agreements, but illegal trade poses a serious threat to nature and biodiversity. This includes the trade in live animals, bushmeat, and animal products, which can lead to population declines, health risks, and the loss of natural resources. 

Wildlife & People Suriname (WPS) contributes to addressing this problem by monitoring the wildlife trade, identifying illegal trade, and identifying emerging trends. WPS also focuses on education and awareness-raising about legislation and the consequences of illegal trade. At the same time, WPS supports communities in developing sustainable alternative income sources, so that nature conservation and local livelihoods can go hand in hand. We are working to identify alternative sources of income that are more aligned with sustainable development, such as training and support for ecotourism, local services, small-scale production, or other legal activities that can generate income without depleting nature.

WPS is working on an approach that not only combats illegal trade, but also builds solutions together with communities: better monitoring, earlier reporting, more knowledge, and realistic alternatives that strengthen nature and people in the long term.