On November 14 at its Denver, Colorado wildlife repository, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will destroy almost six tons of contraband elephant ivory stock seized by U.S. law enforcement agencies since the late 1980s.
With this "Ivory Crush," the United States joins the ranks of countries that have already destroyed their sovereign ivory stocks as a statement against this illegal trade. The Philippines did so in June 2013, Kenya in 1989 and 2011, and Gabon in 2012. Their actions demonstrate an increasing global consensus on the need to take action against wildlife trafficking.
Wildlife trafficking has become one of the most lucrative types of transnational organized crimes in the world, with billions of dollars in annual revenues. Illicit profits can finance criminal enterprises, including terrorist organizations. The United States contributes to the problem of wildlife trafficking and is determined to be a part of the solution. The U.S. government is committed to combating this scourge and the transnational organized crime attached to this illicit trade and has taken a number of steps to fight wildlife trafficking and related crimes, such as corruption and money laundering.
Last November, then-Secretary Clinton hosted an international conference to energize and strengthen the global commitment to combat the illegal trade in wildlife and promote conservation by placing it squarely on the foreign policy and security agenda. On July 1, President Obama established a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking to develop a National Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking. The Department of State, along with the Departments of the Interior and Justice, serve as co-chairs of the Task Force. A champion of efforts to combat wildlife trafficking as a member and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Kerry remains firmly committed to tackling this pernicious illegal trade.
During his recent trip to Africa, President Obama announced that Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has established $10 million in regional and bilateral training and technical assistance in Africa to combat wildlife trafficking. This foreign assistance will aim to strengthen policies and legislative frameworks; enhance investigative and law enforcement functions; support regional cooperation among enforcement agencies; and develop capacities to prosecute and adjudicate crimes related to wildlife trafficking.
Wildlife trafficking is a conservation problem, an economic problem, a health problem, and a security problem that only the combined efforts of NGOs, corporations, individuals, and governments will solve.
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