A Georgia orthopedic surgeon was sentenced after amassing one of the largest private collections of illegal bird specimens and rare eggs ever seized in the United States. According to The New York Times reporter Santul Nerkar, John Waldrop was given three years probation and fined $900,000 for conspiracy and violating the Endangered Species Act. Investigators […]
Tag: wildlife trafficking
California couple confided about stuffed mountain lion to fellow fliers, authorities say. They were in for a shock
They were just passengers aboard an airplane, flying over California and having a chat. The couple was relating their adventures in hunting to the pair of fliers in the row ahead of them. Things apparently got cozy, and they confided that they had hunted a mountain lion. In fact, they said, a close relative was […]
Nearly 20,000 animals seized in global wildlife trafficking crackdown
Big cats, birds, primates and pangolins were among the nearly 20,000 threatened or protected animals rescued in a recent global operation against wildlife and forestry traffickers. Led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO), the campaign, called Operation Thunder 2024, involved police, customs, border patrol, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions. […]
Vietnam faces scrutiny for not sharing enough data on rhino horn trade
Vietnam, a major hub for rhino horn trafficking, is in the spotlight at an international meeting this week for not adequately combating the illegal trade of the iconic animal. The annual meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES, the global wildlife trade convention, is being held in Geneva from Feb. 3-8. As a source country, […]
Report reveals staggering levels of wildlife trafficking in Hispanic America
From the glacial fjords of Chilean Patagonia to the beaches and mountains of Baja California, Hispanic America, representing Spanish-speaking countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean, is a biodiversity treasure trove. These include colorful macaws, showy iguanas, gaudy poison frogs and charismatic cats — animals so beautiful that people want to own them […]
Nigerian Authorities Seize 2 Tons of Pangolin Scales and Arrest Key Broker in Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust
In early December, a major anti-trafficking operation resulted in the arrest of a suspected pangolin scale broker and the seizure of over 2 metric tons of pangolin scales. Representing approximately 1,100 pangolins, the seizure is a significant blow to transnational wildlife trafficking networks operating in Nigeria, where the bust was carried out. Acting on intelligence […]
Man faces jail time after going on years-long bald eagle ‘killing spree’: ‘He hacked them to pieces’
A man who was responsible for the death of thousands of protected birds was finally caught earlier this year, bringing his murderous spree to a halt, USA Today reported. Travis John Branson pled guilty to several federal charges, including conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and trafficking bald and golden eagles. Over several years, federal prosecutors said, Branson […]
Petition: Tell Authorities to Investigate Potential Animal Trafficking Networks
The recent arrest of a smuggler trying to take 29 eastern box turtles from the U.S. to Canada highlights a gaping hole in our wildlife protection efforts. These turtles, part of a species listed as vulnerable due to threats like the illegal pet trade, deserve better. Sign the petition to demand U.S. authorities thoroughly investigate […]