Today, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (USWTA) announced their joining of forcesin a united effort to fight the global epidemic in wildlife trafficking. Effective immediately, Sara Walker former Executive Director or the USWTA, will join the AZA staff in Silver Spring, Maryland and the USWTA is now a program of the AZA.
“Wildlife trafficking is a global epidemic, and is driving some of the world’s most beloved animals to the brink of extinction,” said Dan Ashe, President and CEO of AZA. “AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are world leaders in saving animals from extinction, and this strategic alignment with travel, media, and consumer products business leaders, as well as conservation NGOs, will create and sustain powerful momentum.”
Beginning in 2015, the USWTA has assembled an impressive coalition of corporate and non-profit member organizations all working together to raise awareness about the devastating impact that wildlife trafficking has on wild animals and to stop the consumer demand for endangered species products. AZA is a founding member of the USWTA.
“In the past two years, USWTA has made significant progress in building public-private partnerships across a variety of sectors to tackle the poaching epidemic,” said David J. Hayes, Chair of USWTA. “AZA will provide a powerful platform for the continued expansion of partnership opportunities that raise awareness about wildlife trafficking, reduce poaching, and directly benefit critical wildlife populations around the world.”
An unprecedented increase in global demand for exotic wildlife products has triggered an industrial-scale killing spree of endangered species around the world. Wildlife trafficking has quickly become a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry, which now ranks as the fourth largest transnational crime. Experts agree that if we don’t act quickly, trafficking will wipe out many endangered species in our lifetime—all at the expense of wild animals, the environment, and national security.
As the Senior Advisor on Wildlife Trafficking, Sara Walker will continue to lead the efforts of the USWTA and also work closely with AZA members on wildlife trafficking issues.
“I’m thrilled to join the dedicated team of conservation professionals at AZA,” said Walker. “I look forward to integrating USWTA into the broader mission of AZA’s efforts to protect wild animal populations around the world. Together, we will create a powerful coalition to reduce—and eventually end—the scourge of wildlife trafficking.”
Current members of the USWTA include:
Corporate members
Adventure Travel Trade Association
American Society of Travel Agents
Ben Bridge Jeweler
Brilliant Earth
Carnival Corporation
Cruise Lines International Association
Discovery Communications
eBay
Etsy
Hidden Treasure Tours
JetBlue Airways
LiveAuctioneers.com
Natural Habitat Adventures
Richline Group
Rio Grande
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
Tiffany & Co.
Non-profit members:
African Wildlife Foundation
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Born Free USA
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Conservation International
Defenders of Wildlife
Environmental Investigation Agency
Humane Society International
Humane Society Legislative Fund
The Humane Society of the United States
International Fund for Animal Welfare
The Jane Goodall Institute
National Geographic Society
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Nature Conservancy-North America
RESOLVE
San Diego Zoo Global
TRAFFIC
Vulcan, Inc.
WildAid
Wildlife Conservation Network
Wildlife Conservation Society / Bronx Zoo
World Wildlife Fund
The Wyss Foundation
Additional information about the USWTA is available at http://www.uswta.org.
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
About the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
The United States Wildlife Trafficking Alliance is a coalition of nonprofit organizations, companies, foundations and media interests working closely with the U.S. government to combat wildlife trafficking by raising public awareness, reducing consumer demand for wildlife and wildlife products, and mobilizing companies to adopt best practices stop wildlife trafficking.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d2a7352-c767-417f-9369-c3366ceeaffa