Suriname - Statutory law - Human wildlife conflict
Human wildlife conflict
SURINAME
Summary
Human-wildlife conflict is poorly regulated in Surinamese legislation. The laws recognize a few cases in which the killing of a wild animal is allowed without a licence, such as self-defence, and the defence of another person or property. In addition, animals can also be killed to combat contagious animal diseases and pests; however, there is no obligation to report this to the appropriate authority. At the central and local levels, there are no arrangements for cooperative surveillance or monitoring of wildlife-related conflicts.
The institutional framework on human-wildlife conflict is based on the State Order “Task Description Departments 1991” that regulates the working areas of the ministries at the national level, and the specific laws in the field of wildlife management, land and water use that regulate enforcement. Where there is overlap in enforcement, there are working agreements. For example, the game wardens who may also be “extraordinary police officers” are assigned by the Ministry of Justice and Police, fall under the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, and do have the authority to act against violations of the regulations under the Fish Stock Protection Act and the Sea Fisheries Order that fall under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Self-defence against wildlife attacks is recognized in the Game Act 1954 and the Animal Welfare Act. Pursuant to the Game Act, it is prohibited to practise any hunting activity without a valid hunting licence, which also includes the killing of animals living in the wild. This restriction, however, does not apply if a person needs to protect himself or herself, or any other person or property. In addition, the Animal Welfare Act states that it is prohibited to kill animals other than for slaughter; an exception to this prohibition is only allowed in certain cases, such as when an animal poses an immediate danger to humans and animals, or when there is a need to combat contagious animal diseases and pests in society. However, these Acts do not make it mandatory for any person who has killed or injured an animal in self-defence or in defence of another person to report this to the appropriate authority. In addition, a compensation framework for damage to property or loss of life suffered as a result of human-wildlife conflict is not provided for. Guidelines have not been developed on how the damage caused by wildlife or hunting activities should be measured. At the central and local levels, there are no arrangements for cooperative surveillance or monitoring of wildlife-related conflicts.
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK RELEVANT TO HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
There are several institutional bodies responsible for human-wildlife conflict. These include the ministries responsible for supervision and enforcement of the Game Act 1954 and the Animal Welfare Act.
The Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management is responsible for, inter alia, forest and nature management. The Director of the Ministry is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Game Act 1954, and the Head of the Suriname Forest Service (SFS) is his designated replacement. The Nature Conservation Division (NCD) has been authorized by the Head of the SFS with the daily management of the nature reserves as well as wildlife management. In the field, game wardens are responsible for the enforcement of the Game Act.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Justice and Police are responsible for the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act. The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries appoints an official responsible for the supervision and control of compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, while the Ministry of Justice and Police is responsible for the law regarding criminal offences.