WHO WE ARE
Our History
ESPA was founded by two individuals with dramatically different skill sets but who came together and were united in a shared vision to protect threatened wildlife.
In the 1990s Harry Taylor, ESPA’s chief executive officer and managing director, as part of a team of ex-SAS colleagues partnered with a specialist police unit, was involved in an operation in southern African countries interdicting criminal gangs trading in rhino horn. This high-risk, clandestine operation was successful in shutting down parts of the gangs’ operation and in training a significant number of park rangers in countering the illicit rhino horn trade.
An investigative journalist by the name of Peter Carr (now ESPA’s chief operations officer and director of investigations) was following the story. He had been significantly involved in other anti-poaching initiatives and investigations and, as an accomplished author, wanted to write a book about the operation and approached Harry.
The book idea was soon shelved, and the foundations of a new agency to fight wildlife crime were laid instead. Harry and Pete understood that countering poaching and the subsequent illegal wildlife trade would be vital to secure the longevity of some of the world’s most iconic species, and that protected areas would serve as some of the last strongholds of at-risk populations. Long-lasting partnerships were established and developed as a necessary component of ensuring conservation projects worked for all stakeholders.
Board members Bill Freear, Martin Hewitt and CK Redlinger were identified for their skills, commitment to conservation, their unrelenting pursuit of excellence and belief we would make a real difference. Collectively, they became the nucleus of ESPA and ten years later we continue working tirelessly to enable ESPA to effectively counter the decimation of endangered species through targeted anti-poaching and counter-trafficking strategies.
It is ESPA’s ongoing mission to provide protected areas with the tailored solutions they need to continue countering the contemporary threats faced by the world’s remaining wildernesses.
In the ten years since its inception, ESPA has provided bespoke training to over 3,200 course attendees across 77 modular courses in 15 protected areas.
In the five years since its inception, ESPA has provided bespoke training to over 2,000 course attendees across 77 modular courses in 12 protected areas.
In the five years since its inception, ESPA has provided bespoke training to over 2,000 course attendees across 77 modular courses in 12 protected areas.
