THEME 3: CONSERVATION CRIME:
Introduction:
Criminological research worldwide focuses more on conventional,
sensational and high-profile crimes in society (e.g. murder, rape, assault)
ignoring crimes committed in the conservation realm.
The extent and seriousness of natural resources-related crime have only
recently been acknowledged.
The lack of action taken to date in this area vividly portrays the lifestyle
and philosophy of a capitalist system – the notion that humans have a
right to make use of all the resources on the planet; that other life forms
such as animals are there to serve our needs and that humanity has no
long-term obligations to future generations or the natural world.
In South Africa, this situation is made worse by the general lack of
understanding and awareness of issues such as conservation crime and
an unconcerned attitude among South Africans. The consequences of this
uninterested attitude unfortunately include a steady decline and demise
of South African’s precious floral and fauna biodiversity.
Definition Of Key Concepts:
DEFINITION OF CONSERVATION CRIME
- Conservation crime may be defined as any intentional or negligent
human activity or manipulation that impacts negatively on the
earth’s biotic and/or abiotic natural resources, resulting in
immediately noticeable or indiscernible (only noticeable over time)
natural resource trauma of any magnitude.
DEFINING THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
- When defining the illegal trade in endangered species, various
concepts merit closer attention.
- The first two are the terms “illegal trade” and “smuggling” in
endangered species.
- These two terms should be read in conjunction to clarify what is
meant by the illegal trade in endangered species.
Illegal trade includes the hunting, capture, possession, import, export or
transport of endangered species of fauna and flora as well as the
donation or receipt of such species as gifts
Smuggling, on the other hand, is the deceitful or unlawful import,
export, trade or production of scarce goods (e.g. rhino horn), alcoholic
beverages and precious stones.
, - It is essential to clarify the term “endangered species” and to
explain the abbreviation “CITES”.
Endangered species are those species on the brink of extinction or
those in danger of becoming extinct unless urgent measures are taken to
enforce the strict regulation of trade in such species.
- These species are listed in Annexures I and II of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(or CITES).
- This Convention, of which the Republic of South Africa has been a
member since 1975, is concerned with the regulation and/or
prevention of trade in endangered species, both legal and illegal
(CITES 2009).
- The CITES strives to promote the conservation of endangered
species but permits commerce in species of wildlife that can
withstand trade pressure.
The Convention lists three categories of protection:
1. Appendix I: These species are the most endangered among CITES-
listed animals and plants. They are threatened with extinction and
CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species
except when the purpose of the import is not commercial (e.g. for
scientific research).
2. Appendix II: These species are not necessarily threatened with
extinction but may become so unless trade is not closely controlled.
3. Appendix III: Species in this category are conditionally tradable in
order to help individual countries gain international cooperation in
protecting their own native species.
DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENT
- The South African Environment Conservation Act, 73 of 1989,
defines the environment as the collection of surrounding objects,
conditions and influences that affect the life and habits of people or
any other organism or collection of organisms
- The environment may be defined as water, soil and air, as well as
the interaction between these resources and all creatures.
DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
- Environmental pollution may be defined as the slow, insidious
process of destroying the world by contaminating and killing the
earth’s ability to support life.
- The introduction by humans into the environment of
Introduction:
Criminological research worldwide focuses more on conventional,
sensational and high-profile crimes in society (e.g. murder, rape, assault)
ignoring crimes committed in the conservation realm.
The extent and seriousness of natural resources-related crime have only
recently been acknowledged.
The lack of action taken to date in this area vividly portrays the lifestyle
and philosophy of a capitalist system – the notion that humans have a
right to make use of all the resources on the planet; that other life forms
such as animals are there to serve our needs and that humanity has no
long-term obligations to future generations or the natural world.
In South Africa, this situation is made worse by the general lack of
understanding and awareness of issues such as conservation crime and
an unconcerned attitude among South Africans. The consequences of this
uninterested attitude unfortunately include a steady decline and demise
of South African’s precious floral and fauna biodiversity.
Definition Of Key Concepts:
DEFINITION OF CONSERVATION CRIME
- Conservation crime may be defined as any intentional or negligent
human activity or manipulation that impacts negatively on the
earth’s biotic and/or abiotic natural resources, resulting in
immediately noticeable or indiscernible (only noticeable over time)
natural resource trauma of any magnitude.
DEFINING THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
- When defining the illegal trade in endangered species, various
concepts merit closer attention.
- The first two are the terms “illegal trade” and “smuggling” in
endangered species.
- These two terms should be read in conjunction to clarify what is
meant by the illegal trade in endangered species.
Illegal trade includes the hunting, capture, possession, import, export or
transport of endangered species of fauna and flora as well as the
donation or receipt of such species as gifts
Smuggling, on the other hand, is the deceitful or unlawful import,
export, trade or production of scarce goods (e.g. rhino horn), alcoholic
beverages and precious stones.
, - It is essential to clarify the term “endangered species” and to
explain the abbreviation “CITES”.
Endangered species are those species on the brink of extinction or
those in danger of becoming extinct unless urgent measures are taken to
enforce the strict regulation of trade in such species.
- These species are listed in Annexures I and II of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(or CITES).
- This Convention, of which the Republic of South Africa has been a
member since 1975, is concerned with the regulation and/or
prevention of trade in endangered species, both legal and illegal
(CITES 2009).
- The CITES strives to promote the conservation of endangered
species but permits commerce in species of wildlife that can
withstand trade pressure.
The Convention lists three categories of protection:
1. Appendix I: These species are the most endangered among CITES-
listed animals and plants. They are threatened with extinction and
CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species
except when the purpose of the import is not commercial (e.g. for
scientific research).
2. Appendix II: These species are not necessarily threatened with
extinction but may become so unless trade is not closely controlled.
3. Appendix III: Species in this category are conditionally tradable in
order to help individual countries gain international cooperation in
protecting their own native species.
DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENT
- The South African Environment Conservation Act, 73 of 1989,
defines the environment as the collection of surrounding objects,
conditions and influences that affect the life and habits of people or
any other organism or collection of organisms
- The environment may be defined as water, soil and air, as well as
the interaction between these resources and all creatures.
DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
- Environmental pollution may be defined as the slow, insidious
process of destroying the world by contaminating and killing the
earth’s ability to support life.
- The introduction by humans into the environment of
