The Latin American and Caribbean region ranks as the most biologically diverse region in the world, encompassing 22% of WCS' priority regions and containing 1 of only 3 priority landscapes worldwide.
Since 2019, ABA ROLI has partnered with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to help combat and put an end to wildlife and wild spaces trafficking in Latin America. “Wildlife trafficking benefits from corruption and weak governance along the trade chain, and it further weakens rule of law and security for communities living alongside wildlife and wild places,” according to WCS. Through the Strengthening Capacity and Commitment to Combat Wildlife Trafficking in Latin America project, ABA ROLI will conduct a series of assessments and capacity building activities to help reduce the poaching and trafficking of protected wildlife and their parts originating from, transiting through, and/or sold in Latin America. The program seeks to enhance wildlife-related legislative and regulatory frameworks and build the capacity of civilian and law enforcement and justice sector authorities to prevent, investigate and prosecute wildlife trafficking. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs through the WCS.
