James L. Slade

Diploma, Animal Behaviour Studies, JC Biology, Institute for Animal Care & Education
Graduated, Southern African Wildlife College, Diploma, Nature Conservation, the University of South Africa

James Slade is a long-time conservation practitioner specializing in wildlife law enforcement. He spent well over a decade living and working in Southern Africa managing anti-poaching operations. He has previously worked with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, International Anti-Poaching Foundation, and the Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit, where he continues to serve as Technical Advisor. His field experience includes operations management, training, wildlife crime scene investigations and ballistics recovery, and the use of SMART conservation software for monitoring and data collection.

As the Wildlife Crime Prevention Specialist for Re:wild, James uses his experience to focus on working with partners to develop and implement practical crime prevention strategies that support law enforcement efforts and protected area field staff. Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) is an approach based on context-specific behavioural change and deterrence, while monitoring interventions through analysis and applying methods drawn from criminology. This is aimed at preventing illegal and harmful activities, biodiversity damage and further loss, by addressing the threats before they occur and avoiding site-based conflict. His work focuses on this approach, with a strong emphasis on ranger and guardian competence development, management, and welfare.

James is the founder and current Chair of the IUCN WCPA Wildlife Crime Prevention Specialist Group as well as a founding member of the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA). He also serves in a leadership role within the SMART EarthRanger Conservation Alliance (SERCA) with a focus on capacity development and has been a Professional Member of the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa since 2009.

James lives in British Columbia, Canada and in his free time is a, Lieutenant, Training Officer and Emergency First Responder for his local Fire Department.