Tortoises and freshwater turtles (Testudines spp.) from Madagascar

Decision directed to Parties

Madagascar is further requested to: a) report on recent activities undertaken to: i) gather information and intelligence on the criminal networks operating within and from Madagascar and pursue investigations targeting those individuals managing and organizing the illegal activities; ii) facilitate information and intelligence exchange with Parties that seize and confiscate tortoises and freshwater turtles originating from Madagascar, with the aim of initiating investigations to bring criminals involved across the illegal trade chain to justice; iii) strengthen enforcement of existing laws and regulations, as well as any activities that might be undertaken to consider reviewing and amending Madagascar’s legislation as needed, taking into consideration paragraphs 6. c), d) and f) of Resolution Conf. 11.3 (Rev. CoP20) on Compliance and enforcement, and associated recommendations resulting from the implementation of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit in the country; and iv) inform and sensitize the public about endemic tortoise and freshwater turtle species of Madagascar and the importance of their conservation and protection, as well as to sensitize and raise awareness among its national law enforcement agencies regarding illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles and the importance of scaling up law enforcement efforts to address this illegal trade and analyse the outcomes of these activities. b) seek financial support and technical assistance, as needed, through the Parties, the Secretariat and relevant conservation partners for the implementation of the Decision; and c) submit a report to the Secretariat 90 days in advance of the 81st meeting of the Standing Committee, for it to be made available to the Committee.