COLLABORATING TO STOP A CRISIS

Zoos, aquariums, and government agencies work together to address the ongoing problem of wildlife trafficking and confiscations.

By RoxAnna Breitigan, Chief Operating Officer

It might surprise you to know that, until recently, when illegally trafficked live animals are confiscated at the border, airports, or shipping docks, there has been no process put in place to care for those animals. There is a process in place for live plants, run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), but shockingly not for animals. Each time an animal is confiscated, the government agencies typically have reached out to their local zoo or aquarium to provide that animal with a safe place. These zoos and aquariums have stepped up to help, time and time again — because caring for animals is a vital part of our shared mission. Over the years, organizations such as The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens have cared for these animals when there was nowhere else to turn, often without compensation, credit for their efforts, or plan in place for the future of that animal. This disjointed process has been an ongoing challenge for the animals, the government agents, and the relocation institutions involved.

In August of 2019, The Living Desert received an invitation to a first-of-its-kind meeting to discuss A Framework for Managing Wildlife Seizures and Confiscations in Southern California. This meeting brought together stakeholders who rarely, if ever, are all in the same room together. For the first time zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, universities, and state and federal government agencies were all coming together to develop a framework that would allow for an efficient way to identify, medically triage, and place confiscated animals with qualified and capable holding facilities that could provide care for these live animals. The work in the initial meeting helped to determine that there were three big goals to address when it comes to wildlife trafficking and confiscations. The first was implementing a process for placing confiscated animals. The second was addressing how to effectively communicate the stories and challenges to the public in the hopes of changing consumer behavior to decrease the demand for trafficked animals. And finally, how to move the legislative advocacy forward to stop — or at least slow down — animal trafficking.

After being taken from the Coachella Valley, four chuckwallas and seven desert iguanas were found for sale online. Working with the Bureau of Land Management, the reptiles were relocated to The Living Desert, where they were cared for until released back into the wild. This type of success story is a rarity.

A PROCESS FOR PLACEMENT

Over the last four years, work has continued within the Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network, a pilot program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, to create a cohesive process for placing confiscated wildlife — and to become a template for other regions around the country. Collaborating with the agencies to learn about what was needed helped to determine that, much like the plant confiscation network, it was clear that having one point of contact for the agents would be ideal. The network created a process that could work for the agents who needed to place the animals and the organizations who could accept the animals. A single point of contact position was created and funded along with a network of approved facilities that the government can rely on to intake these living beings.

Corals, mollusks, seahorses, and other marine species are removed from the wild to supply the demand for the aquarium and food trades around the world.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, and the International Fund of Animal Welfare partnership has created a national campaign to address the illegal trade of live wildlife as pets as well as the risk of zoonotic diseases caused by the live pet trade. There are actions that people can take to decrease the high global demand for exotic pets that drives the illegal capture and trade of millions of animals. Many of these animals suffer and perish in the process. The ‘Not a Pet’ campaign (NotAPet.net) is an avenue to spread the word of how everyone can be an ally for animals by providing informational messages and stories that can be shared.

HERE ARE THREE EASY WAYS TO PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE!

1. Be smart with your cart: Before you purchase an exotic pet, make sure you are fully informed. Be sure to ask where the animal came from and confirm the species is legal to own where you live.

2. Show care when you share: As consumers of social media, be careful about how you engage so you do not unintentionally promote illegal or harmful activities.

3. Advocate for animals: Be an advocate for wildlife and help people around you understand that certain animals do not make good pets.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Finally, providing a voice for these animals by supporting legislation that has a direct effect on this issue is essential. Wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar transnational criminal activity, ranking as the fourth most profitable crime only behind drugs, arms, and human trafficking. Your advocacy can help make a positive difference! Utilizing your voting power and writing your Members of Congress for increased penalties and fines for offenders, or making your voice heard to pass vital legislation like the S.1149 Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2023 are actions you can take today. These everyday efforts make a difference, as seen in the successful passing of the Big Cat Public Safety Act and the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act.

NEXT STEPS

Wildlife trafficking and confiscation of live animals is a complex challenge that could have felt overwhelming when we came together for the first time years ago. Instead, the group listened to each other, asked questions, and had hope that we could come up with viable solutions. The dedicated people who worked together to address the challenges in Southern California will now be able to roll out this solution on a national level and — together — make a difference.

The Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network had its official launch on October 27, 2023, at the Los Angeles Zoo. At a press conference, speakers addressed the growing problem of wildlife trafficking that we face in Southern California. The event also included an informative tour of previously confiscated animals throughout the Zoo. In December, the very first meeting of The Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Networking Stakeholders took place at The Living Desert. After four years of strategizing and coordinating efforts, the team is now able to put these plans into action. Along with an initial evaluation of the operations thus far, plans to bring the Confiscations Network to wildlife law enforcement nationwide were discussed. We will continue to work with our partners and government agencies to improve the systems and care for the animals that need our help!