Illegal wildlife crime (IWC por sus siglas en inglés) has gained increasing relevance as an environmental challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting both biodiversity and the communities that depend on it. Beyond hurting the region’s extraordinary biodiversity, with almost 700 species already affected, it undermines local livelihoods, fuels insecurity, increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, and erodes the ecosystems that millions of people depend on. IWC often occurs alongside other criminal activities, including drug and human trafficking, illegal logging, mining and land grabbing. These crimes are driven by a complex interplay of economic pressures, governance issues and powerful, often global criminal networks, demanding equally comprehensive and coordinated solutions.  

Across the region, UNDP is working with governments, communities, and conservation partners to address the root causes of IWC and strengthen the institutions responsible for protecting wildlife and the landscapes they inhabit. 

Strengthening Enforcement and Awareness in Ecuador 

In Ecuador, UNDP partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Ministry of Environment and Energy on a wildlife conservation initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which reinforced the country’s capacity to combat wildlife trafficking with over 3,500 project beneficiaries. Critical regulatory tools were developed, including a National Action Plan to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade currently under review and improved protocols for handling wildlife evidence. 

Capacity-building efforts reached a wide range of actors—from police, environmental authorities, and prosecutors to forensic specialists, judges, and wildlife experts. The project strengthened coordination across institutions and formed partnerships with transport and airport operators to detect trafficking and disseminate educational prevention materials. Public engagement played a key role, with a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about wildlife trafficking, an educational program for rural communities and camera traps with community monitors. In parallel, the project promoted sustainable livelihoods and protein sources as an alternative to illegal hunting and trade. 

Integrated Approaches to Combat Wildlife Crime in Argentina 

Argentina is advancing a coordinated, multisectoral response to IWC. A GEF-funded, UNDP-implemented project works in partnership with the Undersecretariat of Environment of Argentina, the National Parks Administration, provincial environmental authorities, research institutions), wildlife rescue centres, livestock associations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and civil society partners to curb illegal hunting and trafficking.  

The project operationalized intersectoral governance platforms in targeted provinces and supports biodiversity-friendly management models across over 20,000 hectares in priority landscapes, benefiting threatened species such as jaguars and migratory waterfowl. Efforts include reinforcing provincial control systems, improving species identification for trafficked wildlife, and developing a Binational Strategy for Jaguar Conservation with Brazil. 

Technology and equipment play a key role in enforcement. Speed radars, road monitoring systems, equipment for wildlife trafficking control posts, and GPS collars for jaguars are strengthening monitoring, evidence generation, and enforcement Complementing these measures is the innovative Jaguar Insurance scheme, which compensates livestock owners for predation, reducing retaliatory killings and aligning conservation with economic resilience. 

Fostering Peace while Protecting Jaguars in Colombia 

A new five‑year GEF-funded project in Colombia led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development with UNDP support will soon launch to reduce human–jaguar conflict by developing coexistence protocols in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and environmental authorities. 

To curb the illegal trade of jaguar parts and their prey, the project will strengthen governance and regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity, and pilot an information platform to track human–jaguar conflict and trafficking dynamics, enabling faster and more coordinated responses. 

Alongside enforcement, the project will also support sustainable livelihoods rooted in biodiversity, including sustainable production, value chains for agrobiodiversity products, conservation and restoration, and financial mechanisms for community resilience.  

Why Regional and Global Cooperation Matters 

Because species and criminal networks cross borders, regional coordination is essential. Platforms such as the Global Wildlife Program and South–South cooperation networks help countries share experiences and develop joint strategies. A strong example of this collaboration in action is UNDP’s leadership of the Jaguar 2030 Coordination Committee, bringing together NGOs, UN Agencies, environmental conventions and Multilateral Development Banks to support governments in protecting jaguar habitats. 

To sustain and scale progress, three priorities stand out: 

• Mobilize public support to highlight the urgency of combating illegal wildlife hunting and trade and protecting ecosystems;  
• Strengthen political commitment and institutional capacity, ensuring adequate resources for enforcement and long-term cooperation mechanisms; 
• Deepen multi-sector partnerships across government, civil society, UN agencies, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the justice system to dismantle trafficking networks and develop effective environmental intelligence systems. 

Illegal wildlife crime threatens not only the rich biodiversity of the region, but also the stability and wellbeing of its communities. Through strengthened governance, collective action, and community-driven solutions, the region can chart a path toward safer, more sustainable landscapes for both people and wildlife.