Combating Wildlife Trafficking: Agencies Are Taking a Range of Actions, but the Task Force Lacks Performance Targets for Assessing Progress

Abstract

While criminal elements of all kinds, including some terrorist entities and rogue security personnel, engage in poaching and transporting ivory and rhino horn across Africa, transnational organized criminals are the driving force behind wildlife trafficking, according to reports GAO reviewed and agency officials GAO spoke with in the United States and Africa. Wildlife trafficking can contribute to instability and violence and harm people as well as animals. According to reports, about 1,000 rangers were killed from 2004 to 2014. Wildlife trafficking in Africa particularly affects large animals, with populations of elephants and rhinos diminishing at a rate that puts them at risk of extinction.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 22, 2016
Accession Number
AD1172146

Entities

People

  • Kimberly M. Gianopoulos

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Africa
  • Animals
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Department Of State
  • Governments
  • Intelligence Community (United States)
  • International Organizations
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Nongovernmental Organizations
  • Security
  • Security Personnel
  • Social Media
  • Task Forces
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Urban Areas
  • Wildlife
  • Wildlife Management

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.