Obama Administration Plans to Aggressively Target Wildlife Trafficking

"WASHINGTON — Hoping to stem illegal wildlife trafficking, the Obama administration on Wednesday introduced an aggressive plan for taking on traffickers that will include using American intelligence agencies to track and target those who benefit from the estimated $20-billion-a-year market.

The plan, which was outlined by officials from the State Department, Justice Department and Interior Department, will also increase pressure on Asian countries to stop the buying and selling of illegal rhinoceros horns, elephant ivory and other items, which President Obama has called an 'international crisis,' and will try to reduce demand for those items worldwide.

'Right now, wildlife trafficking is a very profitable enterprise,' said John C. Cruden, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. 'Our goal is to take the profit out of this illegal trade with all the tools at our disposal.'"

Ron Nixon reports for the New York Times February 11, 2015.