While the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats have been implemented for decades in many countries, research to date has inadequately addressed weaknesses in their implementation, the inherent ambiguities of conservation efforts, and how these relate to protection of individual animals of endangered species. This research explores how states balance their national and international obligations to protect wildlife with human interests. The project, as a whole, examines how international norms (legal and non-legal) regarding wildlife management and use are transposed into national norms. It explores how this influences the protection and management of endangered species and what socio-legal norms are being communicated through law enforcement of actions which, under different circumstances, may be both legal and illegal, such as collecting and killing wildlife. Employing interdisciplinary and multifaceted research methods, including interviews and case file analysis, the two research papers in this panel concentrate on the successes and failures of law enforcement in two countries, Norway and Germany.
Professor Sollund headed the panel consisting of professor Christoph Stefes and professor Nigel South and professor Avi Brisman as discussant.
Findings from Norway shows there are still weaknesses in the enforcement of CITES, and the practice of euthanizing animal victims of trafficking will likely proceed, although more attempts may be made to save individuals pertaining to endangered species due to a change in the CITES regulation.
In Germany as a federal state, the ways in which CITES is enforced varies. While Germany has dutifully transposed international treaties and European legislation aimed at regulating wildlife trade (CITES) and protecting European endangered species (Bern Convention) into federal law, it has failed to put sufficient resources behind law enforcement
In addition to presenting CRIMEANTHROP findings, professor Sollund also took part in numerous activities such as meetings and with international team members. She also presented the Lifetime achievement award at the ASC Division on Critical Criminology & Social Justice.
In addition, professor Sollund participated at a roundtable discussion presenting work in progress on the reasons for the different reactions to a plant based dish, in this case a plant-based representation of ET, and how that compares to the traditions and general cultural acceptance for carnism/meatism.