On October 2nd The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point came together to examine illegal wildlife items, including a preserved elephant’s foot, commonly found for sale in areas where U.S. soldiers are deployed. Dr. Heidi Kretser, Livelihoods and Conservation Coordinator for WCS, talked to 150 cadets about illegal wildlife trafficking, the dangers of purchasing illegal wildlife items while stationed overseas, and how the consequences of such actions can have an effect on their careers and missions.
“The cadets were very receptive to this information” said Kretser. “Many were unfamiliar with the laws and potential consequences for soldiers related to the purchase of illegal wildlife products, and to the species put at risk by these crimes. In addition, they made the connection on how the purchase and transport of such products can result in the inadvertent support of organized crime, threats associated with disease, and the depletion of scarce and/or culturally significant natural resources.”
Law enforcement authorities are finding that organized crime groups that smuggle weapons and drugs are increasingly involved with the trade of illegal wildlife – a trade that is estimated to reach into the billions of dollars while threatening U.S. security. Some of the wildlife products found on bases in Afghanistan and Iraq include claws, teeth, pelts, meat, horns, and ivory products, which come from locally or globally threatened or endangered species.
To raise awareness, Kretser has spoken to cadets for the last four years at West Point, Fort Drum, and to other units being deployed to Afghanistan. Cadets, however, are particularly important as they will step into leadership roles in the military. In addition, WCS has created a series of outreach tools in an ongoing initiative supported by the DoD Legacy Program.
WCS, with support from USAID, is also working in Afghanistan to train military personnel about the dangers – to both wildlife and to the military – of purchasing and transporting illegal wildlife products. President Obama recently created a Presidential Task Force that includes a senior representative from the DoD and WCS President and CEO, Cristián Samper, among others.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Rob Nahabedian. West Point cadets look through illegal wildlife items commonly found for sale in areas where U.S. soldiers are deployed)