Since then there have been several black rhino calves born at this sanctuary, a true success story.Īdditional fine monies obtained in the Operation Crash investigation were also utilized in other parts of Africa for the anti-poaching of the rhino, including approximately $300,000 in North Luangwa National Park in Zambia, used to protect the black rhino and another $52,000, in partnership with Save the Rhino International, for security and technology workshops in rhino range states. In 2015, we learned that our efforts were rewarded with the announcement of the birth of the first black rhino calf at Sera. However, it was the monies directed to the Rhino and Tiger Conservation Fund in 2014 that I am most proud of because nearly $382,000, in partnership with Fauna and Flora International, was directed to the Sera Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya to help with costs associated with the reintroduction of the endangered black rhino to the new sanctuary that was being created. For example, during the numerous sentencings for the big cat killing investigation called "Operation Snow Plow" we earmarked approximately $342,000 to the Save the Tiger Fund which I was later advised helped fund a Siberian tiger research project in Russia as well as an anti-poaching training program in Thailand. The article illustrated the potential success stories that exist simply by utilizing legal mechanisms in place where fine and/or restitution monies could be earmarked for wildlife protection and conservation projects.įortunately I worked with a lot of great prosecutors who were supportive of this concept, so when the opportunites presented themself, we were able to support some great wildlife projects with fine monies. I recently came across an old article I had saved regarding the Sera Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya and it reminded me of some of the alternative and creative sentencings we pursued with prosecutors during my career for some of the larger convictions we obtained in our wildlife trafficking investigations.
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