| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC September 23, 2005 United States Announces Global Coalition Against Wildlife TraffickingDeputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment Claudia McMurray will announce the formation of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking today at the conclusion of the prestigious Wildlife Film Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This global coalition, initiated by the United States, will focus political and public attention on growing threats to wildlife from poaching and illegal trade. Seven major U.S.-based environmental and business groups with global interests and programs have joined the Coalition: Conservation International, Save the Tiger Fund, the Smithsonian Institution, Traffic International, WildAid, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the American Forest & Paper Association. Wildlife trafficking -- the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife parts -- is a soaring black market worth $10 billion a year. Unchecked demand for exotic pets, rare foods, trophies and traditional medicines is driving tigers, elephants, rhinos, unusual birds and many other species to the brink of extinction, threatening global biodiversity. Added to this is the alarming rise in virulent zoonotic diseases, such as SARS and avian influenza, crossing species lines to infect humans and endanger public health. In July 2005, at the initiative of the United States, G-8 Leaders recognized the devastating effects of illegal logging on wildlife and committed to help countries enforce laws to combat wildlife trafficking. The Coalition on Wildlife Trafficking will focus its initial efforts on Asia, a major supplier of black market wildlife and wildlife parts to the world. Coalition partners are already working with the Government of Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Thai government will host a regional wildlife trafficking workshop for law enforcement officials and officials responsible for compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in October 2005. Soon after the workshop, Southeast Asian environment ministers are expected to announce the development of a regional wildlife trafficking law enforcement network. Additional government and non-government partners from Asia and Europe are expected to join the Coalition in the coming months. For further information, please contact Susan Povenmire, Press and Public Affairs Advisor, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, at (202) 647-3486 (office) or (202) 257-1959 (cell). 2005/882
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