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Wildlife Trafficking: Expose the light

On August 8th it is National Wildlife Trafficking Awareness. Wild trafficking is third on the list of things that are being traded among the world, after drugs and weapons. Many of the animals that are being transported are birds and other exotic animals. But half way through out the 1900's we did not have any help or laws globally that would help stop. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) began in the 1960's and began regulating laws in in 1970's. It was an international agreement that was set up for the governments to be aware of the endangered species and to make sure they are not for trade or that their habitat is not to be disturbed for their survival. CITES has reached over 150 Country members and these countries that are members must adopt the original amendments and the 2 additional ones that were added in in 1983 and 1987.

During Obama's presidency he declared a executive order against wildlife trafficking in 2013. He declared to stop rebelling war for the ivory of Rhinos and Elephants. Ivory is a big part of the wildlife trafficking because they slay about 30,000 - 50,000 elephants per year. But Team Elephants is composed of 24 ranger and volunteers who care for the elephants near central and west Africa. Team Elephant is always in danger by Gangs that try to kill them to retrieve elephant's ivory trunks. The Fish and Wildlife services helps out the Gabon's National Park with protecting Elephants. In Gabon there was 10% decline per year but the population has began to rise up 5% each year. Gabon's success for bringing up the elephant population is due to the commit they have for the elephant. They bought out their navy to help out the national park.

The White House has come up with a Implementation Plan that will fight against wildlife trade. The Implementation Plan has three objections to have a stronger enforcement, to build agreements internationally, and to reduce the illegal trade of wildlife. National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking was created in 2014. It was to encourage the U.S Africa Leader Submit. Since we created the Strategy, Vietnam has taken steps to follow our strategy and have made it a priority to stop wildlife trafficking, China decided to make $10 million funding to help persevere wildlife in Africa.

Ivory is heavily on the black market and the elephants are the victims in this case. On September 25 2015 the US and China Joint committee banned the sale and international trade of ivory. Together both countries believe that if they ban the sale the ivory, it would be another big step to help preserve the elephants.  Once both nations definitively take this action, ivory trafficking will begin to fall and the number of elephants could rise again," Said Cristian Samper, who is the CEO/President of WCS and also a Member of the Presidents Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking

Warning Kinda Graphic and might cry.

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