Opinion: End Illegal Wildlife Trafficking on World Wildlife Day

....the world celebrates the first ever World Wildlife Day. 
Here in America, the bald eagle, the grizzly bear, the salmon, and the American 
bison are distinct examples of the centrality of wildlife to our folklore, our history, 
and our shared national heritage. 
These beloved creatures and countless other wildlife species are reason for us to 
take pause today—and every day—to appreciate nature's blessings. 
Thanks to the concerted efforts of conservationists and lawmakers over the years, 
and the continuing enforcement of wildlife laws in the United States, we can 
still celebrate these iconic symbols of America.

But many other species, both here at home and around the globe, face critical challenges. Sophisticated, organized criminal rings aredecimating majestic animals such as 
the African elephant, rhinos, and dozens of other species. Just last year, 
poachers slaughtered an estimated 35,000 African elephants, 
amounting to over 95 elephants killed per day. 
The brutality doesn't end there; it also takes a great toll on human life. 
Poachers have murdered scores of park rangers who got in the way of coveted 
elephant tusks. 
They take away livelihoods of families and communities 
who depend on tourism revenues.

The illicit trade in wildlife trafficking—from tiger skins to illegally 
harvested fish—generates an ugly profit of more than $19 billion per year, 
which is a conservative estimate. 
Rhino horn, in fact, is worth more than gold or cocaine, 
and can fetch $30,000 per pound on the black market. 
And demand for elephant ivory is increasing in markets around the world....[...] nationalgeographic.com