Wildlife Crimes

Illegal hunting involves the unauthorised pursuit, capture, or killing of wild animals in violation of national laws or international agreements. Specific illegal practices include hunting without required licences or permits, targeting protected or endangered species, hunting outside of designated seasons or in prohibited locations, and using banned methods, such as unpermitted firearms, inhumane poisons, or prohibited traps. In the Caribbean, illegal hunting affects a diverse range of habitats—including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal ecosystems—and a similar diversity of wild animals, including parrots, agoutis, monkeys, frogs, iguanas, and marine turtles for food, trade, recreation, or cultural purposes.

The consequences of illegal hunting are significant and intersect all five CAR-WEN core values. Biodiversity conservation is heavily impacted, as targeted wildlife populations may experience severe declines, leading to broader ecological imbalances and reduced species diversity. Illegal hunting often involves methods that severely compromise animal welfare, causing prolonged distress, injury, or unnecessary suffering. Frequent violations, combined with limited enforcement capacity, undermine the rule of law and weaken public trust in wildlife management frameworks. Human well-being suffers as local communities face cultural and economic losses, particularly when hunted species hold value for ecotourism, traditional livelihoods, or cultural heritage. Additionally, illegal hunting can elevate public health risks, particularly when wild meats or wildlife products enter markets without adequate health inspections, increasing the potential for zoonotic disease transmission.

While illegal hunting is globally recognised as a significant wildlife management challenge, effectively addressing this crime in the Caribbean requires community engagement, improved enforcement capabilities, targeted research, and culturally sensitive strategies that account for local ecological, economic, and social realities.