The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), in partnership with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), successfully conducted a Wildlife Judicial and Prosecutorial Assistance Training (WJPAT) on “???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????, ???????????????????? ????????????????????????, ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????” in Addis Ababa from 24th – 27th March 2026.
The training brought together ten (10) participants, including six canine handlers and four anti-trafficking officers. It aimed to strengthen the capacity of frontline wildlife law enforcement personnel by equipping them with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to effectively respond to, secure, and process wildlife crime scenes.
In addition, the training focused on transforming canine handlers into confident, credible, and effective witnesses, while reinforcing compliance with international human rights standards in law enforcement operations.
The training was delivered through a combination of presentations, demonstrations, and practical case exercises. Key topics covered included introduction to wildlife crime scenes, actions at the crime scene, evidence management and reporting, the criminal justice process, basic court testimony skills, and the integration of human rights principles into wildlife law enforcement.
As a result of the training, participants have enhanced their capacity to manage wildlife crime scenes, apply proper evidence collection and preservation techniques, and effectively testify in court proceedings. They also gained a stronger understanding of Ethiopia’s criminal justice system and the importance of upholding human rights standards in their day-to-day enforcement activities.
Moving forward, the trained officers are expected to apply these competencies in the field by effectively responding to wildlife crime incidents, adhering to safety and initial response protocols, ensuring proper handling of evidence, and consistently integrating human rights principles into their enforcement practices.