Thailand has established the Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit (WCU) to analyze information and support police in breaking up and arresting members of cartels that use the Kingdom as a pathway to smuggle endangered species and other wildlife.

The Kingdom has made a strong commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and worked with other governments, civil society groups and international law enforcement to catch the smugglers and seize their goods. The trafficking is usually carried out by global organized crime syndicates.

Overseen by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit is funded by the Illegal Wildlife Trade Project with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

The Illegal Wildlife Trade Project is a five-year endeavor aimed at stopping the illegal trade in ivory, rhino horn, tigers, pangolins and other endangered species. Almost all ivory smuggled through Thailand comes from Africa, as do rhino horns. Thailand has the highest number of wild tiger population in Southeast Asia. The Government works hard to prevent poaching and the number of tigers in Thailand has been rising.

Thailand is chiefly a transit country for these illicit goods, which are in high demand in other countries in the region.

Noppadol Pholsen, Secretary to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment said the unit uses “I2” database technology and software to collect wildlife data, which is typically more complex and difficult to analyze.

I2 helps investigators visualize and interpret data to help investigate the trade. It also helps authorities to map connections between wildlife poachers and their communications devices.

The DNP has trained 80 park officers nationwide to use the database so they can work closely with the WCU.

Photo courtesy of https://wcti12.com/news/