U.S. steps up fight against wildlife trafficking
The Bush administration has announced the formation of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking to help stop poaching and illegal trade in exotic animals and related products.
Seven U.S.-based environmental and business groups have joined the coalition. They are Conservation International, Save The Tiger Fund, the Smithsonian Institution, Traffic International, WildAid, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the American Forest & Paper Association.
The U.S. government estimates that the illegal wildlife trafficking has reached $10 billion a year.
The coalition will focus its initial efforts on Asia, a major supplier of black market wildlife and wildlife parts to the world. Coalition partners are already working with Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Bush administration said.