Executive Summary:

Our planet is in the midst of a human-induced mass extinction event. Thousands of species are disappearing on land and at sea. Wildlife crime is the second largest threat to species survival, generating billions of dollars in illegal revenue. Fueled entirely by human factors, this problem can be solved. Conservation medicine experts have now joined forces with intelligence operatives and award-winning filmmakers to create a game-changing, high-impact strategy. JANE, our Justice & Action Network for the Earth, uses an intelligence-driven approach to develop 360 views of endangered species in biodiversity hotspots impacted by wildlife trafficking. JANE allows for rapid detection of major threats, disruption of supply chains, and development of holistic conservation actions that integrate and benefit local communities. From the start, ground-breaking filmmakers will expose the issues through social media and film to drive immediate and lasting change, while reinvesting proceeds into the model to ensure scalability and sustainability.

Challenge Statement

Our planet is in the midst of a human-induced mass extinction, with thousands of species disappearing off the planet. Despite major investments of time, effort, and funds, the rate of extinction has accelerated. Wildlife crime has emerged as the second largest threat to species survival. Criminal syndicates are generating billions of dollars in illegal revenue each year, but often remain undetected and underestimated for their ability to rapidly decimate animal populations. The magnitude of the issues are not matched in government response, international resources, or funding. As biodiversity diminishes, ecosystems are permanently altered, and human livelihoods falter. Additionally, wildlife crime exploits the needs of vulnerable, impoverished communities, using them to facilitate their poaching activities. Once a community is entangled in illegal activities, it becomes increasingly difficult to break free. Conservation actions for species recovery must include impacted communities to ensure viable solutions for alternative, sustainable livelihoods are identified and implemented. Although wildlife crime is a global problem, we have selected three biodiversity hotspots that are rich in species and rife with crime to apply our model for maximum conservation impact. The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot is considered ground zero for wildlife trafficking. The Galapagos Islands and Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands have historically been rich with terrestrial and aquatic life, but pressured by wildlife criminals, these hotspots are in dire need of attention as numerous endemic species are being driven to endangered species status. These include species of dolphins, sharks, and turtles at sea; rhinos, tigers, and pangolins on land.

Solution Overview

JANE is a scalable framework of integrated, central intelligence that informs conservation innovation and action plans, amplified by film to create immediate and lasting change. We will apply this approach to three biodiversity hotspots where wildlife crime is known to have devastating impacts on species survival: Indo-Burma, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands, and the Galapagos Islands. Intelligence operatives will immediately hone in on each hotspot and launch multi-faceted investigations. Capacity will be built by outfitting a state-of-the-art fusion center to process all data received from intelligence operatives, conservation scientists, community leaders, and subject matter experts. 360 views will be created for each hotspot, disentangling complex webs of criminals, animals, and communities, enabling the identification of targeted actions for maximum impact. Intelligence will be shared with trusted law enforcement authorities and media outlets to immediately expose and target wildlife criminals. Based on analyses and expert guidance, conservation teams will deploy into hotspots to implement holistic, community-based conservation action plans, focused on endangered species survival. World-class filmmakers will use the power of storytelling to amplify conservation efforts and build compassion for each of the hotspot’s endangered animals and marginalized communities. A wildlife crimes series and a major documentary film with accompanying impact campaigns will catalyze change that may otherwise take decades to achieve. Through the power of diplomatic screenings, social media outreach, and celebrity premieres with long-standing supporters such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Dr. Jane Goodall, we will bring these issues to the forefront of society and influence governments into action.