Born Free Usa United With Animal Protection Institute

Born Free USA delivered a comprehensive program of training and capacity building to wildlife law enforcement officials in eleven West African countries, including judges, prosecutors, customs officers, wildlife authorities, police, INTERPOL, and fisheries authorities (a total of 247individuals received training over 74 training days). In addition, Born Free USA supported countries with the development of National Wildlife Crime Strategies and Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Forces, which are a requirement under the WASCWC. Born Free USA additionally helped West African countries strengthen their legal framework by providing targeted recommendations and drafting assistance to strengthen legislation. Born Free USA provided specialized wildlife law enforcement mentoring to Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force officers across West Africa remotely, and in person in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Ivory Coast. Born Free USA carried out a capacity assessment and made recommendations for ten ECOWAS countries (the Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Benin, Cte dIvoire, Niger, Togo and Senegal) regarding the disposal of confiscated specimens. Born Free USA conducted educational outreach activities that promoted efforts to combat wildlife crime.