How the financial world can help fight wildlife crime

Illegal wildlife trade is estimated to generate more than US$20 billion every year. That adds up to a lot of illicit financial transactions. That’s why a new initiative called Project Anton brings together not only law enforcement, NGOs and governments but also banks to help clamp down on illegal wildlife trade. Stuart Davis is Executive Vice President of Financial Crimes Risk Management & Group Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer at Scotiabank. He’s our guest this episode and tells us about this new project, what exactly wildlife crime looks like and the role a bank plays in preventing it. 

Read more about illegal wildlife trade and Scotiabank’s partnership with United for Wildlife. 

Key moments this episode: 

0:02 — The story of wildlife ranger and conservationist Anton Mzimba 

1:26 — What exactly is illegal wildlife trade? 

2:07 — How big the problem really is 

2:51 — Why are animals illegally trafficked?  

3:33 — What is a zoonotic disease?  

3:56 — Where does this trade take place? What about in Canada? 

4:56 — The surprising ways these animals can be smuggled 

5:37 — How did the Bank become involved in preventing these crimes? 

6:23 — How the Bank helps crack down on illegal wildlife trade 

9:19 — What is the United for Wildlife’s financial task force? 

10:33 — What exactly does Project Anton do? 

12:51 — More about the late Anton Mzimba