The illegal slaughter of wild animals for tusks and trophies has been a dark reality for years, but according to U.S. officials the impact may go well beyond the decimation of protected species. Profits, according to officials, are a significant source of terror financing, which makes it yet another area in KYC (CDD) that Compliance Officers need to monitor.
In a press conference at Kennedy Airport in New York yesterday, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced that the U.S. will further its crackdown on the illegal import of wild-animal products such as tusks, hides, and related items to help decrease terrorist financing. Froman identified the poaching of African animals as a particularly profitable for terrorist financiers.
U.S. Customers has seized items such as ivory and trophy mountings of lions and leopards, much of which is hidden in other cargo shipments or disguised as other items. Rhinoceros horns can bring $30,000 a pound, and ivory from a single elephant can net nearly $20,000. According to a story by ABC News, over 20,000 elephants and 1,000 rhinos were slaughtered for tusks last year alone.
U.S. officials identified several terror groups they believe are profiting from poaching and sales of African animals in particular. These groups included Sudan’s Janjaweed; Somalia’s al-Shabab; and the Lord’s Resistance Army, which is active in Uganda and South Sudan.
In order to stem the toll on endangered animals and decrease the profits for terror groups, U.S. officials are working with countries around the world to step up enforcement of poaching laws and import/export regulations, and they are also working on conservation agreements. Additionally, New York customs officials are working to educate local auction houses and brokers about recognizing and avoiding trade in poached animal products.
