Our initial investigations into the illegal wildlife trade in India, in the mid-1990s, revealed that poaching was occurring on an increasingly organised scale. The same names turned up repeatedly in poaching cases from distant parts of the country. We realised that careful and thorough data collection from every poaching case was the key to apprehending the perpetrators.

The WPSI Wildlife Crime Database currently has records of over 18,350 wildlife crimes involving more than 400 species that are targeted by poachers and wildlife traders. The Database now has information on more than 14,000 wildlife criminals and their associates, along with inter-state wildlife traders, smuggling routes, new poaching and trade methods, plus other relevant information. We have identified the worst hit areas and important trading centres. Data is collected from the all the states and union territories of India.

The Database also plays a critical role in exposing the extent of poaching and trade across the country. It has revealed the level of sophistication and organisation reached by wildlife criminals and as a result has changed the perception and knowledge of wildlife crime in India today.

As a result of our extensive collection of data, we are in a position to make well-researched recommendations to government agencies about improving vigilance in vulnerable habitats and about tackling wildlife crime. Both national and international agencies rely on the WPSI Database for accurate information. Government organisations, NGOs, the media and WPSI itself all use the Database to help raise awareness of wildlife crime and to lobby for support.

Data is received and processed daily, using specially developed computer software. After verification, important leads are passed on to government enforcement authorities for further action.

To improve the management, analysis and reporting of the wildlife crime data, WPSI is now using ‘i2’ software. The scope of the analysis will be greatly enhanced by the use of this software and it will help us in identifying changes in the modus operandi of wildlife criminals, in facilitating crime detection and strengthening implementation of wildlife legislation, mapping crime in major species, and disseminating this information for public awareness.

We believe that this analysis of wildlife crime in India will acquire a new dimension along with the extensive information that already exists in the WPSI Database. This will not only increase the organisation’s impact on wildlife crime but also productivity by saving time and resources.

In order to manage the large volume of records on wildlife crime cases available in paper format, as images, legal documents, slides and soft copies, WPSI is using documentation management software called ‘Omnidocs’. The management of the huge amount of data is now streamlined, and it helps us to create a unified repository for all documents and folders across the organization including electronic files, paper images and physical documents.