Wildlife crime has devastating impacts: Urge effective sentencing for traffickers >>

Every year, millions of wild animals from around the world are cruelly trafficked for profit. Some imperiled species are poached for their parts and products, while others are captured alive to be sold as exotic pets—often enduring inhumane, brutal journeys.

The growth of online markets and social media is making it easier than ever for wildlife traffickers to connect with buyers. This illicit trade is putting the world’s most endangered species at greater risk and subjecting many animals to immeasurable suffering. Yet wildlife crimes are often treated as less serious than other crimes. The financial value of wildlife parts and products makes it a low risk, high reward crime.

IFAW is working with communities and government agencies to stop wildlife criminals in their tracks, but more can be done. It is critical that the US approaches wildlife crime seriously, with strong sentencing guidelines that reflect the devastating impacts of wildlife trafficking and meaningfully deter criminals.

The U.S Sentencing Commission (USSC) periodically reviews and revises sentencing guidelines for certain types of crimes. IFAW is calling on the USSC to prioritize review of wildlife trafficking offenses and update its guidelines to ensure effective prevention and deterrence of wildlife crime. Join us in defending wildlife: sign onto our comment by July 27th to urge the USSC to review sentencing guidelines for wildlife trafficking.

To the U.S Sentencing Commission,  

I am writing to express my concern about the global impacts of wildlife trafficking, and to urge the Commission to take them into account when considering future revisions to federal sentencing guidelines. 

Wildlife crime is often treated as less serious than other categories of crime despite harming communities and ecosystems around the world. Trafficking imperiled species and protected natural resources threatens biodiversity, animal welfare, public health and global security. 

From poaching to the trade of live animals, the illegal exploitation of wildlife species causes tremendous suffering. Countless wild animals die during transport for illicit trade, and each year endangered species like elephants and rhinos are poached for their tusks and horns. The proliferation of online markets and social media has made it easier than ever for traffickers to connect with buyers. A new study conducted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) found over 1,600 primates alone put up for sale during a six-week period in 2025.  

Wildlife crime is not only dangerous to animals – it poses serious health and security threats. The global illicit wildlife trade, a “low-risk, high-reward” criminal enterprise, consistently ranks among the top five black markets alongside drugs, firearms, and human trafficking. Trafficked animals pose threats to local ecosystems and to humans through the spread of zoonotic disease. 

To meet these challenges, I urge the Commission to prioritize wildlife crime and work to ensure that sentencing guidelines meaningfully deter wildlife trafficking—for the benefit of animals and people alike. 

Sincerely,

**By providing my mobile phone number, I opt-in to receive text messages and phone calls from IFAW.
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