The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program works with others to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on foreign and native species of international concern. We combat wildlife trafficking through our International Conservation and International Wildlife Trade programs.
Our International Conservation program provides technical and financial assistance and works with partners around the world to address poaching, trafficking, and other key threats, and to strengthen capacity to conserve high-priority species and habitats. We deliver results by contributing technical expertise, based on more than 35 years of experience, and providing financial assistance to strategic projects that protect and restore priority species and their habitats around the world.
Our financial assistance programs include the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCFs), regional programs, and a threat-based program to combat wildlife trafficking. The MSCFs target conservation activities for some of the most trafficked and endangered species in the world, including African and Asian rhinoceroses, African and Asian elephants, tigers, great apes, and marine and freshwater turtles and tortoises. Through our regional programs in Africa, Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (Latin America and the Caribbean) and our Combating Wildlife Trafficking program, we also support initiatives that tackle the poaching and trafficking of species not included in the MSCFs, such as pangolins, jaguars and cheetahs, and songbirds, through on-the-ground protection as well as developing capacity of those involved in wildlife management, protection, and law enforcement.
Our International Wildlife Trade program is responsible for implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other laws and treaties. By working with international scientists and counterparts, we ensure the international wildlife trade is legal, traceable, and biologically sustainable, meaning it does not threaten the survival of animal and plant species in the wild. In addition, we collaborate with law enforcement to fight wildlife trafficking.
Our International Wildlife Trade program consists of the Management and Scientific Authorities, which work in a complementary manner to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct as a result of international wildlife trade. By ensuring that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten the survival of the species, they also fulfill the United States’ obligations as a Party to CITES.
Specifically, the Management Authority implements domestic laws and international treaties, including CITES, through rulemaking and the issuance of permits and certificates. It makes legal acquisition findings and other legal or policy-related findings prior to the issuance of CITES permits and certificates. The Management Authority coordinates U.S. government preparations for CITES meetings (Conference of the Parties and Standing Committee), leads updating regulations for the implementation of CITES, and approves and manages State and Tribal programs for the export of native species, including furbearers, American alligator, and American ginseng. It also serves as primary contact point for the public, other CITES Parties, and the CITES Secretariat.
The Scientific Authority provides technical and scientific advice to implement CITES, makes non-detriment findings prior to issuance of CITES export permits for native and exotic species that are included in the CITES Appendices, and monitors trade levels for these species. DSA is also responsible for evaluating the biological and conservation status of species in the international trade, and making recommendations concerning their inclusion in the CITES Appendices (proposals to amend the CITES Appendices), prepares scientific guidance and responses to CITES Notifications, and leads the development of U.S. positions at the CITES Animals and Plants Committee meetings.
In the United States, CITES is implemented under the Endangered Species Act.
In addition to CITES, our work is mandated through some 40 domestic laws, international treaties, and other multilateral agreements, many of which support our work to combat wildlife trafficking. Some of these include the Multinational Species Conservation Acts, Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act, Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Canada/Mexico/U.S. Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management, Wild Bird Conservation Act, and Lacey Act.
Our work regulating international wildlife trade and working to combat trafficking of animals and animal parts also helps ensure shipments are appropriately screened for diseases, promotes transport conditions that are safe for animals and humans, and minimizes high-risk human-wildlife interactions during transit.
