Request for Proposal for the Provision of a Research Project Titled Illegal trade in Pangolins in South Asia

Please read the RFQ for full details. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to contract for a duration of 6 months, with a research consultant / consultancy company that will provide research and report writing services for WWF-UK. WWF-UK is conducting this piece of work to inform efforts to support pangolin conservation and address illegal wildlife trade affecting South Asia. This will support one of WWF UK's key results under its current strategy period; to address drivers of biodiversity loss and 'ensure we are on track for populations of our priority species in our priority places to be stable or increasing by 2030'. Asia's pangolins continue to be threatened by demand for their scales, used in traditional medicine, and for their meat consumed as a luxury dish. Despite being listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), regulation of trafficking across international borders remains a problem. A lack of information regarding the trade routes used, and inadequate use of the available legal tools to deter trafficking, are thought to be key obstacles to countering this crime. The border areas and main shipping routes in the South Asian region of India, Nepal and Pakistan are of serious concern for pangolin trafficking and are the focus of this Proposal. WWF has a strategic focus on pangolins in the region and the outputs linked to this Proposal will inform these activities as well as those of the wider community seeking to address IWT affecting South Asia. The key objectives for this project are Goal: To guide conservation actions to address illegal trade in pangolins affecting South Asia with a focus on India, Nepal and Pakistan's border regions Objectives 1. To characterise patterns and drivers of pangolin trade in South Asia. 2. To characterise and international trade routes and hubs of pangolin trafficking in South Asia (detailing any linkages to China, if present). 3. To provide an analysis of seizure data to provide insights to the effort made to prevent trafficking of pangolins in this region. 4. To provide an overview of relevant policy and regulation relevant to illegal trade in pangolins in these jurisdictions. 5. To develop recommendations for WWF and other stakeholders to enhance collaborative efforts in the region to eliminate the illegal pangolin trade.