The animal welfare organization WWF wants to have reports on violent crimes of game wardens in Africa and Asia reviewed. With the announcement of an „independent investigation“, the WWF responded to a report by the online portal Buzzfeed, according to which the organization finances criminal paramilitary units in the fight against poachers. They tortured and killed dozens of people in national parks in Africa and Asia.
The report by Buzzfeed lists acts of violence by game wardens who have often fallen victim to indigenous people: these were attacked with machetes, knocked unconscious and sexually abused. The WWF had equipped such game wardens and worked with them. The Buzzfeed report accused the WWF of ignoring the raiders‘ offenses.
Not first allegations of violence against WWF
If the data from Buzzfeed confirm, there will be consequences soon, announced the WWF. There are clear rules in the organization to ensure „that both ourselves and our partners protect the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples.“ Any violation of these guidelines would be unacceptable.
It is not the first time that the WWF faces violence. In 2017, the British human rights group Survival International accused animal rights activists of systematically abusing Native Americans in the Cameroon rainforest.
