Responses to Wildlife Crime in Post-Colonial Times. Who Fares Best?

Abstract

Wildlife crime is an increasing problem worldwide. Based on empirical research, we examine how the criminal justice systems of Brazil, Colombia, Uganda and Norway perceive and respond to such crime, with Norway as the main case study and basis for comparison. While the general assumption is that Northern countries are more ‘developed’ in their response to environmental problems, we argue that Norway, despite its economic resources and international profile as a supporter of environmental protection, is failing to confront illegal trade in—and protection of—endangered species nationally. We propose that these Southern countries have developed more tools in terms of legislation, enforcement, awareness and wildlife protection and that Northern countries have expectations regarding conservation in Southern countries that they themselves neglect.

Mind the Gap! Decoupling Between Policy and Practice in the Policing of Illegal Wildlife Trade

“…Economically wealthy industrialized countries can afford to send significantly larger delegations to meetings and commit more resources than financially challenged countries in the South to lobbying delegates and influencing decision-making processes. Impoverished countries may thereby have less influence on decisions, be subjected to more scrutiny and, consequently, be compelled against their capacity to take disproportionate domestic measures in response to non-compliance with the Convention (Sollund & Runhovde, 2020). Explaining why decoupling happens, should therefore also be a topic for further analysis.…”

“…In 2017, the Norwegian authorities lifted the 40-year long ban, based partly on the argument that it was frequently violated and difficult to enforce(Sollund & Runhovde, 2020).…”

Mapping the Research Landscape on Poaching: A Decadal Systematic Review

“…Commonly, it is considered that the "North" has adequate knowledge to resolve challenges that the "South" faces. However, Sollund and Runhovde (2020) offer the example of Norway, which failed to confront the illegal wildlife trade. The same authors raise concern that the northern countries have expectations regarding conservation in southern countries that they themselves neglect.…”

Wildlife Crime: A Crime of Hegemonic Masculinity?

“…Collecting "wildlife", engaging in reptile-trafficking and keeping and hunting may also reflect a sense of social exclusion and marginalisation from other aspects of society. Such men may thereby increase their social standing among peers who share similar feelings, which again will strengthen such (antiquated) hegemonic ideals of masculinity within these subcultures, and create an even greater divide between the centralised values of a femocratic society which purports to be concerned with environmental issues (Sollund et al 2019;Sollund and Runhovde 2020).…”