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Seized Shipment of Illegal African Elephant Tusks, Thailand. © WWF / James Morgan

Flying Under the Radar Wildlife Trafficking in the Air Transport Sector

Seized Shipment of Illegal African Elephant Tusks, Thailand. © WWF / James Morgan

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Published 22 May 2017

Wildlife Traffickers Exploiting Airlines Worldwide

Washington, D.C., USA, 22nd May 2017—A new analysis of global airport wildlife seizure and trafficking data reveals that wildlife traffickers around the world are heavily exploiting the air transport sector to smuggle protected and endangered animals and animal products on commercial flights.

Flying Under the Radar

Report author(s):
Mary Utermohlen, Patrick Baine

Publication date:
May 2017

About the ROUTES Partnership

The USAID Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership brings together transport and logistics companies, government agencies, development groups, law enforcement, conservation organisations and donors to disrupt wildlife trafficking activities, and forms a key element of the concerted international response to addressing wildlife poaching and associated criminal activities worldwide. Further information and resources can be found at www.routespartnership.org

About USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for the majority of overseas development assistance from the United States Government and works to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing security and prosperity for America and the world

About IATA

IATA represents some 265 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic. For more information, visit IATA.org or follow@IATA2press