Target: David Hayes, Chair of the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
Goal: Praise the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance for partnering with leading U.S. companies to combat wildlife trafficking.
Sixteen major U.S. corporations have made significant commitments to combating wildlife trafficking in collaboration with the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance. In honor of World Wildlife Day, Google, JetBlue, Etsy, and many others have pledged to work toward shutting down illegal wildlife trade in the United States. They will work to eliminate illegal products from the supply chain, urge other leading brands to do the same, and spread awareness of wildlife trafficking. The commitment of such influential companies marks an important step in the battle to end wildlife crime and save threatened species.
The illegal wildlife trade is a growing international crisis, with traffickers poaching for ivory, animal furs, and other animal parts to sell over the internet. This illegal trading is highly dangerous to threatened and endangered animals like elephants and tigers, and is a consistent factor in these species’ population decline. Wildlife trafficking is dangerous to humans as well, as it is becoming more and more of an organized crime led by international groups that destabilize governments. The U.S. is one of the largest markets for illegal wildlife trade, so this pledge to cut off the supply of illegal products will have a significant impact on the trade as a whole.
The complete list of corporations making a commitment to ending wildlife trafficking is as follows: Google, eBay, Etsy, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Signet Jewelers, Richline Jewelry and Rio Grande, Berkshire Hathaway companies, Discovery Communications, LiveAuctioneers.com, JetBlue Airways, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Adventure Travel Trade Association, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Bronx Zoo, and Natural Habitat Adventures.
While all of these companies deserve our praise the real hero is the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, which organized the pledge as part of President Obama’s initiative to take action against illegal wildlife trade. The Alliance is a coalition of nonprofit organizations and companies that work together to educate people about illegal wildlife trafficking so that consumers can make ethical purchase decisions. Sign the petition below to applaud the Alliance for instigating the pledge with leading corporations, and thank it for its efforts to fight wildlife trade.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Hayes,
Thanks to the efforts of President Obama and the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, over a dozen major U.S. corporations have pledged to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Google, Etsy, JetBlue and 13 other leading brands have made significant commitments to eliminate illegal products from the supply chain, urge other corporations to do the same, and spread awareness of wildlife trafficking. By organizing this pledge the Alliance has taken an important step towards cutting off the supply and demand for illegal wildlife products in the U.S.
The wildlife trade is a growing international crisis, and as one of the largest markets for illegal products it is vital that the U.S. makes an organized effort to combat this crime. With the help of your coalition, the illegal selling and buying of ivory, animal skins, and other animal products will now be much more difficult for traffickers, and this pledge will save the lives of many threatened and endangered animals.
We, the undersigned, applaud your latest triumph in combating wildlife trafficking. Thank you for your continued efforts to put an end to this harmful and illegal activity.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: uswta.org
