Stopping Illegal Wildlife Trade

Congruent with our mission to protect the health of wildlife and people across the planet, EcoHealth Alliance is working to reduce the negative impacts of the illegal wildlife trade. As a multi-billion dollar a year industry, the global illegal wildlife trade is second only to narcotics. The potential threats to humans and animals are extensive, including the spread of disease, the introduction of invasive species, and the extinction of wildlife populations.   

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The illegal wildlife trade represents an unregulated market of live wild animals and wild animal products.  Products range from raw "bushmeat" (meat of wild mammals such as nonhuman primate) to fashion products (fur or skins). Illegal products do not carry the legally-required permits for import which would ensure that they conform to international trade regulations. These regulations are in place to protect conservation of vulnerable species as well as prevention of disease transmission from non-native wildlife to humans, domestic animals (such as pets and livestock) and wildlife native to the United States.  Diseases of public health concern that have emerged from the wildlife trade in the past include SARS and monkeypox.

The United States is one of the top importing countries involved in the illegal wildlife trade.  There are several steps the public can take to support the elimination of the illegal wildlife trade both abroad and domestically:

• International travelers should avoid purchasing and/or carrying wild animal products, including meat, skins, and traditional medicines. Intentionally smuggled wildlife imports are often concealed in boxes or coolers; if you see a passenger carrying a suspicious container report it to Customs and Border Protection officials.

• When traveling domestically, be aware of national and state laws regarding the transport of wild animals. Some laws differ among states.

• We encourage you to make conscientious choices about your pet choices. Always make sure pets are captive-bred and choose pets that present minimal health and environmental risks (please visit PetWatch for more information), and can be adequately cared for in a captive situation. Please visit www.PetWatch.net for more information.

Ongoing EcoHealth Alliance projects include:

• Characterizing the scope and scale of global wildlife trade using international trade databases

• Informing international trade and animal health groups of necessary measures to strengthen policies on wildlife harvest and movement

• Modeling the spread of pathogens through trade and travel networks to predict emergence

• Assessing exotic pet choices to provide scientifically-based recommendations for healthy- and environmentally-friendly pets via our PetWatch program (www.PetWatch.net)

• Conducting disease surveillance of confiscated wildlife imports to inform government partners about wildlife-associated pathogen risk

• Developing outreach materials for travelers and airport staff to increase public awareness of the illegal wildlife trade

• Working with hunters in source areas to educate them on health risks of the bushmeat trade and engage them in disease surveillance efforts

Our program goals include:

• Drawing upon the best available scientific findings to make policy recommendations to reduce the risks of disease emergence and the decline of wildlife populations resulting from illegal wildlife trade

• Developing proactive steps to mitigate the transmission and spread of diseases of wildlife origin to other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.