Raising Public Awareness to Fight the Illegal Trade in Wildlife
Opinion Editorial
Ambassador Mark C. Minton

Wildlife trafficking may be unfamiliar to many of us.  We all may contribute to the illegal wildlife trade simply by unknowingly purchasing goods that are a result of illegal trade.  Tourist souvenirs made from illegally harvested ivory, tortoise shells, feathers, fur, bones or skins of endangered species are marketed openly.  Several of Mongolia’s wild animals are also victims of trafficking, such as the Mongolian siaga "Mongol buhun", grey wolf, snow leopard, marmot, fox and deer. Most of these are illegally traded for traditional medical treatment or for their skins or horns. Sadly, trafficking may lead to extinction for some Mongolian animal species.  For example, in 2000, there were around 2,000 Mongolian siaga, but now reportedly only 700 remain.   Clearly, the sale of these products puts many species at risk of extinction and encourages criminal activity.

In recent years, illegal trafficking has grown and now contributes significantly to the loss of our most precious wildlife.  For example, most of the 95% decline in the tiger population since the turn of the century has occurred in the past 25 years, and poachers and traffickers have contributed to this decline. Wildlife trafficking is closely linked to organized crime, and estimates of this trade range anywhere from $10-$20 million annually.  In addition to causing loss of wildlife, wildlife trafficking contributes to global health problems.  Diseases such as avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Ebola virus and tuberculosis can cross species lines and jump from animals to humans.

In response, the United States, in cooperation with several other governments and organizations, created the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT).  Through CAWT, we seek to end wildlife trafficking by curbing both the buying and selling of illegal wildlife and wildlife products.  To enhance anti-trafficking law enforcement, CAWT and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations established a new regional wildlife enforcement network – ASEAN-WEN.  In its short existence, ASEAN-WEN has already succeeded in rescuing and returning live animals to their native countries and disrupted networks of wildlife trafficking.

We have also enlisted the help of actor Harrison Ford, who donated his time to filming three public service announcements urging consumers to stop buying illegal wildlife and wildlife products. These ads will be aired worldwide to increase awareness of the severity of wildlife trafficking.

That is why we all must work together to stop the illegal wildlife trade. We hope Mongolians will do their part to stop this trade and to preserve Mongolia’s rare and precious wildlife.  We can all do more to help save wildlife from extinction.