Representative Royce’s END Wildlife Trafficking Act is now law. While a world without elephants, rhinos, and tigers is hard to imagine, it’s a real possibility for future generations. Representative Royce is turning the tide.
This legislation combats today’s unprecedented level of poaching and wildlife trafficking – a major financial lifeline for armed groups and terrorist networks – by holding foreign governments accountable and adding greater consequences for participating in this lucrative illicit trade.
Take a look at what some of those groups are saying about Representative Royce’s bipartisan bill that is now law:
“Enough Project applauds bipartisan effort in House and Senate to protect elephants, rhinos, and other endangered species facing extinction from out-of-control poaching by violent armed groups and international traffickers.” Enough Project, 9/21/16
“Once again Congress is taking steps to advance U.S. global interests, this time by addressing the critical issue of wildlife trafficking… The USGLC applauds Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and Senators Flake and Coons for their leadership on this critical issue. Wildlife trafficking destabilizes regions and funds international terrorism, and this legislation will help provide an aggressive response by categorizing this crime alongside weapons and drug trafficking.”
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, 9/21/16
“By elevating wildlife trafficking to a serious crime under U.S. law, increasing penalties for trafficking and giving law enforcement more tools to stop those involved with wildlife crime, H.R. 2494 helps create a brighter future for wildlife internationally.”
Defenders of Wildlife, 9/21/16
“Importantly, this bill represents progress on the strengthening of U.S. laws to target wildlife traffickers, including the authority to use wildlife crime as a predicate offense for money laundering prosecutions… It can ensure that the U.S. government is able to assist foreign governments that truly want to tackle this crisis. The bill will also help to better equip wildlife enforcement units in key countries, while helping to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance is targeted where it will truly make a difference.”
Wildlife Conservation Society, 9/21/16