U.S. Government Combating Wildlife Trafficking

[Omaha Steve]

An elephant kicks up dust in Tanzania. Photo: Billy Dodson

http://www.awf.org/news/us-government-combating-wildlife-trafficking


Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Washington, D.C.

Today the U.S. Departments of Interior, State and Justice released the implementation plan for the U.S. government’s National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking.

While the strategy, issued by President Obama on February 11, 2014, established the guiding principles and priorities around U.S.-led efforts to stem the illegal wildlife trade, the implementation plan directs federal agencies in their execution of the strategy. Both the national strategy and plan serve as models for countries in Africa and Asia where the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is working with partners to stop poaching of wildlife and disrupt the illicit trade in ivory, rhino horn and other animal derivatives.

“While first and foremost this is a road map for ‘battening down the hatches’ in the United States and leveraging the power and purview of different government agencies to tackle the problem, it also serves as a model for the rest of the world and is an indication that the U.S. government is leading on this issue,” says Dr. Patrick Bergin, African Wildlife Foundation CEO and a member of the White House Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking, an advisory body which provided recommendations on the strategy and its implementation.

The plan focuses on three strategic areas as outlined by the National Strategy:

Strengthening enforcement in the United States to stop the illegal trade in wildlife—through enforcement of laws prohibiting and penalizing wildlife trafficking—while also improving global enforcement efforts through support to partner countries.

Reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife through public awareness campaigns and outreach in the United States alongside public diplomacy abroad.

Building international cooperation and commitments, as well as public-private partnerships, to mobilize global support for the fight against wildlife trafficking.


FULL story at link.