From Conflict to Justice: Tackling Wildlife Crime at Every Step
Insights from the “Wildlife Crimes: From Cause to Court” Panel at the Nature FIRST Final Conference
Credit: Nalini Heinmueller
Wildlife crime rarely begins with a single act. More often, it stems from unresolved tensions between people and animals, needs and resources, or livelihoods and laws. The panel discussion “Wildlife Crimes: From Cause to Court,” held on 26 June 2025 during the Nature FIRST Final Conference in Rhenen, looked closely at how these tensions escalate and what can be done at each stage.
Moderated by Sonja van Meerbeek (SSF), the panel featured Cristian Remus-Papp (WWF Romania), Greg Simpson (Wildlife Forensic Academy), Claire Gwinnett (Staffordshire University), and Gladys Kamasanyu (Uganda Wildlife Court). Together, they explored the full chain of events: causes of conflict, when it becomes a crime, how it is investigated, and what happens in court.
What Drives Conflict?
Cristian Remus-Papp began with examples from Romania, where human-wildlife conflict often revolves around repeated damage to livestock, crops, and homes. Bears destroy beehives, enter gardens, and raid cornfields. These incidents cause stress, fear, and economic loss. Cristian emphasised that many communities are left to manage the problem on their own. Preventive solutions like electric fences are often underfunded, and compensation systems are slow or unreliable.
The lack of support leads to frustration and retaliation. People share recipes online for bear poison and feel justified in taking matters into their own hands. Cristian stressed that this is not simply a matter of human fault, but of a system that fails to support people living near wildlife. Without proper measures, small incidents can spiral into criminal acts.
When Conflict Becomes Crime
Greg Simpson explained that the legal definition of wildlife crime depends on national laws. But in practical terms, it often begins when someone acts outside of those laws, even if driven by fear or frustration. Killing a predator in retaliation may feel understandable, but it remains a crime if the law forbids it.
Greg shared stories from South Africa and other countries, where animals like baboons are frequently harmed because of misunderstandings or fear. Some animals are injured with air rifles or poisoned, while others become the targets of organised poaching networks. As Greg explained, the drivers of crime shift depending on whether the motivation is subsistence, retaliation, or profit.
At the Scene of the Crime
Claire Gwinnett brought the conversation to the point of investigation. As a forensic expert, she explained that many wildlife crime scenes are difficult to identify, let alone process. Remote locations, harsh conditions, and delayed discovery often mean that evidence is lost before it can be used. There are also practical challenges. Rangers or community members may not know how to secure a scene, and the right people may never be notified.
Claire described how forensic techniques can link suspects to a crime scene using hair, pollen, DNA, or even soil samples. But these methods require training, funding, and access to labs. “This is not CSI,” she said. “It’s slow, difficult work that depends on being prepared in advance.”
Bringing Crimes to Court
Gladys Kamasanyu explained how wildlife crimes are prosecuted and why it is rarely simple. Judges must consider the law, the available evidence, and the broader impact on communities. In Uganda, wildlife crime is taken seriously. The law allows for strong penalties, but Gladys emphasised that punishment must be purposeful. Sentencing someone to years in prison may not serve justice if it pushes their family into further poverty.
She described how courts must strike a balance between protecting wildlife and considering human circumstances. At the same time, convictions rely on reliable evidence. If the chain of custody is broken or digital materials are not handled properly, the case may collapse. Gladys highlighted the importance of good procedures, clear rules for handling evidence, and trusted relationships between agencies.
Shared Challenges, Shared Responsibility
The discussion also touched on corruption, international cooperation, and the role of NGOs and journalists. Cristian pointed out that in Romania, some poaching cases only came to light through media investigations. Gladys confirmed that in Uganda, press coverage has triggered real enforcement action. Participants from the audience asked about secure data collection, cross-border investigations, and the value of partnerships with local communities.
All panellists agreed that responding to wildlife crime requires collaboration. Investigators, judges, scientists, journalists, and communities all have a role to play.
Key Takeaways:
Prevention must be prioritised alongside enforcement
Conflict-driven actions may still be crimes and should be treated accordingly
Investigating wildlife crimes requires adapted forensic methods and trained responders
Successful prosecution depends on the proper handling of evidence and an understanding of the local context
Media and NGOs can play a powerful role in exposing problems and pressuring action
International cooperation remains a major challenge, but it is essential
This panel showed that tackling wildlife crime is not just about reacting after the fact. It is about building systems that prevent conflict, respond to harm, and deliver justice for both people and nature. As Sonja noted at the close, real progress will come when all these efforts work together, not in isolation.
Credit: Nalini Heinmueller
