ABSTRACT
Effective conservation defies simplistic solutions. Despite decades of effort and significant financial investment from governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others, the illegal exploitation of natural resources remains a driving cause of biodiversity loss. Key actors and decisionmakers in enforcement agencies and government are most effectively drawn into a discussion about improving an enforcement system when the arguments are presented clearly and rigorously and are complemented by supporting evidence about where and why weaknesses exist. A key concern over strengthening enforcement in isolation is the risk of enforcing unjust or counterproductive laws. Weaknesses that often undermine all steps in the enforcement chain are generated when enforcement agents, police officers, prosecutors, or judges fear negative repercussions from doing their jobs properly or when they are intimidated or co-opted by those breaking the law.
