# Wildlife Trafficking: A Growing Global Crisis

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/wildlife-trafficking-a-growing-global-crisis/
- Published: 2014-02-15T02:00:53-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## WCS Applauds Unprecedented and Historic National Strategy to Address Wildlife Trafficking

In a major victory against wildlife trafficking, the Wildlife Conservation Society(
WCS) has enthusiastically applauded the Obama Administration. This is about the 
release of a new National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. This comprehensive
plan, unveiled during a period of escalating poaching that threatens the very survival
of elephants, rhinos, tigers, and many other iconic species. So this clearly represents
the most ambitious U.S. effort to date to address this global crisis.

### A Bold Response to a Growing Crisis

The new strategy comes at a critical moment for wildlife. Poaching has reached unprecedented
levels. That’s with an estimated 96 elephants killed each day alone in Africa. Furthermore,
rhino poaching in South Africa has skyrocketed from just 13 animals killed in 2007
to over 1,000 in 2013. This is a staggering 7,700% increase.

Wildlife trafficking has transformed from a [conservation issue into a global security threat](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/09/jorja-fox-bob-barker-honored-animal-defenders-gala/).
Especially with organized criminal networks and even terrorist groups now heavily
involved. All in the illegal wildlife trade.

!["Conservation officials inspecting confiscated elephant ivory tusks and rhino 
horns, representing the Wildlife Conservation Society's fight against illegal wildlife
trafficking through their support of the National Strategy"](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_1104.png?resize=300%2C300&quality=50&ssl=1)

AI

“This strategy represents a watershed moment in the fight against wildlife trafficking,”
said John Calvelli, [WCS](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/wildlife-conservation-wcs-and-the-fight-against-trafficking/)
Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “For the first time, the United States
is bringing the full weight of the government to bear on this crisis. Moreover, 
this approach recognizes that wildlife trafficking isn’t just an environmental issue.
So it’s most definitely a matter of global security, economic prosperity, and even
public health.”

### A Three-Pronged Approach to Tackling Wildlife Crime

The National Strategy establishes a comprehensive framework built around three strategic
priorities:

 1. **Strengthening Enforcement**: The plan calls for improved coordination between
    U.S. agencies and international partners to enhance wildlife crime detection, interdiction,
    and prosecution. Additionally, it supports specialized training for law enforcement
    officials both domestically and internationally.
 2. **Reducing Demand**: Recognizing that wildlife trafficking is fundamentally driven
    by consumer demand, the strategy emphasizes public awareness campaigns aimed at
    changing consumer behavior. It also supports initiatives to encourage companies
    to adopt voluntary standards to reduce wildlife trafficking.
 3. **Building International Cooperation**: The strategy commits to expanding diplomatic
    outreach to secure new international agreements, strengthen existing ones, and 
    integrate wildlife trafficking into other diplomatic initiatives, including trade
    negotiations.

“What’s particularly encouraging about this strategy is its holistic approach,” 
noted Calvelli. “It addresses every link in the illegal wildlife trade chain – from
the [poachers](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/duck-poacher-faces-heavy-penalties-in-new-york/)
on the ground to the criminal networks that transport wildlife products to the consumers
who ultimately drive demand.”

### A United Effort Across the U.S. Government

The strategy calls for unprecedented coordination across the entire federal government.
While traditionally wildlife trafficking has been primarily addressed by the Department
of the Interior and the State Department, the new approach engages the Department
of Justice, Department of Defense, U.S. Agency for International Development, and
the intelligence community.

This whole-of-government approach recognizes the sophisticated nature of today’s
wildlife trafficking networks, which often use the same [smuggling](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/09/illegal-smuggling-of-plastic-is-harming-cameroons-environment/)
routes and techniques as drug and weapons traffickers. Consequently, the strategy
treats wildlife crime as a serious transnational organized crime requiring high-
level intelligence and enforcement resources.

### Concrete Actions to Save Endangered Wildlife

Beyond the strategic framework, the administration has also announced specific actions
to combat wildlife trafficking, including:

 1. A proposal for a near-complete ban on commercial trade of elephant ivory in the
    United States

 * New funding for anti-poaching efforts in Africa
 * Technical assistance to help countries develop and enforce wildlife trafficking
   laws
 * Support for development of innovative technologies to identify poached wildlife
   products

“The proposed ban on commercial trade of elephant ivory is particularly significant,”
emphasized Calvelli. “The United States remains one of the world’s largest markets
for ivory products, and this ban sends a powerful message that the U.S. is serious
about ending this brutal trade.”

### Building on a Growing Movement

The National Strategy builds on growing momentum in both the public and private 
sectors to combat wildlife trafficking. In July 2013, President Obama issued an 
Executive Order establishing a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, 
which developed the strategy released today.

Additionally, many conservation organizations, including WCS, have been working 
tirelessly to raise awareness and mobilize action through initiatives like the 96
Elephants campaign, which has engaged hundreds of thousands of Americans in efforts
to stop the killing, stop the trafficking, and stop the demand.

“This strategy represents a tremendous step forward, but it’s just the beginning,”
Calvelli concluded. “The true test will be in the implementation, and we are committed
to working with the administration and Congress to ensure this plan is fully funded
and effectively executed. The future of elephants, rhinos, and countless other species
depends on our collective action.”

---

### **Sources:**

 1. [Wildlife Conservation Society – 96 Elephants Campaign](http://www.96elephants.org/)

 * U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Wildlife Trafficking
 * [The White House – National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/11/fact-sheet-national-strategy-combating-wildlife-trafficking-commercial-b)

[⌊20140214-210037.jpg⌉⌊20140214-210037.jpg⌉[