From Seizure to Sentence: finds significant weaknesses in tiger crime prosecutions

The report, From Seizure to Sentence: An analysis of tiger crime prosecutions in Southeast Asia, examines tiger‑related arrests, prosecutions, and sentencing outcomes across seven tiger range countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam) between 2019 and 2024. It also provides a detailed analysis of court records from Indonesia (the only country in the study with open records of convicted cases) between 2015 and 2025, which can help inform improvements across the region.  

Even the strongest laws become meaningless without follow-through by the criminal justice system. Analysing judicial responses to tiger offences in practice helps identify effective implementation strategies and improve resource allocation to address crime"

Dr. Rachel Boratto, Lead Author of the report and Executive Director, GuArdean Centre for Conservation Research.

Despite legal protections for tigers in all countries examined, the report finds wide variation in how cases are pursued and resolved. In many instances, arrests do not lead to prosecution sentences are suspended or minimal, and limited access to court records makes it difficult to assess accountability within the criminal justice system. Only around 42% of publicly available cases led to penalties such as imprisonment or fines, while 14% resulted in suspended sentences. 

Tiger seizures and arrests alone are not enough. Without consistent and strong prosecutions and meaningful sentences, the risks for offenders remain low and tigers continue to pay the price."

Heather Sohl, WWF Tiger Trade Lead.

The report highlights how transparent judicial processes, strong evidence, including forensic analysis, and inter‑agency coordination may contribute to more effective justice outcomes. 

From Seizure to Sentence also finds that within open-access records, the majority of those prosecuted  were low‑ and mid‑level offenders, such as poachers or transporters, and rarely higher‑level organisers and financiers. It recommends expanded use of financial crime, organised crime, and corruption laws to help dismantle entire trafficking networks, as these were not often used in tiger crime prosecutions. 

With wild tiger populations in Southeast Asia critically low and the species extirpated from Cambodia, Lao and Viet Nam in the last 25 years, WWF and TRAFFIC stress that a comprehensive criminal justice response is needed from seizures to sentences. Strong, transparent, and consistent prosecutions are essential to reduce the profitability of tiger trafficking and increase risks for offenders. 

While challenges remain, Southeast Asia already offers some powerful examples of effective prosecution and meaningful penalties. There is much to learn from one another and we hope these success stories will inspire positive reforms in the judicial systems across the region.”

Kanitha Krishnasamy,  Director for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia

From Seizure to Sentence provides practical recommendations for governments and judicial authorities, including improving access to court records, strengthening judicial capacity and coordination with other law enforcement agencies, enhancing the use of forensic, digital and financial evidence, and diversifying legal tools used by prosecutors to target higher-level offenders. It also recommends consideration of alternative approaches, such as restorative justice (promoting accountability and reintegration with communities) and compensation for repairing environmental harm. 

The Full Report:

Read here