Wildlife Trafficking Investigators Program (WTIP)
Published August 12, 2022
On August 1-12, 2022, ILEA Bangkok and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concluded the two-week curriculum of the Wildlife Trafficking Investigators Program (WTIP). The training course provided an overview of various wildlife trafficking investigative topics which were reinforced through field exercises. The curriculum focused on endangered species law, CITES wildlife trade data, wildlife identification, case initiation, management, digital evidence, and surveillance. Furthermore, training included interviewing techniques, ethics and corruptions, covert operations, money laundering, raid planning, report writing and court preparation. Additionally, the FWS shared Information with the 22 participants from Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, and Thailand on procedures for combating wildlife trafficking using investigative methods used in the United States. Lastly, participants were given the opportunity to use field equipment that supported the wildlife investigations.
WTIP emphasized the importance of developing and maintaining global contacts to exchange intelligence and best practices between countries. This exchange of intelligence and cooperation of investigations is crucial in combating international wildlife trafficking.
