FEATURED PROJECTS
Collaborating to Create Corridors for African Wildlife
Our team at Law of the Wild has spent years working to secure and enforce protected areas. With the launch of Project WildRange, we are taking the next step by collaborating with key partners to establish and re-wild a vast, protected corridor in Africa.
The first phase of the corridor project has kicked off in South Africa’s biodiversity-rich Eastern Cape province. Learn more: https://www.lawofthewild.org/project-wildrange
Saving the Māui Dolphin from Extinction
From 2019, members of our team fought to save the critically endangered Maui dolphin from extinction in poorly managed New Zealand fisheries. With likely less than 50 Maui dolphins still alive, our founders were lead counsel in a lawsuit against U.S. government officials seeking a ban under the Marine Mammal Protection Act against New Zealand seafood imports from fisheries responsible for killing this rare dolphin.
Providing Anti-Poaching Support to Prosecutors
Since 2016, members of our team have worked with public prosecutors around the world to assist with evidence gathering and written legal submissions in cases targeting wildlife poaching, with a focus on marine species.
Enhancing Laws for Migratory Species
Since 2017, members of our team have supported the Secretariat for the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in its implementation of conservation actions for whale sharks and the Atlantic humpback dolphin and also performed legislative gap analyses to assess whether range States are sufficiently protecting migratory sharks. Members of our team have also been working with government officials in multiple countries to ensure that CMS listed species are adequately protected.
Supporting Proper Implementation of CITES
Since 2015, members of our team have been involved in numerous projects designed to secure more protections for wildlife species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Our team members have advocated for shark listings at CITES Conferences of the Parties and participated in working groups seeking to strengthen, among other things, the CITES enforcement regime, with a particular focus on sharks. Members of our team have also been assisting government officials in multiple countries with implementing CITES measures for the protection of species.
Conducting Capacity Training for Judges, Prosecutors and Enforcement Officers
Since 2016, members of our team have conducted live and virtual workshops in numerous countries, including Palau, Peru, Panama, Ecuador, and Gabon to raise greater awareness among government officials concerning the international and domestic legal and policy tools at their disposal in the fight against wildlife crime and to help empower those officials to take strong action against such crime.
Developing Environmental Crimes Manuals
Since 2016, members of our team have produced and contributed to three environmental crimes manuals for use by prosecutors in Argentina, Palau, and Peru. In 2021, our founders had the privilege of working with Dr. Juan Sebastian Lloret, partner NGO Fundación Expoterra, and multiple co-authors in Argentina to co-produce a manual that provides key guidance on the application of domestic and international law to combat a range of environmental crimes.
Establishing & Enhancing Protected Areas
Since 2016, members of our team have been encouraging the creation of highly effective and well-enforced MPAs, including highlighting gaps in implementing legislation, encouraging the use of powerful technological tools to enforce MPA protections, advocating for the creation of high seas MPAs, and pushing for the fulfillment of the critical goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Shining the Spotlight on Agency Action and Inaction
Since 2015, members of our team have issued numerous requests under the Freedom of Information Act asking for information concerning U.S. government agencies’ compliance with environmental laws and frequently filed successful lawsuits against those agencies when they refused to open their records to public scrutiny.
Establishing Africa's First Full Shark & Ray Sanctuary
Since 2019, members of our team have worked with Gabonese officials to establish a shark and ray sanctuary in Gabon. Our founders led the development of all project components - from enforcement to monitoring - and completed an initial draft of powerful new legislation that will prohibit the take, sale, and trade of all sharks and rays in Gabonese waters.
Ending Whaling in Iceland
In 2018 and 2019, members of our team worked with an excellent local law firm in Iceland to end the killing of fin whales. Our collaborative work encouraged greater government scrutiny of whaling practices that led to increasing pressure on the Icelandic whaling industry to shut down operations until 2023. We continue to contribute our expertise to try to protect this extraordinary species from slaughter.
Connect With Us
Law of the Wild
7511 Greenwood Ave N #4214
Seattle, Washington, 98103
United States
info@lawofthewild.org
Tel: +1 206-774-0048