PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

1. Patrol monitoring
Our first step, at each of the four protected areas where we work, is to introduce patrol monitoring. Our patrol monitoring aims to document and assess patrol efforts and results and is based on GIS technology (a software program called “Mist”). All data are linked spatially and can be shown on maps. MIST makes it possible to assess and compare patrol efforts and results over time and across teams and sites. Anti-poaching teams that operate with MIST use GPS (Global Positioning System) units to record their routes and

they document poaching and other relevant incidents during their patrols on specially designed data forms. The data on patrol routes and results are stored in a computer database.

By generating regular patrol reports with the data in the database, MIST facilitates evaluation of patrol performance and improved patrol management. Regular meetings with inspectors and the management of the protected area are organised to assess patrol accomplishments and determine priority areas and targets for future patrol efforts.

2. Bonus system
A bonus system provides substantial rewards for anti-poaching teams that perform well. The system includes an incentive for co-operation with other law enforcement agencies (e.g. police) that have enforcement rights outside the National Park. As a result of frequent joint patrols with these agencies, all leopard and tiger habitat in Southwest Primorye is now effectively protected.

3. Patrol support
We provide technical support to improve the quality of anti-poaching patrols, including fuel for patrol vehicles, spare parts and ranger outfits. In addition we provide training of inspectors in patrol data collection and patrol techniques.

4. Population monitoring
WCS works with the national park authorities on improving biological monitoring to demonstrate increases/decreases of tiger, leopard and their prey populations in relation to the improved anti-poaching effort.

FIRST SIGNS OF SUCCESS!

MIST patrol monitoring, in combination with the bonus and patrol support systems, were launched in on 1 December 2010 in two reserves and on 1 August 2012 in two more protected areas. Since then, the project has already produced impressive results with both patrol efforts and law enforcement results having substantially increased. For example, the average distance of foot patrols per team and the average time spent on patrols more than doubled in the first quarter of 2012 in the National Park "Land of the Leopard" compared to the first quarter of 2011, and consequently the number of poachers apprehended has increased 2.5 times.

The increased patrol efforts produced very substantial increases in law enforcement results:

View table "increase in enforcements results"