Worldwide trafficking in endangered animals, animal parts, oils and plants is the World’s third most lucrative form of smuggling - topped only by the illegal drug and arms trades. It is further estimated the global trade in wildlife, both legal and illegal, affects billions of plants and animals and is a $300 billion-a-year industry. Nearly 40% of this total, or about 40 million creatures, are poached from the Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil, Earth’s most diversified region. These creatures include butterflies and insects, alligators, snakes, panthers, tiny tamarin primates, finches, parrots and macaws. The Amazon turtle, manatee and pink river dolphin are among some of the species harvested for their body parts and oils. Since endangered species trafficking is a large and lucrative international industry, animal welfare advocates say the only solution to reduce or stop trafficking is to coordinate education and enforcement with other nations and agencies.

Proposed Legislation: H.R.864 — Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2019
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. John Garamendi (CA)