Wildlife 1 Conservancy has over 20 years extensive experience working with non-state actors in Myanmar and has developed the Myanmar Wildlife Protection Initiative (MWPI) to provide the knowledge, resources and capacity for local actors to effectively manage conflict and post-conflict development that protects biodiversity and endangered species and raises critical awareness of the many threats and challenges posed by wildlife trade and trafficking.

The MWPI aims to protect biodiversity and prevent illegal wildlife trafficking in Myanmar by strengthening the capacity and operational capabilities of local non-state governing authorities in Myanmar.

The initiative addresses threats posed by the inability of the Myanmar government to prevent the poaching of endangered species and the destruction of valuable biodiversity. The primary objective is to enhance the capacity of local actors by developing their enforcement capacities to sustainably manage protected areas. The approach employed by the MWPI entails consultation with local actors to assist them in developing their capacity. 

The project offers programs to address diverse threats presented by conflict, lack of regulation, enforcement, and monitoring of the illegal wildlife trade in Myanmar including:

• Extinction of endangered species by wildlife poachers and traffickers

• The destruction of primary habitat and natural resources

• Spread of zoonotic diseases

The MWPI offers the following training for local groups to develop the following capacities.

• Delineating protected areas 

• Empower the enforcement capacity of local actors through training and deployment of wildlife protection units

• Intelligence on illegal wildlife trafficking

• Monitoring of risks of zoonotic diseases