Wildlife Species Management Part TwoEnforcement and Socio-economic and cultural aspects of hunting
Last week’s article examined various aspects of wildlife species management projects by
the EMA. This week we will explore socio-economic and cultural aspects of hunting and
the enforcement of wildlife protection legislation.
Socio-economic and cultural aspects of hunting
We frequently encounter stories in the newspapers about citizens being arrested and
charged for hunting offences. One such story is an account of two farmers and a
labourer being arrested for the possession of a monkey carcass in Biche Trinidad in April
2014. Another incident was reported in October 2013 whereby game wardens caught a
Chaguanas man with 18 carcasses of the Scarlet Ibis, the national bird, who was
sentenced to 18 months’ in prison. A third account revealed that during the Christmas
season of 2014, the Trinidad Guardian reported that Conservationists, environmentalists
and game wardens were taken aback over the festive season, after photos of a woman
kissing the decapitated head of an iguana and a man with the reptile’s head partially in
his open mouth surfaced on Facebook.
It appears that Game Wardens are constantly challenged to prevent poachers and outof-season hunting. Hunting is both a livelihood and sport activity in Trinidad and
Tobago, thus the infamous term “wild meat” has almost become a household name.
However this activity requires adequate regulation to ensure the survival of wildlife
populations whilst facilitating the economic and social importance of this “ritual.”
Furthermore, social media has undoubtedly fuelled a national call for strong
enforcement of wildlife protection legislation. Many users share pictures of
indiscriminate citizens posing with deceased wild animals as a means of expressing
outrage over the act of hunting, or as a means of calling on enforcement officials to
apprehend said persons.
The EMA, in understanding the delicate balance between socio-economic activities and
wildlife resource management, included stakeholder components in its Species Research
and Data Capture Program to better understand and engage the hunting community.
Key stakeholders such as hunters and community members will be engaged through
consultations in an attempt to collect data on their knowledge, attitudes and
perceptions (KAP) regarding hunting. Based on this information, an analysis into the
socio-economic and cultural aspects will be conducted which will include an
examination of alternative livelihoods. This aspect of the project aims to ensure that
these persons have alternative opportunities for gaining income which would also
minimise illegal hunting during the proposed moratorium and reduce the likelihood of a
black market for wild meat.
Enforcement
To provide additional support to the Game Wardens tasked with protecting wildlife
species, the EMA is establishing an Environmental Police Post at the Valencia Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre. This post will allow for effective patrols of this area, which borders
an important ecosystem- the Matura National Park, an Environmentally Sensitive Area.
This Centre would facilitate a 24-hour presence of environmental police, with
community persons being trained and made Environmental Officers to assist in
monitoring and enforcement. This would allow for further community capacity building
and livelihood development.
The EMA’s increased police surveillance is accompanied by an increase in penalties and
fines for hunting offences intended to deter citizens from contravening wildlife
regulations. The fines have been increased as per the following:
-Hunting any animal in a game sanctuary: from $1,000 and three months’ imprisonment
to $100,000 and one year in jail
-Taking a dog into a game sanctuary for hunting: from $1,000 and three months’
imprisonment to $100,000 and one year imprisonment
-Hunting a protected animal without a special licence from the Chief Game Warden:
from $1,000 and three months’ imprisonment to $50,000 for each animal
-Hunting in the closed season, without a special game licence and not under the special
conditions to exercise dogs in lands other than the forest reserve and game sanctuaries:
from $2,000 and six months’ imprisonment to $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment
Whilst the initiatives outlined in both articles intend to transform the attitudes and
practices of wildlife management in Trinidad and Tobago, education and awareness
remain key tools to conserving our vulnerable species. The EMA’s Public Education
mandate has and continues to serve as a critical role in addressing this issue, with
increased partnerships with community members and non-governmental based
organizations over the years, resulting in greater mutual understanding and more
efficient channels for addressing wildlife and other environmental matters.
If you have any comments or would like to contribute to this column please send us an
email at emacorner@ema.co.tt.