The SADC Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching Strategy (SADC LEAP) is embedded in the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement.
The Vision of the Strategy is the conservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife embraced as a competitive land use contributing to conservation of biological diversity, economic development and rural growth across the SADC Region.
Its Mission is to facilitate co-ordination and co-operation among Member States in the active protection and effective enforcement of laws relating to natural resources and wildlife conservation through sound policy guidance, the application of requisite knowledge and skills, and the best available technology for the benefit of the Region’s peoples.
The Purpose of the Strategy is to provide a framework for country and regional cooperation, together with international engagement on natural resource management and wildlife-related law enforcement and anti-poaching issues; paying special attention to issues that transcend national boundaries and to encourage concerted action by SADC Member States in the protection, management, conservation and sustainable use of their wildlife and other natural resources.
The Strategic Programme Areas to be addressed are:
1.Enhancement of legislation and judicial processes,
2.Minimization of wildlife crime and illegal trade,
3.Integration of people and nature,
4.Sustainable trade and use of natural resources, and
5.Improvement and strengthening of field protection
In addition, the Strategy includes the establishment of a SADC Wildlife Crime Prevention and Coordination Unit.