The market for ivory carvings, rhino horn, shark fin delicacies, tiger pelt decorations, and the like is fueling an underground, illegal economy that creates new market opportunities and revenue sources for transnational criminal networks. The high-profit, low-risk nature of the crime continues to draw in even more nefarious criminal elements, including some groups with links to terrorism and rogue military personnel. Wildlife trafficking is undermining the rule of law throughout the supply chain -- from breeding official corruption on the ranges, at ports, and in courts, to driving away honest park rangers and local communities who fear for their lives. And wildlife crime is quickly decimating iconic species, whose disappearance -- a looming and real risk -- would strike to the core for all the people of the world.

We must act now. Last month, the President announced his National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. Our three co-chairing agencies -- the Departments of State, Justice and Interior -- are leading the President's whole-of-government fight against wildlife trafficking by pursuing a three-pronged strategy: strengthening domestic and global enforcement; reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife at home and abroad; and strengthening partnerships internationally and domestically with local communities, NGOs, private industry and others to combat wildlife poaching and illegal trade.

Strong enforcement is critical to stopping those who kill and traffic in protected wildlife. The United States takes wildlife trafficking crimes very seriously, and we have had significant successes over the years in prosecuting those who smuggle and traffic in elephant ivory, rhino horns, South African leopard, Asian and African tortoises and reptiles, and many other protected species. The Strategy will enhance enforcement efforts here in the United States as well as the work we do to help our foreign partners develop their capacity to adopt and effectively enforce laws that will stop poachers and wildlife traffickers.