This project began with USFWS support in 2015 through the establishment of a national ivory stockpile management system in South Sudan. Prior to 2015, ivory was not collected or secured in a systematic way, and therefore was vulnerable to theft and smuggling out of South Sudan onto the black market. In addition, USFWS supported the establishment of a canine anti-trafficking unit operating in Juba at the airport and road checkpoints, and anti-trafficking sensitization activities targeting the public, foreigners, and government officials including law enforcement departments. This proposal will support activities for a two-year period, including operational support for the canine unit and securing confiscated or otherwise recovered ivory in the National Ivory Store (Objective 2), through: (1) carrying out an ivory trafficking and canine unit awareness program for national agencies operating at checkpoints and airports; (2) conducting detection training for ivory, firearms, and other wildlife products at the Nimule border crossing and various locations in Juba; (3) conducting annual refresher training for the K9 team; (4) continued technical support to the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism in the management of the ivory in the National Ivory Store; and (5) conducting an annual public ivory stock management event. (2018-2020)
Former Project Titles:
- Using innovative ivory anti-trafficking methods to protect elephants of South Sudan (2015-2017)
- To reduce ivory trafficking throughout South Sudan, the grantee will deploy a sniffer dog team to detect ivory, firearms and other wildlife products at key exit points and will establish a national ivory management system for seized ivory. Specific activities include (1) purchasing and training two sniffer dogs from an experienced company; (2) building two dog kennels: (3) training three local handlers from the government wildlife authority; and (4) ongoing operating costs of the dog team to conduct searches and seizures at Jube airport and Nimule border crossing. The project will construct a secure facility to store seized ivory, and engage independent auditors to inventory existing ivory stock, train officers, and develop confiscation and storage procedures.