The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) is an international initiative that brings together governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to combat wildlife trafficking and its illegal trade. The coalition's primary goal is to reduce the illegal trade in wildlife, which threatens biodiversity, ecosystems, and the survival of many endangered species.
Founded in 2005, CAWT works to strengthen global efforts in wildlife law enforcement, policy advocacy, and capacity-building to address the growing challenges posed by wildlife trafficking. It seeks to coordinate actions across countries, raise awareness, and improve the effectiveness of anti-trafficking measures.
Key objectives of CAWT include:
- Enhancing law enforcement: Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to detect and dismantle illegal wildlife trafficking networks.
- Raising public awareness: Educating the public on the consequences of wildlife trafficking and the importance of protecting biodiversity.
- International cooperation: Encouraging and facilitating collaboration between countries to address wildlife trafficking that crosses national borders.
- Advocating for stronger policies: Promoting the adoption and enforcement of stronger legal frameworks to combat wildlife trafficking.
CAWT is also focused on ensuring that the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife are prioritized, and that governments take responsibility for protecting endangered species from exploitation through illegal wildlife trade.
- The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) aims to focus public & political attention & resources on ending the illegal trade in wildlife & wildlife products.
- Initiated in 2005, CAWT is a unique voluntary public-private coalition of like-minded governments & organizations sharing a common purpose.
- CAWT improves Wildlife Law Enforcement by expanding enforcement training & information sharing & strengthening regional cooperative networks.
- Catalyze high-level political will to fight wildlife trafficking by broadening support at the highest political levels for actions to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
- The CAWT organisation is not directly involved in any enforcement activities.
