Big Tusks & Big Data: Modern Methods to Fight Wildlife Crime

GEI was fortunate enough to be invited to attend and share research findings at the ‘Seminar on the Theory and Practice of Endangered Wildlife Conservation Law Enforcement’ held on October 29 in the Nanjing Forest Police College. In addition to the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office and Custom’s anti-smuggling systems personnel, the national and local leaders within the forest public security agencies, and around fifty teachers in related fields from Nanjing Forest Police College attended the seminar.

Photo Credit: Nanjing Police Force Academy

The Seminar signified a strong step forward in wildlife protection and built up methods for enforcing wildlife trafficking legislation. However, there’s a lot of work to be done that requires efforts from NGOs & even you!

Read on to learn more about the police force in charge of protecting precious animals & plants and how social media & big data might just be the keys to protecting these species for good.

China’s Forestry Police – The first line of defense against illegal poaching & trade

The Forestry Police is one of China’s main law enforcement units and is specifically in charge of protecting wildlife resources, ecological security, and public forests. Ultimately, China’s Forestry Police shoulders the responsibility of constructing China’s ecological civilization that President XI heavily emphasized in the 19th National Congress.

Technology’s Challenges & Solutions – A New Era for Forestry Police Protection

Cracking down on illegal wildlife trade has always been under the jurisdiction of the Forest Police, however, the trade today looks very different from the Police’s first activities. The rapid development of internet and online platforms in China have become a breeding ground for illegal wildlife trade. In efforts to avoid or evade law enforcement’s tracking, customers and traders use social networking websites and other trading platforms. 

Photo Credit: Michael Nichols, National Geographic

While technology has enabled trades to happen faster than ever before, online nature of transactions can be advantageous to Forestry Police’s efforts. In fact, by conducting ‘big data’ analysis of the online activity, the Forestry Police can detect current and potential crime across a wider area and with more accuracy than ever before.

During the Seminar, GEI shared its research doing big-data analysis on mammoth ivory sales over Chinese social networking websites. We have found that since 2015, sales of mammoth ivory on social networking platforms has increased substantially.

Linda Chou, GEI Overseas, Investment, Trade, and Environment Program Officer (L)

Photo Credit: Nanjing Police Force Academy

As the regulation on the domestic mammoth ivory market is relatively loose, we suggest that it may be used as a cover for the illegal ivory trade after the ban on ivory trade goes into effect next year. GEI presented our research and findings in an effort to suggest innovative and modern techniques for eradicating the illegal ivory trade.
The presentation by GEI demonstrated that a non-governmental organization has a valuable role to play in strengthening cooperation between law enforcement units. In fact, NGOs can facilitate more cross-department collaboration, share research, introduce new technology mechanisms and support the legal policies.

What you can do: The public has a role to play, too! 

1. Be a responsible consumer: do not buy, raise, or eat endangered animals and plants or their products.
2. Use your online & offline voice: report any suspicious activity or actual illegal trafficking of wildlife (online or offline) to the Local Forest Police.