The research results and recommendations outlined in this report focus specifically on issues related to the wildlife trade in South Africa. The sustainable legal wildlife trade is supported as a fundamental tenet of biodiversity conservation, which supports sustainable use as a movement away from the old paradigm of a solely hands-off (total prohibition) policy. The illegal wildlife trade, on the other hand, should be minimised. After drugs and weapons, this is the third most significant illegal trade in the world.
The report begins with an overview of the objectives and methodology of the research project and the limitations and obstacles that were encountered. A detailed description is provided on the existing legislative, policy and institutional environment related to South Africa's wildlife trade. Specific themes are then outlined and discussed that are either being inadequately addressed by legislation or are not being addressed at all. Finally, a series of recommendations and alignment options are provided for the purpose of assisting provincial and national authorities in amending, developing and drafting nature conservation and biodiversity legislation.