Exploring community beliefs to reduce illegal wildlife trade using a theory of change approach

Abstract This chapter draws on an innovative “theory of change” approach undertaken for engaging local communities in combatting illegal wildlife trade which was piloted in three community conserved areas in Kenya between 2016 and 2018, home to Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) as well as other high-value species in the illegal trade. The chapter presents the rationale and background to the approach to guide interventions that secure and strengthen engagement with local communities, exploring four main pathways for achieving reduced poaching of high-value species through community partnership: (A) Strengthening disincentives (social and legal) for illegal behavior; (B) Increasing incentives for stewardship; (C) Decreasing costs of living with wildlife; and (D) Increasing non-wildlife related livelihoods. The chapter presents lessons learned from the Local Communities: First Line of Defence against Illegal Wildlife Trade initiative (FLoD) and shares practical advice on implementing the approach.