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What is House Bill H.R. 2494?

This bill would enact policies aimed at stopping poaching and wildlife trafficking around the world. It would strengthen punishments against countries that allow poaching and trafficking to occur within their borders, and provide additional resources for cooperative countries to enforce wildlife conservation laws.

It expands existing Wildlife Enforcement Networks — which are government-led, regionally focused programs — to improve coordination, and the sharing of intelligence on illegal wildlife activities between countries. Several federal agencies would be responsible for bolstering existing networks and establishing new ones, including the State Dept., the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

These agencies would provide resources to help professionalize wildlife law enforcement personnel and improve ranger training in partner countries so that they are better equipped to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking.

The Depts. of State, Interior, and Commerce would be required to provide Congress with a list of foreign countries considered to be a major source, transit point, or consumer of trafficked wildlife products each year. Countries that have “failed demonstrably” to abide by international agreements to protect endangered or threatened species would receive a special designation, and the State Dept. would be authorized to withhold assistance — financial or otherwise — from those countries.

The President would be authorized to provide security assistance to African countries in order to counter wildlife trafficking and poaching, which could include:

Intelligence and surveillance assets;
Communication and electronic equipment;
Other defense-related equipment.

None of this assistance could be provided to foreign military or police units if they are found to have engaged in wildlife trafficking or poaching. If the President determines that the country’s government is taking steps to hold responsible parties accountable, this provision could be waived.

Impact

People who oppose poaching and wildlife trafficking; U.S. personnel that would train foreign wildlife enforcement units; the Depts. of State, Interior, and Commerce; the President, and foreign governments and security personnel.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 2494

$6.00 Million

The CBO estimates that implementing this legislation would cost $6 million over the 2016-2020 period.

More Information

In-Depth: The lead sponsor of this legislation and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), cited the link between the trade of illegal wildlife products and the financing of criminal and terror groups as a primary reason to pass this bill:

“With its high profit margins, the illicit trade of wildlife has become an extremely lucrative funding source for terrorist groups and international gangs. As rhino horn now sells for tens of thousands of dollars a pound, poaching is one of the most profitable criminal activities in the world. Tackling this growing problem conserves some of the world’s most iconic species and strengthens our national security. This bipartisan legislation will aid the global fight against the rampant poaching that is plaguing the world.”

American intelligence agencies have already been considering how to use satellites and other surveillance assets to deter poaching and track down groups that are hunting illegally and have links to terrorists. When these methods have been used, intelligence about terror groups that benefit financially from trafficking has led to greater information about poaching operations, and vice versa when poachers have been caught.

This bill was passed unanimously by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and currently has 67 bipartisan cosponsors — including 37 Democrats and 30 Republicans.

Of Note: A high-profile incident involving a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe brought heightened attention to the problem of poaching, as Cecil was killed by a big-game hunter after leaving a protected national park. Hunting lions with guns — while legal — does require a permit and must be undertaken in areas where there is a quota for lion hunting, and it is unclear if Cecil’s killing occurred in such an area. The investigation into Cecil’s death is ongoing.

The World Wildlife Fund has been undertaking efforts to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking for many years, and its efforts have yielded substantial results — including a near-doubling of the population of rhinos in Africa and an increase in the mountain gorilla population. But poaching is still a pervasive problem that jeopardizes the future of many threatened species.

Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Javier Abalos Alvarez)

AKA

Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016

Official Title

To support global anti-poaching efforts, strengthen the capacity of partner countries to counter wildlife trafficking, designate major wildlife trafficking countries, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

EnactedOctober 7th, 2016
The President signed this bill into law
The senate Passed September 15th, 2016
Passed by Voice Vote
The house Passed November 2nd, 2015
Passed by Voice Vote
IntroducedMay 21st, 2015