Combating Wildlife Trafficking

impacts a countryâ¿¿s natural resources and local communities that might otherwise benefit from tourism or legal, sustainable trade. Recognizing the urgent need for a coordinated response to this growing global crisis, the United States issued the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking (CWT). Released in 2014, this strategy sets forth a robust, whole-of-government approach that focuses on three key objectives to stop wildlife trafficking â¿¿ strengthening enforcement, reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife, and expanding international cooperation. The National Strategy was further reinforced by the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act passed in 2016 with bipartisan support, and by Executive Order 13773, signed by President Trump on February 9, 2017, calling for a comprehensive and decisive approach to dismantle organized crime syndicates, including those associated with wildlife trafficking.