About Us
Law enforcement and legal experts fighting transnational organised wildlife crime
The Wildlife Justice Commission believes our wildlife is not for sale to the highest bidder and must be protected from traffickers who turn endangered species into trinkets and jewelry.
Our investigators work undercover to drive the wildlife criminals out of the shadows and bring an end to their multi-billion-dollar dirty business. We combine compelling evidence of wildlife crime gained through in-depth intelligence-led investigations with high-level political engagement with governments and law enforcement agencies to put an end to wildlife trafficking.
Almost all states have laws against wildlife crime and the associated money laundering, fraud, tax evasion and corruption. Almost all are signatories to international treaties designed to prevent the illegal trade in wildlife, yet the trade continues to decimate our natural heritage.
Every 15 minutes an elephant is killed for its ivory. Every day two rhinos are slaughtered for their horns. Organised wildlife crime syndicates are now operating on such an industrial scale that endangered species are under 24-hour armed-guard; fragile habitats are threatened and communities and livelihoods destabilised.
Wildlife trafficking is an estimated USD 20 billion a year criminal industry, with criminal networks that cross nations and continents. It targets the most vulnerable of species, such as tigers, rhinos and elephants that are already on the edge of survival. Only the trafficking of drugs, humans and arms is a more lucrative crime.
The task we have set ourselves is daunting and often dangerous. Our goal is to target those who are profiting most from wildlife crime, evidence their criminality, and enable – and if need be, pressure – governments to take significant action equal to the seriousness of the crime.
The Wildlife Justice Commission works to disrupt and eventually help dismantle the networks that support this destructive industry, so we can ensure justice for our wildlife.
This short film explains how the Wildlife Justice Commission works, what type of organised criminal networks we investigate and why we do what we do. All with one clear objective: to disrupt and help dismantle transnational organised criminal networks trafficking endangered species.