National Tigers for Tigers Coalition provides input on the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking in Washington D.C.

Wildlife trafficking and poaching are major threats to the endangered species and the security of the United States.  International crime syndicates and terrorist groups are able to generate billions of dollars every year from the illegal wildlife trade.  To tackle this global problem, one cohesive and powerful strategy that starts in the U.S. is imperative. 

In June of 2013, Tigers for Tigers members traveled to Washington D.C. with the National Wildlife Refuge Association to talk to Senators about the poaching crisis and asked for an increase in appropriations to address our concerns.  

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“It was quite an experience to meet with staffers, who happened to be close to our age. Many of them even attended tiger mascot colleges!” said Sean Carnell, National Coordinator for NT4TC.    

Two weeks after our visit, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, along with other Senators of Congress, sent a letter to President Obama to inquire about what the Administration was doing to address the poaching crisis.

In July 2013, President Obama issued an Executive Order (E.O.) to combat wildlife trafficking during his trip to Africa. The goal of the E.O. was to enhance and coordinate U.S. efforts to address the major impacts to wildlife caused by the continued rise of poaching and trafficking. The E.O. established the Presidential Task Force, co-chaired by the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Interior and the Attorney General. It also includes designated senior-level representatives from 15 other departments and agencies. The goal of the Task Force was to develop a national strategy that coordinated regional law enforcement to reduce poaching and illegal wildlife trade. 

The Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking was also formed in response to President Obama’s E.O., which advises and assists the Presidential Task Force.  Private-sector leaders, representatives of nonprofit organizations and former government officials comprise the 8-member council.

On February 11, 2014, the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking was released, focusing on three main goals: to strengthen enforcement, reduce demand for illegally traded wildlife, and expand international cooperation and commitment.  While the national strategy broadly addresses illegally traded wildlife and wildlife products, it particularly emphasizes the protection of African elephants and rhinos by banning the commercial trade of ivory.  This is a fantastic development and we saw a great opportunity for Tigers for Tigers to get involved.

Sean Carnell and Haley Kernell, Journalist Intern for Tigers for Tigers and law student at the University of South Carolina, with the advice and assistance of John Fitzgerald (attorney and advisor to Tigers for Tigers), Tracy Coppola (IFAW’s Campaign Officer and leader of the U.S. Big Cats in Captivity policy campaign), and Allan Thornton (Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency), wrote and submitted a public comments to ask questions and provide suggestions for the implementation of the national strategy.  

We want to know what the younger generation/American public can do to support the United States’ efforts to combat this wildlife crisis. Some of the suggestions we provided are as follows:

• Address the plight of tigers within the national strategy
• Increase law enforcement capacity and technical assistance within tiger range countries
• Implement and improve sophisticated social media and P.R. campaigns in tiger range countries to reduce demand
• Seek the Administration’s support for the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (H.R.1998/S.1381)
• Re-authorize the Save Vanishing Species Semi-postal Stamp
• Address China’s captive tiger breeding facilities

Sean will attend the public meeting of the Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking on March 20, 2014 in Washington D.C. The meeting will address implementation of the national strategy as well as public comments.

"With the vast expertise and energy of the several dozen universities they represent, Tigers for Tigers has the potential to be one of the greatest additions to tiger conservation in a very long time. Their submission today for the President's team working on wildlife crime and their plan to present it in person taken together is strong evidence that things will be different for tigers now that T4T is here."  John Fitzgerald.

We are very thankful for all of the people who provided their input and guidance on this project. We can’t wait to hear the results of the meeting and Sean’s experience!  This is an exciting time for Tigers for Tigers.

View the National Tigers for Tigers Coalition's public comments here. 

For updates about the event and tomorrow’s meeting, follow us on twitter:

@T4T_Coalition #saveourmascot