Kampala, Uganda | May 12, 2025 — In a milestone step toward dismantling international wildlife trafficking networks, Focused Conservation, in collaboration with Orthemis Ltd., successfully hosted an advanced training in Beyond Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for wildlife law enforcement officers from Uganda and Nigeria. The week-long course brought together members of the Uganda Wildlife Crime Unit (UWCU) and the Nigeria Customs Service Special Wildlife Office (SWO) to address one of the fastest-growing threats to wildlife: the internet-fueled illegal wildlife trade.
As wildlife trafficking increasingly migrates online—through social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps, and digital marketplaces—law enforcement agencies are under growing pressure to adapt. Traffickers now exploit the anonymity and reach of the internet to advertise and sell protected species, often across borders, making traditional enforcement tactics less effective.
The training, held at Paraa Safari Lodge and supported by the Uganda Conservation Foundation, focused on equipping officers with cutting-edge OSINT skills to detect, track, and investigate illegal wildlife sales and trafficking networks operating in the digital space. Delivered by experts from Orthemis Ltd., a UK-based training company specializing in cyber-enabled crime, the course emphasized real-world investigative techniques and digital tools that help law enforcement identify and disrupt online trafficking activity.
Beyond technical skills, the training created a rare opportunity for cross-border collaboration. Officers from Uganda and Nigeria worked side-by-side, sharing experiences and establishing communication channels that will strengthen future joint operations. The presence of Emmanuel Oshoba, Comptroller-Intelligence with Nigeria Customs Service, further elevated the event. In his powerful closing remarks, Adewale encouraged participants to carry the mission forward with courage and collaboration.
“This training underscores that the internet has become the new front line in the fight against wildlife crime,” said Rob Asbury, Director of Wildlife Crime Units for Focused Conservation. “Building capacity across borders, and staying one step ahead of traffickers online, is essential to protecting our planet’s most vulnerable species.”
To complement the training, participants traveled to Murchison Falls National Park, where they visited the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Joint Operations Command Center. There, they witnessed firsthand the integration of field intelligence and enforcement efforts protecting Uganda’s iconic wildlife.
This initiative is part of Focused Conservation’s broader mission to support and enhance the capabilities of African wildlife crime units through training, operational support, and international collaboration. The rise of online trafficking presents new challenges—but also new opportunities—for those on the front lines of wildlife protection.
Wildlife crime doesn’t stop at borders—and neither should our efforts to stop it.
