Shannon Noelle Rivera
Current Research
Surviving the Wildlife Trade
Disposal of Illegally Traded and Confiscated Live Animals
Learn more...
Rivera, S.N., Knight, A., McCulloch S.P. 2021. Surviving the Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia: Reforming the ‘Disposal’ of Confiscated Live Animals under CITES. Animals. 11(2), 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020439
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This research originated as part of a Masters of Science dissertation from the University of Winchester, Department of Politics and Society, Centre from Animal Welfare.
The research focuses on the disposal of illegally traded and confiscated live animals. In response to the illegal wildlife trade, successful enforcement often involves the seizure, confiscation, and subsequent management of illegally traded wildlife. Unfortunately, confiscated live animals often experience substandard care. In this study, we investigate the barriers to the ‘disposal’ of confiscated live animals in Southeast Asia. ‘Disposal’ is the term used for what happens to illegally traded wildlife after confiscation. Guidelines for the ‘disposal’ of live specimens are provided by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), although individual nations must enforce this within their own legislation. Eighteen experts were interviewed from seven countries in Southeast Asia revealing eight categories of barriers to the disposal of confiscated live animals. Seven recommendations are proposed to help reform the disposal of confiscated live animals, which would support the efficient and humane management of illegally traded wildlife in Southeast Asia and globally. Contact for Full MSc Dissertation |
2018 Grant Funding provided by Society for Conservation Biology 2018 Graduate Fellowship
Barriers to the
Use of Assisted Colonization for Climate Sensitive Species
Researcher, University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab
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Rivera, S.N., Fortini L.B., Plentovich S., Conant S., Price M.R., Nowhere to Go: Barriers to the Use of Assisted Colonization for Climate Sensitive Species. (in revisions, Environmental Management).
This research involves defining and identifying perceived and existing barriers to the management option of assisted colonization, which is defined as "the intentional movement and release of an organism outside its indigenous range to avoid extinction." (IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions). Despite many recorded successes, assisted colonization is still rarely used, our research team has been identifying the barriers to implementing the use of this tool in the Pacific Region.
Why?
The current rate of climate change is challenging the ability of many species to naturally adapt, scientific modeling predicts these rapid shifts with make certain localities inhabitable for vulnerable species by the end of this century. These unprecedented changes call for novel strategies to be implemented to conserve many of our world's species.
What We Found
Why?
The current rate of climate change is challenging the ability of many species to naturally adapt, scientific modeling predicts these rapid shifts with make certain localities inhabitable for vulnerable species by the end of this century. These unprecedented changes call for novel strategies to be implemented to conserve many of our world's species.
What We Found
2016 Grant Funding provided by University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
Urban and Community Forestry Research
Consultant, Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program; Smart Trees Pacific
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- Collaborated on project using high-resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR to assess tree canopy change during a specific time interval.
- Led effort to systematically inventory +11,000 city trees in Oʻahu’s urban areas.
- Employed a web-based geospatial tree inventory software application designed for inventorying and managing trees using GIS and web cloud-hosting technologies.
- Assisted in effort to systematically assess stewardship activities for 2 districts of Oʻahu using wide scale survey techniques. STEW-Map Project supported by USDA Forest Service; Region 5.
